BDSI 2024 FACULTY
We are so excited and grateful to welcome an extraordinary group of guest faculty professionals alongside our Backhausdance faculty! Click below or scroll down to learn more about each faculty member.
JENNIFER BACKHAUS
BD Technique, BD Repertory, Composition
Jennifer Backhaus is Founder and Artistic Director of Backhausdance, Orange County’s award-winning contemporary dance company. As a choreographer, Jennifer’s works have been commissioned and produced by Brigham Young University, Chapman University, Los Angeles Ballet, McCallum Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, TDC of the Bay Area and Utah Regional Ballet, among others.
Many of Jennifer’s works have been honored by Regional Dance America, and her piece Disintegration was selected for national performances with the American College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. For Backhausdance, she has created numerous works, three of which have received multiple Lester Horton Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography. At the McCallum Theatre’s Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival, Jennifer has been the recipient of three consecutive choreography awards for her work with Backhausdance.
Currently a full-time dance faculty member at Chapman University, Jennifer is also a teaching artist for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Education Programs, where she shares her love of dance and choreography with hundreds of students in public and private schools across Southern California. A life-long learner, Jenny holds a BFA in Communications and Dance from Chapman University, and received her MFA in Choreography from Hollins University and the ADF.
AMANDA KAY WHITE
BD Technique, BD Repertory, Composition, Improvisation, Lyrical Jazz, Special Lecture
Amanda Kay White is a founding/current member and associate artistic director of Backhausdance. After finding her voice first as a performer with Backhausdance, she is honored to contribute to the company beyond the stage. She has created site-sensitive works for Backhausdance since 2019 which challenge spatial perceptions and create intimate experiences for audience members.
Amanda Kay White’s creative research delves into the entanglement of bodily knowledge, embodied cognition, and spatial theory through the medium of choreography. Finding points of access to these physical collections of experience and memory makes her work strikingly inventive. Her creations have been showcased at Highways Performance Space, Orange County Museum of Art, Pasadena Dance Festival, Oulu Dance Hack, Centro Negra, Chapman Touring Company, University of Tampa, American College Dance Festival, and the Wayward Artist. Amanda is currently on faculty at Santa Ana College, Chapman University, Orange County School of the Arts, and South Coast Conservatory.
In 2009 she founded Compass Dance Company, a pre-professional contemporary dance company for emerging artists ages 14 and up. By engaging, expressing, and innovating Compass Dance Company reaches out to the community through dance.
OMAR OLIVAS
Countertechnique, Improvisation
Born and raised in Santa Ana California, Omar Olivas currently resides in Edwardsville Illinois (USA). He has studied Countertechnique since 2005, participating in the One Body One Career in 2007, 2019 and 2022. Omar attended and successfully completed the Countertechnique Teacher Training program in the summer of 2022.
Omar has a Masters in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance Performance at the University of California Irvine. As a professional, Omar has performed nationally and Internationally with such distinguished groups as Diavolo Dance Theater, BackhausDance, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, and Neglia Ballet. Omar has been a guest artist at several institutions including La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore, Ballet Centrum in Fürth Germany, Brigham Young University (BYU), University of California Irvine, Chapman University, Webster University, and Jon Lehrer Dance Company Summer Intensive. Omar continues to perform self-produced works and is a guest performer for Diavolo Dance Theater and Neglia Ballet. The majority of Omar’s time is spent educating aspiring dancers for the department of Theater and Dance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he is a full-time professor.
Countertechnique has as a unique way of simultaneously challenging the body and mind within a nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery. The dancer goes beyond the given steps by utilizing tools to deepen their own understanding of what is going on in the present moment within their bodies and the space around them-complete awareness.
Countertechnique has rekindled my joy in dancing and creation. I no longer get caught up with end goals but stay open throughout the process of finding new possibilities. In a Countertechnique class I learn more about myself, the people around me, the space around and within me, all while having fun dancing. It’s truly an awesome experience and I’m excited to share that awesomeness with others.
