Lenore Pavlakos Morales is a native of Brooklyn, NY and graduate of The Juilliard School where she received her BFA Degree in dance. Her professional career includes Eglevsky Ballet, Maryland Ballet & Eugene Ballet before joining Dance Theatre of Harlem under the direction of Arthur Mitchell.  She quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Soloist and later Principal dancer. In her 11-year tenure with DTH she worked with masters such as Fredrick Franklin, John Taras, Suzanne Farrell, Jacques D’Ambroise, Geoffrey Holder.  Featured roles include: Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s “Serenade”, Medea in Michael Smuin’s “Medea”, “Desdemona” in Jose Limon’s “Moors Pavane”, Princess of Unreal Beauty in John Taras’s “Firebird” and “Myrta” in Fredrick Franklin’s staging of “Creole Giselle”. In addition to performing, she served as assistant rehearsal director to the company and Master Teacher for their “Dancing through Barriers”, outreach program both in the US and abroad. Lenore performed as guest artist to various companies in the US. Ms. Morales was a featured model for Capezio ads and has been seen in Oprah, Mademoiselle, Pointe, and Dance Magazine as well as Italy’s Io Donna.  

Following her performing career Ms. Morales served as Director to The Harkness Youth Ballet @ 92nd Street Y and later Ballet Mistress to Staten Island Ballet. Recently, she was delighted to serve as guest Rehearsal Director to Dance Theatre of Harlem, NYC during their 2021-2022 season. In 2022, Lenore joined Collage Dance Collective as Rehearsal Director during its 13th Performance Season. Additional teaching includes ballet faculty at Rutgers – Mason Gross School of the Arts,West Virginia Dance Festival, Scarsdale Ballet Studio, American Ballet Theatre JKO School, Academy of Dance Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble,

Karen Niceley attended the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and later received her BFA in Dance Education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Karen’s professional credits include work with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Michael Mao Dance Company, Metropolitan Opera, Cirque Du Soleil, Keith Lee’s Dance Theatre of Lynchburg and the Broadway National Tour of The Color Purple.

Prior to relocating to Memphis in spring 2021, Karen taught dance, Vinyasa yoga and creative movement in more than 100 schools throughout the five boroughs of NYC. As a result of decades long work with The Leadership Program, Karen is recognized for her ability to utilize social emotional learning, anti-bullying best practices and restorative justice models to implement transformative youth development programs that combine academics and dance technique.

As the Community Engagement Manager for Collage Dance, Karen works to broaden the organization’s in-school dance education program, Turning Pointe, by fostering relationships with Memphis area schools. She also works to cultivate a vibrant adult dance community through program development at the new Collage Dance Center and dance exposure opportunities in Memphis and beyond.

Karen is also co-founder of Gritty Cherries, Inc., a non-profit art production company that serves as a springboard for emerging artists of all types, providing venues and producing special events for charitable organizations with a variety of artists who collaborate together under one roof and a specific theme while bringing high quality training in the arts to underprivileged youth through their arts education program Gritty Cherries Arts Education.

Danielle Jenice Pierce is an award-winning competitive dancer with more than 15 years of training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Modern.

A graduate of The University of Memphis and former Memphis RedBirds Redhots member, Danielle has been a faculty member with the Collage Dance Conservatory since 2017. She teaches Tap through our community-connected Turning Pointe program, in partnership with Memphis area schools, and on-site at the Collage Dance Center where she also teaches Creative Movement for budding dancers ages 2 – 3.

Danielle is an active member of Hot Foot Honeys, a Memphis-based professional Tap Dance company, and the Southern Association for Dance Masters. She’s also currently training with The American Tap Dance Foundation where she will be receiving a teaching certification for tap technique, repertory and performance skills in 2021.

A south side, Chicago bred artist, Dorian Rhea has been an active participant in community based arts and education for the past seven years. He has performed and choreographed pieces for recording artists like Silentò & Chance The Rapper, while using his art as a tool for activism and reformation by working alongside the Obamas on the ‘Healthier America’ initiative. His works have been featured at venues such as The Chicago Theater & The Museum of Contemporary Art.

He has held residencies at The Joffrey Ballet Chicago as well as The American Rhythm Center, and facilitated world-class workshops at Roosevelt University, Chicago State University, and Wilbur Wright College. From working with charitable arts programs in public schools across the city, to providing free performance training under the non-profit ‘Happiness Club’, Dorian continues to encourage, build, and support reputable opportunities and networks that give back to the communities who invest so much into the future.

Noelia Garcia Carmona is a native of Barcelona, Spain. She started dancing at a young age and followed her passion and dream of becoming a dance professional and traveling the world. She graduated from the Institut del Teatre I Dansa in Barcelona in 1993 specializing in Spanish dance and flamenco. Upon graduation, she co-founded the flamenco and contemporary dance company Increpacion Danza, where she was a performer and choreographer for 10 years, touring all over Europe, China and The Philippines.

