Jennifer Donello

Jennifer began her life as a dancer at an early age studying ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. She is a performer, instructor and choreographer. Jennifer has performed and taught nationally and internationally. Upon receiving her BFA in Baltimore, Jennifer moved to New York City in 1995 and began working towards her MFA. In 2001, Jennifer began her training in Afro-Cuban and other dances of the African diaspora at Djoniba Dance Center, where she would meet her mentor, partner, and husband Felix “Pupy” Insua (1948-2011), an Afro-Cuban Master who transformed and guided her as a dancer and empowered her to become the performer she is today.

In July 2002, Jennifer debuted with Oriki Omi Oddara, the renowned Afro-Cuban Performance Ensemble founded by legendary Insua. She trained, performed, and taught with Insua from 2002 to 2011 while serving as Company Manager, Education Coordinator, and Costume Designer. She began creating her own choreography for Oriki in 2008. Jennifer carries forth the lifework of Insua and Oriki Omi Oddara in her current role as Director.