is the Founder and President of Divine Expressions Ministry. She is an ordained minister and pastors alongside her husband, Pastor Manuel Acevedo of River of Life Ministries in Chicago, Illinois. Since it's birth in 1986, DEM has traveled extensively nationally and internationally to establish dance ministries in numerous churches, and provides training in the arts. Rosalyn founded congregational dancing and teaches the challenging levels of this form of dance. Genuine, true praise and passionate worship ministry is her main focus and priority in her lifestyle and teaching. Not limited in her gifting she operates as head worship leader at ROL. She also functions in the office of a prophet challenging and equipping the body of Christ to come into their full stature of the Son through prophetic teachings and utterances. She oversee the DEM Academies, and continues to teach dance and create Inspirational choreography that reveals the Presence of God. She recently received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from Hope Seminary for her contribution of the Worshiping Arts and many years of experience in this facet of ministry.
Vocal Training: Vocal Foundation -Sherwood Conservatory of Music, Chgo, IL
joined DEM in 1998, and is now the Chicago Academy Director and is an active member and dancer of River of Life Ministries Dance Ministry in Chicago, IL . She is one of the veteran dancers in DEM’s Senior Dance Company. While emphasizing the necessity for purity and purpose in every movement, her greatest desire is to see all artists come together and release uninhibited worship to the Father. She is passionate in developing children to their fullest potential in artist expression.
Education: BA in Marketing—Loyola University, Chgo, IL
Dance Training: Foundational I, Congregational I & II, Basic Ballet & Jazz,
Modern I—Christian Academy of Ministering Arts—Chgo, IL
Thao Nguyen,
joined DEM in 1994 and is officiating in DEM as Financial Administrator. Her talents are not limited to aptitude in numbers but functions as the Mime Director at River of Life Ministries in Chicago, Illinois. Thao was trained through Mimeistry, Inc. and she displays the creative dramatics of life in her choreographed pieces. Her art has opened doors to minister evangelistically during street missions, conferences and on cable television(national & international). Her excellent teaching techniques are thorough & distinct challenging mime students who enter into unchartered dimensions.
Education: Bachelors Degree in Finances- DePaul University Chgo, IL
Dance Training: Foundational I,
Christian Academy of Ministering Arts—Chgo, IL
Mime & Drama - Mimiestry, Grand Rapids, Mi
Kearo Johnson,
joined D.E.M. in 2006 as part of the teaching staff, his innovative, high-energy style of dance is a testimony of his passion for Christ and for mainstream urban street dance. His natural, God given talent in dance opened doors for him as a leader for young people at his local church, God's House Of All Nations located in Chicago, Illinois. He is now the choreographer & co-ministry leader of three hip hop dance ministries which is being utilized as a discipleship program for young people. His teaching style has challenged the best of dancers as he imparts unique movement birthed from his experience
with life and with God.
Dance Training: Hip Hop - Untouchable Untiy Dance Group, Chgo, IL
Samuel Oquendo,
joined DEM in 2005 as part of the Mime Company and occasionally as one of our male dance ministers. He attends River of Life Ministries in Chicago, IL and serves as one the worship singers. His artistic range shows in his creative and imaginative expression in God. His abilities are sharp and concise demonstrating excellence in his art form.
Education: Currently studying at Wright College - Chgo, IL
Dance Training: Mime I —Christian Academy of Ministering Arts - Chgo, IL
Jessica Joy Wise,
will join the Divine Expressions Ministries team in the Fall of 2010 as a modern and jazz teacher. She is blessed to have been involved with dance ministry for most of her life. Her passion for Christ is the inspiration for her artistic expression and choreography. She strives to bring worship and ministry into the classroom and performance space. Jessica has been dancing since she was 4 yrs. old with Oh Be Joyful Dance Company and dance studios in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has been strongly trained in modern, ballet, and jazz. And has experience with tap, musical theatre dance, hip hop, ballroom, swing dancing, belly dancing, african dance styles, yoga, lyrical jazz, liturgical styles, martial arts, and voguing. She has traveled to a variety of churches to perform with the Oh Be Joyful Dance Company, also serving as Rehearsal Assistant and guest choreographer in 2007. Jessica was an apprentice with the Fueled & Aflame Dance Company in 2005-2006. She traveled to perform in Project Dance: Times Square, NYC with both Fueled and Aflame and Oh Be Joyful. Jessica has performed in musicals produced by different community groups, in Michigan, since middle school. In 2008, she co-founded her own youth musical theatre company, Jiggawhat Productions , in which she directs, choreographs, and produces the productions. Jessica goes to school at Columbia College Chicago where she trains as a dance major.
Dance Training: Oh Be Joyful Dance Studio, Dance Gallery Studio (Peter Sparling), Randazzo Dance, Dance Theatre School, CAS Ballet School, Ballet Magnificat Summer Intensives, Paul Taylor Summer Dance Intensive, Randazzo Dance, and Washtenaw Community College.
Earned black belt in Tae Kwon Do at Ann Arbor West Tae Kwon Do.
Education: Associates Degree in Liberal, Certificate in Sound Production and Engineering, from Washtenaw Community College, 2008.
