Geri Brown is a storyteller, an educator, and social entrepreneur whose work is threaded in breaking the barriers to access and building safe, equitable, and inclusive communities. Her work utilizes art (dance, theatre, and music) as the catalyst for change. She runs three organizations called the Trifecta of Change. Geri is the Founder and Creative Director of Liberate Artists Inc., a dance education movement and benefit corporation, which utilizes dance education to build confidence and promote social growth in young people. Not a dance competition or dance convention, Liberate Artists Inc. has created its own pathway forward that focuses on helping students be their best self in a non-competitive environment. In her work with Liberate Artists Inc., Geri has traveled all over the world making dance the catalyst for change. From Australia to England to New York to Texas, Liberate Artists builds each dancer up through their catch phrase “You Are Enough.” They inspire kids and promote socio-emotional growth through mindfulness, colorful history, inclusionary practices, and award over $500,000 in scholarships per year. Including the Patricia A. Woodward Inspiration Award, which has been awarded since 2016, where Liberate Artists pays for dancers tuition for an entire year at their home studios. In an effort to ensure dance education is safe, equitable, and inclusive Geri serves as the Founder/Organizer for Dance Education Equity Association (DEEA). DEEA is an organization dedicated to serving the dance community through their BE COURAGEOUS courses, community support, and systemic based consulting work. Dance Education Equity Association educates to implement their expectations of safety, equity, and inclusivity into dance communities everywhere. By working together, in compassionate accountability, DEEA is working to make dance for all. Always, Enough Foundation is the final pillar in her trifecta of change.In an effort to continue to support families and provide additional socio-emotional support, Geri is the President and Executive Director of Always, Enough Foundation [501c3]. Always, Enough Foundation breaks barriers to access to ensure performing arts education is for all. In their effort to remove financial barriers to access, Always, Enough Foundation pays for tuition, travel, accommodations and meals, for dancers and their families to attend dance competitions, dance conventions, and other performing arts opportunities that meet their standards of safety, equity, and inclusivity. Geri is also a member of the newly initiated Intersectionality Task Force for the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS). IADMS's mission is to enhance the health, well-being, training, and performance in dance by cultivating medical, scientific, and educational excellence. As an artist and storyteller, Geri graduated cum laude, with her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Pace University. As a student and post graduation, Geri was hired as the Assistant Recruitment Coordinator under the tutelage of her mentor Patricia A. Woodward, and then became the Interim Recruitment Coordinator for the entire Pace University Performing Arts Department. There, she assisted and managed thousands of auditions and applications for the Acting Program, Musical Theatre Program, and then the novel Commercial Dance Program, and was also responsible for ensuring all of the performing arts students, had the requirements needed to graduate. Geri is a trained actor, singer, dancer and writer, who uses the word storyteller to best describe her work. As a member of Actor’s Equity Association, Geri has performed Off-Broadway, in pre-Broadway productions, and in NYC theatres. Geri also originated her role in Tales from the Tunnel starring alongside Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winner Wilson J. Heredia, who originated the role of Angel, in the Broadway musical Rent. Due to her exceptional character work, Geri has been highlighted for her work by The New York Times which quoted “Geri Brown is ferocious as the station clerk who has seen it all,” and by TheaterMania “Geri Brown radiates presence, attitude, and a sense of humor.” Additionally, Geri has been researching and writing a spoken word musical about civil rights and LGBTQIA2+ rights activist, Marsha P. Johnson, for the last eight years with her collaborator and friend Brett Macias. As a storyteller, Geri continues to create spoken word, poetry, and essays. From storyteller to educator to social entrepreneur, the pulse of all of Geri's work is her mission is to inspire all to truly know that "You Are Enough," exactly as you are, in the skin and body you are in.” Pronouns she/her

Audry is a New York based dance arts manager, choreographer, teaching artist, and yoga instructor. She began her career as a performer traveling the country by bus in Sesame Street Live, by horse in Dolly Parton’s Stampede, internationally by ship for Norwegian Cruise Lines, and under the big top for Circus Hermanos Vazquez and Cirque Montage. From there she focused her energies on teaching ballroom in New York City classrooms, choreographing for Concordia Conservatory, and spending summers at Stagedoor Manor theatre camp. From high schools to regional theatres she has choreographed several musicals including Cinderella, Grease, HAiR, Aida, and Working. Along the way Audry has taken several opportunities to step into management positions with roles including dance captain, company manager, experience manager, and now Director of Operations for Liberate Artists. Today you can find Audry working, traveling, and teaching for Liberate Artists, sharing the love of Sesame Street traveling with Sesame Workshop, spreading the word on the benefits of yoga to anyone who will listen, and choreographing musicals in her spare time.

