Laura Espitia | 2019
Laura Espitia began her dance training while attending middle and high school at Osceola County School for the Arts. She is now a 2019 Bachelors of Fine Arts graduate of New World School of the Arts. While at New World, Laura had the opportunity to perform dance works by Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, Ohad Naharin, Robert Battle, and Eduardo Vilaro. She made her professional debut with Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre in the Spring of 2019. Laura has attended the American Dance Festival for two summers, first as a Backstage Apprentice then as a Spike Award recipient. Through these scholarships Laura has been able to make connections and learn from professional artists in the dance field such as Rosie Herrera, Michael Trusnovic, and Andrea Webber among many others.
On Spike: "ADF was everything I needed. Whether it was the walks to class in the beautiful streets of Durham, the live music I danced to by the talented musicians or the talks that I had with my fellow adfers and staff. These friendships I made and the moments we created sparked a light in me. I began to see and act upon changes that I needed in order to continue my artistic path. And these friendships are now connections that allow me to feel ready and fully supported as I begin to make my way into the professional world."
Kashia Kancey | 2018
Kashia Kancey is a Miami-born dancer, choreographer, performer, and artist. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance at New World School of the Arts College.
On Spike: "After attending the American Dance Festival, I can say that I have grown tremendously not only as an artist, but as a human being. I had the opportunity to meet people from around the world and create relationships that I still have today. I was pushed past what I thought were my limits daily by teachers that generously offered their wisdom to myself and others. When the festival came to an end, all the knowledge I had acquired over those six weeks became essential to my professional career and lifestyle. I am forever grateful for the Spike Award for tending to the financial needs of artists like myself. This one opportunity truly has impacted my life in a way that I will always cherish.”
Christofer Medina | 2016
Christofer Medina is a native of Miami, FL and a BFA graduate from New World School of the Arts/University of Florida. Medina has trained in classical ballet, Horton, Limon, Graham, and Taylor techniques. In outside practices, Medina has taken advantage of diving into release techniques and Gaga practices. Medina has had the opportunity to train at programs under the direction of Doug Varone, Mark Morris, Larry Keigwin, Helen Simoneau, and Sean Curran. Medina has also performed works from many acclaimed choreographers such as Robert Battle, Sean Curran, Darshan Bhuller, Paul Taylor, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Medina had the pleasure of attending the American Dance Festival in 2016 as the Spike Award Scholar. During this time, he had the honor of working with Charles Anderson, Jesse Zaritt, Stuart Singer, Netta Yerushalmy, and Rosie Herrera. Medina hopes to invest time and research into various genres of movement and constantly aim for versatility as an artist in the professional field.
On Spike: "The time I spent at ADF elevated my dancing, performance level, and my spirit. The festival upholds the historical values of dance as an art form and instills this in every person that attends. To say that ADF changed my life would be an understatement as it truly enriched my practice as an artist."
Zoe Austin | 2015
Zoe Austin was born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Sarasota, Fl. She began her dance training at booker High School’s Visual Performing Arts Program, and continued on to attend New World School of the Arts, where she is currently working towards her BFA. She has performed works by Michael Foley, Robert Battle, Bill T Jones, apprenticed in the Moving Ethos Dance Company, and has also choreographed her own works, which have been selected for the NWSA student choreography showcase and the Elaine Adler performance. After graduating NWSA she hopes to join a professional modern dance company.
On Spike: "Receiving the Spike Award has provided an amazing opportunity that has challenged me artistically, and surrounded me in an invigorating and vibrant community. I have grown immensely, both personally, and professionally. Having the chance to meet people, and create relationships, was an opportunity greater than I could have ever imagined, that allowed me to tap into the exploration of others, and myself, to find my true purpose in the dance world. Being immersed in this kind of environment was at many times mentally and physically exhausting, although, I never found myself not hungry and desperate for more. Without the Spike Award, I wouldn’t have been able to transform as an artist or human being, the way that I have."
Rashidi Lewis | 2015
Rashidi Lewis is a Jamaican- American dancer and choreographer born and raised in Miami, Fl. He is a recent graduate of New World School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance Performance. While at New World he danced works by Bill T. Jones, Darshaun Bhuller, Eduardo Vilaro, Robert Battle, Peter London and Gerald Ebitz. He attended the American Dance Festival in 2015 and was picked up by choreographer Garpard Louis to perform at his company's NYC premiere at Pace University. Rashidi currently resides in Queen, NY and is dancing with John Zullo RAW Movement and NWSA alumni Angela Fegers. He is pursuing choreographing and presenting his own work in NYC as well as pursuing his interests in original costume design.