In 2002, she was selected as a dance performer by Cirque du Soleil, for their show Zumanity. Noelia moved to the USA in 2003 and has since lived in Memphis, TN. From 2003 to 2021, she worked at New Ballet Ensemble & School holding different roles and positions including dance educator, performer, choreographer, program director, and Associate Artistic Director leading a team of teaching artists and creating programming for events and concerts. In 2014, she was Rehearsal Director and performer for the piece Harlem, presented by the New Ballet Ensemble at the Kennedy Center accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra.

In 2017, Noelia graduated from the CAELI (Community Arts Education Leadership Institute) led by the National Guild for Community Arts Education. In her role as a choreographer, she has created numerous dance works with students and professional dancers that have been presented in venues throughout Memphis. Some of her original choreography includes “Dos,” “Tiempos,” “El Rey de Harlem,” “Fuego” and “Voices.” She creates dances that are relevant, passionate and inclusive of other dance genres outside of Spanish Dance and Flamenco. Noelia teaches ballet, Flamenco and Spanish dance to youth and adults.

Lauren Anderson danced with Houston Ballet from 1983 to 2006, performing leading roles in all the great classical ballets, appearing across the world to critical acclaim, and in the process, becoming one of Houston Ballet’s most beloved stars.

She trained exclusively at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy from the age of seven.

She joined Houston Ballet in 1983 as a Corps de Ballet and in 1990 became the first African American to be promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet – and one of the few African American ballerinas at the head of a major ballet company anywhere in the world.

Anderson is also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Anderson was awarded the Jefferson Award for Community Service in 2011. Most recently, Ms. Anderson received the Barbara Jordan, Breaking Barriers award from the Harris County Democratic Party.

She has been honored by numerous organizations.

In January 2007, Ms. Anderson assumed her new role in Houston Ballet’s education department where she conducts master classes, and lectures to students on dance and her historic career as one of America’s most distinguished African American ballerinas.

In the spring of 2016, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture awarded her with a permanent exhibit. In fall of 2021 was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Most recently, a production chronicling her life, Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson, premiered at Stages Theater.

Brandye Lee is a cum laude alumna of Smith College (Economics & Afro-American Studies), and received her formal dance training as a scholarship student at Jones-Haywood School of Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Ailey School. A native Washingtonian, she was a featured dancer with Ailey II and Disney’s blockbuster “The Lion King” – National Gazelle Tour. While touring with The Lion King, Brandye served as the company’s outreach coordinator, creating unique behind-the-scenes experiences that included the show’s phenomenal cast, crew and orchestra members. Throughout her travels, she has produced numerous concerts benefiting community arts and education organizations. Brandye has been a guest performer and teacher in many of the 47 states she toured, including at Flint Institute of Music, Dance Institute of Washington, Dance Theatre of Lynchburg, Troy D. Brown’s The Art of Technique, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, George Mason University, University of Tennessee, Fisk University, Rhodes College, Marymount University, and countless others. Most recently, Brandye served as Rehearsal Director for Memphis, Tennessee’s groundbreaking ballet company and conservatory, Collage Dance Collective. In addition to receiving numerous awards, she is a New Memphis Institute Fellow and former commissioner for the Memphis City Beautiful Commission. Brandye is a current recipient of a graduate dance fellowship at University of California at Irvine, focusing on choreography and issues of equity and diversity in ballet. Through her lifelong passion for dance, she continues to find innovative ways to let her life speak, and serve her community.

YOSEK PRIETO (CHOREOGRAPHER) began his ballet career at the age of 10 at the Escuela Vocacional de Arte in Pinar del Rio, Cuba studying the history and fundamental elements of ballet, French, dance repertoires, modern dance and gymnastics. At the age of 15, he began studying at the world-renowned Escuela Nacional de Ballet in Havana, Cuba where he continued his studies of ballet, contemporary dance, folk dance, ballroom dance, duo classic, dance methodology and the history of dance. He participated in many productions with noted instructors and choreographers such as Alicia Alonso, Ivan Tenorio, Alberto Alonso, Gustavo Herrera, Pedro Consuegra, Maria Rovira and Jorge Amarante. In 2000, he joined the Ballet Nacional de Cuba and danced with that company for 5 years, participating in numerous productions, international festivals and tours under the direction of Alicia Alonso. In 2005, Yosek joined Ballet de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico where he continued to expand his repertoire and international experience. In 2009, Yosek moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he now shares his knowledge and experience as a ballet instructor.

Kevin Ricardo Tate is an accomplished performing artist and educator whose career spans Broadway, television, and premier concert dance companies. His Broadway and theatrical credits include performing in the ensemble of Disney’s The Lion King, originating the role of Jackie Thibadeaux in Caroline, or Change, appearing with The Public Theater in As You Like It andMiami New Drama’s A Wonderful World.

