Samuel Pott founded Nimbus in 2005 drawing on a deeply held personal belief in the value that the arts can play in bringing together people and communities. Under his direction the organization has grown each year adding performances, new repertory and new community initiatives and projects. Known for creating structured and musical dances that evoke deep-rooted emotional connection, Mr. Pott’s choreography has been shown in New York City, throughout New Jersey, and across the country at venues including the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM Fisher), New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. His collaborations have included work with many esteemed contemporary artists working in new music, including composers Daniel Bernard Roumain, Samson Young, Judd Greenstein, Aaron Parks, and Qasim Naqvi; visual artists Nicola Lopez and Trudy Miller; and video artists Isabelle Duverger and Laia Cabrera.

A highly sought after master teacher, Mr. Pott has taught dance at the elementary, high school, college, and professional levels and has served on the faculty of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. He was named to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts’ Arts in Education roster of artists. In 2012, he founded the School of Nimbus, grounded in the belief that dance can serve as a meeting point for diverse communities for growth towards common values and goals. The School makes high-quality dance training available to youth throughout Jersey City regardless of financial background. Mr. Pott founded and directs NimbusPRESENTS, a Jersey City performance series featuring local and national performers. Mr. Pott has received Choreography Fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in 2008 and 2017 and was named a Distinguished Teaching Artist by the Council in 2012. Mr. Pott was one of 25 arts leaders nationally selected for the Association of Performing Arts Presenters’ (APAP) inaugural Leadership Fellows Program. He serves on the Dance Advisory Council for New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for ArtPride NJ and is a co-founder of the Jersey City Arts Council.

Marie Zvosec is a graduate of The Juilliard School, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and Sarah Lawrence College. She has been seen performing with Buglisi Dance Theatre, TAKE Dance, Bennyroyce Dance, Hilary Easton + Company, Douglas Dunn and Dancers, Shannon Gillan and Elisabeth Motley, Elizabeth Keen, and with the Metropolitan Opera in in productions by Zhang Yimou and Mark Morris. For Brooklyn Opera Works, she directed Hansel and Gretel (2014), A Brooklyn Cabaret (2015), Dido and Aeneas (2016), Echo et Narcisse (2017), Venus and Adonis (2018), and All Wounds Bleed (2019). Choreographic commissions include works for Ohio Dance Theatre, Adelphi University, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Bennyroyce Dance, Springboard Danse Montréal, Blackbird/Oiseau Noir Dance, Moxie Contemporary Ballet, and Randolph College. She was a fellow at BAM’s Professional Development Program and was a full scholarship awardee for Teaching Artist Training at National Dance Institute. She was Chair of the Dance Department at Brooklyn Music School and at Randolph College, Director of the Helen McGehee Visiting Artist in Dance Program, and is a faculty member at Adelphi University, where she teaches technique, partnering, and composition.

Sarah Lane, born in San Francisco, California, began her dance training in Memphis before  continuing in Rochester, New York, where she performed with the Rochester City Ballet. Her talent quickly garnered national recognition: she earned scholarships and top awards from  prestigious programs including the Boston Ballet Summer Program, North American Ballet  Festival, and Youth America Grand Prix. In 2002, she was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in  the Arts and won the Silver Medal at the Jackson International Ballet Competition. Lane joined  American Ballet Theatre’s studio company that same year, and rose through the ranks to become  a Principal Dancer in 2017. 

Throughout her career with American Ballet Theatre, Lane performed an extensive repertoire, including leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Manon, La  Bayadère, and The Nutcracker, among many others. She also originated roles in several  productions, such as The Tempest, Whipped Cream, and Seasons. Her honors include the  Princess Grace Award and the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts. Lane gained mainstream attention as the dance double for Natalie Portman in Black Swan and has appeared in numerous fashion magazines and media outlets. 

