Faculty

Melissa Brenner

Melissa Brenner serves as the Dance Area Coordinator at Santa Fe College, where she directs and choreographs for the performance ensemble, Dance Theatre of Santa Fe. She is a devoted educator with over 14 years of teaching experience and leads several collaborative events and guest artist residency activities to enhance the education of her students.

Melissa's professional training began at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, followed by the University of Florida's B.F.A. program, where she studied under Kelly Drummond-Cawthon and performed repertory by Shapiro and Smith Dance. She holds an M.F.A. from Arizona State University and a Pilates certification.

Melissa has performed in venues such as Dance New Amsterdam (NYC), Taliesin West (Scottsdale, AZ), Broadway Performance Hall (Seattle, WA), ODC Theatre (San Francisco, CA), American Dance Festival (Durham, NC), and the Bates Dance Festival (Portland, ME), and has danced the works of notable choreographers including Mary Fitzgerald, Michael Foley, Karen Schupp, Elizabeth Johnson, Ashleigh Leite, Shapiro and Smith Dance, and Elina Mooney. Since 2001, her choreography has been featured in various platforms across the U.S. and has earned special recognition in Gala performances for the American College Dance Festival.

Rachel Carrico

**Rachel Carrico** is an Assistant Professor of Dance Studies at the University of Florida’s School of Theatre + Dance. Her recently published book, *Dancing the Politics of Pleasure at the New Orleans Second Line* (University of Illinois Press), explores the aesthetic, political, and social histories of second lining, an improvisational dance form rooted in New Orleans's African diaspora parading traditions. Her scholarship has been published in several journals and edited volumes; awarded the Society of Dance History Scholars' Selma Jeanne Cohen Award for excellence in dance scholarship; and supported by numerous fellowships. Carrico holds a Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies from the University of California–Riverside, an M.A. in Performance Studies from NYU, and a teaching certificate from the Limón Institute. She parades in New Orleans annually with the Ice Divas Social & Pleasure Club.

Isa García-Rose

Isa García-Rose was a principal dancer with Dance Alive National Ballet dancing variety of classical, contemporary, and character roles throughout the company’s repertoire including Balanchine works. Cuban born, Isa studied and performed with Ballet Concerto in Miami, Florida, received her BFA in Theatre and Dance Performance from the University of Florida, and her MFA in Dance from FSU. She has taught master classes and intensives throughout the Southeast, Florida State University, Orcas Island, and has been faculty with James Madison University’s London Dance intensive since 2008. She has performed as a member of Demetrius Klein Dance Company and a guest artist with a UF production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (choreography by Alberto Alonso) in US and international venues (Russia). Isa also performed regularly at Hippodrome State Theatre (Just So Stories, The Canta Danca Dancer, Dracula, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream). She also served as Associate Director of The Shadow Dance Theatre, an experimental company of actors and dancers at UF founded by her beloved Ric Rose. Isa is currently a Master Lecturer in Dance, teaching Ballet, Pointe, Pilates, and setting choreography at UF. She is a certified STOTT PILATES instructor.

Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson, BFA, MFA is a performer, choreographer, educator, Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (GL-CMA), Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique (M.AmSAT, ATI), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200), and Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist (RSME/T—ISMETA). She teaches and presents nationally and internationally on dance/movement and somatic pedagogies that center developmental movement, prosocial/trauma informed education, and feminist perspectives. Her choreographies—rooted in autobiography and her love/hate relationship with popular culture—aim to subvert cultural tropes regarding propriety, relationships, and bodies as objects/commodities. From 2004-2017 her company, Your Mother Dances, featured her choreography as well as produced national and regional guest artists; her work has been seen in New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and beyond. Johnson also performed professionally with David Parker and The Bang Group (NYC), Sara Hook Dances (NYC), and Molly Rabinowitz Liquid Grip (NYC). She is the co-author of an upcoming book from University of Illinois Press featuring a co-created movement analysis system called Framework for Integration and has authored three book chapters featuring applied Alexander Technique and developmental movement. Johnson is an Associate Professor in the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance.

