Antoinette M. Coward-Gilmore, MA is the Founder, CEO, Artistic Director of Philadelphia based, performing arts organization Danse4Nia and project- based dance company Phoenix Danse formerly known as Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble.

A Philadelphia artist born and raised, Antoinette began her training at the New Freedom under dance director Patricia Scott Hobbs which led her to train with extraordinary master teachers of the Philadelphia Dance Company’s Training Program and with Horton technique master teacher the late Faye B. Snow.

A graduate with a BFA from University of the Arts and MA from New York University, Antoinette has danced professionally with Philadanco II, founding company member of Eleone Dance Theatre, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company and Rod Rodgers Dance Company both located in NYC. Included in her professional credits in theatre, television and film are Freedom Repertory Theatre, Mo Beasley’s Love Suites and Urban Erotica and several appearances in independent and national films.

Choreographically known as A.C. Gilmore, Antoinette has choreographed for Philadelphia Theatre Company, University of the Arts Theatre Department and Summer Dance Intensive, Drexel University, Camden Repertory Theatre, Prince Music Theatre’s Youth Arts In Action to name a few.

Antoinette is an NYC Board of Education Licensed Dance Educator as well as dance educator/ teaching artist for several universities and arts programs including Drexel University, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia Orchestra

With several memberships with arts and civic organizations, Antoinette currently is a member with Actor’s Equity, Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization, International Association of Blacks In Dance, Women of Color in the Arts, Dance Studies Association, Collegium of African Dance Diaspora and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

From arts to fitness, Antoinette is a GEX Instructor at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center/ Salvation Army in Philadelphia where she facilitates classes in pilates, ballet barre and water aerobics.