Company Members
Jump down to:
Sierra Ramm
Sierra started dancing at age 4, clogging and square dancing with the Valley of the Sun Kachina Cloggers, performing and competing nationally. She later added ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and folk dance training, including a summer program with Los Angeles Classical Ballet. But it wasn't until 1992 when she landed her first acting role in a musical theater production that she found her niche. Sierra has performed in over 35 productions, including the National Tour of "Winnie the Pooh", and was nominated for an AriZoni award for her role in "Lounge Lizards". Graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, and shortly after, began teaching dance for musical theater at New York City Aid Society. Sierra has worked as a dance instructor for many Opendance Outreach Programs, as well as Free Arts and teaching ballet to children from Arizona Center for the Blind. In 2006, Sierra was the Dance Commissioner for the JCC Maccabi Games Phoenix, and appeared in the Phoenix Film Festival commercial. Currently, she is the Director of Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center's Youth Theater Program - producing 2 full-scale musical productions each year - and also teaches/directs the Adult Theater Program. Sierra also teaches movement classes at Sundance Healing Center, and is an Event Planner for The Arizona Republic.
Kenyata Baraka
Kenyata (aka Queen Be) is a very loving, patient teacher and dynamic choreographer. Her study of dance began as a small child. Being raised in an air force family she was able to study with a wide range of different teachers and learn many different dance styles. Since 2004 Kenyata has been developing and cultivating her own dance style called B.A.H.M. It incorporates Ballet, African, Hiphop and Modern dance into one, and is primarily performed to the uptempo rhythms of Jungle/ Drum n’ Bass music. Some of her credentials include Phoenix College Hiphop dance instructor of 6 years, Phoenix College Hiphop performance team advisor, dance instructor at "Al Moro" dance studio in Phoenix, Khalsa Montessori schools dance instructor, Ydrah performance company choreographer, and an arts in educational outreach teacher and performer with Opendance. Kenyata is also a vocalist in" Antedote the Neato project", the number one Jazz/Hiphop band in Arizona and has started her own RAW style clothing line called Rippstyle Clothing.
Edelmira Zapata
Edelmira is an accomplished visual artist, writer, dancer, choreographer, teacher and director. She has travelled worldwide with her company Grupo de Danzas Folcloricas Colombianas. Edelmira received her Masters of Fine Arts from the Universidad Nacional of Colombia. She has studied all forms of movement and theatre some of which have been, Ballet with Pricilla Welton and Miroslav Kura, Director of the National Theatre of Prague. African Dance at the EDEC, Abidjˆhn school in Costa de Marfil. African History and Ritual dances of America at the Anthropological Foundation for Investigation. Technique of the Samurai with the Odin Theatre of Denmark and Korean Dance and Choreography with Cho-Kyoo-Humm.
Deb Gregory
Deb Gregory has been with Opendance since 1989. Deb began dancing at the age of five in Michigan and studied under Deborah Chase of the Detroit City Ballet Company. Coming from a performing arts family of Polish descent, Deb also joined the Serrena Dancers, a Polish dancing group, while living in Michigan. At the University of Michigan she received her Bachelor of Science in Computer & Communication Sciences and studied Modern and Classical dance. Since moving to Phoenix, she has performed with Opendance in Arizona, Texas and Mexico. Deb is currently a Vice President for Wells Fargo Bank.
In 1994 Deb Gregory incorporated Opendance. Shortly thereafter, Deb Gregory and Tim Lykes worked with the Opendance Board of Directors and the Federal Government to obtain non-profit status for Opendance.
Armando Lozano
Armando Lozano began his dance training in Mexico as a dance partner for Ballet Folklorico and quickly became interested in all styles of dance and theatre. When he moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1995, Armando began to take dance classes with Opendance in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary movement, and soon after became an Opendance member in 1996. While studying and performing with Opendance.
Dashiell Cote
Information pending, check back soon!
Jacques Myers
Jacques began his dance studies as a child in England and continued as a young adult in Trinidad. Jacques then traveled to New York City, where he was offered a scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem and danced with Alvin Ailey II. Jacques continued his dance studies in both ballet and Graham technique, at Arizona State University. Jacques has performed with several local Arizona companies such as the Phoenix Ballet Company and the Desert Dance Theatre and joined Opendance in 1990.
