Guest Artists and Faculty Presenter Bios
SAVE THE DATE
2025 OhioDance Festival
April 25-April 27
Location: The Ohio State University, Dance Department, Sullivant Hall, 1813 North High St., Columbus Ohio 43210
Guest Artist 2025
Christopher Kaui Morgan (he/him) brings his Native Hawaiian heritage and international experiences into his multifaceted work as a choreographer, performer, educator, curator, facilitator, and arts administrator. He creates performances that synthesize dance, storytelling, original music, and multimedia design to explore identity, social, and cultural issues, founding dance company Christopher K. Morgan & Artists in 2011; the same year Dance Magazine profiled him as one of six breakout choreographers in the United States. His choreography has been showcased in 22 countries across five continents, and been supported by Creative Capital, New England Foundation for the Arts, Dance USA, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, among others notable funders. In January of 2024 he was appointed Artistic Director of Malashock Dance, where he began his dance career in 1995.
Since 2006 Christopher has directed Art Omi: Dance, an annual collaborative residency for international choreographers in New York, where he designed the program’s unique approach to cross cultural collaboration and peer mentorship.
Christopher was nominated by President Biden to the National Council on the Arts and confirmed by the US Senate. He serves on the board of the National Performance Network and co-chaired the 2023 and 2024 Association of Performing Arts Professionals annual conference.
From 2022-2023 he served as Vice President of Programming at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. From 2017-21 he was Executive Artistic Director of Dance Place in Washington, D.C. Teaching credits include American University (2011-14), the BA and MFA programs at the University of Maryland (2014-17) and residencies at over 25 conservatories and institutions.
2025 bios available January 2025
2024 Presenters Bios
Alterio, Anthony Anthony Alterio is on faculty at Ohio University in the School of Dance and the School of Theater as an Assistant Professor of Instruction. Anthony is a native of Pittsburgh, and began his professional training at The University of Colorado-Boulder, receiving a BA double-majoring in Dance and Psychology and went on to attain an MFA in Dance from the University of Michigan.
Brown, Kenneth Kenneth Brown has been a dancer, choreographer, and dance educator for 24 years dating back to the beginnings of his formal dance training at Ft. Hayes Arts and Academic High School. He has an extensive background having danced, choreographed, and taught from the recreation level, to studio dance, collegiate, pre-professional, and professional levels in a wide array of styles including Street Dance, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Musical Theater, Lyrical, Modern, and Contemporary.
Cervera, Alfonso Alfonso Cervera is a current professor at The Ohio State University with an MFA in Experimental Choreography from the University of California, Riverside, and is a first-generation Queer Mexican American performer, educator, curator, and activist. His research and specialization as an independent artist, focuses on the conversation between Queerness, Ballet Folklorico, and Afro-Latine social dances in a contemporary auto-biographical embodied experience that he calls Poc-Chuc.
Chebrolu, Padma Padma Chebrolu is the artistic director of Cultural Centre of India, a teaching and performing dance artist. Recipient of the Ohio Art Council’s awards for heritage and traditional Arts Fellowship for lifetime achievement and Master Teacher. On the boards of Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and OhioDance. On the OAC’s Teaching Artist Roaster and Cincinnati Arts Association’s Artist on Tour.
Chenfeld, Mimi Mimi Chenfeld MA in Elementary Ed. the University of New York. a teacher, writer and educational consultant, has led the Ohio State University Hillel Folk Dance programs since moving with her family from New York to Columbus in 1970. On their own, together and with the Hillel Group, Mimi and Marlene have danced with and for thousands of people through the years.
Cox, Ginger Ginger Cox holds a Masters in Kinesiology, a BFA in Dance from Temple University, and is on faculty at Pace University and Broadway Dance Center. She’s taught and choreographed all over the world and is the founder of Dancing Anatomy Workshop. Ginger presented anatomy/movement-based seminars at the Dance Science and Somatics Conference, the Bill Evans Somatic Conference, the Dance Educators Training Institute, and holds multiple certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Dancy, Trezon Trezon Dancy from Hartford, Connecticut is a Choreographer, Performing Artist, and Educator. Dancy has worked with various artists throughout the east coast and Midwest. Dancy received his BFA in Dance: Performance and Choreography from Ohio University. Upon Graduation Dancy accept- ed a First Company position with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Currently Dancy is the Artistic Director of InPulse Dance Company and Operations/Program Manager for OhioDance.
Emory-Maier, Ambre Ambre Emory-Maier is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Kent State University, and completed her MFA in Choreography and Performance at The Ohio State University and MA in Dance Reconstruction and Directing from CUNY. Her recent creative work was a staging of excerpts from Michael Uthoff’s ballet, Murmurs of A Stream. Ambre also works with people in recovery for eating disorders.
Fischer, Annie AJ (she,her) is a Columbus and Chicago-based teaching artist, choreographer, adjudicator, and member of Actor’s Equity. She has collaborated professionally with regional theatres (Marriott, Drury Lane, Paramount, Ordway, Fireside), dance companies (Honey Taps, JRJP), universities (Columbia, Oakton, Carthage), and choreographed 100+ musicals nationwide. Her passion lies in movement education/therapy, specializing in tap and theatre dance, with a focus on storytelling and self-expression.
