2022 World Dance Mini Intensive Teachers
AfroDance- Frederick Johnson
Frederick Johnson is an International bilingual dance instructor. He has been teaching African dance styles (Ndombolo, Coupe Decale, and Afrobeatz), Hip Hop, and Freestyle through African Movement in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Argentina and other Latin countries for the past 10 years. He has worked with Latin Grammy award winner Lali Esposito, Urbano Dance Studio and DOUP premier dance studios in the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is also the founder of Afrontalo Argentina, a company promoting and preserving Urban African dance culture throughout Latin America.
In his class, you can expect to not only study movement but also dive into the history and culture of each style, learn the names of steps, choreography, and drills to develop a strong foundation for freestyle.
In his class, you can expect to not only study movement but also dive into the history and culture of each style, learn the names of steps, choreography, and drills to develop a strong foundation for freestyle.
Bollywood Dance- Ramita Ravi
Ramita Ravi is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator in NYC. She graduated from UPenn and is currently signed with Bloc Talent Agency NY/LA. Her performance career spans TV/Film/Theater. She was the first South Asian to be featured on So You Think You Can Dance (Season 14) and has been seen in Spinning Gold with Jeremy Jordan & Wiz Khalifa, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, New York Fashion Week with Hermès, TNT’s “I Am The Night” Premier, Viceland, NOWThis, Lincoln Center, ClassPass Live, “Aida” (Engeman Theater), and Mystic India: The World Tour. Most recently, she originated the role of Shilpa and was Dance Captain of the broadway bound musical Bhangin' It at La Jolla Playhouse.
She has choreographed for Coachella 2022, Miss America 2021, Raveena (Lucid Tour, Asha's Awakening Tour, NPR’s Tiny Desk, Music Videos), KSHMR (US Tour) DanceOn, Lincoln Center, Capezio and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She is on faculty with Liberate Artists, Headliners, Star Dance Alliance, Nexus Dance, and Groove and has taught at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey Extension, Columbia University, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
She co-founded Project Convergence - company in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation, as well as Artswrk - the professional network for artists and creatives. She is one of few South Asian professional dancers in the industry, and is blazing trails for more diversity in the arts.
She has choreographed for Coachella 2022, Miss America 2021, Raveena (Lucid Tour, Asha's Awakening Tour, NPR’s Tiny Desk, Music Videos), KSHMR (US Tour) DanceOn, Lincoln Center, Capezio and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She is on faculty with Liberate Artists, Headliners, Star Dance Alliance, Nexus Dance, and Groove and has taught at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey Extension, Columbia University, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
She co-founded Project Convergence - company in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation, as well as Artswrk - the professional network for artists and creatives. She is one of few South Asian professional dancers in the industry, and is blazing trails for more diversity in the arts.
Caribbean Dance- Whedai Sheriff
Nai-Whedai Sheriff, founder of Dancing Heals Project, LLC, has been performing, teaching and choreographing dances for over 20 years. She started her training in NY in Modern dance and Afro-Caribbean movement. During her dance training, Nai-whedai received her Bachelors in Business from Baruch College, City University of New York and her Masters in Dance Education from Temple University. Professionally, her talents include teaching Hip Hop, Street funk, liturgical movement, Afro-Caribbean movement and competitive dance. While living in Pennsylvania, she has written dance curriculum and choreographed for many dance studios, after school programs and pre-professional dance programs including University of the Arts and Neumann University. Nai-whedai Sheriff has danced with companies such as Something Positive in NY and Kariamu & Company in Philadelphia. Her mission is to create opportunities for individuals that do not have access to quality art instruction and to continue to educate about African Slave history in the Americas.
