Cassie Wang is a Cambridge-based performer and interdisciplinary dancemaker. Her work lives on a spectrum between the hyperliteral and the poetic; each project becomes a lens to interrogate relationality and her sense of self. She’s inspired by chance existential intimacy—moments of unexpected closeness with meaning. Cassie’s research centers on longing as both subject and method, conceptualizing longing as distance (emotional, geographic, temporal).

Cassie is a movement researcher with Partnering Lab and a principal dancer with KAIROS Dance Theater. Other recent performance credits include work with the Boston Lyric Opera, the Slutcracker, Emmanuel Music, Shura Baryshnikov, and Ilya Vidrin. Cassie was a 2025 danceWEB Scholar at ImPulsTanz, a 2024–25 Next Steps for Boston Dance grantee, and has received the Dancemakers and Dance Lab Residencies at Boston Center for the Arts. Her work has been in residence at Bearnstow and Jacob’s Pillow and presented by Motion State Arts, Asian American Ballet Project, Resilience Dance Company, and MIDDAY Movement. Cassie worked as a teaching assistant in Dance at Harvard University and earned a BA from Pomona College in Computer Science with minors in Dance and Media Studies.

Cassie believes in the universe and the inextricable intertwinement of creative process and life. She misses the wide sky she grew up with in Kansas, and the frozen custard. Keep up with her at @cass_creating/www.cassiewang.com. 

Jassi Murad is an inter-disciplinary dance artivist, healer, teacher and student. Grown in Jerusalem, Palestine— they perceive Art as a means of creative resistance against racial capitalism, and Expression as a tool of healing in community. Their  practice is guided by a research of intersectional liberation through Somatic Abolition and co-creation of alternative realities. They have a BA in Contemporary Dance and Performance from PERA Cyprus, 200hr YTT, Reiki II, 10hr Kids YTT. They are currently dancing locally with Danza Organica, teaching with Abilities Dance, Yoga and pop-up workshops, freelancing globally, and administrating for Free Gaza Circus.

Zaquia Luisa Salinas is a dance artist invested in movement as an act of reclamation and world-building. Her work engages diasporic memory, practices for collective liberation, and interdisciplinary form, centering collaboration and response-ability. She works as a performer, choreographer, educator, curator, administrator, and organizer. Originally from San Diego, Zaquia is the founder of DISCO RIOT (est. 2018), a nonprofit supporting the growth of the local dance ecosystem. In 2023, she received San Diego’s inaugural Far South/Border North award for artists working in socially engaged practice. She is currently a Resident Curator at ODC Theater in San Francisco, teaches in higher education, and is developing Ephemeral Artery, a platform supporting creative practice and project development. Learn more at ZaquiaSalinas.com and EphemeralArtery.org.

Laila J. Franklin is a multidisciplinary dance artist based in ancestral Naumkeag, Massachusett, Pawtucket land (Boston, Massachusetts), by way of ancestral Nacotchtank and Piscataway land (Washington, DC.)

She is interested in meta-commentary, deconstruction, and bits, approaching themes surrounding the human experience with nuance, curiosity, physical rigor, and humor. Her work extends from lineages of traditional and experimental Black, queer dance makers, with a particular interest in the collision of postmodernist creation frameworks and story ballet.

Laila’s work has been commissioned by Brown University, Salem State University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Urbanity Dance Company, and shared through Public Space One (IA), Sideways Door Festival (MA), Cotuit Dance Festival (MA), Brooklyn Art Haus (NY), School of Contemporary Dance and Thought (MA), Movement Research at The Judson Church (NY), Philadelphia Fringe Festival (PA) and Motion State Arts (RI). She has been the recipient of a Boston Center for the Arts' Run of the Mills Residency (2022), Dancemakers Laboratory Residency (2022/2023), and Boston Dancemakers Residency (2023/2024). She was featured in Art New England Magazine as a 2023 Emerging Artist and in Dance Magazine as one of their 2024 "25 to Watch".

