Hillary Kooistra is an NYC-based arts administrator with a decade of nonprofit management experience in dance. She is the General Manager of Dorrance Dance and has worked on freelance tour, event, and Board management projects with Cora Dance, Dance/USA, Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group, and Nicole von Arx & Guests. She spent seven years at A.I.M by Kyle Abraham as Company then General Manager. A 2019 Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training Mentee, she also participated in the 2019-20 EmcArts Arts Leaders as Cultural Innovators program. Hillary serves on the Board of Trustees for We Are Queens.

Chie Morita is a consultant, creative producer, and tinkerer focused on transforming inherited habits and creating empowering systems in the arts. Co-Founder of FORGE, a consultancy supporting artists and organizations through proactive planning and mentorship, Chie works to challenge societal constraints. In New York, she’s collaborated with Tony-Award-winning Broadway producer Joey Parnes, The Public Theater, Third Rail Projects, and more. Chie mentors young creators through We Are Queens and Northern Arizona University, and serves as a collaborating producer with the Wonderland Historical Society in New Orleans.

Audra Queen, Personal Development and Business Coach, is the Founder & CEO of The Dance CEO Coach (est. 2018). She holds an MFA in Choreography from the University of Arizona and a BA in Musical Theater from Colorado Mesa University. Audra is an adjunct professor of dance at the University of Southern Mississippi, producer and host of the Dance CEO Podcast, dual business owner, and soon-to-be-published author. She previously served as Director of Dance at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and Co-Artistic Director of Dance for a Cause. Audra splits her time between New Orleans, LA, and Jacksonville, FL.

Samantha Paulik is an arts multi-hyphenate based in New York City. She blends her passions for business and dance into a career spanning corporate marketing, arts administration, production, choreography, fitness instruction, and dance performance. She has worked with organizations across the arts and entertainment industries, bringing creative projects to life both on and off stage. Recent credits include Spark Theatre Festival, Anthology33, SynergyNYC, Jazz Choreography Enterprises, and From All Perspectives. Sam earned an MA in Arts Administration from CUNY Baruch in 2023 and is a certified Pilates Instructor, teaching weekly across the city.

Caitlin Sloan, founder & CEO of The Brainy Ballerina, is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI. She holds a BA in Dance from Grand Valley State University and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri. Caitlin danced professionally with Ballet Tucson and Mareck Dance (formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet), and served as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet. In 2019, she founded The Brainy Ballerina, a virtual resource offering 1-1 career mentorship, workshops, and digital resources to help aspiring ballet dancers build smart, sustainable careers in the industry.

Sofia Baeta is a Brazilian arts administrator, performer, and General Manager for Music from the Sole and Hélène Simoneau Danse. She also manages the National Dance Institute’s Collaborative, overseeing teacher training and global partnerships. A graduate of UNCSA with a BFA in Contemporary Dance, Sofia has performed works by Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, and others. As a Kenan Fellow at Lincoln Center Education, she directed a multidisciplinary piece that premiered at Clark Studio Theater. Sofia combines her expertise in performance and management to foster global connections through the arts.

Ramita Ravi is an artist and entrepreneur, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Artswrk, a hiring platform for arts workers. A dancer, choreographer, and educator with Bloc Talent Agency NY/LA, she is a member of AEA, AGVA, and The Choreographer’s Guild. Ramita was among the first South Asians on So You Think You Can Dance and in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Ensemble. She has choreographed for Coachella, Miss America, and the Hollywood Bowl. Her credits include Spinning Gold, Last Week Tonight, NYFW, and Bhangin’ It. She teaches at Steps on Broadway and tours nationwide, advocating for representation and equity in the arts.

