Brianna Lucdancer is a well rounded dancer and choreographer. For 15 years Brianna has been dancing and pursuing her dreams and passion as a professional dancer, excelling in all she sets her mind too. At the age of 17, she was signed with a professional talent agency, also known as "Bloc" in New York City. Brianna’s passion and dedication for dance has provided her many opportunities and experiences. Such as touring Asia for seven months as a dancer, choreographer, and a creative director. Brianna has also worked with many amazing artists such as Britney Spears, India Apache, Jim Beans, Tanisha Scott and more. At the age of 19 she moved to Westchester County. Teaching all over Westchester with all ages made her realized what her highest fulfillment is... and that is teaching, and sharing her art with all of you. 

Megan Roe is a dancer and visual artist born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her childhood was spent in the dance studio. She assisted her teachers and quickly began to choreograph pieces herself. Megan continued on to New York City to study contemporary and improv dance at the Steps on Broadway Conservatory. She's performed in a variety of dance and art productions over the years but found her passion in choreographing and directing. Megan has choreographed for original plays and musicals for Loop Troupe and Rivers Edge Theater Company, and also originated the choreography for the Off Broadway show Sober Songs.  Megan has directed music videos for artists like BlackJeans, Zuli Jr., Enrose and more. 

Garth Otis Bates has studied dance since the age of four and has been teaching Dance since 2009. Garth has studied Concert Dance at The Hartt School and Commercial Dance at Pace University in NYC. Garth has received a BFA in Dance with a minor in Pedagogy. Garth has performed professionally since 2014, here are some of his Credits: pre production for Disney’s Hercules, Frozen 2 Saks window reveal with Idina Menzel, Expericne The Ride NYC as head dancer and dance captain and Featured dancer at Hershey Parks Summer Show, and is an avid company member of “American Circus Theatre.”Regionally: The Little Mermaid, Chicago and Cavalier in The Nutcracker. 

Nicole grew up on a horse farm in central Connecticut and began her dance training at Starship Dance Theater. She went on to attend SUNY Purchase College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance. While in school she had the opportunity to perform works by Adam Barruch, John Hegginbothum, Doug Varone, Rosalind Newman, Bettijane Sills to name a few. Professionally, Nicole has had the distinct pleasure of dancing with Shawn Bible Dance Co, Kathleen Helm and Dancers, Sea Legs Dance, and Hyperspace Dance. Beyond New York City, she has toured internationally to Sri Lanka and Sao Miguel, Azores. Currently, you can catch her joyfully performing with Time Lapse Dance, Rocha Dance Theater, and the award winning group “Jenny Rocha and The Painted Ladies.” As a dance maker, Nicole has presented her choreographic work at festivals in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. She is very excited to join Amanda Kupillas Dance family and share her joy of dance with her students!

Gracie Hutchinson grew up in Westchester County and began her dance training at

Central Park Dance Studio (CPD). While working at CPD, she founded her own mobile

children’s dance company, teaching dance to children of all ages throughout her

community. She then went on to attend Sarah Lawrence College, where she received a

Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Dance and Psychology. Here, Gracie furthered

her studies in dance styles and techniques while performing in dance department

productions, MFA Thesis pieces, and producing and choreographing as the captain of

the college’s dance team. Gracie also worked in the Sarah Lawrence College Early

Childhood Center (ECC), incorporating dance and music into the early education

classroom. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science Degree in Dance/Movement

Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College and is expected to graduate in May 2026. Through

her experience working with children across education, research, and therapeutic

settings, her philosophy is centered on the belief that dance is for everyone and that

movement can be a powerful medium for connection, expression, communication, and

community. With storytelling and play integrated into the heart of her practice, she

strives for an approach of inclusivity and joy, where students feel empowered to explore

through movement. She aims to create spaces where students of all ages and abilities

feel safe, seen, and supported, encouraging each dancer to explore what movement

means to them.