While completing her master's degree, Laila received an Iowa Arts Fellowship (2019-2021), and post-grad, she served as a Dance/USA Archiving and Preservation Fellow (2023) to Jennifer Harge/HargeDanceStories in Detroit, MI, and continues to contribute to her archival research. She has served as a dramaturg for detritus dance (MA) and an archival research assistant to Stew Stewart at Harvard University.

As a performer, Laila’s credits include projects with Miguel Gutierrez, Dr. Christopher-Rasheem McMillan, Melinda Jean Myers, Stephanie Miracle, Ruckus Dance (MA), and detritus dance (MA). While an undergraduate student, Laila had the opportunity to perform as a featured dancer in works by Keith Thompson, Aszure Barton, and Mark Morris.

Laila has been working as a teaching artist since 2018. She has taught community dance class series and shared lectures and workshops in the Greater Boston Area, most prominently with Midday Movement Series and VLA Dance. She has served as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Iowa and was a Visiting Lecturer in Music and Dance at Salem State University (MA). Expanding on her work in education, she also serves as a consultant and collaborator for social justice education projects and programming for Midday Movement Series. In summers, Laila serves on the Youth Dance Intensive Mentorship team at Bates Dance Festival, this upcoming year serving as the Residential Director.

Laila holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Iowa, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance Performance from The Boston Conservatory, and she is a proud almuna of the dance department of Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DC), where she studied under the direction of Charles Augins. She has completed additional training through the Trinity Laban Conservatoire (LDN), the Lion's Jaw Dance and Performance Festival (MA), Movement Research (NY), The Field Center (VT), and the Bates Dance Festival (ME).

When Laila is not making dances, she is making coffee. When she is not making coffee, she is hanging out with her cat, Roberta Blondell.

Founded in 2019, Project Criss Cross (CxC) is a collective of individuals dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration, and community within the Boston dance scene. What began as a small project has grown into a thriving team of over 30 dancers, united by a shared passion for dance and training in styles such as hip hop, locking, house, freestyle, and street jazz. Over the years, Project Criss Cross has also performed at numerous showcases across New England, including Funk’tion, Noyze, Connect, and Prelude East Coast.
Beyond performance, Project Criss Cross is deeply committed to community involvement and artistic development. The team has hosted over 100 “Reboot” sessions – accessible, community-led choreography and freestyle workshops – and 7 bi-annual “Open Rehearsal” events, which invite Boston dancers of all backgrounds to showcase their original works. These events aim to promote empowerment through structured skill-building and create intimate, inclusive spaces in which dancers of all levels can explore creative expression. By celebrating diversity, encouraging experimentation, and amplifying local talent, Project Criss Cross strives to strengthen the social and artistic networks of the Boston dance community.

Kerry Thompson is the Founding Executive Director of Silent Rhythms Inc. Kerry has been a Latin dancer since 2002 performing in Barcelona, Boston, Havana, Honolulu, Kigali, Miami, New York City, Paris, and Stamford. She was a founding member of the Boston Rueda Dance Company and previously a member of the MetaMovements Dance Company. She continues a longstanding collaboration with MetaMovements, teaching at the Salsa In The Park summer series. She has produced three popular series, Inclusion 101, Inclusive Movements, and Inclusive Creativity. She has pioneered dance inclusion programs such as the Salsa-ASL class and Dance-ASL project. At a young age, Kerry was diagnosed as profoundly deaf then diagnosed a few years later. Aside from her dance commitments, Kerry is a renowned global inclusion expert and human rights changemaker, having provided guidance to the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other government agencies and philanthropic organizations, advancing rights for persons with disabilities. Kerry was named a 2020 Visiting Artist for the Harvard Dance Center and a 2014 Marshall Memorial fellow. She has received a Master’s degree from Harvard University in Human Development and Psychology.

Ana began dancing at age four in San Juan, Puerto Rico, inspired by the stories shared by her creative movement teacher. This early spark quickly led her from recreational dance to formal training at a ballet conservatory. Seeking broader opportunities, she joined Andanza, where she focused on contemporary dance and began exploring choreography.

