-BIG KIDS-

collaborative artists ‘23-’24

 

CHIP

CHIP ALEXANDRIA (she/her)

is a Philadelphia based dance artist. Raised in Austin, Texas, she trained at the dance spot from ages 11-18. She is currently pursuing her BFA in dance at University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Chip has performed in works by Sidra Bell, Katie Swords Thurman, Justin Giles, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Emily Wexler and Fana Fraser. In November 2021, Chip presented her first work titled “Barn’s burnt down— now I can see the moon,” in collaboration with her peers at Uarts. This is Chip’s third season with with BigKid Dance.

miles

Miles Yeung (he/him)

Originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Miles Yeung-Tieu is a dance artist currently based in Philadelphia, PA. His performance credits include Brian Sander’s JUNK, Stacey Tookey’s Still Motion, Helen Simoneau Danse, La Biennale di Venezia’s Arsenale della Danza, and the New York City production of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Miles has worked with international dance artists including Ismael Ivo (Brazil, Italy), Isabel Lewis (Germany), and Douglas Becker (Belgium) while studying and performing across Europe. Miles received his training at the University of the Arts, completing both his BFA in Modern Performance ('14) and MFA in Dance ('19). He currently dances with Brooklyn-based company Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group and is a visiting lecturer at Cornell University. This is Miles third season with BigKid Dance.

MIKEY

MIKEY MORADO (he/they)

A native of Colorado, Mikey received his bachelor's degree in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College where he performed work by Mark Morris/Megan Williams, Cherice Barton, Anthony Ferro, Chase Brock, and Beniot-Swan Pouffer. While attending, he began an apprenticeship position for Sidra Bell Dance New York, joining the company full-time after graduating undergrad in 2013. He has performed as a solo artist and in collaboration with his partner, Mark Caserta, for numerous platforms including Boston Dance Festival, Gotham Dance Theater, Place des Arts/Springboard Danse Montreal, Wanderlust Dance Festival, and Austin Dance Festival. Most recently, Mikey was co-director and co-choreographer of the Pre-Professional program/The Thriving Artist Project through Dance Industry Performing Arts Center in Dallas, TX where he was also resident photographer, lighting and sound designer/operator, and stage manager for the White Theater. Alongside Mark Caserta, he has choreographed and produced stage elements for numerous installation performances, site-specific works, and evening-length productions including a recent commission from Dark Circles Contemporary Dance for their piece DREGS, featuring music by SLOWDANGER. Mikey is a certified Reiki practitioner. Mikey and Mark have been collaborating for 8 years.

KIKI

KIKI CARRUTH (she/her)

Kiki Carruth is a biracial dance artist from Dallas, Texas. Kiki recieved her dance education from the Dallas Black Dance Academy and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Currently, she is a senior pursuing her BFA in Dance at The University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Kiki has performed in works by Garrett Smith, Omar Roman de Jesus, Loni Landon, Baba Chuck Davis, Sidra Bell, Kyle & Dinita Clark, among others. This is her second season dancing with BigKid Dance.

GRACE

GRACE MALONE (she/her)

a movement-based artist, writer, and mentor, graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2021 from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Grace began her dance training in Merritt Island, FL where she was born and raised. Over her many years of exploring dance, Grace has found a profound love for modern and contemporary dance and indulges daily in her deep passion for improvisation, expressing her identity and joy for dance through free-form movement. Grace has worked with many different dance artists and companies from around the world including Hubbard Street Dance Company, Kathryn Swords-Thurman, Peter Chu, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Sidra Bell, Helen Simoneau, Scott Jennings, and many others. Working with an ongoing fascination with poetry, story-telling, and reminiscence, Grace’s choreographic process includes a playfully poetic approach that is sure to tap into the inner child of any onlooker who witnesses the story unfold. Grace is currently a company member of Sheer Spectacle Performance Group and BigKids Dance, both of which are based in Philadelphia. This is her second season with BigKids.