JESSIE LEE THORNE
Contemporary Modern, Improvisation
Jessie Lee Thorne (she/they) is a multifaceted artist hailing from Los Angeles, California, with a diverse skill set spanning dance, choreography, filmmaking, and creative production. Beginning their performance journey in Italy under Walter Matteini, Jessie held leading roles in productions like "Hamlet," "Madame Butterfly," and "Anne Frank," touring extensively across Europe, Israel, and Russia. Later, as a founding member of Micaela Taylor’s The TL Collective, Jessie spent six impactful years touring across the United States, Canada, Panama, and Germany.
Their prowess extends to directing and choreography, evident in award-winning films and stage productions like "Topia," commissioned by Boston Moving Arts, which received accolades such as "Best Dance Film" at the Paris Play Film Festival and "Best Screendance Short" at Indie Short Fest. Nominated in over 10 festivals, they also earned the Visionary Award at kNOwBOX Dance Film Festival. Jessie's live adaptation of "Topia" premiered at The Odyssey Theater LA in 2023, with upcoming commissions from The Boston Conservatory, Backhausdance and Mash Up Dance Company.
Jessie's global artistic journey includes performances at prestigious venues like The Tel Aviv Opera House, The Lincoln Center, Jacobs Pillow, and The New York City Center, among others. Their commercial dance and choreography work features in music videos for renowned artists including but not limited to RY X, Emmit Fenn, David Archuleta, Kevin Mchale and films like Universal's "Bobbleheads" and the award-winning short "Daisy Boy."
As an educator, Jessie shares their expertise through classes and workshops at esteemed institutions like The Boston Conservatory, Chapman University, and UCLA.
Jessie Lee Thorne is dedicated to a lifelong pursuit of cultivating connection through the transformative power of art.
ANNA LONG
Modern, Composition
Anna Long is a LA based filmmaker, choreographer, and Certified Gaga teacher. Anna started her dance career in earnest at three years old, when, after watching a beat up VHS of Mikhail Baryshnikov's nutcracker, she took a solemn vow to never sit still again. Twenty years, one liberal arts degree, and many dance classes later, Anna became certified as a Gaga teacher in Tel Aviv Israel. Upon her return to the US, Anna began making and performing works as an independent choreographer in New York, Chicago, Denver, and Stuttgart. Anna began work as a writer and director in 2021 and is thrilled to release her first narrative short film in 2024.
www.thisisannalong.com
@thisisannalong
MEGAN DOHENY
Contemporary Modern, Partnering, Special Lecture
Born in the United States, Megan Doheny is a movement artist and award winning choreographer currently based in California. From 2015-2022, Megan worked as a dancer for the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (KCDC) in Israel. During her time with KCDC, she was involved in multiple original creations and numerous performances of artistic director Rami Be’er's works throughout Israel, as well as international tours to more than 20 different countries. Additionally, she worked with French choreographer, Martin Harriague, for the creation of two original productions that were performed in both Israel and France from 2015-2018. In 2021, she was awarded the Yair Shapira Prize for her contribution to contemporary dance in Israel. Prior to her professional work, Megan studied at the Alvin Ailey School/Fordham University, and at Chapman University.
As a choreographer, Megan has been collaborating with her partner, Ilya Nikurov, since 2015. From 2016-2020, Megan and Ilya worked as resident choreographers for the International Dance Journey Program and created pieces for KCDC’s main company as a part of the Alternative Stage Platform in Israel. In 2021, they established their collaborative dance project, “Outrun The Bear”, and since then, have been invited to perform and screen their works in Israel, the Netherlands, Portugal, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, The United States, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and South Korea. Their work is favored by audiences, having won multiple Audience Awards, most recently at the Odoru Akita International Dance Festival in Akita, Japan. In 2023, Megan was selected to be an Artist in Residence at LA Dance Project as a part of Launch:LA 2023, and is currently on faculty at Chapman University.
