COMPANY BIOS

Artistic Director | Assistant Director | Board of Directors | Dancers

Dancers:
 

Christa Campbell Christa is originally from Wisconsin where she began her dance training locally in Madison as well as at various summer programs, including Virginia School of the Arts and the Joffrey Ballet. She graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA with a BA in dance. She has danced with ContempraDance Theatre since 2004 and toured Poland with them during the summer of 2006. She also dances with Vada Dance Collective, 180 Dance Company and Melange Contemporary Dance Company with whom she performed in Poland during the summer of 2010. She has danced professionally with Dance Kaleidoscope, with REALM as a part of the World Dance Extravaganza, with Theatre Mama with which she helped promote the Cirque du Soleil show “KOOZA”, with Public Eye: Artists for Animals, with Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective and as a guest artist with the Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company (SVRDC). Christa appeared as a dance instructor in the TV commercial for Versa Fit Studio, in the promotional video for Nelson Illusions and performed at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. She teaches at several area dance schools and is the co-director and choreographer for the ContempraYouth Dancers. Christa’s teaching credits include master classes and workshops for Cirque du Soleil, Marywood University and several local dance schools. In addition to the ContempraYouth Dancers her choreography has been performed by Melange Contemporary Dance Company, 180 Dance Company, Nelson Illusions, Public Eye: Artists for Animals and the Villanova Wildcat Dancers. Christa serves as publicity manager for ContempraDance Theatre and is on the Board of Directors for SVRDC.

Andreas Johnson Andreas has been dancing professionally for 10 years with professional dance companies such as Chosen Dance Company, Versatile Dance Company and The Human Project Dance Company. Andreas has appeared on BET, the Apollo and as a back-up dancer for recording artists 50 Cent, Wayne Wonder, Amerie, 3LW, Philly's Most Wanted, Nina Sky, Fat Joe, No Questions and Lil' Mama. He teaches hip hop throughout the Philadelphia area and at ContempraDance Center. Andreas is an Mc/Dj for Pulse Entertainment entertaining at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. He has mastered the art of combining hip hop and contemporary dance.

Ariana Kampanelas Ariana is originally from Easton, MA is a graduate from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Education and Modern Dance. Ariana has had the pleasure to work with international dance choreographers and instructors including Kims-Bears Bailey, Brain Sanders, Jen Binford, Curt Haworth and Silvana Cardell. Ariana has been a free lance dancer since graduation. She also has been part of many Fringe festival shows and has worked with Hokum Arts under the direction of Devaughn Nelson for the past year. One of Ariana's accomplishments includes dancing with the Martha Graham Dance Company at the Zellbach Theater in Philadelphia, PA with the piece “Panorama” restaged by Kim Bears-Bailey. Ariana teaches dance at studios around the Philadelphia/surburb area including Edge Dance Company and Anna-Marie's Academy of Dance.

Jaamal Benjamin Jaamal is a Freelance Graphic Designer and Dancer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After about ten years training in Shotokan Karate, Jaamal sought after Bboyin' as another form of physical expression. In 2001, Jaamal relocated from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to attend college at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. After springing his dance career with Chosen Dance Company, Jaamal joined olive Dance Theatre, a Philadelphia based hip hop theater company and the Breaks Kru, a New York based Bboy crew. Together with olive Dance Theatre, he has travelled nationally as well as internationally to perform and educate in the artform of Bboyin' (aka Breakdancing) since 2002 as a principal dancer. While touring with olive Dance Theatre, Jaamal acquired his Bachelors Degree of Science in Graphic Design and created ThnksmL, a Philadelphia based Freelance Design Studio . Through maturing in these significant experiences, Jaamal looks forward to continue inspiring and helping others while achieving personal growth

Nicole Yezzi Nicole Yezzi is originally from New Jersey. Nicole began dancing at 3 years old with her earliest training beginning in Classical Ballet, Broadway Style Jazz and Rockette Based Tap. She received a BFA in jazz dance/musical theatre at The University of the Arts. While studying there, she had the privilege of dancing under choreographers such as Cuban Pete, Ronen Koresh and Matthew Neenan. Upon graduation, Nicole relocated to Florida where she danced with several companies including CineDance Jazz Dance, Florida Dance Theatre, VarieTEASE, New Vision Cirque Dance Company and Empty Spaces Theater Company. She was also a guest artist with Voci Modern Dance, choreographed for companies and independent projects, was an assistant director, a teacher, as well as a rehearsal director for numerous productions and companies. Before moving back to Philadelphia, she is proud to say that her final accomplishment was receiving awards such as "Best Choreography, "Pick of the Fringe", and "Best Dance Troop" for her contributions to The 2009 Orlando Fringe Festival's production of VarieTEASE's "Lullaby". She has been accepted to LABAN's London Master's Programme in Dance Science and looks forward to the next chapter of her career

Cesa Zuniga Cesa was born in Bronx, New York. Cesa’s received his dance training from Olive Dance Theatre. From international travel, Cesa realized that there is no language barrier when it comes to dance, and he views dance as a means for activism. Along with Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective, Cesa helps nurture children who have been affected by natural, environmental and/or economic disasters. Cesa is a member of dance company Illadelph Plava and a dance teacher in the Philadelphia area.

Michelle Televantos Michelle began her training in West Chester, PA, at the Dance Center, the official school of the Brandywine Ballet. While there she performed as a member of the Brandywine Ballet Theatre in many ballets including Serenade, Carmina Burana, Dracula and the Nutcracker. She then attended the University of the Arts where she received her BFA in ballet, and achived the Alksej Judenic Ballet Prize. During her college career, she was also awarded the opportunity to dance with Xhale Dance Company. Upon graduation, Michelle has stayed active within the dance community and is currently an apprentice with the dance company Smoke Lilies and Jade and a company member with Project Motion. Additionally, she has interned with BalletX and attended summer programs with the Ailey School, Complexions, and River North Dance Company.

Stephanie Vasta Stephanie is a graduate of Penn State Abington where she earned a B.A. in Psychological and Social Sciences. During her years at Penn State she participated in the University's Dance Company as a dancer and student choreographer, and after graduating she moved on to become one of the Company's Associate Directors. Stephanie teaches at Carol Ann's School of Dance and Stars Studio of Dance, where she has been dancing since the age of five. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and hip hop and was a member of Stars' competition team for four years. Stephanie performed professionally around the country with New Vision Cirque and Dance Company, and she currently performs throughout the Philadelphia area with Vada Dance Collective and Dangerous and Movin’ Dance Company. She has been a member of ContempraDance Theatre since 2004 and toured Poland with the Company in July 2006.

Kiera Bianchini Kiera began her dance training at the age of 4 in Bucks County, PA. She has trained with various programs such as The Rock School’s summer ballet and jazz intensives and with the Broadway Dance Center, NY. She has received her B.S in dance and psychology from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on a combined dance and merit scholarship. In addition to distinguished performances at Muhlenberg, Kiera was chosen to perform in a number selected for the Gala performances at the American College Dance Festival. Kiera served as an executive board member of the Muhlenberg College Dance Association and is also currently performing with the Alchemy Dance Company.