Maya Elbaum got her first taste of Pilates at age 13 taking private lessons in upstate NY to improve her dance training. She attended University California Irvine as a dance major graduating with B.A. in 2002. She later became certified through Core Pilates NYC in 2008. She started her Pilates teaching profession at Core, Center For

Movement NYC and Yoga Works Westside since 2008. In the past 15 years she continues to work privately with clients incorporating her knowledge of Pilates, dance, Anatomy of Trains and RIM (Revolution in Motion). She is known to create balance with her student's mind body connection with a true sensitivity for observation. Maya's sessions and classes target the specific needs of clients with a classic Pilates approach. She improves client’s strength, flexibility, and

balance with a work hard play hard mentality. She is most known for her sense of humor and love for life. When she is not teaching her other passions include family, design, travel, art and food.

Maxine Sherman was a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the Martha Graham Dance Company. During her 20+ career she interpreted, created and performed in nearly every leading role in the repertory of these classic contemporary dance companies.

Maxine was personally coached by Alvin and Martha, (2 of the great choreographers of the 20th century) as a representative of their final living artistry. In addition Maxine danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolph Nureyev in Appalachian Spring, Dance in America Series, PBS documentaries, and has performed in multiple opera houses throughout the world.

She has also been on faculty at universities, festivals and dance studios throughout the US restaging Ailey and Graham works and sharing her knowledge of technique, performance craft, body conditioning and dance making. Maxine has an MFA in Performance Studies from Sarah Lawrence College, where she has been an artist-in-residence and guest faculty professor.

Maxine received a choreography award from ARTS/Westchester in 2013 and her most recent collaboration with RiverArts® as performer and choreographer in “Braiding” was honored with an NEA grant. Maxine is a dance ambassador, bringing dance companies to Westchester, NY, where she is the Artistic Director of Dance and Artistic Advisor at RiverArts®.

Maxine Sherman began studying Pilates with Robert Fitzgerald, a direct disciple of Joseph Pilates in NYC in 1979 and is a graduate of the Kane School (2002) working with Kelly Kane, Kuan Hui Chew, Liz Koch, Continuum Practitioners and others in workshops addressing psoas dysfunction, scoliosis, foot alignment and other special populations.

Maxine has a BA from NYU in Body Therapies where she studied Kinetic Awareness, a bodymind method developed by Elaine Summers, after the innovative physical education teacher, Elsa Gindler. This ballwork system has inspired her to explore rubber balls, foam rollers, the MELT METHOD and other “self-care” techniques that restore healthy circulation, tight connective tissue and improve poor movement bio-mechanics.

In addition, Maxine is a certified GYROTONIC® TOWER/ PULLEY and GYROKINESIS instructor, studying with founder Juliu Horvath, Hilary Cartwright, Leda Franklin, Debra Rose and others. Her continuing education has led her to “wrapping,” GYROTONIC® Ladder and GYROTONER. There are so many benefits to this unique and original method, which coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.

As well as her extensive dance knowledge, Maxine practices YOGA daily for meditative and physical integration and rides her spin bike to increase heart rate, and improve circulation and stamina.

 Derek has served on faculty in New York at the famed Steps On Broadway, Mark Morris Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center, CAP21 Conservatory, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Marymount Manhattan College. He served as the tap dance coach for the Aladdin on Broadway, and his students have performed on Broadway in numerous shows, such as Billy Elliot, 42nd Street, White Christmas, Mary Poppins, Gypsy, Dames at Sea, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Funny Girl, and The Lion King, and he has trained numerous Radio City Rockettes. His teaching experience also includes workshops and master classes at universities and studios across the US, UK, Canada and Germany 

Ana Sofía was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico and her very first memory is dancing in her mother's kitchen. At 16 years she began her formal dance studies in San Diego California. A proud graduate of The Ailey School Certificate program, Ana Sofía was also a classical ballet trainee for three years at The Joffrey Ballet School. She has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Vernard J. Gilmore, Earl Mosely, Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, Africa Guzmán, Amy Hall Garner, Tyler Gilstrap, Judith Sanchez Ruiz, Edivaldo Ernesto, Greg Dolbashain, Fangting Yeh Winston Dynamite Brown and Nia Brantley. In addition, she has performed in many classics such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, A Midsummers Night Dream, Cinderella, La Viviandere, and the Nutctracker. Additionally you can see her in various plays, films, indie projects, ads and the TV show "This Is Us" on NBC. Ana Sofía loves to give back the information that has been generously passed on to her through incredible teachers and mentors. She loves teaching and learning just as much as performing!