ILYA NIKUROV
Partnering, Special Lecture
Born in Kemerovo, Russia, Ilya Nikurov is a movement artist and award winning choreographer based in California, USA. He started ballroom dance at the age of 7. He studied modern and contemporary dance at multiple schools in Kemerovo, and in 2005, was awarded by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation for his self-choreographed solo performance. From 2004-2008 he danced with folk dance company, Siberian Kaleidoscope and following this, relocated to Moscow where he worked as a principal dancer with Boroditsky Dennis Dance Company, and was a dancer with The Great Moscow Circus. Ilya performed in several musical theater productions, such as “Romeo and Juliet”, “Notre Dame de Paris” and more. In 2012 he worked with critically acclaimed Belgian choreographer Ann Van den Broek as a dancer in her work “Kamera”. In 2014, Ilya joined the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (Israel). During his time with KCDC, Ilya took part in 9 productions of the company, performing in Israel and as well as touring internationally to more than 20 countries, and served as a resident choreographer and teacher for the International Dance Journey Program. Additionally, he worked with Israeli choreographer Eyal Dadon for his two creations for KCDC. In 2018, Ilya received the Yair Shapira Award for his contribution to contemporary dance in Israel.
From 2021- present, Ilya is a choreographer and co-director of the collaborative dance project, ‘Outrun The Bear’, together with his partner Megan Doheny.
TONG WANG
Ballet
Following a successful career as a principal artist, Tong Wang has continued to devote his talents to the field of dance as a choreographer, dance professor and master teacher. In recent years, Tong’s creative works have continued to become notable internationally. While his choreographic works have received high praise from the nationally ranked dance departments of University of Utah, Butler University and University of California-Irvine, his work has also been performed by professional companies such as Ballet West, China Military Dance Ensemble, and Ballet Arkansas. His work “Chase” has been performed in the United States and China numerous times and was broadcast by China Central Television Station. “Qiu Yie” received the Outstanding Choreography Award at YAGP. As a master teacher, Tong has taught internationally and nationally at National Ballet of China, Hong Kong Ballet, Ballet West, Beijing Dance Academy, Colorado Ballet, and National Choreography Initiative.
After graduating with honors from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy Ballet department in 1986, Tong Wang performed as a principal artist with companies such as Shanghai Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Dayton Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and, most recently, Ballet West. He danced all the Romantic and Classical ballets and work by esteemed choreographers such as Balanchine, Ashton, Tudor, Hans Van Manen, Carnko, Culberg, just to name a few. Tong performed internationally and was featured in 2002 Winter Olympic Concert, Edinburgh Festival, and China International Dance Festival. While dancing professionally, Tong completed his B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Ballet Teaching and Choreography with the University of Utah Ballet Department and also worked as a guest faculty member from 2000-2005. From 2005-2007, Tong served as Assistant Professor of Dance at Wright State University. He held the position of Dance professor at Butler University from 2007-2011. In fall 2011, Tong joined the distinguished Dance Department of University of California, Irvine. Currently serving as an associate professor, Tong is one of the creators and artistic directors for East Meets West International Dance and Music Festival from 2016 to present. He is a regular Judge, coach, and master teacher for Star of Canaan Dance International Competition Malaysia and Singapore, and the Miami International Competition. Tong also serve on board of Pan American Chinese Dance Alliance, and the selection committee of the “My Heritage, My Dance”, a project to support and promote Chinese dance in higher education in the U.S. and abroad.
KRISTIN HAKALA
Ballet
Kristin Hakala began her professional career at the age of sixteen with Nashville Ballet, and later became a principal dancer with Ballet West, where she performed the title roles in numerous ballets such as “Sleeping Beauty”, Amadeo Amodio’s “Carmen”, Birgit Cullberg’s “Miss Julie”, Ronald Hynd’s “Rosalinda” and Ben Stevenson’s “Cinderella”, as well as a full range of contemporary, classical, and neoclassical works. Her experience includes the work of acclaimed choreographers such as George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Paul Taylor, Choo-san Goh, Hans Van Manen, and Jerome Robbins. She has performed internationally in China and Europe and has taught for institutions such as Ballet West, Maple Conservatory of Dance, UC Irvine, and Beijing Dance Academy, where she was invited as a Guest Professor. Kristin is also certified to teach yoga and Progressing Ballet Technique and she finds great joy in teaching dancers to be well rounded artists with healthy minds and bodies.
