Deborah Slater, performer, artistic director and choreographer, has worked for the Magic Theater, A Traveling Jewish Theater, SOON 3, San Diego Repertory Theater, Theaterworks, Word for Word, and The Pickle Family Circus to name but a few.  She is the co-founder of Circuit Network Management, artistic director of Deborah Slater Dance Theater and founder and artistic director of Art of the Matter Performance Foundation.  AOTM is dedicated to the idea that art and everyday life are not, in fact, separate events, but that Art is the human attempt to find meaning and sense in the chaos of the life experience.

With a background in Theater, Modern Poetry and Dance, selected collaborators include: writer/performer Rinde Eckert, playwright/director Julie Hebert, director David Ford, composers Carla Kihlstedt, Matthias Bossi, Aaron Gold, Thom Blum, Teddy Hulsker, Erling Wold & Bill Fontana, videographer and lighting designer Ian Winters, Elaine Buckholtz & Allen Willner and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Chris Beaver. Ms. Slater’s work has been inspired by artists and scientists alike including poet-laureate W.S. Merwin, Sleep Specialist Dr. William Dement and painter Alan Feltus.  She has choreographed for solo performers including Bill Talen, Sara Felder, and Deke Weaver.

Ms. Slater is the recipient of eleven NEA Fellowships (including a prestigious two year grant) and Deborah Slater Dance Theater is funded in part by the California Arts Council, the Zellerbach Family Fund, the Vanguard Foundation, the Fleishhacker Foundation, the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Hotel Tax/Grants for the Arts, CA$H, the Phyllis Wattis Fdn, the Stanley S. Langendorf Foundation, the NEA, and private donors.  Slater’s work has been nominated for multiple Isadora Duncan Dance Awards, winning in 2007 for Hotel of Memories, and in 2016 for Private Life.  Grants include a Chime Mentorship grant (as Mentor) and a TBA Mentorship with Berkeley Reps Artistic Director Tony Taccone in 2009, a Chime Across Borders grant with choreographer David Gordon in 2010 and a Gerbode Foundation Grant with playwright Julie Hébert and Producer Rob Bailis/ODC Theater.  She has been chosen for 5 Djerassi Foundation Residencies. Recent grants include a major Kenneth Rainin Foundation grant for the completion of the inCIVILITY project and two recent NEA grants.

Deborah Slater has taught at the California College of Arts, the American College Dance Festival, OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning), the Fromm Institute, San Francisco State, Cal Arts and Stanford.  Deborah Slater Dance Theater was chosen for the Pilot Program for CAC Rural and Inner City Presenting, the roster of Young Audiences of Northern California (ongoing),  and the Selected National Roster, ‘Artists for the Millennium’, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, l999-2000.  She was on the Steering Committee for National Dance Week in SF for many years and served 6 years on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Djerassi Resident Artist Foundation.

Babatunji is a dance artist, choreographer, and creative innovator based out of Oakland, CA. Though never formally trained as a child, Babatunji was always moving his body to the beat. At the age of 15, he discovered the art of hip hop. Following this epiphany of love, he grew up through his teens breaking and popping on street corners in Hilo, Hawai’i. After being “discovered” by a local dance instructor, he began his formal training at Center Stage Dance Alliance in various styles of dance, including ballet. This training would inevitably lead him to Lines Ballet’s Training Program, and from there, into LINES Ballet company.

For over a decade he has worked with one of the greatest American choreographers, Alonzo King. Throughout their time together Babatunji originated many roles, including the acclaimed “Lift Every Voice” solo in which he’s been blessed to share the stage with Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Lisa Fischer. As a freelance dancer, Babatunji has worked with Post:ballet, SFDanceworks, tinypistol, Ballare Carmel; as well as performed works by choreographers and artist such as Adji Cissoko, Yue Yin, Danielle Rowe, Brett Conway, Rich and Tone Talauega, David Harvey, and Mike Tyus. Additionally, his work for film includes features in Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs’ Blindspotting on Starz. Most recently he co-starred alongside Misty Copeland in her short art film Flower, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in 2023. The San Francisco Chronicle profiled Babatunji’s journey from street performance to the big screen.

Over the past 10 years, Babatunji has developed a unique movement language, blending his background in ballet, contemporary, breaking, and hip hop. He has choreographed for Berkeley Ballet Theater, Boston Dance Theater, Post:ballet, Trolley Dance, SFDanceworks, ZiRu Dance, San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, among others. As a solo artist, Babatunji has performed internationally, collaborating with visual, sound, and technical artists of countless genres. His work has been seen at Museum of Dance, Lion’s Jaw performance + dance festival, København Danser, and SFJazz in collaboration with Terri Lyne Carrington. In 2015, he was awarded a Princess Grace Award, as well as a Chris Hellman Award for his outstanding achievements and promise in the world of dance. In 2022, Babatunji was featured in Dance Magazine’s “Dancer Spotlight - Making New Movement”.

Babatunji is immensely grateful to his mom for providing him with every opportunity and the guidance of her wisdom along the way.

