2004 ARCHIVE
THANKS PERFORMANCES BIOS CONTACTS AWARDS
Jason Anderson
Shawn Welling’s Planet Funk
Planet Funk Dancer Since: January of 1998
A-Squad, Director of Hip-Hop, First Senior Staff
Jason’s fresh moves and acrobatic stunts make him one of the hottest Hip Hop instructors around. Training monthly in Hip-Hop and Street Jazz choreography in either L.A. or N.Y.C., this former UCA instructor has had the opportunity to work with the top choreographers in the entertainment industry, working with entertainers who choreograph for Britney Spears, N-SYNC, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and much more. Jason is the owner of Jason’s Jym, a tumbling and dance school in Texas for children and adults. As a Planet Funk dancer, Jason has had the chance to dance for NBA Houston Rockets and WNBA Houston Comets. Also, Jason has performed on numerous Debra Duncan shows, for Cirque Du Soleil‘s “Dralion” opening night party, at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting, and at the Houston’s Children Festival. Last season, he was chosen as an elite member of the 2001 Kohler Tour in Chicago and Atlanta. Jason’s innovative ideas will definitely keep you coming back for more.
Alex Arizpe
Swingtown Jitterhoppers
Uptown Street Dance Co.
A native Houstonian, Alex Arizpe is the co-director and choreographer of both the Swingtown Jitterhoppers and the Uptown Street Dance Co. He specializes in teaching dances from the 30‘s to the present day, some of which include lindy hop, jitterbug, disco, country and western, and hip hop. His unique combination of jazz and street dance gives an energetic, theatrical style to the raw dances of the past and the present. Competing in the 70’s and 80’s, Alex received numerous awards in jitterbug and disco and the title of National C&W Dance Champion for three straight years. His career began in 1984, dancing and choreographing for the Delia Stewart Dance Co. His musical theater credits include The King and I and Chess with Theater Under the Stars. His most recent choreographic credit include Jitterhoppin’, a 30-minute swing ballet for Texas Ballet Theater, under the direction of Ben Stevenson, Hits production of the Broadway music Carnival, at Miller Outdoor Theater, the Superbowl Commissioner’s party, Dance Houston at the Hobby Center, and Arts in the Edge in Shreveport Louisiana. Other choreographic credits include the MGM film Rush, the NFL Houston Oiler Dancers, commercials for Foley’s and MTV, industrials for Ski Do, Nike, Reebok, and El Paso Energy, as well as numerous award ceremonies and corporate events in and around Texas. He has over 20 years teaching experience and currently teaches Street Jazz and X-dancing at the Houston Met. Alex is proud to be a retired Houston Fire Fighter, husband, and father of two wonderful children.
Victoria Arizpe
Swingtown Jitterhoppers
Uptown Street Dance Co.
A native Houstonian, Victoria Arizpe has over 20 years of dance training specializing in jazz, ballet, and modern. She began her professional career at the age of 15 when she joined the Delia Stewart Dance Co. and is a former member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and Texas Dance Theater. Since then, she has performed in many Theater Under the Stars and Houston Grand Opera productions, making a name for herself in Houston’s musical theater and opera scene. She has also danced in feature film, commercials, and television. A former principal dancer with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center, Victoria is now on faculty and involved with In Motion, the Houston Met’s education through dance program. She and her husband, Alex, are co-founders and directors of both the Swingtown Jitterhoppers and the Uptown Street Dance Co. His most recent choreographic credit include Jitterhoppin’, a 30-minute swing ballet for Texas Ballet Theater, under the direction of Ben Stevenson, Hits production of the Broadway music Carnival, at Miller Outdoor Theater, the Superbowl Commissioner’s party, Dance Houston at the Hobby Center, and Arts in the Edge in Shreveport Louisiana. Other choreographic credits include Dance Salad at the Wortham Center, The Woodlands First Night New Year’s Celebration at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston Oiler Dancers, commercials for Foley’s and MTV, industrials for Ski Do, Nike, Reebok, and El Paso Energy, as well as numerous award ceremonies and corporate events in and around Texas. Currently, Victoria teaches and choreographs throughout Houston and is on the faculty at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center, and the Good Space Pilates and Yoga. Victoria is also the proud mother of two wonderful children.
