Yvonne H. Chow

Ms. Chow is the Director of Operations, Education Director, Curator of Works, and Principal Dancer of H+ | The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory. Having grown up in the Bay Area, CA, Yvonne was exposed intermittently to glimpses of Hip-Hop Dance but knew she needed to move to NYC to immerse herself with more foundation and depth. She was first introduced to H+ through BLADE Open Class and from there, was invited to join the H+ | Summer Intensive 2007. Having exhibited a commitment to the craft during the program, Yvonne was offered an H+ | Thomas Fellowship to matriculate into the H+ | Apprenticeship under the mentorship of H+ | Founder & Artistic Director Safi A. Thomas.

Within half a year, she rose to Principal Dancer by receiving the highest evaluation in her class and has served in this position for over a decade. Within a year of her training, she was appointed as President Pro-Tempore of BLADE Dance Entertainment, and mentored by Yasmine Fequiere (at the time, President of BLADE Dance Entertainment) in the business and financial acumen as it pertains to the dance industry. Because of her outstanding performance in this position, in 2009, Yvonne was appointed to H+ | Education Director and H+ | Curator of Works, and has, to date, overseen the conservatory’s pedagogical standards, managed relations with H+ | Adjunct Professors (community leaders and progenitors in Hip-Hop and dance), and protected the body of work under H+ | Theatre of the Mind®’s {TOTEM®} repertory archives.

In 2015, under the auspices of H+ | Founder Safi A. Thomas, Yvonne founded the Asian (American) division of H+ called House of Chow®, a platform dedicated to sharing her experiences as a guest and leader in the culture of Hip-Hop and creating a space for others to do the same. In 2017, she was appointed as H+ | Director of Operations as she continues to cultivate the NGO's Special Consultative Status at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations while also providing experienced oversight of the 30+ programmatic elements/community initiatives aimed at the majority of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for dancers and artists.

Porshia A. Derival

Ms. Derival is the Executive Director of H+ | The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory. Growing up in Long Island, her journey in hip-hop dance started as a teenager at her local dance studio. Given the tremendous potential her dance instructor saw in her, she was single-handedly chosen out of her class to further her education and build her skill sets in leadership at H+. Porshia started in at H+ in the SOUL SCIENCE® Summer Intensive 2011. After demonstrating a unique contribution to the company, she was offered an H+ | Thomas Fellowship to continue her training.

Mentored by H+ | Founder Artistic Director Safi A. Thomas, H+ | Associate Artistic Director Yasmine Fequiere, and H+ | Director of Operations Yvonne H. Chow, Porshia was appointed to the role of H+ | Associate Artistic Director Pro-Tempore to lead the company’s operations during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Having successfully led the company through this major state of emergency, Porshia was appointed to the esteemed position of Executive Director that same year.

In 2013, Porshia ushered in a new era of Dance Sustainability® for H+ at the historic You Belong Here.® Launch Party hosted at the adidas originals store where she was the voice behind the company’s next 20-year prospectus. Ever since, Porshia has keenly directed the organization's creative partnerships with top brands spanning a variety of industries, from Pastry Dance Sneakers in footwear and apparel, CORE Hydration in commercial drinks, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Shake Shack in dining, to MAC and Christian Dior in beauty and wellness, and many more.

In 2013, Porshia was also appointed as Demi-Soloist of H+ | Theatre of the Mind® {TOTEM®}’s Repertory Company and has since taken on infamous characters such as “Black Barbie.”  As the Executive Director, Porshia continues to be the keeper of the Kindness Capital Champions®, the elite chamber of donors and sponsors that graciously fuel the pro-bono services H+ offers to dancers to date: DanceMart®, SPA®, MEDIC®, and Pimp My Style®.

Yasmine P. Fequiere

Ms. Fequiere serves as the Associate Artistic Director of H+ | The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory. Growing up in Long Island, NY, Yasmine was a devoted student of Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. As a young adult, she sought training in Hip-Hop Dance and in 2001, joined BLADE Dance Entertainment as a Dancer-In Training making her the longest-standing, active, member of H+ mentored under Founder and Artistic Director, Safi A. Thomas. Yasmine holds the fastest rise to leadership given that after her first year of training, she was appointed as Associate Vice President of H+’s former sister company, BLADE Dance Entertainment. She then developed her business acumen further upon rising to President of BLADE Dance Entertainment. For over a decade, she has worked with clients ranging from the Video Music Awards to America’s Best Dance Crew to So You Think You Can Dance, always advocating for dancers’ fair wages and workplace standards.

Given Yasmine’s extensive industry know-how, coupled with a longevity in professional dance skill, she was 1 of the 3 Master Teachers selected to head the H+ | International Residency in Beijing, China in 2008. As such she was featured in Interview Magazine as one of the most sought-after Master Teachers in the industry. She is a proud mom of her first son, and continues to serve as an H+ | Conservatory Professor to the studentship as well as a UN Designate given H+’s Special Consultative Status at the United Nations.