Photo by FPK Photography
LIZ CURTIS
Modern, Composition, Improvisation, Pilates
Liz Curtis is a dance educator, performer and filmmaker based in Long Beach, California. She currently teaches at Chapman University in Orange, CA and California State University, Long Beach where she received her M.F.A. in Dance.
She has experience teaching, performing and choreographing in both the commercial and concert dance worlds. Her performance experience includes concert works by Doug Varone, Gerald Casel, Michael Getman, Gloria Newman, John Pennington, Susan McLain, Cyrus Parker-Jeannette and Rebecca Bryant, and commercial work in film, television, music videos, international tours and Las Vegas shows. Her choreography has been presented on stage and television, conferences, and in screendance and site-specific works. Her work has also been produced nationally at dance festivals including the American College Dance Festival. Her dance films have screened in film festivals in Europe, Asia and throughout the U.S., including at New York’s 92Y.
Liz is a BASI-certified Pilates Instructor with Dance Specialization trained by Karen Clippinger, world-renowned author, researcher, and lecturer. Liz is also a graduate of The Sanford Meisner Center's Professional Acting Certificate Program in North Hollywood.
JESS TORRES
Lyrical/Jazz, Pilates, Yoga
Jessica Torres is an educator, choreographer, dancer, director, actor, and humorist. She received her MFA in Dance from UCI, her MaED at UOP, her BA at LMU, and her yoga certification under Srivatsa Ramaswami. Jess is Adjunct Faculty at Chapman University and Long Beach City College, Ballet Co Director at the School of Dance and Music, and directs her contemporary company, JESS HARPER & DANCERS. She was Senior Lecturer at LMU for many years, and has choreographed and taught for Chapman, LBCC, CSULA, UCI, AMDA, ACDA, POPs, many festivals, and international master classes. Jessi danced and choreographed professionally for METHOD, KAIROS, TONGUE, MULTIPLEX, and EARTH WIND & FIRE, to name a few. She received Lester Horton Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Company (TONGUE & METHOD), and has been nominated for Best Female Artist while dancing with METHOD. Her best creations are her two daughters. She feels blessed to live creatively, always with a sense of humor.
CATHY LOZANO
Gyrokinesis
Cathy Lozano’s teaching experience spans over 40 years. She has served as an instructor at California State University Fullerton, the Orange County High School of the Arts and at private studios in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater at California State University Fullerton and is a graduate of the American Tap Dance Institute in Washington, D.C.
As a choreographer and show director, Cathy’s work has been seen at the world premiere of Disney’s Hercules in New York City, the Disney production in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrating A Bug’s Life, and the Pasadena Rose Parade. She has also directed and staged live shows at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theater in conjunction with several Disney films including, Encanto, Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, , Lilo & Stitch, Pirates of the Caribbean 1 & 2.
Cathy has directed and/or choreographed The Main Street Electrical Parade, A Christmas Fantasy Parade and Blast to the Past. She is currently on the Entertainment Team for the Disney Studio Corporate Events.
Her curiosity about holistic approaches to movement and body mechanics, sent her on a path to become a massage therapist, followed by work in the GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS methods. Cathy now teaches both methodologies giving thanks to her inspiring master trainers Lisa Marie Goodwin, Donna Place, Alicia Head, Virginia Holte, and Domini Anne.
NATALIE ISCOVICH
Lyrical/Jazz, Pilates, Yoga
Natalie Iscovich (she/her) is a Los Angeles based professional choreographer, dancer, theatrical performer, and teacher. She most recently choreographed Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time with CCAE. As well as choreographed the world premiere of the new musical WITNESSES with CCAE Theatricals in 2022, and was awarded for her work with the production.
