Education & Community Engagement > Meet our Artists
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Meet our Artists
Our Education & Community Engagement team is fortunate to work with an incredible group of artists in our programs! You can read about them below, organized by art discipline and in alphabetical order by artists’ last names.
Learn more about our STG Education & Community Engagement programs and events here.
Dance/Movement
Kirsten Barron Kinney
Kirsten Barron Kinney graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine in 1997 where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Choreography and in Dance Performance. While attending UCI, she was a member of Donald McKayle’s modern company Etude Ensemble, Fresno Ballet under the direction of Donald Bradburn, and has returned to UCI as a guest choreographer for Bare Bones Dance Theatre in 2007, and as a guest performer for the Donald McKayle’s Tribute in 2009.
Kirsten moved to Seattle where she has enjoyed her focus on dance education, became a certified Pilates instructor, and freelanced as a dancer and choreographer over the last 25 years. Kirsten has directed youth programs, worked with many local and national dance schools and organizations such as the Gotta Dance, Westlake Dance Center, Cornish Summer Prep Program, Dance Masters of America, and has been involved in many of Seattle Theater Group’s Education and Community Engagement. Kirsten performed as well as choreographed for the band, Queensrÿche in their cabaret-style rock concert, En L’air Dance, and Westlake Dance Center’s Sign of the Times. Kirsten is a former coach for the Shorecrest Hip Hop Team, and co-produced SC Hip Hop presents Physical Poetry with her husband, Rex Kinney.
Kirsten became involved with Seattle Theater Group about 15 years ago as a teaching artist for STG’s DANCE This Intensive. Since then, she has been a part of the faculty for the DANCE This Camp, the finale choreographer for DANCE This Performance, DANCE This at Folklife, Finale choreographer and featured choreographer for Global Party, and the rehearsal director for the commission of Donald McKayle’s piece Shaker Life from Songs of the Disinherited (1972). She loves her role as teaching artist for Dance for PD® which she joined in 2018, and looks forward upcoming programs with STG.
Kirsten takes a holistic approach to dance education and is passionate about teaching dancers to understand dance technique, body mechanics, dance history while embracing their own artistry. She uses improvisation, choreography, a variety of somatic practices, and relies on dance as a common denominator for bringing people together. Kirsten loves to remain a student always…she is inspired by all kinds of dance from all cultures, from her students of all ages and abilities, and loves sharing her experience and knowledge about the art of dance with others.
Etienne Cakpo
Etienne Cakpo (he/him) is an award-winning professional dancer, choreographer and musician from Benin, West Africa. He is specialized in instruction and performance of traditional African dance from Benin as well as contemporary African dance styles, and has been building his dance repertoire for nearly thirty years. He is director of Gansango Music & Dance, a dance company registered in Washington State. Gansango works closely with public libraries, schools and independent arts agencies locally and nationally to make performance of dance and music from Africa available to a wide range of audiences, including young children. In 2021, Etienne was honored with the 2020 Dance Educator of the Year Award from DEAW (Dance Educators Association of Washington).
GANSANGO MUSIC & DANCE presents traditional and contemporary dance and music from West Africa – drawing on the stunning talent of multicultural dancers and musicians. Gansango is directed by Etienne Cakpo, originally from Benin and now a choreographer and teacher based in Seattle, Washington. Gansango company collaborating artists perform regularly in the Seattle area, nationally and internationally for audiences of all ages. The company performances fuse music and movement from across the African continent, drawing heavily from the dance and music traditions of Benin, Ghana and Togo, among other countries. More information about Gansango Music and Dance is available at https://gansango.com or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sinae Cheh
Sinae Cheh (she/her) is the Artistic Director for Morning Star Korean Cultural Center, where she has been sharing Korean culture with the local community and around the world since 1985. She started dancing with Morning Star at the age of 5 and never stopped. With Morning Star, Sinae has choreographed and produced numerous shows, performed in 27 countries, at over 2500 events. Outside of Morning Star, Sinae has taught Korean dance and music in Boston, New York, and Minnesota for special programs and events, and was also commissioned by the Korean government to share Korean culture in various cities. Sinae is grateful that she’s been able to share her passion through Morning Star.
The MORNING STAR CULTURAL CENTER is committed to enriching the lives of those we encounter through artistic expression, educational opportunities, and cultural appreciation. We proudly serve a global community to promote awareness and encourage positive cultural exchange.
Marianne Chikos
Marianne Chikos trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet and the School of the Richmond Ballet, and danced with Charleston Ballet Theatre, Sacramento Ballet, and the Ruth Rosenberg Dance Ensemble, a Sacramento based modern dance company. During her time in northern California, Marianne taught ballet extensively to students of all levels and ages. It is through Ruth Rosenberg that Marianne was introduced to the Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for PD® program; she attended teacher training with David Leventhal in Davis, CA in 2011 and began teaching for Seattle Theater Group shortly thereafter. Marianne lives in Seattle with her husband and two children. She loves the opportunity to spark creativity and share the joy of movement with Dance for PD® participants each week.
Aliyanda Harris Cobbinah
Aliyanda (they/them) is a proud Seattle native and a student studying Society, Ethics & Human Behavior with a Minor in Human Rights (22’) at the University of Washington Bothell. Aliyanda plans to continue in academia receiving their Master of Library and Information Science becoming a librarian serving their inner city and marginalized communities. Recently Aliyanda completed University of Washington-Bothell’s Introduction to Dance and Mindful Movement Practices and enjoys engaging in dance as a form of self-confidence and mental health. Aliyanda enjoys spending time participating in Gaga/people dance workshops, gardening, voice over work, and reading. Aliyanda is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and enjoys furthering their mission to be of service to all mankind. This is Aliyanda’s first year of AileyCamp.
Marvine Faty
Marvine Faty (Seattle, WA) is an accomplished dancer. She trains in the styles of RhythmTap, Hip-hop, Modern, African, Ballet, and House dance. Marvine has performed professionally with the Northwest Tap Connection (NWTC) Youth Tap Ensemble (YTE) since the age of fourteen. She has also had opportunities to perform for Ted Talk in 2017, Dance This and Global Party for Seattle Theatre group, DC Tap Fest in 2019 and more! She has been teaching at NWTC since 2017. Marvine aspires to be a Commercial Pilot and Air Traffic Controller and is attending Green River College. This is Marvine’s first year at AileyCamp.
Andrea Freed
Andrea Freed, born and raised in the greater Seattle area in Washington state, started dancing ballet at the age of four and fell in love with it. In 2017, Andrea earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, magna cum laude from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where she studied primarily ballet and modern dance. While at Cornish, Andrea performed in works by Kyle Abraham, Iyun Harrison, Pat Hon, Veronica Lee-Baik, and Gerard Theoret. Andrea has been teaching ballet since 2012 and has taught at the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet, Woodinville Dance Academy, and Gotta Dance. She also has a passion for dance administration and started working with Seattle Theatre Group (STG) in 2017. She now works with STG on their DANCE This program and more recently their Dance for Parkinson’s program. She believes that dance is for everyone and enjoys sharing that message in these programs and in the classes she teaches.
Danny Gallardo
Daniela (Danny) Gallardo (she/her) is originally from Mexico. Her love for music and dancing started at a young age leading her to be one of the principal dancers at the music festivals in her school. She then got invited to create her first choreography at the age of 15 where she discovered her passion for teaching. Daniela’s salsa background started in 2009 giving her the opportunity to dance in Canada and Mexico. Soon after, she got invited to join a team back in Mexico where she was able to discover new skills, which in turn led her to grow as a dancer. As soon as she moved to Seattle, WA, Daniela got invited to join “La Clave Cubana” team and right away she started performing and traveling around the US. La Clave Cubana developed her skills as an instructor, which has given her the opportunity to share her knowledge and love for dancing to everyone from kids to adults. She also works as a Teaching Artist and has taught for STG’s Disney Musicals In Schools program for several years. Daniela is now the Co-Director of “La Clave Cubana” and teaches alongside Reinier Valdes at their dance academy and at Congresses all over the US sharing her passion and talent everywhere she goes.
