Charis Railey, Director
Performance Artist based in Saint Louis, MO
Energetic, passionate, and detail oriented creator.
Specialties: Afro-Brazilian dance, Intro to Afro Latin Social Dances, choreography, developing student creativity, and critical theory. Seeking clients looking for cultural education and collaborators looking to enrich the Saint Louis community.
Water is Life, Dance is Life, Learning is Life
Charis obtained her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Washington University in St. Louis in 2022 and is an alumna of the University's Olin Women's Fellowship. Her process is centered in her experiences with the Black arts of the Americas. Charis started Amara Arts in 2017 as Diaspora Dance Project, rebranding later on as Amara Arts. The word Amara means "grace" and reflects the power and grace found in social music and dances. They bring people together, heal personal wounds, and enable communities to stand strong and make change.
Additionally, as Miss Mermaid USA's Miss Mermaid Missouri 2021-2023, Charis' platform is inspiring humans of all ages to embrace the wonders of the water, promoting representation in aquatic activity, and making a positive splash in communities with fun and engaging performances.
Charis' artistic philosophy centers on contextualizing art within relevant historical, social, political, racial, and gender frameworks. Prioritizing primary and secondary sources as well as the experiences of the marginalized is key to her research. Applied to dance performance, this approach involves understanding choreography as a cultural expression, appreciating its historical evolution, and critically examining the societal influences on movement. By spotlighting these narratives through the dance creation and performance process, Charis seeks to amplify diverse voices, fostering a more inclusive and socially conscious performance art landscape in Saint Louis, Missouri and beyond.
Artists and Collaborators, Past and Present
We've worked with brilliant multidisciplinary artists!
Dancer, Pop Up Instructor: Afro Latin Heels, Social Media Assistant
Dancer, Choreographer: Bélé
Julie Chang
Dancer, Business Consultant
Founding member, dancer, Pop Up Instructor: Afro Latin Contemporary
Choreographer: Brazilian Funk
Collaborator
About Us
Amara Arts brings the rich traditions of the African Diaspora in the Americas to life through dance and performance. Based in St. Louis, we create culturally resonant experiences through captivating mermaid shows, choreography for weddings and parties, and immersive performances for curated events. Whether it’s an intimate workshop, a lively celebration, or a performance that tells a story, we infuse artistry and heritage into every moment.
Do you have an Afro-diasporic dance, character acting, or arts administration background?
We're always looking to add dancers part time assistants to our professional team!
E-mail us for an audition/interview!
ON BOOKING HIATUS THROUGH JULY 2025
Please contact us for events occurring after July 2025 at book.amara.arts@
© 2024