Currently studying at Columbia College Chicago, to graduate with a BA in Dance, Choreography focus, in 2011.
Rocky Lee Camacho,
transitioned to DEM Mime Company from River of Life Mime Ministry in 2006. Rocky Lee's testimony is a witness of the power of God transforming his life from a chaotic lifestyle of gang activity to a positive role model for young people for this generation. He has a compassionate and proactive heart for troubled teens and he utilizes his ability in mime to communicate the gospel with evangelistic fervency. Rocky is active member of His congregation, River of Life Ministries in Chicago, IL, and loves to serve the Body of Christ in any capacity. He is currently pursuing his educational goals and also becoming an influential voice through the Arts as the Lord continues to open doors of ministry. Rocky is actively involved with "The Crave" Ministry in Chicago, IL a strong and influential Youth & Young Adult Worship Gathering and Leadership Training Program.
Education: Larkin High School, Elgin, IL / Currently enrolled at Elgin Community College -Elgin, IL
Dance & Mime Training: Mime I & Hip Hop I -DEM Christian Academy of Ministering Arts - Chicago, IL
Basic Ballet - DEM Christian Academy of Ministering Arts - Elgin, IL
Sarah Mitter,
began working with the DEM Company in 2009. Sarah was specifically called to dance ministry in February of 2008. She left her career as an educator, and obeyed God to attend a Christian dance school as a full time student in Kansas City. Since then, God has been opening many doors to spread intercessory dance to children throughout the world. Sarah has taught women and children in Costa Rica, Vienna - Austria, and within the US. God has a special calling that is going forth to the children and the dancers for Christ, and Sarah has dedicated her life to the service of raising up trained and skilled dancers for God's glory. She is a member of Chicago Tabernacle Church, IL.
Education: Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and Bible from Moody Bible Institute
Dance Training: Dramatic Truth School of the Arts in Kansas City, MO Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Improv, Mime, Hip Hop
Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago, IL Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theater, Pilates
Magdalena Oquendo,
recently joined DEM in 2009 teaching Children’s Tambourine. Maggie’s love for worship and dance has brought her to a place of intimacy, intercession and communion with God the Father. Wanting to share and express what she have obtained from God through dance and worship, she yearns to teach the young ones to grow in the Lord with a pure divine expression of praise to the Father, Savior, Creator, and Lord of all. Maggie currently attends and is an active member of River of Life Worship International in Chicago, IL. Maggie also serves as a team dancer in with ROLWI Dance Ministry.
Dance Training:
Foundational I, Congregational I, Tambourine I, and Ballet I –
DEM Christian Academy of the Arts, Chicago, IL
Jerry Matos,
is currently a member of Chicago Tabernacle Church and serves as the lead piano player for the choir. Jerry is both a student and experienced player in multiple genres including Contemporary Christian; various Latin styles of music, Neo-Soul, Gospel, and Traditional styles of music as well.
Jerry’s approach to teaching piano is “Playing by Ear” using the “Number System”, which is a very “user friendly” approach to playing the piano. With knowledge of this system the ministerial student will have the theoretical foundation to learn and play virtually any song.
Education:
B.A. in Bible with a Minor in Koine Greek and Math.
Experience:
Jerry has been playing the piano for over 20 year
David Flood,
our youngest instructor and the member of Edgerton Christian Fellowship, Edferton, WI. He is a 19-year old prodigy who has been teaching advanced acoustic guitar since the age of 15. David has amassed a list of accomplishments as a Guitarist, and uses his gift in music for the glory of God.
He is currently studying at the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL where he’s a Music, Guitar Major studying Classical Guitar. David also enjoys acoustic fingerstyle, flatpick, unconventional, electric and lead styles. He is also a Holy Spirit-led composer. His focus turned towards original composition, as God inspired creativity flooded his soul and spirit.
David has participated in national music competitions, arranged and conducted music for a traveling drama ministry called ‘Koinonia’, and performed at several concerts in his home state ofWisconsin.
Education:
Currently studying at Moody Bible Institute – Chicago, IL
Training:
Jeff Hickey Studio – Madison WI
Experience:
Private Instructor – Edgerton, WI
Private Instructor – Janesville, WI
Private Instructor - Milton WI
Leslie Jones ,
Joined DEM teaching staff in 2009. Leslie was raised in Fort Valley, Georgia but has always claimed the stage as her first home. Having started her performance career in her hometown church, Leslie
discovered the depth of her gift through a strong, personal, committed relationship with Christ. Leslie has worked as a Director, Stage Manager, Costumer, Acting Instructor, Makeup artist in church and other professional arenas. Currently, Leslie is a member of St. James Ministries C.O.G.I.C in Chicago, IL under the leadership of Pastor W. James Campbell where she serves as a leader and member of the Media Ministry. Through evangelistic theatrics, Leslie plans to inspire, encourage, infect and influence others by being a demonstration of God’s word on the stage.
Education:
B.A. in Performance Studies – Hampton University
M.B.A – University of Phoenix
Certificate of Acting – Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
Dance Training: Foundational I – Christian Academy of Ministering Arts
.Music courtesy of David Crowder band. Audio track "come alive " from the CD "Collision"
