Kenyani Shanai' Henderson
Founder, Artistic Director
Shanai is the owner and artistic director of Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts. 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. 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. 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. Shanai has also performed at Sisters Network Inc. Woman’s Empowerment program hosted by actress/dancer Victoria Rowell in 2011. 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, 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, 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 House of Prayer in Cranford, NJ. In 2021, Shanai helped to establish the Dance Track and continues to serve as the coordinator for Resting Place House of Prayer School of Ministry’s Dance Track. Filled with the love to teach, 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. In August 2022, Shanai became an author, relasing her first book “Instrument of Dance”. More information on her book or events can be found at www.kenyanishanai.com. Shanai 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".
Shannon Henderson
Chief Operating Officer
Mrs. Shannon Henderson was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. Before graduating from Hampton University with her BS in Computer Science and a Minor in Mathematics, she served in the United States Army for 3 years where she was stationed in Germany. She has over 25 years of management experience as a Manager for Seton Hall University's PC Support department. Her passion for motherhood, entrepreneurship, mentoring and the arts is what fuels her to keep operations running smoothly at Soul Xpression. As a dedicated life long learner, Mrs. Henderson furthered her education by securing her Master’s Degree in Information Technology and Instructional Design from Seton Hall University in 2011. Most recently she has received two different certifications (Basic and Gold) as a ZUMBA instructor.