SPRING INTENSIVE GUEST FACULTY
YUMELIA GARCIA
Yumelia Garcia (she/her) was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where she received her professional training at the Escuela de Ballet Gustavo Franklin (Vaganova school). Graduating with honors, Vicente Nebrada invited her to join the National Ballet of Caracas at the tender age of 15, and promoted her to soloist one year later. Ms. Garcia began her U.S. career with Heinz Pohl at Ohio Ballet, soon thereafter she joined Milwaukee Ballet and became principal dancer. In Milwaukee, Kathryn Posin created Scheherazade on Garcia and performed classical roles; Kitri in Don Quijote, Giselle, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and Carmen. She later moved on to Ballet Florida, where she was featured in contemporary and classical works including Cleopatra,by Ben Stevenson. In 2009, Ms. Garcia was invited by Ashley Wheater to join Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, where she hit the stage to critical acclaim in roles such as Valencienne in The Merry Widow and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Her performance in Ashton’s Cinderellawas featured in Point Magazine as one of the “Best Performances of the Year 2010.”
DESTINI ROGERS
Destini Rogers (she/her) is an award-winning New York-based dancer, choreographer, and master teacher with roots in the American heartland. Multitalented and versatile, she grew up in Oklahoma City, where she was exposed to a broad spectrum of dance forms — everything from ballet, contemporary and tap to African, hip-hop, flamenco, and Native American Fancy Shawl dancing. She was accepted into the Classen School of Performing Arts, where she was a dance major and began choreographing at age 14. During high school, she also studied theatre and stage production and was honored with the Alvin Ailey Choreography Award. Later, at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, she honed her skills in dance composition and performance, focusing on ballet, modern, jazz, and musical theater.
Quickly establishing herself as a formidable performer, she was a Top Eight finalist on the inaugural season of “So You Think You Can Dance”. From there, she went on to appear in numerous television commercials, live shows, national and international performances, and video productions. Her many credits include principal dancing roles in commercials for Reebok, music videos for Alicia Keys, and touring with Kanye West, Beyonce, Rhianna, and RAIN.
For more than 15 years, Destini’s choreography has been her greatest source of pride. Her work has consistently earned her students high honors in competitions, and many have gone on to dance at renowned institutions including Juilliard, The University of the Arts, The Ailey School, Pace University, the Joffrey Ballet, Marymount Manhattan College, and New York University.
MJ
MJ (she/her) has danced for Beyoncé, Sonya Tayeh dance company, and Peter Chu.
Her choreography has been seen at The Joyce, So You Think You Can Dance, Tessandra Chavez Unity, and Edge Performing Arts Center.
Currently, MJ is training dancers in Nederlands Dans Theater, the Juilliard School, Martha Graham Dance Company, American Ballet Theater studio company, and Ballet British Columbia.
CHRISTINA JOHNSON
Christina Johnson trained at Boston School of Ballet, School of American Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She began her professional career at age seventeen with Boston Ballet, before joining Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she became a principal dancer. In her thirteen-year tenure with DTH, she worked with Jerome Robbins, Frederic Franklin, Suzanne Farrell, Allegra Kent, Geoffrey Holder, Glen Tetley, Ulysses Dove, and Sir Anthony Dowell, among others. She danced leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Firebird and Fancy Free to name a few. She was a member of Le Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve and Ballett Basel. Christina is an original member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and has also been a featured guest artist with various companies worldwide, including the Royal Ballet of London.
After her performance career Christina has been sought after as a teacher, coach and ballet master and has worked with companies and schools such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, Washington Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pennsylvania Ballet, Gotesborg Ballett, Cornish College of the Arts and the University of Washington. Christina held the position of Rehearsal Director for Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Armitage Gone! Dance, Trey McIntyre Project, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She is currently an Adjunct Faculty at Dominican University in the LINES/Dominican BFA in Dance Program.
Christina holds a MFA in Dance from Hollins University in collaboration with the American Dance Festival, The Forsythe Company and Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany.
JAMES ALONZO
ERICA LYNETTE EDWARDS
Erica Lynette Edwards (she/her) is an accomplished consultant and public speaker who champions change to advance social justice. With diversity, equity, and inclusion as the core foundation of her work, she transforms visions into reality. After a rewarding 15-year career as a ballerina at The Joffrey Ballet and five years as the Director of Community Engagement, she founded Cultivating Better Tomorrows. Through this consulting company Erica reshapes the dynamics of performing arts communities to produce environments where all can thrive. Highly skilled in delivering consistent success and effective change, she is passionate about facilitating results driven conversations and workshops focused on reflection and knowledge building. Her visionary leadership has earned her many honors and opportunities, including speaking on national panels, giving a TEDx talk, and being selected as a member of Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40.” By developing shared understandings, Erica inspires communities to make the world a more just place.