Daniela (Danny) Gallardo (ella) es originaria de México. Su amor por la música y danza empezó a temprana edad y la llevo a ser una de las bailarinas principales en festivales musicales en su escuela. Daniela fue invitada a coreografiar cuando tenia 15 años y es así donde descubrió su pasión por dar clases. Su trayectoria en Salsa empezó en 2009 cuando tuvo la oportunidad de bailar en Canadá y México. Poco después, fue invitada a ser parte de un equipo de danza en México donde tuvo la oportunidad de descubrir nuevas habilidades, y eso la llevo a crecer como bailarina. En cuanto se mudo a Seattle, WA, Daniela fue invitada a unirse al equipo de “La Clave Cubana” y empezó a presentarse y a viajar alrededor del país. En “La Clave Cubana” Daniela desarrollo su habilidad como instructora y maestra, y eso le ha dado la oportunidad de compartir su conocimiento y amor por la danza con todo el mundo desde niños hasta adultos. También ha trabajado como Artista-Docente con los Musicales de Disney en las Escuelas con STG por varios años. Daniela es la Co-Directora de “La Clave Cubana” y da clases junto con Reinier Valdes en su academia de danza y en congresos en todo el país donde puede compartir su pasión y talento ha donde vaya.
Naomi Glass
Naomi Glass (she/her) leads STG Dance for PD® classes at Pacific Northwest Ballet, as well as serves PNB in the capacities of DanceChance Manager, School faculty, and co-lead of PNB’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee. In her first profession, Glass danced for the Houston Ballet for a decade, retiring at Soloist rank. A strong believer that dance is for everyone and creativity is inherent in all, Glass has shared her love of movement widely, teaching extensively in every sector, within many organizations across the US. In 2020, Glass was the recipient of the Professor Joan White Award from the Faculty of Education at the Royal Academy of Dance in London for her research focused upon creativity, expressivity and movement for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Glass holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Bath, UK.
Davione Gordon
Davione Gordon (Fort Washington, MD) is a working professional dancer who’s been dancing for 10 years. He began his professional career in Seattle with Spectrum Dance Theater, under the Artistic Direction of Donald Byrd. Mr. Gordon has performed with varied theater companies in the Puget Sound Area including the 5th Ave Theater, Village Theater, as well as performing in cabarets. In 2018, Mr. Gordon moved to Washington, DC to be a dancer the National Basketball Association’s, Washington Wizards. And while performing full-time, he became a certified Barre and Pilates instructor with Pure Barre. Mr. Gordon is excited to return to Seattle to perform with Spectrum Dance Theater and continue teaching with Pure Barre. This is Davione’s first summer teaching at AileyCamp Seattle!!
Akoiya Harris
Akoiya Harris was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and is an alumni of Garfield High School. She is in her first season as a company artist with Spectrum Dance Theater. Akoiya is a graduate of The Ailey School’s Certificate program and has attended summer intensives at The Ailey School and Dance Theater of Harlem. While at Ailey, Akoiya worked with master teachers such as Milton Myers, Ana Marie Forsythe, Renee Robinson, and Mathew Rushing. Akoiya has also had the opportunity to perform works in the AAADT repertoire such as Grace by Ronald K Brown, and excerpts from Mr. Ailey’s Night Creature and Revelations.
Heather Harris
Heather Harris was born in Seattle, Washington and began her training at the Cornish School of the Arts. She furthered her studies at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. She has studied with Joffrey, Complexions and Spectrum Dance Theater. Heather has performed with the Joffrey Concert Group, Ballet El Paso, Aluja Brazilian Dance and Spectrum Dance Theater. She currently teaches in the Spectrum Dance Theater School under the direction of Donald Byrd. Heather has been the ballet instructor at Ailey camp for 6 years and is excited to join the dance for Parkinson’s teaching team this upcoming year. She is the proud mother of two daughters and continues to teach and do dance outreach at several Seattle schools.
Deborah Kenner
Deborah Kenner received her BFA from the University of Arizona on a full academic and dance scholarship and a MS in Kinesiology from A. T. Still University. Ms. Kenner performed professionally with Colorado Ballet, David Taylor Dance Theatre and State Street Ballet. She holds a Pilates certification through the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), specializes in neurological disorders, barre training through Balanced Body, and has been certified in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT). Ms. Kenner is also part of the Balanced Body Faculty to train Pilates Instructors.
Nikki Long
Nikki is a California native but has lived and danced all over the country and in other parts of the world. She is a mother of two, professional dancer, choreographer, photographer, Pilates instructor & is a current vacation swing for Aladdin Broadway and 1st National Tour, and assists in the casting of Aladdin on Broadway & it’s touring companies. She is an original cast member and dance captain for Aladdin on Broadway. She was formerly a cast member of Disney’s The Lion King Broadway and 1st National Tour, Monty Python’s Spamalot 1st National Tour (original cast), and a Radio City Rockette in NYC. Her regional theater credits include Elf, Cinderella, Catch Me If You Can, On The Town, White Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Mame. She is a former dancer for Gloria Estefan, Toni Braxton, and Monica. Other highlights include performances on The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The View, The American Music Awards, The Image Awards, The Today Show, Regis & Kelly, 106 & Park, Nightline and various music videos and commercials. Nikki teaches and choreographs locally at various theatres, universities, and schools. Most recently choreographing at Shoreline Community College (Little Shop of Horrors), The University of Washington (various master classes), Cornish School of the Arts (Jesus Christ Superstar), Cafe Nordo (Champagne Widow: Spring 2019), The 5th Avenue Theatre (Associate Choreographer for Ragtime and Annie), and will be one of the choreographers in the Village Theatre’s upcoming season. She has a B.A. from Santa Clara University, with a double major in Spanish and Dance, and an International Business minor.
Zahra Masaoka
Zahra Masaoka (she/her) is a mixed Japanese American dance teacher, student and performer, residing on Duwamish and Coast Salish land. Zahra is a co-director of Malicious Vixens, an all Asian American woman group focused on honoring their histories, breaking stereotypes, and expressing their authentic selves. Zahra has been in music videos with Seattle artists Macklemore and Scarlet Parke, and has performed at events across the PNW including VSDF, Paradiso, Wing Luke Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle Asian American Film Festival, Cascadia, On The Boards, and more. Zahra is passionate about helping others heal their relationship with food and body, dismantling fatphobia and body shaming in dance spaces, and practicing moving away from perfectionism.
Grace Masaoka
Grace Masaoka (She/Her) is a 4th generation Japanese-American born and raised on Duwamish Land/Seattle. She has been dancing for over 10 years, and is a student of several dance forms including Hip Hop, Locking, Waacking, and Voguing. She currently teaches at Westlake Dance Center, and is a co-director of Malicious Vixens; a Seattle-based dance collective of Asian American women who perform locally and across the greater PNW region. She is passionate about social justice, community care, and reclaiming her culture/heritage, and strives to incorporate these into all areas of her life. Outside of dance she works full-time for UW Medicine, and is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Biology at Miami University, and hopes to find ways to integrate science and art together.
Nia-Amina Minor
Originally from Los Angeles, Nia-Amina Minor is a movement artist who resides in Seattle, WA. Her creative work converses with Black realities and investigates the intersection of movement, memory, and rhythm.
Nia-Amina holds a MFA from UC Irvine and a BA from Stanford University. She has taught and guest lectured at University of Washington, Saddleback College, Cypress College, and UC Irvine. Nia-Amina is co-founder and former curator of LA based collective No)one Art House. From 2016-2021, she was a Company Dancer and Community Engagement Liaison with Spectrum Dance Theater. Nia-Amina has performed in acclaimed works created by Donald Byrd including Rap on Race, Shot, and Strange Fruit receiving a Seattle Dance Crush Award for her performance in Shot. As an independent artist, she has presented original work at Seattle Art Museum,The Luminary in St. Louis, Tacoma Art Museum, WaNaWari, CD Forum Showing Out, Reflections Festival, Seattle International Dance Festival (SIDF), Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Seattle Black Film Festival.
