One of SOA Dance’s biggest contributions to your dancer’s growth is our residency program. Each year we have 4 guest artists in for high school, 4 for middle school. Here is a list of some of the amazing talent we have brought to the school:
2024 – 2025 Artists in Residence:
Pam O’Briant
Pamela O’Briant is a native of Rhode Island, where she began her dance training.
After graduating cum laude from Virginia Intermont College with a BA in Ballet and
a teaching certificate, she danced professionally for two seasons with Ballet
Michigan. In 1987, she moved to Charleston to dance with the Charleston Ballet
Theatre. During her career, Pamela was a guest artist with Buffalo Ballet Theater,
Tampa Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Fort Wayne Ballet and Dance Traverse.
In 1993, she joined Anonymity Dance Company as a dancer and choreographer.
Throughout her dance career, Pamela has taught ballet at various studios in the
Charleston area, most recently at Ballet Academy of Charleston. This is her twelfth
year as an adjunct professor in the Department of Theater and Dance at the College
of Charleston. Where she teaches Ballet, Dance appreciation and beginning Modern
dance. Pamela has choreographed numerous times for the Fall concert at the
College of Charleston. In addition to teaching and choreographing dance, Pamela is
also a certified Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor at Reichert Pilates Studio and The
Longevity Club.
Emily Hart Lopez
EMILY HART LOPEZ is a professional dancer, actor, and educator based in NYC. She is graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a B.F.A in Dance and a graduate of the SOA Dance Department. Her work ranges from concert to company work, choreographing, latin dance, immersive theater, commercial work, and more. Credits include: Telemundo Upfronts, Tito Puente Jr., New York Live Arts, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, ABC’s Dirty Dancing (remake), Grace Kelly, Alterra Productions, Rumbamena, Gotham Dance Theater, Flint Rep, Designated Movement Company, Sonalee Vyas Dance Company, and more.
Recent highlights include dancing in a promotional Times Square flashmob for Hell’s Kitchen (Broadway) with choreography by Camille A. Brown, singing flashmob for Kristin Chenoweth’s Roundabout Theatre Gala, & an upcoming scene in the yet to be released film “Connescense” starring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
Emily’s current passion is latin fusion, artistic production (@hartheals), and arts advocacy on the local to global scale. For more about Emily, visit emilyhartlopez.com.
Taylor Bennett
Taylor is an alumna of the College of Charleston, double majoring in Dance (BA) and Early Childhood Education (BS). During her last two years, Taylor served as the President of Dance Alliance, a student-led dance organization at the College of Charleston. She received the Robert Ivey Dance Scholarship in 2021, was the Clarence Award Recipient in 2021 and 2022, earned the Eliza Ingle Dance Honor in 2022, and was honored with the Dance Impact Award 2023. She has performed in the main stage show at the College since she arrived in 2019 and has choreographed twice for the spring concerts at the College. In Spring 2021 and 2022, Taylor had the opportunity to choreograph for the student dance concerts Finding Place and Wanderlust. Her choreography was presented and adjudicated at the American Collegiate Dance Association at Brenau University. During her time at the college, she served as the Assistant Choreographer for the College production of Cabaret. For the past four summers, Taylor taught at Camp Ballibay, where she choreographed a dance-intensive production piece, other dance concerts, and multiple musicals. This summer, she will be taking on the role of Head of Dance, where she will lead her staff and produce multiple concerts. Taylor stays involved with the dance students of the Lowcountry through her instruction with Dance Moves of Charleston. In 2020, Taylor became an apprentice with Annex Dance Company. She has been performing with the Company for the past four seasons and is currently a company member of Annex
Brianna Campbell
Brianna Campbell, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, has been based out of Miami for 5 years now choreographing, teaching, and creating works of art through movement and film. Campbell is a 2019 Dance major graduate of Charleston County School of The Arts. Campbell is currently on tour as a professional assistant with Adrenaline and Revive Dance Convention. She has had the honor of receiving multiple choreography awards for her concept dance films such as “Purse First” and “Molt”. Brianna currently runs her own production company – Zenki Productions and is a director of Miami’s newest professional contemporary company – STYX The Company.
Beena Austin
Beena currently teaches Arabic Dance and Indian Dance in the Theater and Dance Department at the
College of Charleston as well as private lessons and group classes at the Dance Arts Studio and
Robert Ivey Ballet.
