If you are asking the question, here is her response…
Words are things and names hold meaning. Kei has origins in Japan, Africa, and Hawaii. In kanji (Japanese written characters), it transcribes to blessing, wise, jubilation, respect, firefly, among others. Like kanji, I embody multiple qualities in one persona. The translation of Kei I choose to uphold is reverence. Anisah means intimate, friendly in Arabic. While my formal name is Kei Anisah Phillip, you can call me Kei Anisah.
I AM a creatrix whose gifts cannot be placed in a box, yet opens one’s mind and heart to the presence around us. Art, education, and spirituality have been the overarching themes of my vocation such that dancing is a living metaphor for how I transform ideas into actions and make connections within and between communities.
Introspection and movement improvisation inspires my sense of purpose and leads me to hidden potential that can empower change from the inside out. My mission motto is movement motivating movements –to transmute embodiment into social activism. Holding a B.A. from Barnard College in Dance & Psychology, I began my career in arts nonprofits, distinguishing myself as an intern with a knack for designing systems that bridged gaps in operational inefficiencies and supported interdependence between institutional data, people, and programs. My expertise is in community arts initiatives, event coordination, student affairs, and enrichment programming for preteens (ages 9-12).
I received an M.A. at Teachers College’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute with a goal of transforming my intuitive practices into professional prowess. My research exploration included mind-body integration, social-emotional learning and theoretical approaches to creativity and group dynamics. Using these methodologies, my personal practices and teachings from cultural art forms, I design experiential wellness workshops and collaborate with dynamic visionaries to enhance their current programs.
Below is a list of my current interests and explorations.
Movement Lens
- Diasporic dance traditions and freestyle — Caribbean (e.g. Orisha dance, Haitian folklore,and Latin styles) Afrobeats, house, step, belly dance
- contemporary interpretations of ancient dance rituals
- movement of bodies in context (psychosocial observation, performance, and analysis)
- Laban Movement Analysis and Barteniff Fundamentals
Holistic-Spiritual Approaches
- Energy work (Usui Reiki, 12-chakra system, kundalini, clairsentience)
- BodyMind Dancing™ (training in progress)
- aromatherapy (focus on essential oil classifications and applications)
- breathing techniques
- anxiety intervention
- social emotional learning
- work-life integration & self-care
Community Engagement
- multicultural education
- youth empowerment and mentorship
- socially-conscious programs and organizational development
Professional Affiliations
Photo Credit: OWtlaw Snaps
Kei Anisah 