Now an international guest artist and teacher, Lane has performed with companies worldwide and taught at numerous institutions. She is a certified ABT NTC teacher, Gyrokinesis instructor, and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She holds a BFA, completed the Harvard Crossover into Business Program, and has written for notable publications like The Wall Street Journal and Dance Magazine. She is also the founder and director of Dance for Paws, Inc., a  nonprofit supporting animal rescue through dance-driven initiatives.

Ana (She/They) joined the School of Nimbus in the Fall of 2023 as the School Administrator, bridging her experience in community engagement and the arts. She received her dance and fine arts training in Southern California at the Maple Conservatory of Dance and the Orange County School of the Arts in the Classical & Contemporary Dance and the Visual Arts program. She went on to graduate with a degree in Latin American Studies at Oberlin College and pursued her passion for community organizing on immigrant rights issues. Originally from Nicaragua, she is a long-time Spanish/English community interpreter and works with a variety of grassroots and non-profit organizations, unions, and foundations, with work spanning from labor rights to housing, LGBTQ+ issues, and abolition work. Contact: school@nimbusdanceworks.org

Michael Lupino (He/Him/His) is the Production Manager at Nimbus, overseeing production operations across Nimbus Dance, the School of Nimbus, and the Nimbus Arts Center. With over a decade of experience in the dance industry, Michael has a diverse background that spans performance, choreography, and technical production.

While earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance, Choreography, and Theory from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2023, Michael worked extensively in lighting and stage management at UNC Charlotte. During this time, he worked as a lighting technician for all university venues, gaining expertise in stagehand, electrician, and stage manager roles. He also stage-managed nine dance productions, honing a versatile skill set that spans the full spectrum of production needs.

Since joining the Nimbus team, Michael has only compounded his experience, managing all productions moving though the Nimbus Arts Center as well as touring with Nimbus Dance. Having worked in virtually every aspect of production—dancer, choreographer, stagehand, lighting designer, stage manager, and more—Michael brings a comprehensive and hands-on approach to managing complex performance environments.

With a passion for both the creative and technical aspects of dance production, Michael plays a vital role in making Nimbus Dance Works a hub of artistic excellence and innovation.

Alina Slotwinski is thrilled to join the School of Nimbus Dance: Summit as the School & Community Engagement Coordinator. She previously spent four years working with Nancy Turano at the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, where she managed school registration, student recruitment, social media campaigns, scheduling, and daily financial operations. In 2024, Alina also served as the Wyse Finance Intern at the American Dance Festival. Alina is a recent graduate of Purchase College, SUNY, where she earned a BFA in Dance and a BA in Arts Management. During her time at Purchase, she spent a semester abroad studying at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth, Australia. As a dancer, Alina has had the privilege of performing works by master choreographers including George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Christopher Rudd, and Kate Skarpetowska. Contact: alina@nimbusdanceworks.org

Victoria Santaguida, from Toronto, Canada, began choreographing at the age of 15. She received her first commissioned work in 2010 for Cawthra Park Secondary School’s Repertoire Company. Since 2010, Ms. Santaguida has assisted choreographers Davis Robertson, Roger C. Jeffrey, Gabrielle Lamb, Mindy Conto, and Dani Matte across Canada and the United States. Victoria currently is choreographing and teaching at The Dance Class in Ontario, Canada as well as teaching at Steps Ahead Dance Studio in Queens. Ms. Santaguida was awarded Teaching Artist of the Year for The School of Nimbus in the Spring of 2018. Ms. Santaguida is currently serving her fifth year as The School of Nimbus’ Junior Youth Ensemble Director, along with teaching numerous ballet and creative movement classes throughout Jersey City.

