Earth's Gemz

Zanora El, is a 2002 graduate of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, distinguished member of the Honors Program and first graduate of the Department for Anthropology, chaired by Dr. Emmanuel Babatunde where she acquired Bachelors of the Science degrees in Anthropology & Criminal Justice and associate degrees in Espanol and Human Services.  Representing Lincoln nationally and abroad amongst governmental leaders of the world, her appointment as a Center Fellow of the Center for the Study of the Presidency on Capital Hil, in addition to her outstanding performance as a collegiate scholar athlete in Track & Field, earned her the designation of Outstanding Graduating Senior where after she was highlighted in news media for her outspoken, learned insights and leadership in Foreign Affairs and International Human Services while attending the Summer Institute for Future Global Leaders in the Caribbean.  Zanora was Lincoln's first candidate for the Rhodes Scholarship since the 1970's.

Pursuing her love of the arts, she is Co-Founder of Infinite Life Repertoire for the Performing & Visual Arts providing community, cultural and institutional enrichment programs and Founder/Creative Designer of Earths Gemz, unique holistic hand-made jewelry of precious/semi-precious gemstones, minerals and precious metals for their ascetic beauty and healing affinity. Zanora is Co-Creator of & Performer with the Off-Broadway production "Wade In The Water", a tale of the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina, which debuted at the National Black Theater in Harlem, New York in September, 2006, hosted by actor Danny Glover. Chosen as the 2006 Ingénue' of the National Black Arts Spoken Word Tour, she was honored for her Outstanding Contributions to the Arts & Humanities and participation as assistant coach of the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Slam Team, which placed in the top five in the world at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival in 2006 and returned to attain the 2007 Youth Slam Championship and shall defend their Title in July, 2008 in D.C. A graduate of the P.A.S.C.E.P. Writers Program Zanora is founder and editor of 7 El-Istrations Publications. She is a 2008 Honoree of the Million Woman March.

A Professional Singer/Songwriter/Spoken Word Artist/Laureate and Dancer fine-tuned her theatrical skills in Professional Musical Theater productions such as "Little Shop of Horrors", "Aint' Misbehavin" & "Showboat" at the legendary Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in Pike Creek, Delaware.  In 2006 she opened Off-Broadway in an original Egyptian dance for the first time, choreographed by Janis Jenkins.  Mentored by International North African Dance Master Khalida Kali, Zanora is a Fusion/Tribal Fusion specialist whose repertoire also draws from North Africa (Egyptian/Moroccan) as well as the Sacred dances North, Central & South America & East Asia with previous experience in Contemporary, Jazz, Latin & West African dance.  In 2007 she became a B.O.C.A. (Belly Dancers of Color Assoc.) associate and was blessed to dance alongside tribal dancers from North, Central & South America at the Awakening Concert/Powwow & Gathering of Indigenous Nations in Perth, Ontario Canada, where she was invited by Grandfather: William Commanda, Leader of the Algonquin Nation, to speak amongst the Elders.  Welcomed into the House of Congas as a featured dancer with renowned Afro-Latin Jazz Percussionists, she continues to learn from local and internationally respected instructors while adding her own spirit and artistic expression.  Zanora holds workshops and community based programs on honoring the Sacred Feminine through this ancient art-form. As a contestant in the  2008  Jewel of the Nile Middle Eastern Dance Pageant she received an Honorable Mention and the Josephine Baker Honorary Award and intends to participate in the 2008 Belly Dancer of the Universe for Tribal Fusion.

She is featured on the Albums of Lil Drumma Boy Recording Artist Uva, Hip-Hop group N.O.K, vocalist with jazz fusion band Hip Soul and appeared on the nationally syndicated show "Hack". A Rising Soul/Jazz Singer, she's performed in the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival as Soloist with the Duke Ellington Sacred Jazz Choir, Bob Marley People's Festival in the hometown they once shared Wilmington, Delaware and graced the stage with Jazz, Blues, Funk Legends as Host of Live at Taylor's in Norristown, PA and co-host with WJJZ’s Michael Tazzi.

In 2008 Zanora was chosen for Key Arts 2008 Tour with productions such as "King's Dream", "Soul Sounds", "Sisters With Voices" and "Getting Along" providing multi-media programs promoting Cultural Diversity, Unity & Conflict Resolution in Public/Private Schools and Universities. She spearheaded the Drama League at the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia in 07, teaches Spanish at Sankofa Academy Charter in West Chester, PA and volunteers with the House of Umoja Youth Summer Career Exploration Program/Young Playwrites Workshop and hosts performances & workshops on holistic healing through the arts.

A cast-member with First World Theater Ensemble production “From Ancient to Hip Hop”, founded by Barrymore Award Winning Actress Zuhairah McGill, Zanora is an artist with the Master Griot Project, released her first CD in May 06 with Infinite Life, “Prophetic Orators of Eternal Thought” and released the CD collaboration “Infinite Life: The Sleeper Must Awaken" in June 2008.

Visit Infinite Life and hear our sounds at:

www.InfiniteLife8.com