Current Dancers
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Amanda Attiya (she/her)
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.
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Annelise Schader (she/her)
Born and raised in Annandale, Virginia, Annelise began dancing at age 8. She started with ballet and jazz, later dabbling in lyrical and modern styles. While continuing to dance, she also brought her experience to color guard in high school and early college. After taking a break from it, she has recently returned to dance and rekindled her love for the artistry and physicality of the craft. She occasionally volunteers at Studio One Dance as an assistant instructor and works her day job in international wildlife conservation.
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Annika Dodrill (she/her)
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.
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Ariel Samuel (she/her)
Ariel is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in DC. She grew up dancing in Northern Virginia and continued her love of dance through Dance Works at Syracuse University. She currently teaches contemporary and jazz at Every Body Dance studio in Falls Church and loves developing the next generation of dancers.
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Corina Iona Dalzell (they/them)
Appalachian choreographer and performer Corina Iona Dalzell (they/them), is based in Washington, D.C. They graduated from Bennington College and went on to create inclusive dance programming serving individuals with disabilities for multiple Washington State city governments. They launched an adaptive dance program at Anne Green Gilbert’s Creative Dance Center. At the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Open Circle Open Doors festivals, they facilitated collaborative choreography sessions for all abilities. They currently serve as a teaching artist for BodyWise Dance, Dance Exchange, and Wolf Trap. For more on their work visit corinadalzell.com.
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Corinne Zeni (she/her)
Corinne is a physical therapist specializing in performing arts at the Jackson Clinics in Springfield, VA. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh where she also danced with Mita Ghosal Dance Theatre developing Lost on a Loom. Corinne grew up dancing in Morgantown, WV with Alchemy Dance Project and Morgantown Dance Studio. She earned a BS in exercise science with a minor in dance at Slippery Rock University where she performed Martha Graham’s Celebration. She also studied Graham technique under Jesse Factor at the Graham School. At San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Corinne practiced Gaga under Bobbie Jean Smith and performed excerpts from Ohad Naharin’s Deca Dance. IG: @s.corinne.zeni @dr.z.dpt
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David de la Cruz (they/them)
David has finally embraced their identity as an Artist after years of exploration. They studied acting and theater design at Reed College and earned a BA in Performing Arts from Evergreen State College. With training in dhrupad, khyal, and classical flute, David is also a composer and musician. Despite limited formal dance training, they are drawn to the expressive power of movement, having studied Taiji in China (earning 12th place in sword form) and completed Iyengar yoga teacher training. They aspire to make their dance debut soon!
Currently based in Washington, DC, David works as a garden designer, massage therapist and poet. Their art is deeply influenced by community activism, cultural critique, and a celebration of joy. -
Devin Hill (they/them)
Devin Hill is a graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. Devin has had the opportunity of working with multiple artists such: as, Gregg Russell, Kristin McQuaid, and Cat Cogliandro. They were also a member of the 2015-2016 award winning Kaleidoscope Dance Company. Since graduating from UCO, They have continued to further their knowledge of dance by performing, choreographing, teaching, and participating in intensives and workshops across the United States. In 2021, They were cast on the hit Facebook Watch series “Dance with Nia”. Mx. Hill currently resides in the Washington D.C. metro area, where they perform, educate, and advocate as a freelance dancer.
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Drew Scammell (he/they)
Originally from upstate New York, Drew now lives in Washington, DC, and dances/choreographs across the DMV area. They have danced with the Effervescence Collective, Capitol Movement, the Rae Grey Dance Collective, and various individual choreographers. They have also worked extensively with Elizabeth Watson, Will Miller, Zachary Frazee, Caitlin Mahon, Cynthia Williams, and Bill Evans. 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. They hold a B.S. in Physics, a B.A. in Mathematics, and a B.A. in Dance from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
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Emily Green (she/they)
Emily Green (she/they) is a dancer and choreographer based in the DMV. Emily has presented her own works throughout the East coast in performances through Small Plates, NACHMO DC, Dance Canvas, and In the Lab with Glade Dance Collective. She has been a member of DanceArtTheater since 2023. Emily is a graduate of Connecticut College, where she performed in the works of David Dorfman, Lisa Race, Shawn Hove, Rachael Lieblein-Jurbala, and many other influential artists. You can follow her current project, MACHO HUZZAH, on Instagram at macho_huzzah_dance.