Fox is a commercial hip hop and musical theatre performer. Fox has been performing and competing on stage for over 19 years, with experience and training in various genres of dance, including but not limited to: jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, salsa, and modern to name a few. 

Fox  is a graduate from Penn State University, majoring in Dance Stage Management and Performance. Since graduating, she has performed, stage managed, and directed multiple productions.  Fox assists, directs, and choreographs local tristate musician’s music videos and live performances, as well as choreographers dance videos and content.  Fox enjoys teaching at multiple studios and hosting workshops.  Though Fox is usually seen teaching hip hop and lyrical, you can find her in AM Ballet and heels classes at night all in the heart of NYC. Fox’s life motto is, “Never let the dreams you had as child be forgotten, you have more time than you think”.

Maddie Gilbert was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. It is here that she began dancing and developed a passion for it. Growing up, Maddie trained at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy in Thornton, Colorado, where she learned many different styles such as contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, and modern. After graduating high school in 2017, Maddie moved to Los Angeles to begin her studies at Loyola Marymount University. While there, Maddie had the opportunity to delve deeper into the realm of dance by taking classes in dance history, choreography, kinesiology, countertechnique, dance theory, and more. Some of her professors included Rosalynde Leblanc Loo (Bill T. Jones), James Gregg (WeWolf), John Todd (Movin’ Out), and Lillian Barbeito (BODYTRAFFIC). Maddie graduated from LMU in 2021 with a B.A. in dance, a minor in business, and a minor in psychology. She is now working as a social media content creator for Liberate Artists.

Amelia was born & raised in Thousand Oaks, CA. Growing up a competition dancer herself, she was awarded many overall soloist awards & scholarships from competitions & conventions all over California, including a one year scholarship to Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. Amelia then continued her professional career & training in North Hollywood, CA for many years. Some of her credits include The Hello Kitty Festival National Tour, In The Heights, Chicago 25th Anniversary Event, Peter Pan, Elf The Musical, Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush, Good Morning America, Disney’s 'Camp Rock 2' Promo, FOX ‘Mobbed', Good Day L.A., Rosario Dawson’s ‘Voto Latino’ Campaign, Maya Angelou’s ‘Harlem Hopscotch’ Music Video, & NY Theatre Barn. Amelia is currently on Faculty at the legendary Steps On Broadway in NYC & also is Teaching Artist for Liberate Artists LLC, traveling to teach intensives all over the U.S., Hawaii, & Australia. She is professionally represented by LDC Artist Representation Agency in NYC. Amelia has danced for the famous Choreographers, Galen Hooks, NabbyTabs, Tyce Diorio, Karla Garcia, Matt Cady, Beau Fournier, & Neil Schwartz. She was a featured dancer & one of the assistant production coordinators for the world famous dance show, Choreographers' Carnival in LA. She was a company member & assistant for the popular LA based company, Mischief Makers. They were invited to perform all across Los Angeles, Hawaii, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, & San Francisco. Amelia travels the U.S. judging studio dance competitions for SDA. Over her career, she has taught & choreographed at numerous dance studios, high schools, & Universities all over the country. Amelia resides in NYC, continuing to pursue her professional dance, musical theatre & teaching career.

Phil Wright is executive producer and choreographer of "Disney Fam Jam,” the NEW family dance competition show on The Disney Channel based off of his viral sensation “The Parent Jam™.” Wright founded "The Parent Jam™" in 2017 when he was inspired to bring kids and their families together through dance. Streamed online, his high energy dance classes are designed to encourage positivity, love and understanding within families around the world. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Lil Nas X, Will Smith, MC Hammer, TLC and G-Eazy and Cardi B.

