♥ Just Me
Choreographer. Dancer. Yogi. Teacher. Movement Artist.
Dance: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Post-Modern, Bollywood, Musical Theatre, Contact Improvisation, Hip-Hop, and Street. Labanotation. Laban Movement Analysis. Concentration in choreography.
Theatre: Choreography, Puppeteering
Yoga: RYT 200 ++ Yoga Alliance. CorePower Yoga Teacher Training – December, 2012.
CorePower Yoga Extensions Program - February, 2012.
Yoga Ed Kids Teacher Certification – July, 2013.
Yoga Ed Teacher Trainer - in progress
♥ Education
Master's of Fine Arts in Dance from University of Hawaii at Manoa – January 2009 – May 2012
Choreography: “Oklahoma!” Dream Ballet - November 4-5, 10-13, 17-20, 2011
End of Semester Showcase "Box it Up" - December 9, 2010
End of Semester Showcase "Thinking of an Adjective" - May 6, 2010
Performances: “End of Semester Showcase” May 2, 2012 - Dancer (Modern)
“Ocean's Motion” April 20-21, 27- 29, 2012 – Dancer (Modern/Youth Theatre)
“Winter Footholds” February 22 – 26, 2012 - Dancer (Modern)
“Spring Footholds” April 27 - May 1, 2011 - Dancer (Modern/Fusion)
“Dancing Greener” Feb 4 -5, 11-13, 2011 – Dancer (Modern)
“End of Semester Showcase” December 9, 2010 - Dancer (Modern)
“Fall Footholds” October 20 - 24, 2010 - Dancer (Modern)
“End of Semester Showcase” May 6, 2010 - Dancer (Contemporary)
“Spring Footholds” April 14 - 18, 2010 - Dancer (Modern/Contemporary)
“Dancing Green” March 11 - 14, 2010 - Dancer (Modern)
“Fall Footholds” October 21- 25, 2009 -Dancer (Modern)
“Roots and Offshoots” April 24-25, May 1-3, 2009 -Dancer (Korean Dance)
Bachelor’s of Arts in Theatre Arts from University of California Santa Cruz (Fall 2005 – Spring 2007)
Choreography: Random With a Purpose “Motional Affairs” Swarm - Feb. 9-11, 15-17, 2007
Barnstorm “Raising the Barn” Sexy Back - January 11-14, 2007
Barnstorm “Ace of Base the Musical” (co-choreographer) - May 20, 21, 2006
Performances: “Delize” May 4 and May 26, 2007
Dancer in ensemble and in duet (Baroque style)
Random With a Purpose “Motional Affairs” February 9-11, 15-17, 2007
Dancer (Contemporary, Modern, Salsa, African/Krump)
Barnstorm “Raising the Barn” January 11-14, 2007
Dancer (Hip-Hop and Jazz)
Indonesian Dance and Drama Final Production Fall 2006 Quarter
Dancer and assistant choreographer/teacher
Spring Dance “Signs and Syndromes” June 1- 4, 2006
Dancer (Post-Modern/Modern)
Barnstorm “Ace of Base the Musical” May 20, 21, 2006
Dancer (Musical Theatre)
Random With A Purpose “InnerAction” February, 10-12, 16-18, 2006
Dancer (Jazz/Lyrical/Ballet/Modern)
Indonesian Dance and Drama Final Production Fall 2005 Quarter
Dancer and assistant teacher
Associates Degree in Transfer Studies from College of the Canyons, CA (Fall 2000-Spring 2004)
Choreography/Performance/Company:
“Big River” – Produced and Directed by Mark Salyer, 2004
Dancer in Ensemble (Musical Theatre)
“Jesus Christ Superstar” – Produced and Directed by Mark Salyer, 2003
Dancer in Ensemble and soloist (Musical Theatre)
“College of the Canyons Dance Concert” – 2002, 2003
Member of the College of the Canyons Dance Company
Choreographer, collaborator, and dancer (Hip-Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Modern, and Musical Theatre)
♥ Dance Companies
HarmsaStar "The Company ": an emerging professional dance/yoga company, under the direction of Harmony Turner, based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Influenced by styles such as Bollywood, Hip-Hop, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, and Yoga. Inspired by All People, All Ages. June 2013 - Present.