Nia-Amina is a 2021 Velocity Made in Seattle Artist and was recently recognized as Dance Magazine's 25 Artists to Watch in 2021.
Devin Muñoz
Devin Marie Muñoz, Mexican American Seattle based photographer & videographer, has been honing her skills ranging in dance photography to editorial storytelling and film for the past few years. As a dancer herself, Devin blended her photography skills with her seventeen years of dance experience, bringing about the perfect fusion of her two passions. With film as an added extension of dance and photography, Devin understands how vital it is to emulate the same energy put into performance onto the screen. With live performance only existing as long as show dates we lose the potential to reach masses. This practice introduces people to movement and is a guide for different forms of communication.
Dora Newman
Dora Newman has performed and taught Afro-Brazilian dance for over 50 years. She has lived in Seattle, Washington for over 30 years.
Dora’s career as a professional dancer began in 1976 when she joined renowned Brazilian folkloric dance troupe, Exaltacao A Bahia. Ms. Newman has learned a repertoire that ranges from Afro-Brazilian dance forms through jazz, ballet, and modern dance.
After obtaining a professional dance degree from the prestigious Federal University of Brazil, Ms. Newman moved to the US. Starting in 1991, Dora has developed a large dance student following teaching at many studios and other locations across the city of Seattle.
Dora has toured the world as the principal dancer with Olodum – the world famous samba bloc. She was also a featured dancer on the opening credits and in the Brazilian dance episode of the PBS' "Dancing" series.
Ms. Newman has worked as choreographer for Washington state based samba schools: Vamola and SambaOlywa. Currently, she continues to tour the US, Canada, and South America as lead dancer with Occeami and Show Brazil. Dora also works for Seattle Theater Group teaching Dance for Parkinson’s. Ms. Newman also teaches dance for Tap Connection. Dora Newman is the Creative Director of her own dance organization and troupe, Dance with Dora, LLC.
Dora was awarded a BFA from UFBA (The Federal University of Brazil) and was a surgical nurse in Brazil. She also holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from UW. For 3 decades, Ms. Newman has worked as a lead preschool teacher for Launch, a community day school association.
Daniel Nery Dos Santos Filho & Aileen Panke
Daniel and Aileen's story began in Daniel’s native city of Salvador, Brazil where they met in 2004 studying dance. They shared a dream of opening a studio which offered a place to build community and promote cross-cultural understanding through their love of dance. Daniel has been studying, performing and teaching Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira for 24 years and holds the rank of Mestre in Capoeira. With much enthusiasm, Daniel joyfully shares his native Afro-Brazilian culture through Capoeira and dance, two of the most significant artistic expressions of Black Brazilian culture. As a native New Yorker, Aileen began her dance training at an early age and advanced her studies at Broadway Dance Center, Steps and Phil Black. She performed and choreographed with local theatre productions and expanded her studies to include Afro-Cuban, West African, Salsa, Tango, Orixa Dance Movement and the Silvestre Technique in New York, Seattle, Brazil and Argentina. Aileen’s charisma and enthusiasm radiates her belief in dance as an art form which allows expression, joy, balance, and the cultivation of cross-cultural understanding through a common corporal language. In 2008 Daniel and Aileen married and moved to Seattle. They have worked diligently over the past 10 years to create Bahia In Motion and their Capoeira school: Moringa de Barro. In June 2012, they opened Balance Studio where they currently teach Brazilian Dance and Capoeira classes.
Erick “Spider” Paul
With a goal of encouraging and motivating others, Erick “Spider” Paul brings a wide array of knowledge in the arts. He’s worked in the Los Angeles dance Industry for over 12 years and loves bringing his professional and versatile knowledge to each student he encounters.
He and his wife Abby’s company Æ Creative produces stage shows, music videos, and routines for both the national and international stages. They also have an online platform (Æ Creative Training Center) for those who desire to train more in the arts.
Erick has taught at Dance This! in-person and virtually! He is excited to back with the program, staff and dancers!
Credits include: Nike, Mini Cooper, Herbalife, Samsung, Pepsi Co, Samsung, Nick Cannon, Todrick Hall, Walk The Moon, Alyson Stoner.
Ayanna Omar
Ayanna Omar (she/her) is a Seattle based dancer/choreographer trained in hip hop, house, modern, tap and ballet. She currently coaches for Purple Reign Dance at Washington Middle School and works for Northwest Tap Connection, a dance studio that focuses much of their work through the lens of race and social justice. Ayanna has participated in STG’s DANCE This and in the nationally recognized dance number by the legendary Donald McKayle "Shaker Life" in 2017 at the Moore Theatre. Her credits include participation in Hamilton's mixed tape "Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)" choreographed by Shakiah Danielson, the GROOVEMENT, and various dance performances through Northwest Tap Connection.
Kara O'Toole
Kara O'Toole is thrilled to be a Dance for Parkinson's teaching artist. She and her family currently live in Tacoma where she teaches dance to diverse populations at the Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center and the Tacoma Art Museum. Kara has been on faculty in the Dance Departments of the University of Washington, the University of Memphis, George Mason University, and Cornish College of the Arts. She was the Executive/Artistic Director of Orcas Center on Orcas Island and before that she was the Executive/Artistic Director of Velocity Dance Center. As a performer, Kara danced professionally in the work of many notable choreographers including Jose Limon, Bebe Miller, Mark Morris, Vaslav Nijinsky, Paul Taylor, and Pat Graney. She holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Washington and a BA from Mount Holyoke College.
Lex Ramirez
Lex Ramirez (she/her) is a Latinx teaching artist, performer, choreographer and arts administrator from Oakland, Ca. Lex created and runs STG Young Ambassadors, a program aimed at removing financial barriers so that youth from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to learn about career paths in the arts while getting fairly compensated.
Additionally, Lex teaches Hip Hop dance classes for Velocity Dance Center and Westlake Dance Center. Her main mission is to make dance accessible and less intimidating to all people so that they can experience the joy of movement. She mainly focuses on introducing beginner adults to the world of Hip Hop dance and running Drop Squad, a crew open to dancers of all experience levels. Lex has also choreographed live sets and music videos for local musicians.
She values community, authenticity and equity above all else. Connect with Lex Ramirez on Instagram or Facebook at @lexsmoove or visit her website at www.lexramirez.com.
Isaiah Rashaad
Isaiah was born and raised here in Seattle, WA. He found his love for dancing and performing early on as music videos, award shows, magazines and radio hits became his fuel for pursuing stage and entertainment. He trained with some of our most prominent hometown choreographers; Isaac Tee, Daniel Cruz, Alvedo Hobson, Maxie Jamal and Kabby Mitchell among many others.
After receiving a scholarship at Monsters of Hip-Hop Seattle in 2009, he was granted the opportunity to move to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his passion for performance. Isaiah had the opportunity to work alongside some of the best choreographers in the industry. Tina Landon, Tanisha Scott, Kevin Maher and Rich and Tone to name a few. He’s also worked with musical recording artists Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Todrick Hall, Shangela, and Jane Zhang.
Isaiah’s love for performance art and travel has allowed him to see the world through a more artistic lens. Connecting his experiences through music, art, life, and movement, he’s had the opportunity to create for major brands such as Ubisoft Just Dance, Porsche, Adidas, Nike, Skoda & Ed Hardy. From China to Thailand, Korea, Hawaii, and other studios around the U.S., Isaiah has been able to teach, connect and build community with dancers all around the world.
Isaiah is the Founder of “A Day with Zay” (ADWZ)” a company that focuses on artist development, performance training, personal branding, and content creation. He is also the founder of “Zay’s Baes”, a performance heels company that works to empower and encourage the community through dance. He is also the Co-Founder of “Camera & Choreo”, a workshop designed to provide an on-camera training experience with performance choreography and live music!