Herman Ramos

Herman is a native of Northern Virginia. Originally a specialist in breakdance and hip hop choreography, he competed with various crews from the DC metro and central Florida areas until 2010.
In 2008, Herman was given a full ride scholarship to Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL to study classical dance technique. From 2008-2011 he worked simultaneously in contemporary and hip hop styles, touring with Apocalypse Dance Crew regionally and working locally with the Danscompany of Gainesville where he has frequently returned as a guest artist. After receiving his AA degree in dance, Herman was accepted to Florida State in order to continue his dance education. In December of 2016, Herman completed his post graduate studies at FSU with his Masters of Fine Arts degree. While at FSU, Herman shifted some focus to improving his pedagogy with various teaching opportunities at Santa Fe College, the South Eastern Regional American College Dance Association and the annual American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina. As a guest teacher, Herman has taught both hip hop and contemporary styles at many local dance studios across the state of Florida; combining commercial aesthetics with concert dance creative processes. Some of his more notable choreographic projects include work with members of Florida State University dance faculty, the Red Project (NYC), Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre (Miami), and T Lang Dance (ATL). He currently works with Emergence Dance Company in Orlando to continue professional work in the contemporary scene there. Herman holds adjunct dance faculty positions at Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.

Whitney Wilson

Whitney received her MFA in Dance from Smith College, a BFA in Dance and a Certificate in Arts in Medicine (AIM) from the University of Florida. She joined AIM in 2018, where she facilitates dance classes for people with movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. She currently piloting an Antepartum Movement program where she will offer movement and dance sessions to mothers on bedrest. In 2022 she became an RN, and she currently works on a Labor and Deliver unit at UF Health Shands. Whitney’s artistic practice integrates dance performance, pedagogy, and creative collaboration to promote well-being, connection, and joy in her community. She is thrilled for the opportunity to share her love of dance with the Santa Fe College community this fall.

Xan Burley

Xan Burley was based in Brooklyn, NY until 2018 where she performed and toured with Doug Varone and Dancers from 2012-17. She has had the pleasure of working with Jeanine Durning, Shannon Gillen, Angie Hauser, Shannon Hummel, Tami Stronach, and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, among others. Xan’s co-creative research with her partner Alex Springer has been presented by venues such as Movement Research, Danspace Project, Center for Performance Research, Joe’s Pub, the 92Y, and the American Dance Festival. They have received opportunities such as the University Settlement Artist Residency, Jacob’s Pillow Research Fellowship, and Mertz Gilmore Late Stage Production Grant. Their process-oriented site-responsive research is rooted in progressive movement development, compositional improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Burley has held teaching positions at institutions such as the Bates Dance Festival, University of Maryland, SUNY Purchase, Wesleyan University, and Smith College, where she received her MFA in Dance and Choreography. www.xanandalex.com

Jessie Dominguez

Jessie Dominguez is a classically trained ballerina who started her education at the Alejo Carpentier Elementary School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba, in 1993. She continued her studies at the Cuban National Ballet School Fernando Alonso, obtaining numerous awards, including a silver medal in 1998, another silver medal in 1999, and a gold medal in 2000 at the International Ballet Encounters of Academies Competitions for the Teaching of Ballet held in Havana, Cuba. In 2001, she graduated from the Cuban National Ballet School as a Distinguished Graduate and received Gold Diploma, the highest award given to only one person per graduating class”. The same year, she was selected to become part of the world-renowned company, the National Ballet of Cuba, under the artistic-technical direction of the founder and absolute prima ballerina Alicia Alonso. After initially serving as a soloist, she was rapidly promoted to principal dancer. Her repertoire as a principal dancer included Giselle, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Apollo, Carmen, Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Garde, La Bayadere, Theme and Variations as well as contemporary and neoclassical works by creators such as Alberto Alonso, Laura Alonso, Alberto Mendez, Gustavo Herrera, Ivan Tenorio, Jean Gran Maître, Annabelle López Ochoa, Luis Serrano, Peter Quanz, Gerard Ebitz, among others. Jessie Dominguez possesses a rare combination of skills and experiences. She has trained and performed at the highest level in the masterful tradition of Cuban National Ballet yet she fluidly transitions she excels in performances of a more creative/experimental nature. Her work ethic is impeccable and she has delightful interpersonal skills. She is a thoughtful critic and teacher, encouraging and enlightening dancers of all ages and abilities. Jessie is currently the ballet professor at Santa Fe College.

