2026 DANCE This Spring Workshop
Thank you for attending the 2026 DANCE This Spring Workshop!
2026 Teaching Artists
Adri Tapia-Gomez - Cumbia
Adri La Pollito, a Mexico City native, is a teaching artist, producer, and dancer based in Seattle, Washington. She began 15 years of classical training at the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida and has performed in productions in Miami and the greater Seattle area. Adri joined Afro Dance Seattle’s team in 2022 and has since trained in various afro dance styles and has traveled to Ghana and South Africa to further her azonto and amapiano training. Her most treasured dance style, cumbia, has been a part of her life since early childhood. Her cumbia wepa and sonidera classes are her form of cultural preservation and connecting to her roots, community, and heritage. She hopes to continue spreading her love of cumbia and her culture throughout her work.
Avery Gardner - Hip Hop Choreography
Avery Gardner is a Seattle-based dancer, choreographer, and educator with over fifteen years of movement experience. Avery use a fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary and choreography-based styles. Avery has choreographed and danced on a number of Seattle’s largest platforms: performing behind Ciara 2015 WeDay; Sol at Macklemore’s 2017 Gemini Tour stop at Key Arena; choreographed and danced for Sol at Bumbershoot and Capitol Hill Block Party in 2019; choreographed and performed in Dope Girl Movement’s 2023 & 2024 Bumbershoot performances. Avery was also a Seattle Seahawks dancer for two seasons. He is the founder of The Garden, his own training company through which he has produced original shows and cultivated community for the past four years. A dedicated educator, Avery currently teaches and coaches at The Company Space, Spectrum Dance Theater, Olympic Ballet School, Emerald City Dance Complex, and a summer teacher at Pacific Northwest Ballet. A University of Washington graduate with a degree in Comparative History, Avery’s studies focused on human rights, collective memory, art, and culture. These experiences continue to influence his work today.
Brittany Mains - Contemporary
Brittany Mains is a master teacher, performer, and choreographer with over 15 years of training across Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pilates, and Yoga. A Seattle native, she has danced for artists including Macklemore in the official Dance Off music video and Beat Connection at the Capitol Hill Block Party, and has collaborated on multiple projects with Macklemore’s lead choreographer, Anna Matuszewski.
Brittany’s professional journey led her to Los Angeles, where she joined the internationally renowned performing arts company The Young Americans. Through this experience, she expanded her training in dance, acting, vocal performance, and choral work while traveling worldwide to teach and perform in countries throughout Europe and Asia as part of their Outreach Program. Her performance credits also include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and extensive training with master teachers such as Alex Little, Doug Caldwell, and Daniel Cruz.
As a choreographer, Brittany has received numerous awards and nominations, including “Choreography of the Year” at the Industry Dance Awards. She currently teaches and choreographs throughout the Seattle area and nationwide. Brittany believes deeply in dance as a tool for connection, expression, and personal growth, and strives to share that belief with every student she teaches.
Deise Costa - Afro-Brazilian
Deise Costa is a Brazilian teacher, professional dancer, and entrepreneur, crowned as the 2022 USA Samba Queen and winner of Adriana Lima’s Female Malandro Contest in 2023. In 2018, she earned the title of Chicago Samba Queen, catalyzing her mission to disseminate Brazilian Culture worldwide. Now based in Seattle, Deise teaches an ongoing series of classes blending various styles of Brazilian dance. Deise’s mission goes beyond personal growth; she has dedicated her life to studying movement and empowering others through education. She creates transformative spaces for healing and self-discovery using Brazilian culture as a powerful catalyst. Deise was invited as a guest teacher/performer/choreographer to work with the Ballet Folkloric of Piaui as well as to teach at California Brazil Camp, one of the most prestigious dance residencies for Brazilian culture in the US. Deise has directed/choregraphed and performed for the half-time show for the Seahawks and her most recent work was for the international band Pink Martini at The Paramount Theater.
Katy Tabb - Musical Theatre
Katy Tabb is a Seattle-based choreographer, director, performer, and teaching artist. Select Seattle area choreography credits include: Spring Awakening and Sweeney Todd (The 5th Ave. Theatre); Billy Elliot, Singin’ In The Rain, Newsies, Cinderella, Mamma Mia, The Fantasticks, Legally Blonde, Brigadoon (Village Theatre). Her work has also been seen at Taproot Theatre Co., Skylight Music Theatre, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Theatre Aspen, Olney Theatre Center, Cornish College of the Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Seattle Symphony, and The Triple Door. She is a proud two-time recipient of the Gregory Award for Best Choreography for Newsies and Legally Blonde. Katy made her Village Theatre directorial debut with 9 to 5. As an educator, she loves sharing the joy of storytelling through movement with her students. Katy received her B.A. in Dance from Chapman University and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and Actor’s Equity Association.
Nikki Long - Jazz
Nikki is a professional choreographer, dancer, and photographer, and is a California native, now living in Seattle. Choreography credits: The Color Purple (Village Theatre), Elf (North Carolina Theatre), Guys & Dolls (Village Theatre), Champagne Widow (Café Nordo), Jesus Christ Superstar (Cornish); Little Shop of Horrors (Shoreline CC), & Associate Choreographer for The Wiz, Ragtime, Annie, On the Town & Elf. Dance credits: Aladdin Broadway (Dance Captain), The Lion King Broadway & 1st National, Spamalot 1st National, and was a Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular NYC. Some of her regional credits include, Elf, Cinderella, Catch Me If You Can, On The Town, White Christmas, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, & Mame. She danced for Toni Braxton, Gloria Estefan & Monica and has appeared on The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The View, The American Music Awards, and The Today Show. For her photography, visit www.nikkiwomacphotography.com or @nikkiwomacphotography on IG.
WHAT IS DANCE THIS SPRING WORKSHOP?
STG’s DANCE This Spring Workshop is an engaging two-day event where participants will work with teaching artists learning contemporary and cultural dance forms. This workshop is open to students of all dance experiences, ages 13-18 years.
Workshop classes include Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Cultural dance forms and more!
For questions, contact dancethis@stgpresents.org
previous dance this spring workshops
More than 40 teens came together for STG’s DANCE This Spring Workshop on March 8 & 9, 2025, held at the historic Kerry Hall!
Participants immersed themselves in a dynamic weekend of dance, training with professional teaching artists across a wide range of styles—including Modern, Contemporary, West African, House, Tahitian, Musical Theatre, and Salsa.
For information about other DANCE This programs, click below
DANCE This Artist in Residence