“Always leave your heart in your art and do everything with an attitude of gratitude!”
Moeifaga “Lorna” Sailiai
Moeifaga “Lorna” Sailiai is an original member of the dance group NIU Roots. NIU Roots consisted of middle and high school Polynesian students from both Seattle and Highline school districts who performed cultural dances from the islands of Samoa and Tonga.Lorna participated in several events sponsored by STG such as performing in More Music @ The Moore and DANCE This for 2 consecutive years and had the honor of being on stage with the legendary Sheila E.
Ellie Sandstrom
Ellie Sandstrom, a Seattle Magazine "Spotlight Award Winner" and Velocity Dance Center's "2016 Dance Champion", is originally from Minneapolis, where she began her movement training with Minnesota Dance Theater and later, BalletArts Minnesota. She has studied various forms of dance technique, body conditioning, composition, improvisation and performance at dance festivals and schools across the country including Cornish College of the Arts, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance.
Ellie worked and toured with dance companies locust and Scott/Powell Performance from 2000-2010. Her choreography, under the name SANDSTROMMOVEMENT, has received funding from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and from Artist Trust. Her work has been produced locally and nationally by organizations such as On the Boards, Velocity Dance Center and Perpich Center for the Arts, and commissioned by Seattle Dance Project, Creative Dance Center and Washington Ensemble Theater, among many others.
Over the last 25 years, through Brain Compatible Dance Education, she has taught a variety of dance forms at many schools, private studios and universities in Seattle and beyond, including the University of Washington.
She led packed classes at Velocity Dance Center for 16 years in both ballet and modern dance. From 2006-2021, she taught middle and high school students at The Northwest School, where she was the Dance Department Chair for 5 years.
She has been a Teaching Artist for STG's Dance This programming since 2007.
Dominique See
Dominique See grew up in southern Washington and graduated from the University of Washington in 2017. In school, Dominique majored in dance and minored in education. After graduation, Dominique went through a Pilates teacher training program and became a certified Pilates teacher. She currently owns her own Pilates studio where she teaches. Dominique also has professionally danced in Seattle, most notably dancing for Pat Graney and MALACARNE. Teaching movement is her passion, and on top of teaching Pilates, she teaches at All That Dance where she works with kids 7 and older. Dominique started her work with STG the summer of 22' working for the Broadway Inclusion Program. She is excited to be involved with the Disney Musicals in Schools program as well.
Gabriela Páez Shutt
Gabriela (Gabi) Páez Shutt is an emerging arts administrator with a passion for education, community engagement, and access, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Gabi is currently the Community Engagement Fellow with the Pacific Northwest Ballet as part of the inaugural cohort of the Seattle Arts Fellowship where she works on accessibility initiatives and as a Teaching Artist. She has a B.A. in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an M.A. in Arts Administration from Florida State University as well as experience teaching creative movement, ballet, jazz, and tap.
Emily Vazquez
Emily Vazquez is a Mexican-American movement artist, performer, and choreographer who engages in cross-disciplinary work and promotes the intersection of contemporary and Latin dance styles. She attended Cornish College of the Arts where she studied burlesque, tap, afro-contemporary, Latin and urban dance styles and continues to experiment with new projects. She graduated from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts where she studied dance and choreography and had the pleasure of working with Thomas Disabato, Delaney Otjes, and Jeaneane Huggins. For almost a decade, she trained at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theater, where she had the opportunity to work with Tara Foy, James Canfield, Shara Bergal, and Monika Rostomian. She has had the opportunity to work with Alfonso Cervera and danced in the Poc-Chuc Collective for two years.
Gaynell Walker
Gaynell T. Walker (she/her) is a former elementary teacher and retired elementary principal. She taught Kindergarten, 4th and 6th grade and was Principal of a Title I K-6 school all in the Kent School District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Teacher Certification from the University of Washington. She holds a Masters of Education and Principal Certification from Seattle University. Gaynell also has a passion for dance which began as a teen. Her dance training was under the supervision of the late Dr. Darrlyn Smith, owner and artistic director of TTAAPP Central Studio. She has participated in trainings with the late Cholly Atkins and Diane Walker at the New York Dance Festival. Currently Gaynell works with former owner and artistic director of Ewajo Centre, Edna Daigre, focusing on health and wellness through dance. She has performed at events sponsored by the Central Area Senior Center, MLKFame Community Center, Dance This 2015 and with the Women's Steel Pan Band at Folklife Festival 2016. Gaynell also taught low impact dance classes for healthy aging participants and was a guest dance instructor for an STG student workshop teaching dances of the Motown era.
Alison Prekeges
Alison Prekeges is a 21-year-old who has been dancing almost her whole life. She has trained in a variety of styles including tap, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and many more. She is currently studying physics and dance at Central Washington University and is a part of their Orchesis Dance Company. This is her second year working at the DANCE This camp at Fort Worden and is very excited to be back! She is hoping to continue working at this camp in the future since she always has a great time with the students and staff.
Diana Tiburcio
Diana Tiburcio, 20 years old, has been dancing for most of her life. Diana grew up training in Mexican Folklórico and the different styles within Mexico’s folk dances. Currently, she dances with a dance group in Seattle called Herencias Mexicanas. This is Diana’s first year being a part of DANCE This Camp. She is grateful to learn about this program and be a part of it.
Multidisciplinary
Dre’ Anderson
DeAndre Anderson (He/His) Is a Seattle native through and true, ingrained in the community. Dre’s goal is to help people learn to metabolize trauma by utilizing the five pillars of hip-hop. As a philosopher, rapper, and actor, Dre performs under the moniker, Doc HighDr8 tha Philosoraptor. In 2014, Dre graduated from Seattle Pacific university with a double major in Philosophy and Performance Theatre. He then went on to get his M.A in Education from Antioch University and Islandwood’s inaugural cohort for the Urban Environmental Education program in 2016. Dre can be found blazing the stage at Unexpected Productions Theatre in Pike Place Market, where he is the director of the currently running Improvised Hip-Hopera: Love Revival. Dre is the developer of the Introduction to Hip Hop Fundamentals Curriculum, and Hogan Cup Coach for the students at Seattle Center School. Dre has a talent for connecting to an array of individuals from diverse backgrounds, creeds and beliefs. He specializes in encouraging growth in a fun, safe and engaging way. Dre is one of the most outgoing and gregarious teachers you will ever encounter.
Angie Bolton
Angie Bolton (she/her) has been an instructor with the STG Dance for Parkinson’s program since it began in 2008. She is an ACE certified instructor teaching Fitness for Living, a program she developed at Spectrum Dance Studio The class is focuses on people 40 years old and up. Some of her students are in their 80’s and many of them have exercised with her for over 10 years. Angie is an actress, singer, dancer and teaching artist. She is performer with Tickle Tune Typhoon an award winning children’s and family music group. Angie came to Seattle to study with the Bill Evans summer institute in 1979 and decided to stay. In the 40 years living here she has been a teacher for Powerful Schools and numerous other school residencies. Angie has performed for the Bathhouse Theatre, Alice B. Theatre, Village Theatre, Mirror Stage, Seattle Public Theatre, Arts West and numerous other venues.