Mestre Cafu & Yvonne Medina
Grupo Cafu Capoeira Association
Mestre Cafu was born and raised in Brazil. He began practicing Capoeira at the age of six and has been teaching Capoeira for sixteen years. He is the first master of the art of Capoeira to live in Texas. Mestre Cafu is the Artistic Director of Grupo Cafu Capoeira Association, a performing school with locations in Brazil, Hawaii, California and Texas. Mestre Cafu is a talented artist, positive role model, and reputable community member. He is a co-founder and director of J.U.M.P. (Juvenile Uplift Mentorship Program), a non-profit corporation dedicated to exposing the youth to multicultural arts. His teaching credits include Project Row Houses, The Children’s Museum, the YWCA, St. John’s Academy, St. Thomas University, Kick Sport, and Houston area elementary schools.
Gary Conner
WyldStyl
Gary Connor with a degree in theatre and a minor in dance has developed his own style in the dance/entertainment industry. His experience as a previous director of Planet Funk combined with his thirst for knowledge and his love for teaching has led to his branching out and creating WyldStyl- a high-energy and raw dance organization that is making its place in the entertainment world.
Kenneth Epting
Exclamation Dance Co.
Kenneth is a native of Chicago, Illinois, residing in Houston for the past fourteen years. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Purdue University, and his Masters in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University. He is also a certified secondary mathematics teacher and counselor. During his years at Purdue, Kenneth’s activities included: Jahari Dance Company, Purdue Repertory Dance Company, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. In addition, he also received the Louis Sudler Award for the Arts and the Delta Sigma Theta Arts and Book Scholarship. Ken started his dance training in Chicago, Illinois with noted dance schools such as: Joseph Holmes Dance Theatre, Joel Hall Dance Center, and Lou Conte School of Dance. He also received additional training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Martha Graham School. Mr. Epting has received high acclaim for many of his choreographic works in Chicago and Houston. Since his arrival in Houston, Ken has choreographed for the following organizations: Houston Academy of Dance, Delia Stewart Dance Company, Houston Metropolitan Dance Theatre, West University Dance Center Star Power Dancers, Stratford Playhouse, Academy Dancers, Bayou City Dance Company, The Village School, Houston Illusions Rhythmic Gymnastics, and a host of other local high school dance and drill teams. He was also the resident choreographer and Artistic Director for 10 years for the Classic Dance Ensemble at Prairie View A&M University, where he successfully produced numerous concerts and special choreographic works. His evenings are now spent teaching dance throughout the city of Houston while his days are consumed with his duties as the Lead Counselor for Waller High School. Currently, as the founder and Artistic Director of Exclamation Dance Company, Kenneth continues his lifelong mission to educate, excite, and entertain audiences across the world using powerful statements made in modern and jazz dance.
Joan Furstenberg
Houston International Folk Dancers
Joan Furstenberg has been involved in international folkdancing for 18 years and currently serveson the HIFD Board of Directors. Houston International Folk Dancers has been in existence since the 1950's, and was incorporated in 1983. The organization is governed by a board of directors elected annually by the membership. The mission of HIFD is to preserve, present, and promote international folk dance, music, and costumes, and to foster cultural awareness. The group is open to anyone who is interested, with a teaching night on Monday at Odd Fellows Hall in the Heights at 115 E. 14th Street, and recreational request dancing on Friday night at the First Unitarian Universalist Church at 5200 Fannin at Southmore. A number of performances occur throughout the year, including the Houston International Festival, the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio, and the Slavic Festival in Houston. These performances are directed by various members of HIFD, who can choose from a group repertoire of hundreds of dances from around the world, especially the Balkans, Eastern and Western Europe, and the Mediterranean countries. These dances have been taught to us over the years by different teachers who come into the area for workshops, and by members who travel to workshops in other parts of the country and world.