Gallis, Angie Angie Gallis is an accomplished former dance teacher as well as a 500 hour certified yoga teacher specializing in accessible yoga and adaptable yoga for dancers. Her current projects include teaching yoga on the world’s largest yoga and meditation app, Insight Timer, teaching in person accessible community yoga classes through her nonprofit organization Paisley Yoga Project, and hosting online yoga workshops internationally.
Lee Gargano, Megan Megan L. Gargano is the co-artistic director and founder of The Movement Project, a non-profit dance company and school located in Fairview Park (OH), serving greater northeast Ohio since 2013. TMP’s mission is to challenge perspectives, evoke social change and bridge communities through the power of movement. In 2012, Megan received her BFA from Ohio University School of Dance.
Garlando, Cole Cole Garlando is a choreographer and interdisciplinary artist in Columbus with an existential radio show called Human Interviews. Garlando’s work has received support from their community at-large as well as the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Ohio Arts Council, Wexner Center for the Arts, Cultural Arts Center, Fractured Atlas, and Mind and Life Europe. Cole is interested in movement and creative process as a space for internal and societal revolution.
Gatch, Jeri Jeri Deckard Gatch: BS: Kinesiology from Indiana University, MFA: Performance and Choreography from Temple University. Jeri taught at both Temple and Virginia Commonwealth University. She serves on the Boards of OhioDance and Greater Cincinnati Dance Alliance. Jeri is on faculty of the Cincinnati Ballet, an Adjunct Faculty at University of Cincinnati-CCM, and Full time Dance Lecturer at Northern Kentucky University.
Manuel Gonzalez, Irvin Irvin Manuel Gonzalez (he/él/they/elle) is an artivist, scholar, community organizer, and teacher. He currently works at the Ohio State University as an assistant professor in Dance. He has shared artistic work at REDCAT, HomeLA, FLACC Festival, Mission Dance Theater, Highways Performance Space, El Teatro Campesino, Human Resources LA, BlakTinx Dance Festival in Arizona and L.A, NAVEL, and the Judson Church. He is a founding member of Primera Generación Dance Collective (PGDC) and a board member of Show Box Los Angeles (SBLA).
Hammond, Julie Julie Hammond (BFA, MFA) is a Full Professor and Dance Education Director at University of Southern Mississippi. Julie has been the primary instructor of intermediate and advanced ballet and ballet repertory works at USM for almost 20 years. A native of Columbus, she is recognized nationally for her work in dance education standards, arts assessment, and dance program development. Her current research is represented in her website “Wiggle Genius” (www.wigglegenius.com).
Hermann, Eve Eve Hermann is a trauma-informed bodywork therapist with advanced training in Craniosacral Therapy, Transforming Touch and Somatic Experiencing. She has a private practice in Columbus, OH, where she offers individualized support for the resolution of held somatic tension, helping people find ease, vitality and energy for the things they want to do in life.
Jihn, Alisha Alisha Jihn | ??? (she/her) is a dancer, maker, and board-certified dance/movement therapist. She holds dual degrees in Dance and Asian Studies from St. Olaf College and an MA from Columbia College Chicago in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. Alisha was a Fulbright Fellow to Taiwan focused on cross-cultural dialogue about dance/movement therapy. She has been a site-specific choreographic fellow for Wild Space Dance Company in Milwaukee, WI and presented her work at the OhioDance Festival. Alisha is pursuing a MFA in Dance at the Ohio State University where her research interests delve into memory, storytelling, and diasporic identity.
Lim, Sojung Sojung Lim is a choreographer, dancer, and teacher from South Korea. She is currently a MFA candidate in dance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Sojung’s research investigates her Korean identity in contemporary dance. Sojung presented her choreographies at the SIDF 2020 and at the ACDA 2023 (informal). Sojung has worked with Paige Cunningham-Caldarella, Elizabeth Auclair, Miki Orihara, Alfonso Cervera, Donald Byrd, Rachel Lincoln, and etc.
Morckel, Elyse Elyse Morckel (she/her) of Akron, Ohio is a dance artist who earned her BFA from The Ohio State University. In 2017, she joined The Movement Project (Cleveland,Ohio), and became Associate Director in 2022. Recently Morckel performed in the premiere of The Encounter:Akron by NYC choreographer Kimberly Bartosik, and co-choreographed The Little Amal Akron Experience with Dominic Moore-Dunson.
Oaxaca, Richard Richard Oaxaca has a Masters of Fine Arts in Dance, and studied at the Martha Graham School in NYC, was accepted into their teacher training program and performed for the Next@Graham Studio Series. He danced for Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney Cruise Lines. Currently he’s the Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance at Case Western Reserve University
Orrante, Jimmy Jimmy Orrante is a recipient of the 2005 inaugural Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship. He began his dance training at The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts under Don Hewitt and later at The North Carolina School of the Arts. He danced professionally with Nevada Dance Theatre, Ballet Memphis and ultimately BalletMet. He retired from the stage in 2015. He currently teaches at New Albany Ballet Company, Columbus Dance Theatre and The Ohio State University’s Department of Dance.
