Biography
Kenyani Shanai Henderson serves as the Director of Dance and Dance Coordinator for the School of Ministry at Resting Place House of Prayer and Revival Center, an Adjunct Professor of Dance Education at Seton Hall University, and the Founder/Artistic Director of Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts in NJ, USA. She has combined her classical dance training and over two decades of ministry experience to mentor and develop leaders and dance ministries across the country. Kenyani Shanai is the recipient of the Best in Education award from NJ Black Businesses, the National Council of Negro Women’s Leadership in Dance Education Award, and a featured presenter at various conferences, including the NJ Christian Arts Gathering, SELAH Christian Creatives and Entrepreneurs Gathering, and the NJ Occupational Therapy Association and American Occupational Therapy Association. Kenyani Shanai continues to find much joy in helping others develop and soar for the Kingdom of God.
She was born and raised in Linden, New Jersey with her loving family. She began her dance training within her church’s dance ministry, Judah, where she learned her foundation of ballet, modern, and liturgical dance. Kenyani Shanai then continued her dance training as a dance major student in high school and a member of Linden High School’s Dance Company under the direction of Barbara Greco-Brady. Kenyani Shanai was formerly a company member of Work of Art (WOA) Dance Theater from 2010 to 2012 and was featured in the annual Christmas show Spellbound and production Deliver Us. Kenyani Shanai has also performed at Sisters Network Inc. Woman’s Empowerment program hosted by actress/dancer Victoria Rowell in 2011. Kenyani Shanai was also a member of Revelations Dance ministry out of Newark, NJ under the direction of Crystal Glass, and performed along with the company at Newark Symphony Hall’s Christmas production and the 2014 Mc Donald’s Gospel Fest at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. In 2014, Kenyani Shanai was the choreographer of an off-Broadway play, “Life of an Addict” at the Symphony Space Theater in NYC. She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) and holds a BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in Psychology, receiving both degrees from Seton Hall University. In conjunction with her academics, she was an instructor/choreographer for Touching Humanity Inc., a non-profit theatre/educational organization that creates services and opportunities for children/adults with various disabilities. Combining her OT and dance skills, she is able to fulfill her dream in assisting those with disabilities, to help children and adults participate in performing arts despite their disabilities. Devoting her dance to Christ, Kenyani Shanai was the Dance ministry leader at Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, NJ, the liturgical dance instructor for Inspira Performing Arts & Cultural Center, and is now the Director of Dance at Resting Place HOP in Woodland Park, NJ. In 2021, Kenyani Shanai helped to establish the Dance Track and continues to serve as the coordinator for Resting Place House of Prayer School of Ministry. Filled with the love to teach, Kenyani Shanai was also an educator at North Star Academy in Newark, NJ, teaching advanced drill step to her after-school enrichment program and currently works as a school based occupational therapist. She is also an adjunct professor for the Dance Fundamentals Course at Seton Hall University. She loves to see others learn and find joy in learning the arts. She plans to continue to inspire others through dance and all art forms while creating an atmosphere where students can "Express themselves with all their Heart and Soul".
For more information on Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts, please access the following link: www.soulxpressiion.org.