Tracy Thomason
Tracy Thomason left a career in the field of Communications in early 2006 to further her education at Phoenix College. It was there that she rediscovered her love of dance and served as the Vice President of the PC Dance Company. She currently performs around the Valley with The B.A.H.M. Squad under the direction of Kenyata “Queen Be” Baraka. During the summer months, Tracy works with a special needs foundation, encouraging children of all ages and abilities to realize their individual potential. She views dance as a unique tool that can be used to encourage a positive self-image in young people and believes that every child who desires to dance should have the opportunity within their reach.
Tricia Ross
Tricia began performing at age 11 with cheer squads around the valley. She immediately found a passion in dancing and performing. After a few years, she also began coaching cheer squads for children. In 2000, Tricia discovered a new passion—musical theatre. It was here she began to better develop her dance technique as well as her voice. She was cast in such productions as “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The King and I,” and even edgier performances, such as “Equis”. Tricia is currently a student at A.S.U. where she studies child psychology and dance. She plans to work with and help enrich the lives of children facing the challenges associated with poverty through counseling, positive art, and intervention.
Dulce Juarez
Dulce Juarez is Co-Founder of Teatro Nopalero a local Street Theater Group, that focuses on working to create a positive social change in our communities. Dulce is bilingual, speaks fluent English and Spanish. Her work incorporates performance, theater and body movement expression into fun and educational workshops about social issues impacting our daily lives. She has performed with Opendance director Michele Ceballos Michot at an International Peace Day Event. Dulce plans to attend Arizona State University ’s Herberger College of the Arts to achieve a Masters in Fine Arts with a concentration in Theatre for Youth. Her goal is to create awareness of social issues, raise consciousness of human equality, multicultural acceptance and inspire people to get involved in positive social change, all through the art of performance!
Victor Gamez
Victor was born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. He has studied Danza Folklorico, Modern Dance, Contact Improvisation, Capoiera, Ballet, African Dance, Contemporary movement and Theatre. Victor has studied with Varvea Williams in Tucson, Hodgie Jo, Director of Dance Inc. in Phoenix. AZ. and Michelle Ceballos –Director of Opendance. Victor has performed with in local theatre productions and with the Dance Phoenix Youth Company. He has been with Opendance since 2002. Victor assists in the Opendance Educational Outreach programs and performs in the lecture-demo series.
Ismael Gaytan
Ismael was born in Mexico City. Ismael has studied Acting, African Dance, Ballet and Contemporary movement. Ismael has studied and performed in Mexico, Tucson and Phoenix,AZ. He has performed in local theatrre productions and danced with the Dance Phoenix Youth Company. Ismael began as an assistant teacher for Opendance in Jan 2002 and performs in the Opendance lecture demo series.
Tiffinie Greer
Tiffinie Greer has studied dance, theatre, visual and performing arts since the age of five, and has worked as assistant director and choreographer for the Unlikely Theatre, which has performed at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and in New York City. In Phoenix, Tiffinie has performed with the Mesa Little Theatre, the Planet Earth Theatre and the On The Spot Theatre. In 1998 Tiffinie moved to Los Angeles, CA where she perfected her acting, dance skills and visual arts skills. In 2001 she returned to Phoenix, to join Opendance who she has been with since 1995 and her multi talented attributes contribute greatly both to the Opendance Company and to the Opendance Educational Programs.
Angie Medina
Angelica Medina was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is the youngest of five and has an immense passion for the arts. Miss Medina is currently attending Arizona State University and will be receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a minor in Psychology. She plans to attend graduate school for Drama Therapy. Her long-term goal is to work with children that have learning disabilities and incorporate theatre and dance as a form of expression and therapy. She believes that the purpose of an artist is to enlighten. Miss medina uses theatre as a form of raising consciousness; she is an artist who has the potential to engage and inspire individuals through her craft.
Ana Moreno
Ana Maria Bonilla Carreno, (Ana Moreno) was born the 14th of September of 1963 in the city of Mexico. At 11 yrs of age she initiated her studies for teacher and dancer of folkloric dances of Mexico at the School of Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Ms.Moreno studied music, for dance, drama, ballet, contemporary dance, choreography, scenic and costume design, stage make-up and history of Mexico. For 6 years she danced with el Ballet Folklorico de Amalia Hernandez and with el Ballet Folklorico de Silvia Lozano, and taught classes of basic stagecraft. From 1987 to 1993 Ms.Moreno worked in the school of artistic initiation with the group Ollin Yoliztli (life and movement), and since 1994 to date, she is the director of ballet folklorico for youth for the Scottsdale school district and for Opendance. Ms. Moreno’s dance students have performed for different city events, Univision 33, in different school districts and in a variety of cultural events helping to conserve the Mexican artistic traditions.
