Paunika Jones is a native of Miami, Florida. She is an alumna of New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, where she studied ballet, modern, tap and jazz dance.  She has trained under the direction of Ursino Deville, Linda A. Rodgers, Yayi Vega, and Beatrice Leverne,  to name a few, and studied at the Ailey® School and the Dance Theatre of Harlem School’s Summer Intensive Programs.Ms. Jones was invited to join DTH’s Dancing Through Barriers® Ensemble in 1996. Where she remained for two years until she was accepted into the professional company in 1998 as an apprentice and ascended through the ranks  to become a Principal Dancer.  Ms. Jones has performed leading roles in John Taras’s “Firebird”, George Balanchine’s “Serenade” and “Four Temperments”, Geoffrey Holder’s “Dougla”, Arthur Mitchell, Augustus van Heerden and Laveen Naidu’s “South African Suite”, and Robert Garland's “Return”. She has worked with the Legendary Donald McKayle, Various Representatives from the Balanchine Trust, Michael Smulin to name a few. Ms. Jones’  professional  company experience include: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Oakland Ballet, Columbia City Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Ballet Noir. Ms. Jones rejoined the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Ensemble in 2007 as a Fellow and featured dancer. This is her first season as a principal with DeMa Dance Company.

BILLY bell

Billy Bell was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Fl where he first started dance at the age of 12. He attended the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Fl and graduated in May 2008. There he worked with many prestigious choreographers including Kathy Posin, Margot Sapington, Jeff Satinof, and Jan Hanniford-Geotz. Now, at age 19, he has done more than most his age: He has danced with Broadway’s Liza Minnelli, and Joel Grey in “Back to Back to Broadway”; toured with Broadway Arts Productions as “Baby John” in their production of “West Side Story;” and was on season six of FOX’s hit television show So You Think You Can Dance. He has trained at Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary and participated in Springboard Danse Montreal, where he has had the pleasure of working with many dance companies and choreographers from across the world. Billy also started his own ensemble at Dreyfoos School of the Arts called the Dreyfoos Dance Ensemble, and was lucky enough to be selected to be awarded a Silver Award and Presidential Scholar nomination from NFAA YoungARTS. He also was in an HBO documentary with Jaques D’Amboise called “Master Class”.  He is currently in the class of 2012 at The Juilliard School, in New York City, where he studies dance, and has been able to choreograph and perform the works of José Limon and Sidra Bell. Most recently, Billy set his first work, “Burgeon,” at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Billy joined DeMa Dance Company in November of 2009, and is excited to grow with this new opportunity.

Bianca began her dance training at the age of 5 in Philadelphia, PA where she studied ballet at the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and The Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center as well as jazz with Roni Koresh.   Bianca attended the dance conservatory at SUNY Purchase College and Hunter College.  Since moving to New York she has had the honor to perform for Yesid Lopez, Naganuma Dance Company, David Kieffer's Blush Dance Theatre, and Nina Buisson Contemporary Move, among others.  Bianca is excited to start her first season with DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as a principal dancer.

                                                            Soloists

Giovanna Gamna is a native of Torino, Italy. She studied ballet at the S.A.D. in Florence and Lucca, schools affiliated to the "Ecole De Dance Classique" de Monaco-Monte Carlo directed by Marika Besobrasova. Giovanna trained for two years at the "Centro Studi Danza e Movimento" in Florence, Italy. She moved to the United States in 2005 and in May 2009 received her BFA in dance and performance from SUNY Purchase College, New York. She has worked with Luca Veggetti for the world premiere "Orient/Occident" performed at Purchase, New York. She started dancing with Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theatre in June 2009 and joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as a soloist. 

GAVIN mcnally

Gavin Mark McNally started his training with Fort Wayne Ballet at the age of eight. He furthered his studies at Interlochen Arts Academy performing lead roles in "The Nutcracker" and "The Sleeping Beauty", he then went to Indiana University and trained with Violette Verde. Gavin joined the Kansas City Ballet where he performed works including Todd Bolender’s "Danses Concertante", Twyla Tharp’s "As Time Goes By", and George Balanchine’s "Stravinsky Violin Concerto". He returned home to the Fort Wayne Ballet where he performed "Cinderella" and "Midsummernight's Dream". Gavin is currently performing with the Hybrid Movement Company, The Janusphere Dance Company, and the Fort Wayne Ballet. Gavin is excited to start his first season with DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as a soloist dancer.

