Carolina Quirós is a highly skilled dancer, choreographer, and teacher with a deep passion for the arts. She began her dance journey at the age of 6 and has performed with renowned companies in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Charlotte (USA). Carolina's expertise spans various dance styles including Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Acrobatics, and aerial arts such as Silks, Lyra, and Harness. Her talent and dedication have led her to become a beloved teacher at prestigious institutions in Charlotte. In addition to her impressive dancing career, Carolina has a talent for choreography. Her work has been showcased at prestigious theaters and outdoor venues in Costa Rica and El Salvador, UK and USA. In 2022, Carolina was awarded a Choreography Residency Project in Charlotte, and began choreographing for the Baran Dance Company during the same year. She has also collaborated with Satarah Productions to create mesmerizing aerial shows, showcasing her creativity and versatility. Carolina's unwavering commitment to her craft and her ability to connect with audiences and students alike make her a cherished figure in the art community. Through her performances, teaching, and choreography, she leaves a lasting impact on those who have the pleasure of experiencing her artistry.
​
TwinNation (@taeandwonebenjamin) Sanwone & Santae Benjamin are identical twin brothers born and raised in Charlotte, NC who have performed locally and internationally. The dancers provide educational work for kids and do professional work including with Superbowl 55, the Charlotte Hornets, World of Dance, Breakin' Convention, the Choreographers Carnival, and more the brothers have curated community shows and put out their EBook Titled Breaking Cycles on Amazon on April 3 2023.
​
Mary-Beth King started dancing at Next Step Dance at the age of 7 for the competition cheer dance team. As the years went on she began training and performing in various styles competitively till college. Mary-Beth minored in dance at Western Carolina and was a part of the WCU Dance Team who went to NDA Nationals. For the last 15 years Mary-Beth has taught at several different studios and students ranging from 2-18 years old. Along with teaching Mary-Beth has been a Charlotte Checkers Checkmate, performed at Breakin’ Convention, high profile flash mobs, Best of the Best Awards, CIAA, We Are Hip Hop, play productions, Day Breakers, and back up danced for several music artist.
​
Alex White is originally from the south Bronx of New York City, Alex White is a Broadway World winning choreographer currently residing in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whether dancing in movies, commercials, creative directing photo shoots, being the assistant brand stylist to stars such as Lizzo and Bad Bunny, or executive producing variety shows. Artistic story telling is his passion. The former dance captain for the Charlotte Hornets got his start on Broadway, as an ensemble cast member of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Alex started his formal dance training at the age of 19, in the styles of Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop and West African. In addition to touring the east coast with the Mary J. Blidge Tribute band, Alex also throughly enjoys teaching in the public school system. Through Alex White Productions Alex has produced commercials, tours and live international shows but producing a new light in a young heart is truly his biggest accolade. Reputable companies include Coca-Cola, Target, Chicago, We are Hip Hop, Alvin and the Chipmunks, For the Love of Harlem, Petey Pablo, and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child just to name a few.
​
Melody Shanahan was born in Charlotte N.C. She is a Sophomore at UNCC and Majoring in Dance and Criminal Justice .
Starting this fall semester She will participate at Charlotte Ballet Professional Training Certificate in Dance. As part of this program, students train in classes with the Charlotte Ballet Academy Advanced Division. She has trained in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance with Open Doors Studios and Mexican Folklore with Teachers from Greensboro N.C. and Mexico. As an independent Multicultural Dancer, she has performed in many festivals and Theaters Around SC and NC. Her Irish/Mexican background has been the inspiration when She creates her Choreographies. Her mission has been to break cultural boundaries through the art of Dance.
​
Kristin Pratt is from Myrtle Beach, SC. Graduated from Winthrop University with a BA in Dance, she moved to Charlotte to pursue a career in the field. Kristin started out as a performer for a local theater in Myrtle Beach before making the switch to teaching. Kristin is currently a dance educator in the public school system and specializes in jazz and ballet technique.
​
Priyadarshini Inman started her journey in Dance at the age of 4. Passionate about dance Priyadarshini Inman excelled in Sattriya Dance, Kathak Dance including Folk Dance Bohu, under different exponents of its own genre. Later Founded of Nritya Dhwani School of Performing Arts, And Nritya Dhwani Cultural Foundation. under which she introduced the Sattriya Dance Curriculum in the USA. She is also a professional Trained in Kathak and Hindustani Classical Music. At present, she is pursuing her research on Indian Drama and Native American Drama as a Ph.D. Scholar. She has presented choreography at festivals across the United States, UK, China, and India as the artistic director.
​
Brenné Forst is a dancer, choreographer, and educator born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and has been dancing since the age of 5. She received most of her training at Miss Donna’s School of Dance until graduating high school. She has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Sociology from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Winthrop University. Forst has performed and choreographed in showcases such as the Merce Cunningham Centennial, Loose Leaves, The BOOM Festival, and The Original Gullah Festival. One of her most notable achievements is becoming a main company dancer for the award-winning dance company, MufukaWorks. As an educator, Forst has helped provide equitable resources to CMS, such as bringing TapFit, the world’s first slip-on tap shoe, to the district so all schools can introduce tap dancing into their curriculum as well as provide dance therapy for EC students. Along with being an educator, she has started a dance team from the ground up. In their first year, the Prancing Pumas received district recognition for their hard work and crowd-pleasing performances. Finally, Forst is a board member for the non-profit Dance Artist Alliance CLT, which "fosters a unified, supportive, and inclusive dance community in the Charlotte Area." This has allowed Forst to work alongside dancers and artists in the Charlotte area who are passionate about their craft and help create a beautiful community of intersectionality across the arts.
​
​
.png)
Desiree’ Belnavis was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is currently teaching dance to Movement school elementary, while doing so she is in college pursuing a major in dance and minor in business. Desiree’ has been acting, dancing, and modeling since the age of 2 in various aspects and events. Though she is talented in many areas, she believes that she was born to dance. She attended University Park Creative Arts Elementary and Northwest School of the Arts in middle school. While attending these schools, she had the opportunity to perform in drama and musical theatre. Desiree’ has also performed with Charlotte Ballet; including Jean Pierre’s “The Nutcracker,” at the Belk Theater. She is thankful to her Church where she serves as the ministry's dance director where she choreographs and teaches.
​
Shanice Rollins is a Detroit, MI native who now resides in Dayton, OH. She is a student, teacher, and performer with over 20 years of experience combined. Shanice holds a BFA in Dance and a MPA from Wayne State University. She is also a certified Personal Trainer, a Gyrotonic® and Gyrkenisis® Instructor, and soon-to-be certified Pilates Instructor as well. Shanice is a versatile, trained dancer who performs and creates work that deals with social justice issues and explores the impact of societal perceptions. Shanice approaches dance with an open heart and loves to perform, create, and teach different dance styles. She moves to be expressive – to clear her head and heal parts of her mind, body, and spirit with the hope that others may see and feel the same.
​
​