Julie Carter, originally from Alabama, is a graduate of Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance with a Jazz Concentration. She trained at Alabama Ballet and has traveled to numerous countries as a dancer for Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines and Spirit Productions. She has assisted teachers such as Jason Parsons, the late Doug Caldwell, Elizabeth Parkinson (Chorus Line), Kathryn Mowat Murphy (Moving Out), and has performed works by Jason Sparks, Luam, Mike Esperanza, Jaclyn Buglisi, Merce Cunningham, among others. Julie is on the Contemporary Faculty at Steps On Broadway, and has been a Guest Artist for the Martha Graham School’s Summer Intensive, Manhattan Movement Art Center, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, and The School at Steps. Currently a teacher for Liberate Artists, Julie has had the opportunity to work alongside well-known artists from So You Think You Can Dance, including Lauren Froderman, Comfort Fedoke, and Alex Wong. Most currently, she is a company member of NYC-based Dance Into Deliverance and is an adjunct instructor for Sacred Heart University’s Dance Department.

Kenneth (Kenny) Hernandez was born and raised in Bronx, NY. Kenny has been dancing since he was 13 years old. He started off as a freestyle dancer, but then branched out and started to learn more, not only about freestyling, but also in choreography as well. He started training in all fundamentals of Hip Hop in his first company, Hip Hop Theory The Company. There he studied all of his foundations of popping, breaking, waving, and commercial choreography. Kenny then went on to perform for shows and competitions such as Prelude Urban Dance Competition and World of Dance. Kenny is a Traveling Faculty Member for Liberate Artists and has taught alongside Ivan Koumaev (Justin Timberlake), Comfort Fedoke (So You Think You Can Dance All Star), Randi and Hefa (Beyonce), and Lauren Froderman (So You Think You Can Dance Winner) to name a few. Kenny strives to bring out the best in each dancer and loves seeing growth in his students. When Kenny is not teaching, he still loves to train, especially in EXPG Professional Gym and Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

Miles Keeney is a New York City Based Professional Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher. He’s represented by MSA Talent Agency, and has wor ked commercially in both New York and Los Angeles. His credits include dancing for Silentó, Samsung, Jason Derulo, and Calvin Chen, as well as choreographing for Broadway Dance Center, The University of Auckland in New Zealand, The University of Virginia, and for countless videos and stage performances. He’s had the opportunity to train under the most revered names in the industry on both coasts and has been noted for his power, ferocity, and versatility. Miles graduated in 2015 with a BA in Dance with a double major in Developmental Psychology from Connecticut College. A powerhouse teacher, Miles teaches consistently in New York City at Peridance, in addition to various studios across the country. He’s developed a unique Jazz Funk style that pulls from his training in Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern. His classes leave students feeling like they have channeled their inner superstar and tapped into a higher level of performance quality. He is currently a residents faculty member at Artistic Dance Exchange Competition and Convention, as well as an experienced competition judge, having judge for numerous competitions’ regional and national dates.

Makana is a young up and coming artist from Hawaii that focuses heavily on HipHop inspired movement as well as contemporary fusion. They have performed with groups like The Lab and is currently co-director of two teams ‘The Bounty’ and ‘Contraflow’ as well as teaching at various studios across the island.

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Eva Igo is a dancer from Minnesota. She trains at the renowned Larkin Dance Studio. Credits include: World of Dance (TV Show) Season 1. 2nd Place overall, 1st place in the junior division, Dance Moms, and Industry Dance Awards 2018 winner of “Most Fierce Dancer under 18”.

Even before engaging with formal training, Travis Cooper - also known as Santikaro, meaning “peace-bringing ray of light” - has been in love with movement and dance since he was a child. As a kid, he discovered a passion for the choreographic process, making dances with willing family members. He participated in many years of training in diverse dance techniques and has since become invested in teaching and facilitating dance and movement classes around the country. While Santikaro is grateful for his thorough training and full career in the dance industry as a dancer and choreographer for music videos, tours, commercials, TV shows, films, dance companies, and industrials, he has spent years learning to integrate those formative experiences into the larger tapestry of living a purposeful, meaningful, authentic life. Most recently, he is approaching the dance and movement classes he offers as a way of holding space for people no matter where they are in their journey, and seeks to provide a rich experience for all, regardless of whether students are trained in dance or not. Santikaro holds space in a way that is simultaneously firm and gentle, steady and sturdy, and rooted in the belief that while we are each different beings, we are all part of one larger energy, and so we are inherently complete just as we are in each moment. Travis is inspired by and curious about how all parts of a person inform one another. Santikaro is honored and devoted to serving people through holding space for people to come home to themselves through the exploration of movement and dance.