Robert Ciszak is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and educator known for his dynamic teaching style and engaging energy. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance, Robert has performed with esteemed companies and choreographers, including InDance Global and works by Bill T. Jones and Paul Taylor. He is currently furthering his training in New York City at the Paul Taylor School Professional Division.

In addition to his professional work, Robert has taught at universities such as Rutgers and Wesleyan, as well as in Poland, bringing his expertise to students around the world. He enjoys blending house, contemporary, and his own unique style in class, making each session both hard-working and fun. With additional training at Orsolina28 in Italy with Jacob Jonas, Robert’s diverse background inspires his students to work hard, explore creatively, and enjoy the art of dance

Emily Autrey is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in New York State. Emily graduated from NYU Master’s in Music Therapy program and completed her clinical internship training at The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine. She currently works in a pediatric, long-term care facility, serving children with medically complex conditions.
Emily specializes in working with infants, children, adolescents, and adults with a broad range of bio/psycho/social needs. She has many years experience facilitating individual and group music therapy services, in addition to community music classes, after-school music programs, and adaptive lessons. Emily believes music-making serves as a fun and effective medium to connect with others and explore one's own creativity, regardless of age or experience. She encourages laughter, imagination, and play in her groups!

Emily is also trained as a Level 1 Reiki practitioner, certified in Comprehensive Pediatric Massage Therapy (CPMT®), and certified as an Acutonics® practitioner (Level 1). 

Kailah is a multifaceted dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist with extensive training across

Ballet, Modern, Musical Theater, Jazz, West African, and Diaspora dance, as well as acting. She

has honed her craft at esteemed institutions including the Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts, José

Mateo Ballet Theatre, The American Dance Festival, Bridgewater State University, The Dance

Complex, Broadway Dance Center, Evidence Summer Intensive, Afterwork Theater, and The

Barrow Group.

A graduate of the Mark Morris Teaching Artist Training Program, Kailah is passionate about arts

education and creating access to holistic, movement-based learning. She currently serves as the

Resident Choreographer at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, where she develops original

work that blends storytelling with technical precision.

Kailah also brings her choreographic vision to youth performance spaces, most recently directing

and producing a full camp show in just six weeks as the Dance Specialist at Camp Chikadee in

White Plains, NY. Her work is rooted in community, expression, and the belief that dance is for

everybody and every story.

Solenn Etienne was born in Guadeloupe, surrounded by her generous Caribbean culture, as a result, she inherited a profound, yet pure connection to nature and spirituality. 

Attracted by the vibrating energy of New York City, she, then, joined the Ailey school in 2021 and graduated in may 2024.

Solenn learned repertory from Hofesh Shechter company, Martha Graham company, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble and worked with choreographers such as Juliano Nunes, Ronald K. Brown, Norbert De La Cruz and Petra Zanki.

Solenn is a current members of MODArts Dance Collective and aspire to evolve and to assert herself in the modern dance world, by freeing her unique expression while transcending her physical limits

 Exploring how I define myself and how we are perceived, are overriding themes of my life. I’ve realized it’s my way of figuring out how I fit in––my search for belonging. When Covid came, I shut my floral business and found myself, at home, full-time, still, tending to my three kids. Teetering on the precipice of sanity, maintaining balance with chocolate in one hand and cold coffee in the other, surrounded by loves, friends and community, I turned back to writing––poetry mostly––as an outlet. Eternally curious about what’s going on, and sharing it quietly out for the first time here.

Attracted by the vibrating energy of New York City, she, then, joined the Ailey school in 2021 and graduated in may 2024.

Solenn learned repertory from Hofesh Shechter company, Martha Graham company, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble and worked with choreographers such as Juliano Nunes, Ronald K. Brown, Norbert De La Cruz and Petra Zanki.

Solenn is a current members of MODArts Dance Collective and aspire to evolve and to assert herself in the modern dance world, by freeing her unique expression while transcending her physical limits

Maxwell Louis Green-Waterman is an artist, educator, administrator, and advocate—guided by spirit, grounded in technique, and driven by purpose. With each stage he steps onto and each student he stands before, Maxwell is redefining what dance can be: not only an art form, but a vehicle for healing, justice, and transformation.