Contemporary- Melissa Chisena
Melissa Chisena had the privilege of dancing and touring nationally with North Carolina Dance Theatre and The Richmond Ballet. Currently residing in Philadelphia, PA, has danced with Jeanne Ruddy Dance and Tania Isaac Dance. She has performed nationally and internationally at venues such as Bates Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, Aaron Davis Hall-Harlem Stage, Dance Place in DC, The Annenberg Center, The Suzanne Roberts Theatre, The Wilma, and numerous colleges throughout the US. Her choreography has been featured at North Carolina Dance Theatre, Richmond Ballet, American Dance Festival, Regional Dance America, Ursinus College, Richard Stockton College, Philadelphia Dance Theatre, Yes! Invitational, Come Together Festival, Grounds for Sculpture and many other venues across the Northeast. She is currently a member of the NADINE Project, a collaborative choreographic company Connecticut, Stone Depot Dance Lab, Beau Hancock, The Naked Stark, Tara Madsen-Robbins, and runs her own company, Chisena Danza. She is the ballet mistress at Philadelphia Dance Theatre and Janice’s Danceworks. She has taught at Temple University, Ursinus College, Bryn Mawr College, Eastern University, and Dance Elite. She is the director and founder of The Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest.
Cuban Comparsa- Anne Margaret O'Malley
Anne Margaret, a native of Philadelphia and graduate of The University of the Arts (BFA in Ballet), will be teaching Cuban Comparsa, Among the Many traditions that Africans contributed to the island of Cuba, comparsas are secular processionals of the greatest significance. She is Currently a Performing and Teaching Artist, with a career spanning over 25 years and 2 continents. She was a Soloist with the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company, resident Choreographer and dancer with the Camerata and Delaware Valley Opera Companies and has performed and Choregraphed in Musicals throughout the Delaware Valley and Europe. She has performed in 2 European tours with Ballet des Jeunes and was commissioned to create 3 original Ballets and Jazz concert pieces for their international programs. As a Spanish Flamenco dancer she has been a Guest Artist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, an adjunct professor at Eastern University’s Dance Department teaching Latin American and World Dance and has
been featured on local and national television programs. Presently she is an Adjunct Professor in Arts integration at Temple University’s EDHD Department and runs her own dance company, Flamenco y Más at Jenkintown Dance Arts as well as performing regularly for educational programs at Olé Tapas Restaurant in Newark, Delaware. Anne Margaret has studied in Cuba and has taught and performed Comparsa in Europe and the US.
been featured on local and national television programs. Presently she is an Adjunct Professor in Arts integration at Temple University’s EDHD Department and runs her own dance company, Flamenco y Más at Jenkintown Dance Arts as well as performing regularly for educational programs at Olé Tapas Restaurant in Newark, Delaware. Anne Margaret has studied in Cuba and has taught and performed Comparsa in Europe and the US.
Flamenco- Elba Hevia y Vaca
Elba Hevia y Vaca, Artistic/Executive Director and Founder of Pasión y Arte
Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Elba Hevia y Vaca is a creative artist and visionary bringing the
Flamenco art form to Philadelphia for over 20 years. She began her study of classical Spanishdance at the age of five. She later studied and danced professionally with the Ana Martinez Flamenco Dance Company in D.C., and danced with Washington’s Raquel Peña Spanish Dance Company, appearing as a soloist at various venues throughout the U.S. In Philadelphia she continued her study of modern dance, jazz, and contact improvisation from various Philadelphia artists. She continues her dance studies and research yearly in Sevilla, submerging herself with master dancers, musicians and singers of the art form. In 2000, Hevia y Vaca founded Pasión y Arte (PyA) and has developed it into Philadelphia’s premier contemporary Flamenco dance company. She founded it out of a strong and intensely personal conviction that highly-stylized traditional Spanish flamenco dance is a perfect vessel to empower women. These values have been reflected in her nine original, critically acclaimed evening length works she has created for PyA and in the numerous grants, fellowships and accolades awarded to Hevia y Vaca and PyA under her direction. These works push the boundaries of the Flamenco art form through
experimentation with site-specific choreography, and many are the product of collaborations with international flamenco stars and renowned post-modern dancers. She also founded a conservatory, launched two citywide Flamenco festivals and is a Senior Adjunct at Franklyn and Marshal, Adjunct. In 2018 she was nominated for the prestigious Pew Fellowship by Pew
Center for the Arts and Heritage.
Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Elba Hevia y Vaca is a creative artist and visionary bringing the
Flamenco art form to Philadelphia for over 20 years. She began her study of classical Spanishdance at the age of five. She later studied and danced professionally with the Ana Martinez Flamenco Dance Company in D.C., and danced with Washington’s Raquel Peña Spanish Dance Company, appearing as a soloist at various venues throughout the U.S. In Philadelphia she continued her study of modern dance, jazz, and contact improvisation from various Philadelphia artists. She continues her dance studies and research yearly in Sevilla, submerging herself with master dancers, musicians and singers of the art form. In 2000, Hevia y Vaca founded Pasión y Arte (PyA) and has developed it into Philadelphia’s premier contemporary Flamenco dance company. She founded it out of a strong and intensely personal conviction that highly-stylized traditional Spanish flamenco dance is a perfect vessel to empower women. These values have been reflected in her nine original, critically acclaimed evening length works she has created for PyA and in the numerous grants, fellowships and accolades awarded to Hevia y Vaca and PyA under her direction. These works push the boundaries of the Flamenco art form through
experimentation with site-specific choreography, and many are the product of collaborations with international flamenco stars and renowned post-modern dancers. She also founded a conservatory, launched two citywide Flamenco festivals and is a Senior Adjunct at Franklyn and Marshal, Adjunct. In 2018 she was nominated for the prestigious Pew Fellowship by Pew
Center for the Arts and Heritage.
Street Jazz- Kelli Moshen
Kelli Moshen, Artistic Director/Choreographer of Project Moshen Dance Company, is also a dance instructor at the Institute of Dance Artistry, Former teacher at Koresh School of Dance, Millennium Dance Complex, Philadelphia, & Rock School Summer master classes. Since receiving her BFA in jazz dance from the University of the Arts, she has performed in various Philly Fringe Festivals, Koresh Showcases, the “Come Together” dance festival produced by Koresh Dance Company, Dumbo Dance Festival Brooklyn, APAP, and Project Moshen Productions. Besides producing & directing 4 shows a year for Project Moshen Kelli has choreographed for major events around Philadelphia such as the Morris Animal Refuge big charity event, The Philly Furball, Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia Phillies, Geno’s Steaks, Harley Davidson and more. Kelli has worked with acclaimed choreographers such as Rennie Harris, Ronen Koresh, Scott Jovovich, Crystal Fraizer and Samuel Reyes.
Besides running her own company, Kelli works for Events Beyond Expectations (EBE) as a Master of Ceremonies performing at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate events, galas and more. Kelli is also involved in the business aspects of dance. She has worked for McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA) a prominent Dance Agency in New York City and Los Angeles and Broadway Dance Center where her experience has taught her how operate her own company and teach in the professional dance world.
Kelli’s love for performing has not only inspired her students but her colleagues as well. Kelli continues to broaden her dance technique by traveling to NY and LA to train.
Besides running her own company, Kelli works for Events Beyond Expectations (EBE) as a Master of Ceremonies performing at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate events, galas and more. Kelli is also involved in the business aspects of dance. She has worked for McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA) a prominent Dance Agency in New York City and Los Angeles and Broadway Dance Center where her experience has taught her how operate her own company and teach in the professional dance world.
Kelli’s love for performing has not only inspired her students but her colleagues as well. Kelli continues to broaden her dance technique by traveling to NY and LA to train.
Ukrainian Folk Dance- Kristine Izak
Instructor Kristine Izak will be sharing an introduction to Ukrainian folk and character dance. Class will include barre work, center, turns and traditional dance steps from the central Kyiv region of Ukraine, and from the Carpathian Mountains regions of Western Ukraine. . Come enjoy learning the fun and exciting steps of Ukrainian dance that resonate with the heartbeat of Ukraine. Hopak! Let’s dance!