April Henehan

April, MFA Choreography and the recipient of the ‘22-23 Hicks Choreography Fellowship’ with Jacob’s Pillow most recently taught for two years at Jacksonville University and spent 8 years on Faculty at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she was the director of the Creative Dance Ensemble. April’s first professional experience came at the age of 16 performing lead roles for “Jacksonville Symphony’s: First Coast Nutcracker;” and her early professional experiences continued with companies: Ka'Mia Contemporary Dance Theatre & A Rhythm Nation, as a semi-finalist on Season 4 of FOX's hit show “So You Think You Can Dance,” and as a semi-finalist on BRAVO TV’s “Step It Up & Dance.” Additional performance credits include works by: Demetrius Klein, Douglas Gawriljuk, Yanis Pikieris, Ronen Koresh, Michael Foley, Mia Michaels, Adele Myers, Eddy Toussaint, Kavin Grant, Cathy Young, Alyn Cassal, Bill Evans, Amanda Coogan, Amy Miller, and Nita Little. Besides being a seasoned performer, April’s choreography and leadership as a dance practitioner has been recognized internationally by ChoreoLab Europe and featured in articles for POINTE Magazine, Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine, and Dance Teacher Magazine. Further teaching and choreographic credits include the Candice Glover, Florida Dance Festival, Cal State University Long Beach, Santa Fe College, Lindenwood University, Brenau University, Jacob’s Pillow 360 Intensive, LaVilla School of the Arts, New World School of the Arts, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, the Movement Talent Agency, DanceLook, American College Dance Association, National College Dance Festival, Institute of Classical & Modern Dance (Mumbai), and Dance Ireland (Dublin). April holds certification in both Progressing Ballet & Contemporary Techniques, and last year she assisted Andrew Winghart on his new dance film, *Is Anyone Receiving the Data?* (2023) during his residency with CLI Conservatory.

Tristan Koepke

Tristan Koepke (he/him) is a dancer, educator, and choreographer. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Bates College, and is Associate Director of the Young Dancers Intensive at the Bates Dance Festival. He has performed in contemporary and experimental dance works by Chris Schlichting, Vanessa Anspaugh, luciana achugar, Cally Spooner, Mathew Janczewski, Kendra Portier, Heidi Henderson, Annie Kloppenberg, Matthew Cumbie, Christina Robson, and was a member of Zenon Dance Company from 2011-2019. His work has been presented by SPACE Gallery, Patrick’s Cabaret, The Wooden Floor, CANDYBOX Dance Festival, Performance Art Initiative, The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, Bryant Lake Bowl, Bates College, and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. He holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park.

as2018headshot.556x556.jpg — Augusto Soledade

Augusto Soledade, a 2008 Guggenheim Fellow, is the Founder Artistic Director and choreographer for Augusto Soledade Brazzdance, and serves as an Associate Professor in Dance and Dance Area Coordinator at the University of Florida.
In the fall of 2018, Mr. Soledade was nominated for the USArtist Fellowship. In 2016, he was awarded for the seventh time the Miami Dade Choreographer’s Fellowship from the Miami Dade Cultural Affairs. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Knight Arts Challenge Grant. Also in 2012, he was awarded for the second consecutive time the 2012 Individual Artist Fellowship from the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.
He received his M.F.A in Dance from SUNY Brockport in 1998. Soledade, a native of Bahia, Brazil, started his dance training at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil in a program with strong modern dance emphasis and has trained with Garth Fagan, and Clyde Morgan. He also holds a degree in journalism from the Federal University of Bahia.