Charmaine Butcher is a dance artist based out of Oakland, CA. After graduating high school with an Associate's Degree, they continued their training at Alonzo King LINES Ballet's Training Program in San Francisco. Charmaine has worked professionally for various choreographers, including Amy J Lambert, Beth Terwilleger, Cameo Lethem, Chuck Wilt, Dani Rowe, Dwight Rhoden, Robert Moses and performed with Ballet22, Ballare Carmel, BODYSONNET, Coriolis Dance, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, SFJazz, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, and Verlaine & McCann’s Burlesque Nutcracker. They worked closely with Moscelyne ParkeHarrison throughout 5 seasons dancing with Robin Dekker’s Post:ballet. In 2025, they premiered an original role in Matthew Ozawa’s Parsifal for San Francisco Opera, choreographed by Rena Butler. Charmaine currently dances with Sharp & Fine and frequently collaborates with their partner Babatunji, showing work independently at San Francisco Trolley Dance, RAWdance’s CONCEPT Series, Dance Lovers (SF), Studio 210 Residency, and with Inner Child Foundation. Charmaine is working as a dancer in Babatunji’s Phoenix Paradox (working title) produced by SOZO Media, which will premiere in 2027. Charmaine is also an instructor, teaching rigorous and inspiring contemporary ballet classes as well as breaking based floorwork approaches inspired by their time working with Babatunji. In 2019, Charmaine completed their bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Entrepreneurship. In addition to dancing and teaching movement, Charmaine is a visual artist working in the mediums of floral and clay.

Christina Johnson was born in Vienna, Austria. Her professional career began at age 17 with Boston Ballet. She then joined Dance Theatre of Harlem and became a principal dancer within four years of her 13-year tenure with the company. She danced in Switzerland for seven years, first with Le Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve and then Ballett Basel. Christina has had original works created on her by Glenn Tetley, Dwight Rhoden, Alonzo King, Garth Fagan, Rui Horta, and Joachim

Schloemer, to name a few. Christina is a founding member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and has been a featured guest artist with numerous companies worldwide, including the Royal Ballet of London.

Christina held the position of Rehearsal Director for Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Washington Ballet, Armitage Gone! Dance, Trey McIntyre Project and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She was on faculty at Marin Ballet in San Rafael, CA, and served as Adjunct Faculty at Dominican University in the LINES/Dominican BFA in Dance Program.

Christina is sought after as a teacher and coach and currently works with dance schools, universities and professional dance companies across the USA and internationally. She is also a master teacher and judge for dance competitions, including Universal Ballet Competition, American Dance Competition/International Ballet Competition and Revel Dance Convention. 

Christina is featured in two recently published books, the first by Misty Copeland, Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy in addition Dance Theatre of Harlem: A History, A Movement, A Celebration. Christina plays a lead acting role in Misty Copeland’s film Flower which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. 

Christina most recently performed as a solo artist in her choreographic work at the 2025 Dance in the Desert Festival.

Christina holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Hollins University.

Charlotte Moraga began dancing at a very young age in Miami, Florida. It wasn’t until she began her serendipitous study of Kathak with Pandit Chitresh Das at SFSU in 1992 that she found her calling. She joined the Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC) in 1996 and has been a featured principal dancer in his critically acclaimed works: Pancha Jati, East as Center, Darbar, Subali Sugriwa, Sampurnam, India Jazz Suites, Sita Haran, Yatra and Shiva. Charlotte has been creating new work in kathak as well as training the next generation of kathak artists in the tradition of kathak since 2002 and is currently the artistic director of the Chitresh Das Institute. https://www.chitreshdasinstitute.org/

Carem Love is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Puebla, Mexico. She holds a B.A. in Dance from Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) and certifications in Belly Dance, Jazzercise & Yoga. Her diverse training also includes ballet, jazz, salsa, bachata, cumbia and other movement disciplines.

Carem is the founder and director of Nour el Galiana Dance Troupe, a vibrant belly dance and fusion ensemble based in Marin County, California. Through performances, they share the joy, elegance, and sisterhood that make belly dance such a powerful and inspiring art form.

Fernanda Cedeno earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from UTE University in Ecuador, where she performed with the Falcons Dance Academy. After moving to the United States, she dedicated herself to expanding her dance education by training with respected Bay Area instructors through both private and group programs for more than a decade.

Cedeno has trained and performed with renowned dance companies including Salsamania, Jas Dance, Yamulee Ladies SF, The Latin Symbolics, Island Touch, and Muevete World Team by Michelle Morales, among others. These experiences have allowed her to develop a diverse background in Latin dance styles while deepening her passion for performance, instruction, and community building.

In 2014, Cedeno co-founded Fit2Day, a dance and fitness studio in San Rafael, creating opportunities for people to improve their health, confidence, and connection through movement.

In 2018, Cedeno founded Cedeño Dance Company with a vision of creating opportunities for dancers to train, perform, and grow in a supportive and inspiring environment. Through multiple dance teams and performance programs, she has worked with dancers of all levels and backgrounds, helping them build technique, confidence, and a strong sense of community.