Dorothy Morgan
Dorothy received her BFA in dance from Arizona State University. She has also studied dance and theatre at Phoenix Community College and early childhood development at Arizona State University. Dorothy has performed with the Aurora Mime Theatre and with Opendance. Dorothy’s main focus is in Modern and Multi-Cultural dance and has taught in publicschools K-8, pre-schools and community programs with Opendance since 1998.
Mimi Solaire
Mimi began her dance training in Pittsburgh and was a member of the Pittsburgh Junior Civic Ballet. Interested in movement and design, she went on to receive her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and has taught for several colleges and universities. Mimi is founder and director of her own graphic design business, Gold Dust Studios, whose clients include Ballet Arizona and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Mimi is also a certified Yoga teacher teaching at the At One Yoga Studios and privately.
For more information contact: mimibailey@uswest.net
Aimee Walsh
Aimee began her dance training in ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling at the Dancesation Dance Studio in Phoenix, AZ. with Cindy Saillant, Bridgette Knox and Michelle Ceballos. She continued her dance studies at Phoenix College and at Arizona State University with Cliff Keuter, Daniel Negrin, Connie Stein, Cathy Lindholm Lane and Ki-Huan Han. Aimee has taught Jazz and Tap at the Eastlake Park Community Center, performed with Opendance in Arizona and Mexico and presently teaches in the Opendance Educational Outreach programs. Aimee is a great teacher and has a gift for choreography.
Megan Todd
Megan was born in Iowa and grew up in N.H. She graduated with a B.A. in English as well as a B.A. entitled Language, Reading, and Culture of the Americas, out of her studies in Ecuador. Pursuing her love of dance, Megan traveled to Guinea and Ghana West Africa, as well as Havana, Cuba to study. In 1998 after moving to Phoenix, Megan began working in the artist-in-residence programs of Opendance. As well as a teacher for Opendance, Megan is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Stott Pilates instructor, and a Yoga Alliance certified teacher. She is currently pursuing her M.S. degree in Exercise and Wellness at ASU East and has her own business, Spiral Groove, offering small group and private classes in Stott Pilates mat and reformer sessions, as well as Hatha and restorative yoga classes, and therapeutic massage.
For information on classes please call 480-227-6842 or email maguinea@yahoo.com
Leland Chapin
Leland Chapin is an artist and teacher who has collaborated in learning with a wide range of people around art and social justice issues. He has lived & worked in Panama, Washington DC, New Mexico's Navajo Nation, Philadelphia, and El Salvador. Chapin grew up bilingual. He thanks his family and friends for inspiring him to keep growing and to keep learning about his own identity. Leland passionately believes that making art has the power to uplift individuals and unite communities.
Rosie Villegas-Smith
Rosie began her dancing training in Mexico.She learned a variety of dance styles, including Ballet, Mexican Aztec, Folkclorico, Hawaian and Modern dance. She performed at the Festival Internacional Cervantino with Ballet Folkclorico de Casa de la Cultura de Salamanca and with the Modern Dance Troupe from Ma. Antonieta Prieto. Rosie has taught Latin Dance-Aerobics in diverse community and fitness centers in Mexico and the U.S. She studied African dance with Uncle C.K. Ganyo and performed with Adzido. She has been teaching with Opendance in elementary schools. She has taught Salsa dance at East Lake Park Community Center. Rosie and her family have performed the traditional “Torito Dance” (masks and storytelling) at the Phoenix Art Museum and schools around the Valley. She is the Director of Education and an artist with Calaca Cultural Center. Rosie graduated from ASU with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. She believes in the therapeutic power of dance and creative art.
Omar Alvarado
Information pending, check back soon!
Martin “Mystik” Gonzalez
Information pending, check back soon!
Ron Tang
Information pending, check back soon!
Robert Ray
Information pending, check back soon!
Natalia Ronceria
Information pending, check back soon!
Eileen Shrout
Information pending, check back soon!
Jose Meraz
Information pending, check back soon!
Christine Unger
Information pending, check back soon!
Nicola Bowie
Information pending, check back soon!
Cristina Cortez
Information pending, check back soon!
Eric Lopez
Information pending, check back soon!
Bridgette Knox
Information pending, check back soon!