Andrew Cao

Andrew danced on Broadway in Disney’s *Aladdin*, the 2011 revival of *Anything Goes* with Sutton Foster, and *Nice Work if You Can Get It*, spanning almost 10 years and thousands of performances. Television credits include *Iron Fist, The Mysteries of Laura*, *Blue Bloods*, *The Detour*, *The Late Show with David Letterman*, *The Tony Awards*, Nickelodeon’s *The Backyardigans*, and commercials for PNC Bank, Huggies, Baby Jogger, Vanguard, and Cheerios. He now teaches Musical Theatre and Dance fulltime for The University of Florida’s School of Theatre + Dance. @ufmusicaltheatre Go Gators!

Rujeko Dumbutshena

Rujeko Dumbutshena is a Zimbabwean-born dancer, pedagogue, and performer who specializes in neo-traditional and contemporary African dance. She just began her role as an Assistant Professor of West African Dance at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She recently held the same position at the University of Washington in Seattle. She holds an MFA in dance from the University of New Mexico. She has been on faculty at the Central New Mexico Community College, the University of New Mexico, and Sarah Lawrence College. Rujeko has participated in an artist in residencies at Williams College, and the University of Rochester. At Duke University she is part of the “Afro Feminist Performance Routes” cohort of Black dance artists. For 16 years, Rujeko directed African music and dance camps: Camp Mabina, Camp Tumbuka and Bantu Camp and has since been guest teaching at African drum and dance conferences across the United States. She was an original ensemble member in Bill T. Jones’ Off-Broadway and Broadway musical production of FELA! She conducts her scholarly research on the interplay of gender and power in ritual performances.
*photo by Gregory Evans (www.LathePhotography.com*)

Millicent Johnnie

Millicent Johnnie’s work and research center on social justice and cultural representation, driven by early experiences with opposition. As a two-time United States Artists nominee, she has made significant contributions in dance, theater, film, and music. Her choreography, featured on ESPN and other major networks, reflects her innovative approach, further showcased in her role as Associate Artistic Director of Urban Bush Women and through her A&R work with Marvelous Enterprises.

Johnnie’s stage and film work include projects like Bamboula: Musicians’ Brew, which inspired the short film Bamboula is Not Bamboozled, and La DiaBlesse Curse, developed with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Carnival Commission. Her hybrid film, Pulling Back the Curtain, explores how COVID-19 and systemic issues impact the Ballet world.

Her theatrical credits, such as Cry You One and Frozen, along with directing West Side Story in South Africa and performing at the Olympics, highlight her global influence. Johnnie’s diverse artistic portfolio demonstrates her commitment to addressing cultural and systemic issues through various creative mediums.

Calypso May

Calypso is a director, choreographer, educator, and artistic collaborator working primarily in the world of musical theater. Calypso holds multiple dance and choreography degrees including an MFA from Florida State University, a BFA from Elon University, and an AA from Sante Fe College where she was a Performing Arts Scholarship Student. Calypso has over 27 years of dance experience and 14 years of teaching experience ranging from higher-level courses at FSU and Santa Fe College, to being a full-time elementary school dance instructor and arts integration specialist. Calypso has created works for the FSU School of Theatre, the FSU School of Dance, The Hippodrome State Theatre, The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, The Young Actors Theatre, ACDA, and many pre-professional programs throughout the United States. Calypso is passionate about arts education and creating community collaborations that strive to make dance and theater more proactive, inclusive, and conscious. Calypso is currently an adjunct dance faculty member at Santa Fe College where she teaches Musical Theatre Dance, Jazz Dance, and Dance Fundamentals.