Sara Perez started dancing at the age of 3 and is well versed in Ballet, Modern and Jazz. While in high school in Plano, Texas, Sara taught Ballet, Jazz, Pre-Pointe and Pointe classes to dancers age 3-14. In 2011 Sara graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Pedagogy. Perez intensives such as Joffrey San Antonio (2004) and Paul Taylor New York (2010). Once moving to NYC in 2011, Perez attended the TAKE Dance (2011) and Lar Lubovitch intensives (2012). Perez has worked with a number of companies such at Exit 12 and Community Dance Project, in addition to music videos by TV on the Radio, Tiny Victories and Sannhet. In 2016 Sara started her own private lesson business, teaching students all over NYC.

Breanna Davis, MS, R-DMT, LMHCa is a Registered Dance/movement Therapist from Indianapolis, Indiana and has a Master’s in Dance/Movement Therapy and is in the process of achieving her Mental Health Counselor License. Through The Andrea Rizzo Foundation, Breanna brought Dance/movement Therapy back to Riley Children’s Hospital where she provides therapy services to kids, teens, and parents during their hospital stay. Breanna works to help connect others to movement as a way of emotional expression, pain management, coping, and encouraging positive self-esteem and body image. Breanna also works as a dance teacher and choreographer. Bringing all of her passions together, DEEA has been a source of rejuvenation with the efforts to make sure dance spaces are safe, equitable, and inclusive for all. Contact Breanna: Breanna@danceequityassociation.com

Alicia is a junior at Lindenwood University pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Jazz and a Minor in Musical Theatre. She started dancing at the age of four in South Carolina. She's trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and hip hop. During high school, she danced competitively on the Studio b Dance Team and her high school team in Lafayette, IN. She was a Liberate Artists prodigy at Phoenix Fire 2019 and an apprentice at Phoenix Fire 2021 and 2022 in New York City. Alicia attended ACDA in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, performing Megan Mayer’s piece “when the fire continues” in their Gala showcase. She’s attending this event again this year, performing Brenna Mickley’s “Relax, Repeat.” She performed at The Big Muddy Dance Festival in 2021, dancing in “Before the Numerberg Code” by Tricia Zweier. Alicia also performed during National Dance Week in St. Louis, showcasing Alicia Love’s “Stand There and Look Pretty.” She performed at the Polar Express at Union Station during the holidays as an elf, chef, and conductor. She’s also performed at Six Flags St. Louis during Fright Fest as a performer in Dead Man’s Party. Last year, she choreographed for the 2022 Winter Dance Concert at Lindenwood University. After she graduates, she hopes to work in the cruise line industry as a performer in their Broadway-style shows.

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Deion Muse is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer born and raised in South Boston, VA. Currently teaching and training at the award winning Essence of Movement Dance Studio, Deion has a true passion and gift for dance. As a well-rounded dancer and choreographer, Deion has had the opportunity to work in a diverse array of genres from musical theatre to hip hop. Select credits include: XeQtion Dance Team, VCU Ram Cheerleader, CompleX Modeling Troupe, Black Ice Dance Crew, CompleX Modeling Troupe, Black Ice Dance Crew, Essence of Movement performance choreography, Shrek the Musical, Oklahoma!, and Gypsy. In 2018 Deion made history with Liberate Artists INC as the first dancer to be chosen and successfully completed Focus 2018 (as an Apprentice in Los Angeles, California) and Phoenix Fire 2018 (as a Primo in Brooklyn, NY). In training with Liberate Artists INC. Deion has had the opportunity to assist and study with some of the most successful dance educators in the industry including: Lauren Froderman (winner of So You Think You Can Dance), Samo Soto (Netflix’s “The Get Down”), and Emmy Award winning choreographer Mia Michaels.

