Choreographer

Markena was born and raised on Chicago's South Side. She began her dance training at the age of nine at the Marshall Lindsey School of Dance and Charm, where she first discovered her love for dance. She later attended the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, under the direction of Homer Bryant, as a scholarship student and member of the junior company. She was a proud member of the "Kids from Beasley" traveling dance troupe, Whitney Young's Stage and Performance Dance, and Guys & Dolls. As a teen and through college, Markena had the opportunity to act as well as dance in various productions and travel throughout Chicago and the U.S.

It was not until college, while attending Miami University, that her passion for choreography and teaching was unleashed. Markena was the founder and President of Vision Dance Company, a diverse company that offered an eclectic array of dance. Markena was president during the company's first two years, quickly establishing its foundation as the company grew from its original seven founding members to an astounding thirty-three. Vision Dance Company continues to strive as a unique organization at Miami University ( 25 years later!) with its dedication to performing a wide variety of dance ( ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, and tap).

After graduating from college, Markena returned to Chicago, continuing to choreograph numerous productions throughout the city. She was a member of One World Dance Theatre, a world dance company in residence at Oak Park's Danza Viva Center, continued to study dance as a scholarship student at the world-renowned Joel Hall Dance Center, and taught dance classes to the next generation of young dancers at FieldCrest School of Performing Arts, Sammy Dyer School of Theatre, and Bertino's School of Dance.

While dance will always be her passion and first love, Markena is an attorney by profession and a proud mom of two amazing children, Saniya and Kingston.

She currently serves as the Board President of eta Creative Arts Foundation, and is blessed and appreciative of how her family has supported her this year as she committed to board service and rebuilding this historic organization, preserving its mission and legacy for the next generation of artists.

"Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion." - Martha Graham