Her experiences in Puerto Rico led her to pursue a BFA in Contemporary Dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she recently graduated. During her time there, she created original works such as Mujeres, Playa Baby, and Y ya No Somos, among others. Beyond her academic work, she choreographed for various musicians and developed solos, duets, and ensemble pieces showcased in New York, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, and Boston.

Now based in Boston, Ana is beginning her journey as a freelance artist, teacher, and choreographer—continuing to develop her voice as a creator and performer.

Avree Gundersen originates from West Brookfield, Massachusetts. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in Dance with a minor in Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness and certification in Dance Studio Management. Under the WMU Department of Dance, she studied ballet, jazz, and modern technique and was selected to be a part of the department’s 2019-2020 touring ensemble Western Dance Project where she had the opportunity to perform work by faculty member Seyong Kim and Dong-Won Lee in both Goyang International Dance Festival and Deagu International Dance Festival in South Korea in fall of 2019. She was also part of the original cast of Yin Yue’s work set on both WMU students and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company together. Additionally, she has performed works by guest artists Aszure Barton, Yin Yue, Tsai-Hsi Hung, Jennifer Archibald, Jackie Nowicki, and Cat Manturuk, as well as faculty members Kelsey Paschich, David Curwen, and Seyong Kim. At WMU, Avree represented her class as the President of the Orchesis Dance Society.

Founded in 2017, Afrobeats Dance Boston is a dance company that focuses on Contemporary African music (African Pop Music). Afrobeats is a catch-all term created by a DJ from the United Kingdom but reflects a current Pan African spirit and movement towards Africa.

We were created from this very spirit and our name represents the momentum and energy of the community.

Afrobeats is infused with both the music and dance of Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Senegal, Black America, and so many other regions of the diaspora.

Afrobeats as a genre radiates throughout our people.

Afrobeats Dance Boston holds regularly scheduled dance classes, hosts guest instructors from around the world and hosts an Afrobeats party. We have classes for beginners (all levels!) and an internal unit prepared for different event and performance inquiries. Classes involve learning technical skills and fundamental movement. Our focus is learning, teaching, and performing Afrobeats dance styles as we connect ourselves to the spirit of Africa, and the joy that comes from it. We also develop and build core strength, stamina, rhythmic sensibility, and most importantly build community.We build community and communal fun in a way that is accessible to the people.

Dominic “Diggity Dom” Glaude is an Afro-Caribbean queer trans man that uses music and dance as an outlet and source of emotional support and self-care. He grew up in a musical family where he learned how to play piano, drums, sing, and produce his own songs. In 4th grade, he joined the Berklee City Music Program, then went to Boston Arts Academy and focused on Music Technology. Later on, Dominic graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music dual majoring in Music Production & Engineering and Music Business/Management with a minor in Commercial Record Production. In 2021, he put out his first E.P. "Light of Mind" which focuses on self-care and finding yourself. Currently, he runs "Diggity Dom Entertainment LLC" where he provides production, recording, mixing, and music lessons as well as artist development services. Diggity Dom strives to help people thru music and media. Get Diggy with Dom today at www.diggitydom.com

Jeryl Palana Pilapil-Brown, is a Filipino- American choreographer, dancer and educator. Since graduating from Dean College with her B.A. as a dancer major, she has traveled throughout the states and abroad to Canada, London, Barcelona and Japan to immerse herself in various dance styles; the main ones being contemporary, floorwork, street styles and heels. Jeryl now dedicates her time teaching and sharing with students of all ages throughout New England and is honored to be associate director of the Cambridge Youth Dance Program of Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center. She aims to bring diverse groups of people together through her dance company Art UnEarths and by organizing annual events like “The Hip Hop Exchange” dance festival.

Jose Cuadra, is a gay, immigrant dancer from Nicaragua and dancer in the Boston community for over 20 years. He is trained in Zouk, Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa and Argentine Tango.
During his journey in dance he was introduced to switching roles while learning Argentine Tango and fell in love. He now leads and follows all dances and has evolved his language of dance.

