Leo Briggs (he/him) is a faculty member at Austin Community College and The University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches ballet. He also performs with Capital Contemporary Ballet and ARCOS Dance. Leo earned his MFA in Dance + Social Justice from The University of Texas at Austin in 2025 under the mentorship of EG Gionfriddo. Leo’s work has been presented at OUTsider Fest, Austin Dance Festival, and The Cohen New Works Festival.

Rachel Aucoin (she/her) began her ballet education in her native New Orleans at Giacobbe Academy of Dance and Myra Mier School of Ballet. She later trained with Gregory Schramel and Marjorie Hardwick Schramel at the Schramel Conservatory of Dance, the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and privately with Wilhelm Burmann and Nikoloz Makhateli. As a student Rachel competed and placed in the Youth America Grand Prix semi finals and competed in the New York City finals. She has performed with New Orleans Ballet Theatre, New Orleans Opera Association, and American Ballet Theatre. Rachel is currently part of faculty at Ballet Austin, and is currently pursuing her Pilates certification.

Kathleen Tiernan (she/her) is a Program Lead of Dance for All for ATX Artists for Social Impact, as well as a company dancer in Capital Contemporary Ballet. Originally from Falls Church, Virginia, she began her ballet training at the Washington School of Ballet in D.C. She has trained and performed with BalletMet in Columbus, OH, and Ballet Austin. Kathleen has performed locally with Ventana Ballet and regularly performs with dance pop performance group, TC Superstar. In addition to her dance career, Kathleen recently obtained LMSW licensure. She is passionate about integrating the creative arts with social work by leading trauma-informed movement groups and utilizing somatic therapies to support holistic healing. Kathleen also performed the lead role of Clara/Sugar Plum in Capital Contemporary Ballet and ATX Jazz Orchestra’s first production of The Duke Ellington Nutcracker!

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Isabelle Green (she/her) began her ballet training in the United States and has since built a rich career across classical and contemporary work. Her path has carried her from institutions including The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, The Rock School, Kirov Academy, Kaatsbaan, and Walnut Hill, to performances with Brandywine Ballet, Ventana Ballet, Capital Contemporary Ballet, and international engagements with the Estonian National Ballet Summer Gala and Etoile Ballet Gala.

Matthew Zelenin (he/him) is the resident pianist of ATX Artists for Social Impact, the arranger of the ATX Jazz Orchestra, and the principal accompanist of Capital Contemporary Ballet. He is a pianist, vocalist, studio musician, and data scientist based in Austin, TX. Matthew began studying classical piano at a young age, competing internationally and performing in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall. While studying at Indiana University, he shifted his focus to jazz and contemporary styles, performing alongside acclaimed musicians at the Jacobs School of Music. He also served as musical director of Indiana University’s Another Round, an all-male a cappella group, touring nationally for concerts and events. Now based in Austin, Matthew performs as a solo jazz pianist and vocalist, as well as with his trio. He recently debuted a collection of original compositions and new arrangements at the River Sun Jazz Club in San Antonio and performs regularly at local venues including the Elephant Room. He collaborates with singer-songwriters such as Jessica Healey, Eric Bowden, and Bobby Noble, and is also active as a musician for weddings, corporate events, and church services. Recently, Matthew has become a highly in-demand ballet accompanist for Ballet Austin, UT Austin, Austin Community Ballet. Matthew’s playing combines classical training with a passion for improvisation and rich harmonic language. Inspired by pianists like Oscar Peterson and Chick Corea, his performances are marked by intensity, dynamic contrast, and emotional storytelling. He enjoys playing and listening to music across all genres and thrives in diverse performance settings.

Matty Owens (they/them) is a professional tap dancer and tap instrumentalist. They have been a member of two professional tap dance companies in Texas: Rhythmic Souls in Dallas and Tapestry Dance Company in Austin. They have performed in national and international shows and dance festivals; the most recent being A Legacy of Tap & Swing, a production presented by ATX Artists for Social Impact in which they provided the percussion for a jazz quartet, and including the 2024 Toronto International Tap Dance Festival, the 2024 Rest Fest in Austin, Texas and the 2023 and 2022 Barnstorm Dance Festival in Houston, Texas. Matty graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a BA in dance performance and has studied multiple dance genres including jazz, modern, and ballet. They are also a classically trained pianist and bassoonist. Their passion is performing with live musicians as part of the musical ensemble, expressing music through dancing. Matty is proud to be an artist for ATX Artists for Social Impact.