Niyafath Cakpo
Niyafath Cakpo is an Afrobeat dancer from Benin Republic and has been teaching Afro beat in Seattle since 2017. Niyafath discovered her love for dance after arriving in the States at the age of 14. Her father’s company Gansango helped her unfold her passion for dance which led her to discover her love for Afro beat. Afro beat is a diverse style originating from Sub Saharan Africa. It is an evolution from Traditional African dance styles following the creation of Afro beat music. Throughout Niyafath’s dance career, she performed in Canada as an open stage dancer for one of the Nigeria biggest Artist “Burna Boy”. Besides performing, she teaches beginners and advanced level afro classes in different studios in Seattle and is looking to merge into teaching all around Washington and around the world. As she started to grow in her dance career, she decided to gravitate into her other passion which is her love for social work. Niyafath graduated with her Masters in Social work from the University of Washington. She strongly believes in the importance of human relationship and has the ability to address social problems while serving people in need. She’s incredibly passionate about the improvement of child and family conditions, especially for families experiencing complex circumstances mental health decline, poverty, and environmental barriers. She strives to empower individuals to become the best versions of themselves. She strongly believes in equity, advocating for silenced communities and working alongside those communities to implement strategies that will be successful. Niyafath believes in Dance Movement Therapy and is looking forward to merge both her passion to assist communities in need and her love of dance.
Shakiah
Shakiah is a Seattle-based emcee and choreographer. She enjoys fusing different genres of music and dance to broaden the scope, language and usage of hip-hop. As a choreographer, Shakiah saw over the Hip Hop program at NW Tap Connection and with that group her piece, "Hell You Talmbout", went viral with its pressing and vital message. As an emcee, she has collaborated with Gabriel Teodros, Rell Be Free, Debra Kendrick and more. Shakiah is inspired by her community in the South Sound and Tacoma area. Listen to some of her work on Spotify.
Kyle Danielson
Kyle is a Seattle based spoken word artist with Restoration of the Arts (ROTA) a non-profit performing arts organization (under the direction of Debra Kendrick) that utilizes the creative expression of the arts to reach the community. He enjoys the creative element of raw truth and transparency interlaced within his spoken word pieces. His artistry is intense, revelatory, relatable and provocative. He has an undeniable ability to use his art to capture emotions and confront your inside voice.
Ginevra Deianni
Ginevra Deianni has been working professionally in the Deaf community since the early 1990s. She joined the STG family when she moved to Seattle in 1997, and has been the volunteer ASL Coordinator for the past 16 years. She is a nationally certified interpreter who works in all settings, but has crafted a specialization in complex medical and theater/concert arenas where she finds parallels in the human experience of vulnerability, tragedy and joy. In her business life, Ginevra works at Amazon as a global leader in accommodations on the Center of Excellence team for Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees. She has built accommodation programs to support hiring D/deaf and neurodiverse perspectives in the workplace. She is most proud to have developed the first global sign language interpreting service for a major corporation, and to work locally with STG leadership on providing equal access to Deaf patrons at all three STG venues.
QuiQUi Dominguez
Marquicia Dominguez (they/them), known as QuiQui to most, is a Director, Actor, and Teaching Artist in the Seattle area. In 2012 they received a B.F.A in theatre from Cornish College of the Arts and in 2018 received a Master’s in Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Programing and Instruction from Arizona State University. QuiQui has worked with companies such as ACT, Book-It, Greenstage, Seattle Repertory, and Seattle Shakespeare Company. Outside of teaching, QuiQui is a Licensed Assistant Behavioral Analyst where they use theatre and creativity to teach life skills to individuals with autism. Their desire is to create inclusive arts programs for all individuals, no matter that individual’s abilities.
Oriana Estrada
Oriana Estrada was born in Nicaragua, but raised in the vibrant central district of Seattle, Washington. She has loved music and dance since a young age and has studied, performed and taught with various Latinx dance groups in the PNW. She is currently the administrative director, as well as a musician, in a Caribbean steel pan ensemble known as The Seattle Steel Pan Project.
Oriana holds a Master's in Social Work administration and is adjunct faculty at Bellevue College, teaching Sociology and Cultural and Ethnic Studies.
Nakeya Isabell
Nakeya Isabell is a native of Seattle, WA. She is one of nine children. She uses her voice, creativity, and compassion to spread hope. Nakeya is a former student athlete participating in basketball. She is a Cleveland High alum (2004) and Pepperdine University alum (2009). Currently, her title is a Case Manager and Success Coordinator at Cleveland High School. Nakeya continues her community outreach speaking within organizations utilizing her art to inform, motivate, and encourage. She released a spoken word album entitled “Love, Justice & Truth.” Nakeya says “I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world. The greatest gift has been connecting with people and creating safe spaces. My aspiration is to create impactful art that gives vision and words to my thoughts and experiences. My goal is to inspire generations to use their voices and be the pillars for our communities. Our stories are imperative to history. I will live full so that I can die empty.”
Social Media handles:
Instagram: @nakeya.isabell
Facebook: Nakeya Isabell
Twitter: @nisabell3
Neve Mazique
NEVE (they/he) is a multiply Disabled multigender femme fop mixed-race {Indigenous} Black Choreographer/Dancer, Composer/Singer, Writer/Actor, Painter/Model, Hoodoo Voodoo Magician, and Performance Artist based in Duwamish (Seattle) and other Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Puget Sound), though they hail from other waters, growing up in occupied Lenni Lenape land (New Jersey). NEVE creates body-based storytelling through a mixture of dance, music, and theatre particularly for people with body, space, and place-based trauma, in order to continue our true evolution towards liberation. Vice President/President-Elect of the Dance Educator’s Association of Washington. Selected participant in the Intiman Theatre Emerging Artist program 2018 and 2020, cast in ensemble devised THE RACE 2020. 2020/21 Pina Bausch Fellow for Dance and Choreography. Anarchist, Abolitionist, AntiCapitalist. Unitarian Universalist. Vodouisant. Cofounder of Access-Centered Movement, Mouthwater, and Lover of Low Creatures LLC. Neve is currently an arts writer contributing poet at The South Seattle Emerald. He has also been published in Curve, The Black Scholar, Everyday Feminism, and MaximumRockNRoll among others. Levar Burton, Reading, and Rainbow Lover. Great Great Grandchild of the Author of The Velveteen Rabbit. A river fairy and a merqueer and chip of hard sap shimmering down to the bottom if there ever was one. They love drinking wine, tea, water, tears, other fluids, and sinking into the dance. He is not afraid to rescue you from the sunken place or assist you in seeing her more clearly. They are polyamorously gay married, and they talk to animals, including their two King Charles Spaniels, but the talking to animals came first and shed light on future relating. Much like the aforementioned rabbit, they are magic, mutable, and real.
Follow them and support on:
Instagram, Twitter, Patreon, Facebook, YouTube
@nevebebad & nevebebad.com, AllMyLinks.com/nevebebad
Tia Nache` Yarbrough
Seattle Native, Educator, and Spoken Word artist Tia Nache` has been sharing her gift of truth and power throughout the Seattle community and beyond for almost two decades. Her passion for social justice and spirituality often serve as themes for many of her poetic pieces. As a teaching artist, Tia Nache’ has facilitated and led a number of professional developments and trainings for school districts, and community organizations. She is a believer of speaking truth to power and being a living example of the message, she shares.
A dynamic orator, Tia Nache’ has shared the stage with a number of national recording Artist, as well as Social Media influencers. Whether its writing tributary poems for gospel icons like, The Clark Sisters or Marvin Sapp, opening for Dr. Maya Sotoro Ng, (Barack Obama’s Sister) or KevOnStage Studios, Tia Nache` is using her voice to influence the heart of others. A deep passion for social justice and community, Tia Nache` served as one of the community organizers and leaders, for the “We Want To Live” March & rally, attended by more than 10,000 people, gaining national attention during the protests that swept the nation on the heels of the country’s racial reawakening in 2020.
Her artistic style and performance presence has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers. Her voice is only rivaled by the weight of her message. Her poetry transforms and transcends space, leaving those who listen longing for more.
Currently serving as an assistant principal for Seattle Public Schools, she is also an advocate for education and youth voice. When Tia Nache` is not writing and performing, she is spending time with her loving husband and three daughters. She is in the process of releasing her children’s book, and a work of selected poems in the Spring of 2021.