A proud Barbadian-American, Maxwell stands on sacred shoulders. His godmother, Sheron Trotman, served as rehearsal mistress to the legendary Dr. Pearl Primus and co-founded the first dance program at Howard University alongside Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson. This lineage of brilliance, resistance, and cultural legacy fuels Maxwell’s work—from the classroom to the concert stage, and everywhere in between.

A Horton Technique specialist with deep fluency in Ballet and Contemporary forms, Maxwell is an ABT® Certified Teacher (Pre-Primary to Level 3) and part of the inaugural cohort of the Ailey Teacher Certification Program: Ailey Horton Technique. He currently serves on faculty at Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, Concepts Dance Academy, Brooklyn Ballet and the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD). His teaching practice is known for its fusion of technical rigor, cultural relevance, and spiritual care—offering dancers a home where their full selves are welcome.

His contributions to dance education include his curriculum Dancing Dialogues, developed for the NYC Department of Education and now implemented in over 50 schools. The curriculum blends dance with identity, social-emotional learning, and justice, equipping young dancers with tools to move through the world with clarity and confidence.

Maxwell’s presence extends across the tri-state area and onto national and international stages. In May 2025, he joined New Jersey Performing Arts Center's (NJPAC) annual AILEY day—teaching alongside esteemed Ailey artists Freddie Moore and Amos Machanic, Jr. Nationally, his leadership and advocacy are amplified through his role as Director of Advocacy for the New York State Dance Education Association (NYSDEA) and his work with the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Internationally, he continues to shape the global conversation through collaborations with the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) and M-Intensive University.

In 2024, Maxwell premiered Sacred Songs, a new work by Matthew Rushing, Interim Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, as part of the historic Edges of Ailey initiative. He was offered the opportunity to perform the piece at Jacob’s Pillow in August 2025, which would have marked the Ailey organization’s first return to the festival in 62 years—a milestone moment in the continuum of Black dance, and a powerful testament to Maxwell’s place in that lineage.

With a growing foundation in arts leadership and fundraising, Maxwell is not only building his own path—he’s creating space for others to rise. Whether teaching, choreographing, mentoring, or leading, he shows us that dance is more than movement—it is memory, it is ministry, it is a map toward freedom.

Maxwell Louis Green-Waterman is part of a new vanguard: bold, visionary, and rooted in love. He is not waiting for the future—he is building it. And in every space he enters, the message is clear: it’s already here.

 Deanna Doyle is the fourth generation in her family to be a professional performing artist, starting with her great-great- aunts, who had a sister act on the vaudeville circuit. 

She made her Broadway debut as Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera, was known for her portrayal of the role of Ivy Smith in the pre-Broadway production of On the Town, and was nominated for an Astaire Award for playing 17-year-old Winnie in Broadway's Tuck Everlasting. Other favorite roles include Vera in On Your Toes, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Rita Racine in Steel Pier, and Lise Dassin in the Broadway tour of Christopher Wheeldon's An American in Paris. 

She has performed at New York City Center, The Joyce, The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, and The Kennedy Center, and has appeared in national commercials for Twix, AT&T, Tide, and PNC Bank.

Deanna trained at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. She joined Kansas City Ballet, dancing notable roles including Drew Drop in The Nutcracker and The Cowgirl in Agnes de Mille's Rodeo, as well other principal and soloist roles in works by Twyla Tharp, Donald McKayle, Lynne Taylor-Corbet, Karole Armitage, and Paul Taylor. 

Michael Mota (they/them) earned their 200 hour yoga teaching certification from Pura Veda Costa Rica in 2024. They studied the principals of Ayurvedic yoga and the importance of yoga not just in terms of asanas but as a life style. While flowing with Michael you can expect movement inspired by dance that flows from one asana into another. You can also expect slower movements and breath work to reconnect to your inner world and peace. Michaels goal is for you to walk out of their class reinvigorated with life and hopefully a bit closer to yourself.

