Amanda Attiya is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in MD. Originally from southern NJ, Amanda began dancing at the age of 5. She moved to the DMV to pursue her B.S. in Public Administration from George Mason University where she danced with Mason Danceworks and SoleTap GMU. Amanda loves spreading her love for dance with the next generation and has been teaching at studios and conventions across the area since 2021. She also performs professionally with the Capitol Movement Technical Company and continues her training at various studios in the region. Outside of dance, Amanda is a State Policy Specialist for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a graduate-level student at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

Annika Dodrill is a DC-based dancer and performer. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Annika trained in jazz, ballet, tap, and contemporary styles at Synergy Dance Studio, where she now teaches and choreographs whenever she has the chance. While in college at Miami University (Oxford, OH), she was a dancer, choreographer, and collaborator with the contemporary company Dance Theatre. After graduating with a BFA in Interior Design, she moved to DC with a job in commercial design, specializing in contract furniture. She also works as a figure skating instructor and choreographer in the fall and winter months. Recently, she has performed in NACHMO, Rae Gray’s evening-length work, Wax & Wane, and Heart Stück Bernie’s Many Extra Only More.

Chynna Golding is the co-founder of Immersion Ballet and a member of the Inspira Dance board. Prior to founding Immersion Ballet, Chynna graduated from Agnes Scott College with a degree in Public Health. She trained in both the dance and music programs at Agnes Scott College, where she studied both music theory and Labanotation and Motif. Chynna was a performing member of the Agnes Scott College Dance Theater and The Kennesaw State’s Latin Dance Company (ALAS), in addition to performing in multiple music ensembles. Before college, Chynna trained with the City Ballet school and performed in the Nutcracker for multiple seasons. While in school Chynna was an Assistant teacher at Decatur City Dance in Georgia and coached a variety of different sports including swimming, figure skating, gymnastics, and tennis. Post College Chynna served as a teaching artist with Clancy Works, SylviDances, Salsa with Silvia, and Joy of Motion as well as became a certified Pure Barre instructor.

Originally from upstate New York, Drew now lives in Baltimore, MD, and dances/choreographs across the DMV area. In addition to the Effervescence Collective, he has danced with Capitol Movement, the Rae Grey Dance Collective, and various individual choreographers. He has also worked extensively with Elizabeth Watson, Will Miller, Zachary Frazee, Caitlin Mahon, Cynthia Williams, and Bill Evans. For choreography, he most recently presented Inimeg, a duet with Chloé Richier. Outside of dance, Drew works at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), contributing to their mission of advancing science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all. (IG: @drewscamms)

Emily Green (she/they) studied dance at Connecticut College, where she performed in the works of David Dorfman, Lisa Race, Shawn Hove, Rachael Lieblein-Jurbala, and many other influential artists. She has premiered solo and group works in Portland, OR and Washington, DC. Her choreography explores the dynamics of weight and texture and seeks to explore the quirks and commonalities of the human experience. Emily joined DanceArtTheater in 2023 and is excited to be performing and creating in the DMV area.

Erica Mays is a DC-based dancer and creative. Originally from Atlanta, Erica discovered partner dance in 2012 while living in Baltimore. After training in Lindy Hop, Blues, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Brazilian Zouk, and Fusion, she now makes her first appearance in a choreographed work with the Effervescence Dance Collective! Outside of dance, Erica works as a UX Designer in government contracting, with a focus on building intuitive experiences. She and her partner have three affectionate cats at their DC apartment, and in her spare time Erica builds up her art store, runs D&D games, and experiments in the kitchen.

Ilana Newman is a DC-based dancer from New York. Originally trained in ballet, she relishes every chance she has to explore different styles of dance. She has performed recently with NACHMO DC, ICONS, and the Washington Ballet’s Adult Program. Outside of dance, Ilana works in fundraising at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She also loves to bake.

Julia began dancing at five years old. After leaving dance in high school, she rediscovered her passion for it after moving to the DMV from Chicagoland ten years ago. Julia also enjoys crafting, gardening, hitting the gym, and community events. She resides in Brookland with her cat, Bean and turtle, Freddie.

Julie Yelle is a locally trained dancer who received instruction at the Patricia Kelbaugh Dance Studio before becoming a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. After graduating from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, Julie taught dance and aerobics to girls and women from refugee camps and disadvantaged neighborhoods at a US-based non-profit organization in the Middle East. In recent years, Julie has performed with the ICONS Choreographic Institute, DHH Dance Collaborative, and Glade Dance Collective’s NACHMO DC. She is the author of Cutting-Edge Arts, Fine Sciences: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Innovation, a book that explores the ways in which the arts and sciences are mutually reinforcing partners.

Katie Murphy is a dancer and theatre artist based in DC. She has performed across the region with Mich-Mash Productions, Alight Dance Theatre, and Taffety Punk Theatre Company where she is a company member. Most recently, she danced in the premiere of Taffety Punk's "This Inherent Echo" at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and "The Incident Sound" at The REACH at the Kennedy Center. When not dancing, she can be found powerlifting, beekeeping, and baking.

