Geri Brown is a storyteller, an educator, and social entrepreneur whose work is threaded in breaking the barriers to access and building safe, equitable, and inclusive communities. Her work utilizes art (dance, theatre, and music) as the catalyst for change. She runs three organizations called the Trifecta of Change. Geri is the Founder and Creative Director of Liberate Artists Inc., a dance education movement and benefit corporation, which utilizes dance education to build confidence and promote social growth in young people. Not a dance competition or dance convention, Liberate Artists Inc. has created its own pathway forward that focuses on helping students be their best self in a non-competitive environment. In her work with Liberate Artists Inc., Geri has traveled all over the world making dance the catalyst for change. From Australia to England to New York to Texas, Liberate Artists builds each dancer up through their catch phrase “You Are Enough.” They inspire kids and promote socio-emotional growth through mindfulness, colorful history, inclusionary practices, and award over $500,000 in scholarships per year. Including the Patricia A. Woodward Inspiration Award, which has been awarded since 2016, where Liberate Artists pays for dancers tuition for an entire year at their home studios. In an effort to ensure dance education is safe, equitable, and inclusive Geri serves as the Founder/Organizer for Dance Education Equity Association (DEEA). DEEA is an organization dedicated to serving the dance community through their BE COURAGEOUS courses, community support, and systemic based consulting work. Dance Education Equity Association educates to implement their expectations of safety, equity, and inclusivity into dance communities everywhere. By working together, in compassionate accountability, DEEA is working to make dance for all. Always, Enough Foundation is the final pillar in her trifecta of change.In an effort to continue to support families and provide additional socio-emotional support, Geri is the President and Executive Director of Always, Enough Foundation [501c3]. Always, Enough Foundation breaks barriers to access to ensure performing arts education is for all. In their effort to remove financial barriers to access, Always, Enough Foundation pays for tuition, travel, accommodations and meals, for dancers and their families to attend dance competitions, dance conventions, and other performing arts opportunities that meet their standards of safety, equity, and inclusivity. Geri is also a member of the newly initiated Intersectionality Task Force for the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS). IADMS's mission is to enhance the health, well-being, training, and performance in dance by cultivating medical, scientific, and educational excellence. As an artist and storyteller, Geri graduated cum laude, with her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Pace University. As a student and post graduation, Geri was hired as the Assistant Recruitment Coordinator under the tutelage of her mentor Patricia A. Woodward, and then became the Interim Recruitment Coordinator for the entire Pace University Performing Arts Department. There, she assisted and managed thousands of auditions and applications for the Acting Program, Musical Theatre Program, and then the novel Commercial Dance Program, and was also responsible for ensuring all of the performing arts students, had the requirements needed to graduate. Geri is a trained actor, singer, dancer and writer, who uses the word storyteller to best describe her work. As a member of Actor’s Equity Association, Geri has performed Off-Broadway, in pre-Broadway productions, and in NYC theatres. Geri also originated her role in Tales from the Tunnel starring alongside Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winner Wilson J. Heredia, who originated the role of Angel, in the Broadway musical Rent. Due to her exceptional character work, Geri has been highlighted for her work by The New York Times which quoted “Geri Brown is ferocious as the station clerk who has seen it all,” and by TheaterMania “Geri Brown radiates presence, attitude, and a sense of humor.” Additionally, Geri has been researching and writing a spoken word musical about civil rights and LGBTQIA2+ rights activist, Marsha P. Johnson, for the last eight years with her collaborator and friend Brett Macias. As a storyteller, Geri continues to create spoken word, poetry, and essays. From storyteller to educator to social entrepreneur, the pulse of all of Geri's work is her mission is to inspire all to truly know that "You Are Enough," exactly as you are, in the skin and body you are in.”

Audry is a New York based dance arts manager, choreographer, teaching artist, and yoga instructor. She began her career as a performer traveling the country by bus in Sesame Street Live, by horse in Dolly Parton’s Stampede, internationally by ship for Norwegian Cruise Lines, and under the big top for Circus Hermanos Vazquez and Cirque Montage. From there she focused her energies on teaching ballroom in New York City classrooms, choreographing for Concordia Conservatory, and spending summers at Stagedoor Manor theatre camp. From high schools to regional theatres she has choreographed several musicals including Cinderella, Grease, HAiR, Aida, and Working. Along the way Audry has taken several opportunities to step into management positions with roles including dance captain, company manager, experience manager, and now Director of Operations for Liberate Artists. Today you can find Audry working, traveling, and teaching for Liberate Artists, sharing the love of Sesame Street traveling with Sesame Workshop, spreading the word on the benefits of yoga to anyone who will listen, and choreographing musicals in her spare time.

