Cait Belland began her dance training at age four at The Coffee Mill Dance Studio in her hometown of Key West, Florida. She furthered her classical ballet training in Jacksonville, Florida at various studios including Florida Ballet and Orlando Ballet. She trained at Festival Ballet Providence, Rhode Island in their pre-professional and summer programs. Other summer training programs Cait attended include: Orlando Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Kansas City Ballet, The Rock School of Dance, and The Nutmeg Ballet. She continued her studies and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy, training under Katie Dorn, Rachel James, Jurijs Safonovs and Director, Joseph Morrissey. Her classical ballet performances include Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote. She also performed Serenade by George Balanchine, staged by Diana White and “Before Your Eyes’’ by choreographer, Yoshito Sakuraba. Cait has worked with renowned dancers and choreographers including Shura Baryshnikov, Michael Spencer Philips, Pablo Francisco Ruvalcaba, Dillon Crossman, Wendy Whelan, Fana Tysfagorious, and Sydney James Harcourt. She has trained at Steps On Broadway and Gibney Dance in NYC. In 2019, Cait performed at Carnegie Hall to work choreographed by Loni Landon. In 2020 she performed at the New World Center in Miami, Florida. Cait is ignited about creating unique choreography and exploring the collaborating relationship of dance with other art forms. She currently attends University of Florida where she is pursuing a BFA in Dance and a Masters of Science in Management. Cait is ecstatic to come back to her roots and to be a part of Dance Key West.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Hometown: Key West, FL
Current Location: Gainesville, FL
Favorite Color: Sapphire Blue
Why I Dance: To feel an escape from the world and to create a world of my own. To inspire myself and to inspire others through my dance to fully experience the beauty and complexities of our humanity.
Cricket Desmarais is a multi-media artist with a focus on dance, choreography, poetry, performance, encaustic painting, & photography which she often blends together for live & large-scale installation pieces. Most of her art-making efforts generally begin as a big particular that give way to a blend of improvisation & Wabi-sabi— a Japanese worldview that centers on three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, & nothing is perfect.
Cricket’s current work in all genres explores the desire to bring intamicy, order, & space to the narratives of the macro & micro of the island’s flora, fauna, & marine life while also serving as a steward for these important resources.
“While making art that is expressive of my personal narratives merits a place in my efforts, I also feel it is my duty to not only make things that are aesthetically pleasing for myself & others but to give meaning to who we are & where we come from, & to reveal or reflect a cultural narrative or scientific truth that might otherwise go unnoticed. In my opinion, great art makes the viewer take pause & consider their values, their history, & what their part may be in the greater whole. If my art can promote commentary & humanize a subect &/or its surrounding environment, I’ve done my work,” she says.
Cricket is currently a Bachelor of Science in Marine Resource Management student at the College of the Florida Keys & previously received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing/Poetry with Dance Education studies from New York University & a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire. Her visual art has been exhibited in group & solo shows in Key West & New York City. & she is the recipient of many grants & awards, including a New York Times Fellowship, The Key West Writer’s Guild Award, & The Key West Literary Seminar Liz Lear Scholarship Award. She lives in Key West, Florida, with her 2 daughters, 2 cats, & dog.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Hometown: Miami/Manchester, NH
& Current Location: Key West
Favorite Color: Slate blue
Why I Dance: Because it is holy & true & how I best pray.
Motto/Mantra/Favorite Quote: Love is the answer
photo: Make\Shift on White Street Pier, made possible thanks to The Anne McKee Artists Fund & The Florida Keys Council of the Arts
Kristen Huffman is performer and teaching artist with Dance Key West. She loves dancing with the company and teaching the students of Bahama Village Music Program and Monroe Association of ReMARCable Citizens. Kristen is from Bowling Green, Kentucky where she began dancing at Dance Arts of Bowling Green. She trained there with the Southern Kentucky Dance Ensemble throughout high school and also with Atlanta Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She continued her dance career at Western Kentucky University and was a member of the University Dance Company and the National Dance Educators Organization. She also had the opportunity to take her dance studies overseas to Civitavecchia, Italy and rehearsed and performed with the Balletto di Civitavecchia. Ultimately, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from WKU. Currently, Kristen lives in Key West, Florida.