Performances: "SoulGasm" - August 16, 2013.
Blue13 Dance Company: a professional Neo-Kathak and modern dance company based in Venice Beach, CA, under the direction of founder, Achinta S. McDaniel. Dancer and teacher from June 2007 – May 2008. Guest artist – 2011.
Performances: “Into the Bollywoods” - July 22 - 23, 2011
“Indian Film Festival Los Angeles” – April 22, 2008
“Bollywood Cabaret” – January 25 - 27, 2008
“Bollywood Forever” – October 27, 2007
“PAHELIYAN: The Story of Alice” - August 24 - 25, 2007
“Ghungroos & Whistles” - July 5, 2007
Dynamics Dance Theory: a pre-professional contemporary jazz company founded in the Santa Clarita Valley by Kelly Gill and Brandy Thilesen. Dancer from March 2005 - February 2006.
Performances: 8th Annual “Dance Under the Stars” Choreography Festival – November 13, 2005
Santa Clarita Festival of Dance – October 29, 2005
Dancers Responding to AIDS – October 15, 2005
Hysterica Benefit – September 23 & 24, 2005
Eveoke's 10th Annual Celebrate Dance Festival – August 28, 2005
♥ Studio Training
Alive Ballet Center, Honolulu, HI - Present
Motion Pacific Dance Studio, Santa Cruz, CA – 2005-2007
Edge Performing Arts Complex, Los Angeles CA - 2001-2007
Chunky Move Master Class, UCSC – February 16, 2007
Stephen Petronio Master Class, UCSC – January 27, 2007
New World Center for the Media and Performing Arts, Santa Clarita, CA – 1998 - 2003
-Training in multiple forms of dance, performance, and choreography: ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, lyrical, hip-hop, street, and contact improvisation.
♥ Work Experience
HarmsaStar – (Founder/Owner/Creative Director/Teacher) March 2013 – Present. Honolulu, HI
~HarmsaStar represents who I am as an artist, educator and entrepreneur. Being essentially an artistic resource for unique and inspirational Dance, Yoga, and Education classes, HarmsaStar humbles itself on believing in the power of uniting and inspiring all people, all ages. HarmsaStar strives to tap into each individual's hopes and dreams at the emotional, physical, mindful, artistic and professional levels. Performances, collaborations, and other creative opportunities, also currently a part of several locations on the island of Oahu.
iMusic School, LLC – (Director and Teacher) September 2012 – June 2013. Honolulu, HI
~As Director of the Dance and Music Drama Programs, it is my responsibility to establish strong and frequent communication between the company, its teachers and its students. I currently develop lesson plans, create media, promote and market the company, integrate new ideas, train instructors, and monitor the company's web-pages. I also teach and choreograph for both the Dance and Music Drama programs, which includes performances.
Graduate Assistant UH Manoa - (Teacher) January 2011 – May 2012. Honolulu, HI
~ As a GA for the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I had the distinct privilege of teaching two beginning level Modern Dance classes each school semester. I designed syllabi which compounded fundamental elements of modern dance with student creativity and engagement. I was also responsible for the framework of the class including, but not limited to, terminology, choreography, technique and musical experimentation. I had the opportunity to work alongside a live musician (piano, drums, and synthesizer). Reviewing/tutoring written assignments and students projects, as well as grading, were also a part of this work endeavor.