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Gabrielle Stearns (she/her)
Gabrielle is a contemporary dancer originally from Atlanta, GA. She moved to the DMV after graduating from Emory University with a B.A. in Dance and Movement studies in 2023. Her professional performance credits include the 2022 Dance Canvas Summer Choreographic Residency (Atlanta, GA), the NACHMO DC 2024 Sampler Showcase, and the 2024 Aurora Dance Festival. When she is not dancing, Gabrielle works as a communications specialist at the National Cancer Institute and is an avid crafter.
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Ginny Bixby (she/they)
Ginny Bixby is a D.C. area dance artist. She is the founder of the Liberation Dance Project, a queer-centered and body-neutral dance collective. She has choreographed and presented original works for Dance Canvas Festival, NACHMO D.C., DanceArtTheater Open Dance Works, Fieldwork at Rhizome, and the University of Mary Washington. Ginny’s work often centers around intersecting themes of communication, relationships, and queer identity.
Ginny studied a variety of dance styles while growing up in Manassas, Virginia. She later attended the University of Mary Washington, where she danced and choreographed for the Performing Arts Company. Ginny teaches at area dance studios and has earned certification with the Cecchetti Council of America. -
Hannah LeComte (she/her)
Hannah LeComte is a history Ph.D. student at George Mason University. She grew up dancing in Alabama, where she attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She holds a B.F.A. in Ballet Performance and a B.A. in History from the University of Oklahoma. Hannah danced for a short time with the Big Muddy Dance Company (now known as St. Louis Dance Theatre) before moving to Pittsburgh to pursue an M.A. in Public History. While in Pittsburgh, she danced for Mita Ghosal, collaborating on the project Lost on a Loom. She is excited to perform again after taking some time off!
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Ilana Newman (she/her)
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.
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Kate Archambault (she/her)
Kate Archambault is a DC-based dance artist. Originally from Connecticut, she received her formative dance training from The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre. She continued dancing at The College of William and Mary with Orchesis Modern Dance Company. Kate has recently re-discovered her passion for performing after taking a few years off after college. DC performance credits include NACHMO DC 2024, Dance Canvas DMV, CHAW DC Summer Dance Showcase, and Transformations Dance Festival. When she is not dancing, Kate works full-time as a non-profit Operations Manager, and spends her free time reading and volunteering at farmers markets.
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Katie Murphy (she/her)
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.
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Micaiah Humes (she/her)
She’s born and raised in the D.C./ Maryland area and has been dancing since she was 2 1/2 years old. She continued her love of dance through college, receiving a B.A. at DeSales University in Pennsylvania. While she continues her passion for dance part time, she’s a full time recreational therapist.
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Mikayla Duncan (she/her)
Mikayla Duncan is a passionate dancer and choreographer with over 18 years of experience. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, she began training at age four, specializing in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and contemporary dance. Her love for contemporary dance drives her artistic expression.
Throughout high school and college, Mikayla performed in various productions and taught master classes in her hometown. Her choreography reflects a commitment to storytelling through movement, focusing on themes of identity, empowerment, and community.
She is excited to be dancing with Effervescence Collective, where she continues to grow as a performer and collaborator while using her craft to inspire and advocate for positive change. -
Rachael Alexandra (she/her)
Rachael Alexandra is a dancer, choreographer, artist, curator, and teacher based in Maryland and Washington, D.C. As a choreographer, Rachael creates works surrounding the topics of race, gender, family, and social justice. She currently dances with Effervescence Collective and Deviated Theatre. Rachael is also the co-founder of DanceShareDC and the founder of Platform Black Dance Festival. She holds an M.F.A. in Dance from Hollins University.
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Rebecca Scruggs (she/her)
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.
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Selina Tran (she/her)
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. Selina has trained in modern, jazz, and contemporary styles and has performed throughout the DMV area. She is currently a company member of DanceArt Theater. By day, she works at at a legal advocacy and civil rights nonprofit. When not dancing and working, you can find Selina teaching adult ceramics classes at CHAW, sewing, knitting, or on an outdoor adventure.
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Violet Rez (she/her)
Violet Rez was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona and began her dance training at the age of three at Dance Theatre West. There she trained under Susan Silverman, Frances Cohen, and Rachel Cohen in ballet, modern, and jazz. In high school, she continued her training and expanded her expertise in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop under the direction of Tracy Puddy. She received a minor in dance from Creighton University and is excited to be performing in her first Effervescence Collective show!