Kristine Izak earned a Presidential Scholarship and graduated Summa Cum Laude from DeSales University with a BA in Dance Choreography/Performance. Her formative years of training in ballet and modern dance were with Delphine DelBello Spencer, Artistic Director of Dance DelBello. She was accepted into the acclaimed Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Philadelphia, and the Syzokryli Ensemble of NYC in her late teens and continued to dance with both companies through her years at DeSales. Besides company classes in ballet and character dance with Ensemble Artistic Directors Andrew Pap and Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. respectively, she continued her post college training at Philadelphia's Koresh School of Dance, and at the Broadway Dance Center and Jose Limon Dance Foundation, NYC. Since her college graduation in '89 she has been teaching and choreographing ballet, pointe, modern, lyrical and jazz dance at schools in the Philadelphia region. Kristine was Artistic Director for 10 years, as well as an Instructor and Choreographer, for the Ukrainian Dance Workshop and Camps associated with Syzokryli spanning 3 decades. Recently, she has begun touring the area as guest teacher of Ukrainian character dance, and was invited back to DeSales University as part of their Master Class series. Kristine is also an artist and the publisher of Dance Dreams Coloring Books, selling over 2,000 copies worldwide, including a ballet alphabet teaching syllabus for boys and girls that she incorporates into her class curriculum.
Kristine Izak earned a Presidential Scholarship and graduated Summa Cum Laude from DeSales University with a BA in Dance Choreography/Performance. Her formative years of training in ballet and modern dance were with Delphine DelBello Spencer, Artistic Director of Dance DelBello. She was accepted into the acclaimed Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Philadelphia, and the Syzokryli Ensemble of NYC in her late teens and continued to dance with both companies through her years at DeSales. Besides company classes in ballet and character dance with Ensemble Artistic Directors Andrew Pap and Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. respectively, she continued her post college training at Philadelphia's Koresh School of Dance, and at the Broadway Dance Center and Jose Limon Dance Foundation, NYC. Since her college graduation in '89 she has been teaching and choreographing ballet, pointe, modern, lyrical and jazz dance at schools in the Philadelphia region. Kristine was Artistic Director for 10 years, as well as an Instructor and Choreographer, for the Ukrainian Dance Workshop and Camps associated with Syzokryli spanning 3 decades. Recently, she has begun touring the area as guest teacher of Ukrainian character dance, and was invited back to DeSales University as part of their Master Class series. Kristine is also an artist and the publisher of Dance Dreams Coloring Books, selling over 2,000 copies worldwide, including a ballet alphabet teaching syllabus for boys and girls that she incorporates into her class curriculum.
Yoga-Kiley Dolaway
KILEY DOLAWAY was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She studied dance at Philadelphia Dance Theatre and graduated high school from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts under the direction of Susan Jaffe. She graduated Cum Laude with a BFA from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College in 2018 where she performed work by Shannon Gillen, Kevin Wynn, Manuel Vignoulle, Sidra Bell, and Merce Cunningham. Additionally, she was invited to dance at Springboard Danse Montreal both in 2017 and 2018 where she performed in the restaging of 'Paper Cuts in an Empty Bag' by Peter Chu and a new creation by Johannes Wieland. In 2018, Kiley performed in Shannon Gillen's 'SUPERBLOOM' at the 92nd Street Y in New York upon joining VIM VIGOR DANCE COMPANY as a company member. Following this, she supported Gillen's creations at L.A. Dance Project, b12 festival in Berlin, Princeton University, Boston Dance Theater, and Booker T. Washington School for the Arts. In 2019, she debuted in VIM VIGOR's evening length work FOREVER in New York City, NY. She later traveled with Gillen to teach, create, and perform at LINK 2019 in Salt Lake City, Perry Mansfield's Summer Program, Springboard Danse Montreal, Springboard X, MOVE NYC, VIM VIGOR's Summer Program in NYC, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Through the years, Kiley has taught at The Juilliard School, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Fordham, Purchase College, Rutgers University, Peridance Capezio Center, Gibney Dance, and the University of Calgary.