MINDY MOELLER
Mindy Moeller (she/her), a native of Overland Park, Kansas began her training at the age of 3 at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice. She continued her training at the University of Arizona where she received a BFA in Dance in 2011. Since graduation she has been a Radio City Rockette for the past 8 seasons performing in the beloved Christmas Spectacular along with the Spring Spectacular and the New York Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. During her years as a lady of the line she has also dabbled as an Assistant Dance Captain and Swing. She has made extra performance appearances on the Tony Awards, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Today Show, Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony, Video Music Awards, and America's Got Talent.
LINDSEY DONNELL
Lindsey Donnell (she/her) is an artist with the critically acclaimed ballet company Dance Theatre of Harlem, in which she tours with a message of hope and unity. She was born and raised in Midland, Texas where she studied ballet under Judy Coleman and Susan Clark followed by her time at Butler University, earning degrees in Dance-Arts Administration and Journalism. She began her professional career with Nashville Ballet until Dance Theatre of Harlem invited her to New York City for the company's celebrated return in 2011. During her time with the company, she has had the honor of performing in almost all 50 states and for audiences around the world, including political leaders in Honduras, Israel, Turkey, Poland and at the White House for former First Lady Michelle Obama. Witnessing the power of art to create change led Lindsey to speak at TEDxBroadway 2016 and be a featured artist at the opening of One World Trade Center. Lindsey was honored to dance as a soloist in the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors celebrating the contributions of Carmen de Lavallade. Among her performance highlights are works by George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, Alvin Ailey, Geoffrey Holder, Dianne McIntyre & Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa. She is thankful for her family, friends and coach & mentors, Charla Genn and Marie Chong.
NINA HUDSON
Nina Hudson (she/her) is a graduate of Purchase College's Dance Conservatory. She began her training in Maryland, then attended The Ailey School in New York. As a child she received her first Broadway credit in the National Tour of Showboat when they resided at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. She has danced in the ensemble of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City for 5 seasons and has danced for pop stars including Peaches and Brenda K. Starr, as well as being featured in German Pop Star, Tarkan's, music video. Nina currently resides in New Jersey and teaches at studios in the surrounding areas, including New York City. Nina is a co-director of Deviate Dance which aims to create nurturing experiences by challenging and preparing dancers to go in and stand out.
RESIDENT VIRTUAL FACULTY
Mauro Villanueva (he/him)
DIRECTOR / EDUCATOR
Mauro grew up in San Antonio, Texas. He began his dance training with Shawn Knife and later joined the University of Incarnate Word Ballet School. Mauro attended a summer course and consequently studied for two years at the Nutmeg Conservatory in Connecticut.
During his thirteen years at the Joffrey Ballet he danced ballets by world renown choreographers, was a union representative for the artists, and was one of two dancers chosen to participate in the search for the new artistic director. He appeared as a representative for the Joffrey Ballet and on television and radio in Chicago, San Antonio, Los Angeles and Manila, Philippines.
Mr. Villanueva retired from the Joffrey Ballet to pursue a career as an independent artist, teacher, coach, and choreographer. He has worked for Barak Ballet, Intermezzo Dance Company, Ballet San Antonio, The Jacksonville Symphony and others. He has taught at the Colburn School, Edge Performing Arts Center, Regional Dance America Mid-States and Southwest Festivals, The New Orleans Ballet Association, The New Jersey Ballet, and Eglevsky Ballet. Mr. Villanueva is also part of Cultivating Better Tomorrows, a company dedicated to educating the performing arts community in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Kenny Borchard (he/him)
DIRECTOR / EDUCATOR
Kenny is an alumni of Idyllwild Arts Academy and the University of Arizona. Since graduating Kenny has worked on television and commercial projects with credits including a featured role on TruTV’s Fake Off, What Not to Wear, Toyota Pruis, Mobbed, and Lifetime’s Petals on the Wind. Kenny has worked with Odyssey Dance Theatre, Solevita Dance Company, Pacific Festival Ballet, and Pasadena Dance Theatre among others. Kenny was also a closing cast member of “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” at Disney’s California Adventure.