On Spike: "The Spike Scholarship has changed my life. Once graduating collage I wasn't sure where I fit in as a dancer. After attending the American Dance Festival and meeting people like Jennifer Nugent, Pamela Pietro, Jesse Zarrit I soon realized that their is so much more dance than the classics. I was given the opportunity to dance for world renowned South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma which was beautiful. I was able to create magic on stage and experience dance through the lenses of another culture. ADF taught me so much about who I am as a person and a dancer and the memories that I created there are memories that I will never forget. If it weren't for this opportunity I would have never meet Gaspard who created the bridge for me and gave me the opportunity to come to New York City to pursue what I am suppose to do."
Rivkins Christopher | 2014
Rivkins Christopher was born and raised in Miami Florida where he began his training at the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet under the direction of Ruth Wiesen. He is a graduate from New World School of the Arts where he received his BFA in Dance. In Miami he danced with Momentum Dance Company, Peter London Global Dance Company and as an understudy with Miami Contemporary. He has attended intensives such Ailey, Deeply Rooted, the American Dance Festival and the Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Workshops. He has performed works by Darshaun Bhuller, Kyle Abraham, Jamar Roberts, Jose Limon, Robert Battle, Rennie Harrris ,Kevin Iega Jeff and Bill T. Jones. He recently presented his first professional work entitled "Self M.A.R.C" at Miami's Open Stage. Rivkins currently resides in New York and joined a project based company known as Gaspard & Dancers in 2014. He plans to use what he is learning from every artist he encounters to inspire others and give back to his community one day.
On Spike: "My summer at ADF opened up so many artistic passageways that I never knew existed. I was in the right place at the right time, taking classes from amazing artists and adding more tools into my toolbox. I was also offered a project based dance job with a former Pilobolus dancer Gaspard Louis. I've had the privilege of performing with this company at the 2014 APAP Conference in the Jazz at Lincoln Center venue located in New York City. We were recently presented by Pace University also in New York City to perform as their season opener. One can say that this career path can come with so many loops and turns but that is when the true test begins. I have been so fortunate to come this far in my career that every single day I thank God for blessing me. He has provided me with a very supportive family, friends, mentors and all above very strong faith. I say thank you to both Rosie and Matt for putting this award together and giving young artists like myself this amazing opportunity.”
Angela Fegers | 2013
Fegers currently works out of New York City, where she shows work through her project based company, DalioDance, at venues throughout the city. She is continuing her training as a dancer as a work- study at Peridance Dance Center, while she continues to do project based performances for Earl Mosley. Fegers is eager to take her work overseas and was recently invited to show work in Switzerland in April 2016.
On Spike: "ADF provided the opportunity for me to meet some amazing people whom I am still in touch with. While at ADF, the most important thing I learned was to always be true to the art, and to stand up for what you believe in, in a sense of presenting work. The friendships I have made during the summer 2012, are still prominent in my life. I enjoy seeing people that I have met throughout New York City on a regular basis, with the common line, “Hey did you do ADF 2012?” The festival really gives a sense of community throughout the city, and some of the friendships I have made are the strongest ones in my life. They have enabled this transition from graduate to professional, to be as smooth and enjoyable as it should be and I am so grateful for that."
Amanda Edwards | 2012
Amanda Edwards is a dance artist based in Miami, Florida. She received her AA in Dance Entertainment from Florida School of the Arts (Palatka, FL) training under the direction of Freddick Bratcher. Continuing her training, she received her BFA in Dance from New World School of the Arts (Miami, FL) on scholarship in 2014. At NWSA, she had the opportunity to perform original works by Martha Graham, Darshaun Bueller, Peter London, Gerard Ebitz, and Robert Battle. As a scholarship student at The American Dance Festival in 2013, Amanda was selected to perform in two repertory pieces, "Sololos" by Trisha Brown under the Direction of Abby Yeager and a Merce Cunningham "MinEvent" under the direction of Andrea Weber. Since graduating, Amanda has been performing throughout South Florida with Brigette Cormier Dance Company (BC Dance Co.) Her latest work with BC Dance Co. was a conceptual dance film entitled, "The Renegades." Amanda continues to pursue her career in Miami as a professional dancer and performing artist.
On Spike: "ADF is a truly special place that opens its arms to all dancers at any dance level. It’s an intimate learning environment that lets you explore different dance styles.”