Fox is a commercial hip hop and musical theatre performer. Fox has been performing and competing on stage for over 19 years, with experience and training in various genres of dance, including but not limited to: jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, salsa, and modern to name a few. 

Fox  is a graduate from Penn State University, majoring in Dance Stage Management and Performance. Since graduating, she has performed, stage managed, and directed multiple productions.  Fox assists, directs, and choreographs local tristate musician’s music videos and live performances, as well as choreographers dance videos and content.  Fox enjoys teaching at multiple studios and hosting workshops.  Though Fox is usually seen teaching hip hop and lyrical, you can find her in AM Ballet and heels classes at night all in the heart of NYC. Fox’s life motto is, “Never let the dreams you had as child be forgotten, you have more time than you think”.

Maddie Gilbert was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. It is here that she began dancing and developed a passion for it. Growing up, Maddie trained at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy in Thornton, Colorado, where she learned many different styles such as contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, and modern. After graduating high school in 2017, Maddie moved to Los Angeles to begin her studies at Loyola Marymount University. While there, Maddie had the opportunity to delve deeper into the realm of dance by taking classes in dance history, choreography, kinesiology, countertechnique, dance theory, and more. Some of her professors included Rosalynde Leblanc Loo (Bill T. Jones), James Gregg (WeWolf), John Todd (Movin’ Out), and Lillian Barbeito (BODYTRAFFIC). Maddie graduated from LMU in 2021 with a B.A. in dance, a minor in business, and a minor in psychology. She is now working as a social media content creator for Liberate Artists.

Lauren Froderman has been dancing since the age of 3 and since then has trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, tap, and hip hop. She has always been a well-rounded dancer and because of this went on to win the seventh season of the Fox television show, So You Think You Can Dance. She has also danced for people such as the Radio City Rockette's, Big Time Rush, Blake McGrath, and others. Appearing in television performances, music videos, and live shows, she continues to reach for the stars and learn and do as much as possible. Probably her greatest accomplishment since the end of the So You Think You Can Dance show and tour has been becoming the first dance athlete for Gatorade and being the female dance athlete for the G Series Fit line. Lauren has worked hard her whole life and will keep working hard to accomplish her dreams.

We are joined by American Idol Alumni Delaney Renee Wilson! Originally a Massachusetts native, Delaney now lives in Los Angeles where she is pursuing her musical career. Delaney went viral (with 49.6 million views!) after she was secretly recorded singing to a girl she was babysitting, which landed her an audition on American Idol. She went on to Hollywood Week and the rest you could say, is history. Her first single, Why I Fall, is out now and will be the song for our music video.

Selena Alvarez is a creativity enthusiast, passionate about visual arts, music, social media marketing and all things involving dance. She is a bilingual Puerto Rican-American who is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Business Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Towards the end of her college experience, she was granted the winner of the 2017 Annual $10,000 Pitch Competition at Montclair State University from her minor in Entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduation, she was able to combine her love of dance, marketing, and entrepreneurship by becoming a professional videographer/cinematographer, video editor, and creative director. 

In 2017, she established her brand, “Ninamoonlove” and became a video/marketing freelancer for artists throughout Central and Northern New Jersey. She has offered services in videography and social media marketing to multiple music artists, dancer/choreographers, dance studios, the real estate world and Jersey City Specialist – Diana Vasquez, small businesses such as CHEERFIT, class one dance organizations at Montclair State University, and non-profit organizations such as Vanguard Theatre Company, Carolyn Dorfman Dance, and Liberate Artists. In April 2022, Ms. Alvarez went full time with her video production brand, “Ninamoonlove Productions”, and continues to collaborate and inspire all kinds of artists/creators around the United States.

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Laisa M. Santos is a Brazilian cinematographer based in Los Angeles, California. She started her career as a stills photographer in 2015 and had her first solo photo exhibition in her hometown, Belo Horizonte, in 2017. She recently graduated from UCLA Extension and has been working in short films, features, commercials and TV productions as a Cinematographer, Camera Operator and Assistant Camera. The Studio Assistant, Cacto, Young Romantics are some of the projects she's been a part of, as well as Bad Mom, her latest work. Laisa connects with projects that are interested in discussing themes beyond the movie screen. Making an impact and telling real stories is something she really cares about. She is also a member of DAFB - Brazilian Collective of Women and Transgender People in Cinematography.

Aisha Olemba (she/her) is from the D(M)V! Now living in the heart of LAShe has trained in all forms of dance since she was 10, but especially enjoys and trains in modern, hip-hop, and heels! She was the co-founder and captain of Vibe Dance Team at Towson University since it was created in 2018. Beyoncé even shared her teams “Before I Let Go” Challenge on her Instagram! Aisha has currently been choreographing for local artists within the Washington metropolitan area along with being featured in their videos. She also teaches classes to various studios and organizations within her area as well. When she’s not dancing she is creative directing many things from photoshoots to music video. She believes expression of the self comes in many forms and wants to help elevate the best self in everyone.

