Artists

Miya Hisaka Silva (Founder/Artistic Director)

Dancer, choreographer, arts educator and international producer/presenter, Hisaka carries the legacy of the world’s most renown dance leaders. Originally trained by Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Eric Hawkins, Merce Cunningham, Gene Hill Sagan, Mary Day and Gloria Contreras, and worked extensively with Rod Rodgers, Kevin Iega Jeff, Lloyd Whitmore and Adrain Bolton. Through her 30 year commitment to

diversity and excellence in the arts, she has trained hundreds of dancers who today are members of companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Philadanco, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Washington Ballet, as well as has been mentor to much of today’s DC dance leadership and the formation of their institutions. Has performed, choreographed, directed and taught in El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, France, Italy, England, Jordan, Thailand, China, Canada and throughout the USA. Former Founder/Director of the DC Contemporary Dance Theatre, DC’s first multicultural dance company selected as cultural ambassadors by USIS to represent the USA for a world tour for over a decade. Has been commissioned by the Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian Institution, The Washington School of Ballet, Santa Clara University, The Central American Olympics, The Ministry of Education of El Salvador, and the National Governments of Dominican Republic, Jordan, Thailand, and throughout South America.

A graduate of Columbia University with a BA in Urban Studies and an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs/Syracuse University. As an urban planner, was integral in the redevelopment of the Gallery Row Arts, the 14th and U Arts Districts, the renovation of the Lincoln Theater. Has served on DC’s Mayor’s Task Force for Arts/Economic Development; a Public Service Fellow to the Maxwell School; an Arts Fellow at the National Endowment for the Arts; and recipient of DC’s Mayor’s Arts Award for Emerging Artist in l986. Former faculty at the Washington School of Ballet under the direction of Mary Day, George Washington University, and in El Salvador for over a decade at the National School of Dance, former director of dance at the Central American University “Jose Simeon Canas”, and creator of the Ministry of Education’s El Centro para Liderazgo en las Artes. Recent recipient of the Univ. of San Francisco’s Jesuit Fellowship, and on faculty at Alonzo King LINES and the Marin Dance Theatre. Currently on faculty at Georgetown University and Joy of Motion Dance Center.

Danilo Rivera (Associate Director)

Born in El Salvador. Dancer, teacher, choreographer and painter. Graduate of the National University of El Salvador (UES) with a BA in Fine and Visual Arts. Began his training in contemporary at UES under the direction of Alfredo Perez, and continued his studies at the National School of Dance under the direction of

Francisco Castillo and Yasmin Hernandez, among others. Has participated in dance festivals in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the USA. In addition to his work as a dancer, has exhibited his paintings, scenic designs, body painting and costumes at the Embassy of Brazil in San Salvador, Washington, DC and this year in San Francisco. Has been on faculty at the National School of Dance,, the Dance Institute of Washington, and the Joy of Motion Dance Center in Washington, DC. Has been with the Company since l998 as a dancer, choreographer, set designer and teacher and principle dancer.

Maurice Johnson

Born in Kentucky. Received his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Kentucky with a minor in Spanish. Studied and performed with a variety of notable dance institutions including The Lexington Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Repertoire, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and North Atlanta Academy School. Appeared in the 1997 HBO movie “Miss Evers Boys’” and the 1996 US Olympic Ceremonies. His choreographic talent has enabled him to work with the production teams of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Paula Abdul, among others. Today, he is one of the area’s most sought after jazz and modern teachers as evident by his packed classes and enthusiastic, screaming students. Currently on faculty at The National Cathedral School, American and Catholic Universities and Joy of Motion Dance Center.

Cullen Massenberg

Born in New Brunswick, NJ and began his formal dance training at the Hartford Ballet School under the direction of Kirk Peterson and continued to train at the North Carolina School of the Arts where he completed his BFA. Received additional training at the Dance Theatre of Harlem School, the Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase College, and the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC. Has been a member of the Washington Reflections Dance Company and has been a member of TDC for three years. In addition, Mr. Massenberg is the director of the dance program at McLean High School (Fairfax County, VA). He thanks his family and friends for their continued love and support.

Sarah Ewing

Sarah Ewing was born in Melbourne, Australia. She trained at the New Zealand School of Dance, Marie-Walton Mahon Dance Academy and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Sarah has participated in work experience programs with Chunky Move, Melbourne, and Malaika Kusumi Ballet Theatre, Germany. She has participated in summer programs with LA Contemporary Dance Company, Janice Garrett & Dancers, Kunst-Stoff and ODC. Most recently she has performed with Washington Reflections Dance Company. This is her second season with TDC.

Vanessa Carmichael-Elder

A native of Guyana, South America. Was introduced to the stage at a very young age by her mother, Artistic Director of a Theatre Company. During her teens she studied voice, acting, and shadow interpreting. Began her dance career in college, and is also majoring in Kinesiology at the University of Maryland. Has performed at the Kennedy Center with Jacque d’Amboise, Helanius Wilkins, Alvin Mayes, the Companies of Motion Mania Jazz Company, City Dance Ensemble, Jam Crew, and Word Dance Theatre. Has also performed at the National Black Theater Festival in North Carolina. Currently on faculty at Joy of Motion Dance Center. This is her fourth season with the Company. In addition to dancing, Vanessa is proud to be a mother of three.

Anneliese Parisi

Anneliese Parisi, originally of Laurel, Maryland, began studying ballet at The Ballet Academy in Beltsville, Maryland. She continued her studies of ballet, modern, and jazz at Suitland High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Anneliese furthered her ballet training at Arlington Center for Dance and, her modern training at Alvin Ailey American dance Theatre. Anneliese received a BFA in ballet performance from The University of the Arts. She has performed with Danco2, the second company of Philadanco, and Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and The Washington Reflections Dance Company. Anneliese has had the pleasure of working with such choreographers as Fernando Bujones, Christopher Huggins, Keith Lee, and Juan Carlos Rincones. This is Anneliese’s second season with the Company.

Whitney Robinson

Grew up in Yardley, PA. Trained at the Princeton Ballet School, with numerous summers at Houston Ballet Academy and the Joffrey Ballet School. Has choreographed for the Princeton Ballet School, Princeton Day School, and Houston Ballet’s summer session. Danced professionally with the American Repertory Ballet in New Brunswick, NJ under the direction of Graham Lustig. While attending college, she was a member of the Dance Company of Middlebury College where she also obtained her B.A. in Political Science. Recently received her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.

Elizabeth Fujii

Born and raised in Aiea, Hawaii. Studied ballet as a child and later performed in competitive cheerleading, winning a national championship during high school. Was re-introduced to dance at Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science and trained in Horton technique under Cecil Slaughter. Aside from dance, Liz has worked for social and policy change at organizations including the Human Rights Campaign, American Constitution Society, Obama Transition Team and Criminal Justice Policy Foundation.  This is her second season with the Company. She approaches movement as a way to embody and honor life’s abundance.

Matthew Royce (Lighting Designer/Technical Director)

Has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre for 35 years as lighting designer, TD director, producer/presenter. Received his M.F.A. in Theatre Management from UCLA and studied lighting with Gilbert Hemsley at UW, Madison. Began his career at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and later became the first Executive Director of the New Performance Gallery (now the ODC Theatre). During his tenure, he presented Mark Morris, Susan Marshall, and Charles Moulton, among others. Currently in California serves as Resident Lighting Designer for the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Musical Theatre Works, and The Don’t Quit Your Day Job Dancers, and is on the faculty of St. Mary’s College, and Notre Dame De Namur University.