Alex Esparza (she/her) has carried a love of dance since the age of three. Grounded in the Cecchetti method, her pre professional training began at Central Texas Ballet Conservatory under the direction of Caitlin Kelly. Alex went on to spend her senior year of high school at Ballet Austin Academy, while also training at prestigious summer programs including American Ballet Theatre in New York, Orlando Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago. In addition to performing, Alex has been committed to teaching, sharing her passion with the Austin community for the past four years at Paiyh Dance Studio. After stepping away from performing for six years, Alex is welcoming dance with a refreshed perspective and a deeper sense of artistry, resilience, and gratitude. She is excited to begin this new chapter with Capital Contemporary Ballet, and getting back to doing what she knows and loves best!

Matthew Sommers (he/him) is an Austin based dance artist. Matthew graduated from the University of South Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. During his time at USF he worked with many acclaimed choreographers including Charles Anderson, Joshua Peugh, Marc Brew, Bliss Kohlmyer, and Andee Scott, among others. Soon after graduating, he moved to Austin, where he has been teaching, performing, choreographing and watching dance for the last 4 years. Matthew has been a company member with Spaces of Fontana since 2022, dancing in multiple full length productions as well as festivals throughout Texas. He has also worked with many Austin companies including KDH Dance, Early Era Collective, BLiPSWiTCH, Point A, and Dance Waterloo. Matthew makes dances about many things: astronauts, childhood, food. Whatever is entertaining and intriguing him at the current moment.

Beau Briar (he/him) is a transgender jazz vocalist and pianist in Austin, Texas. His ensemble, the Beau Briar Band, highlights the music and history of queer jazz artists and composers such as Billy Strayhorn, Fred Hersch, Carmen Mcrae, Billie Holiday, Johnny Mathis, and many more. His musical goal is to perform the works of LGBTQ+ musicians and to educate the public about how their queerness has impacted the jazz idiom. Briar’s own writing style is especially influenced by Billy Strayhorn and Cole Porter, two of the most prominent gay composers in jazz. Beau has done extensive research compiling a list of all instances of queer musicians partaking in jazz. Besides being a musician, Beau enjoys reading, rescuing cats, collecting bugs, and getting coffee with friends.

Imani F. Aanu (she/her) is a board member of ATX Artists for Social Impact and the founder, executive director and chief movement facilitator for IFA Dancing & Drum, an Austin-based organization dedicated to inspiring people to experience the transformative joy and healing power of rhythmic expression. Through her work with IFA Dancing & Drum, Imani creates spaces where rhythm, culture and movement become tools for community connection, education and healing. This work centers movement, drum rhythms and history inspired by the African Diaspora and it enables cultural connection and healing through embodied storytelling that honors ancestry.

Ifechi 'Ife' Ugwu (she/her) is an Austin-based multidisciplinary creative. She uses narratives, music, and afro-rooted movement to promote liberation and joy. Ifechi was born and raised in Virginia, but her family is originally from Nigeria. Her passion for dance is highly influenced by her cultural background, liberation movements of the global diaspora, and storytelling. Ifechi also dances with Afrique Gninze, Bramaya, and is hoping to explore fusions of sensual movement and afro-rooted movement!

Aurora Banks (she/her) is a fourth generation Austinite and a model, vocalist & multidisciplinary performer. Having recently returned to Austin, they are excited to again dance with IFA Dancing & Drum for the first time in 10 years. Most recently they were cast in Austin Tea Party's Fashion Drama: 'Dinner' and they also walked the runway for Frekls SS2026 at the 5 year anniversary event for Riches Art Gallery. They are thrilled to perform in 'Embodied' and are also looking forward to an upcoming performance with Agri Dance Company and to the launch of their FW26 clothing line.