Alyssa Acciavatti (She/Her) is a NJ/ NYC based dancer from Jersey City, NJ. Originally a competitive gymnast, she began training in dance to help with alignment and technique, and fell in love with the art form. She has trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Acro, and Hip-Hop. After graduating from County Prep High School as a dance major, she continued her studies at Peridance Center in New York where she trained under many incredible artists and educators, such as Igal Perry and Nikki Holck. In June, 2022, she graduated from the Certificate Program at Peridance in the Ballet/Contemporary Track. Alyssa has performed on stages in New York and New Jersey such as KnJ Theater, Memorial Auditorium, Centenary Stage, and St. Mark’s Church. She has done collaborations with Danspace Project and Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers. Alyssa performed with Nimbus2. She is also a member of the National Arts Society for Dance Arts. Alyssa has been teaching artist at The School of Nimbus for 3 years.

LeighAnn Curd, (she/her) is from Orange County, New York, began teaching and choreographing at the age of 16, working with young children in ballet, tap, and jazz at The Marya Kennett Dance Center. Ms. Curd went on to the Boston Conservatory to take classes in pedagogy and choreography, further expanding her teaching and creative abilities. Since joining Nimbus Dance in 2017, Ms. Curd has taught classes at every single level, from Mama, Papa and Me to Adult, at the School of Nimbus. She has also had the opportunity to teach and set work in many schools throughout Jersey City through Nimbus’ outreach programs. This is LeighAnn’s 8th year as a Teaching Artist with Nimbus and currently teaches Acro, Contemporary, Nimbus Dance, Nimbus Repertory, and Improvisation and is the Director of the Nimbus Youth Ensemble and Pre-Professional Program. Ms. Curd also serves as Company Dancer and Rehearsal Director of Nimbus Dance.

Katie Bateman is a dancer, educator, and choreographer based in the NJ/NYC area. Katie is a freelance dancer, currently dancing as an apprentice under both Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company and Grant Jacoby & Dancers. As an educator, Katie is currently a Community Teaching Artist for Nimbus Dance, teaching in Jersey City and Union City Public Schools, and teaches ballet at Triangle Dance Center. As a choreographer, recently they were a Guest Artist at Middlesex College, and presented "now you (see)" at their 2026 Spring Dance Concert.

Katie graduated from Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Education with an Ed.M in Dance Education with a Certification of Eligibility with Advanced Standing in K-12 Dance (CEAS), and graduated from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance. During their graduate studies, Katie completed their clinical fieldwork through student teaching full-time at Cranford High School, and part-time within Franklin District Elementary Schools, and graduated with Honors through the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. 

Katie was recognized as a Hanya Holm award recipient, and had the opportunity to study abroad and attended Camping at the Centre National de la Danse in France, where they studied and performed in Lyon and Paris. Katie was a member of University DanceWorks (UDW), the touring dance company of Mason Gross Dance, where they visited middle schools, high schools, and community colleges to teach and perform.

Katie is a South Jersey Native, and before Rutgers, trained at Gloucester County Institute of Technology and The Arts of the Dance Centre.

Maggie Joy (she/they) is a performing artist, choreographer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. Since graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Maggie has worked most notably with Dual Rivet and cullen+them, originating roles in both stage and film works. They are currently a 2025 Pride Resident Artist with WADE, expanding upon a collaborative work originally developed and performed with support from InQuad programming. As a choreographer, Maggie has presented work at Arts on Site, Jack NY, the Jack Crystal Theater, the DiMenna Center, and the Olmsted Theater (in a commission for Adelphi University). She participated in the inaugural cohort of the GLUE x TRISK (2022) program and was a member of the 2024 Leimay Incubator Program Cohort. Maggie is an adjunct at Adelphi University and on faculty at the School of Nimbus, in addition to current and past guest teaching at various universities and programs including the Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive (2022 & 2024), NYU Tisch Dance Summer Residency (2024 & 2025), the School at Peridance, Dancewave, Gibney Dance Center, and the Martha Graham School.