CLEMENT mensah

Clement was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. He moved to the Netherlands at the age of 11. After high school and graduating from CIOS (sports academy) he went to Amsterdam School of Arts and graduated in June 2008. He came to the Alvin Ailey School in 2007 as an exchange student where he received a fellowship to study. He was also member of the Student Performing Group at the Alvin Ailey School. Clement is a former member of the Kisshoffmoves Company based in Amsterdam. He has apprenticed at the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He has also been part of the Francesca Harper Project, Performing at the Harlem stage, Venice (Italy) and Summer Stage East River Park. Clement has been dancing with the Elisa Monte Dance Company since June 2008. He also danced the male lead role of “John” in the Dance Theater “Voodoo-Queen which premiered in January 17^th 2009 at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre, The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City. In 2009 he performed with ASEID Dance Company and Summer Stage with Cecilia Marta. Clement joined DeMa Dance Company in September 2009 as a soloist and is very excited about the opportunity to work with this company. As a Modern Comptemporary teacher, Mr. Mensah has also taught Master classes at THE ALVIN AILEY SCHOOL and DANCERS’ WORKSHOP in Wyoming to begin with. He has also choreographed for the Junior Repertory Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Jere Hunt, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College where he earned his BFA in Dance. While at Marymount, Jere performed works by David Parsons, Christopher d’Amboise, Martha Graham, Molissa Fenley, Edgar Zendejas, and others. Jere was an apprentice with the Alabama Ballet during the 2006-2007 season under the direction of Wes Chapman, where he performed in Swan Lake, Dracula, and Balanchine’s Nutcracker and Stars and Stripes. Jere recently performed Bolero: NYC with Keigwin + Company at the Joyce Theater and is currently dancing with SYREN Modern Dance. Jere joined DeMa Dance Company as a soloist in 2009.

Marla Phelan, born in Miami Beach, Fl, began her creative endeavors at a performing arts summer camp under the guidance of Ana Bolt.  She then advanced to a rigorous training at New World School of the Arts where dean Daniel Lewis gave her the opportunity to work with Robert Battle, Peter London, and Carla Maxwell of the Limon Company through the privilege of a summer internship.   In 2005, Marla was recognized as a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts first level award winner, a Presidential Scholar in the arts nominee and a scholarship recipient from the First Lady's Arts Recognition Program. Marla continued her education at The Juilliard School where she received her BFA in 2009.  She has performed works by Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, Mark Morris, Lar Lubovitch, Larry Keigwin, Nicolo Fonte, Susan Marshall, and Ohad Naharin.   She has since toured Europe as a member of The Juilliard Dance Ensemble and has had the honor of performing with Esme Boyce Dance and with Aszure Barton and Artists.   Currently Marla is a freelance dancer in NYC and is featured as a soloist member of The DeMa Dance Company.

Mina Lawton began her dance training with Cynthia Roses-Thema in Sarasota, Florida. After moving to Vermont, she trained with Ruth Mayer and Linda Copp at Lebanon Ballet School in Lebanon, NH. She performed with the affiliated student-based company, City Center Ballet, and had the opportunity to portray lead roles including the title role in their production of Cinderella. She also attended the Central School of Ballet in London, UK and the graduate program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, in Pennsylvania. Upon moving to New York, she has had the opportunity to work with choreographers Yesid Lopez and Kristi Sutton, among others. Most recently, she guested with Staten Island Ballet performing the work of Ursula Verduzco in their New York International Choreographers Festival 2009. Mina joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 a soloist member.

