Aerin Webber grew up in rural Indiana and started dancing when he was 18. Following high school, Aerin danced at Indiana University Bloomington for four years as a dance major. He has trained in different styles of jazz, house, modern, contemporary, hip hop, afro-cuban, and other Diaspora forms. While at IU, Aerin has been a part of productions at IU, such as: The African American Dance Company (2023), New Moves (2023, 2022, and 2021), Earthward (2021), and From the Ground Up (2021). Additionally, Aerin choreographed for productions at IU: SLIP (2021 & 2022), Boundless (2022), and Advanced Choreographic Project (2023). Following graduation, Aerin worked for Princess Cruise Lines as a dancer on the Diamond Princess.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Caitlin Mitchell is a nonprofit community engagement advocate, dance student, and performer. She co-founded DanceShare DC (a free community & newsletter to share local opportunities across the adult dance space) and the 2024 Dance Canvas DMV festival. She holds a grade 1 ballet teacher certification from the Cecchetti Council of America. Caitlin lives in Maryland with her husband Kevin and their elderly terrier Lucy, and likes to travel, bake desserts, and start (and sometimes finish) new craft projects.

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.

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

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.

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.

Francesca Theofilou is a DC based dancer and choreographer. She began dancing at age 6 in her hometown of Boston, MA, training and competing in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary. She attended Georgetown University for her BSN, where she began dancing and choreographing for Georgetown’s Modern/Contemporary Company, BMDT, and later served as an assistant director for the company. Recently, she debuted her work, “Lost”, at DC NACHMO in January. Outside of dance, Francesca works as a cardiac ICU nurse.

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.

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 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!

Harriet has performed and trained with Afta Shock DC, Flomotion Dance Company and was a teaching artist for Dance & Bmore. She continues to perform her original dance choreography at Labyrinth Dance Company , NACHMO DC, DHH Dance Collaborative and Dance Canvas Festival. Harriet has also performed in Beat Addikts United showcase, Dance ICONs, Commuovere Dance Company Showcase, ClancyWorks Connecting the Community event, Kinetic Canvas: Leonardo Di Vinci, and Ballet Nocturne events. Harriet is certified in Cecchetti Ballet Grade I, Progressing Ballet Technique, completed the Level I training in the iTap Teacher Certificate Program. She continues to teach dance for the past 8 years.

Heather Doyle is a dance artist and acupuncturist with roots in southern/central Appalachia who lives and works in the DMV. She is a queer parent following intersecting paths of collaborative art-making, liberatory healthcare work, and supporting social justice movements. Their formative experiences growing up in multigenerational folk dance have grounded their devotion to the generative and healing power of moving in community with purpose. Heather teaches Gyrotonic/Gyrokinesis at Elements Fitness and Wellness Center and recently graduated from Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine. They study taiji with Sifu Alexander King at Dragongate DC. She tries to get out in the woods and by water with her family every chance they get.

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.

Isabel is a D.C. based dancer, mover, and shaker. She received technical training in ballet, jazz, and lyrical styles throughout childhood and adulthood. As an adult, she has danced with a contemporary dance collective, Mixtco, in Connecticut and continues her dance training in D.C. with local studios. When she's not dancing, she teaches 4th grade, coaches a local high school dance team, and enjoys all the bakeries the city has to offer. She is very excited to make her Effervescence Collective debut!

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.

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.

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.

Nora Faverzani is a DC based dancer and choreographer. Originally from New Jersey, she grew up training with Prodance Studio in a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. Nora attended Yale University, where she danced with Yaledancers (YD) and Rhythmic Blue. Nora choreographed several pieces for YD, ranging in style from contemporary and jazz to heels. Nora served on YD's executive board for three years, one of them as co-president, and on the Alliance of Dance at Yale (ADAY) board. Upon graduating with a BA in Computer Science, Nora moved to DC where she now works as a Technical Project Manager. Since then, she has performed with Capitol Movement and for independent choreographers.

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.

Rachel has been dancing since she was 5. Rachel is a Maryland native and has been teaching dance since 2017. Her favorite style of dance is Jazz and contemporary. Rachel received her BA in Dance with a minor in humanities, health, and medicine from the University of Maryland, College Park. Rachel has danced with many community groups. To name a few, she was a part of the Montgomery College Dance Company which is directed by Alice Howes. In addition, Rachel has danced in one-act works by emerging choreographers Faith Rokowski (2023) and Svetlana Nikoloff (2024) through the ICONS Choreographic Institute program. In her free time, Rachel loves to line dance and travel!

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.

Tolu Igun is a performing artist and community organizer from Detroit, Michigan. They moved to the DMV in 2020 and immediately rediscovered their love of music through singing, writing and dancing. Currently training with Effervescence Collective and Afta Shock DC, Tolu is ready to return to the stage after many years away. By day, they operate OlaLekan Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD which serves as a destination in the community for wellness, wholesome connection and education.

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.

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!