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Huntsville

Dance Community

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Event Organizers and Leadership

Bringing a free community event of this scale to life requires a dedicated team. Meet the passionate volunteers and leaders who make it all possible.

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Triana

Founder & Organizer

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Karalee Arnell

Organizer

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Markayla Tanis

Organizer

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Delorin Carpenter

Organizer

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Jarrett Anderson

Organizer

Meet Our Performers and Instructors

Our talented instructors and performers are the heart of this event. Discover the artists and dancers who will inspire and energize you throughout the day.

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Ecstatic Dance Instructor

Leah Varner-Hastings

Transformational trailguide on the path through somatic healing, Leah is a sacred space holder, a mother and lover of the human experience. When she's not on the dance floor you may attempt to find her down the Halls of Amenti.

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Heels Performer/Instructor

Triana

Triana is a dedicated dancer, choreographer, and creative director with a rich background in various dance styles. She has performed across Huntsville and pioneered heels dance in the area. Currently, she teaches Sensation Heels and Foxxy Jazz, fostering an inclusive dance community and inspiring others to pursue their artistic passions.

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Lindy Hop Performers

Josephine Glass/Joseph Mellen

Josephine is from Memphis and has been dancing and teaching swing era dances and other partnered, performance, and ritual dances for 15 years. She has taught lindy hop through the south east, Midwest united states and in California while in the military. Josephine has a minor degree in dance kinesiology and graduate research in kinesthetic learning and muscle memory development. Joseph began swing dancing at Utah State University and has been teaching for over ten years. To date, he has taught lindy hop, Charleston, blues, and balboa. His artful blend of styles and seamless transitions make him a joy to dance with or observe on the dance floor.

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Hip Hop Performer

Delorin Carpenter

Delorin is a self-taught hip hop freestyle dancer who has honed his craft over the years through dedication and passion. He began teaching at three different studios in Huntsville, sharing his expertise and love for dance. Delorin's journey includes competing on So You Think You Can Dance and performing in Step Up Revolution. Currently serving in the military, Delorin has been dedicated to his service for the past five years, striving to contribute to the growth and development of his community both on and off the dance floor.

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Flow Arts Performer

Lila Celeste

An embodiment of the divine feminine energy, Lila Celeste, is a multi prop artist based out of Huntsville, Alabama. Her love of flow started with the hoop back in 2019, and has grown immensely over the years. She is self taught, and has picked up 7 other props, her new favorite being the dragonstaff. Lila has been a part of several events within the Huntsville area performing at weddings, birthday parties, fundraisers, and music videos. 2023 was her first year performing at festivals. She has also hosted flow jams, creating a safe space within the community to make art, connect with others, and learn about the art of flow. Lila explores the realm of movement through trying new props, taking bellydance lessons, and participating in flow based events. Flow means the world to her, as it gave her purpose in life, something to be passionate about, something to heal her soul. It has helped her through many different stages, teaching how to live a more circular, connective, fluid life.

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Flow Arts Performer

K.Luhmasi

Performing artist, K.Luhmasi, portrays her healing journey through her interpretive movement with freestyle and flowarts. Movement has been a part of her life since she was a shy teen, influenced by music videos from Shakira's bellydancing and Missy Elliot's abstract hip hop dance moves. Flow arts came into her life later in 2018 and grew into something more in depth during the pandemic in 2020. She is passionate about animation tutting, pop and locking, and works with flow props such as triads, double mini isolation hoops, fans, with a little bit of juggling. Known for her playfulness through freestyle musicality and loves finding the art of geometry within her flow, she claims body language is her first born language. To her it is easiest to express feelings through movement rather than through words, sharing her story with her audience through the healing journey of her performances to empower others to feel comfortable with their own body language no matter how it appears to others. She enjoys performing at festivals, small venues, flow arts communities, and mainly for family, friends, and her students in the Southeast area.

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Contact Improv Instructor

Andy Mason

Meet your instructor, a former engineer and researcher who brings a unique blend of creativity, adaptability, and technical precision to the world of contact improvisation. Drawing inspiration from nature and diverse cultural perspectives, they have transitioned their problem-solving skills and passion for environmental sustainability into the realm of movement and dance. Their background in chemical engineering, geology, and material science lends a fascinating depth to their approach, encouraging dancers to explore the physics and flow of bodily interactions. With a keen eye for safety and a drive for innovation, this instructor aims to create a workshop experience that is both transformative and deeply grounded in the natural world.

