Levi Coy (they/he) is a queer choreographer, director, performer, filmmaker, and educator. Since graduating from Ball State University in 2019 with a BFA in Dance, Levi has broadened their horizons by relocating to Baltimore, MD. Here, Levi’s artistry has been showcased through performances in the DMV area with companies including Kinetics Dance Company, GRIDLOCK Dance, Extreme Lengths Productions, and Orange Grove Dance. As an educator, Levi serves as an Adjunct faculty member for the Howard Community College dance program as well as an instructor and choreographer for the Kinetics Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble. Most recently, Levi has been drawn to the transformative power of dance on film, embracing it as an expansive medium where choreography and cinematic storytelling meet, opening up new pathways for creative discovery and expression. Instagram @levi_coy_
Collaborator
Drew Scammell
Originally from upstate New York, Drew Scammell (he/they) now lives in Washington, DC, and dances/choreographs across the DMV area. He has danced with Compañia Medusa, the Effervescence Collective, Capitol Movement, the Rae Grey Dance Collective, and various individual choreographers. He has also worked extensively with Kyoko Fujimoto, Will Miller, Zachary Frazee, Caitlin Mahon, Cynthia Williams, and Bill Evans. He graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2018 with degrees in Physics (B.S.), Mathematics (B.A.), and Dance (B.A.). Building off his education in physics and mathematics, Drew’s choreography thematically explores physical principles, logic, and patterns in the context of human relationships. His movement is rooted in stability, athleticism, and floorwork. Outside of dance, Drew works at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), contributing to their mission of advancing science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all. Instagram @drewscamms
Collaborator
Frances James
Frances James is a dynamic visual and performing artist, choreographer, and dance educator dedicated to amplifying Black voices and celebrating Black culture through her work. She holds a BS in Dance from Coppin State University, an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University, and is currently pursuing an EdD in Social Justice Leadership and Social Emotional Learning. Frances has choreographed for liturgical dance ministries, Baltimore theater companies including Unified Voices, and productions such as Smokey Joe’s Café, Q—The Legend, and Dance & Bmore’s Black Music Fest. Her work has appeared at Artscape, BMore Free’s Juneteenth Festival, and Rocketpalooza, and her solo For John was featured at the Black College Dance Exchange.
A former member of Trajectory Dance Project, Frances has taught widely in Baltimore schools, facilitated masterclasses across Maryland, and led a workshop on African Sacred Dance in Mumbai, India. She now teaches at Coppin State University, mentoring dancers to find their voice through movement.
Collaborator
Elizabeth Humeston
Elizabeth Humeston is a contemporary and modern dance artist, performer, and choreographer. Her work centers around emotional expression and narratives through movement. She is trained in modern, contemporary, jazz, and ballet. Humeston has a diverse foundation which allows for the creation and interpretation of a variety of movement, choreography, and psychological experiences. Humeston’s artistry is driven by a deep curiosity of human emotion and mental health. These concepts often provide a conceptual framework for her choreography. Her works explore the complexities of the mind and the resilience of the human spirit. Her movement style shows fluidity and sharpness that embodies strength and vulnerability. She views dance as a means of communication and as an art form capable of translating invisible experiences into tangible expression. As Humeston continues to evolve as an artist she remains committed to exploring movement as a means for emotional understanding, healing, and connection.
Collaborator
Misty Yackshaw
Misty began dancing as a toddler in Myrtle Beach, SC and attended the Ballet Summer Intensive at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. She was a member of the University of South Carolina Dance Company and the USC West African Drum and Dance Ensemble as well as the independent company Djoliba Don. From 2006-2009 and 2016-2024 she danced and choreographed with Full Circle Dance Company where she remains an Affiliate Artist. Her works for Full Circle include Alternate Paradigm, Daydreams, The Ceiling, Comic Interlude, and the 2020 dance film DISSONANCE. She is the recipient of the 2021 Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant for her 2022 work The Hill. She is also the recipient of a 2024 IAM CREATIVITY Grant. Misty enjoys creating character-centric pieces that explore the nuances of individuals and she loves to incorporate humor in dance.
Collaborator
Sam Koseff
Sam Koseff is a butch dancer, choreographer, and teacher whose work focuses on queering ballet and uplifting lesbian and transgender stories. They’ve trained with AIM by Kyle Abraham, Orange Grove Dance, Ballet West, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and graduated from Goucher College Summa Cum Laude as a dance, gender studies, and integrative arts triple major. They currently teach at the Morton Street Dance Center while dancing with Full Circle Dance, Ballet Ashani, and freelancing as a choreographer and performer in the DMV area. To keep up with Sam follow them on instagram at Sam.koseff and contact them for professional inquiries at [email protected].
Collaborator
Gwyneth Watson
Gwyneth Watson (They/She) is a Junior at UMBC, majoring in Dance with a double minor in Acting and Entrepreneurship of the Arts. They have been dancing at Kinetics Dance Theatre since the age of four. They performed with the Student Ensemble for nine years, and the Kinetics Dance Company for two years. They were accepted into UMBC’s Linehan Artist Scholars program and are enjoying studying the interdisciplinary arts. They choreographed “Simultaneity” for UMBC’s First Works concert, and notably performed in Artistic conversations with Misty Copeland. Gwyneth’s love of theatre and acting has flourished while attending college, as well as their interest in choreographing dance. They are training to work professionally in the fields of dance, acting, and musical theatre. They hope to give back to the performing arts community by curating meaningful artistic experiences and providing inspiration for others.
Festival Coordinator
Liz Quiñones (she/her) is a dedicated dance educator, movement artist, and scholar. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a K-12 Education certificate from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Hollins University. Liz began her career directing a public high school dance program before transitioning to the non-profit sector as School Manager for Kinetics Dance Theatre (KDT). She now serves as KDT's Artistic Director, overseeing all programmatic operations to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission. Additionally, she directs Kinetics Dance Company and instructs Jazz and Contemporary technique classes within Kinetics School of Dance. Liz has shared her passion for dance through numerous community engagements, presenting at conferences hosted by the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and the Maryland Dance Education Association (MDEA). She has led master classes for the Regional High School Dance Festival, the Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase, the Maryland Middle School Dance Showcase, and the Maryland Dance Alliance. She also teaches at public school dance festivals and facilitates professional development for K-12 dance educators. Furthermore, she served as an adjunct dance faculty member at Howard Community College. Liz currently performs with Kinetics Dance Company (Ellicott City, MD) and has previously performed with Full Circle Dance Company (Baltimore, MD). Her choreography has been showcased in events such as the Baltimore Dance Invitational, the Maryland Council for Dance Professional Artist’s Concert, the Howard Community College Dance Festival, and the 39th Annual Maryland Choreographer’s Showcase. In 2021, Liz was recognized as Dance Teacher of the Year - Private Sector by MDEA. She served on the MDEA Executive Board as Secretary from 2023-2025. Her current leadership efforts focus on creating safer dance spaces by studying diversity, equity, and inclusion research within the dance field.