Owsley, Bronwen Bronwen is a professional Middle Eastern Dance Artist, instructor, and performer from Dayton, Ohio. She performs at events all over Ohio and beyond, and has been featured on the PBS program The Art Show, and on Living Dayton. Performing and teaching are her passions. You can find her on social media as @bronwendancer.
Ramey, Sarah Sarah Ramey is a Columbus-based dance artist who creates work with people of all ages. From 2006-2013, she danced for Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Gesel Mason, and others, touring/teaching internationally. Sarah is the founder of Perennial Movement Group, a program of dance classes and performance opportunities for adults over 50. She received her MFA in Dance from The OSU.
Robbins, Marlene Marlene Robbins graduated from Ohio State with her MA in Dance Education. She was the beloved Dance Teacher at Indianola Elementary School (Columbus Public Schools) for over twenty years before her recent retirement. She has been folk dancing most of her life.
Saggiomo, Matthew Matthew Saggiomo (he/they) grew up in the small town of Sayre, Pennsylvania where he began his dance training of all styles, starting at the age of 6. Matthew attended Point Park University, earning a BFA in Dance and graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2022. This is Matthew’s second season with GroundWorks DanceTheater. Matthew continues to explore and expand his own personal knowledge of movement.
Sargeant, Kieron Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Kieron Dwayne Sargeant is an embodiment of African-Caribbean Diaspora traditions. An interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, drummer, and astute dance researcher, he currently holds a distinguished position as an Assistant Professor of Dance at Skidmore College. Over two decades, Kieron has meticulously documented Caribbean and Western African dance traditions. His pedagogical approach involves the dissemination of dance teachings and workshops that both recognize and reinforce these traditions.
Squires, Lauren Lauren Squires is a tap dance performer, choreographer, and educator based in Columbus, with over 20 years of teaching experience. Lauren is founder and director of Movement Afoot, an adult tap ensemble and educational organization, and she is proprietor of Tap Shop, a studio space dedicated to tap dance, jazz music, and related art forms.
Sunila, Rose Rose Sunila is a movement educator, performer, and choreographer with a M.A. from the Theater Academy of Finland. In addition, Rose is RYT500 yoga teacher certified in Prenatal yoga, and a Breathwork facilitator. Rose is a lover of movement, empowerment, and expression. She approaches art through a cross-cultural lens and is always drawn to the raw and real.
Tedrick, Megan Megan Tedrick is a dance educator and arts integration specialist from Columbus. Megan holds a BFA in Performance and Choreography and a MA in Community Dance from Ohio University. Her teaching credits include children’s dance, ballet, modern, West African dance, and composition. Currently, Megan is the Education Programs Coordinator for BalletMet where she continues to develop teaching strategies for integrating dance with Ohio learning standards for elementary education.
Viola, Renie Renie Viola is a movement educator and artist that empowers people to prevent pain and restore their joy in movement. She has a BFA in dance from Ohio State and YBR® certification, NYC. Yamuna Zake selected her to become a Yamuna Teacher Trainer, launching the Yamuna Foundations Training worldwide. She is a dance and Pilates instructor, teaching movement for over 15 years.
Wallace, Lorii Lorii Wallace is a Multidisciplinary artist, focused on creating community productions using all of the arts.This Toledoan began dancing and playing the viola at a young age. Trained with multiple companies and UT. She’s created over 30 productions,and is currently Executive Director of Tapestry Perf. Arts Co and Evolve Productions Incorporated and created The Grace Dance Awards and The Festival of Movement.
Dancing Wheels Company & School The Dancing Wheels Company & School is one of the premier arts and disabilities organizations in the U.S. Dancing Wheels is a professional, physically integrated dance company uniting the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities. With a message of inclusion and accessibility, the Company continually expands the reach of artistic possibilities while celebrating the universal spirit of dance.
Wilde, Kerri Kerri Wilde is a dancer, choreographer and educator. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Dance from the University of Toledo and a Master’s in Dance Therapy from Columbia College in Chicago. Kerri has taught at the University of Toledo, Toledo Ballet, and Owens Community College. She created and developed dance curriculum for Ft. Meigs YMCA and Toledo School for the Arts. Kerri is currently the Artistic Director for T.H.E. Modern Dance Company.
Woerner, Ali Ali Woerner (She/Her) Founder/Artistic Director of the professional company, Take Root, Associate Professor of Dance at Oakland University. She received her MFA from the University of Michigan/BFA from Oklahoma City University. Woerner has traveled internationally with Take Root through performances, Arts Education and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease outreach work, just returning from their most current residency in Berlin, Germany.
Wolf, Mollie Mollie Wolf is a choreographer, installation artist, movement instructor, and creative producer who engages in interdisciplinary art-making and improvisational collaborative processes. Wolf teaches college-level and professional dance practice, and produces immersive installations and interactive performance at music festivals. Wolf received her BFA in Dance, with a minor in Ethnic Studies from CU Boulder, and her MFA in Dance from OSU.