Event Organizers and Leadership

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sam is a pole artist who has been practicing for over 7 years. She discovered the artform while abroad in the middle east when she went and took a class on a whim because it looked fun after she had walked by the studio every day for weeks. She fell in love at that first class and it very quickly became a huge part of her life. It was the most fun and creative form of exercise she had ever done and she still can't get enough. There were always new things to learn and new ways to push herself. Pole has contributed in a huge way to her body confidence, strength, joy and overall well-being. She started performing in 2018 and competing in 2019. She has performed all over the country up to the professional level. She also taught in NYC for two years before moving here to Huntsville. Sam is most inclined to flips, power pole and strength moves, but you might catch her doing some flexi and spin pole too every once in a while. Haha. She is excited to share this amazing, empowering and fun artform that completely changed her life with Huntsville!

Mrs. Villalobos hails from Los Angeles, CA, and has trained in various dance disciplines. As a professional dancer, Mrs. Villalobos has performed in music videos, gala performances and events, and benefits. She has graced the stage with Nevada Ballet Theater, and as a principal dancer with the Dallas Opera, Ballet Oklahoma, Ballet Theater of Maryland, Kentucky Ballet Theater, the Montgomery Ballet and Ballet San Antonio, along with guest appearances with other pre-professional dance companies. Mrs. Villalobos also has experience at the international level, having been invited to represent the United States at the 4th International Ballet and Modern Competition in Nagoya, Japan, as well as representing the Montgomery Ballet at the DAP Festival in Pietrasanta, Italy. Teaching is a passion for Mrs. Villalobos; she is privileged to have been able to touch so many students' lives. Students have gone on to dance professionally in companies and productions, as well earn scholarships to universities with renowned dance programs. Many have received scholarships for summer studies to prestigious programs such as the Kirov Academy, Houston Ballet, the Harid Conservatory and American Ballet Theatre. Still, others have received top honors at competitions, even appearing on the covers of trade publications. Her dance experience has allowed for the development of a strong and versatile multi-disciplinary dance curriculum, implemented by company-affiliated and pre-professional dance organizations. Mrs. Villalobos is proud to have shared her passion for dance with students of all ages and abilities, from the tiniest dancer to those at the university level and beyond.

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

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!

Ceili Ceilidh is a social dance group fostering the preservation and enjoyment of dance traditions from the Celtic nations. They strive to share their love of Celtic dance in an inclusive way that welcomes anyone of any ability level.

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Bollywood Medley Group is a trio passionate about Bollywood dance, bringing vibrant energy and expressive storytelling to the stage. Their performance blends traditional and contemporary Bollywood styles, showcasing the richness of Indian culture through dynamic choreography. With a shared love for dance and cinematic expression, Bollywood Medley Group aims to captivate audiences with a lively and engaging performance that transcends language and cultural boundaries.

Meredith was born and raised in Athens, AL and began her dance training at the age of 9 in ballet, jazz, and modern. She attended and graduated from the University of Alabama in 2009 with her Bachelor’s degree in Dance. While attending UA, she performed in student and faculty works as well as choreographing for the student-led Dance Alabama. Meredith attended the American Dance Festival in North Carolina on scholarship in the summer of 2007, where she trained extensively in various modern techniques. Meredith has danced with Sanspointe Dance Company, a project based modern dance company in Birmingham, on and off since 2009 and has choreographed two works with the company. She began her teaching career in 2012 instructing in Tennessee, Nebraska, and Alabama. Since 2020, Meredith has taught modern, contemporary, ballet, pointe, and Progressive Ballet Technique locally in Huntsville, Madison, and Athens. She lives in Athens with her husband and three children.

Born in Charleston, SC, Danielle is from a military family so has had the opportunity to live in several places including abroad! She moved to Huntsville in July of 2009 for a job transfer and began seeking opportunities to dance that Fall. “I love the arts and have always wanted to dance salsa. Plus, I wanted to meet and connect with people.” Since being introduced to salsa and bachata and becoming active in it in 2010, Danielle has enjoyed social dancing, teaching/instructing and being a part of several footwork, styling and partner dance teams. As part of these teams, she has trained and performed with professional and world champion dancers such as Fernando Sosa & Tatiana Bonaguro of Tropical Gem and Maria Catalan of Cadance Dance Company. She has also participated in World Dance Projects and trained with multi time world champions such as Denisse Cambria of Iroko Dance Company. After teaching for several years with a local dance company as well as independently, Danielle decided to start SonRisa Dance Co, her own Latin dance company, in January of 2024. With SonRisa, her mission is to spread rhythm and joy through equipping people with dance knowledge, technique and skill in a variety of Latin dances that will leave them confident and ready for the social dance floor all while keeping a smile on their face! Along with dancing, Danielle loves to travel, laugh, care for & encourage others and spend time with her husband Timo, friends & family!

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.

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.

