photo by Amanda Tipton

curriculum vitae

EDUCATION

University of Colorado, Boulder

MFA in Dance with a Graduate Certificate in Emergent Technologies and Media Arts Practices

Second Emphasis in Community Engagement and Somatics, May 2026

San Jose State University, California

Bachelor’s Degree in Dance May 2023

Distinction in Choreography and Performance

University Dance Theatre Company Member

American College Dance Association - UC Irvine

Modesto Junior College, California

Associates Degree in Dance August 2020

Emphasis in Choreography and Performance

Off Balance Dance Company Member

Jacob’s Pillow 2017

American College Dance Association ~ Arizona x2, Modesto, San Jose

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Instructor of Record

Beginning Contemporary: CU Boulder, 35 students, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

Beginning Jazz: CU Boulder, 30 students, Fall 2025

Dance in Popular Cultures and Media: CU Boulder, 70 students, Spring 2025

Hip-hop Dance History: CU Boulder. Teaching Assistant. 30 students, Spring 2024

Beginning Contemporary: CU Boulder, 30 students, Fall 2023

Dance in Pop Cultures and Media: CU Boulder. Teaching Assistant. 67 students, Fall 2023

Intermediate-Advanced Contemporary: CU Boulder. 30 students, Fall 2023

Dance Events Coordinator and Communications

University of Colorado, Boulder. Spring 2024 - Spring 2025

Appointed as Dance Events Coordinator and Communications for the Theatre and Dance Department which includes but is not limited to, artist management and support for visiting guest artists, coordinating masterclasses and auditions, weekly dance newsletter for the department, communicating with faculty and supporting them in grants, department events, supporting undergraduate students with fundraising, co-producing a student produced show every semester, distributing marketing online and in person, running social media, being responsible for supporting the department with any events and collaborations. Hosting a dance table for every dance concert and purchasing, setting up, and distributing snacks and beverages, flowers, informational packets for our opening night receptions. Being responsible for the Procurement card and department purchases as Dance Events Coordinator and Communications.

Additional Involvement at the University of Colorado Boulder

L.E.A.P.

University of Colorado Boulder. October 2023-Present

Working through a grant between CU Boulder and Boulder Valley School District.

Teach dance therapy classes to students with special education and physical needs, all in the Boulder Valley School District. These students have a variety of backgrounds and age groups. As the assigned teacher for a weekly or bi-weekly basis be able to engage students and assist in helping students cultivate confidence, be able to communicate with others and cultivate a safe space for these students to find joy and healing through movement and community.

BIPOC Faculty and Staff Mentoring Program: Fall 2024-Spring 2025

Participating in the third cohort that connects BIPOC faculty and graduate students to build a larger network and support one another as we find our grounding in Boulder, CO.

Graduate Mentor and Mentee Program: Fall 2024-Spring 2025

Participating as a mentor to two mentees with the graduate school. Offer support to incoming grad students and do monthly check ins. Connect with grads about grad life, responsibilities, managing workload with mental, physical, and emotional well being. Provide resources as needed.

Engaged Arts and Humanities Community Engagement Cohort: 2024-2026

Participating in this cohort of six to further engage communities with my research. Interview community leaders, learn practices and techniques to implement research. Produce three community events to further research and collaboration.

ACE Grant Committee Fall 2024-Spring 2025

The Arts and Cultural Enrichment Committee (ACE) supports artists and educators in the department of Theatre and Dance. This grant supports funding in support of visiting guest artists and musicians who will directly work with THDN students in a production. My role is to support in bringing in guest artists and voting on grants in collaboration with other ACE representatives.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Boulder City and Arts Council - Leadership Pipeline Grant, 2025-2026

Center for Arts & Humanities, Hazel Barnes Flat, UK, November 2025, CU Boulder

Center for Arts & Humanities, Summer Fellowship, June 2025, CU Boulder

Center for Arts & Humanities, Engaged Artists & Scholars Fellowship, May 2024, CU Boulder