Canyon Carballosa is an autistic queer trans nonbinary professional dancer, movement maker, and outspoken advocate. They currently work as a professional dancer, national award-winning choreographer, competitive judge, and DEEA educated teacher. They received their training in New York City, where they attended the Broadway Dance Center Professional Program with a focus in contemporary and hip hop. Canyon’s professional career has always had a focus on accessibility and community. As a budding artist, they founded and directed Ocala Dance Alliance, an organization designed to make masterclasses financially accessible for their hometown dance community. Through their work with ODA, they focused on bridging the gap between competitive studios and reorienting towards a community centered on a shared love of movement. 

Canyon has gone on to also have an incredibly fulfilling commercial career working with several productions and artists. Some of their credits include Dua Lipa, Facebook Meta, Sylvan Esso, Fitz and The Tantrums, Stella Artois, Angel Olsen, Disney Jr star Genevieve Goings, Showtime, and Starz TV. They’ve choreographed for a number of productions including viral artist’s JORDY’s “Till It Hurts” music video, Jenny Kwon’s “Hollywood” music video, and Facebook’s “Fit Out” campaign. Most recently, their choreography can be seen in the release of the new Monster High doll, Twyla, and the rest of the Monster High characters.  

Canyon believes dance is the ultimate way to connect mind, body, and spirit. They have spent years collecting tools for healing traumas, breaking through personal walls, and rediscovering a genuine love for one’s most authentic self.  With that knowledge, they released a 30-day online program, More Than Moves. The program was designed to offer guidance and exploration through journal prompts, guided meditations, affirmations, daily improvisational dance tasks, and a number of other tools to connect to curiosity and self. 

Canyon’s movement classes take a radical approach to the typical hierarchical structure of education. Their class offers a safe space to explore in new ways, ask questions without judgement, and choose to commit to yourself. They believe that through conversation, trust, and vulnerability, dancers are able to bring their real-life experiences on to the dance floor. Honesty is magic and art in its purest form. All people are innately born with the capacity to experience that magic and no systems of oppression should prevent that. Canyon knows dance is meant for all people to enjoy, and strives to make their dance spaces safer, equitable, and more inclusive for all. experience that magic and no systems of oppression should prevent that. Canyon knows dance is meant for all people to enjoy, and strives to make their dance spaces safer, equitable, and more inclusive for all.

Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up on the Southside of Atlanta. He graduated from Creekside High School in 2008. His preferred styles of dancing include Animation, Popping, and Robotics. His attention to detail and love for teaching proper technique have made him a fan favorite in the dance education world. Cyrus was the runner up on Season 9 of Fox’s hit television show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Since then, he has not stopped working in the industry: performing across the country, shooting commercials and feature films. Movie credits include being cast as “Gauge,” in the most recent installment of the smash hit Step Up franchise, Step Up: All In. Cyrus has returned in recent seasons as an All-Star on SYTYCD and is also part of the Dragon House Hip Hop Crew.

Taryn Vander Hoop (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and producer. She received a BS in Dance with additional majors in English Literature and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography. She is the co-founder of Summation Dance, an NYC/LA based modern contemporary dance company, called “full of energy and creativity” by The New York Times. Summation has performed at Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC), Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Judson Memorial Church, Jacob’s Pillow, and 92nd Street Y, among others. Dance education and outreach are cornerstones of Vander Hoop’s work with Summation and as an independent artist. With Summation she started the Dancing Literate Project, an evening of performance with the goal to bridge the gap between the choreographer and viewer and educate audiences on the choreographic process. She has led professional development movement workshops for the NYC Department of Education, Google, and 92nd Street Y Dance Education Laboratory (DEL), to name a few. With DEL, she has co-choreographed Movement Sentence Choirs with leaders in the field, such as Sidra Bell, Monica Bill Barnes, Mike Esperanza, Larry Keigwin, Kendra Portier, Urban Bush Women, WHYTEBERG, Nicole Wolcott, and Yin Yue. Taryn is an Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University in the Dance Department and delights in the new challenge of being a working artist, educator and mother of two.

Halima captivates on screen and on stage! Her sky-high energy is featured in music videos for DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, and Jojo, live shows with Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard, and multiple indie and feature films—including Black Is King and The Prom. She is based in Los Angeles but credits her hometown, Miramar, Florida, for her signature style: a fusion of hip hop, technique, and Afro-Caribbean roots. Today, she’s on a mission to help artists express their most authentic selves.