Rev. Duane Wilkins is a 1986 graduate of the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where his major was dance. He was educated and trained in ballet, modern, jazz, male technique, Pointe, theatrical jazz, choreographers technique, and partnering under the watchful eye of LaDiva Davis.

Rev. Wilkins other training includes, but is not exclusive to, the Brenda Lee Dance Company where he received further training in ballet, modern, African, and jazz dance, the Stanton Hall for the Performing Arts under the watchful eyes of Althea Leslie and David Klos. He has also received private training from the late Libby M. Spencer(original chorus girl for the Apollo Theatre and danced with such great as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson) who taught him her love for tap dance. Rev. Wilkins also received private training from the late great Marian Cuyjet who taught him her love for the art form of ballet. Additionally, he is a product of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation Performing Arts Camp (now Young Performance Theatre), Vare Recreation Dance Program, Marian Anderson Recreation Dance Program, African instruction from Dwight James, and Barratt Middle School.

Rev. Wilkins’ professional career includes, former dancer fro the Mark Scott Dancers of the Mark Charles Productions, Hollywood, CA; Brenda Lee Dance Company; Rejuvenation Dance Company; productions and commercials for WCAU (NBC 10), KYW Channel 3, and PBS; Strawbridges; Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade; “The Wiz”; “Sound of Music”; choreographer for “Born to Worship”; and many other productions he is currently working on; many theatrical and dinner theatre productions. He has many credits to add to his bio-too numerous to mention.

Rev. Wilkins is (1) Founder and Executive Director of the Messiah Dance Works, Philadelphia’s premiere professional Christian Dance Company that is dedicated to the exposure of the urban community to the creative and performing arts, Messiah houses an arts school and four dance companies (Youth, Training, Presentation (Sr.), and the Men of Messiah Companies) (2) Former Dance Director for the Stephanie Cain School of Modeling, Self Improvement, and Dance, (3) Summer Performing Arts Specialist for the Intercultural Social Services, (4) is a faulty member with the BuildABridge International, the organization who took Messiah to the Republic of Georgia in the former Soviet Union and Rev. Wilkins to Brazil ,Costa Rica, and Mexico to minister and perform through dance. He has also taught in the following venues: Christian Street YMCA, School Board of Philadelphia, Hawthorne Cultural Center, Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Marian Anderson Recreation (also produced and directed a performing arts camp for 100 children 1990-94), Victory Christian Fellowship, Praise and Glory Tabernacle, Young Generation Productions (Founder and Directed), Kumba Ujima Dance Troupe, Consolation Baptist Church, Tasker Street Baptist Church. He also founded and directed a Performing Arts Camp for the Southwest Belmont Community Association, formerly SWB YWCA, which he entitled, Camp Bravo (1995-98).
Rev. Wilkins has dance for three years (1998-2000) for the African American Women on Tour sponsored by Essence Magazine and J. C. Penney’s. He is a choreographer/ dancer for the Classic Productions under producers, Stephanie Cain. He is responsible for the choreography and staging of the production’s fashion shows, which tours throughout the region and abroad.

Rev. Wilkins has trained and mentored many students who have gone on to the following: Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), Pennsylvania Ballet, The High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Franklin Learning Center, University of the Arts, Temple University, Alvin Ailey Training Company, Eleone Dance Company, Freedom Theatre, Ms. Pennsylvania Pageant, and many live shows as well as music videos. He has received many awards for the outstanding work for the empowerment of youth and teens.

Rev. Wilkins has performed for the Bobby Jones Gospel International Gospel Industry Retreat in Las Vegas, Nevada and taping of the Bobby Jones Gospel Show. He performed for Vickie Winans. He was also dance for such gospel greats in the audience as Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Shirley Ceasar, Kurt Carr, Tramaine Hawkins, and The Clark Sisters just to name a few. Dr. Jones was so impressed with Rev. Wilkins ministry that he called him personally asking him to return to be his opening act for upcoming tapings. Rev. Wilkins is a subject of a 2003 book entitled “Taking to the Streets” (Baker Books). The book shows how Rev. Wilkins uses his faith and arts to draw youth Christ. He is also the subject of a 2007 book entitled “Is America Possible” by Dr. Vincent Harding former spiritual advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rev. Wilkins has been called upon to give honor through dance to the great Ms. Patti Labelle, who called his performance “awesome”. He has recently been featured as the “Angel of Warfare” in the production of “The Church Needs Jesus” produced by CJ Production at the historical Walnut Street Theater. Rev. Wilkins has established himself through the empowerment of God as one our most noted “Prophetic Dance Artists” which has opened many venues for him both is the spiritual and secular arenas.

Rev Wilkins is a 1998 graduate of the Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne, PA; where he received his undergraduate degree. Rev. Wilkins is a 2004 graduate of the historical Lincoln University where he obtained his Master’s of Human Service. He will entering Walden University in December, 2008 to pursue his PhD in Psychology and Human Services . Rev. Duane Wilkins is currently an Associated Minister at the Tasker Street Baptist Church where the Rev. James A. Lovett, II is his pastor and spiritual mentor. Rev. Wilkins was licensed to preach the gospel on May 24, 1992 at the Tasker Street Baptist Church and ordained to make full proof of his ministry on September 10, 1995.