Lauren Marie Jaeger (she/her) is a magna cum laude graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance Performance. As a member of Buglisi Dance Theatre, MOMIX, Michael Mao Dance, Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, and Catapult, she has toured extensively nationally and internationally. Lauren is the rehearsal director for Buglisi’s The Table of Silence, which is performed each year on September 11th at Lincoln Center. In 2021 and 2022, Lauren was featured in two solo dance films created by Suzzanne Ponomarenko, DESCENT and EMERGE. She has also performed with Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Ballet Ambassadors, Alma Dance, was a founding member of Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and a guest artist with Eva Dean Dance. In addition to her performance work, Lauren is a regisseur for both Buglisi Dance Theatre and Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, an adjunct ballet and modern professor at Marymount Manhattan College, and a faculty member for the STEPS Conservatory, Peridance, The Joffrey Ballet School and the School of Nimbus. She has been a guest artist and master teacher for Buglisi Dance Theatre, MOMIX, the Festival Della Danza, Citta` Di Adelfia, and the Fini Dance Festival in Southern Italy. As an educator, Lauren emphasizes the use of technique in conjunction with creative aesthetics to help develop and strengthen healthy movement habits.  She fosters an environment of joy, and a sense of empowerment that supports dancers as they strive to fulfill their goals.Lauren Marie Jaeger (she/her) is a magna cum laude graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance Performance. As a member of Buglisi Dance Theatre, MOMIX, Michael Mao Dance, Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, and Catapult, she has toured extensively nationally and internationally. Lauren is the rehearsal director for Buglisi’s The Table of Silence, which is performed each year on September 11th at Lincoln Center. In 2021 and 2022, Lauren was featured in two solo dance films created by Suzzanne Ponomarenko, DESCENT and EMERGE. She has also performed with Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Ballet Ambassadors, Alma Dance, was a founding member of Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and a guest artist with Eva Dean Dance. In addition to her performance work, Lauren is a regisseur for both Buglisi Dance Theatre and Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, an adjunct ballet and modern professor at Marymount Manhattan College, and a faculty member for the STEPS Conservatory, Peridance, The Joffrey Ballet School and the School of Nimbus. She has been a guest artist and master teacher for Buglisi Dance Theatre, MOMIX, the Festival Della Danza, Citta` Di Adelfia, and the Fini Dance Festival in Southern Italy. As an educator, Lauren emphasizes the use of technique in conjunction with creative aesthetics to help develop and strengthen healthy movement habits.  She fosters an environment of joy, and a sense of empowerment that supports dancers as they strive to fulfill their goals.

Porshia A. Derival (she/her/hers) is a first-generation Caribbean American who was born in New York City. (Brooklyn).  She started her training at H+ | The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory in 2011, where she trained in the foundations of Hip-Hop dance (Party/ Social Dance, Popping, Boogaloo, Locking, Rocking, and Breaking), and studied cultural & social anthropology, critical thinking, biomechanics, and more.  In addition to her extensive training at H+, she has also learned and trained with Hip-Hop leaders and legends Excel Garner, Robin Dunn, Kim Holmes, Lisette Bustamante & Chonique Sneed, Akira Armstrong, Mr. Wiggles, Spex, A-lexx Benard, Tweetie, Elite Force Crew, and more.

Just two years into her training, Porshia was appointed to the esteemed position of Executive Director at H+.  Since being hired, she has attentively overseen the organization's creative affiliations with corporations which include Coca-Cola, Target, Scotch Porter, and many others.  In conjunction with her legendary contributions to H+, she also represents H+ at the UN Economic and Social Council, sits on the selection committee for the New York Dance and Performance Awards/The Bessies and was the honorary host for the 2022 Bessies Reception,  is a member of the Board of Trustees for Ladies of Hip-Hop, and is the NYC ambassador for the #SHE_BUILDS Global Initiative.

Porshia has shared her expansive knowledge of dance and leadership in numerous publications like, The Dance Enthusiast, and “Own Your Vulnerability” by Elizabeth Barry in 2016.  Her goal as a Haitian-Trinidadian woman is to guarantee Black women throughout the Hip-Hop dance discipline a place where they can be authentically themselves. To act, live, and love unencumbered by restraint, fear, or criticism from others.

