Weiwei Ma

Weiwei Ma is a Chinese dancer, teacher, and choreographer who started professional Chinese dance training at age eleven. She studied choreography at The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Arts where she graduated with a BFA degree. Before coming to Philadelphia, Weiwei taught Chinese classical dance and choreography at Beijing Contemporary Music Academy. Weiwei graduated with her MFA degree from Temple University in 2016. Weiwei’s work has been presented at the 2016 ACDFA conference in Brockport, NY and at KYL/D’s Fall Season. Recently, Weiwei was selected as the 2022-2023 DanceVisions Residence Artist by the Performance Garage. Weiwei joined KYL/D as a dance artist in 2013. She is the lead Chinese dancer for KYL/D’s cultural programs, and and has been a commissioned choreographer for KYL/D since 2018.

Keila PÉrez-Vega

Keila Pérez-Vega is a Puerto-Rican, Philadelphia-based artist who received her BFA in 2015 at University of the Arts. While studying, Keila became a principal dancer at Eleone Dance Theatre where she remained for three years. Post-graduation, Keila has worked with numerous local artists and companies: Dance Iquail (PHL), 10HL Projects (NYC), Melissa Rector & Dancers (PHL) and ARTolerance (PHL), among others. Outside of concert dance, Keila is a passionate latin dancer, instructor and performer, where she competes and has received world titles. Her passion for the arts extends to her work in the administrative field. Keila is Marketing/Events Director at Koresh Dance Company, Marketing Associate for KYL/D and ARTolerance as well as Programming Director for Almanac's 2021 Fit Fest. Her proudest endeavor is founding Artsi, a 501(c)3 non profit with a mission to bring diverse audiences together to enjoy art in unique ways and spaces. Keila joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2016.

Takashi Kanai

Takashi Kanai started dancing in the fourth grade at All That Dance in Seattle Washington where he trained until graduating high school. He received his BFA from Montclair State University where he performed works by Joshua Manculich, Earl Mosely, Bill T Jones, and Stefanie Batten-Bland. Outside of dance, Takashi is legally blind, caused by the rare ocular condition, retinoschisis. He works to further the understanding of disability as an absolutely fascinating way to live one's life, through his pursuit of artistic endeavors In dance as well as poetry, writing, collaging, and music. Takashi joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2022.

KENDALL NIBLETT

Kendall Niblett, a native of Morris, Alabama, has been dancing for 23 years. They grew up training with Encore Performance Company, competing and learning from artists around the country. In 2019, Kendall obtained their BA in dance and creative writing from the University of Alabama, where they were awarded the Julia S. Tutwiler scholarship. Following their degree, Kendall performed with Urbanity Dance Company for three seasons while teaching dance to ages four and up. Kendall recently produced their first evening length work, The Sky and The Sea, for the Urbanity X 2022 choreographic residency. They have also performed and choreographed internationally with Yonder Contemporary Dance Company at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Jellybean Dance Collective at the International Fitzgerald Conference. Kendall has been featured in many events/festivals such as CREATE, BCA’s Dance Makers Laboratory, Alabama Dance Festival, Koresh Come Together Festival, Young Choreographers Festival, Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Frame x Frame Film Festival, Alabama Repertory Dance Theater, and Dance Alabama Film Festival. Kendall joined Kun-Yang Lin Dancers in 2023.

ABBY DONNENFELD

Abby Donnenfeld (she/her) grew up in Narberth, PA, and received her dance training at Philadelphia Studio Ballet under Artistic Director Suzanne Slenn. She went on to receive her BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, with a minor in Mathematics. Abby has attended workshops with Gibney Dance, David Dorfman Dance, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, & Complexions Contemporary Ballet. While at NYU, Abby had the opportunity to perform work by Sidra Bell and Rafael Cañals, and was featured at Tisch Salute at Radio City Music Hall performing work by Gary McCall. She also taught for the Tisch Future Dancers & Dancemakers program, illuminating her love of teaching dance alongside performing. Abby joined KYL/D as an apprentice in 2023, and was promoted to company member in 2024.

Angelica Nieves-Merced

Angelica Nieves-Merced grew up in Linden, New Jersey where she started her intensive training at Union County Academy for Performing Arts in 2012. In 2013 she joined a pre-professional dance company, The Well Performance Project, directed under Dawud Jackson. She graduated with honors from The University of the Arts in 2020 with her BFA in Dance. While attending UArts, she became a company member with Philadanco’s DANCO 2 (D/2) Apprentice Company. In 2020 she was promoted to D/2’s liaison while also teaching classes at Philadanco’s Dance Arts School. She has attended intensives at Philadanco, The Ailey School, the Martha Graham School, and Contemporary West Dance Theatre. She has performed as a community participant in Bill T. Jones’ Deep Blue Sea project working with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in 2022. Angelica joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2023 and was promoted to company member in 2024.

