NANCY COLAHAN, native Californian, received her early ballet training from Dimitri and Francesca Romanoff, and later in New York City trained with Maggie Black for seventeen years.    She performed with Ailey II, Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project and American Repertory Dance Company.   Nancy’s fFreelance work included film, opera, and solo projects.    Currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theater and Dance at UCSB, she teaches all levels of modern technique while finessing her choreographic skills with various creative projects.
 

​

JANET EILBER is the Artistic Director of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance where she has focused on creating new forms of audience access to the Graham masterwork through thematic programming, use of new media, varied partnerships, commissions and creative events. She has also remixed Graham choreography and created new staging in the Graham style.   Earlier in her career, she was a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company dancing many of Graham’s greatest roles and had roles created for her by Graham.     Eilber was co-founder of American Repertory Dance Company.

​

​

BONNIE ODA HOMSEY (Click here for her biography.)

​

​

MICHELE SIMMONS, a graduate of the New York High School of Performing Arts, was a soloist with the companies of Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, and George Faison.   She appeared in many films including The Wiz, Funny Lady, and Bednobs and Broomsticks.   Her choreography included work for The Kennedy Center, Mark Taper Forum, and for stage, screen, and television for luminaries Lena Horne, Lola Falana, Stevie Wonder, and Janet Jackson.   Now retired, Simmons was a noted Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine specializing in dance and sports injuries in Southern California, and served on the faculty at Cleveland Chiropractic College.



RISA STEINBERG is currently the Associate Director of Dance at The Juilliard School.  She has been an active member of the dance community for over 35 years.    As a solo artist, teacher, rehearsal coach, and director of the works of José Limón, she has toured the world performing and teaching extensively. The former principal dancer with the José Limón Dance Company has also performed with Bill Cratty Dance Theater, Annabelle Gamson, Anna Sokolow's Player's Project, Colin Connor, and American Repertory Dance Company of Los Angeles.    Additionally, she has been a guest artist with choreographers including Wally Cardona, Sean Curran, and Danzahoy of Caracas, Venezuela.