Rachael Alexandra is a dancer, choreographer, visual artist, and teacher based in the DC Metro area. She has danced with an array of phenomenal dance companies and choreographers, including LightSwitch Dance Theatre, Uprooted Dance, Sinclair Imoghene, Erica Rebollar, and many others. Rachael is a graduate of the ICONS Choreographic Institute. She is working toward obtaining her MFA in Dance at Hollins University.

Rachel is a pint-sized package who loves laughter, dance, and her family.

3 cups of passion, 2 sticks of unwavering perseverance, 1 tablespoon of optimism, ½ an ounce of selflessness and a dash of courage are the fundamental ingredients behind Raeanna “Rae” Grey’s artistry. These ingredients, while simple, have been homegrown, aged, and refined for 24 years directly resulting in her essence as an independent black woman and movement artist. Rae’s roots originate from a seedling that sprouts forth in Stafford, expanding its branches into the Shenandoah Valley, and all the while unfurling its leaves into Washington DC. While serene in her demeanor, Rae’s mind remains resilient at work, a roiling and ready entity to be reckoned with.

Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, Rebecca Scruggs received rigorous dance training at BalletNova Center for Dance in Falls Church, Virginia. Summer intensives with programs like Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary in New York City and with companies like Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, have expanded Rebecca’s movement repertoire. Rebecca received conservatory-level training in acting, directing and technical theatre and is a member of the International Thespian Society. She also studied voice with Harnes Selway Arts. In 2018, Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Shenandoah University. Since 2021, Rebecca has assisted Craig Lawrence with stage combat courses and FightGuy Photography as a photography assistant broadening her artistic scope. Rebecca currently teaches at DanceXpressions Performing Arts Center, takes dance classes to maintain her training, and models occasionally with local photographers.

Riley was born and raised in Maryland and began dancing when she was 5. She grew up doing poms and continued to be captain of her high school poms team. Throughout that time Riley was also a member on her high school dance company, where she danced and competed in multiple styles, such as jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and more. While earning her Bachelors degree in Family and Human Services at Towson University, she danced and choreographed for her college club dance team. She recently graduated with her Masters degree from the University of Maryland. Riley is now in her first year as a Middle School Counselor, striving to shape and uplift the next generation.

Robin has worked as a dance artist and educator in the DMV for over 7 years. She specializes in teaching ballet, modern, and tap. She earned her AA degree at Anne Arundel Community College, and her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Towson University. Robin has performed with AACC Dance Company, Towson University’s Ballet Company, Moveius Contemporary Ballet, ICONS, Vaught Contemporary Ballet, BlueShift Dance, NACHMO, RawArts Dance, Extreme Lengths Productions, BalletEMbody, and Light Switch Dance Theatre. Her choreography has been featured at NACHMO, The Collective’s Open Marley Night, and MOVE ME Festival. She currently performs in project-based works, presents her own choreography, and teaches dance throughout the DMV.

Sarah Moore is a DC based dancer and the Community Specialist for Arts in Health at Walter Reed. She trained at En Pointe School of Dance, the Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education, and Master’s Academy of Fine Arts High School. Utilizing her bachelor’s in peacebuilding from GA State University, she facilitated dance-based conflict resolution in Bosnia for five years. After receiving full funding from Yoga Activist to complete her Yoga Teacher Training, Sarah spent one year facilitating yoga and dance with immigrant students in Portugal. She went on to earn her master’s from Columbia College and worked as a dance/movement therapist in clinical settings with trauma survivors and refugees. Funded by The Ellen Stone Belic International Research Award, Sarah conducted her master’s thesis in Nairobi where she returns annually as part of the collaborative leadership team supporting therapeutic arts training with Global Alliance for Africa. Sarah’s other accolades include: The Live Oak Valuing Difference Award for Emerging Therapists, The Albert Schweitzer Health Equity Award, and The Walter Reed Civilian Achievement Award. Sarah’s recent dance performances include: Our Country’s Keepers with Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, The Ascension Project with Uprooted Dance, CO|LAB with the Dance Exchange, Renacimiento by Angel Ramierez, They Had Light Inside by Faith Rokowski, and Maleficent: Cordially Invited by Rachel Lawal. The through-line of Sarah’s work is expanding ethical and equitable access to health and well-being through the arts. Dancing and performing are some of the creative ways Sarah supports her own well-being.

Selina Tran is a DC-based dancer and artist born and raised in SLC, Utah. Selina earned her B.A. from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA before moving to the other Washington. Selina lived in Vietnam for two years where she worked as a teacher and founded a community center with friends before moving back to DC. She currently works at a legal advocacy nonprofit. Selina has trained in modern, jazz, and contemporary styles and was a former competitive cheerleader who believes she could still whip out her back handspring. She is currently a company member of DanceArt Theater. When not dancing and working, you can find Selina teaching ceramics at CHAW, sewing, knitting, or on an outdoor adventure.

Simone Nasry (she/her) is a DC-based mover. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Simone trained with Minnesota Dance Theater. She is fascinated by community dance practices and has enjoyed co-creating and/or performing the works of Sarah Beth Oppenheim, Beth Mwambo, Ibrahim Abdo, Cassie Meador, and Victoria Winter. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, spending time with her puppy and husband, and pretending to garden.