Beena has studied, performed and taught classical and folkloric styles of Egyptian dance as well as
presented cultural dances from the Levant and the Gulf Regions. In addition, she has trained in
Bharathanatyam style of Indian classical dance under Dr. Anuradha Murali, artistic director of the
Mrudani School of Performing Arts in Orangeburg, SC. Beena teaches and performs Bhangra as
well as other traditional dances of India.
To further enhance her dance skills, she has attended workshops by the late Mr. Mahmoud Reda
from Cairo, Egypt, and continues to study under artists and educators Karim Nagi in Chicago,
Mohamed Shahin in NYC, Tamalyn Dahlal in New Orleans and Jasmin Jahal in Ch
2023 – 2024 Artists in Residence:
Dr. Anuradha Murali
Dr. Anuradha Murali, Artistic Director of Mrudani School of Performing Arts, had formal training in Bharathanatyam from Radha Srinivassan, Shanta and VP Dhananjayan (India) and Adyar K. Lakshman (India). She has also received formal training in Kuchipudi from P. Rajeshwari and Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, Kuchipudi Art Academy, (India). As an Adjunct Professor of Dance, Anuradha has taught Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi at Columbia College, Columbia, SC. As an Instructor of Dance, she has taught Bharathanatyam at the University of South Carolina, Department of Dance. She has written several scholarly articles and guidelines in teaching bharathanatyam and kuchipudi technique to dance majors, studying at community colleges and universities. Anuradha has been awarded numerous grants for dance choreography, dance performance, and dance education, including the “Natyasevika” award, Chennai, India in October, 2019. Anuradha has performed at prestigious dance festivals in USA, India, Japan, France, South Korea, Greece, Italy and Brazil.
Bella Maisonet
Bella Maisonet is a professional dancer, award winning choreographer, and stylist currently located in Philadelphia, PA. She is a bi-coastal artist who continues to spread her love for training to studios + conventions all over the country. Bella grew up in the convention scene learning + assisting some of the dance worlds most incredible artists. Once graduating she began her dream of traveling to New York to study Hiphop/Street Jazz, Contemporary + Jazz in the Professional Program at Broadway Dance Center where she now returns as an Alumni Choreographer to the program. Since the program it has become Bellas mission to keep a bright light on the training side of dance whether it be judging competitions across the country, hosting workshops, performing in Carnival events, or setting choreography for studios + dance companies between NYC and LA. In her free time, she is working on the evolution of her stylistic choices through brands under URBN. Bella wants to spread her love + joy with each soul she meets along her journey in hopes to inspire the next generation to show how much hard work, commitment, dedication, and love it takes to reach their dreams. To Bella, any art form is more than what you bring forward, but why.
Kyle Coleman
Kyle Coleman is a hip hop choreographer from Port Saint Lucie Florida. Originally starting his dance career as a freestyle dancer at the age of 17, Kyle moved into the world of choreography at the age of 19 when landing a small teaching position at a studio outside of his college. Over the past 10 years Kyle has worked at over 53 studios as a guest choreographer and instructor, helping to build the education and love for hip hop within their programs. He has worked with college and professional teams, such as Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, and Miami Dolphins. He has performed on stage as an artist for a multitude of artists such as Ray J and Mz Lady Zae. Working throughout the week at competitive studios, Kyle’s choreography has won regional, national, and world titles at competitions through the SDA, NDA, And WOD competition franchises. Currently, Kyle is assisting and teaching for several conventions and is working to build a more connected hip hop community throughout the state of Florida. With his love for hip hop education, foundation, and culture, Kyle’s goal is to inspire a future generation of creative movers to push their limits and pave the way for the generations that come after.