photo: Eric Bandiero, “After These Message III”, Fast Forward at Dixon Place NYC
Christina Johnson (aka CJ) fell in love with dance back in the 1990’s; in a far away land known as Oregon. She was studying fitness and entertaining the idea of being a “dancer”. CJ moved to Seattle where she cofounded Jerboa dance (www.jerboadance.com), and has dedicated her professional life to the arts ever since. She made the trek across the country, joining the NYC dance scene in 2005. CJ is proud to have been on stage with The Love Show, Shir Dance Theater, Tamara Sarri, Zambasa, and more! Now you can find her traveling all over NYC and beyond teaching, performing, and playing with circus freaks.
Karli hails from Ocean City, NJ where she explored the love of dance throughout her childhood. Her exploration led her to the Children and Teen Program at Broadway Dance Center in NYC where she chose to actively pursue dance as a passion. In 2016, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase. While at Purchase she was awarded the opportunity to study abroad in Singapore at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. During her time at Purchase, she had the honor of performing works by Bill T. Jones, Merce Cunningham, Rosalind Newman, Kevin Wynn and Kyle Abraham among many others. Karli has since been working as a freelance artist, teacher, and choreographer throughout NYC and the surrounding areas. Karli currently resides in Brooklyn, New York and is so grateful to be part of Dance Key West!
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Hometown: Ocean City, NJ
Current Location: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite Color: Blue
Why I Dance: I dance because no matter what is happening in my life, I can always depend on it as a practice that brings me joy.
Motto/Mantra/Favorite Quote: Make someone smile everyday!
A proud native of Long Island, NY, Jacqueline always knew she’d be a performing artist and educator. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Dance Education. Jacqueline has performed elite choreographedpieces by Bill T. Jones, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, David Parsons, Larry Keigwin, and Frederick Earl Mosley. She was the lead soloist in Martha Graham’s Daughters of the Night, Night Journey performed at The Joyce Theatre, NYC. Jacqueline has been a dancer with Dance Key West for three years and just recently performed at the Studios of Key West in the musical, “Prime Time”. She was also the lead actress in The Truth Urban Theatre Group’s production of “VIVA AFRICA” in Long Island, NY. Jacqueline appeared on Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” Netflix series as well as a dancer on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and Live with Kelly and Ryan. She can also be seen in various television commercials including Nutrafol Hair and Ultimate Ears Speakers. Jacqueline is a part of the top dance agency in NYC, Bloc Agency and has walked in Brooklyn Fashion Week. Jacqueline was afforded the opportunity to teach in the Orange Public School District in New Jersey as a K-12 Dance Teacher. All of Jacqueline’s experiences have allowed her to not only advance her skills as a dancer but also as a well-rounded performing artist and educator.
As a professional ballet dancer, Morgan has performed with over 20 international companies spanning 6 countries. After growing up at Nan Klinger’s Excellence in Dance in Akron, OH, he received his B.A. from Point Park University. Morgan then performed with Texas Ballet Theater under world renowned director Ben Stevenson before moving to NYC. Notable credits include dancing for Cyndi Lauper, a feature in National Geographic, posing for Jordan Matter’s “Dancers After Dark” and performing alongside the original Broadway cast of The Wizfor “Broadway Sings for Pride.” He’s performed in several web series and short films that have won numerous awards including being nominated at the 2020 Cannes Festival and a promotional dance film for New York City’s Office of Emergency Management. When not performing, Morgan is a backstage manager and Master Ballet Instructor for the Canada-based touring dance competition and convention, View Dance Challenge. Morgan currently lives in NYC performing with East Coast Contemporary Ballet and tours the U.S. with Ballets With a Twist. He also teaches at Diamond Dance, Ovations Dance, American Theater Dance Workshop, 5678 Dance and Amanda’s DanceXtensions where he shares his love of classical ballet with his students. Morgan would love to give a huge thank you to Kyla for bringing him into the Dance Key West family!
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Hometown: Akron, OH
Current Location: NYC
Favorite Color: Blue (just like the water in Key West!!!)
