OASIS 2023 Choreographers
JALEN STEWART
Jalen Stewart has been dancing since he was 5 years old. He began his dance training at Savage Dance Company, where he trained in Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Hip Hop. Jalen has been featured on Sesame Street, The Good Night Show, PBS Kids Block, commercials and PSA’s. He has also trained at various studios in NY and LA. Jalen’s goal is to inspire young dancers and his love for the arts and dance has led him to becoming a teacher at B. Funk Dance Studio.
JULIKA CUFFY
A Virginia native from Hampton Roads, Julika Cuffy has been dancing in the art of Hip Hop such as Funk and Street style through Choreography for years. She finds her movement unique and delights in sharing herself with others. Having trained with different dance companies such as Capitol Movement Inc (DC), Culture Shock DC XV (DC), and CREWcial Alum (Va Beach). As well as performed for many events, East Coast Dance Competition (Washington, DC), Something in the Water (Va Beach, VA), The John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center Urban Festival (Washington DC), etc . Julika takes her spare time teaching at studios to enrich the youth with the knowledge of dance, specifically Hip Hop. However through her art she hopes to give inspiration, passion, and motivation to those she shares it with. Giving a unique take of what it is to look at dance as a language rather than just movement. To have a voice, and using it to say how she feels through her artistry.
ISHANATHAN GUTENG
Ishanathan Guteng is a dancer, choreographer and teacher from Columbia, Maryland. He has trained on Laura Edwards Dance Company (LED), with Ascendant Dance Company (ADC) under Gina Michael and is an alumni of Major Definition. His style draws inspiration from afro dance, street jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and modern movement. His goal as an artist is to inspire others and cultivate a space of knowledge, awareness, and expression to create a positive impact.
ARITI
Ariti Dorsey has been dancing since she was three years old. If you ask her mother, she’d say that Ariti has been moving since she was in her belly. Ariti’s love for dance and performance grew and developed as she found herself performing with different studios and projects such as Karma’s Dance Factory, B.Funk, Future Shock DC, Pebbles Dance Crew, Laura Edwards Dance Company, Code Red Project, and many more. In 2018, Ariti took a three year hiatus as she was focusing on developing other skills, but she couldn't stay away from dance much longer. A close friend of hers pushed her to apply for teaching opportunities and upon being accepted, she was reminded of how deep her love for dance truly was. Since then she has been deepening her roots as a movement artist.
DIMONTE HOLLAND
Dimonte Holland is a dancer/choreographer from Baltimore, Maryland. He has trained amongst a few household names such as Lorenzo Evans, Juwaan Walker, Deshawn Da Prince & Rob Bynes. In addition to that he has been a part of multiple dance teams such as Laura Edwards Dance Company (LED), Royal Thieves NYC, Kreative Mindz Dance Academy LA and Culture Shock DC. As a teacher, his goal for dancers is to express themselves with purpose pertaining to life itself, self reflection, release aspect and just a digging deeper method. He follows these same exact elements within his own artistic style of movement. Dimonte wishes for students to leave class with a great time all while grasping awesome training within a safe learning environment.
SCOTTE BLU
Scotte Blu is an award winning dancer and choreographer. She found her love for dance at about 8 years old by entering talent shows in her elementary school with her friends! She started taking dance classes in and around Austin, Texas at 14 years old. This is when she joined her first official dance team. She soon began competing and teaching at local Austin studios. In 2020, she moved to the DMV and started training at Cerdafied Dance Studio and Bfunk Dance Studios. In the last 5 years Scotte has been traveling around the United States to train at dance conventions like Monsters of Hip Hop, KAOS, Shell Shock and many more. Right now she is focusing on developing her choreography and teaching skills. She teaches pop up classes in the DMV area and is really looking forward to showcasing her work at The Oasis Vessel Showcase! She’s so excited to show you her creation, and hopes you find some inspiration from it!
TRINITY RILEY
Trinity Riley is a dancer and choreographer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her journey through tap, ballet, and contemporary dance genres as an individual, studio, and team dancer at Danceworks, Sole Matter, and the Davis Boys and Girls Club demonstrates her expansive approach to hip-hop based choreography and her commitment to teaching with excellence and generosity. For the past four years she has resided in the DMV where she has trained with Phunktions and the Laura Edwards Dance Company, as well as taking part in several other projects. She hopes to utilize her training and artistry to create work that inspires others of the endless possibilities of expression that dance provides, and the importance of honoring your own narrative.
MYSH SOUKIASSIAN
Born in Boston, MA, Mysh began their dance training at the age of 2 through traditional Armenian dance. They then quickly developed a profound interest in many dance genres. By the age of 4 Mysh began training strongly in classical ballet. After many years of intensive training, Mysh performed with the Moscow Ballet Theatre, CityDance Conservatory, Olney Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet School, Baltimore Ballet, Ballet Royale, and Carolina Ballet Theatre. They trained intensely in ballet, contemporary, Horton style modern, and broadway style tap and jazz before transitioning into the world of commercial dance. In the past four years she has trained and performed with Laura Edwards Dance Company, Phunktions Dance Team, Vibe Dance Team, and Monica Polk and Friends. She also regularly interns for the Body and Soul Intensive. Additionally, they regularly choreograph for Dynamic Dance Team at the University of Maryland. Her vast experience in multiple genres has given her the ability to create and move with various dynamics, textures, and qualities. Mysh strives to create art that both moves her audience and elicits an interpretable and unique experience.