Gabriella “La Tempestad”
Del Espadin Baile Espanol, directed by Maria Del Espadin
Del Espadin Baile Espanol, created and directed by Maria Del Espadin, is a local dance group intent on preserving and promulgating the art and beauty of Spanish Dance and Flamenco.
Maria Del Espadin established her company, Del Espadin Baile Espańol in 1998. As director, she is dedicated to presenting the various elements of Flamenco and Spanish Dance in a highly traditional and artistic manner. The company is determined to maintain standards of authenticity through its signature style, technique and repertoire.
The dance of the gypsies has been Gabriella “La Tempestad”’s lifelong passion. A recognized performing artist with national acclaim, Gabriella is known for her rigorous devotion to the beauty and art of traditional Flamenco technique. She began as a child taking lessons at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, progressed to major productions in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and now performs as a featured artist with Del Espadin Baile Espańol in Houston, Texas.
Harrison Guy
Urban Souls Dance Company
Urban Souls is a brand new modern dance company birthed from the heart of Mr. Guy. It promises to tell the African-American story through dance and theater, and to make every performance a creative experience that touches the heart and stirs the soul.
Harrison Guy, a native of La Marque, began his dance training at Ruth Elgin Studios in La Marque, Texas and continued his studies at Prairie View A&M University under the artistic direction of Kenneth Epting and Paula Williams. He received full scholarships to study at Energy Source Dance in Murfreesboro, TN and Houston Metropolitan Dance Center.
He later studied at various institutions including The Alvin Ailey School in New York and The Dallas Black Dance Theatre. He has had the privilege of working with a host of teachers and choreographers; among them are Troy Powell, Kirby Reed, Milton Myers, Earl Mosley, Tracy Inman, Toni Pierce, Chuck Davis, and Cornelius Carter. Harry has performed with Classic Dance Ensemble in a variety of lead roles. He has also performed with Dorrell Martin's Dance Fusion, The Ailey School's summer sizzler, and is a founding member of Exclamation Dance Company. Currently he is a guest choreographer for the Classic Dance Ensemble where his work has received excellent reviews at the American College Dance Festival. He also choreographed several pieces for this year's Stellar Awards Post Reception. As the dance instructor at Gregory-Lincoln Fine Arts Academy, Mr. Guy has led his students to perform in Atlanta, Georgia and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
An up-and-coming choreographer, Mr. Guy focuses on dancing from the heart!
Barbara King
King’s Dancing Centre
Barbara is the proud owner and artistic director of King’s Dancing Centre. For 21 years, Barbara has dedicated her work to ballet, tap, jazz, International Latin and Standard, and American ballroom dance. Her extensive background and expertise in the performing arts provide a firm foundation for a multitude of business ventures and successes. Ms. King is noted as an outstanding personality in the ballroom dancing industry for her superior work ethic – namely, her drive to develop self-esteem and social skills in children through social and competitive dancing. Having traveled the world with her dance company competing, judging and coaching, Ms. King, her two sons and three daughters hold numerous championship titles. Ms. King’s recent endeavors include working in the music and entertainment industry to groom young vocalists and dancers and developing health and wellness seminars in Houston.
Sonia Noriega
Psophonia Dance Company
Sonia Noriega is a founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Psophonia Dance Company in Houston. She is a recipient of the 2004 Individual Artist Fellowship Award in Choreography by the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/ Harris County. A graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Sonia has received many honors including Houston’s Cultural Arts Council 1999-2000 Artist Fellowship Award in Choreography, as well as two fellowships from the American Dance Festival at Duke University in Durham, NC. She has performed with the Houston Grand Opera, Karen Stokes, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and Bessie Award winning New York choreographer Stephan Koplowitz. Ms. Noriega continues to challenge the art through her innovative contemporary settings and credits the influences of Lar Lubovitch, Bill T. Jones, and Pilobolus.
Founded in 1998, Psophonia Dance Company (PDC) engages diverse audiences on a truly unique level by combining artful, innovative contemporary dance with a distinctively theatrical twist on the ordinary. PDC is committed to building a reputable dance company by steadily developing signature works that can be easily recognized as PDC productions. The Artistic Directors of PDC have always looked toward world-renowned dance companies such as Mark Morris, Alvin Ailey and Bill T. Jones-Arne Zane to set the standard for which Psophonia seeks to operate artistically. Psophonia is striving to become one of Houston’s premier dance companies and develop an audience that will recognize, appreciate, and support contemporary dance. Psophonia Dance Company is a founding organization of Uniquely Houston Series at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and this Halloween weekend, October 29th-30th, will present PHANTASIA at Zilkha Hall. Psophonia Dance Company is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/ Harris County with additional funding provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts Decentralization Program.
Amber Thornton
Bay Area/Houston Ballet and Theatre
Artistic Director of Company: Lynette Mason Gregg
Contemporary Director: Amber Thornton
AMBER THORNTON has studied and performed with Delia Stewart Jazz Dance Company, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Company, Bay Area/Houston Ballet & Theatre, formerly known as the Clear Lake Metropolitan Ballet & Repertory Theatre, Euroasia Ballet, The Houston Met, and Dorrell Martin’s Dance Fusion. She has also studied with, Houston Ballet Academy, Hubbard Street of Chicago, Broadway Dance Center and Steps in NYC to name a few. Amber performed in the 1988 Sammy Awards with Jaime Rogers and Ben Vereen and has appeared as a guest artist for various companies including “Dance Explosion”, in Vail, Colorado. She has appeared in local commercials and has done promotional work for Macy’s, Capezio, Matuszewski fashion productions, as well as starring in the promotional film, Bonhomme with Zircon pictures. Amber is the Assistant Director for the Royal Academy and the Contemporary Director for Bay Area/Houston Ballet & Theatre. Amber was the 1998 recipient of the Monticello Scholarship for her choreographed work, “Unzipped Entropy”, at the Regional Dance America Festival, where her works have been performed many times, including the 2001 National Gala. Amber’s 2002 piece, “Portraying Picasso”, as well as her 2004 piece, “Twenty-Nine” was selected for the National Choreography Plan,” which is a National Endowment for the Arts program to recognize and support artistic and choreographic excellence. Ms. Thornton was a selected choreographer for JCC’s 2004 Choreographer’s x 6, and participated in their Summer Texas Tanz concert as well. She is excited to be invited back to participate in the 2004 Dance Houston concert. Amber would like to thank her family, children and friends for all of their love and support.
Tesia Truitt
Shawn Welling’s Planet Funk
Planet Funk Dancer Since: Summer of 1998
A-Squad, Director of Street Jazz, First Senior Staff
Tesia, aka. “Hollywood” has been dancing since she was 5 yrs. old. Her most recent success has been Houston’s own Jingle Jam Concert and back up dancer for Frankie J and Baby Bash in the “Sugar Sugar” Tour this past year. She has also opened up for hot hip hop sensation Lil’ Bow Wow, and numerous other artists’ such as Fabulous, Da Brat, LL Cool J, Black Eyed Peas and Stacy Orrico, to name a few. Her source of motivation is knowing that, “If you try hard enough, your dreams will come true." Tesia has starred in numerous music videos by artists from local to global and performed with Blu Cantrell and Neil Young. She is a former WNBA Houston Comets “Team NRG” Dancer and NBA Houston Rockets “Power Dancer” for 6 years. As Director of Planet Funk she has appeared on the Debra Duncan show several times, has been chosen as an elite PF dancer and choreographer for the Kohler tour, and has lit up the stage at many Houston benefit concerts. Her training comes from the best: Marty Kudelka (Justin), Gil (Janet), Rhapsody, Columbus, Brian Friedman (Britney) and unlimited others out of New York and LA. Her choreography has been seen all over the country, on television as well as over 500 live performances including all Planet Funk shows and several Houston Rockets games for the Power Dancers. Catch her choreography for upcoming events and workshops!
Robin Walker
Dance Force Productions
Dance Force Productions is an award-winning dance company that provides dance entertainment for corporations, recording artists, charity events, fashion shows, and private parties. The company was created in 1999 and specializes in dance productions that include jazz, disco, salsa, jitterbug, hip-hop, breaking, Country/western, and theatrical dance which incorporates live singing. "Our goal is to intermingle musical theater and cutting-edge dance in our hopes to delight and excite our audiences!"