Why I Dance: I dance because it calms my soul, takes away all doubts and let’s me live in a moment that is just mine.
Motto/Mantra/Favorite Quote: If you can see it and believe it, then you can achieve it. (My mother’s mantra to me since a little boy)
photo: Eric Bandiero, “After These Messages III”, Fast Forward at Dixon Place NYC
Angela Harriell is a choreographer based in Brooklyn, NY. She has choreographed for The Public Theater’s “Shakespeare in the Park”, as well as several productions at La Mama, Theater 80, Theater for the New City, The Kraine Theater, and Dixon Place. Her private/corporate show choreography clients include Vogue magazine, The BBC, Perrier, Yelp, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Ricard, Flavorpill, The Hornblower, and Cointreau. She has set choreography for the live premieres of Banksy’s film “Exit Through the Gift Shop”, TNT Drama’s premiere of “Claws”, “Will” and “Animal Kingdom” and the premiere of the movie “Savages”. She has also created and choreographed shows and performances for multiple nightlife venues including The House of Yes, The Highline, Le Poisson Rouge, The Slipper Room, Verboten, The Diamond Horseshoe, Soho House, The Standard, The Dream Hotel, Webster Hall, Hudson Terrace and Bowery Ballroom. Angela most recently choreographed and curated the nightly dinner show for Omar’s “La Boîte” and set the choreography for a floor show for Virgin’s new cruise line, Virgin Voyages. Her dance company, The Love Show NYC, has also toured their productions to Japan, Egypt, Italy and Mexico. Angela currently dances for Dance Key West, and was a dancer with Brooklyn Ballet and The Box, as well as performing with Randy James, and Elisa Monte/David Brown in the past.
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Hometown: Owego, NY
Current Location: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite Color: Blue
Why I Dance: It is my life, who I am, and it’s sometimes when I am able to express myself in the most real, honest, open way.
Motto/Mantra/Favorite Quote: Always do your best.
photo: Peter Yesley, StylePointe at Dixon Place NYC
Melissa Weber was born in North Haven,CT but started her serious ballet training when she moved to Boca Raton, Fl. Melissa received the majority of her early dance training with Boca Ballet Theatre under the tutelage of Jane Tyree and Dan Guin and at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts under the guidance of Jeff Satinoff. Melissa’s first professional experiences were with Louisville Ballet in Don Quixote and in Christopher Fleming’s Nutcracker in Lakeland,Fl while still in high school. After graduation she attended Wright State University and danced with Dayton Ballet II. After spending two years in Ohio, Melissa joined Nashville Ballet as a trainee. Melissa joined Charleston Ballet Theatre where she danced soloist and principal roles for eight seasons. Ms Weber has performed many works by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Marius Petipa, Lew Christensen, Christopher Fleming, Dermot Burke, Karen Russo, Jon Rodriguez, Paul Vasterling, Choo San Goh, Dan Guin, Jonathan Tabbert and Jill Bahr. Some of her favorite roles include The Mistress in Lew Christensen’s Con Amore, Lead Gypsy girl in Don Quixote, The Matriarch in Jill Bahr’sRite of Spring, Helena (Jill Bahr) and Hippolyta (Brett Raphael) in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Lady Capulet in Bahr’s Romeo and Juliet, Arabian in The Nutcracker, and the Lead Girl in Guin’s Ella Sang. Since moving to the Connecticut/NYC area Melissa has performed with Ballet Neo, Arch Contemporary Ballet, Benjamin Briones Ballet and performed with Armada Dance in New York Fashion Week’s “Style Pointe” was a soloist with Connecticut Ballet CT Theatre Dance Company as a Principal Dancer. Melissa has been featured in Jordan Matter’s Book, Dancers After Dark, danced in Cal Kehoe’s music video “Marilyn”, an extra for OneRepublic’s video “Connection” and danced in the “Corpse de Ballet” episode of CBS’s Elementary. Currently Melissa is dancing with Dance Key West, Thomas/Ortiz Dance and Sarah Berges Dance. Melissa is thrilled to be a part of Dance Key West.
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