Jenifer Dobbins,
Owner

  • Jenifer Dobbins (she/her), LCCA (Ms. Jen) is a professional dance educator, choreographer, and performer that has honed her craft for 25 years and is qualified to teach ballet, modern, jazz, and musical theater dance. Her passion for ballet pedagogy has led her to licensure in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet, through the Cecchetti Council of America. Her teaching is anatomically sound, inclusive, and nurturing. She has taught students of all ages and abilities, from ages 1 to 80, and from preschool dance to the advanced levels.

    Her early training began at Frederick School of Classical Ballet under the direction of Joyce Morrison and she performed with Maryland Regional Ballet, TAWA Dance Company, Equinox Dance Company, and Searls Puppetry. A graduate of UMBC Department of Dance, Jen performed with Baltimore Dance Project and received an Undergraduate Research Award to study with the Jose Limon Foundation.

    Jen has taught in a wide variety of institutions including private studios, conservatory programs, recreation centers, and religious institutions. She has directed youth and professional repertory companies, including competition teams, non-profit modern companies, and dancer collectives. Throughout her career, her students have won numerous awards and scholarships, with many going on to dance in college and professionally. In the DC area, she has taught for Joy of Motion Dance Center, The Washington School of Ballet, Ballet Petite, and The Ballet Garden, LLC, a dance program she founded in June 2019.

    A resident of DC, Jen endeavors to build meaningful partnerships within the community by offering purposeful programming for dancers of all ages. Outside of the dance studio, Jen's passions include lighting design for the stage, organizing and advocating for the arts, non-profit arts management, and event/performance management.

Johanna Barbosa,
Educator

  • Johanna graduated from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a major in Dance and has been studying various dance genres for over ten years. Her areas of expertise include Ballet, Modern (Graham), Contemporary, and Improvisational scores. Johanna's hard work and talent were recognized when she was awarded a full scholarship to the Rioult Dance Company in New York City, where she trained Graham's technique. This experience allowed her to hone her skills and gain valuable insight into the world of professional dance.

    Throughout her career, Johanna has had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most renowned artists in the dance world. She has worked with Boris Charmatz on a collective dance project that was showcased in the United States for the first time, as well as with Douglas Becker, Curt Haworth, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Katie Swords Thurman, and Sierra Bell. These experiences have broadened her perspective and helped her grow as an artist. Johanna is also a dedicated teacher. During her time at the university, she created various dance projects that were showcased at Uarts, and since then, she has adopted her passion for teaching by working in charter public schools and local studios. She teaches both recreational dance and concert dance/ traditional classes, and her goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment that allows children to express themselves freely and confidently through dance.

    Johanna believes in the power of dance to impact the lives of children in a meaningful way. She sees dance as a tool for personal growth, self-expression, and social-emotional learning. Through dance, children can engage in imaginative play, explore different emotions and themes, and develop their creativity and problem- solving skills. It is her hope that she can inspire the next generation of dancers and instill in them a love for the art form that has been such a significant part of her life.

Talissa Bavaresco,
Educator & Admin

  • Native of Brazil, Talissa Bavaresco (she/her) is a NYC/DC based Dancer and Choreographer with expertise in Ballet, Jazz and Modern Techniques, as well as Theater and Commercial styles. Graduate from the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz&Contemporary Program, Talissa has performed with dance companies such as Keigwin+Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Joffrey Ensemble, Humans Collective, Jazz Ain’t Dead, TunanuT; and in independent works by Gabrielle Lamb, Patrick O’Brien, Manuel Vignoulle, Mark Caserta and more. Commercially, Talissa has performed with artist Kimbra, Andrew McMahon and Oriion, danced at PANORAMA Music Festival NYC and at Six Flags’ Fright Fest. Choreographically, Talissa is the Artistic Director of BAVA Dance and has presented works at the Apollo Theater, Bryant Park Dance Series, DUMBO Dance Festival, Dixon Place, The New York Jazz Choreography Festival, WAXworks, HATCH Presenting Series, Holi Hai Festival NYC, Uptown Rising and NACHMO. www.talissabavaresco.com

Amma Bempa,
Educator & Admin

  • Amma began dance training recreationally after 5 years of gymnastics and continued into high school as a member of the varsity dance team/poms. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park and studied kinesiology with a concentration in physical culture, while focusing her electives on dance history, jazz, traditional West African, modern, hip-hop, and ballet. During her college career, she was a member of dance organizations Afrochique (traditional West African/Afrobeats) and Prima Dolls (street jazz/hip hop). She also performed in the Spring 2019 MFA Thesis concert, Tides by Ama Law. As a recent University of Maryland graduate, Amma hopes to use her ongoing studying and training to teach dancers, especially “late-bloomers,” how to move their bodies while being efficient, knowledgeable, and safe.