NELLY

JAHNELL ‘NELLY’ BOOZER (she/her)

Nelly is a DC native, currently based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jahnell received her dance education at the Washington school of ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She is currently attending the University of the Arts going into her senior year under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield to pursue her BFA in dance. Jahnell has performed works by Gary Jeter, Courtney Henry, Mark Caserta, Mikey Morado, Sidra Bell, Jesse Zaritt and Shayla Vie Jenkins among others. Jahnell had the opportunity to perform at Jacob's Pillow under the direction of Zoe Miller within the work titled “ Ballads of Perceptive Fallacies” this past summer. She loves to fantasize about dance in many different ways to be an infinite possibility. This is Nelly’s first season with BigKid Dance.

ALEX

ALEX SANCHEZ (he/him)

Alex Sanchez is a multi-faceted artist from White Plains, New York. Growing up with a background in gymnastics and competition dance, his movement across all styles of dance has an explosive and powerful quality. He currently attends University of the Arts studying to get his BFA in Dance, and has settled into his love for hip-hop, contemporary/fusion, and experimental styles of movement. He is an experienced performer on all fronts; having performed at the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow with the JustSole Street Dance Theater company, as well as on international stages in Poland, France, and Germany for professional beatboxing competitions. His background with creating music since a young age makes for a deeper connection and understanding of musicality within dance. This is his first season performing with BigKids Dance.

MARIS

MARIS (they/them/theirs)

Maris is a dance artist based in the land of the Lenape people known as Philadelphia, PA.  Maris began their dance training at the age of two in Mississippi and practiced predominantly under Kori Ross.  Maris attained their BFA in Dance at University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield in May 2023.  In November 2022, Maris presented their senior thesis, “I Woke Up Traveling in All Directions” in collaboration with their colleagues at school. They have performed in works choreographed by Sidra Bell, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Fana Fraser, Paul Matteson, Bill T. Jones, Netta Yerushalmy, Mark Caserta, Mikey Morado, among others. In Summer 2023, Maris traveled to Paris, France with Niall Jones and Sara Procopio, where they attended Camping at Centre National de la Danse.  Maris is currently in process with Shannon Murphy’s “Heartshakes” performance, and this is their first season with BigKids. 

RESIDENT BIGKIDS

EMMA

EMMA OLIVIER (she/her)

from Massachusetts, is currently earning her BFA in Dance at the University of the Arts. She began dancing at the age of 3 and trained at Paula Meola Dance and Performing Arts in Sterling, MA and Cathy Taylor School of Dance in Auburn, MA. She is currently teaching and choreographing at various dance studios throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Through the University of the Arts, Emma has performed works by Katie Swords-Thurman, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Sidra Bell, Shayla Vie-Jenkins, and Jesse Zaritt. Emma performed with BigKid Dance for 2 seasons and continues to as a resident artist. She graduated spring of 2023 and plans to continue teaching, performing and choreographing around MA, PA and NY.

kira

kira shiina (they/she)

is a queer biracial dance artist based in the land of the Lenape people known today as Philadelphia, PA. kira received their dance education at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts 6-12, going on to receive their BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. She has performed in works by Andrea Miller, Bobbi Jene Smith, Doug Varone, Sidra Bell, Tommie-Waheed Evans, slowdanger, Beth Gill, and Mark Haim, among others. In 2019, they presented their first solo work, DID YOU / FALL APART, exploring themes of memory, nostalgia, and intimacy in collaboration with painter Jameelah Platt at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. kira shiina is currently assistant to choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans and a collaborator with his project-based company waheedworks, and holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position at the UArts School of Dance. Kira performed with BigKid Dance for 2 seasons and now is a resident artist. Kira currently performs with Sidra Bell Dance NY, with SLOWDANGER, and is making their own music and dance work.