Christopher Taylor grew up in Newark, New Jersey. He started his dance training at The Ailey School when he was eleven years old. He later attended Arts High School in newark. During his training he attended Ailey Camp Newark’s summer program which allowed him to perform at The Apollo Theater and Lincoln Center numerous times for AAADT and perform works by Rennie Harris , Robert Battle and many other choreographers at that time . After graduating from Arts High School he attended The Ailey School’s Professional Division Program under scholarship. Chris was hired in 2022 for Ailey II under Francesca Harper. During his time in Ailey II he has performed works by William Forsythe , Andrea Miller , Robert Battle, and Francesca Harper . This is Christopher Taylor's third season with the company . 

@__chris360

Jeffrey Shirbroun is a dancer, artist, and teacher. Growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, he studied dance from an early age at the Bainbridge Dance Center, under the direction of Susan Thompson.  Jeffrey continued his creative endeavors, graduating Instituto Marangoni, in Paris, France, with a degree in Fashion Design.  Upon graduation he worked in fashion for a few years but longed for modern dance.  He moved to NYC and joined Graham 2 performing in Martha Graham’s  'Secular Games’ and ‘Owl and the Pussycat’. He later earned his hool of Contemporary Dance. He is currently a freelance dancer and artists in NYC.Teacher’s Certification from the Martha Graham Sc  Jeffrey is very excited to be teaching at Amanda Kupillas Dance where he hopes to share his unique perspective on dance with future dancers. 

Alex Maureen Newkirk is an accomplished dancer originally from Atlanta, GA, who began her dance journey at the age of two. She honed her skills early on at the Atlanta Ballet and Ballethnic Dance Academy. At fifteen, Alex’s talent was showcased in a commercial for AspireTV, where she highlighted her passion for ballet. Throughout her preprofessional career, Alex has trained at renowned residencies and intensives, including Dance Theatre of Harlem, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.

During her time at Point Park University, Alex had the opportunity to learn from and perform works by celebrated choreographers such as George Balanchine, Marius Petipa, Troy Powell, and more. In the 2019-2020 season, she joined Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore!, where she performed works by notable choreographers including Rennie Harris, Zach Ingram, Kate Skarpetowska, and Joshua Peugh.

A passionate advocate for equality in the arts, Alex has been featured in publications and books focused on promoting diversity and inclusion in hiring and teaching practices. She is also the author of The Ballet Workbook, a children's guide designed to help young dancers master the basics of ballet.

Now based in New York City, Alex is an Adjunct Professor at New York University teaching ballet and contemporary ballet in addition to pursuing her career as a freelance dancer, sharing her artistry with diverse audiences.

Fiona McKiernan began dancing at Scarsdale Ballet and On Hudson Dance in Westchester, NY. She then trained in NYC, spending four years at Steps On Broadway’s pre professional program and one year at Manhattan Youth Ballet. She was a student at The Ailey School Scholarship Program, after which she was a trainee in the inaugural programs of both Complexions Contemporary Ballet and New Jersey Ballet. She is currently an apprentice with Carolina Ballet.

MADELYN HO, M.D. is from Sugar Land, Texas where she began dancing at Kinard Dance School with Shirley McMillan and later trained with BalletForte under the artistic direction of Michael Banigan. She graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Chemical and Physical Biology. While there, she was awarded the Artist Development Fellowship and attended the Taylor School Winter Intensive. She was a member of Taylor 2 from 2008 to 2012 and left to attend Harvard Medical School, during which time she was a guest artist for Alison Cook Beatty Dance and performed with Urbanity Dance. She joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in Spring 2015 and completed her Doctorate of Medicine in May 2018.

Stephane Duret, was last seen in the Tony Award Winning Musical KINKY BOOTS on Broadway, and is also the Founding Director of KAISER’S ROOM, a non-profit that offers arts programming to individuals with cognitive and developmental delays in NYC. Stephane started his Musical Theatre training at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Fl, now holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and is thrilled to call NYC home. Previous credits include Off-Broadway: THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, The Public Theatre; THE BUISCIT CLUB, and HARD TIMES, the cell theatre. International: PARADE, Jerusalem, Israel. ZORRO, Shanghai, China; Regional: VIOLET, Waitsfield, Vermont; AIDA, HOT MIKADO, RAGTIME, CABARET, CURTAINS, SWEET CHARITY, THE PRODUCERS Chicago, Il. A proud member of A.E.A.ctious.