Tiasia Branford, from Scottsboro, AL started her career as a self-taught dancer. Learning from family and music videos, she continued to pursue and improve outside of a studio space. As she got older, she began to dance in impromptu local events, while curating her personal style. In high school, Tiasia danced for 3 years in Scottsboro’s danceline, while serving as danceline captain her senior year. Now, Tiasia is beginning to build up her professional career as a performer and choreographer, specializing in jazz, hip hop, majorette, and many other street styles.

Alicia Wright has been dancing since age 3. She has performed leading roles with Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre as Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, Aurora and Blue Bird in Sleeping Beauty, Odile and Odette in Swan Lake, Cinderella, and Snow White. She holds several Wing’s Awards nominations and her choreography was a finalist in the Panoply Choreography Competition. Alicia graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s and master’s of science in nursing. She is employed as an RN with Hospice Family Care.

Leah Rodio began her ballet training at the age of nine and continued through high school, developing a strong foundation in classical technique and performance. Following graduation, she joined the entertainment department at Walt Disney World for a time, where she gained valuable experience in live performance and production. After a decade-long hiatus from ballet, Leah returned to the studio with renewed passion and dedication. She currently dances with the Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre, where her featured roles have included the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, as well as soloist roles in Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Leah is grateful for the opportunity to continue her artistic journey and looks forward to many more years of growth and performance in the world of dance.

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.

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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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.

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.

LaCole D Dance, a vibrant force in the dance world, was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She embodies the essence of dance, having started her journey at the tender age of 4. Her training spans across various styles including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, liturgical, hip hop, and heels, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the art form. In 2021, LaCole D Dance established her eponymous dance business/brand, LaCole D Dance, which quickly became a hub for dancers of all levels and backgrounds. She offers an array of offerings including dance classes, dance & sip events, dance parties, one-on-one sessions, choreography , merch, and more. LaCole D Dance is more than just a brand; it's a movement/platform for empowerment through dance. Her mission is to inspire and uplift individuals by sharing the transformative power of movement, fostering creativity, confidence, and self-expression in all who walk through her doors. With each step, LaCole D Dance continues to leave an indelible mark on the dance community, spreading joy and passion for dance far and wide.

Niffy has been an active part of the Huntsville Belly Dance community since 2015. She teaches with Fox Fire Fusion on Tuesdays, and Nomadic Tapestry on Wednesdays at Mill Kat Healing Arts, and takes class with Lunar Moth at Kinesthetic Cue. With a background in ballet and ballroom, she has a great appreciation for all forms of dance and loves nothing more than seeing people find freedom and community through dance.

Staicy is a Salsa and Bachata teacher who began her dance journey about four years ago. After going through a breakup, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to pursue her long-time interest in dance. With Covid restrictions being lifted and more time available, she decided to take the plunge. Despite having no prior dance experience, Staicy immersed herself in classes and, within just six months, became a teacher. By her eighth month, she began attending festivals, which helped her refine and apply the techniques she had learned. Staicy invites everyone to join her class and explore different dance styles.

Lateral Thinking dance team is a local Alabama Brazilian Zouk dance community dedicated to sharing this exciting partner dance. Brazilian Zouk focuses on connection, fluidity, and incorporates various dance styles. The team comes together out of passion to explore this beautiful style.

Kristin Dion has been passionately involved with Argentine tango since 2010, drawing on her background in engineering and Lindy Hop dancing. She has studied with a diverse collection of instructors including Brigitta Winkler, Alicia Pons, Marika Landry, Luciana Valle, and Susanna Miller. She enjoyed a three week vacation of full time dancing in Buenos Aires in 2013 and performed as a dancer with QTANGO in 2014. She has performed tango music on flute with the LOFT Community Tango Orchestra in San Francisco and the DC Tango Orchestra in the Washington DC region. In 2017 she completed foundational dance teaching training with Tango Mercurio. Her dancing and music balance the tension between propagating the best of the traditional and exploring new frontiers of the universe of tango culture. Gerhard Hellemann started dancing tango in 1999 in Los Angeles. His first teacher was Moti Buchboot, and he was also influenced by the other teachers and dancers in the Los Angeles Tango Nuevo Community including Homer Ladas. Over time he developed an interest in the style of tango associated with downtown Buenos Aires, and Edmundo Thomas was his main mentor when exploring this approach to tango. His main interest is in tango as an urban social dance, and he has continued to deepen his understanding of the dance by learning from all of his social dance partners and from classes taken with visiting teachers and at tango festivals. He is especially indebted for the far too few lessons he took from Tete Rusconi.

Heart and soul spreads love and support throughout the Rocket City. They promote body positivity and encourages individuals of all ages to set themselves free through line dancing. They engage in events that support the community and give everyone willing to participate a chance to move, relax, unwind, and most of all have fun.

Foxfire Fusion and Nomadic Tapestry strive to celebrate and perpetuate the diverse cultural and historical influences that shape the many styles of belly dance. Their first piece, choreographed by the talented Niffy, presents an Orientale fusion style featuring the graceful and beautiful fan veil. The second piece, choreographed by Madjeeda, who is of Jordanian descent, highlights a traditional line dance performed by "all" at celebrations, showcasing the cane. Together, they invite the audience to experience the joy of dance.