CIERA LANAIL
At the age of three, Ciera Lindsey began her dance training at Dance & Bodyworks studios in Prince George’s County, Maryland. By the age of five, Ciera found her love for dance and the performing arts when she began to train in various dance styles such as Hip Hop, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and more. In 2016, she would join KickPebbles Crew and later FutureShock DC where she further developed and deepened her love for Hip Hop and street dance styles. Currently, Ciera is a senior at Towson University majoring in Dance, Performance, & Choreography with a minor focusing on a journalistic track in Mass Communications and a member of Laura Edwards Dance Company. Inspired and moved by those in her community, Ciera has created Towson’s first ever Hip Hop dance group to focus on street styles with a mission to unify dancers and ignite change for the inclusion of all dance styles at the collegiate level. Titled “The 7-1-8 Crew”, Ciera is dedicated and continues to bring dancers together by leading workshops, discussions on dance advocacy, and curating safe spaces for all movers.
DANIELLE MALLEY
Danielle developed her love for dance when she started dancing at the tender age of 3. Her training began at Expressions Dance Studio and continued at other studios around the DMV, including Dance Dimensions. During her high school years she danced for the Bishop McNamara HS Dance team and the Sankofa African Dance Company. When she attended college, Danielle contributed her dance skills to the Salisbury University team for four years and served as the Assistant Director of the team for two years. Her training and team experiences have garnered her extensive skills in contemporary, jazz, modern, ballet and tap. She shares her talents with the DMV community through occasional teaching opportunities at local studios.
Danielle Malley received a B.A. in Media Production with a minor in Marketing Management and Dance from Salisbury University. Since graduating from college, Danielle has worked with multiple non-profits where she further enhanced her social media skills and learned best practices for running a successful business. She utilizes her degree and training to add a creative and unique quality to the VESSEL team and its products.
Danielle Malley uses her dance training, degree, and experience to serve as the Chief Operating Officer of VESSEL INC. In this position she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization as well as producing content for the website and social media accounts.
TULANI JANAE
Tulani Janae found her love for dance and performing arts at the early age of 8. She began dancing at a local ballet studio for foundational training, which did not last long. Just one year later she discovered Hip-Hop is where she felt the most passionate. Joining Culture Shock DC, as part of their youth team, she began to flourish and develop her love for street styles. Throughout her time with the Culture Shock DC family, Tulani developed the skills to effectively teach aspiring dancers and choreograph dance pieces. For the past six years, she has been teaching at various workshops and studios in the DMV area as well as curating her own creative projects. Some of these include: Shell Shock DC, Elements Urban Arts Collective, Capital Funk, and B. Funk Dance Co. After spending a long time away from dance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tulani felt disconnected and lacked a desire to engage in the art form she loved so much. One step she took was to participate in The MAJ Program offered by Andye J which focused on professional dance training and personal coaching. Upon completion of this 4-week program, Tulani was inspired and motivated to develop and provide opportunities for people in her own community.
This was the beginning of the VESSEL idea. With the help of family and friends the organization was established and hosted its first event on June 25 and 26, 2021 featuring Candace Brown, Justin Conte, Bo Park, Christina Camacho, and Ty Newby. In January 2022, VESSEL, INC. was established as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization with Tulani Janae serving as its Chief Executive Officer.
CRISTINA CAMACHO
Cristina Camacho aka Macho is a professional movement artist and arts advocate. A DMV native, Macho graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors in Dance and Kinesiology. While based in the area, she was a member of Dynamic Dance Team, Culture Shock DC, and KickRocks Crew. Macho moved to NYC in 2018 to pursue her professional career in dance and arts programming. Since moving to NY, she has trained with and worked under well-renowned choreographers and performed in numerous stage productions including Carnival, BET's Wild Out Wednesday, Candace Brown's The Soul Spot, and the MTV VMA's. She has traveled nationally and internationally as a choreographer and dance educator and is signed by LDC Artist Rep.
When she is not dancing, Cristina works as an arts administration professional, lending her experience to the likes of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and as an advisor to numerous dance education programs. She returns to the DMV often to contribute to youth arts organizations and generate programming for the local dance community.
Zawadi Mbalule & Devin Niosi
Zawadi began her dance journey in 2009, training in various genres at local dance studios across North Carolina. As the years progressed, she refined her craft through performing & competing and expanded her training to intensives & conventions such Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The PULSE on Tour, Monsters Dance Convention, and more. Her journey with dance eventually led her to develop a passion for choreographing which gave her the opportunity to begin teaching on the East Coast. She was able to step back into performing by being invited to perform a tribute for the legendary Missy Elliott. Since then, she has been fortunate enough to receive work under the direction of choreographers such as Ashley Wallen, Sean Bankhead, and Fatima Roberson. She holds TV and film credits such as BET’s American Soul, Praise This, Disney, and more. She continues to pursue her professional dance career while feeding her love her choreographing and teaching.
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Devin started his dance journey in 2009 affiliating with local DMV organizations such as Culture and Future Shock DC & Capitol Movement. He began pursuing dance professionally in 2018 and his current credits include Universoul Circus, Apple TV, and BET Hip Hop Awards. He began to grow a love for choreographing, with that he has had the opportunity to teach in Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, and California. Devin continues to pursue his love for teaching and choreographing
MOTIV CREW
Motiv Crew is a dance company/training program led by Marlee Hightower, based out of Motiv Dance Studio, in Orlando, FL. Motiv is a co-ed group, ranging in age from 14-26. The crew has anywhere from 15-30 members, at any given time, during the season. They specialize in street styles, with an eclectic blend of contemporary and hip hop, to mostly neo-soul and 90’s hip hop music. You can find them by searching “Motiv Crew” on YouTube. Motiv competed on Season 3 of NBC’s World of Dance. They’ve also headlined many World of Dance events, as well as music videos, concerts, and commercials. Several alumni are currently working dancers in LA, with credits ranging from world tours, to A-List award shows, to big brand commercials, etc. The goal of the group is to prepare dancers for a professional career in the commercial dance industry.