She has been working closely with LA Opera, and has served as resident choreographer and assistant director on seven operas for their LAO Connects program since 2021. As a performer she has been a part of various live productions, as well as film and television. Credits include: National Tours-(assistant choreographer) RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER Opera- MACBETH (LA Opera) AIDA (pacific symphony) Television- THE THUNDERMANS (Nick) Film- THE SOUND THE SOUL MAKES Regional -CABARET (MCRE) MAMMA MIA (associate choreographer) WEST SIDE STORY (MCRE) DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (MTW) THE FULL MONTY, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, TARZAN, SIDE SHOW, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL ( 3DT ) IN THE HEIGHTS, KISS ME KATE and BYE BYE BIRDIE (CMT).
She received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Chapman University. She is passionate about education and creating environments for dancers and people to become the best version of themselves. She is a certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor and has learned the importance of injury management and supporting artists with their physical and mental well being.
SATOMI KANAZAWA
Accompanist
Satomi Kanazawa was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She started learning piano with a private instructor at the age of three, and has now been playing as a ballet class accompanist for more than 15 years. She has worked with American Ballet Theatre, the ABT summer intensive, SAB summer intensive, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s summer intensive, Cal State University Long Beach, Chapman University, Orange County School of Arts, Anaheim Ballet, and Lauridsen Ballet Centre. She also obtained her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Economics at Soka University in Tokyo.
PATRICK DORAN-SHEERAN
Accompanist
Patrick Doran-Sheeran has enjoyed a three-decade career as a musician and composer for Dance, during which time he has worked with an impressive array of Dance teachers, choreographers and clinicians all over Southern California — from Santa Monica to Idyllwild and everywhere in between. He has taught Music for Dancers as both a semester-long course and an hour-long workshop for over twenty years. In addition to performing around the US in a successful tribute band, he has served as Musical Director for over fifty musicals; he also previously directed, produced and hosted a series of musical-comedy-variety shows in Hollywood, CA. Patrick is a member of the national honor society Phi Beta Kappa, is a Fulbright recipient, and holds a Master’s in Ethnomusicology and Music Composition from UC Riverside.
BRIAN WOOD
Accompanist
Brian Wood is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, song writer and healer. He has collaborated with live dance and theater artists throughout Orange County, LA and Japan as both composer and performer for over 20 years. Described as a “music Shaman,” Brian specializes in a unique form of improvisation that brings people into deep presence and facilitates self expression. He currently lends his talents to the dance departments of both Chapman University and CSU Long Beach as well as the Wooden Floor in Santa Ana. He holds a BA in music composition from the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara.
KIM OLMOS
Ballet, Summer Intensive Coordinator
Kim Olmos was born in El Paso, Texas and began her studies in Torrance, California with Diane Lauridsen. She was a member of South Bay Ballet, where she danced leading roles in original works by Charles Maple, John Christafori and Terri Lewis. Kim also studied with Gloria Newman, Gus Soloman and Rebecca Wright while earning her B.A. in Dance from California State University, Long Beach. She retired from Ballet Pacifica in 1994, where she had performed ballets by Peter Pucci, Anne Marie DeAngelo, Choo-San Goh, Lynn Taylor-Corbett and Molly Lynch. Kim was on the conservatory faculty for eight years and assumed the position of Ballet Pacifica Conservatory Registrar in 2004. Kim was also on the faculty at the Maple Conservatory of Dance in Irvine where she served as Director of Student Management. Ms. Olmos is an Instructor of Ballet at Chapman University and is currently the ballet mistress and company administrator for Backhausdance, Orange County's award-winning contemporary dance company.
CHIHIRO SANO
Yoga, BD Technique, BD Repertory
Chihiro Sano (she/her), originally from Japan, joined Backhausdance as an apprentice and has been a full company member since 2010. Since joining the company, Chihiro has performed at venues including McCallum Theater in Palm Desert, at Irvine Barclay Theater, at the American Dance Festival in North Carolina, Carpenter Center in Long Beach and Joyce Theater in New York City. She has worked as an assistant to Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus on freelance projects such as the East Valley Dance Project/Studio Project in Palm Desert, the Temecula Community Theater Dance Project and Trolley Dances Riverside. Chihiro currently serves as Education coordinator and is passionate about sharing her love of dance and yoga with people of all ages and abilities. Chihiro is excited to come back to BD as a performer after her health battle. She is so grateful for her kidney donor and her mother who donated her kidney in exchange.