Nanette Michele began dancing under the direction and guidance of Vicky and Evan Simegiatos. Without these two influential people Nanette Michele would  not have continued with her dancing career. Nanette has had the wonderful experience of performing  in ballets such as Coppelia, Cinderella, Stars and Stripes and of course Nutcracker. Then continuing her career in the performing arts Nanette Michele was cast in shows such as Nickelodeon's Rugrats A Live Adventure, The Kennedy Center's production of Carnival, Paramount/Vicom's Star Trek The Experience, The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Slow Dance On The Killing Ground, And Then They Came For Me: Remembering The World Of Anne Frank, and Masquerade Show In The Sky. Nanette has had the opportunity to tour the US and also resided in Las Vegas for a number of years while performing in various shows. She has also participated in a number of benefits such as Broadway Bares XVII Myth Behavior/Equity Fights Aids, Golden Rainbow and Circus Freaks where she performed side by side with Cirque Du Soleil artists. In addition, Nanette has had the opportunity to work with wonderful choreographers and directors such as Danny Herman, Rocker Verastique, Vicky Simegiatos, Tara Foy, Christopher Cilders, Deanna Duplechain, Courtney Young, Tokyo, Despina Simegiatos, Matina Simegiatos, Robert Longbottom and Josh Prince. Nanette Michele is delighted to begin this new journey with DeMa Dance Company both on and off stage. She will be performing as a soloist with the company. Nanette Michele is also a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

                                        Corps Dancers

Daniel McArthur is originally from Toronto, Canada. Daniel began his early dance training at Castle Frank Technical Institute under the direction of Maryanne Marsh. In 2009 he graduated from Purchase College. Daniel has performed works by Najinska, Diane McIntyre, George Balanchine, Sir Kenneth McMillan and Paul Taylor. Daniel joined DeMa Dance Company 2009.

Elizabeth Cappabianca began her dance training at the early age of three in Brooklyn, New York. She studied at Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center under the direction of Vicky Simegiatos, Matina Simegiatos, and Despina Simegiatos. Elizabeth is a dance major of The Boston Conservatory where she is a B.F.A. candidate. Her performance credits include various productions with the Vicky Simegiatos Dance Company, LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, and Regis High School. She has performed works by Yesid Lopez, Ginger Cox, Matthew Neff, Chris Coates, Brian Mulley, Latrice Gregory and Caitlin Gray. Elizabeth has performed at Madison Square Garden during the season opening game of New York Liberty. Elizabeth joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as a corps dancer.

Jaqlin Medlock, a native of NY, has performed nationally and internationally including His Majesty’s Theatre, Scotland, the IEEE Communications Society 50th Gala on Broadway, the NSA Broadway Gala, the Ritz Carlton, Las Vegas, and Broadway Dance Center’s Choreographers Showcase. She received her training under the direction of Angela D'Valda and Steve Sirico. With them, she had the good fortune to study ballet with Franco DeVita and Raymond Lukens. Jaqlin graduated cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College, under the direction of Katie Langan, with a BFA in Dance and a Photography Minor. She danced with the MMC Dance Company for three years, working with renowned choreographers, including Pedro Ruiz, Graham Lustig, Doug Varone, David Parsons, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Francisco Martinez, and William Soleau. In 2007, she traveled to Canada to dance Na Floresta choreographed by Nacho Duato with the Springboard DanseMontreal Professional Project and has been re-staged in works by Angelin Preljocai and Jiri Kylian.  Since then Jaqlin has worked with choreographers including Julie Bour, Jason Winters, Wes Veldink, and Max Stone. She is delighted to have performed with Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Yesid & Dancers, DreDance, New Generation Dance Company, and Dario Vaccaro Dance Project. Jaqlin is currently dancing for DeMa Dance Company, enjoying her second year with the Steps Repertory Ensemble, and successfully pursuing her own Photography business, Photography by Jaqi.