Audrey Lipson, from New Jersey, began her training at The Ballet Barre under Suzanne Sarlitt. When she was 13, she began training at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre with Franco De Vita, where she performed ABT repertoire and works by Alexei Ratmanksy. A graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, where she studied ballet, Horton, Graham, West African, jazz, and contemporary techniques, Audrey had the opportunity to dance works by Pedro Ruiz, Natalie Lamonte, Brice Mousset, Joanna Kotze, and Phil Orsano. Her performances and projects have included a short dance film by Wilma Casal with Wolf and Swan Company, shows with Doubletake Dance Company from Spring '22 - Summer '23, and a work by Jainil Mehta in Roxey Ballet's 2023 River Dance Festival. She was Brice Mousset's rehearsal assistant for the 2023 Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive, and currently assists his classes at Peridance and the Ailey School. Audrey is a Company Member with Nimbus2. This is her 2nd year at the School of Nimbus and is the 2024 recipient of the School of Nimbus Teacher of the Year Award.

Libiya Gray (Memphis, TN) (she/her/hers) began her dance training at Collage Dance Collective under the direction of Kevin Thomas and Marcellus Harper. She continued her studies at SUNY Purchase, graduating Magna cum laude with a degree in Dance Performance as Composition Concentration in 2025. While at Purchase she has performed works choreographed by Paul Taylor, Sean Curran, Kevin Wynn, Andrea Miller, Kimberly Bartosik, Michelle Ulerich-Thompson, Martha Graham (understudy) and Lamine Thiam. Libiya has choreographed four works in her time at Purchase and in Memphis. She performed at the Shed in 2024 in “Regeneration” by Cain Coleman and at the Judson Church for the Kevin Wynn Memorial Spring 2024. This is her second season with Nimbus.

Ian Parsons is an international ballet educator, artistic coach, rehearsal director, and choreographer whose career has spanned Canada, the United States, Monaco, and the United Kingdom, with touring to many corners of the globe. He is a double graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, completing both its Professional Ballet Program and its Teacher Training Program for Former Professional Dancers. Upon graduation from the latter, he received the Betty Oliphant Award, presented to the program’s most promising graduating teacher.

As a professional dancer, Ian performed with The National Ballet of Canada and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, where he danced repertoire by choreographers including James Kudelka, John Neumeier, Jiří Kylián, and Jean-Christophe Maillot. His career subsequently expanded into theatre and film: he appeared in the feature film "Les Misérables," performed as Hans in the Olivier Award-nominated West End revival of "Cabaret," and served as Assistant Dance Captain, Swing, and cover Munkustrap on the UK/European tour of "Cats." In 2013, he performed at the Olivier Awards at London’s Royal Opera House with the casts of both "Cabaret" and "Cats."

Ian spent nearly a decade as a member of the Artistic Staff at Canada’s National Ballet School, one of the world’s leading professional ballet training institutions. During that time, he taught throughout the Professional Ballet Program, choreographed for the school, led the development of NBS’s formalized pas de deux curriculum, and served as Associate Director of the Stephen Godfrey Choreographic Workshop.

Alongside his artistic work, Ian served as Manager of Canada’s National Ballet School’s International Exchange Program, overseeing more than 100 student exchanges annually and cultivating relationships with many of the world’s foremost professional dance schools. Through this work, he supported young dancers in training opportunities across Europe, North America, and beyond.

Before returning to Canada, Ian taught at Performers College and The School of Ballet Theatre UK, and has been invited to teach and coach at institutions including Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, London Studio Centre, Guildford School of Acting, Danceworks, and Pineapple Dance Studios. His choreography has been presented in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, with original works for Convergence Ballet, Canada’s National Ballet School, Performers College, and other professional and pre-professional organizations.

Most recently, Ian served as Artistic Director of Convergence Ballet Company and School Director of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix in Arizona. He is currently based in the New York City area.

