Janan Mirza

Janan Mirza is a dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a B.A. in dance from Brenau University with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. Janan is a proud alumna of Moving in the Spirit, which became the root to her creative and pre-professional journey. Her dance training integrated the importance of diversity, equity, and proper youth development. At Brenau, Janan danced in works created by esteemed artists such as Du’Bois A’Keen, Carl Flink, and Madia Cooper-Ashirifi. She is currently a teaching artist around Atlanta focusing on early childhood levels in modern, ballet, and jazz. Her wish for her students is to gain the joy dance has always brought her. She believes being a teacher means holding great communication skills and being continuously kind in order to make all students feel welcomed and seen.

Crystal Faison-Mitchell

Crystal Faison-Mitchell officially joined Moving in the Spirit in 2015 after serving as a volunteer, mentor, and choreographer for the organization since 2007. With a professional background in human resources, mental health counseling, and program management, Crystal’s previous positions have included: Assistant Director of Business Operations for the SEED School of Washington, DC; Training and Development Specialist for the State of Georgia; Human Resources Business Partner for MarketSource, Inc. She has also served as an organizational consultant for several small businesses and mental health agencies in Raleigh-Durham, NC. In her breadth of roles, Crystal’s main focus is working collaboratively in an effort to transform individual potential into collective success. Her love for the arts, specifically her love of dance, has inspired her compassionate, holistic approach to building strong teams. Crystal holds a BA in dance studies from The George Washington University and is currently pursuing her PhD in human development from Fielding Graduate University.

Chelsea Vill, M.S. BC-DMT

Chelsea Vill is a Brooklyn native whose passion for dance has expanded well beyond leisure. Chelsea began dancing at the age of four and has never stopped. During high school, she became the artistic director of her school’s dance company, where she exhibited leadership through dance choreography and fundraising initiatives. Chelsea is an alumna of Spelman College where she majored in drama with a concentration in dance. During her time at Spelman College, she was very active in Ashietu, the African dance ministry at Spelman College.

Chelsea received her Master’s degree in dance/movement therapy from Pratt Institute in 2016, where she focused her study on the therapeutic effects of West African drumming in a dance movement therapy session. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of dance and choreography, Chelsea now uses her passion and love for dance to help people with emotional traumas and psychological disorders strengthen their coping skills.

Chris Shepard

Chris “Twix” Shepard is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance. A dynamic and engaging dancer, Chris performed in children’s theatre for over 18 years with Rhythmically Speaking in St. Paul, Minnesota. Chris danced in Oklahoma City’s  R.A.C.E. Dance Collective for ten years and served as the company’s community engagement director for five years. Other affiliations include: O’City Crew, Oklahoma City Thunder’s dance team; Generation Why, a nonprofit organization centered around bullying and mental health; Sparklahoma, a sound painting group; and dance crew Band of Misfits

In addition to dance, Chris loves to act and sing. Notable credits include Pollard Theatre’s productions of In the Heights, Shrek The Musical, The Color Purple, Hairspray, Fences, and Bring it On, as well as Lyric Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol.