Athletic & Artistic Coaching Team
COACH EMMA APICELLI
Drumline
BIO TO FOLLOW
COACH SCHANELLE EBANKS
Hip-Hop Majorette Dance
BIO TO FOLLOW
COACH CAMILLE DORSET
Cheerleading / Stomp & Shake
Coach Camille is an ambitious, passionate, and adventurous young woman from the Bronx and joined SoulPhamm as one of the Coaches of the NYC Junior Cheerleading Team in May, 2021. In June 2019, she graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Currently, she is pursuing her Master's degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior at CUNY City College of New York. After she graduates, Coach Camille intends to apply for medical school to pursue her dream of becoming a surgeon. A self-described “foodie”, Coach Camille has developed a palate for the many flavors that New York City has to offer. She enjoys both food and ambiance and also enjoys exploring her city and taking advantage of all the adventures New York City has to offer.
COACH SAMANTHA PITTS
Cheerleading / Stomp & Shake
Coach Sam comes to SoulPhamm with a wealth of cheerleading experience and joined our team in April 2022. She graduated from Cornell University in 2021 with a degree in biomedical engineering and is a research assistant and data analyst in neurology at a large NYC medical institution. Coach Sam loves to learn and is a kid at heart, having tutored and instructed K-12 students all over the world. She grew up competing in state and national recreational cheer and dance competitions and has won multiple titles, including the All-American Cheer Award. She has a passion for hip-hop dance and music and in her college years, was a part of the Urban/Hip-Hop dance community, where she choreographed dances and hosted technical workshops and auditions. In her spare time, she also writes songs and composes music using various instruments she's learned to play on her own.
COACH JESSICA SMITH
Drumline
Coach Jess started her drum career in middle school - first playing by ear then by learning how to read music. In high school, she was a part of the marching band where she was able to compete in band competitions. She attended Montclair State University where she received her bachelor's degree in English. Throughout her time at Montclair State, she was an active mentor through programs including the YMCA, and "THREADS" based in Newark, NJ. Post-graduation, she moved to Newark where she served for one year as an English tutor in the Americorps Fellowship at Great Oaks Downtown Middle School. The following year, Coach Jess was hired as an 8th grade English teacher at Great Oaks, where she remains to this day. At the school, she serves as Grade Level Lead, and piloted the "Young Queens" after school program at the campus. Coach Jess is also the CEO of "Agape Unconditional". Agape is Greek for Unconditional Love and that is what the brand seeks to provide to the Black community through service, uplifting programs and fashion.
COACH GARY WHITE
Basketball
Coach Gee has been involved with basketball since 1970 as a player and coach. He played in high school and earned all-city honors. Starting a family prevented him from pursing a college career, but he spent some time playing in semi-pro leagues in Puerto Rico and Denver, CO. Coach Gee's coaching career began in the winter of 2014 being an assistant coach on his daughter's co-ed grade school team. He also had the opportunity to coach at Dunleavy Milbank in 2015, winning a GBA championship. Following his daughter's career, he became an assistant coach at Girl's Prep Bronx in 2017-2018, and took the team to the finals. His passion and love for the game of basketball has no limits and believes basketball and life skills go hand-in-hand.