Ginny Bixby,
Educator & Admin

  • Ginny Bixby (she/her) is a D.C. area dancer, dance educator, and choreographer. She has studied, taught, and choreographed in a variety of genres of dance, including ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, modern, tap, jazz, and Irish dance, but considers contemporary and modern her favorites. Ginny loves working with dancers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds, and is very passionate about making dance accessible to all. She teaches through a body-neutral and gender-neutral lens. Before coming to the D.C area, Ginny was a dance teacher at the Wilson School of Dance in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    Ginny got her start in dance at Spotlight Dance in Manassas, Virginia at the age of two, and she’s never stopped dancing since. She was also a competitive Irish dancer for several years. While attending the University of Mary Washington, Ginny studied modern, improvisation, and ballet and performed in university dance department concerts. She was a dancer and choreographer and also served terms as vice president and publicity officer for the student-run Performing Arts Company, where she discovered her passion for choreography and presented a total of 10 original works. Ginny continues to train as a dancer at a number of local studios and is currently in the development stages of starting a gender-inclusive and body-neutral dance collective with other D.C. area dancers. Outside of dance, Ginny works as a journalist.

Miejo Dambita,
Educator

  • Miejo Dambita is a Maryland native, born and raised in Anne Arundel County. She began her dance training at the age of ten and has studied styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, West-African and tap.

    She went on to study dance at the collegiate level as a Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship recipient and holds a B.A. in Dance Performance & Choreography from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has had the privilege of training under artists such as Chuck Wilt & UNA Productions, PEARSONWIDRIG Dance Theater, Carlos Funn, and A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Dambita has been teaching dance for the past two and a half years and has experience working with students of all ages. Her teaching style is focussed on pulling out the best in her students by showing them that they can do things they never knew they were capable of.

Elsie B. Best,
Educator

  • Elsie B. Best, born in North Carolina, but raised in The Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York.

    Elsie received her technical training at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; danced with various companies throughout New York City and studied at prestigious organizations such as Broadway Dance Center, Clark Center, and the New York Conservatory School of Dance. During college, Elsie served as president of the Dance Club at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, New York.

    Elsie studied and trained under the direction of Adrain Bolton with Soul Winners for Christ Dance Ministry. Elsie also served as dance ministry leader for several churches in the Maryland area.

    Elsie participated in the Joy of Motion Dance Centers’ Advanced-Beginning and Intermediate Level LEAP! Program and received her Cecchetti Grade 1 Teacher Training Certification, under the tutelage of Ms. Jenifer Dobbins. She also completed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Horton Teacher Workshop under the direction of Anne Marie Forsythe, Master Instructor.

    A highlight in Elsie’s dance life was when she was recognized by Mr. Robert Battle during his master class at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre for a movement that inspired him. Elsie’s specialties are ballet, modern and jazz, but enjoys all things dance! She believes dance is breath, dance is enjoyable and should be taught from the heart.

    Elsie received her AA FA Dance from Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD, Magna Cum-Laude, and continues to train and share her love for dance.

    Elsie is married and serves alongside her husband at Hope Bible Church in Columbia, Maryland.

    Elsie has a Bachelor’s and Master of Science degree in Information Technology and currently works for DoD.

Katie Ganem,
Educator & Admin

  • Katie Ganem (she/ her) is a DC based actor, singer, writer, teacher, and life-long dance student who has been dancing with Unity since their virtual beginnings. Katie started dancing from a young age at her local rec program, the Ballet School of Glyndon, and continued her dance education in undergrad where she studied musical theatre at Nazareth University in Rochester. She just recently completed her MFA coursework in classical acting at STC Academy. Katie absolutely loves working with little ones and has a wide variety of experience with them. She has been a nanny, a program associate at Port Discovery Children's Museum, a pirate entertainer for Urban Pirates, and a teacher with Blue Igloo Playgroup. Katie is also a teaching artist at Imagination Stage where she teaches musical theatre, drama, and dance classes. Katie believes that dance and movement is an essential part of being human and belongs to all of us regardless of age, body type, or skill level. You can learn more about her work at www.katieganem.com

Sarah Laughland,
Educator & Admin

  • Sarah (she/her) is a dancer & educator, actor, singer, songwriter & photographer. She lives & works in the DMV after spending 5 years at Barter Theatre (Abingdon, VA), where she performed in the Resident Acting Company in over 30 productions. She’s been seen at Imagination Stage, Theater J, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Southern Appalachian Repertory Company, and Dollywood, among others. She currently performs throughout the region with various contemporary dance companies & choreographers, in addition to her solo work and musical gigs.

