ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

= Ryan T. Smith
Ryan received his BA in Theatre Arts from Brown University, performing in works choreographed by artists such as Carla Maxwell, Danny Buraczeski, Anthony Rizzi, and Danny Grossman. A co-founder of RCJ Dance in Providence, he has always been supportive of the beauty of collaborative projects. Since moving to San Francisco, Ryan has been blessed with the opportunity to work with artists such as Alma Esperanza Cunningham and Stephen Pelton, and to be a current member of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, in addition to teaching at Rhythm & Motion. He finds clavicles and pointed feet sexy.

= Wendy Rein
Wendy has been dancing and breaking furniture since age 3. With a BA from Brown University, she migrated from RCJ Dance in Providence to Misnomer Dance Theater in NYC before finally settling in SF and co-founding RAWdance in 2004. Locally she has had the privilege of dancing with artists including Alma Cunningham, Maxine Moerman, Nancy Karp, Mary Carbonara, and Todd Eckert. Wendy currently dances with Deborah Slater Dance Theater, teaches at Rhythm & Motion, and collaborates on projects with RJ Muna. She draws constant inspiration from the rain, dark coffee & chocolate, and the curves and crevices of the human body.

DANCERS

= Dudley Flores
Dudley is a native of San Francisco and started dancing in high school musical theater. Since then he's expanded his movement vocabulary and has had the opportunity to work (and play) with Charles Moulton, Paco Gomes & Dancers, David Schrag and Micaya. Currently, he works with RAWdance, Printz Dance Project and Janice Garrett & Dancers. Offstage, he teaches through the Rhythm & Motion Dance Workout Program at ODC Dance Commons. While not working, he explores the world through photography, nature studies, blogging, people watching and reality television.

= Alexis Miller
Alexis grew up in Nantucket, Mass with a surplus of cats, bikes, plants, and one big brother. Starting out as a four year-old trina bun-head, she discovered modern dance at 13, and went on to receive her BA in Dance and French from Connecticut College. While there, she studied in Paris, and eventually landed in San Francisco via New Zealand. A certified Pilates instructor, she has recently fallen in love with lindy hop, East coast swing, and gardening. Alexis joined RAWdance in February 2006.

= Nikki Pinchott Marini
Nikki made her San Francisco debut with RAWdance. While dancing in Chicago for the past eight years, she worked with and performed the choreography of Liz Burritt, Randy Duncan, Lar Lubovitch, Ann Reinking, Shapiro & Smith, and other artists. She was a featured performer, teacher, and choreographer for Thodos Dance Chicago, as well as a member of The Seldoms and Moyamo Dance. Nikki graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with degrees in biology and dance. She is currently getting certified in pilates and loves practicing massage, teaching yoga, and exploring her new surroundings here on the west coast.

= Laura Sharp
Laura caught the dance bug at the age of 8. A few years later, she became an apprentice with the Premiere Dance Theater Company and performed throughout the Tri-State area. In college, Laura studied with and/or performed the works of Dan Wagoner, Jeremy Nelson, David Dorfman and Sean Curran. She graduated from Connecticut College with a BA in Zoology and works as a veterinary technician. She has worked with Strong Current Dance Company, Heidi Schweiker, Bliss Kohlmyer Dowman, and Mary Carbonara and is excited to be dancing with Printz Dance Project and RAWdance.

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© RAWdance, 2005 = Header image by RJ Muna