Katrina Saporsantos (she/her) is a Filipino soprano, conductor, composer, arts administrator, and actor in Austin, TX. She is a B. Iden Payne Awardee for Outstanding Original Score for MotherTree with VORTEX Repertory Company. When not performing as an operatic soprano, she sings with ensembles like Conspirare, Tatsulok trio, and the duo Kapwa. She is the Artistic Director and Conductor of Inversion Ensemble, a non-profit whose mission is to create and perform art music that intersects with and positively impacts humanity. As such, Katrina conducts Inversion's professional treble and mixed choruses, along with its community choir for singers 50 and above. She is a faculty for Zach Scott Theater’s Pre-Professional Company and a Teaching Artist for their Adult Acting Classes (Intro to Musical Theater).

Benjamin Dia (he/him) has performed in the United States and Europe, performing in concert halls and festivals such as the Oslo Concert Hall, the United Nation’s Day concerts at the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona, the 2000 Autumn Music Festival in Marostica, Italy, and the Aberdeen Youth Festival in Scotland. He was a faculty member of the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, Asia’s foremost training center for church music and liturgy. Currently based in Austin, TX, Benjamin finds himself a frequent collaborator of groups such as Inversion Ensemble, the ZACH Theater Pre-Professional Company, and Panoramic Voices.

Alexa Capareda (she/her) is a Filipina-American sugar-powered noodle robot who collaborates with dance, theatre, sound, and visual artists in Austin as an independent artist and choreographer. She is a rehearsal director for Ballet Austin TWO and the Butler Fellowship Program, resident faculty at the Ballet Austin Academy, Co-Director of Performa/Dance, and Co-Producer of Dance Carousel. She has worked with BLiPSWiTCH, Red Nightfall Dance Theatre, Early Era Collective, Austin Playhouse, Frank Wo/Men, Salvage Vanguard Theater, ARCOS, Magdalena Jarkowiec, Jennifer Sherburn, Austin Camerata, and LOLA Austin. She has collaborated with sound artists Steve Parker, Brent Baldwin, VAMP, and Henna Chou, and visual artists Essentials Creative, Tom Suhler, and Susan Scafati. She was a prize winner at the 2013 Festival of Choreographic Miniatures in Serbia and recipient of the 2017 Austin Critics Table Award for Excellence as Dancer. She has a BA English, minor in Theater and Dance from UT-Austin.

Billy Pickus (he/him) is an Austin-based musician who is passionate for chamber music and is a devoted advocate for contemporary music. He is the staff trombone teacher at Walsh Middle and Austin High. He is also a founding member of Cover to Cover (cover2coverquintet.com), a modified wind quintet, and a core member SoundMap Ensemble (soundmapensemble.com), an experimental new music collective. Billy received his MM in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas and his BM in Trombone Performance from Vanderbilt University. During his time at UT, Billy served as a Teaching Assistant to the Longhorn Band and Longhorn Pep Band.

Sonáli (she/her) is a Mexican-Salvadorian singer, visual artist, and creative director based in Austin, Texas. Rooted in Jazz, Latin Jazz, Boleros, Salsa, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Latin Soul, her performances blend musical improvisation with expressive storytelling and cultural influence. She holds a BFA in Theatre, TV & Film, shaping the way she approaches performance, storytelling, and creative direction. Her canvas artwork has been exhibited three times at the International Museum of Art & Science, as well as in multiple galleries throughout the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. Beyond her artistic practice, Sonáli works across photography, video, event production, and creative media for musicians and other creatives. Her work includes festival and event coordination, visual storytelling, promotional media, and artist-focused creative production. She hopes to help other artists promote themselves successfully. Her debut original song, “El Libro,” is available on all streaming platforms, and past performances can be found on YouTube.

Hailing from the Ecuadorian highlands, Javier Jara (he/him) has been producing and performing Latin music of all genres for all kinds of audiences, both big and small, in the United States for over 15 years. With a voice that is both soulful and melodic, Javier specializes in Latin folk and roots music ranging from Trova to Son Cubano to Bossa Nova and Tango. From 2016 through 2019, Javier produced more than twelve Latin ensemble concerts as an artist-in-residence at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin. He is now part of their Latin American Artist Access Program. Javier has two studio albums (De Una with Los Bohemios Perdidos and Canciones de Cuarentena as a Soloist). He will soon record his third studio album from the Our Rhythms, Our Voices project. In 2022, he was chosen as one of six winners one the Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk Competition. In 2022 and 2023, Javier was selected as an official showcase artist for the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference, the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference, and the Folk Alliance Regional Midwest Conference.