Chelsey Richardson
Chelsey Richardson’s writing is the electrical current that flows between words and the spiritual world. She grounds her work in the notion that her role as an artist is to tell the bittersweet truth. She is a mother, teacher, and poet. The CD Forum for Arts and Ideas, said this about her work, “Her writing requires you to think critically and examine the world in which we live. She is a writer that truly represents independent poetic expression.” In 2019-2020 she was awarded the role of "Master Poet" by The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions. She is the creator of the workshop, Writing as Self Love, a workshop developed to harness the power of healing trauma through the written word She released her debut poetry book, All Water has Perfect Memory in 2021. You may have read or heard her work in Poetry on the Bus, The South Seattle Emerald, The Carter Center Forum on Human Rights in Atlanta, and Natasha Marin’s, Black Imagination. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington and Master's in Teaching English Education.
Yirim Seck
Yirim Seck is a wordsmith MC whose music both reflects the golden era of hip-hop and holds a roadmap to the future. Yirim is not only held firm by his roots -- bridging the illustrious musical legacy of Seattle’s Central District and his family’s rich Senegalese heritage -- but propels his insight and drive into a sound and a message all-too-relevant for today. Known for his searing lyricism and impassioned performance, Yirim Seck has become one of Seattle’s most well-respected and sought-after MCs. Building on his critically acclaimed debut HEAR ME OUT in 2009, Yirim has performed at venues as diverse as community festivals, upscale nightclubs, college campuses and company parties, connecting with audiences across borders and delivering global discourse through music. His music critiques and calls out shots from the perspective of a dedicated father and community activist and empowers listeners through his gift of storytelling and honest reflection.
Den’ea Simone
Den'ea Simone is the Co-Programmer and Production Stage Manager for the long running Seattle Parks and Recreation, Teen Summer Musical. Ms. Simone has more than 20 years experience with Stage Managing theatre productions and concert shows for National musicians such as Gerald Albright, David Sanborn, Sheila E., Boney James, Marcus Miller, the late great George Duke and more. Den'ea is a board member of the high school dance competition, Bubblin' Brown Sugar as well as the Event Coordinator. Extending her insight of Seattle’s talented youth, she serves as a consultant to the Seattle Seahawks Dance Teams' annual camp. In 2018 the socially conscious rap group, Black Stax, granted Den'ea Simone the opportunity to accomplish a longtime dream of becoming a Tour Manager.
Ms. Simone resides in her hometown of Seattle with her husband, Francis Williams and their three children.
Quetzie Taborga
Quetzie is a neurodivergent, queer, Latine theatre maker of mixed descent. They are a storyteller activist and educator who revels in the power and impact of works written for and by historically marginalized populations. They have worked locally with Seattle Opera, 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Rep and others, as well as regional theatres across the country. They are currently based in Seattle, Washington. "We must be impatient for change. Let us remember that our voice is a precious gift and we must use it." -Claudia Flores
Music
Yaw Amponsah
Yaw Amponsah is a master percussionist from Ghana. Coming from a musical family from West Africa he is at home in the world of rhythm. A versatile player, Yaw can play many styles of music from Ghana including Highlife, Agbadja, Kpanlogo and more. His specialty is the music of the multi-part percussion ensembles of the Ashanti people. These sets of drums and corresponding rhythms can be made up of eight or more independent percussion parts. He is the leader of Anokye Agofomma and a member of Manghis Khan quartet and has been a lead drummer with Gansango Music and Dance for more than a decade.
Jessica Evotia Andrews-Hall
Jessica Evotia Andrews-Hall is an award-winning pianist who is in demand as a collaborative performer, teaching artist and arts advocate. Her past teachers include Michi North, Dr. Peter Mack, Dr. Rebecca Steele, Francis Walker-Slocum and Dr. Karen Walwyn. Under their guidance, she has performed at venues like Carnegie Hall, the White House and Benaroya Hall. In 2011, Jessica became a Seattle Symphony teaching artist where she was an early education childhood specialist and created music curriculum for babies and preschool. She also led Carnegie Hall Link Up residencies that taught hundreds of students to perform along-side the orchestra. She also helped homeless families write and record songs with Seattle Symphony musicians for their children during The Lullaby Project. In 2013, she was featured in a traveling museum exhibit called Treemonisha: Celebrating African Americans in Classical Music. In 2019, Jessica became a pianist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet and recently completed her third tour with the Seattle Opera. As an avid arts advocate, Jessica uses music to inspire, motivate and empower people. She is the owner of JAM Studios which is a large vibrant piano studio where she teaches private and group lessons for ages two to senior citizens. Jessica is on faculty at Music Works Northwest where she created a popular Parent & Me group piano class, and her Creative Keyboard summer camps sell out every year. As a Steinway teacher and educational partner, Jessica has been teaching piano for over a decade and her students have gone on to music conservatories, competed on nationwide televised competitions, performed on Broadway in NYC, and pursued professional music careers. Jessica has an equal passion for providing quality arts education and lighting up the concert stage and she feels extremely fortunate to be doing both every single day! www.jessicaandrewsmusicstudio.com
Matt Badger
Matt Badger is a drummer. songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Seattle, WA. As a session player and performing artist, he's been drumming for the past 18 years in the Pacific Northwest for numerous prominent Seattle bands including Ravenna Woods, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Hannah Ramone, Benjamin Verdoes, and Seattle Rock Orchestra. Badger also writes, releases and performs original solo music in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
Jeff Fielder
Jeff Fielder has been working as a professional musician for 25 years. Working for the last 10 as a touring guitarist for a number of national and global acts. These include being the guitarist and musical director for Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens Of The Stone Age) for 10 years, and the guitarist and co-producer for Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) for 8 years. Jeff most recently landed a touring guitar slot with Indigo Girls for the now postponed summer tour.
Jeff has been the Musical Director for countless events big and small over the years including at the Royal Room, the EMP, The Triple Door and more, and have more recently gotten into record producing and film score, including contributing intro music for the Seattle Seahawks.
He was also often an integral part of Paul Allan’s band collective the Under thinkers. Trading guitar leads with Paul and very special guests, including Joe Walsh, Dave Grohl, Derek Trucks and countless others.
Jeff has appeared on Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown, performed in Duff McKegan's (Guns and Roses) bio/concert film "It's So Easy" (Netflix). And last year recorded with legendary producer Eddie Kramer.
In Seattle, He has worked with local treasures like Sera Cahoone, Ian Moore, and Wayne Horvitz, as well as recently with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, collaborating on some recordings of the music of the late great Shawn Smith.
With the changing business and culture landscapes ahead, Jeff Fielder is sure to be at the forefront of whatever the new music world holds in store.
Faustine Hudson
Faustine Hudson is a Drummer, Traveler, Meditator, Mentor, Non-Profit Organizer and Ugandan Exchange Musician. Faustine is currently touring with Josiah Johnson (formerly of the Head and the Heart) and putting more direct focus on ‘How Rhythm Heals’ through facilitating Drum Meditations across the country.
Music has been a point of connection and expression for much of Faustine’s life and continues to grow and expand her consciousness in the most remarkable ways. She has toured/recorded with Damien Jurado, the Maldives, Chain and the Gang, Shelby Earl, Tilson XOXO, The Grizzled Mighty, The Young Evils, Mikey & Matty and many others. www.faustinehudson.com
Michael Hepburn
Michael is a well-documented recording artist. In the mid-and-late 1970's Michael’s music achieved worldwide professional recognition through the commercial success of his band, "Pleasure." Michael's compositions have been featured in the soundtrack for the movie, “House Party” (“Kid vs. Play, the Battle”), Janet Jackson's 1997 release, "The Velvet Rope" (“Free Xone”), and Will Smith’s 2002 release, “Born to Reign” (“1000 Kisses”).
Michael continues his songwriting, recording production and arranging, and his keyboard and vocal performance work in the Seattle area, and in 2016 launched his group’s release, "Now Is the Time," on Pleasure Records, available worldwide.
Michael is also a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Civil Division’s Land Use Section of the King County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. He was admitted to practice in 1984.
