Urbanity X
Urbanity’s annual residency program, Urbanity X, aims to elevate promising movement artists to the next level in their careers by providing multi-layered support, including dedicated rehearsal space, a substantial stipend, a performance opportunity, technical support, administrative support, and mentorship.
Urbanity X is possible due to the generous support of the Granville Community Foundation.
Urbanity X Program Details
Urbanity X aims to provide foundational support for budding artistic talent and serve as an incubator for new or in-process work. Each resident artist will receive:
- An upfront $1,000 stipend
- 30 hours of dedicated studio space
- Access to Urbanity's office space, supplies, and technology
- An archival video recording of their work
- Resident artists will also be able to show their work at Urbanity's Central studio location, if they wish to have a public performance or showing. If there is a public-facing event, Urbanity will assist with the marketing, provide technical support, and offer access to Urbanity’s costume collection.
2024 Urbanity X Artists
MoveLikeZay
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.
Katina McClain
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.
DiggityDom
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
Mira Göksel
Mira Göksel is a composition and education invested movement artist from Izmir, Turkey, currently existing on the land of the Massachusett and Pawtucket Peoples. They have had the pleasure of sharing their work at freeskewl, BAAD!, and WESTFEST in NY, Boston WiP, and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee MainStage in MA. Göksel teaches for BalletRox, Movement Meets through Urbanity Dance, and Abilities Dance Boston, and co-coordinates both interdisciplinary improvisational jam PLAYSPACE, and showcase Moment's Notice, with Olivier Besson. Mira is currently engaged in work as Rehearsal Director for BCA Dancemaker Residency grantees Laila J. Franklin and Simon Montalvo. They hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance Performance, with an emphasis is Dance Composition; from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Avree Gunderson
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.
Past Urbanity X Artists
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.
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.
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.
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".