James Fayette & Jenifer Ringer
James Fayette retired from New York City Ballet in 2005 at the rank of Principal dancer. Throughout James’ dancing career, he was privileged to work with the greatest dancers and choreographers of that time, originating roles in Jerome Robbins’ 2 & 3 Part Inventions and Brandenburg Concerto as well as in works by other choreographers including Christopher Wheeldon, Susan Stroman, Lynn Taylor-Corbett and numerous works by Peter Martins. He also established himself as an excellent partner in a number of signature roles in the New York City Ballet repertoire, including George Balanchine’s Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Brahms Schoenberg Quartet and Jerome Robbins’ In the Night and West Side Story Suite. James originally trained in the Russian Vaganova style in his hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut before studying the Balanchine style at the School of the American Ballet. He was also awarded a Danish/American exchange scholarship to train in the Bournonville technique with the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, Denmark. James holds a BFA from St. Mary’s College of California. After his dancing career, James worked as the New York Area Dance Executive at the American Guild of Musical Artists, where he helped to protect dancers’ work conditions and negotiated employment contracts with professional dance and opera companies around America. In 2014, James became the Managing Director of the Los Angeles based contemporary company, L.A. Dance Project while also directing the Colburn Dance Academy within the Colburn School with his wife, Jenifer Ringer. From 2017-2021, James and Jenifer were Deans of Dance at the Colburn School, overseeing a comprehensive program of ballet, modern, musical theatre and tap. His students are currently dancing with some of the most prestigious companies in America, including New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
A former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, Jenifer Ringer is now a répétiteur for both the George Balanchine Trust and the Jerome Robbins Trust. She has worked in this capacity with professional companies around the world, including San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, National Ballet of Canada and the Bolshoi Ballet. While she was dancing, Jenifer performed many featured roles in works by Balanchine and Robbins and also had the opportunity to originate principal roles in ballets by numerous choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Peter Martins. In 2011, Jenifer received the Jerome Robbins Award and the Dance Magazine Award, and was presented with the Dance Teacher Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. With her husband James Fayette, Jenifer founded the Colburn Dance Academy within the Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2014, where they both eventually served as the Deans of Dance from 2017-2021. Jenifer graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in English and is the author of Dancing Through It: My Journey in the Ballet. She currently resides in Charleston, SC and is on faculty for the Dance Conservatory Charleston.
Julie DeLizza Clark
Julie DeLizza Clark is the Director of Dance Moves of Charleston and the Artistic Director of the Dance Moves Youth Company. She also performs regularly with Annex Dance Company, where she also serves as the associate artistic director. In 2014 Julie presented and performed at TEDx Charleston with Annex Dance Company and students from Memminger Elementary School. Julie has taught at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School and Wando High School, where she was the co-director of the Wando Dance Company. She has been a guest artist for Charleston County’s School of the Arts middle school dancers in 2015, 2017, and 2020, as well as Greeneville’s ARMES (Arts Reaching Middle and Elementary Schools) dance program in 2020. Julie’s piece “A Part Smaller” won the 2017 Choreography Award at the Charlotte Emerging Dance Artists concert, a part of the Charlotte Dance Festival. As a choreographer, Julie strives to create works that show genuine connections infused with nuanced movements.
Stephen Duane
Stephen Duane is a professional Swing dance teacher that specializes in Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Authentic Jazz. Stephen has trained with the best Swing dancers in the world, most notably the legendary Frankie Manning. He has been performing and teaching for over 15 years in Charleston, SC. Currently, Stephen performs with the Gatsby Orchestra at Forte’ Jazz Lounge and around town for special events like the Roaring 20’s Festival. He also hosts weekly Swing dance parties on Sundays at Ballroom Dance Charleston. Stephen is passionately helping to keep the culture of Swing dance and Charleston alive in his home city!
Jordan Giancursio
A native of Charleston, Jordan launched her dancing career with Moranz Entertainment in 2012 while attending the Charleston County School of the Arts. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston, double majoring in Dance and Theatre. In addition to regularly working with Brad and Jennifer Moranz, she has performed with Pauletta Washington and The Charleston Pops. Jordan’s work engages a form of video artistry that is a collaboration of storytelling and dance. Projects have included working with award winning artists Marcus Amaker and Ranky Tanky, World Renown Celloist Wade Davis (CNN), Gino Castillo (Cha Cha Charleston), Yuhas and Dancers, Carlos Brown, Glory Comes, Selah, and an Apple marketing campaign. Her dance was highlighted at the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and American Oxygen Gala. This fall Jordan will make her debut in Daniel and the Kings as Choreographer and Lead Dancer, as well as work as the Artist and Literacy teacher for the Gaillard. Jordan is more than excited to be choreographing for her alma mater.