Onye Ozuzu Scholarship, CU Boulder, August 2024

Humanities and Arts Award Winner, Choreography, Modesto Junior College, 2017

Stanislaus County Poetry Contest, 2010, Modesto, California

PERFORMANCES

Dhadkan (Heartbeat) An Offering in Time, CU Boulder, October 2025

Soundworks, CU Boulder, February 2025

Jawanii, Home is Where the Olive Trees Grow, October 2024

Fresh, Kajra Re, CU Boulder, April 2024

Katarina Lott Dance Thesis, October 2023

Senior Portfolio, San Jose State University, May 2023

Flourishing, University Dance Theatre, San Jose State University, April 2023

American College Dance Association, UC Irvine, March 2023

Emerging, University Dance Theater, San Jose State University, November 2022

Rendered, San Jose State University, April 2022

Senior Portfolio, San Jose State University, April 2022

La Pena Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA, Women’s Empowerment Event, March 2022

National Association of School of Dance, San Jose State University, February 2022

Revealed, San Jose State University, April 2021

American College Dance Association, Arizona State University 2019

Kim T. Davis, Dancing at The Park, San Francisco 2018

American College Dance Association, San Jose State University 2018

Manpreet Toor, Akh Lad Jave, 2018

American College Dance Association, Modesto Junior College 2017

Jacob’s Pillow, Modesto Junior College 2017

Kim T. Davis, Dancing at The Park, San Francisco 2017

American College Dance Association, Arizona State University 2016

CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKS

Dhadkan (Heartbeat) October 2025

Jawani, University of Colorado Boulder. October 2024

Home is Where the Olive Trees Grow, University of Colorado Boulder. October 2024

Naina, University of Colorado Boulder. May 2024

Threaded Through Belonging, University of Colorado Boulder. October 2023

Woven, San Jose State University. November 2022

Mended Moments, San Jose State University. April 2022

Thirst, Fijiana Productions. February 2022

Swept Away, San Jose State University. February 2022

Dhak Dhak / Sanskari, Commissioned by Fijiana Productions. April 2021

Special Affair, Independently produced. February 2021

Kehna Hi Kya, Independently produced. January 2021

Forces, Modesto Junior College. May 2019

The Decay, Modesto Junior College. May 2019

SELECTED DANCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION

New Dialect, Nashville Tennessee, Summer 2023

Trained with various artists and educators for three weeks including Baye and Asa, Kendra Portier, Kayla Farrish, Peter Chuthis…

Bates Dance Festival, Lewiston Maine, Summer 2023

Trained with various movement and pedagogy dance educators and artists for two weeks including Kimani Fowlin, Gesel Mason, Dr. Nyama Mcarthy-Brown

African: Philip Agyapong, Nii Armah Sowah, Step Afrika, Kimani Fowlin

Ballet: Colleen Patterson, Mark Foehringer, Raphael Boumaila

Composition: Lori Bryhni, Kim T Davis, Gesel Mason, Diane Frank, Michelle Ellsworth

Contact Improvisation: Makisig Akin, Anya Cloud, Chrissy Nelson, Nita Little, Kim T Davis, Jenni Hong

Contemporary: Hope Mohr, Kristen Damrow, Lauren Beale, Camille A Brown, Cameron McKinney, Shlomit Fundaminsky, Baye and Asa, Chafin Seymour, Kayla Farrish, Peter Chu, Chrissy Nelson, Kim T Davis, Helanius J Wilkins

Countertechnique: Samuel Melecio-Zambrano

Hip Hop: Chafin Seymour, Keith Pinto, Larry Southall, Rennie Harris, Kim T Davis, Ruthie Fantaye

Jazz: Kim T Davis, Dominique Serapio, Jill Yager, Kimani Fowlin

Modern: Maria Basille, Heather Cooper, Kim T Davis, Twyla Tharp Company, Maleek Washington

Pedagogy: Dominique Serapio, Dr. Nyama McCarthy-Brown, Gesel Mason, Anya Cloud, Michelle Ellsworth

Improvisation: Anya Cloud, Jenni Hong, Kim T Davis, Raphael Boumaila, Chrissy Nelson,

WORKING EXPERIENCE

CU Boulder Graduate Student and Instructor, August 2023-Present

CU Boulder Recreation Center, Mind Body Fitness Instructor, January 2023-December 2023

Koru Yoga Studio, Yoga Teacher. Riverbank, California. October 2022-May 2023

In-Shape Health Clubs, Yoga Teacher. June 2022-May 2023

City of Riverbank, Dance and Yoga for Beginners. June 2022-May 2023

City of Ceres, Dance and Yoga for Beginners. June 2022-September 2022

Choreographer, Creative Director, Set Assistant. Fijiana Productions. February 2021-April 2021

Young Champions, Hip Hop, Kids ages 6-12. Fremont, California. August 2013- August 2014

References available upon request.