Ruth Prithika (she/her) is a pre-professional Bharatanatyam artist, teacher, and choreographer with over 20 years of training and performance experience. She holds a Vidwat Diploma in Bharatanatyam from the Karnataka Education Board, India, and trained under Guru Vidyashree Radhakrishna at Gaana Nritya Academy, Mangalore. Rooted in the traditional Margam format, her work emphasizes technique, expression, and storytelling. Ruth has performed at venues and festivals across the US, Ireland, and the UK, including TU Dublin, Chester Beatty Library, the Indian Irish Film Festival, and the Nehru Centre in London. She has also begun developing original and collaborative choreographic works, including Constructing Dance with DanceATL and KristhaPatha, a full-length Bharatanatyam production based on Biblical narratives. Since 2018, Ruth has taught beginner and intermediate students, conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations, and served as a Guest Lecturer at the Irish World Music Academy. Currently based in Austin, Texas, she continues to perform, teach, and create work that honors the Bharatanatyam tradition while exploring cross-cultural collaboration.

Radhika Raasarathe (she/her) is a professional Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and the Artistic Director of Anurakthi Art Space (anurakthi.org). Immersed in the art form since age four, Radhika has been training and evolving in this field for almost 25 years. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Bharatanatyam, alongside a B.Tech and an MBA, beautifully blending artistic creativity with analytical rigor. Her extensive lineage includes training under legendary gurus such as Padmabhushan Shobana Chandrakumar and her current mentor, Smt. Lakshmi Parthasarathy Athreya. An experienced soloist and ensemble performer, Radhika has graced prestigious global stages, including India's Mysore Palace, Brihadeshwara Temple (Tanjore), and the 2018 Hockey World Cup Opening Ceremony. In the United States, her notable highlights include directing and performing prominent devotional choreographies, such as the Philadelphia Ratha Yatra RaasLeela (2019) and cultural showcases at ISKCON Alachua in Florida. Now a vital force in the Texas arts community, Radhika fosters local collaboration through the Austin Adavu monthly dance sessions and the Austin Natya Ensemble. Her recent prominent local appearances include classical showcases at the Austin Hindu Temple, the CelebrASIA festival, and performing as part of a major classical production at KMFA Austin in 2025. As an educator who has been actively teaching since 2018, Radhika currently mentors and trains a select handful of serious dance practitioners in Austin. Dedicated to redefining classical dance for contemporary learners, her work emphasizes holistic training, deep expressive abhinaya, and a vision where Bharatanatyam is not just practiced, but lived.

Jairus Carr (he/him) is a dancer and choreographer based in Austin, TX. Since 2018, Jairus has performed for many Austin artists, like KDH Dance Company, BLiPSWiTCH, Early Era Collective, etc. He frequently collaborates with Anna Bauer. In 2025, Jairus and Anna directed their first evening-length together, a site-specific work called Love you, moon. Next, we’ll see.

Anna Bauer (she/her) is a choreographer/dancer/person living in Austin, Texas. She holds a BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University and dances with the KDH Dance Company, Allysen Hooks Projects, BLiPSWiTCH, and other Austin artists. Events across Texas have been kind enough to include her pieces in their lineup: ARCOS Presents Short Form, Austin Dance Festival, BLiPSWiTCH’s Offbeat X, Barnstorm Dance Fest, Texas Dance Improvisation Festival, and local concerts produced by Austin artists such as ZATERO Dance, Emily Rushing, Carissa Topham Fisher, and Jahna Bobolia. She has also brought her work to national festivals, most recently White Wave Soloduo Dance Festival, Midwest RAD Fest, and St. Louis Contemporary Dance Festival. She has attended residencies with Keshet Makers Space Experience, WhirlWind Dance Company, Homeport Art House, Bellingham Repertory Dance, and Agora Artists. In 2025, she and Jairus Carr produced their first show (and fundraiser) Everything We’ve Done So Far, a combination of all of their past duets together. She also choreographed her first evening-length work (in collaboration with Jairus Carr) titled Love you, moon, a site-specific show produced by Austin dance company BLiPSWiTCH. Anna also does other non-dance-related things, but you can ask her about those in person.

