Faculty Spotlight

An Inglewood, California native, blessed with colorful drumming abilities, a syncopated rhythmic tap dance style, smooth vocals, and a natural audience appeal which have taken him around the world. A product of a talented family and grounded in gospel roots, his interest in the arts was initiated at the age of 5;  

​Channing's young gregarious nature landed him his first gig; Television commercial for the '83 Ford Mustang 5.0, which then lead to Little Debbie Snack Cakes (1983), McDonalds Summer Olympics spot (1984) and a Disney Apparel print ad (1985). Channing studied with the late great Alfred Desio and Graduated from the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. 1982-1995

Stage credits include the role of Sam Sir. in the stage play of Sammy, directed by Debbie Allen. Featured  in  the production of Office Beat, Imagine Tap, w/ the Jazz Tap Ensemble, Riverdance (International, National and Broadway casts), stage performances of India Jazz Suite starring the late Pandit Chitresh Das and Jason Samuels Smith and featured in the Documentary UPAJ, a film documenting the touring groups journey to India. In the Duke Ellington Sacred Suite of David Danced Before the Lord w/ The Jack Lanze Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale & the Luckman Orchestra at the Disney Concert Hall being requested back on multiple ocations. in 2007 was invited to produce, tour and perform the first tap show at the Kremlin in Russia with  an  original  tap and music revue styled show  produced  by  Holmes and   entitled Things Aint What They Use To Be. Likewise, he has been  a featured performer/Music Director & Producer for the Bay Area and Santa Fe Springs, New Mexico tap festivals and the LA Tap Festival Music Director for nearly a decade and recently blazing off the heels of a sold out show with the Sophisticated Ladies Live in LA at the John Anson Ford Theatre as Music Director.    

​Channing was awarded the Princess Grace award and Grant for performing arts in dance and won an NAACP Image Theatre Award for best choreography in a musical stage production for Keep Moving On; a Mark Swinton Production.