Justin Viernes

Justin L Viernes, a Hawaii native, has been entertaining audiences nationally and internationally since the age of 5. Departing from years of professional singing and musical theater productions, he began dancing professionally at the age of 16. Justin has danced for many companies around the U.S. including: The Patricia Rincon Dance Collective, The PGK Dance Project, Anjanette Maraya Ramey and Dancers, Khamla Somphanh and Dancers, The Southern California Ballet, Tristian Griffin Dance Company, Island Moving  Company, The San Diego Opera, The Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Malashock Dance. His dancing has traveled him internationally to Kazakhstan and Belize as a U.S. Cultural Envoy, San Miguel de Allende, Buenos Aires and all over Europe. Justin was recently adjunct modern dance faculty for the California State Summer School for the Arts program (CSSSA) at CalArts  University and was Artistic Director of his own company: brown paper bag dance co. Justin is currently working as a bi-coastal  freelance dancer and is excited to start his next journey with KYL/D.

Karen Kao

Karen Kao, originally from Taiwan, began her dance training at the age of four studying contemporary, modern, ballet, Chinese classical dance, and martial arts. Her early immersion in these diverse forms deeply influenced her artistic approach. In 2019, Karen relocated to Bellingham, Washington, where she pursued her BFA in Dance at Western Washington University as a graduate of Outstanding Contribution of Dance, and has since worked with various companies and choreographers, including Liz Gerring, Kuntz and Company, Nia-Amina Minor, Barbara Lima, Ethan Pak Rome, Pei-Ling Kao, Cameron McKinney, Angela Sebastian, and Riverbank Dance Company. Karen joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2024.

Evalina Carbonell

Evalina Carbonell, known affectionately as "Wally," received her early training at the National Ballet School in Maryland. She went on to earn her BFA in Dance from Florida State University, studying with such luminaries as Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and Suzanne Farrell. Upon graduation, Evalina joined the Roxey Ballet Company, dancing as a principal artist from 2005-2011. As a freelance artist, she has worked and choreographed extensively, and continues to be an active performer as a guest artist nationally and locally. Evalina teaches dance, GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® in addition to creating her own work. A passionate performer, creator, and teacher, Evalina joined KYL/D as a dance artist in 2012. She became the Inhale Performance Series Curator in October 2019, and has been a commissioned choreographer for KYL/D since 2018.

Sophie Malin

Sophie Malin grew up in Boston, MA and Mason, OH. Sophie trained extensively in Ballet & Modern dance at Northern Cincinnati Youth Ballet under the direction of Oliver Arana (Cincinnati Ballet) and Susanne Payne (Dayton Contemporary). After relocating to Philadelphia, Sophie danced professionally with Alchemy Dance Company, SHARP Dance Company, and Klassic Contemporary Ballet Company. She also worked as a freelance artist for Blythe Smith, Evalina (Wally) Carbonell, Asya Zlatina and several others. Sophie has attended intensives at BalletX, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Joffrey School of Ballet, Northwest Dance Project and Northern Cincinnati Youth Ballet. Sophie has a deep passion for teaching, including working as the Assistant Director/Artist in Residency at Wilmington Ballet in Delaware. Sophie joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2019 and was a teaching artists in the CHI Dance program. In 2020, Sophie was promoted as a dance artist and as KYL/D’s Education Coordinator. She also serves as the Rentals Manager for KYL/D’s CHI Movement Arts Center.

Robert Burden

Born in Philadelphia, Robert started dancing at the age of 10 with Gwendolyn bye Dance Center, where he trained in ballet, tap, African, Graham, Horton, jazz, Dunham, and other contemporary styles. At 14 he was accepted into the Creative And Performing Arts High school (CAPA) as a dance major. While in CAPA, Robert performed with Brian Sanders “JUNK”. During Robert’s years at CAPA he also was part of the high school dance company, Eleone EC company, JOVO Dance and Gwendolyn Bye Dance Company Fusion 2— including performing in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the cherry blossom parade from 2014-2018. After graduating from CAPA in 2018, he continued his studies in dance as a student of University of the Arts. While at UArts, he danced with Philadanco’s apprentice company D2 as well as Grace 2 and trained at intensives with Gwendolyn Bye, Earl Mosley EMIA, Philadanco, and New Orleans Dance Collective (NODC). Additionally, Robert has trained under Mark Caserta, Kyle and Danita Clark, Wayne St. David, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Kareem Goodwin, Shaylah-vie Jenkins, Gary Jeter, Ndiaye Kaolack, Shawn-Lamere Williams, Donald Langsford, Michael Sheridan, Uwazi Zamani, and Jesse Zaritt. Robert graduated from UArts in May 2022 with a BFA in dance. He joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2022.