Robin Walker has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She has danced with the University of Houston Cougar Dolls, the Glen Hunsucker Dance Company, Houston City Dancers, Yo Breaux Productions, and was a lead Dancer and Director of Operations for Planet Funk. She has appeared in numerous television specials, and has been seen in commercials for Miller Outdoor Theatre and the WB Network. She founded Dance Force Productions in January of 1999 with ten dancers, and has grown the company into a recognizable name with twenty plus multi-talented dancers. Her organizational and management skills, creativity, and professional reputation have been a driving force in the company's success.
Shawn Welling
Planet Funk™
Planet Funk Dancer Since: 1991
Founder of Planet Funk, Chief Director, Chief of Staff
Shawn has had the opportunity to direct and perform for NBA & NHL half-time shows, concert openings, stage productions, music videos, and a myriad of television appearances. He conducts master classes throughout the United States and at major universities such as the University of Texas, Texas A & M, and Townsend University in Maryland, where his choreography brought the dance team to become 3 time national champions. Outside the U.S. Welling's workshops have ventured throughout many cities in South America. Recently, Shawn has been hired by some of the largest entertainment & multimedia giants to choreograph and perform in shows such as: Cirque du Soleil - “Dralion” cast entertainment, ABC ‘s “Good Morning America” with Diane Sawyer - live national broadcast , and Warner Bros. - national dance commercial for which Shawn choreographed and starred in. Additional corporate giants Shawn has had the opportunity of working with include: Compaq Computers, NASA, AMC Theaters, Dreamworks, Penzoil, and Continental Airlines. Shawn’s personal magnetism, high energy, and innovative choreography has put him at the forefront of dance education and entertainment business. Shawn’s direct involvement with the youth of America has earned him an honorary title of being one of the leaders in school and outreach programs. Shawn has presented at over 87 schools and churches empowering the leaders of tomorrow with the “can do” message through dance fitness, creativity and universal respect for each other. United Way, Second Baptist Church, Girl Scout of America, and Council for Southwestern United States of America are a handful of some of the heavyweights in the educational field who have repeatedly called on Shawn for his skills and talents in tapping into our greatest resource – the children. In addition to Welling’s 27 dance performance appearances on ABC 13’s Debra Duncan show, Shawn has performed in a myriad of acting debuts. His dramatic roles on ABC - Channel 13 started in 1999 and have continued through the present. Shawn has recently breached out into the production elements of mega dance workshops. He has produced a variety of successful master classes with such dance icons as Disney Lion King dancers, the cast for the hit Broadway Oliver, and his latest phenomenon, the well-known MTV star, Wade Robson. His ability to create, promote, perform, organize, direct and educate his own unique vision of urban dance, "Dance without Prejudice,” has produced a place called Planet Funk™ founded by Welling in 1991 and has continued under his newly founded parent company, Planet Funk™ - Universal Artists.
Lori Wright-Amare
Second Generation Dance Company
Ms. Amare began her training in Cleveland, Ohio with Allie Belle Thomas and renowned Jazz Instructor Frank Hatchett. Through Mr. Hatchett she was given access to many well-known instructors such as Rick Odums, Maurice Hines, and Connie Brazleton. Additionally, she trained in New York at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and Broadway Dance Center. She has opened up for Bill Cosby and performed for Winnie Mandela, Maya Angelou, the President of Togo and the Ambassadors of South Africa, India, Ireland, and Nigeria.
Ms. Amare holds a BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University. She has danced professionally with several local companies including Several Dancers Core, Houston Repertory Dance Theater, Texas Dance Theater, Kuumba House Dance Theater, and City Dance Company with whom she toured France and Switzerland. Ms. Amare is also the founder of the African American Arts Council of Houston, which produces the “Black Dance Festival”. Ms. Amare most recently returned from her second tour of Mexico with Kuumba House Dance Theatre. Ms. Amare. is the recent recipient of the National Performance Network Creation Artist Grant.