KIRA BARTOLI
Pilates, Partnering, BD Repertory
Kira Bartoli, a Southern California native, began her dance training at the age of four. She furthered her studies at Chapman University where she received a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Business Administration. She is proud to be back at Chapman, now as faculty in the dance department. Kira served as the Dance Manager and a performer at Teatro Martini Dinner Cabaret Show and has performed in multiple Disneyland parades. Her most recent choreographic endeavors include music videos for JORDY, Cory Wong, and Cyrus Reynolds. Kira has performed works by choreographers Dwight Rhoden, Mauro Astolfi, Ido Tadmor, Ching Ching Wong, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Jhonathan Soutchy, and Shay Kuebler, among others. This is Kira’s sixth season with Backhausdance.
MO GOODFELLOW
Improvisation, Partnering, BD Repertory, BD Technique Assistant
Mo Goodfellow (she/they) is a lifelong performer and advocate for the arts. She is a graduate of Chapman University’s prestigious College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Dance as well as a BA in English Literature. Her artistic and professional goals work to combine her degrees in a career dedicated to arts innovation through performance, creation, and activism. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Mo has an intense passion for concert work, contact improvisation, and site-specific dance. Throughout her career she has had the privilege of working with Alice Klock and Florian Lochner of FLOCK Works, Kybele Dance Theater, Ido Tadmor, and Tommie-Waheed Evans. Mo is currently a dancer with Mackenzie Martin’s GEOMETRY as well as a company member and teaching artist with Backhausdance.
SOPHIA LANG
BD Technique Assistant
Sophia Lang, originally from Simi Valley, California, began dancing at the age of three. Her passion for dance led her to Chapman University, where she graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Business Administration. Since graduating, Sophia has worked and performed at several locations around Orange County including the Disneyland Resort and at the Teatro Martini Dinner Cabaret Show. She has had the opportunity to perform works by notable artists such as Dwight Rhoden, Ido Tadmor, Jennifer Backhaus, Amanda Kay White, and Tommie-Waheed Evans. This is Sophia’s fourth season with Backhausdance.
ADRIEN PADILLA
Composition, Partnering, BD Repertory, Special Lecture
Adrien Padilla is a dancer and choreographer residing in the small town of Rosemead, California. Padilla earned his BFA in Dance at Cal State Long Beach and Graduate Certificate in Arts and Culture Outreach and Advocacy at the University of Denver. Adrien is also a teaching artist within the BD education team helping spread the art of movement and dance to local communities and schools. Aside from dance, Adrien works behind the scenes as the assistant technical director of the Martha B Knoebel Dance Theater at CSULB, and is a photographer focusing on dance and conceptual photography as well as solitude art. Padilla has had the privilege to work with artists Keith Johnson, Dwight Rhoden, Norbert De La Cruz III, Whyteberg, Jessie Lee Thorne, and Tommie-Waheed Evans to name a few. This is Adrien’s sixth season with Backhausdance.
SAMMI WAUGH
Composition, BD Repertory, Student Liaison
Samantha Waugh (she/her) is a dance artist and educator working in Southern California. After moving from her hometown of Austin, Texas, she graduated from Chapman University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Passionate about arts education, Sammi has taught and created curriculum for private studios, community centers, and elementary schools across Southern California, and served as the Director of the Early Childhood Music and Dance program at OC Music & Dance for 3 years. In addition to assisting with the development of Backhausdance’s educational outreach programs, she currently is a part of the Dance Faculty at The Wooden Floor. Throughout her performance career, she has had the opportunity to work alongside many notable artists, including Dwight Rhoden, Ido Tadmor, Jennifer Backhaus, Sean Greene, Amanda Kay White, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Amy Morrow, and Nicole Hagen, among others. Samantha has performed in many project-based festivals around the LA area, and has presented her own choreographic and movement research works. This is Samantha’s sixth season with Backhausdance.