Campbell Tosney

Campbell Tosney began dancing at the age of three, later competing with the Dance Theatre of New Jersey Company for six years, winning numerous scholarships. She attended intensives at the Joffrey School, Broadway Dance Center, Point Park University, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, but in recent years discovered a love for choreography. She has worked on multiple age-ranging productions with a handful of theaters over the last seven years. Campbell attended Temple University where she received her BFA in Dance this past May. While at Temple, she maintained positions on the Temple dance production crew and Boyer Alumni Association. Campbell joined KYL/D as an apprentice and the technical director for the Inhale Performance Series for the 22-23 season.

Anito Gavino

Anito is a native of the Philippines and attended the University of the Philippines before pursuing training at the Alvin Ailey School. She danced professionally with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and Dallas Black Dance Theater. She has worked with legendary choreographers Katherine Dunham, Donald McKayle, Eleo Pomare, Diane McIntyre, Alonzo King, Ronald K. Brown, Chuck Davis and others. She continues her journey as a political artist and choreographer through her company, Malayaworks (named after her daughter). Anito’s works have been commissioned by Dance Place, Dance Canvas, Richmond Dance Festival, Detroit Dance Race by ArtLabJ and Appomattox Governor's School for the Arts (VA). She produced "La Migra, Let's Run" in 2016 and "HERstory" in 2017 for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. In 2018 she revived HERstory, presented by Fleisher Art Memorial. Choreography highlights include the Koresh Artist Showcase, ETC Performance Series, Inhale Performance Series, Dumbo Dance Festival and Velocity Dance Festival. She has also choreographed Philippine Folk Dances in Richmond. Anito is a proud mother of Malaya Kollman. She joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2015 and currently serves as a guest artist.

Grace Stern

Grace Stern grew up in Nebraska and began her training at the Omaha Academy of Ballet. In 2012 she received a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Grace's education also has included American Theater Ballet, Hubbard Street, Summer Stages, and Ballet Magnificat intensives. She has had the privilege of working with, and performing works by, Janis Brenner, Doug Elkins, Maurya Kerr, Jose Limon, Alwin Nikolais, Helen Simoneau, Olive Prince, Myra Brazell and others. Grace joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2015.

Ariel Isakowitz

Ariel Isakowitz (They/Them), a Philly native, was raised by an Argentine family, has German and Israeli roots, and has lived in more places than you can imagine. They started dancing at the age of 18 at Northwestern University in Chicago, where they joined the Giordano Jazz Young Company. They went on to train with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (Israel), and at the Ballet Jeune de Geneve (Switzerland). Ariel has performed with many choreographers and companies, including: Itzik Galili, Mats Ek, Barak Marshall, Rami Be'er, Guilherme Botelho, Marina Mascarell, Stijn Celis, Ioannis Mandafounis, Kamea Dance Company, Odelya Kuperberg, Peter Kyle, Michael Mao, Catapult, and Mayumana. Ariel has also performed in plays, musicals, and operas around the world. Recently, Ariel created the solo works: "'C' is for Condensation" and "Satyr." Ariel joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2019.

Dom Brown

My name is Dominick Brown. I am a mixed black, queer artist currently residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, I moved to Philadelphia in August of 2017 to pursue my bachelors degree with the University of the Arts, receiving a four-year full ride Directors Scholarship. 

While attending the university, I had the opportunity to work with Ballet Preljocaj in Aix en Provence, France in January of 2018. I was invited to teach in Warsaw, Poland at Akademia Tańca Reliese as a summer workshop instructor in August of 2018. I was also given the opportunity to attend The American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina with a full scholarship for the summer dance intensive in 2019. While at ADF I was able to participate in the Footprints program, where I had the opportunity to learn and perform Merce Cunningham's role in “How To Pass, Kick, Fall and Run”, choreographed by Merce Cunningham, under the direction of Andrea Webber. Following the process with Andrea Webber at ADF, I was invited to come work with the trust for two-weeks to help workshop and perform an excerpt of Merce Cunningham's work, “Scenario” at the City Center Studios in New York City, New York. 