Lana Hendley
Lana is currently a dance teacher and leads the Competition Dance Company at Legacy Center for Dance in Summerville, SC. She is an alumnus of the Pre-Professional Dance Program at CCJ Conservatory in Lexington SC. She received her dance training under the direction of Dale Lam at CCJ Conservatory as well as assisted Dale in training others in the NC and SC area.During her 12 years of dance training Lana received numerous scholarships, performance opportunities and attended many dance programs such as Modas Dance in Albuquerque, NM, Alonzo King LINENS Ballet, SC Summer Dance Conservatory Summer Program, Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet Summer Program, Spoleto Festival, etc. Lana was a top 10 winner for the 2019 Dance Awards in Las Vegas. After high school Lana was accepted to the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College in New York where she trained for a year. Lana teaches classes and choreographs at her home studio as well as travels around the South East Region teaching and choreographing small and large group dances as well as solos, duet/trio. Lana’s choreography has received numerous awards.
2022 – 2023 Artists in Residence and Previous:
A former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, Jenifer Ringer is now a répétiteur for both the George Balanchine Trust and the Jerome Robbins Trust. She has worked in this capacity with professional companies around the world, including San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, National Ballet of Canada and the Bolshoi Ballet. While she was dancing, Jenifer performed many featured roles in works by Balanchine and Robbins and also had the opportunity to originate principal roles in ballets by numerous choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Peter Martins. In 2011, Jenifer received the Jerome Robbins Award and the Dance Magazine Award, and was presented with the Dance Teacher Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. With her husband James Fayette, Jenifer founded the Colburn Dance Academy within the Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2014, where they both eventually served as the Deans of Dance from 2017-2021. Jenifer graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in English and is the author of Dancing Through It: My Journey in the Ballet. She currently resides in Charleston, SC and is on faculty for the Dance Conservatory Charleston.
James Jiang Over his 15 years of dance experience, James has won many local and national International Latin championships (Heritage, Atlanata Open, Ohio Star Ball) to name a few. James is specialized in Ballroom dancings in both International and American style. He taught locally at the former Elite Ballroom International studio and currently teaches at Ballroom Dance Club Charleston and Holy City Salsa. James has participated in the local Dancing with the ARK Stars as a professional over the last 3 years, winning the crown in 2016 with his star and coming in as 1st runner up in 2015.
James Robey Department head chair at Radford University.
Jenny Broe Dancer, instructor and choreographer extraordinaire, Jenny Broe, former Executive Director of Dancefx Charleston, is now the owner and Chief Mad Scientist of her new brand and studio Dance Lab.
Jessica Lighthart trained with Boca Ballet Theatre under the direction of Dan Guin and Jane Tyree. While at Boca Ballet Theatre, Jessica danced in Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Les Sylphides, Coppelia, La Bayadere, and much more. She has also danced at North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Alabama, and with Ballet Memphis.
Jodi Caplea
Jordan Giancursio A native of Charleston, Jordan launched her dancing career with Moranz Entertainment in 2012 while attending the Charleston County School of the Arts. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston, double majoring in Dance and Theatre. In addition to regularly working with Brad and Jennifer Moranz, she has performed with Pauletta Washington and The Charleston Pops. Jordan’s work engages a form of video artistry that is a collaboration of storytelling and dance. Projects have included working with award winning artists Marcus Amaker and Ranky Tanky, World Renown Celloist Wade Davis (CNN), Gino Castillo (Cha Cha Charleston), Yuhas and Dancers, Carlos Brown, Glory Comes, Selah, and an Apple marketing campaign. Her dance was highlighted at the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and American Oxygen Gala. This fall Jordan will make her debut in Daniel and the Kings as Choreographer and Lead Dancer, as well as work as the Artist and Literacy teacher for the Gaillard. Jordan is more than excited to be choreographing for her alma mater.
Jeurell Lavatai Polynesian Fire dance
Jonathan Tabbert began his dance training at the Dayton Ballet School and The Harid Conservatory and received additional training at the School of the Hartford Ballet, Houston Ballet Academy and American Ballet Theatre. Other credits include guest teacher and/or choreographer for the Gem City Ballet, Victoria Ballet Theatre, Burklyn Ballet Theatre and The Charleston County School of the Arts. Tabbert is co-founder/director and resident choreographer of Ballet Evolution and its school, Charleston Dance Institute.