Sarah Hoge is an NYC-based dancer and choreographer with 14 seasons as a Radio City Rockette in the New York and Christmas Across America casts. She has danced with Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, and Rihanna and performed on SNL, America’s Got Talent, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Tonight Show, and Oprah’s 10th Anniversary Special. Sarah has taught Rockette Summer Intensives and co-founded The Precision Dance Collective, focusing on precision training. Her choreography has been featured at the Commercial Dance Intensive at Boston Conservatory and Broadway Dance Center’s Junior Youth Program.

Sissa Strain is based in NYC, originally from southern Louisiana. She trained in dance, theatre, acrobatics, and circus arts, furthering her education at Indiana University and The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, earning a BS in Dance and Kinesiology. Her global credits include In The Heights (feature film), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Matilda, The Little Mermaid, Guys & Dolls, Elf, Pilobolus, and work with Porsche, MGM, RWS, American Horror Story, and The Righteous Gemstones. She is Director of Operations for the Commercial Dance Intensive, faculty at Broadway Dance Center, and a founding member of the Choreographers Guild.

Katie Walker attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, majoring in Ballet, and trained at American Ballet Theater, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Kaatsbaan Ballet. She joined Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and became a Radio City Rockette in 2008, later serving as assistant dance captain and choreographer. Katie performed at major events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the White House Christmas Party. She has choreographed for the Tony Awards, MTV VMAs, and more. In 2022, she founded Elevate Ballet and co-founded The Precision Dance Collective. Katie is a NYC-based choreographer and teacher.

Ginger Cox has taught at Broadway Dance Center for over 20 years and holds a Master’s in Kinesiology and a BFA in Dance from Temple University. She’s also a faculty member at Pace University and has taught globally, including in Europe, Mexico, and Japan. Ginger is the founder of Dancing Anatomy and has presented at major dance conferences. A NASM-certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, she’s been featured in Dance Informa and Dancetrain Magazine. Ginger has choreographed for Nike, NJ Nets Dancers, and more, with her work praised for its inventive creativity and dynamic style in jazz dance.

Bree Jacobs is a choreographer and creative based in New Jersey. She earned a dance minor from Rowan University, where she performed with Jay Sean and joined the hip-hop company Creative Reaction, placing in World of Dance and appearing in a Fanta Soda commercial. As a director and choreographer, Bree contributed to Flair Dance Company's production of "Cracked Nuts," a unique take on The Nutcracker. She is also the founder and director of the hip-hop crew 'Empire,' leading the company to performances in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Jersey. Bree inspires others with her dynamic artistry and passion for dance.

Sofia Bengoa is a dancer, choreographer, and co-producer of Café con Rumba, originally from Ecuador and now based in NYC. She holds a BA in Community Health from Brown University and is pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology at CUNY. A member of Animus MVMT, Sofia’s credits include the Dumbo Dance Festival and Steps Beyond Foundation Performance Lab. She has collaborated with Ashlé Dawson, Danielle Diniz, Carlos Falú, and Chloe LaFleur. As a choreographer, Sofia blends her cultural heritage into works, including the JCE Jazz Dance Project and Anthology 33, crafting bold and meaningful choreography.

Annellyse Munroe, a Miami native, holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. She has performed with Ailey II, the New York Knicks Dancers, and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. Annellyse toured with Manuel Turizo on the Dopamina Tour and performed at the 2016 MTV VMAs with Beyoncé. Her screen appearances include The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Farmer Wants a Wife Season 2 on Fox. In addition to performing, she is passionate about empowering young women through dance education, mentorship, and competition judging. She also engages in volunteer work, inspiring artists and leaders.

Katie Daniel was born and raised in Michigan where she trained in the performing arts for 16 years. Now residing in New York City, she has performed as Rockette for five seasons which has included over 400 performances and opportunities to perform and speak on platforms like NBC News and Good Morning America. Before becoming a Rockette, she served as a title holder in the Miss America program where she was 2nd runner up and the talent award recipient at Miss Michigan. Katie has developed a passion for training dancers to reach their goals, teaching at over 6 studios internationally! She is happy to be supporting the next generation.