Born and raised in Miami, FL, Ana Brotons (she/her) found her love for the movement arts at a young age. From studio to magnet middle and high schools, she trained extensively in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hiphop, salsa, and acrobatics. During her time at the University of the Arts, Ana received her BFA in Modern Dance Performance and was fortunate to present works from some esteemed choreographers including but not limited to Roni Koresh, Christopher Huggins, Curt Haworth, Brian Sanders, and Helen Simoneau, to name a few. After graduating, Ana performed two National Tours of the children's show SuperWHY LIVE. Settling down in Los Angeles, Ana found a home with DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion. For 10 years Ana collaborated in creations, performed nationally and internationally, taught residencies, tour /stage managed and rehearsal directed the acclaimed Veteran's Project, as well as performing on America's Got Talent.

Jessica Healey (she/her) is an indie artist and the Development Specialist for ATX Artists for Social Impact. Based in Austin, Texas, she supports fundraising, partnerships, and community initiatives that strengthen and connect the local arts community through creative service and outreach. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Jessica launched her professional music career in 2023 with the release of her debut acoustic single, “Strange.” Since then, she has emerged as one of Austin’s most versatile new voices, performing an official SXSW 2024 showcase, collaborating with organizations such as Sofar Sounds and Austin Music Love, and appearing at venues including Mohawk and Monks. She currently holds a Saturday residency at Jupiter Supper Club. Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, and soft rock traditions, Jessica’s songwriting pairs intimate storytelling with musical sophistication. In October 2024, she released her debut EP tryhard, a six-song collection produced in collaboration with Grant Eppley. In her development work, Jessica draws on a background in relationship-driven sales, bringing strong communication, partnership-building, and revenue strategy skills in service of ATX Artists for Social Impact’s mission. As both a working musician and arts administrator, she is passionate about supporting artists, fostering community connection, and expanding access to meaningful artistic experiences throughout Austin.

Teya Saadeh (she/her) is a Palestinian/Irish artist based in Austin, Texas. She is a member of Viva Palestina Orchestra and an organizer for ATX Events for Palestine. Teya is currently studying Cowboy Bootmaking at Texas Traditions Boots under Lee Miller. Teya's Artist Statement: "My family has little to no photographs of their lives in Palestine. I cannot know what our family orchard looked like at the time it was sold, or the house they grew up in, or the churches my great grandfather built. Their daily lives are a visual mystery to me. I often find myself daydreaming of the stories I am told and imagining what living in those moments looked like. In a way, I am making up for our family's lack of photographs through my art. My pieces are a crude and mythicized representation of reality; they hold the meaning I have imposed on someone else’s memory."

Catherine Liu (she/her) is a practicing visual artist and mental health professional pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. In her artwork, she explores themes around personal identity and mental well-being, primarily through a series of self-portraits and working with various media, including oil paint, colored pencil, collage, and gouache. Growing up as a young artist, Catherine has received numerous awards and recognitions from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Art Program, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and Visual Arts Scholastic Event. Catherine has also previously served as Creative Director and Managing Director of Silk Club, an organization for Asian women and Asian queer folks to collaborate on projects that empower and highlight their experiences and intersectional identities. Currently, she makes a return to art to continue processing her personal journey of emergence into young adulthood, and in her free time enjoys vending at local markets and dabbling in various arts & crafts hobbies.

Naja Rae Garrette (she/her), born 1998, is the owner and sole artist of BLK RAT StudioTM. She is an Alaskan born and Louisiana raised illustrator who specializes in greyscale surrealism with elements of stylized body parts, gore and psychologically thrilling motifs. This current Austin, Texas resident continues to create visually captivating artwork using digital programs like Procreate and physical mediums such as graphite pencil, gouache paint, alcohol makers and ink on canvas or paper.

Weila Art (they/them) is a Taiwanese artist who is obsessed with colors and textures. The main inspiration for their work comes from childhood experiences of being highly overstimulated in the outside world, leading to a desire to capture and master the sights, sounds, and textures that once ruled their senses. Their work feels immersive, expressive, and deeply rooted in how we experience the world around us.