Ryan Yamauchi was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and trained at the Mid-Pacific Institute School of the Arts and SUNY Purchase. Ryan is currently a dancer/rehearsal director with Doug Varone and Dancers and a collaborator with 2nd Best Dance Company.  He has also had the pleasure of working with Loni Landon Dance Projects, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Barbara Dance Theater, NVA & Guests, and Sidra Bell Dance New York. As a choreographer, Ryan collaborated with Hannah Garner to create an evening-length work titled Housewarming, and has been commissioned to create work for students at San Jose State University, SUNY Purchase, and The Juilliard School.  Ryan is currently on faculty at SUNY Purchase and Peridance Center.

Originally from China and raised in Taiwan, Yung Yung began her dance training at age five, excelling in both Chinese folk dance and European ballet. After earning a scholarship to the Martha Graham School in New York City, she trained under Graham herself and went on to perform, choreograph, and teach extensively throughout the U.S., including many years at the Graham School.

She later founded her own dance company and authored the memoir The Difference in Butterflies, which chronicles her artistic journey and personal transformation. Yung Yung brings a wealth of experience, cultural depth, and technical mastery to every class she teaches.

Kara Chan is from Vancouver, Canada and began dancing at the age of 5. She received her pre-professional training at Pro Arte Center, under the direction of Astrid Sherman before earning her BFA from The Juilliard School. Kara has performed principal roles with Twyla Tharp Dance in both repertory works and new creations. Most recently, Kara performed in Justin Peck’s world premiere of Illinois at The Fischer Center in June/July 2023. Other performance credits include Pam Tanowitz Dance, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company (Artemis in Athens), Mark Morris Dance Group (The Hard Nut), Dance Heginbotham, Janis Brenner & Dancers, Gleich Dances, Barkin/Selissen Project, among many others. In 2019, Kara assisted Twyla Tharp in the staging of Deuce Coupe on American Ballet Theatre as a répétiteur, which received a 2019 Outstanding Revival Bessie Nominee. She is an alumna of The School of Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program and an inaugural recipient of Juilliard’s Career Advancement Fellowship. Kara was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2020. www.karachandance.com

Mary Santorello, "Maria de los Angeles," began her Flamenco dance studies at Ballet Hispanico with Melinda Marquez in 1998. After apprenticing with the American Bolero Dance Company, at the invitation of founder Gabriela Granados, she spent two summers at the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville, Spain, studying with Carmen Ledesma, Rafael Campallo and Milagros Menjibar. As a scholarship recipient, she attended Jacob’s Pillow in 2008, studying with Soledad Barrio, and in 2019 studying with Carmen Ledesma and Carmela Greco. Since her tablao debut at Alegrías en La Nacional, she has been performing regularly with local artists. She is currently a Teaching Artist with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and NY City Center.  Chosen as the 2018 Artist in Residence with Flamenco Vivo's AiRe program, she choreographed her first solo piece, The Suffocating Breath.  As the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Al Margen Flamenco Company, she conceptualizes, choreographs and performs in full length productions as the dance company in residence at Teatro Circulo in NYC since 2016.

XiaoChuan Xie, a.k.a. Chuan, is a Chinese-born dancer/psychotherapist who currently pursues a M.S. in Dance/Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College. She holds a B.A. from SUNY Empire State College and is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst. As a performer, Chuan is a Clive Barnes Award and Fred Astaire Award nominee for her excellent performances in Martha Graham Dance Company and The King and I on Broadway. Dance Magazine named her one the “Best Performers of 2015”.  As a teacher, she has taught in many professional dance schools and educational venues in NYC, such as Martha Graham School and The Taylor School, to list a few. 

