A Harlem Based Modern Dance Company
Artists
Ellicia Clayton (Ellie X) [she/her], is a graduate from The University of the Arts, where she received a BFA in Dance under the direction of Dona Faye Burchfield, May, 2020.Clayton’s recent notable appearances include Chocolate Ballerina’s Dipped in Chocolate Nutcracker, Opera Philadelphia’s Rigoletto, Creative Reaction’s Choreography Showcase, and Prince George's County’s 40th annual Choreography showcase. As a woman of color, Clayton finds it necessary to use her artistry to shed light on topics that may go unnoticed or unaddressed, pertaining but not limited to the narratives placed on BIPOC bodies, and BIPOC experiences.
Solenn Etienne (she/her) was born in Guadeloupe, surrounded by her generous Caribbean culture, as a result, she inherited a profound, yet pure connection to nature and spirituality. She was first introduced to dance by her home school Espace Danse Wargnier, where the young artist got in touch with various dance styles. In order to transcend her own limits, she first moved to Paris to join the “Institut de formation professionnelle Rick Odums”, to obtain her EAT degree. Attracted by the vibrating energy of New York City, she, then, joined the Ailey school in 2021 and graduated in May 2024. As a student of the certificate program, she was invited to perform in Festa Barocca and in Memoria during the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater New York City Center season, respectively in 2022 and in 2023. Solenn learned repertory from Hofesh Shechter company, Martha Graham company, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble and worked with choreographers such as Juliano Nunes, Florian Lochner and Alice Klock, Ronald K. Brown and Norbert De La Cruz. Solenn aspire to evolve and to assert herself in the modern dance world, by freeing her unique expression while transcending her physical limits.
Mireille Lorenzo (she/her) is a graduate scholarship student from The Ailey School. She was born and raised in the Philippines and has been dancing ballet since the age of 6 at Dance Theater Manille, Philippines in affiliation with The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, Melbourne. She is currently a dancer with the Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, iKADA Contemporary Dance Company and is a teaching assistant for the Junior Division at The Ailey School. She is an ABT Certified Teacher for ABT's National Training Curriculum in Levels Pre-Primary to Level 3 and certified Horton teacher by Ana Marie Forsythe.
Originally from Panama, Doria Marchena (she/her) began her training at a young age at her local studio, Body Language. Her love for dance led her to explore other styles, and she continued her training at G&G Dance Studio and Ballet Academy. Doria's dedication to her craft is evident in her participation in intensive courses such as ABT and Ballet Hispanico.
Doria's talent and hard work earned her a position as an apprentice for the National Ballet of Panama, where she performed classical and contemporary repertoire. In 2019, she moved to New York to pursue her studies at The Ailey School. During her time there, she had the opportunity to perform with the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the piece Memoria, choreographed by Alvin Ailey and directed by Ronni Favors. Doria's ultimate goal is to join a contemporary ballet company and make her mark on Broadway. With her impressive training and experience, she is well on her way to achieving her dreams.
Shakerah McDowell (she/her) began training with Eleone Connections in her hometown Philadelphia, PA. She has danced with different local companies and has had the opportunity to choreograph and premiere some of her own works where she found a love for both performing and teaching.
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After graduating from CAPA as a Dance Captain under the direction of Ladeva Davis, Shakerah went on to graduate The Ailey Schools Certificate Dance Program. During her time at Ailey she worked with choreographers such as Bradley Shelver, Amy Hall, Hollie Wright, and Patrick Coker. Since expanding her love for dance she has performed at the Ailey Spirit Gala, ADG Dance Festival, Macys Day Parade and NY Theater Barn’s Choreography lab. Shakerah has had the opportunity to be a company artist with Mathew Westerby Second company and Torch Dance Theater. She is excited to be joining MODArts Dance Collective as an Artist for the 24/25 season.
Lauren Mueller (she/her) began her dance training in Washington DC at the Dance Institute of Washington under Fabian Barnes, and continued at Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the tutelage of Charles Augins, Sandra Fortune-Green, and Katherine Smith. She continued her education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA under Donna Faye Burchfield, receiving her BFA in Dance in 2024. There, she performed in various works: Delicate Power (excerpt) by Hélène Simoneau, staged by Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, Maya Addie, and Sara Procopio (2024), How to Kill a Ghost by Juel D. Lane, assisted by Gabrielle Loren (2023), Vespers by Ulysses Dove, staged by Alfred Dove and Kim Bears-Bailey (2022), and D-Man in the Waters by Bill T Jones, staged by Shayla-Vie Jenkins and James McGinn (2022). Lauren has trained with renowned artists including Ronald K. Brown, Arcel Cabuag, Earl Mosely, Kim Bears-Bailey, Michael Sheridan, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Wayne St. David, Mark Caserta, Gary Jeter, Noa Zuk, Gary Abbott, and Sidra Bell. Additionally, Lauren was a company member with Eleone Dance Theater (2021-22) in Philadelphia, PA, and studied abroad at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (2023).