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, I was fortunately able to continue pursuing and complete my education remotely. In May of 2021, I graduated from The University of the Arts receiving the Stella Moore Prize for Four-Year Achievement, an Expressivity superlative, and The President's Award for Excellence in Creative Practice. After Graduating from the university, I accepted a position with Kun Yang-Lin Dancers in Philadelphia, PA where I am currently dancing.

Jamaal Bowman

Jamaal Bowman is a Director’s Scholar at the University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. He is a multidisciplinary artist, born and raised in Maryland. Jamaal is currently residing in Philadelphia. He is a dance artist by day, and a drag artist by night. Jamaal’s personal practices are centered around queer black joy, theater, improvisation, and comedy. He is skilled in costume design, making music scores, and video editing. He hopes to reshape the future for queer brown people like him, to give them more opportunities to shine. He has been in collaboration with and taken classes from artists including Nora Chipaumire, Tommie Waheed, Helen Pickett, Fana Fraser, Thom White, and Sidra Bell. Through the University of the Arts, he was able to travel to Paris to participate in the CND’s Camping festival along with performing “Monumental” by Jocelyn Cottencin. He graduated from University of the Arts in 2021. Aside from working with KYL/D, which he joined in 2021, Jamal has recently toured with Von Howard Project in Ecuador.

Marcel Santiago Marcelino

Marcel Santiago Marcelino (he/they) is a queer latino dance artist born in Boston, MA. Marcel lived part of his childhood in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico before returning to the states. His creative practice is influenced by caribbean, contemporary and improvisational dance methods. He is a 2021 BFA graduate of the University of the Arts School of Dance, Dir. Donna Faye Burchfield. Marcel had the pleasure of spending part of a semester studying classical and contemporary dance at the Conservatorio Superior de Danza "María de Ávila" in Madrid, Spain. During his time at UArts, he collaborated and performed in work by Lauren Bakst at the Camping Dance Festival in Paris and Lyon, France. He has also had the pleasure of performing works by Katie Swords-Thurman, and Juel Lane. Marcel joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2021.

Shiyu Wang

Shiyu Wang is a dancer, choreographer and teacher from China. Shiyu graduated with her BFA in Dance from Minzu University of China in 2019. Before coming to Philadelphia, Shiyu taught Chinese classical dance and Folk dance in China. She also participated in the exchange activity of the African Dance Troupe at the MUC in 2019 and was a part of CCTV’s recording of the column show of “Dance World” in 2018. Shiyu won 3rd Prize in the 9th Modern Dance Competition among 5 provinces of North China in 2019. Right now, she is pursuing her MFA in dance at Temple University. Shiyu joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2021.

Wangbo Zhu

Wangbo Zhu is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher from China. He received his BA in Chinese dances from Beijing Dance Academy in 2012. Working as a dancer at China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater after graduation, he performed most works of the dance company such as Confucius, Orphan of Zhao, and Silk Road. He toured with the company nationally and internationally, including the U.S, Europe, Australia and beyond. Right now he is pursuing his MFA in dance at Temple University to find his own voice through dance. Wangbo joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2019.

Francis Markocki

A Philadelphia native, Francis Markocki began his training at the age of fifteen. Francis graduated with his BFA in Dance from Temple University in 2016. With his degree, Francis pursued performance opportunities in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Inhale Performance Series, Temple University MFA Thesis Concerts and with KYL/D. He is a certified M’singha Wuti instructor in the Umfundalai Dance Technique, for which he studied under its founder Dr. Kariamu Welsh. Francis is a dance teacher, choreographer and private instructor for queer performers in Philadelphia. He joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2016 and became a company member in 2017. Frankie also teaches classes through KYL/D's youth education and outreach program, CHI Dance and has been the InHale Performance Series Technical Director since 2017.

Emmanuel Williams

Emmanuel Williams grew up in Norfolk, VA. He attended George Mason University in 2012 initially pursuing a Sports Management degree. In 2014, he was accepted into the GMU Dance program and officially started his formal dance training. He has also trained at the Susquehanna Dance Center in Lancaster PA. In 2017, he graduated with a B.S. in Sport Management and a B.F.A. in Dance. After graduating, he married his beautiful best friend and fellow GMU dancer, Isabella, and together they live in Lancaster, PA. He has been establishing himself choreographically under the name LUNA and has been involved with several dance projects in both Washington DC and Lancaster including The Durang Dance Collective, A-Y/Dancers, DancEthos, Servant Stage Theater Company, and Chamber Dance Company. He is grateful to God for the opportunity to dance and is excited to continue his dance career with KYL/D. Emmanuel joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2019.