RODERICK

RODERICK PHIFER (he/him)

is a Charlotte North Carolina native who’s passion and skill ranges from performance, choreography, and dance education. He received early training at the North Carolina Dance Theatre, and  Dance Productions. He later received his BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia; shortly after he joined BalletX-Philadelphia’s contemporary ballet company as a company artist for 5 seasons. He has had the opportunity of creating, and performing on an international scale while  being able to share within his community. Roderick is currently collaborating with with Chocolate Ballerina Dance Co, Balance Dance Center and Waheed Works, and is faculty with HEAT Convention. Roderick performed with BigKid Dance for 2 seasons and is now a resident artist.

EDUARDO

EDUARDO JIMÉNEZ-CABRERA

Eduardo Jimenez Cabrera (He/Him) is a Philadelphia based dance artist. Raised in Costa Rica Eduardo started his journey in dance at the age of 15. He is currently a sophomore pursuing a BFA in dance under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield at the University of the Arts. Eduardo has performed works by Sidra Bell, Jesse Zarrit, Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Ali Pfleger, Tommie-Waheed Evans, and Katie Swords Thurman. Eduardo is currently an artist with Ballet BC. Eduardo performed with BigKid Dance for almost 2 seasons and is now a resident artist.

BIGKID DANCE DIRECTOR

MARK

MARK CASERTA (he/they)

resident choreographer / founder of BigKid Dance

born and raised in South West Philadelphia, received their BFA in Dance & Ballet performance from the University of the Arts, School of Dance. They danced professionally with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Les Ballets Jazz De Montreal (BJM) and Camille A. Brown & Dancers. Mark was recently named a 2023 Princess Grace Award Recipient in Choreography and a 2023 Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellow at Jacob’s Pillow. Mark has been awarded the Philadelphia Rocky Award for Outstanding Dance Performance, the Pennsylvania Ballet Choreography Award and Choreography Awards from Youth American Grand Prix. Mark was an Emerging Choreographer at Springboard Danse Montreal in 2018 and the recipient of the 2019/2020 EMERGE Choreography Award from Springboard Danse & Gibney Company. Mark has been commissioned by American Ballet Theater (ABT), The Clarice and BlackLight Summit, Gibney Company, Whim W'Him Contemporary Dance Seattle, DanceWorks Chicago, Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, Kit Modus, PA Ballet II, Pace University and University of the Arts School of Dance. Mark was co-director of The Thriving Artist Project, a program offering a free Pre-Professional experience to young dance artists in Plano TX. Mark currently is Artist in Residence at University of the Arts School of Dance, Contemporary Faculty at Gibney Dance NY, an ambassador with MindLeaps and a freelance educator, dancer, choreographer. Mark founded BigKid Dance in 2018.

 

BIGKID DANCE / BEHIND THE SCENES

GABRIELLA SOWER, REHEARSAL LEADER

MIKEY MORADO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MATTHEW CASERTA, resident photographer

JAZMINE COLON, resident costume designer

T SAIZ PEREZ, resident stage manager

ETHAN BECKWITH-COHEN, resident lighting designer

OWEN WHETSTONE, lighting designer

More BigKids

BigKid Dance is a community where the door is always open for recurring collaborative artists. Here are some of our friends/collaborators we’ve worked with over the years!

CARSYN GEKAS, collaborative guest artist

AMANDA PEET, collaborative guest artist

CHRISTIAN BURSE, collaborative guest artist

GIGI TODISCO, collaborative guest artist

MONTAY ROMERO, collaborative guest artist

KEVIN ZAMBRANO, collaborative guest artist

ASHTON BENN, collaborative guest artist

CELESTE ROBBINS, collaborative guest artist

DORCHEL HAQQ, collaborative guest artist

KEANU UCHIDA, collaborative guest artist

GIANA THEODORE, collaborative guest artist

JORDAN LANG, collaborative guest artist

ALEX BROOKS, collaborative guest artist

JAIQUAN LAURENCIN, collaborative guest artist

KIMIE PARKER, collaborative guest artist

BABOU SANNEH, collaborative guest artist