Jenna Simon began dancing at the age of five at Mid Maryland Performing Arts Center in Frederick Maryland.  There she received training in the R.A.D. and Graham technique under the direction of Esperanza Alzona.  At the age of thirteen she joined the Potomac Classical Youth Ballet Company dancing soloist roles in ballets including, Peter and the Wolf, Paquita, and The Nutcracker.  Jenna graduated cum laude from Goucher College in 2008 with a BA in Communications and Media Studies and a minor in Dance Performance.  At Goucher she performed in works choreographed by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Michael Vernon, William Whitener, Nilas Martins, and Anne Hutchinson-Guest.  During her last semester of college, she joined Washington Reflections Dance Company for one season.  She has also been a guest artist for the Baltimore Ballet Company.  In 2008, Jenna moved to NYC after receiving a fellowship to dance at the Alvin Ailey Summer Program.  Jenna joined DeMa Dance Company as a corps dancer in 2009.

Jessica Mena began her dance training at the age of five in Brooklyn, New York. She studied ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center under the direction of Vicky Simegiatos, Matina Simegaitos and Despina Simegiatos. Jessica is a dance major at Laguardia High School of the Performing Arts and is expected to graduate in the year 2010. She has studied with Deborah Zall, Elise King and has performed works by Yesid Lopez, Ginger Cox, Matthew Neff, Chris Coates, Latrice Gregory and Caitlin Gray. She has performed in the Vicky Simegiatos production of The Nutcracker and the New York Liberty half time at Madison Square Garden. Jessica joined  DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as a corps dancer.

Lola Shapiro is currently a candidate for a BFA in Modern Dance at Marymount Manhattan College under the direction of Katie Langan.  In June 2008, Lola graduated with honors from LaGuardia Arts High School Dance Department under the direction of Michelle Mathesius.  She was recipient of the Desiree Keres Scholarship.  At LaGuardia, she performed in works by Elise King, John Selya, Penny Frank, Deborah Zall, Yesid Lopez, Matthew Neff, Ginger Cox, Braham Logan Crane and Nathan Trice.  She began her dance studies at the age of six at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center, training in classical ballet with Matina Simegiatos and Vicky Simegiatos, and in jazz and contemporary dance with Despina Simegiatos.  She performed feature roles in full length ballets with the Vicky Simegiatos Dance Company.  Lola joined DeMa Dance Company as a corps dancer in 2009.

MATTHEW flatley

Matthew Flatley was born and raised in Maywood, New Jersey. He began dancing at the age of 3 at Dance Dimensions in New Milford, New Jersey. Matthew attended the Bergen County Academy for Visual and Performing Arts and graduated in June 2009 with a concentration in Acting. In the spring of 2009 , he performed in the Dancers Responding to Aids benefit at the Joyce Theater. Matthew now attends New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts as a BFA dance major, and recently appeared in an original work by Deborah Jowitt. Matthew can be found assisting teacher and choreographer, Marinda Davis, at dance studios and conventions all along the East Coast. He is currently performing with MarInspired: The Company, and is very excited to now be working with DeMa Dance Company.

                                             New Dancers

Heather Klobukowski is from Castro Valley, California. She started her training at Castro Valley Performing Arts under the direction of Janet Nordgren-Taddie at the age of nine. She has studied at San Francisco Lines Dance Center and The Ailey® School. Heather is currently studying at San Jose State University as a BFA in Dance under the in instruction of Fred Mathews, Gary Masters, Maria Basil, Heather Cooper, and Janie Scott and dancing with the University Dance Theater student company. She has performed in San Jose’s annual Dancin' Downtown Festival and the American College Dance Festival. Heather is also dancing with RUGGED dance company under the direction of Tawnya Kuzla. In 2007, Heather was awarded Dance Spirit Magazine’s Future Star Award. Heather is very excited to be performing with DeMa Dance Company.

Hillary was born in Middle Village, New York where she began her training at the age of six. She studied at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts under the direction of Michelle Mathesius and is now a sophomore at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She was the recipient of the Dr. Carol and Marvin Eiger Scholarship and is a Gertrude Samuels scholar. In 2008, Hillary was awarded as a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Finalist and 1st Place winner. She was also a Presidential Scholar in the Arts nominee and semifinalist. This will be Hillary’s first season with DeMa Dance Company.