Jimmy Scratch James
Bio and photo courtesy of KEXP
“Jimmy James is a Seattle-based musician who has earned praise for being one of the best guitar players in contemporary music.
Whether taking his work in the Emerald City funk band the True Loves or formely of the twice-Billboard chart-topping band DLO3, James has earned praise from Guitar World Magazine, KEXP, American Songwriter Magazine and many more.
James, who has toured the globe many times over, has worked with Colemine and Daptone Records, opened for Mavis Staples, Jack White, The Black Crowes as well as performed with Sharon Jones and as he looks ahead, he'll be focusing on the True Loves and many other future projects, stay tuned in as you may never know what’s coming up next!”
Kenny McDougald
Kenny McDougald (Seattle, WA) is a drum instructor at Seattle Drum School of Music.
Kenny is a second-generation career drummer. He began at Garfield High School playing in the award-winning Jazz Ensemble under legendary Director/Bandleader Clarence Acox. He then attended Berklee College of Music, majoring in Jazz Drumming and Music Theory, until he launched into a 4-year international touring and recording career with Kenny G at the peak of his popularity. Kenny McDougald is credited as songwriter for "Champagne" on Kenny G's 7X Platinum album Duotones. Kenny has also recorded with artists Phillip Bailey, Kirk Whalum and Angela Bofil. In the Seattle area, Kenny worked with Mark Seales, Chuck Deardorf, Korla Wygal, Josephine Howell, Darren Motamedy, and the late singer Sam Smith. Kenny transitioned into music instruction at Donn Bennett Drum School in the late 90's, and has been teaching at Seattle Drum School of Music since 2018. Kenny's teaching emphasis is on meeting the student where they are, at any age or skill level. He covers a variety of subjects ranging from rudimental and ear training studies, to all modern drumming styles. This is his first year with AileyCamp.
Jovino Santos Neto
Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians in the world. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal's group from 1977 to 1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records. Jovino’s personal style is a creative blend of energetic grooves, deep harmonies, telepathic improvisation, lyrical melodies and great ensemble playing, always inspired and informed by the colorful richness of Brazilian music.
Camila Recchio
Camila Recchio is a Seattle based artist whose collaborations include Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Asher Roth, Watsky, Sol, Sam Lachow and many others. She is a singer, songwriter, producer and currently building a studio on Whidbey Island where she will also be the lead engineer for recording sessions. For the last decade (pre covid) she traveled the world performing for audiences from India to Ireland to Australia and many places in between. You can find her original music on any streaming platform under Camila Recchio, or her band (with producer Kush Mody) called Feed The Biirds.
Angela Rinaldi
Angela has been a dance musician in the Seattle area since 1979 at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington, Spectrum Dance Theater, Dance Fremont and the Summer Dance Lab at Whitman College, to name a few. As a trained dancer, herself, Angela's extensive dance background has given her great insight as an accompanist. She has been a musical theater Teaching Artist since 2003 at Seattle Children’s Theater and has been accompanying Dance for Parkinson’s classes for the past 10 years. Along with performing professionally as an actor, she has composed over 250 songs for Variety Plus Theater, which she cofounded with her husband in 1995 - www.varietyplus.org. As a recording artist, she has four Ballet CDs available in iTunes, Apple music, Spotify, etc., along with original Meditation Music on You Tube. She is a proud Union Member of Musician’s Association Local-76.
Shaina Shepherd
Shaina Shepherd is a singer, songwriter, vocal teacher, and community organizer in Seattle, WA. Known for her pervasive style as front-woman to soul-grunge band BEARAXE, her notable vocal stylings have brought her into various creative spaces — from collaborating with Duff McKagan, Chong The Nomad and Acid Tongue to sharing stages with rock stars like Dave Matthews and Thunderpussy to being a soloist with the classical ensembles around the country. Inspired by the parallels between gospel and garbage metal, Shaina Shepherd is not your average vocalist. Living in the city where both Soundgarden and Quincy Jones cut their teeth, Shaina lends her soulful voice to projects of all genres.
Sol
Sol always felt like a low-key Haitian-American kid, who stayed true to his name and avoided the thirst trappings of fame even in the moments of critical acclaim. In the beginning there were some EPs that made the rounds, and when he had put in his 10,000 hours, it happened. He became No. 1 on the US iTunes hip-hop chart, No. 4 globally with the 2012 masterwork Yours Truly. His SoundCloud streams shot to eight figures, then poof… he dipped and left the industry executives going straight to voicemail. He had been awarded the Bonderman Fellowship and in toured the far reaches of civilization with nothing but a carry-on bag. Africa, India, South America, back home to Haiti; his field notes became the project Eyes Open. Sol followed that with another four-course musical meal: The Headspace Traveler, in 2016 which included a headlining 22-city U.S. tour. Before you could refresh your browser he was back in the Caribbean watching global football on satellite TVs. In 2019, came the full length album Soon Enough, and in 2021 Sol once again went against the grain by releasing his project SUPPLY PACK exclusively in the physical form. Sol is also a photographer and artist mentor to Seattle-based youth.
Aria Storm
Aria Storm was born in Pasadena, CA and currently resides in Seattle, WA. She holds a BA in the Composition and Theory of Music from UCLA, where she also studied modern art. She has enjoyed being a multi-instrumentalist dance musician since 2000, working with Seattle Theater Group, various dance studios and Universities across the west coast. She is a singer/songwriter/producer, currently working on her third album with husband Kai Ariel, performing and recording as the duo Ariel Storm. Aria is an abstract painter, having sold her works through cafes and galleries. You may view her paintings and listen to her original music at www.arielstorm.com.
Elan Wright
Elan Wright is a multi platinum producer, songwriter, engineer, and co-owner of The Ruby Room recording studio in Seattle (est. 2013). He began his career in 2004 at age 16 as a guitarist in the band Danger Radio. In 2007 the band signed with Atlantic Records and Elan spent the next years touring the US and other parts of the world. In 2011 he received a degree in Audio Production from The Art Institute of Seattle. He has since been an active contributor to the Seattle music scene and beyond; producing, writing and mixing records for many artists including Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Kesha, Sol, Sango, Xavier Omar, Lido, Parisalexa, Travis Thompson, Dave B, Ryan Caraveo and more. In 2020 Wright was listed as one of the "15 Artists who defined Seattle music in the 2010's" by The Seattle Times.
Personal Development
Lashon Watson, Guidance Counselor
Lashon Watson, MA, LMHC (Seattle, WA) provides support to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, AileyCamp site directors and staff, presenting lectures on adolescent psychological and social growth & development, and comprehensive support to teaching artists. Lashon is owner of a private practice, Watson Therapeutic & Wellness Center. Prior to his master’s degree and becoming a licensed counselor, he earned a BFA in theater with a minor in psychology from Seattle University, all the while taking on projects as a stage and independent film actor, performing arts educator, and teaching artist with various touring programs. Lashon taught as an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University Seattle, where he’s earning a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Lashon enjoys traveling, listening to favorite music, watching movies, eating vegetarian/vegan foods, and investing time with friends and family. This is Lashon’s fifth year working with AileyCamp, Seattle.
Angela Austin-Chappelle, Guidance Counselor
Angela Austin-Chappelle (Seattle, WA) is a 7th grade school counselor at Mercer Middle School in Seattle in which she has had the privilege of serving as the counselor since 2013. She received her bachelor’s degree from a Historically Black College and University, Grambling State University, in elementary education. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she stepped into her first educational experience as an elementary school teacher in Texas. From this fantastic experience, Angela decided to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling which would allow her to inspire children to do their personal best in school, the community, and in life while being able to navigate barriers as they encounter them. Besides counseling, Angela loves spending time with her family, staying physically active, and trying new restaurants! Angela is excited to work with all the scholars and families at AileyCamp and looks forward to meeting all of you. This is her first year with AileyCamp.
