Keisha Laren Clarke Gray is proud to be one of the blessed 40 Under 40 honored this year. She was born and raised in Brooklyn to two lovely Jamaican parents, Lance and Jennifer Clarke.
Clarke Gray graduated from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Dance.
Her other training is from Gotta Dance Inc., Jamaica School of Dance, La Guardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and London Contemporary Dance School. She is a performing artist, choreographer and dance instructor.
Having been a member of the inaugural cast of “The Lion King” in Los Angeles, California, Clarke Gray later became “Swing- Dance Captain,” covering multiple roles, as well as teaching them to others in the show with “The Lion King” on Broadway and The National Tour.
Clarke Gray toured worldwide with Garth Fagan Dance and Lula Washington Dance Theatre.
She is a former Hal Jackson Talented Teen and later became the choreographer/ director of the Hal Jackson Talented Teens International Competition.
She loves teaching dance and has shared her knowledge with many students around the globe.
Clarke Gray loves The Lord and enjoys sharing her gift of dance with her church, as well as teaching in the Sunday School program.
She is the director of Shine Your Light dance ministry. Keisha thanks God; her husband, Warren; her mom and dad; brothers Lij and Kristiano; and family for all that she is.
HOME COUNTRY:
Jamaica
EDUCATION:
California Institute of the Arts, with a BFA in Dance
OCCUPATION:
Performing artist, choreographer and dance instructor
BEST QUOTES:
Proverbs 3:5-6 & Isaiah 60:1
PERSONS I ADMIRE MOST:
Late paternal grandmother Luna Christiana Burford Clarke. “She was a loving and respected god-fearing wife; mother; matron of Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica; a volunteer with Girls Town as well as the Senior Girls Sunday School teacher.
“Grandma loved Jamaica and was deeply nationalistic as shown by her lifetime contributions to the land of her birth. I am thankful for the summers and holidays spent in Jamaica with Grandma Luna, Grandpa Pastor Gladstone Clarke, and other family members and friends. This widened my love and appreciation of Jamaica.”