Joelle was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she started her training at the age of three at Dance Works Dance Center under the direction of Margaret Tapogna Gatzonis. In 2005, she was awarded Dance Spirit Magazine's Future Star Award and was picked along with 50 other members to travel to Beijing, China and participate in a Cultural Festival in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics. As her passion for dance grew, Joelle trained at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts under the direction of Michelle Mathesius. Joelle has performed in several works by Adam Barruch, Pedro Ruiz, Milton Myers, and Sidra Bell. Joelle has performed in Disney World, Orlando, Florida and Madison Square Garden for several years as a member of The United States Dance Team. Currently, she is a Fellowship Student in her third and final year at The Ailey School. At The Ailey School, she has had the honor of performing in Alvin Ailey's "Memoria" for the past two years at City Center as well as represented the Ailey School in the Thanksgiving Parade in celebration of their 50th year Anniversary. Joelle is very excited to begin her first season with DeMa Dance Company.

MARISSA frey

Marissa Frey grew up in York, Pennsylvania and began her dance training at Greater York Youth Ballet under the direction of Lori Pergament.  She has danced many leading roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Four Temperaments and Serenade.  As a former member of Regional Dance America she has received many scholarships.  In 2009 she graduated with a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase.  She has worked with choreographers such as Jessica Lang, Darion Smith and Derek Williams and recently has performed with Janusphere Dance Company.  Marissa Frey joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as an apprentice.

Natalia Mesa began her dance training at the age of 12 in Bogota, Colombia. She studied classical ballet at Anna Pavlova’s Academy under the direction of Jaime Diaz and Ana Consuelo Gomez. In 1998 Natalia was chosen to travel to Havana, Cuba to participate in the "IV International Dance Summit for Ballet Students". In 2005 she earned a scholarship to study in the ballet program at the School of Jacob’s Pillow where she danced under the direction of renowned choreographers such as: Ann Marie Holmes and Margo Sappington and performed at the Festival Opening Gala. Natalia received her Bachelor's degree from Los Andes University where she majored in Industrial Design. In 2005 she worked closely with French choreographer Sandrine Legendre and danced several contemporary pieces with her company. Concurrently Natalia worked with TangoLibre Company, under the direction of Argentinian choreographer Fernando Allemand. Natalia has worked with dancer Yeison Fuquene choreographing their own pieces and together they have performed with the Eco Dance Company. She moved to New York to study at the Alvin Ailey School and is currently enrolled in her second year. Natalia joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as an apprentice.

OLUTAYO bosede

Long Island Native and Nigerian descendant was born with an innate passion for music and performance.  Always able to sing and move well, he focused on dance and began training at the age of 15 in styles of ballet, hip hop, jazz, African, modern and tap under Venettes Cultural Workshop.  Later training at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway under many of NYC's most highly saught after choreographers.  Olutayo has performed on many stages including The World Famous Apollo Theater and Nassau Colliseum (Mase's Welcome Back Concert).  Olutayo emerged as a triple threat in 2005 starring in "Byuioo" and Off-Broadway Production based off Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book", and later playing the lead in and choreographing for "Color Blind" and Off-Broadway production in 2008.  Olutayo began choreographing at the age of 21 and now teaches at several community based performing arts centers and acts as head of the Men's Liturgical Dance Ministry at his church.  He has also taught at Broadway Dance Center for Jamie J. and Sheryl Murakami.  Olutayo has been dancing with Jamie J & Co. since 2007.  He joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as an apprentice. 

Victory Chen is a contemporary ballet dancer of Asian American decent originally from Oklahoma. She trained at the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education under the direction of Marcello Angelini, before joining Tulsa Ballet II for their 2006-2007 season. Her classical repertoire includescorps work from Michael Smuin’s Romeo and Juliet, Andre Prokovsky’s Great Gatsby, and Marcello Angelini’s theNutcracker. She has also performed the women’s dances from Val Caniparoli’s Going for Baroqueand Ma Cong’s Carmina Burana. Victory joined DeMa Dance Company in 2009 as an apprentice.