Jefferson Elementary School – (Teaching Artist) March 21-24, 29, 31, 2011. Honolulu, HI
~ Supported by the University of Hawaii at Manoa ArtsBridge Internship program, and under the direction of Amy Schiffner and Ms. Kelly Sutcliffe, I fulfilled a brief teaching residency at Jefferson Elementary, in the Waikiki school district of Honolulu, Hawaii. During this time it was my goal as acting “Teaching Artist” to fuse Language Arts (i.e. fables) with creative dance, art, music and drama, culminating in a final series of mini performances. By combining the arts and academics I achieved what I like to refer as “whole-istic” educational and motivational life experiences. Strategies involved were: modeling (both teacher and student), guided practice, group and individual work, creative exploration, performance and critical thinking tasks, developing artistic choice, and decision making through various modes of expression including characterization. *Received official “Teaching Artist” certification and recognition.
After-School All-Stars - (Teacher) August 2010 - December 2010. Honolulu, HI
~ After-School All-Stars is a program which strives to help children succeed in school, by providing them with after-school tutoring, as well as diverse activities ranging from cooking to sports to performing arts. As a member of the team at Washington Middle school, in Honolulu, I developed, promoted, and taught classes in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Art, Drama, and Bollywood. I also helped facilitate the end-of-school-year performance, bringing together working artists, corporate representatives, and students.
TumbleBus Hawaii - (Teacher) July 2008 – May 2010. Kailua, HI
~ Teachers on the TumbleBus, “a gym on wheels,” are required to be CPR certified and have knowledge of fitness/gymnastic skills. As a part of the team, I was responsible for the representation of the company's infrastructure and mission statement. It was very important to stay educated and teach kids awareness of and benefits of fitness. Teaching pre-schoolers requires quick-thinking, safety, creativity, and of course a good amount of patience. Communication between parents and the company, distribution, transportation, and promotion of company materials to various locations, knowledge of policies, billing, scheduling, and customer service were also requirements of this job.
Dance Artistry – (Dance Studio Teacher) July 2008 - June 2009. Honolulu, HI
~ As the ballet, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary dance teacher for ages 3-18yrs, I aimed to educate and transform eager students to the best of my ability, while showing compassion and supportiveness towards their goals. I was a choreographer for a showcase performed on the Ala Moana Center Stage in October, 2009. I was also responsible for teaching an outreach program based in Mililani at one of the Recreation Centers.
S.T.A.R Enrichment - (Dance Teacher) Oct 2007 – June 2008. Los Angeles, CA
~ In addition to being responsible for the education and physical well being of children, I was also looked up to as a role model. An active teacher in this versatile after-school program, I acted as their temporary guardian and always kept in mind their developing intellect and safety. The kids, ranging from Kindergarten through high school, kept me on my toes and presented me with constant challenges that I took in stride. I taught several different dance classes, including Hip-Hop and Bollywood, as well as choreographed for End-of-the-School-Year shows.
Blue13 dance company - (Executive Assistant) Jun 2007 – June 2008. Venice, CA
~As the Executive Assistant, I handled communication between the company members, the director, and clients. I was also responsible for administrative duties including but not limited to, writing proposals, putting together press kits, uploading/maintaining video reels and photos, booking, scheduling, as well as assisting with the overall promotion and organization of the company and its affairs.
UC Santa Cruz Theatre Arts Department - (Assistant/Intern) Aug 2006 - Dec 2006. Santa Cruz, CA
~As the Indonesian Dance and Drama Teacher's Assistant and Intern, I was responsible for making sure students kept up with the material presented in class. I also provided answers and/or demonstrations concerning any additional questions the students had. I assisted with costume conceptions/maintenance and added choreography rehearsals when needed.
♥ Achievements
Recipient of the “Carl Wolz Award” for Contributions to the Department and Excellence in Performance from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Recipient of a “Jean Erdman Endowment” from the Hawaii Community Foundation through the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Recipient of the "Priscilla Newton Memorial Scholarship" from the Theatre Arts Department at the University of California Santa Cruz.
Recipient of College Honors from the University of California Santa Cruz.