Lynsey began her dance training at Unique Performance Arts Center in New Jersey and has a Bachelor of Science in Dance from Penn State University. While at Penn State she was on the 3x National Champions Lionettes Dance Team, performing at football and basketball games. Lynsey has been with Liberate Artists for five years, assisting our guest and traveling faculty. She can be seen in Miles Keeney's "Got Pride?" video and has choreographed award-winning routines. Lynsey continues to share her passion for dance with others through teaching and choreography.

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Bailey Schalk has been immersed in the world of dance since a young age, training and competing in northwest Indiana. After graduating high school, she pursued her passion for the arts at Theatre Arts Preparatory School located in Las Vegas, NV. During her time there, she received opportunities to perform in various settings such as corporate events, flash jobs, and festivals. Bailey has spent the last three years intermittently working on cruise ships, showcasing her talent in productions including "Footloose", "Elements", "Palace of Lights", and "Blazing Boots". Recently, she has relocated to New York and is eager to continue her artistic journey within the entertainment industry.

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Jasón Wells is a singer/dancer/ actor/ choreographer from New Jersey and is a Montclair State University Alumnus with a BFA in Musical Theatre (Spring 2022). He is  the director and Co-founder of Transcendence Dance Collective- an NJ based contemporary dance company that trains individuals to be the best that can collectively.Jasón has performed in company works, commercial dance, dance visuals, and for upcoming artists in the city. He’s been in tons of musicals, and is part of teaching faculty for Studio J Dance Academy, Center for Dance Education, and a few other dance schools across New Jersey.

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Jasón is super excited to be back with the Liberate Fam where he can continue to grow as an artist and inspire kids to be the best they can both inside and out!

Elle is a professional dancer and singer in NYC. Her most notable credits include Vicki in A Chorus Line (Off Broadway) and So You Think You Can Drag as a backup dancer. She currently dances in cabaret shows around the city and teaches at multiple studios in the tristate area. Elle is a Liberate Artists’ Phoenix Fire Faculty Member.

Selena Alvarez is a creativity enthusiast, passionate about visual arts, music, social media marketing and all things involving dance. She is a bilingual Puerto Rican-American who is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Business Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Towards the end of her college experience, she was granted the winner of the 2017 Annual $10,000 Pitch Competition at Montclair State University from her minor in Entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduation, she was able to combine her love of dance, marketing, and entrepreneurship by becoming a professional videographer/cinematographer, video editor, and creative director. 

In 2017, she established her brand, “Ninamoonlove” and became a video/marketing freelancer for artists throughout Central and Northern New Jersey. She has offered services in videography and social media marketing to multiple music artists, dancer/choreographers, dance studios, the real estate world and Jersey City Specialist – Diana Vasquez, small businesses such as CHEERFIT, class one dance organizations at Montclair State University, and non-profit organizations such as Vanguard Theatre Company, Carolyn Dorfman Dance, and Liberate Artists. In April 2022, Ms. Alvarez went full time with her video production brand, “Ninamoonlove Productions”, and continues to collaborate and inspire all kinds of artists/creators around the United States.

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Allison Canales is a visual artist specializing in digital and film photography, videography, editing, creative direction and grew up as a dancer. Allison started shooting, developing and printing her own film photography at the age of 17 after signing up for the wrong elective by accident. From there she ventured on to digital photography and later on videography, teaching herself the ins and outs as she went along. Allison was an assistant at West Coast Dance Elite and has assisted choreographers such as Audrey Case, Lex Ishimoto and Mandy Korpinen and Elizabeth Petrin from SYTYCD. Allison’s worlds collided in the best way, combining her love for shooting and dance, when she got a job touring as a dance convention photographer and videographer at age 19. She’s been shooting on the dance convention scene for the last 5 years and most recently has shot for Velocity Dance Convention. Allison has also worked closely with choreographers to direct and film concepts such as Kevin Maher, Chaz Buzan, Whitney Bezzant and Dexter Carr. Allison’s main focus with any art she creates is to convey stories that leave an impact. Her curiosity and passion within creating and understanding and ability across many forms of art produces distinctive and imaginative work.

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