    She holds a group fitness certification & Sugarfoot Fitness certification, and is obsessed with all things alignment & strengthening! She most recently obtained licensure through the Cecchetti Council of America. She’s currently on staff at Abundant Dance & Artistry, the YMCA of Frederick County, and frequently substitute teaches and holds pop-up & teaches master classes throughout the DMV and Southeast at institutions such as Opera Lafayette, Adventure Theatre MTC, Levine School of Music, Appalachian Performing Arts, and Frederick County Academy for the Fine Arts.

    Her teaching philosophy revolves around fostering spaces that invite dancers to get curious, ask questions, and investigate the line between scientific body awareness and emotional connection that dance so beautifully walks.

    Sarah is also a passionate photographer, portraiture being her main focus, a singer and an actress. She teaches theater jazz, contemporary & Jazz fusion, tap, dance conditioning, and ballet. She believes that movement is for everyone at any age, in finding your own personal style of movement, and in focusing on strength and efficiency of movement to bring ease to every area of your life.

Paetyn Lewis,
Educator & Admin

  • Paetyn, originally from upstate New York, currently residing in the DC area is a graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park. She received her bachelors in dance and associates in business. Her training includes hip-hop, modern, tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and musical theater. She has worked and performed with many artists in the DMV including Ama Law, the University of Maryland’s dance department, Laura Edwards, Becky Hill and many more.

Da’Shown Rawl,
Educator

  • Da’Shown Rawl (he/him) studied Ballet and Modern at the Baltimore School of the Arts in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Rawl is a graduate of the prestigious Dance Department of George Mason University (GMU). While at GMU, he got the opportunity to perform works by Alejandro Cerrudo, Andrea Miller, David Grenke, Doug Varone, Lar Lubovitch, Mark Morris, and Robert Battle.

    Da’Shown Rawl also teaches at The Washington Ballet, N’Ferno Dance, and Joy of Motion. He has been teaching and choreographing in the DMV and New York City area since the age of 16. In 2015, he founded RawArts Dance Company and has created works at the Baltimore School of the Arts, George Mason University, various companies in the DMV Area, and festivals in New York City. Some of his recent choreographic endeavors have included a dance for film, Just A Thought, and Cold Fire: A Story of Emotions, his first full-length work. Da’Shown’s passion for choreography was the catalyst for the establishment of the RawArts Dance Company.

Jozanne Summerville,
Educator

  • A native of Virginia, Jozanne studied dance at Barton & Williams Dance School and then went on to graduate from Sweet Briar College with degrees in Mathematics and Economics, and a Minor in Dance. She has a passion for the development of young people and sustainable creativity. Jozanne now lives with her girlfriend, their dog and two rescue cats in a proudly self-renovated home in NW DC.

Erica Stuchel,
Educator

  • Erica Stuchel (she/her) is so excited to be part of the Unity Family! Erica studied dance her entire life, as she grew up in the studio so did her passion for dance and performing. She spent her early career studying Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Ballroom and Hip Hop. Outside the studio, Erica was extremely involved in musical theater and was part of over 20 musicals by the time she was 18. By then she was not only performing but choreographing several shows a year.

    While pursuing her degree in communications at George Mason University, she continued her dance education with a minor in dance. After graduating Erica was determined to keep dancing and continued studying at many DMV studios this time training in Heels, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Technique and Street Jazz along with NFL and NBA styles. She starting teaching jazz, hip hop, lyrical and technique in 2021 at PowerWorks Dance in Virginia

    Erica believes that dance is a way for dancers to become confident in themselves and in all aspects of their lives in and out of the studio. She teaches how to be powerful and perform while also keeping technique and the strength of dance.

    Outside of dance, Erica works as a public relations specialist at W2 Communications in McLean, Virginia