Julie DeLizza Clark is the Director of Dance Moves of Charleston and the Artistic Director of the Dance Moves Youth Company. She also performs regularly with Annex Dance Company, where she also serves as the associate artistic director. In 2014 Julie presented and performed at TEDx Charleston with Annex Dance Company and students from Memminger Elementary School. Julie has taught at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School and Wando High School, where she was the co-director of the Wando Dance Company. She has been a guest artist for Charleston County’s School of the Arts middle school dancers in 2015, 2017, and 2020, as well as Greeneville’s ARMES (Arts Reaching Middle and Elementary Schools) dance program in 2020. Julie’s piece “A Part Smaller” won the 2017 Choreography Award at the Charlotte Emerging Dance Artists concert, a part of the Charlotte Dance Festival. As a choreographer, Julie strives to create works that show genuine connections infused with nuanced movements.
Kirk Sprinkles
Kenna Summer
Kristin Alexander is the founding Artistic Director of Annex Dance Company, which premiered in November 2007. For over fifteen years her choreography has been presented in festivals, concerts, dance theater, musical theatre and opera productions. During the 2006-2007 season, she worked with inFluxdance as an artistic collaborator, choreographer, and performer on ‘Found and Lost: Goals for 2002’, which toured to nine cities throughout North America. In addition to her own work, she has performed and collaborated with VT Dance, under the direction of Vincent E. Thomas.
Kyle Coleman is a hip hop choreographer from Port Saint Lucie Florida. Originally starting his dance career as a freestyle dancer at the age of 17, Kyle moved into the world of choreography at the age of 19 when landing a small teaching position at a studio outside of his college. Over the past 10 years Kyle has worked at over 53 studios as a guest choreographer and instructor, helping to build the education and love for hip hop within their programs. He has worked with college and professional teams, such as Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, and Miami Dolphins. He has performed on stage as an artist for a multitude of artists such as Ray J and Mz Lady Zae. Working throughout the week at competitive studios, Kyle’s choreography has won regional, national, and world titles at competitions through the SDA, NDA, And WOD competition franchises. Currently, Kyle is assisting and teaching for several conventions and is working to build a more connected hip hop community throughout the state of Florida. With his love for hip hop education, foundation, and culture, Kyle’s goal is to inspire a future generation of creative movers to push their limits and pave the way for the generations that come after.
Lana Hedley
Lauren Putty White She has toured internationally with world –renowned companies Parsons and PHILADANCO. Lauren has choreographed on various companies and schools such as Ballet X, Grace Dance Theatre, Bryn Mawr College and Drexel University; as well as taught adjunct at University of the Arts, Stockton University and currently Temple University.
Lindy Fabyanik was born in Pittsburgh, PA, Lindy received the majority of her training on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. At age 17, Lindy began her professional career with the San Francisco Ballet before joining The New York City Ballet, where she was regarded by critics as one of the hardest working dancers of her time.While at the New York City Ballet, Ms. Mandradjieff danced featured roles in David Allan’s Reunions; George Balanchine’s Coppélia (Waltz), George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Marzipan and Dolls), Raymonda Variations, La Sonnambula, and Walpurgisnacht Ballet; Peter Martins’ Eight Easy Pieces, The Sleeping Beauty (Eloquence and Ruby), and Swan Lake (Pas de Trois and Pas de Quatre); Jerome Robbins’ Interplay; Richard Tanner’s Soirée; Helgi Tomasson’s Prism; and Christopher Wheeldon’s Mercurial Manoeuvres and Polyphonia. She also originated a featured role in Peter Martins’ Viva Verdi and corps roles in Melissa Barak’s Telemann Overture Suite in E Minor, Susan Stroman’s Double Feature, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Carnival of the Animals. In 2002, Ms. Mandradjieff appeared in the nationally televised Live From Lincoln Center broadcast New York City Ballet’s Diamond Project: Ten Years of New Choreography on PBS, dancing in Mercurial Manoeuvres.A dancer as well as a scholar of dance, Lindy graduated with a B.A. in Dance from St. Mary’s College in California and obtained a Public and Professional Writing Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. She has nearly 15 years of teaching experience at the community and university level, including at the prestigious Point Park University. Ms. Mandradjieff was also the private ballet instructor for the dancers on the Lifetime’s hit show, “Dance Moms.” In addition to teaching, she has the rare privilege to stage works from both the George Balanchine Trust and the Peter Martins Trust. Her students have been accepted into the top training programs, universities, and professional companies in the country and internationally. Ms. Mandradjieff is married to Matt Fabyanic. Together they have three young boys, Mason, Parker and Hudson. As a mother herself, one of Lindy’s most important roles is as mentor to a whole new generation of dancers and arts enthusiasts
Martha Graham Dance Company the Company continues to foster Graham’s spirit of ingenuity. It is embracing a new programming vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists inspired by Graham’s legacy.