Besides dancing, Mr. Borchard assisted in the marketing and production of Los Angeles Dance Festival in its early years as a festival. As an educator, Mr. Borchard has taught on the faculty of Broadway Dance Center's Children and Teen Program, and has taught as a guest educator around the country. Mr. Borchard is also an adjudicator for various competition companies. Kenny is also part of Cultivating Better Tomorrows, a company dedicated to educating the performing arts community in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Mindy Moeller, a native of Overland Park, Kansas began her training at the age of 3 at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice. She continued her training at the University of Arizona where she received a BFA in Dance in 2011. Since graduation she has been a Radio City Rockette for the past 8 seasons performing in the beloved Christmas Spectacular along with the Spring Spectacular and the New York Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. During her years as a lady of the line she has also dabbled as an Assistant Dance Captain and Swing. She has made extra performance appearances on the Tony Awards, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Today Show, Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony, Video Music Awards, and America's Got Talent.
Southern California native, Lindsey Fletcher, developed a love of dance at a young age and began her professional dance education very shortly after. While training with Antelope Valley Ballet she attended several ballet intensives on scholarship including American Ballet Theater - New York, BalletMet Columbus, and Texas Ballet Theater. At age 18, Lindsey signed with Bloc Talent Agency in Los Angles. After working as a professional dancer in LA and developing a career as a performer with Disney, Lindsey ventured to New York to apply her technical background in a more theatrical environment. Since then she has danced for several years in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and was given the opportunity to be apart of the opening cast of The New York Spectacular directed and choreographed by Mia Michaels. Most recently, Lindsey danced in the 1st National Tour tour of An American in Paris directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon.
RESIDENT FACULTY
Diane Orio (she/her)
EDUCATOR
Diane Orio began dancing at age 8 in her native New Jersey. She later studied at the School of American Ballet and then joined The Joffrey Ballet in 1968 where she danced for more than ten years.
Later she became ballet mistress for the company working under Robert Joffrey’s guidance. She has lead dancers through ballets for choreographers such as Tharp, Kylian, Ailey, Feld and Arpino. Mr. Joffrey invited Ms. Diane to be on faculty at his first Texas workshop.
We are grateful that Diane continues to return to Joffrey Texas share her wealth of knowledge.
Trinette Singleton (she/her)
EDUCATOR
Trinette Singleton was a principal dancer with The Joffrey Ballet for nearly twenty years. She was thrust into national prominence in 1967, appearing in the multi-media ballet, Astarte, created on her by her mentor, Robert Joffrey. She was the first American dancer to appear on the cover of the national news magazine - Time.
Currently, Trinette is Co-Artistic Director of Repertory Dance Theatre in Allentown, PA. She is also on the faculty at DeSales University, Center Valley, PA. In 2010, Trinette was appointed to the Board of Directors for The Gerald Arpino Foundation. She is on the Advisory Board for Cecchetti USA and has recently been made an Honorary Member of Cecchetti International-Classical Ballet.
Trinette holds her Licentiate, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, London, England, and her Doctor of Fine Arts, Honoris Causa, DeSales University.
Bailey Anglin (she/her)
EDUCATOR
Originally from Shreveport, LA, Bailey Anglin began her training at Carol Anglin Dancenter where she was a member of Louisiana Dance Theatre and was featured in Gala performances of Regional Dance America, International Ballet Competition/Jackson, and Tanzsommer Austria Festivals. She furthered her education by studying at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from KAB, Bailey accepted a traineeship with the Richmond Ballet. She attended numerous summer intensives including Kirov Academy of Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet Academy Lincoln Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Richmond Ballet and Ballet Austin. She has taught for summer intensives including Ballet Austin and Michigan Ballet Academy.
As a dancer, Bailey has performed classical repertoire as well as contemporary choreography by Robert Battle, Christopher Huggins, Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, Billy Siegenfeld, Chet Walker, Stephen Mills, and more. Bailey recently completed her second and final season with Ballet Austin and has relocated to New York City.
Jared Oaks (he/him)
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Jared Oaks, one of the leading young ballet conductors in the United States, is Music Director of Ballet West. Since joining the company in 2008, Jared has conducted at the Capitol Theatre and Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, the Kennedy Center, Chicago's Auditorium Theatre, the Wortham Theater in Houston, and the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. He is also in demand as a collaborative pianist throughout the country.
Jared studied with renowned conductors Terence Kern, Ronald Staheli, and in masterclasses throughout Europe and North America. He is a fellow of the American-Scandinavian Foundation and co-founder of the Composer Discovery Initiative.
PAST FACULTY
Ginger Cox
Christopher Charles McDaniels
Deborah Wingert
Jovan Dansberry
Nathalie Marrable
Josh Peugh
Claudia Schreier
Adam Sklute
Regan Hutsell
Derrick Agnoletti