On screen, his television and film credits include roles in NBC’s Law & Order, FX’s American Horror Story, ALLBLK’s Double Cross, and BET’s BMF.

As a professional dancer, Kevin has performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Kyle Abraham’s A.I.M, Rasta Thomas’ BAD BOYS of Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Corps, Collage Dance Collective, and the Wylliams-Henry Dance Company.

Dedicated to mentorship, he has served as a guest teaching artist at Howard University and the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) of NYC, and as Ballet Master for Titans of Dance and the REVEL Dance Convention. His commercial portfolio includes campaigns for Charlie by MZ, OOFOS, DoorDash, Brooklyn Brewery, and Moose Knuckles.

Kevin is managed by Kimberly Jago of G&G Talent.

The bio-[Kemet]cal essence of Men Ca is in his name: mata is energy from the nucleus of the ca’nscious atam. A practitioner of defining that which he does through that which he is, (i.e., Men Ca), his absolute Art and Science is simply to be ca’nscious at all times, in all times, thus defining the life force energy of love and understanding.

Melissa M. Young is a Honduran American from Santa Ana, California, who has built a distinguished career as a dance leader, educator, and visionary with over three decades of experience. She studied Business Administration at Orange Coast College before refining her artistic skills at The Ailey School—The Official School of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. During her fellowship, Melissa was one of only five students selected for an exchange program at Amsterdam University of the Arts in the Netherlands.

Young’s transformative 30-year tenure with Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) began as a company dancer and evolved through increasingly influential roles, including Rehearsal Director and Academy Director, before culminating in her impactful role as Artistic Director from 2018 to 2024. Her performances have graced prestigious venues worldwide, including The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, and City Center to special presentations for U.S. Ambassadors in Ireland and Zimbabwe. Additionally, Melissa represented the United States at the Cultural Olympiad, performing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2012 Olympics in London, with performances held in Edinburgh, Scotland.

As Artistic Director, Young successfully led the company through a period of growth and artistic excellence, curating an expansive repertoire, commissioning over 30 choreographers, and developing collaborative partnerships with national and international artists. Her artistic leadership extended beyond DBDT, serving as Choreographer’s Assistant to Tony Award winning choreographer Hope Clarke for the Dallas Opera’s “Porgy and Bess” and as Choreographer’s Assistant to international choreographer Christopher L. Huggins for Dallas Theater Center’s production of “The Wiz.” Her leadership during the pandemic showcased her innovative spirit and adaptability. She pioneered a groundbreaking paid virtual model that expanded the company’s reach globally while attracting premier dancers and choreographers to collaborate on performances at celebrated venues, including The Joyce Theater, Portland’s White Bird, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Melissa’s artistic vision consistently pushed boundaries while honoring the company’s rich heritage.

As a dedicated educator, Melissa specializes in the Lester Horton Dance Technique. She served as DBDT’s primary Horton Technique Company Instructor for two decades and also taught at Southern Methodist University, Texas Woman’s University, and Abilene Christian University. In addition to her academic work, Melissa has led movement workshops for corporate leaders through programs like Leadership North Texas and Leadership Dallas, as well as staff development workshops for dance faculty in school districts across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Committed to continuous growth and arts leadership, Melissa is a graduate of the Leadership Arts Institute, Class of 2022, a program of the Business Council for the Arts in Dallas County, and earned Professional Certifications in Leadership, Management, and Analytical Skills from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business in 2023. She is an active member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance, Inc. and has served on advisory panels for organizations such as the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. She is also a former board member of the Dance Council of North Texas.

Throughout her career, Young has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the dance industry, earning accolades such as The Dancer’s Award for Artistic Excellence (2000) from DBDT, being named one of The Talented Tenth by The Dallas Weekly (2010), the Award of Recognition from the South Dallas Dance Festival (2014), the Natalie Skelton Award for Artistic Excellence (2016) from the Dance Council of North Texas, and the Shining Star Award from the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (2017). In 2019, she was honored with the “We Speak Your Name” Career Achievement Award by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.

Today, Melissa channels her wealth of experience and creative vision into new horizons as a dance leader, educator, and consultant for arts, culture, and global entertainment initiatives. Her journey stands as a testament to the power of combining artistic excellence with visionary leadership, continuing to inspire the next generation of dancers and arts leaders.

Lauren began studying ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater at the age 3. At age 12, she was accepted to the Houston Ballet Academy on scholarship. A year later she was invited to train in the Professional Division full-time. As a student, she performed in Ben Stevenson’s and Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker. After her family relocated to Colorado, she finished her training at Colorado Ballet Academy on scholarship and performed as Myrtha in the academy’s spring production of Giselle. She also performed in Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz. Lauren attended summer programs at American Ballet Theatre (NYC), School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet SDP, Colorado Ballet Academy, and Houston Ballet Academy. Lauren is returning for her sixth season with Collage Dance Collective.