Marylana Locklear She is recently completed her eighth season with Dayton Contemporay Dance Company (DCDC ) Marlayna was one of the founding members of The Milwaukee Dance Connection and has gone on to dance with Eleone Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theatre II and DCDC. She has performed works by Christopher Huggins, Dwight Rhoden, Ron Brown, Donald Byrd, Diane McIntyre and Ray Mercer to name a few. She also has worked with members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Momix, Martha Graham Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Milwaukee Ballet, Philadanco, Koresh, Full Circle Dance Company and members of seasons 1 & 2 of So you think you can dance
McCree O’Kelley began his ballet training with Ann Brodie and the Carolina Ballet in Columbia, SC. At 16 he moved to New York City, accepting a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet. He furthered his dance training at the North Carolina School of the Arts studying with Duncan Noble, Melissa Hayden and Warren Conover. His versatile career as a professional dancer included performing with the Atlanta Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and the Broadway National Tour of Cats as Mr. Mistoffelees. His vast repertoire includes Balanchine’s Serenade (Waltz Man), Allegro Brillante, Rubies, Who Cares, Stars and Stripes, Western Symphony, Lila York’s Celts (Green Man) and Gloria, Kevin O’Day’s Viola Alone¦ (with one exception), Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great Galloping Gottschalk (Men’s Duet), Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe, Alan Hineline’s Twist and Thresholds, Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels (Red Man), Val Caniparoli’s Open Veins, Lew Christensen’s Con Amore, Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland and Michael Pink’s Dracula and Hunchback of Notre Dame. As a choreographer, he has created works for the Pacific Symphony, American Academy of Ballet, Ballet Spartanburg, Carolina Ballet, Center Stage and Workshop Theater of South Carolina. Previously McCree was an assistant professor of dance at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, where he was the artistic director of Dance Converse. He has served on the faculty of the American Academy of Ballet, the University of South Carolina Conservatory of Dance, the Atlanta Ballet Summer Program, Ballet Spartanburg and the University of California, Irvine. He holds a BA in Dance from the University of South Carolina and an MFA in Dance from the University of CA, Irvine.
Marcy Jo Yonkey-Clayton is dedicated to promoting access to the art of dance through joyful, mindful human expression and connectivity. With a compassionate tone, Marcy positions herself as a facilitator who constructs dance experiences bred from authentic collaboration among participants- those who consider themselves to be “dancers” and those who may not- in order to expand artistic possibilities and audience engagement. Her current work as a contemporary choreographer is provocative and conceptual supporting social justice themes in process and performance. Native of western PA, Marcy studied dance since the age of two in competitive studio dance, gymnastics and cheer while ensuring a perfect grade point average. Marcy graduated summa cum laude from Slippery Rock University as a member of the Honors Program with a BA in Dance and a minor in Philosophy, and she graduated top honor at Texas Woman’s University where she attended on scholarship. She joined the dance faculty at Columbia College in 2008, was awarded tenure in 2015, and was named Dean of Arts and Humanities in 2018. Currently, Marcy serves on the Boards of the American College Dance Association (2nd term), the SC Dance Organization, and the Power Company Collaborative while remaining enthusiastic as an educator, artist, and leader at Columbia College SC. Marcy Jo Yonkey-Clayton has been highlighted as a featured performer in TEDx Columbia, commissioned at the Columbia Museum of Art, was named the South Carolina Arts Commission Fellow in Dance Choreography in 2012 and Top 50 artists of 50 years of the South
Olga & Michael Wise: Mr. Wise was asked to train in Budapest as the Hungarian
representative in international ballet competitions. He then joined the Moscow Classical Ballet, and was then promoted to Principal Dancer – the only American to have held this position in a major Soviet ballet company. In 1990, the Russian government awarded him the Tchaikovsky Diploma for continuous high levels of Technique and Artistry. After Russia, Mr. Wise continued to perform internationally as a Principal Dancer. Olga Tchoub Wise is a native of Moscow, Russia. Mrs. Wise graduated from the Bolshoi Choreographic Institute with a Masters Degree in the Fine Arts. In 1990 she accepted an offer to join the Moscow Classical Ballet as a soloist. She went on to work as a Principal Dancer with internationally known dancers and companies.
