Zoe Azille

Originally from West Orange, New Jersey, Zoe has been dancing for nearly 14 years, mastering various styles like Tap, Ballet, Contemporary Modern, Horton, and more.

As a former member of the NJ Tap Dance Ensemble under Deborah Mitchell, Zoe’s passion for dance knows no bounds. Currently a sophomore psychology major with a concentration in mental health and a dance minor on the pedagogy track at Spelman College, Zoe is deeply involved in the arts community. They’re a proud member of Spriggs-Burroughs Drama and Dance Ensemble and are engaged in a movement lab in partnership with Princeton University.

Zoe’s vision for the future is inspiring – aiming to become a dance teacher and school psychologist, using movement to heal and empower others through trauma.

Austin Blakely was born in Marietta, GA, raised in New Jersey, and has spent most of his adult life in Philadelphia before relocating to Atlanta. He studied Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. With over 8 years of experience in event production, he began his career as a studio engineer in the music industry, transitioning to live events where he managed corporate audio, bands, and provided lighting and sound for weddings.

Expanding his expertise, he delved into video production systems, mastering tools like Barco E2, Analog Way Aquilon series, and Blackmagic’s 8k Constellation. As an LED Lead, he ensures the proper setup, programming, and operation of large format LED displays. Additionally, he’s proficient in d3 software from Disguise, earning certification to excel in virtual production and immersive technologies.

Currently employed as a d3 Operator/Experiential Technician at Illuminarium Atlanta, his focus is on flawlessly delivering video content across immersive environments. Beyond his professional endeavors, Austin also shares his knowledge by teaching production courses to aspiring technicians, guiding them from beginner to expert levels of proficiency in operating audio and video equipment.

LaMia Dingle is the Executive Director and co-founder of REVEAL Movement. LaMia is from Camden, NJ and is a graduate of the city’s first arts high school. She attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she trained vigorously in ballet, modern, jazz, and other cultural dances. LaMia’s artistic flare was recognized while in high school when she was cast as lead dancer in Jill Scott’s directorial debut music video. Always an avid student of hip-hop, LaMia began to delve into the style more intensely after joining Face Da Phlave, a hip-hop company that focuses on pure hip-hop movement and positivity. She has also performed as a dancer for the Garden State Dance Festival’s repertoire company, Philadelphia’s Putty Dance Project, and Project Dance in Washington D.C. LaMia was also the director of dance programs for youth and a co-artistic director and writer of stage productions for a non-profit theater group in Philadelphia. She and the group went on to utilize dance and theater as an instrument of education for young women in Liberia, West Africa. LaMia currently co-directs her training and performing company, REVEAL Movement, while instructing and contributing to works in the Atlanta area.

Azaria G. is a curious and interdisciplinary performance and visual artist with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance choreography and performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In dance, she has curated original screen dance work Find Your Wings Draft 2 (2021) as well as her staged works Lovely and Ghetto (2022) and Blue’s Monologue (2023). Each work is informed by her interest in intersectional experiences and the embodiment of perspective, history and expression. Azaria G. explores the intersections between black and Caribbean culture, the concept of magic, and the practices of agency. Azaria G. is also a complex visual artist with themes focused on surrealism, color theory, storytelling, spirituality and magic in the black body. Through the practice of catharsis and improvisation, she has presented her interdisciplinary work at the Southeastern Center of Contemporary Arts (SECCA) during the Black@Intersection exhibition curated by Duane Cyrus. Azaria G. has also led social art initiatives of both dance and visual art at the Weatherspoon Art Museum during her internship for the Lorraine O’Grady retrospective titled Both/And (2022). Azaria G. continues to pursue social art and activism through her continued creative practices and pedagogy.

Tambra “Omiyale” Harris is the Artistic Director of Giwayen Mata, the all-sistah dance, percussion, and vocal ensemble. With 26 years of company experience as a choreographer, teacher, and performer who is trained in anti-racist methodology, Tambra leads the company in performance works and classes that highlight the African Diaspora and the hidden treasures of black womanhood. She successfully developed the K-12 dance program at Charles R. Drew Charter School by employing her own curriculum specializing in African and Black American dance styles, STEAM, and the core values of Project Based Learning. Currently directing a dance program at Price Middle School in Atlanta in partnership with her company Giwayen Mata, she works as the school’s dance educator using cultural and creative movement to focus on identity, cultural relevance, and social emotional learning. At Moving in the Spirit, Tambra teaches the art of West African dance to our GLOW in Motion and Apprentice Corporation performance companies.

Jordan Nicole Heusner-Wilkinson (Joni) is a Moving in the Spirit alumna, teaching artist, costumer, and on-duty staff member. She graduated from The College of Wooster in 2019 with a degree in theatre and dance. By day Joni is a preschool teacher, and by night she is a costume queen. Joni has been involved with Moving in the Spirit for over 15 years, and she developed her love of costuming when she toured with the organization’s teen company, The Apprentice Corporation.

Versaille began their training at Gwinnett Ballet Theater under Wade Wathall, and at Terminus Ballet under John Welker. They have studied at companies such as Sarasota Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, The Marais School of Dance, Post Ballet, and Kim Robards Dance. Versaille has worked under choreographers such as Sidra Bell, Dennis Geter, Joanna Kotze, Fana Fraser, Kathyrn Vickers and Albert Quesada. Versaille has also done professional work for The Fidget Space under Megan Bridge and for Judson Church’s Movement Research. They are a recent graduate from University of the Arts, under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield with an artistic scholarship, as well as the Associate Director of the UArts Ballet Ensemble. Versaille is very excited to be working for Moving in the Spirit and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance.

Chelsi Lester is a dancer, instructor, student, and artist based in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of four, Chelsi began to develop a love for dance in her church’s youth dance ministry, where she later recognized dance as one of her gifts. Making the choice at ten years old to pursue a career in dance, Chelsi began formally training under a local dance studio, where she studied ballet, jazz, hip hop, and tap. As she matured in her technical training, she began taking her gift more seriously and enrolled in a dance program at Gotta Dance Atlanta, under the primary instruction of Cicely “CiCi” Kelley. In addition to training locally, Chelsi began traveling frequently to New York City to study ballet under former Alvin Ailey instructor, Peter Brandenhoff. 

After graduating from Sprayberry High School in Marietta, GA, Chelsi attended Spelman College. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance performance and choreography. In addition to serving as co-leader of Spelman’s praise dance ministry, Movements of Praise, Chelsi was blessed with many opportunities to perform, choreograph, and teach dance classes outside of the university setting. Such opportunities include a position as lead choreographer for MTV’s Wild N’ Out cast member, Mope Williams, and a teaching position at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. 

Chelsi Lester wholeheartedly believes in remaining a student, even in spaces where she is titled the lead instructor. While fulfilling the duties of a leader, she simultaneously and humbly positions herself to learn from others in whichever space she encompasses, understanding that grand visions are not intended to be executed alone.