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Contemporary/Heels Performer

Matthew Donahue

Matthew Donahue, while not a Huntsville native, found his roots in dance here in the Rocket City. Starting at AAA middle school, in the 6th grade, all the way to his senior year at Lee High School, in the dance magnet ensemble. Matthew has also combined his love for dance with his love for singing, and has been seen in many musical productions over the years, while having the opportunity to choreograph as well including: Bring It On, Legally Blonde, and Heathers, etc. Matthew just recently completed his training at the CLI Conservatory in Massachusetts, where he received training from the industry’s top working choreographers and real life experiences of work in the dance industry. Dance is a huge part of Matthew’s life and wants to continue to learn and grow, as to one day share with others and inspire the next generation of dancers. In his free time, Matthew enjoys cooking, learning about astrology, listening to music, working out, or just relaxing and doing self-care. Matthew is excited to announce he will be joining Virgin Voyages as an Entertainer aboard their Valiant Lady ship, for the next 6 months, as he cruises around the Caribbean! Follow along and I hope to see you soon Huntsville!

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Charleston Performers

Saturn Jive

Saturn Jive Dance team is a group of swing dancers who perform Ensemble swing /vernacular jazz choreography for fun! . .

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Ballet/Jazz Instructor

Courteney Coad

Courteney Coad, originally from Orlando, FL, began her dance journey at the age of 3 at The Dancer’s Pointe. From there she continued on to receive her AA in Dance Performance at Valencia College. She considers herself a well rounded dancer in her background of multiple technical styles, various street styles, and has touched on various Latin styles as well. Her dance career shows her well rounded background as she was a part of Emotions Contemporary Dance Company, as well as the competitive hip hop team Nomads where she competed in several competitions including World of Dance Nationals. She was also signed with gogo dancing agency Bella Talent and samba entertainment company Spirit of Samba. She taught at several local studios back home as well. Recently she began a new teaching position at Sole’s Dance Center. She believes every dancer is their own unique instrument and strives to bring out her students confidence and individuality!

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Hip Hop Instructor/Performer

Derrell Underwood

Derrell Underwood is a seasoned performer, choreographer, and teacher, with an impressive career spanning from hip hop to ballet. As a captain of the Elite Dance Team and a featured dancer on BET, Derrell has showcased his skills across various platforms, including music videos, TV series, and live performances. He has worked alongside renowned artists such as DJ C. Tone, Celeste Kellogg, and even appeared on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. In addition to his stage and screen appearances, Derrell has made his mark as a hip-hop instructor at numerous dance schools, including Alabama Youth Ballet and Huntsville Ballet. With over 700,000 followers on TikTok, he continues to inspire through his innovative dance content.

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Blues Instructor

James Seals

James Seals is a Huntsville-based dance instructor who has been dancing Blues for nearly eight years and teaching for the past five. His teaching experience extends across Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, where he's worked to cultivate a deep appreciation for Blues dance in each community. Known for his passion and dedication, James strives to share the beauty of Blues with dancers of all levels, fostering a love for the dance and its rich history wherever he teaches.

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Brazilian Zouk Instructors

MarcAnthony and Megan Johnson

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West Coast Swing Performers/Instructors

Annette Gray and Jarrett Anderson

Annette Gray and Jarrett Anderson both started dancing West Coast Swing in 2021. Shortly afterwards, they began dancing competitively at World Swing Dance Council events and attending teacher training programs offered locally by The Rocket Westies. They received their basic-level teaching certifications from the Global Professional Dance Instructors Association in 2023, and they are currently continuing their education via the Swing Literacy Teacher Development Program. They've spent the past year teaching beginner and intermediate lessons together for The Rocket Westies. Annette and Jarrett are passionate about spreading their love of social dancing to as many people as possible by working to foster collaborations with other communities and dance organizations throughout Huntsville.

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Event Partners

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Every successful event relies on a strong network of support. Get to know the venue hosts, photographers, DJs, and other key partners who make this day unforgettable.

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Venue Host

Movement Massage and Breathwork

What was once a solo practice by Leah Varner, a Somatic Bodywork Practitioner, has become a dynamic collaborative. At Movement we believe that healing is a collective journey, where individuals can come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Our space is a sanctuary for self-expression, connection, and transformation, where everyone is welcome to explore their path to wellness. Whether you're looking to deepen your practice, connect with others, or simply find balance in your life, Movement is here to support you every step of the way. Join us at Movement, where healing is an art, and well-being is a shared experience.

(256) 457-0171

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