That same year, Cedeno opened Fernanda Dance & Fitness Studio, a creative space dedicated to dance, fitness, and personal development. She also graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with an Associate of Arts Degree in Dance and Arts, further strengthening her academic and artistic foundation.

Over the years, Cedeno has led teams that have performed at major dance events across the United States and internationally, including the Reno International Dance Festival, San Francisco SBK Congress, Hello Bachata Festival, Las Vegas Super Congress, B.I.G. Salsa Congress, Miami Salsa Congress, and the Cancun Salsa & Bachata Festival.

From 2021 to 2023, Cedeno served as Director and Instructor of the Lady Style Army Worldwide Team by Daisy Carrera. In 2023, she became Director, Instructor, and Franchise Owner of Mi Esencia SF by Roxy Vega, continuing her commitment to mentoring dancers and creating empowering performance experiences.

As an instructor, choreographer, and performer, Cedeno’s mission is to help people discover their confidence, embrace their individuality, and express themselves through movement. She believes dance has the power to transform lives by building discipline, resilience, creativity, and self-belief.

Festival Founder & Choreographer

Casey Lee Thorne is a dance artist, educator and scholar based in San Rafael. Thorne received her early training at American Repertory Ballet’s Princeton Ballet School in New Jersey, and graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet/Dominican University of CA BFA Program as part of the inaugural class. Thorne has danced professionally with Oakland Ballet, James Graham Dance Theatre, Ars Minerva & many freelance projects. She founded Inside Out Contemporary Ballet in 2012 and continues to make work today. Thorne was awarded a 2014-2015 Fulbright Fellowship to Israel and later received an MFA in Dance Studies from Mills College. She has served as Assistant Professor of Dance at Southern Utah University, Associate Professor of Dance at Cabrillo College and Adjunct Professor of Dance and Biology at Dominican University of CA and College of Marin. Expanding her career into arts administration, Thorne has served as Development Director at Stapleton School of the Performing Arts, Individual Giving Manager at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and Fundraising Manager for Margaret Jenkins Dance Company. Casey serves on the Alumni Board of Directors for Dominican University of CA and enjoys teaching dance to all ages across the Bay Area.

Sadie Earhart, Artistic Director of Roco Dance & Studios, began her lifelong passion of dance at the age of three. By 19, she was teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Creative Movement to all ages 3-Adult. In 2002, Sadie became a principal company member with the 3rd Ave. Dance Company. During this time, she worked directly with and performed repertoire by KT Nelson, Brenda Way, Janice Garrett, Wade Madsen and Nancy Cranbourne. In 2008, Sadie was hired as a full time Dance Specialist for Tanner Dance at the University of Utah. This position included Arts and Education Assistant Director, working side by side with faculty to incorporate dance and movement into the academic curriculum, supporting over 4500 students in the Utah School Districts; Assistant Director to Tanner Dance studios; Choreographer and Instructor for Children’s Dance Theatre, touring nationally and internationally; Director of Summer camps; Teaching and mentoring Professional Development workshops for educators. Currently, Sadie is dancing with Printz Dance Project and is the Artistic Director of Roco Dance & Studios in Mill Valley. She is also a Certified Yoga Practitioner and licensed Massage Therapist and Bodyworker for 20 years.

Tara-Caprice Broadwater, Owner of Love2Dance in Novato, opened L2D in 2002.

Love2Dance’s mission is to provide quality dance training, to promote mental well-being and healthy bodies while fostering connection with fellow students, building confidence, having fun and working towards goals set by our dance instructors. 

Love2Dance is a positive and family-friendly dance studio that is open to all ages & all levels regardless of experience. The only requirements are passion for music & movement and the desire for self-improvement through the art of dance.

Catherine Hader is the Director of Marin Ballet in San Rafael. A graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, she began her professional career with The National Ballet of Canada under Artistic Director Erik Bruhn, and then went onto a successful freelance dance career in Los Angeles.

In 2013, Catherine turned to teaching full time at the School of Ballet Arizona, first under School Director Carlos Valcarcel before he relocated to London as Director of Dance at the English National Ballet School, and then with Ballet Arizona’s Rehearsal Director, Maria Simonetti. 

Students Ms. Hader has taught have gone onto professional careers at Ballet Arizona, Boston Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, and the Houston Ballet trainee program. Other graduates have been accepted into CalArts, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, U of A Dance program; Ballet Arizona Studio Company; Pacific Northwest Ballet, Orlando Ballet and Houston Ballet professional programs, and ABT, SAB, Paris Opera and Hubbard Street Summer Intensives.

An Improbable Dream, the dance documentary Co-Produced by Ms. Hader in association with Lionel Chetwynd Productions and CBC Arts Canada, was honored with 5 film industry awards in 2017 including gold Medals in the “Special Arts Film” category from The N.Y. Festival Awards and was an official selection for the Dance on Camera Festival 2018 at Lincoln Center.

In addition to her dance career, Catherine is  also a certified yoga instructor, bringing an emphasis on health and wellness to the student body. program at the School of Ballet Arizona and also coordinator for the National Honors Society for Dance Arts Chapter at Arizona School for the Arts. In addition