Madison Meredith is a dance educator, performing artist, choreographer, and Registered Yoga School (RYS) 200 certified yoga teacher in the greater New Jersey area. Madison received a Master of Education in Dance Education with a K-12 Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) at Rutgers Graduate School of Education. She also received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with minors in Psychology and Education as a Social Science. Madison's full-time student teaching was completed at Union City High School under the mentorship of Emma Russo and Cristen Pennello. She has trained extensively in tap, modern/contemporary, hip hop, jazz, ballet, and musical theater. Madison has performed works by Tony award winner John Heginbotham, Emmy nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold, and other acclaimed artists such as Opus One Contemporary Dance, Chuck Wilt of UNA Productions, Lynn Neuman of Artichoke Dance Company, Caitlin Casson, John Evans, Reggie Oliver, Robin Passmore, and Marissa Stahl. She has performed at the 92Y Future Dance Festival 2023, White Wave Dance Festival, Mark Morris Dance Center, the Hudson Guild, CHI Movement Arts Center of Kun-Yang Lin Dance in Philadelphia, PA, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, and University of the District of Columbia in the 2017 DC Tap Festival Showcase. Madison’s professional choreographic works have been presented at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn, NY, the Adrienne Theater in Philadelphia, PA, and the Koresh Artist Showcase in Philadelphia, PA. She has also set choreographic works for MOVE Central Jersey, Gloucester County Institute of Technology dance department, Union City High School dance department, Swedesboro-Woolwich Little Theater. In addition to teaching at the School of Nimbus and for Nimbus's Community Programs, Madison in on staff at Mark Morris Dance Center, Be You Dance Center, Washington Rock Dance, All For Dance, and has teaching partnerships with Gloucester County Institute of Technology, Fresh Theater Arts, and BOLD Arts.

Rose Fair began training at the Joel Hall Dancers & Center then later joined the Chicago Urban Jazz-based company, the Joel Hall Dancers.  Other dance studies include Luigi Jazz Dance Centre, Academy of Music & Movement, Katherine Dunham Technique Seminar, and Deeply Rooted Community Ensemble program. She recently graduated from the Two-Year Certificate and Teacher Training Programs at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance.  Rose has also performed with Duwane Pendarvis & Company Dance Theatre (Horton-based), Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company (Haitian Folklore), Khalidah Kali’s North African Bellydance Experience, and various freelance projects.  She has taught dance in programs and schools across Chicago and NYC. Rose is ecstatic to share her passion for dance with youth and strives to inspire her students to explore their potentials.

Saphire Oshun grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey, and began performing on stage at just 5 years old. Musical Theatre quickly became her passion, and in addition to singing, acting, and dancing, Saphire has released original songs on Apple Music and Spotify. Her play Club Chakra was featured in a staged reading at the Jersey City Theater Center. She has also written several plays for JC Summer Arts and was part of the NJ Play Lab’s Storyteller Studio Cohort (2023-2024). Saphire studied Musical Theatre at High Tech High School in NJ and earned her BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Miami.

She started teaching Drama at 17 while working at Camp Liberty in Jersey City and now teaches theatre in Brooklyn through Treehouse Shakers’ Branching OUT program. Sharing her experiences and knowledge in theatre is heart-fulfilling work, and she is thrilled to be teaching Acting at Nimbus for both the fall and spring semesters this year.

Violet Hartman is a graduate of the DeSales University where she earned her B.A. in dance. Upon graduation Violet has taught and performed various styles of dance including ballet, modern, ballroom and contemporary dance, as well as creative movement for children and beginner tap. Violet is a current scholarship student at the Taylor School, where she attends morning classes and studies the Taylor style and repertory. Violet has performed as a guest artist with Alison Cook Beatty Dance and continues to perform freelance with other Artists in the greater NYC area. Violet is thrilled to be returning to the Nimbus Teaching Staff! 

Raymond "Spex" Abbiw is a renowned NYC-born dancer, choreographer, and educator with over 20 years in the hip hop/street dance scene. A former Broadway Dance Center faculty member, he has toured internationally and performed with artists like Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Wyclef Jean. He is also known for his work with the Full Circle Dance Company and as a co-owner of the House Dance Conference. 