Barbara Craig Liu

Barbara Craig was born in Shaker Hts. OH, and began her training with The School of Verlezza Dance and later Cleveland City Dance. Later, she attended Ballet Mets Pre-professional program for one year before dancing with Euoropa Ballett Sankt Poelten in Austria. In 2014 She was invited to return to the states to train and perform with The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet as an apprentice. Since then, she has danced and performed with many local Philadelphia companies and choreographers, including Bryan Koulman Contemporary Ballet, Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet and Verb Ballets. Barbara enjoys teaching ballet as well as the GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® methods. She joined Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers as an apprentice in 2017.

Frank Leone

Frank Leone was born and raised in Westchester, New York. He attended Point Park University where he obtained a BA in dance with a duel concentration in jazz and modern. While at school he had the opportunity to perform works by Bill T. Jones, Ohad Naharin, Randy Duncan, Terrence Marling, Dwight Rhoden and others. He also studied at San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and Parsons Dance. After graduating in 2014, Frank had the pleasure to work with Norwegian Cruise Line, shawnbibledanceco. and Valerie Green/ Dance Entropy. Since moving to Philadelphia, Frank has worked with Gunnar Montana and Brian Sanders' JUNK. Frank is a member of Bradley's Bucks and presents his own work in the queer Philadelphia nightlife as FAGL ROQ.

Jessica Warchal-King 

Jessica performed with KYL/D from 2010-2017 and with Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet from 2009-2016. She has danced for many independent choreographers and organizations, and has had her choreography commissioned and presented, throughout the Mid-Atlantic United States. Jessica co-founded and curated KYL/D's InHale Performance Series. She is the director of JCWK Dance Lab. Jessica received the Part Time Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence from Widener and a Rocky Award from the Philly Dance Community in 2016. Additionally, Jessica is a Reiki and Pilates practitioner and is navigating the space between mother and professional.

Brian Cordova

Brian Cordova Native of Brentwood, New York where he began his formal training in dance in 2010. Brian is currently attending Temple University and is diligently working on his BFA in Dance. He has had the opportunity to perform with Kariamu Welsh, Meredith Rainey, Charles Anderson, Andrea Miller, and was a member of Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers from 2012-2016.

Brandi Ou

Brandi Ou hails from Petersburg, Indiana, where she grew up in a household of artists and musicians. Brandi received her B.A. in Dance Performance in 2005 from Indiana University. She has since continued her training in and around Bloomington, IN and Philadelphia, PA throughout the years. In addition to her background in modern dance, she has competed professionally in Ballroom and Latin dance from 2002-2008. Brandi has also taught as adjunct faculty at Indiana University and University of Pennsylvania. Now living in the City of Brotherly Love, she co-owns Ballroom Philadelphia, and continues to teach ballroom dance all around the city. Since arriving, Brandi has started many new projects, both choreographing and working with local choreographers. Brandi was a member of Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers from 2013-2014.

Vuthy Ou

Vuthy Ou began his dance training as a Ballroom and Latin dancer in 2002. He has taught at Indiana University and private studios in addition to competing professionally in the International Latin category. In 2009, Vuthy began studying contemporary dance and was a member of Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers from 2011-2013.

Shaness Kemp

Kemp is a native of Nassau, Bahamas and holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Temple University. She is a certified Umfundalai teacher and has taught at various institutions, festivals and intensives. She has trained with several notable artists and professional dance companies, including Philadanco, Eleone Dance Theatre, Urban Bush Women, Kariamu & Company: Traditions, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Rennie Harris Puremovement, The Katherine Dunham Seminar and The American Dance Festival. She was the 2015-2016 recipient of the Ellen Forman Memorial Award and her work has been presented nationally and internationally. Shaness was an original member of the Clothesline Muse Theatre production and performed at its premiere at the Painted Bride in Philadelphia in 2014. She is a freelance dancer and choreographer and most recently has performed with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. 

Eiren Shuman

Eiren Shuman received his BFA in dance from Temple University where he studied with Kun-Yang Lin. Post-graduation he has had the opportunity to continue his training, dancing for and with many talents of Philadelphia's acclaimed dance community. Eiren spent a year training at Trinity Laban in London and returned to Philadelphia in 2010 to continue his training and performance experience with the notable Nora Gibson Performance Projects, Meredith Rainey and Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers. Eiren enjoys teaching movement for children of all ages as well as adults, pre-professional and professional dancers. Outside of the dancing community, Eiren enjoys working as a figure model for many of the art institutes in and around Philadelphia, creating a practice in stillness as well as movement. Eiren is currently pursuing an MFA in Dance at NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.