Thelma Davis Martin
Thelma Davis began with Basic Ballet to Dunham technique, Modern Jazz to West African Dance and finally freestyle urban street dance. Thelma began performing professionally in the Southern California area at the early age of 7. Thelma trained with legendary Choreographers’ Claude Thompson (New York – Jazz & Contemporary), Michael Peters (New York/Los Angeles - Modern Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop) Jan Blunt (Los Angeles -Dunham Technique) Debbie Allen (Los Angeles -Basic Jazz), Lula Washington (Los Angeles - Jazz and Contemporary) and Nzingha Camara (Los Angeles - West African Dance). In 1971 she was recruited as one of the original lead dancers on the syndicated dance show Soul Train. Original Soul Train dancer, Black 50 Television commercial, Diana Ross & Michael Jackson Television special, Chevy Chase Comedy Special, Fame Television Series (ensemble dancer), A Different World (ensemble dancer) Thelma's movie credits include Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Five on the Black Hand Side (1973), Cooley High (1975), Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975), Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975), Disco 9000 (1976), Youngblood (1978), Harlem Nights (1989), Poetic Justice (1993), Crooklyn (1994), Thelma is the Owner/CEO - Kreative Artistry Event planning & Floral Creations, Youth Oratorical Coach, Educational Panelist/Authority on various historical Dance History panels, Board member on the Leimert Park Theater consortium