Career Highlights and Contributions

• Performance & Tours: Spex has established a strong career in hip-hop dance, featuring in music videos and touring in Japan and France.

• Acting: He made his Off-Broadway debut in the 2002 Full Circle Productions production, Soular Power'd, at the New Victory theater.

• Education & Leadership: He is a faculty member at the Broadway Dance Center and Gold Coast Arts Center. He was co-owner of the House Dance Conference, which provides a platform for education and entertainment, alongside founder Brian "Footwork" Green.

• Background: A New York City native, he graduated from the Art School of Design and has been dedicated to the preservation of hip-hop culture since 1988.

Nacia is a South African vocal coach and voice-over artist with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. She began singing and dancing at the age of five and later graduated in Musical Theatre from the Tshwane University of Technology. Her stage career includes performing in several renowned musicals, including Cape Town Opera’s Show Boat, which toured prestigious opera houses in Sweden and Paris. In addition to performing, Nacia has a strong background in directing and choreographing musical theatre. She directed and choreographed productions such as Fame – The Musical, Grease, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, and Back to the 80’s for North-West University. While living in Kenya, she founded a popular “music and movement” program for children aged 4 months to 9 years, teaching over 180 students weekly before relocating to New York. Since 2023, Nacia has been part of Nimbus Dance as a Vocal Technique Teaching Artist and has also taught music in the Nimbus Summer Arts program. She is passionate about nurturing voices, inspiring creativity, and is proud to be part of the Nimbus family.

Yinet Fernández Arbolaez was born in Havana, Cuba, and began her studies at Alejo Carpentier National School of Ballet in Cuba, where she was fortunate to work with mentors including Marta Iris Fernandez, Ramona de Saa, Caridad Martinez, as well as others renowned teachers. In 2008, Yinet graduated and joined National Ballet of Cuba for six years performing ballets including Swan Lake and Don Quixote by Alicia Alonzo, Giselle, Coppelia and Romeo and Juliet. In 2016 she moved to United States and joined Dance Theater of Harlem where she danced from 2017 until the present.  At DTH she performed roles of Le Corsaire pas de deux and works by Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Nacho Duato, Ullyses Dove and William Forsythe. Yinet is an ABT® Certified Teacher.

Elissa Verso is a New Jersey-based ballet dancer and certified instructor. She received her early training from her parents, Edward Verso and Karen Stasick Verso, at The Dance Center of New Jersey. She later went on to study at the Princeton Ballet School and, in her final years of study, at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City as a full-time student. She has since performed as a guest artist in various productions throughout New Jersey, including Raritan Valley Community College, Princeton Youth Ballet, and other local organizations. In 2015, Elissa earned her certification in Levels Pre-Primary through Level 5 in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, and in 2021 earned her Mat I and Mat II certifications through Power Pilates. Elissa greatly enjoys sharing her knowledge with students of all ages and is excited to join the School of Nimbus team.

MARI SUGAWA was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Japan, where she received her training. She began ballet training with Mariko Yamamura in her hometown of Matsusaka, Mie, and continued to study with renowned ballerina Yoko Morishita and ballet master Tetsutaro Shimizu as an apprentice with Matsuyama Ballet Company in Tokyo. She also worked privately with prima ballerina assoluta Eva Evdokimova after returning to the U.S.

Her repertoire includes leading roles such as Giselle, Odette in Swan Lake, Kitri in Don Quixote, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and Nikiya in La Bayadère. Her performances as Giselle and Juliet have received particular critical praise.

She has performed with New Jersey Ballet, Ballet Austin, Eglevsky Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet, and Matsuyama Ballet Company. She is currently based in the U.S. and works as a guest instructor, sharing her experience with students in both the U.S. and Japan. She is also a certified Pilates mat and reformer instructor through Pilates Academy International.