David Roussève, is a choreographer/writer/director/performer, magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University and a Guggenheim Fellow. He is known for his dynamic, socially conscious dance/theater that uniquely blends contemporary dance, theater, and multimedia elements to create immersive and thought-provoking performances. His work draws inspiration from the stories of marginalized communities, as it explores complex themes related to identity, social justice, and human connection. Roussève founded the dance/theater company David Roussève/REALITY in 1988 in New York, and REALITY has since toured throughout the US, Europe, Great Britain and South America.

Nick M. Daniels, a Pittsburgh-based choreographer and founder of The D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble, is celebrated for bold, socially charged performances exploring race, sexuality, and identity. A Slippery Rock University graduate, he returned in 2016 after a 20-year hiatus with a powerful, multimedia choreographic style blending African, modern, and Butoh influences. His work has earned major awards and residencies and will expand globally in 2025 across Europe, Central and South America, and beyond.

 Shana Simmons, a Point Park University dance graduate, spent over four years in NYC performing with acclaimed choreographers and presenting work through Jennifer Muller’s HATCH Series. She taught for the National Dance Institute and later earned an MA in Choreography from Trinity Laban in London. Simmons has choreographed and performed internationally, including in Belgium and the UK, and across major U.S. cities. Her work has been featured in numerous festivals, residencies, and site-specific collaborations.

MICHIYAYA Dance is a queer-led company founded in 2015 by Anya and Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery to explore queerness, power, and the divine feminine through multidisciplinary performance. Based in NYC and Pittsburgh, the company has been featured at Yale, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Andy Warhol Museum. Their work is supported by major institutions and featured in outlets like Art Forum and Vice. MICHIYAYA also leads national educational programs and artist residencies, celebrating 10 years of bold, inclusive artistry.

K-Theatre Dance Complex (KTDC), is a dance academy that provides quality dance instruction in several major areas of dance, which include Ballet, Contemporary, Modern and Hip Hop. Led by Artistic Director Kontara Morphis, and Arts Education Director Rickia Davenport, KTDC curriculum incorporates dance theory, terminology and dance theater. KTDC has largely impacted the physical, academic, creative, and personal development of its students.