Theatre
Sophia Franzella
Sophia Franzella (she/her) is thrilled to be working with the STG team this year! With 11 years of classical ballet training, she decided to transition into the world of Theatre at the age of 14. After falling in love with Theatre in high school, Sophia earned her BA in Theatre Arts from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas in 2013. She is also a 2014 graduate of A Working Group (a Meisner-technique acting program).
Sophia has taught acting and dance throughout Seattle over the past 7 years (Lakeside Middle School, Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Sing Out Seattle, Stone Soup Theatre, Mode Music, Coyote). Sophia also offers private audition coaching preparation!
When she is not teaching, Sophia works as a professional actor in Seattle. She is a co-founder and company member of the experimental theatre lab Filament: A Collab Lab. Sophia also enjoys hiking with friends, reading lots of different books, watching spooky movies, and learning new subjects!
Teague Parker
Teague M. Parker (he/him) is an actor, playwright, improviser, producer, and teaching artist. A graduate from Western Washington University, he received a BA in Theatre with concentrations in Acting and Playwriting. He founded Come Up Productions which highlights up-and-coming artists, while bringing Free Theatre & Live Events to the Washington community. As a teaching artist, he brings Improv for wellness workshops/classes/training to various groups, organizations, and people looking to develop a better love and awareness of themselves. Teague has performed around the country and internationally in plays such as Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, won the KCACTF Region VII Award for best full-length play, and provides Improv workshops & masterclasses ranging from local theaters including Seattle Theatre Group, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and VillageTheatre: Kidstage, to graduate programs such as University of Florida. His goal is to unite artist and audiences to form mindful communities.
Brodrick Santeze Ryans
Brodrick Santeze Ryans (He, Him) is currently serving as the Education Coordinator at Seattle Children’s Theatre, supporting the Drama School, Community Engagement and Arts Based Learning Programs. Brodrick is a current 2020 TYA/USA Emerging Leader in TYA Fellowship. He is an arts leader, actor, teaching artists and podcast founder and host. His podcasts TIMEOUT w/ Brodrick is dedicated to bridging the gap between BIPOC culture, creative art forms and educational theatre. Brodrick strongly believes in the work of arts education. “It is through arts education that we can inspire, direct and implement creative change in young people and how they move through society. It is our job as artists and educators to help young people tell their stories.” Brodrick’s background as a performer helped him to morph into the position of teaching artists and coordinator. He has worked as the Operations Coordinator for the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama, a tour director and actor for Missoula Children’s Theatre, and as a professional freelance actor and artist. Brodrick holds a degree in Behavioral Sciences and Humanities from The University of Mobile, where he took classes focusing on Music, Theatre, Education, and Communications. Some of his past credits include; The Wiz, Dreamgirls, Disney’s Newsies, Footloose, Ragtime, Carmen Ghia in The Producers, Major Metcalf in Mousetrap and Sweaty Eddie in Sister Act. “Our future success is dependent on the work that we are doing with young people now.”
Instagram: @i3rodier – Personal; @timeoutbrodrick – Podcast; @blacksouthernvegan – Foodie Brodrick’s Podcast Links: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud
Marty Smith Cubine
Marty Smith Cubine (she/they), is a multi-hyphenated actor and teaching artist. After receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts, she settled in Seattle to be a full-time performer and arts educator. They have been on stage most recently at Seattle Children’s Theatre, ACT, and Harlequin Theatre. As an arts educator, Marty has worked with Seattle Children’s Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and STG, and has taught every age from 3 years old to adults. They specialize in bringing social-emotional learning opportunities into theatre and arts education. Marty lives in the Bothell area with her husband, dog, fish, and tortoises.
Brad Walker
Seattle born and raised, Brad is a proud AAPI actor, director, teaching artist, and an alumnus of the University of Washington. Brad has directed for Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Taproot Theatre Company, Second Story Repertory, and many school plays at Sacajawea Elementary, Cascadia School, and St. Francis of Assisi Middle School, and he teaches with Studio East and Seattle Theatre Group. As an actor, Brad has performed with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Village Theatre, Taproot Theatre Company, Harlequin Productions, and Storybook Theater. Along with being a full-time theatre artist, Brad is also a professional Dungeon Master, and runs games of Dungeons & Dragons for students and adults alike. walkerbrad.com
Visual Art
Ari Glass
Ari Glass is a painter and designer born and raised in Seattle. He currently lives and works in Seattle’s South End, one of the most culturally diverse places in the United States. In his works, Ari tells a story about his ideas of “The King” and “The Kingdom.” He deals with concepts and stories of historical and fictional kings, queens and deities that he feels a personal connection with. The idea is that everyone is a sovereign ruler in their own kingdom, empowering the artist and the viewer. Ari uses gold as his primary medium, the element that has represented royalty and divinity since time immemorial. As a self-taught artist, Ari regularly demonstrates how art has a positive effect on people in Seattle and the world right now. Ari has shown work at Gallery 2312, Bellevue Arts Museum, King Street Station, The Paramount Theatre and The Pacific Tower, painted prominent murals in South Seattle and taught classes at The Center School, Franklin High School, Seward Park Clay Studio and more. He has been creating artwork his whole life and will never quit.
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Margie Morris
Margie Morris is a Raven/Frog clan Tlingit from Alaska who is currently a resident in the Pacific Northwest. She has been hand making elk hide drums with her intricate and detailed form line designs for over 30 years. In addition, Ms. Morris has been studying with master artists and cultural leaders in the areas of song, dance, carving and regalia making. Her work is found in Native Artist Markets in Washington State including at Folklife Festival, Daybreak Star, Evergreen State Community College Longhouse, Duwamish Longhouse, Kirshner Museum, Celebration in Juneau, Alaska Federation of Native in Anchorage, and in New York and DC at the National Museum of the American Indian. She loves creating new designs and to remind people that, “ Natives are not the past; We are still here and carrying on our traditional art.”
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Maria Luisa Guillen Valdovinos
Maria Luisa Guillen Valdovinos (Poesia Mariarte) (she/her/they) is a visual creative thinker/artist, illustrator & graphic designer, writer, educator, art therapist and Indigenous Rights observer in environmental, food, and social justice movements. Based in occupied Coast Salish Territories with Art ingrained in cultural experience; she graduated in 2010 from the University of Washington in Bio-Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Maria was born in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero Mexico and after studying graffiti in Lima, Peru in 2009 with Jorge Miyagui & drawing flowers in Biology projects, began building creatively in cultural political movements. A Published Writer featured in “Chapter 9: Travels of a Diaspora Community: From La Sierra Madre Y Tierra Caliente to the Pacific Northwest” MEXICAN-ORIGIN FOODS, FOODWAYS, AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: A DECOLONIAL PERSPECTIVES, The University of Arkansas Press 2017; and an academic publication “Xin Fronteras” with Seattle Journal for Social Justice Seattle University School of Law. Maria loves flowers and all things creatively expressive.
Tariqa Waters
Curator for RE:DEFINITION: Born in Virginia, Waters developed an early interest in oil painting. Self-taught, she started working as a muralist while in Sicily where she lived from 2003–2007. Returning to the States, she began exhibiting work in Washington DC and Atlanta. Tariqa relocated to Seattle in 2012, where she opened a gallery in the historic arts district of Pioneer Square showcasing underrepresented artists called Martyr Sauce. Waters’ own artwork has been garnering support and critical acclaim in the region and abroad. In 2016, her popular solo exhibition, 100% Kanekalon: The Untold Story of the Marginalized Matriarch, exhibited at the Northwest African American Museum. In spring 2017, she was featured in issues of Rolling Stone France and Madame Figaro magazines, while that summer Martyr Sauce became a Cultural Partner to the Seattle Art Fair where Waters was a featured speaker. That same year Waters was nominated for the prestigious James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award and she was awarded the Conductive Garboil Grant. In 2018, she received the Artist Trust Fellowship Award. She is one of the founding co-curators of STG’s RE:DEFINITION Gallery.