SYDNEY BURTIS is a multidisciplinary artist based in NYC. Some of her credits include SYTYCD, Billy Elliot, and Dorrance Dance. She is an Artist in Residence at The American Tap Dance Foundation, a YoungArts Silver Award Winner, and an alumnus of Jacob’s Pillow, and Pace University. Sydney founded her tap company “Elements of Sound” in 2022, and has presented works at Choreographer’s Carnival, Battery Dance Fest, Arts on Site, and more. Sydney is a passionate teacher and teaches tap dance at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. She is deeply grateful for her mentor’s guidance, inspiration, and endless support. @Sydi11

STARLA EDWARDS, a dynamic Dancer and Choreographer from Birmingham, Alabama, is fueled by an unwavering commitment to artistic expression. Holding a BFA in Dance from George Mason University, she hones her skills alongside renowned artists, interpreting the works of visionaries like Andonis Foniadikis, Kyle Abraham, and Camille A. Brown. Each collaboration enriches her captivating stage presence. Currently, she thrives as a dancer/storyteller with Camille A. Brown & Dancers, showcasing her journey of rhythm and grace. Starla's artistry is a vibrant celebration of movement, driven by passion and purpose, inspiring future generations with narratives that resonate deeply.

RACHEL LOCKHART (she/her) is a Birmingham, Alabama native who began her dance training at the J. Lockhart Performing Arts Institute under the guidance of her mother. Immersed in a variety of dance genres from an early age, Rachel honed her skills and passion for the art. She is an alumna of  The Alabama School of Fine Arts and a recent graduate of The Juilliard School in New York, where she earned her BFA in Dance.
Throughout her career, Rachel has had the privilege of performing works by some of the most esteemed choreographers in the world, including Robert Battle, Ohad Naharin, Sidra Bell, Rena Butler, Wayne McGregor, Sonya Tayeh, Norbert De La Cruz, Jawole Zollar, Jermaine Spivey, and Spenser Theberge. In addition to her performance work, Rachel has developed a strong interest in choreography, creating pieces that address a range of worldly issues and cultural experiences. Her choreographic works have been featured in prestigious events such as the 2023 Dance Magazine Awards, Dance Against Cancer Youth Movement, The Dance Theatre of Harlem Open House, and Juilliard Choreographic Honors.
Rachel's versatility as a dancer has led her to notable appearances on both stage and screen. She premiered on So You Think You Can Dance Season 17 and appeared in CBS's series East New York. Following her graduation from Juilliard, Rachel performed in the MET Opera's production of The Life and Times of Malcolm X and appeared at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards alongside singer Doja Cat. Most recently, she made her Broadway debut in the Sufjan Stevens musical Illinoise, directed and choreographed by Justin Peck. Rachel has also showcased her talents on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and was nominated for a Chita Rivera Award for ‘Outstanding Dancer In A Broadway Show’.
Grateful for the continuous support she receives, Rachel is committed to inspiring others to pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance, believing that anything is possible with dedication and hard work.

DUAL RIVET is a women-led dance company focused on creating and sharing highly physical contemporary dance to a wide audience. Based in NYC, Dual Rivet creates work for stage and film that exchanges a cinematic and visceral language to influence both platforms. Directors Jessica Smith and Chelsea Ainsworth have been making and presenting work since 2017. They have performed and set work at Festival PRISMA (Panama), Centro Cultural Los Talleres (Mexico), Barnard College/Columbia University, Sam Houston State University, Oklahoma International Dance Festival, Austin Dance Festival, Joe's Pub, West End Theatre, Kittery Maine, Musikfest Pennsylvania, Gibney Dance, Peridance Capezio Center, CreateArt, Arts On Site and many more. The company teaches a myriad of classes, throughout the United States and internationally, with an emphasis on contemporary partnering and floorwork. Dual Rivet is currently on faculty at The Juilliard School, Gibney, Peridance, SUNY Purchase, Marymount Manhattan College, and Adelphi University. The company hosts an annual choreography festival, MADE BY WOMEN, highlighting women choreographers and filmmakers from around the globe. For more info: www.dualrivetdance.com @dualrivet

JESSICA SMITH (she/they) is a New York City based dancer from New Orleans, Louisiana. She studied at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, London Contemporary Dance School, and received her BFA in dance from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College. She has performed with companies such as Punchdrunk's Sleep No More NYC, Vim Vigor Dance Company, ZviDance and Kizuna Dance. She continues to teach and set work at schools, festivals, and training programs throughout the U.S. and internationally. Jessica was one of eight choreographers chosen for The Jacob's Pillow Ann and Weston Hicks Choreographic Fellowship in 2022. She was the Associate Director of Arts On Site NYC, a non-profit arts organization, for 4 years. Jessica is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Dual Rivet, a highly physical contemporary dance company based in NYC. Jessica is currently on Faculty at The Juilliard School, Purchase College, Gibney and Marymount Manhattan College.

CHELSEA AINSWORTH is a graduate of the Dance Department of The Juilliard School.  After graduating she worked with Johannes Wieland/StaatstheaterKassel in Germany, Lorena Egan, Flexicure, Amber Sloan, Bryn Cohn + Artists and was on the modern/ballet dance faculty at Cap21 musical theater school and Chen DanceCenter. Currently she is dancing with The Bang Group, as well as ZviDance. She’s also the co-founder and Executive Director of Arts On Site, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting artists of all disciplines by offering affordable studio space and hosting monthly events to encourage community collaboration.  She also built and curates residencies at a retreat and residency center in the Shawangunk mountains in upstate New York. In 2020 she joined the Dance Advisory Board of Marymount Manhattan College.

KANAMI KUSAJIMA is a dancer / performing artist / choreographer originally from Japan. She received a BFA degree in Dance from SUNY Purchase College in 2020. She has performed in dance works by various choreographers, including Francesca Harper, Yoshiko Chuma and Ana Maria Lucaciu. Since November 2020, she's been performing at Washington Square Park and known as “Let Hair Down,” a performer who combines live painting and improvisational dance. Her unique style of performing art drew the attention of different media, such as Voice of America, New York Magazine, The Guardian, AM New York, and PIX11 News, among many others.