CHRISTINA LYNCH MARKHAM grew up in Westbury, New York and began dancing with Lori Shaw, and continued at Holy Trinity High School under the direction of Catherine Murphy.  She attended Hofstra University on scholarship and performed works by Cathy McCann, Karla Wolfangle, Rachel List, Robin Becker, and Lance Westergard.  During college she also trained at The Taylor School, and attended the Company’s Summer Intensive Program.  After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2004, she danced with the Amy Marshall Dance Company, Stacie Nelson and The Dance Theater Company.  She joined Taylor 2 in Summer 2008, and made her debut with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in Summer 2013.
“At 13 I enjoyed a ballet on PBS and told my dad I wanted to do that. A few days later I signed up for dance lessons.”
Origins: “I’m half Chinese, half Irish. My family sacrificed so much for me to do what I love. My Chinese grandma cultivated my artistic side.”
Taylor introduction: “Esplanade at City Center, and I was lucky to have Taylor alumni Cathy McCann, Karla Wolfangle and Joao Mauricio as teachers at Hofstra.”
Taylor’s work: “Athletic. Passionate. Daring.”
Days off: “I love to cook, spend time with family, and snuggle with my cats.”
Favorite music: Sinéad O’Connor’s “Lion and the Cobra.”
Advocacy: “It’s important to help and inspire young dancers; they’re our future!”
Personal slogan: “Dance the F&@ out of it!!”
@christinalynchmarkham (https://www.instagram.com/christinalynchmarkham/?hl=en)

Morgan McEwen, a New York City native, is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of MorDance, a trailblazing dance company celebrated for creating original collaborative works that push the boundaries of classical ballet. Through her extensive career as a professional ballet dancer at the Richmond Ballet, BalletMet, and the Metropolitan Opera, McEwen discovered she had limited opportunities to pursue her passion as a female choreographer. Driven to create a positive work environment that champions exploration and opportunity for all, Morgan is committed to empowering a strong roster of female creatives to elevate the experience of ballet for the modern age, both from an artist and audience perspective. McEwen has been heralded by The New York Times as having, “an eye for shaping the arc of a dance as carefully as the transitions and details within it,” Morgan has presented works on stages throughout New York City, including Baryshnikov Arts Center, Aaron Davis Hall, and Symphony Space. She received a CUNY Dance Initiative Residency and Kaatsbaan Upstream Residency in 2018. Ms McEwen’s work was selected to be performed at Battery Dance Festival in 2021. She has recently been granted a residency on Martha’s Vineyard through the Vineyard Arts Project. In 2023, her work will be presented by John Jay College’s Gerald Lynch Theater as part of a CDI residency. Additionally, she will be working with BalletX to generate new work during a choreographic incubator in 2023. 

Rafal Pustelny is a vibrant dancer and instructor who is passionate about traditional dances from all around the world! Rafal moved to NYC in 2010 and there studied American Jazz dance forms, including Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. He quickly established himself as one of the top dancers in NYC, and has since earned acclaim in the international swing dance community. Rafal’s expertise and passion for dance shine in the classroom; he uses his technical prowess, upbeat sense of humor, and innate ability to connect with people to distill high-level content into accessible pieces that elevate multiple aspects of his students’ dancing.

Maguette Camara is a globally recognized West African dancer, choreographer, teacher and drummer who is based in New York City. 

Maguette began his career at a young age with The Ballet Bougarabou Dance Company in Dakar, Senegal. His extensive experiences with this company allowed him to perform and present workshops in Morocco, Canada, Senegal, South Korea, Guadeloupe and The United States. His dedication and talent have earned him the opportunity to perform in impressive venues such as the Guggenheim Museum, The American Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Rolling Stones World Tour, Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World, The World Trade Center Jazz Festival, the Broadway Performance “Angelique” and the opening act for Senegalese vocalist, Baaba Maal. Maguette’s talents have been praised by The New York Times, The Root TV, Dance Teacher Magazine, The New York Public Library, The Villager, Good Day New York, New York 1 News, Fox 5, NBC and MTV. 

Maguette has been a faculty member at The Ailey School and Barnard College since 1997. In addition, he teaches weekly open classes at The Ailey Extension and Djoniba at Peridance Capezio Center for all levels and all ages. Camara is known for his incredible energy and positive demeanor. Maguette’s New York City in-person classes have enjoyed a devoted following at all skill levels.

During the Coronavirus outbreak, Camara’s remote live classes reached hundreds of participants from across the globe from France, Germany, Israel, Canada and Australia.

“If an educator shows passion for what they do, it can only draw students in,” said Katie Glasner, Assistant Chair and Senior Associate at The Department of Dance at Barnard College. “His absolute unbridled joy for what he does is simply infectious.