He decided to be a brazilian zouk instructor and organizer after many years of discrimination and prejudice in the dance community.
His experiences lit a fire under his spirit to make changes.

A now certified brazilian zouk instructor and organizer in Boston has created performance teams and events that highlight, embrace, educate and open minds. He likes to show the possibilities and differences that are not perceived as the norm in the dance world.

Juanita Pearl is an actor, dancer, choreographer, arts educator, and fitness professional whose work lives at the intersection of performance, storytelling, and community. A graduate of Pace University’s Commercial Dance program, she has built a multifaceted career in both Boston and New York City, working as a performing artist and teacher.

As an actor, Juanita recently appeared as Peggy in the acclaimed film The Holdovers. Her acting journey is shaped by training at the Michael Chekhov Actors Studio Boston and supported by years of movement study and stage experience, which bring depth, presence, and physicality to the roles she takes on.

Her dance foundation includes formal study in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Hip Hop, with a deep dedication to the Afro-diasporic roots of urban dance. This curiosity for lineage and how movement is passed down and transformed through generations, informs her work as both performer and educator. As a choreographer, she has created work for Wheelock Family Theatre and continues to bring her creative voice into collaborative projects across disciplines.

In the classroom and studio, Juanita is known for her vibrant, grounded, and joyful approach, encouraging students to embrace both discipline and play. She thrives on creating spaces where art is both rigorous and liberating, and where culture, history, and individuality are celebrated.

I plan to use these funds on a journey of rediscovery. Attending Pilates classes to support healing and address physical imbalances, while also taking time to explore movement more deeply. This process will allow me to redevelop my choreographic voice and refine my teaching style, so I can return to my communities with renewed clarity, strength, and creativity.

As an artist, educator, and organizer my artist vision centers around community, with the goal of uplifting of our youth, honoring and appreciating our elders, and all beings who are part of our collective. The mission of my performance company has shifted to a community based model that focuses on the use of movement as a tool for healing and empowering the individual in order to uplift and support their communities. 

Mira Göksel (they/them) is an interdisciplinary movement artist from Izmir, TR, currently existing on the land of the Massachusett and Pawtucket Peoples, colonially referred to as Boston, MA. Göksel has had the pleasure of sharing their work at freeskewl, BAAD!, and WESTFEST in NY, Mobius, WiP by MELLE, The Boston Conservatory MainStage in MA, and RIWCP ’24 in RI. They teach with Abilities Dance Boston, Movement Meets through Urbanity Dance Center, BalletRox, is a Guest Short Series teacher with Midday Movement Series, and works alongside Olivier Besson to co-coordinates both interdisciplinary improvisational jam PLAYSPACE, and interdisciplinary improvisational showcase Moment's Notice. In their work as a Rehearsal Director, Mira has worked with Laila J. Franklin, Simon Montalvo, Daniel Pelzig, and as a student RD in assistance to Maria Bauman and Leslie Koval *resetting Shelter, by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. They hold a BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance with an emphasis in Composition from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Isiah “MoveLikeZay” is a dedicated dancer, choreographer, and Teacher born and raised in Boston, MA. He has over 15 yrs of experience in the dance/ entertainment industry ranging from community event to movies, music videos, artist development, and touring. He has taught for many years to students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds , which has made his open “WedneZay” class one of Boston’s most sought after classes. His classes are open to everyone and he strives to inspire everyone that walks through the door to dance with freedom, confidence, and passion. He created a team of dancers under “MLZMvMnT” for movers to be able have a group of dancers to dance and perform with when given the opportunity.

While pole dance has become most of their identity, Olivia Moon is also a photographer, sock-lover, martini enthusiast, princess, and simp. Based in Boston, Olivia is curious about pushing boundaries and buttons of all sorts; WBUR named her as one of 15 artists of color making an impact in Boston. It’s the closest to 30 under 30 she’ll ever get. With movement and visual arts as vehicles, Olivia finds nourishment beyond herself where weightlessness meets seemingly impossible feats. Through an experimental approach to pole dance, they use the pole as a vessel for exploring genderless sensuality and creating flows and shapes that are open to interpretation. 