Polly Guffin Belly Dance instructor
Power Company
Ronald K Brown and Evidence Dance Company Brown founded Evidence, A Dance
Company in1985. He has worked with Mary Anthony Dance Theater, Jennifer Muller/The Works and other choreographers and artists. Brown has set works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco, Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago and Ballet Hispanico.
Sara Cart
Starla Wood
Stephanie Martinez Over eleven years of award-winning works, Chicago-based choreographer Stephanie Martinez moves her audiences along a journey guided by the kinetic momentum of her work. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement. Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country.
Stephen Duane is a professional Swing dance teacher that specializes in Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Authentic Jazz. Stephen has trained with the best Swing dancers in the world, most notably the legendary Frankie Manning. He has been performing and teaching for over 15 years in Charleston, SC. Currently, Stephen performs with the Gatsby Orchestra at Forte’ Jazz Lounge and around town for special events like the Roaring 20’s Festival. He also hosts weekly Swing dance parties on Sundays at Ballroom Dance Charleston. Stephen is passionately helping to keep the culture of Swing dance and Charleston alive in his home city!
Steven Vaughn was born in the Midwest and raised in Massachusetts. He graduated with Honors from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, earning a BFA in Modern Dance, focusing on choreography. As a senior at the University of the Arts, Steven began working with Parsons Dance as an apprentice, performing at the Joyce Theater with the company while finishing his BFA. At graduation, he was honored with the Stella Moore Prize for Four-Year Achievement and the Award for Excellence in Modern Dance. After graduating he joined Parsons Dance full time, under director David Parsons; touring and teaching with the company. He danced with Parsons both domestically and internationally, including Italy, China, Brazil, Russia, and more. This opportunity afforded him the opportunity to work with Monica Bill-Barnes, Kate Skarpetowska, and Robert Battle. Steven has taught throughout the United States including various dance college programs, Broadway Dance Center in NYC , University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University , as well as masterclasses in Italy and Israel. His choreography has been set on the Philadelphia based SHARP Dance Co. under director Diane Sharp- Nachsin. SHARP Dance Company commissioned several of Steve’s early choreographies and continues to tour his work nationally. Steven’s work was selected for the 2014 Emerging Choreographer Commission for Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and Harvard University, among others. Steven is featured twice in Jordan Matter’s New York Times Bestseller, Dancers Among Us and TV and film experiences include Teddy Forance and Jon Arpino’s dance documentary Movement One, starring Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Operatic Heat: Parsons Dance presents ‘Remember Me’, All the Right Moves, the feature film Now You See Me and Law and Order: SVU. Steven earned a MFA in Dance from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA (2017). He served on Faculty at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, 2014-2019. In addition to academic pursuits and studies, Steven has been serving as a Judge and Mentor at various dance competitions across the United States at Regional and National events. Now, having retuned to his childhood home on the South Coast of Massachusetts, is co-owner and director of The Studio on Pope’s Island in New Bedford, MA.
Stephanie Burg
Terrence Henderson Terrance’s work as a performer, choreographer and director has been showcased in theaters across the country. Having been the creative force behind Columbia’s Vibrations Dance Company serving as Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer for over ten years as well as serving as Long Term Artist in Residence at Logan Elementary in Richland School District One for almost twenty years, he is now pioneering new Arts in Education efforts, creating new original dance and theatre work, facilitating community outreach and activism, as well as Arts Organization Management consultation- all through his personal brand, T.O. Henderson Dance Incorporated or TOdanceInc. which seeks to use an interdisciplinary approach to performance and creation to inspire challenge and healing. Most recently and notably, Terrance was the recipient of the 2016 Steve G. Morrison Visionary Award
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