OFFICIAL STORY

Damani Van Rensalier is a passionate performing artist from Paterson, NJ. Born from a family of community leaders, Damani has exercised the leadership skills gained from her lineage giving back through her love for the arts. She is a proud member of First AME Zion Church where she ministers through dance and helps lead the children ministry. She has also taught locally at the Epitome of Soul After School Arts Program as well as the Rosa Parks Summer Arts Camp, where she also served as Assistant Director. After obtaining her diploma from Passaic County Technical Institute, Damani went on to obtain a BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Aside from performing at Rutgers and acting as a student ambassador for the dance department, she also became a member of the Rutgers Liberated Gospel Choir, acting as their musical director for two years. One month after graduating this past May of 2019, Damani signed a contract with CESD talent agency which helped shape the start of her career. Within two months of signing with CESD, Damani made her Broadway debut in the Tony award winning Broadway musical Hadestown. Joining this magical cast allowed her the opportunity to perform in the 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC. In her down time, Damani has modeled on networks such as Fox 5 New York and Cheddar TV as well as danced in the Apple TV series Dickinson. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Damani founded and organized the Fall Into Art Festival at the Great Falls in Paterson where she helped bring awareness to social injustices through different art mediums. In the Spring of 2021, she helped transform Fall Into Art into a non-profit organization that exists to create an inclusive environment for all people and all art forms through interactive classes, festivals, and community based events. While leading this organization, Damani has helped organize and coordinate different Paterson events including an entire month dedicated to community service. She continues to lead Fall Into Art from afar as she tours the world with Hamilton the musical.

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