For her Urbanity X residency, Olivia is researching movement prompts for her group pole performance piece to premiere in Spring of 2026. These prompts will be shared with four other pole dancers in upcoming rehearsal periods to aid their choreographic process. The Urbanity space has also helped Olivia create new solo sets for upcoming fall performances.

Rachel Linsky is a Boston-based contemporary dance artist. She holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography from Elon University where she graduated summa cum laude in 2019. For the past six years, Rachel has been directing and choreographing ZACHOR, an ongoing series that seeks to preserve Holocaust survivor testimony through dance. In the past three years, Rachel has also been choreographing works for klezmer music that fuse elements of Yiddish dance into her contemporary practice. 

Rachel has presented choreography at venues throughout Boston including the Boston Center for the Arts, the New England Conservatory, The Huntington Theater, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She has presented dance films in national and international festivals such as Earl Mosely’s Diversity of Dance “Dance is Activism Film Festival,” the Prague International Film Festival, and many more. 

Rachel was a recipient of NEFA’s New Works New England Grant in 2022, a 2022–23 JArts and CJP Community Creative Fellow, a member of the 2023–24 Next Steps for Boston Dance cohort, and was most recently awarded a fellowship through the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture for the 2025–26 season. In addition to her choreographic work, Rachel dances with KAIROS Dance Theater and teaches Contemporary, Ballet, and Yiddish dance workshops throughout the Boston area.

Through the Urbanity X Residency, Rachel will be diving into the next layers of her research integrating elements of Yiddish folk dance into her contemporary practice. She will be focusing on cultivating tools to create genuine live dialogue between dancers and musicians, rooted in embodying the specific ornamentation and improvisation style of klezmer music. She is excited to be collaborating with a phenomenal cast of dancers for this new work including Gabriela Amy-Moreno, Imani Deal, Isabelle "Izzi" King, and Leah Misano. Keep your eyes out, in the coming months Rachel will be hosting some free workshops as part of this residency for dancers in the community to get involved in the research! 

Headshot by Nicole Volpe

Boaz "Statix" Deceus is an upcoming Dancer from Boston, I specialize in street dance, such as Krump, Hip Hop and popping. I've performed and done competitions in the greater Boston area. I've traveled and danced in Texas, New York, California, Minnesota and other states. I've taught at Urbanity and other studios as well, My goal as a dancer is to teach and show people the street dance culture, and how they can use it as therapy. My motto in life is "Practice makes progress".

Tarikh Campbell is the Executive Director of The CONcept ARTists Dance Company. He has also co-founded dance collectives such as Side Project, Project Nailz, and Weapons of MASS. Throughout his career, Tarikh has performed with many local companies, including The Company at Stiggity East, Pictures In Concrete, Bosstown, Static Noyze, Tribe The Dance Company, ConnXion, and Ridonkulous. He has also presented original works at events such as World of Dance, Elements, Prelude, Noyze, Connect, Open House, L.A.B.S., Reignbow, Revive, The Dance Complex, Green Street Studios, and Onstage Dance. As an industry performer, Tarikh has opened for musical artists Omarion and The Dream, choreographed for Yanina Johnson, Makio Matthews, and Gilbert Vargas, danced for Elae Weekes, J.A.B.S., and Erene Glimenakis, and appeared in "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody." As a traveling instructor, he has been on faculty for Masters of Mayhem, Elite Academy of Dance Boot Camp, CommVention, E.S.D.R., Diva Dance Competition, the Harvard Dance Center, Endicott College, and many local studios. Tarikh was also a director and executive producer of the annual CONcentrate On The ARTistry urban arts showcase in Somerville, MA from 2016-2019. To this day, Tarikh continues to create, teach, and grow alongside artists of all kinds.