The Shakti Movers

Erica W received her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University. Professionally, Erica has had the privilege of performing with several dance companies and productions, including: tompricedance, Lydia Johnson Dance, Eva Dean Dance, Rachel Thorne Germond Dance, Tania Perez Salas Compania de Danza, Dawn Lau Dance Company, and Pergine Spettacolo Aperto. In addition to dancing, Erica is the owner and creative director of The Yoga Common, a yoga studio and teacher training program in both New York City and Austin. This is her fourth season with Shakti Moves Dance Company. She would like to thank all of the SMDC dancers for their friendship, support, and inspiration.

Jessica began dancing at a young age in her aunt’s basement studio, and developed a love/hate relationship with it from then on. The cost of formal training was out of reach, so she immersed herself in whatever ways she could – taking any and every class offered at her public school. She went on to study dance in college at the University of Washington, but ultimately graduated with a degree in psychology instead. Nonetheless, something always pulled her back. She became immersed in the Austin dance scene upon moving here in 2015, and soon thereafter met Erica Santiago and began dancing with Shakti Moves. After four seasons, she decided to return to school for a graduate degree in Social Work, where she focused on neurobiology and somatic approaches to trauma work. She is thrilled to be dancing with Shakti Moves again after completing her degree last year. 

Hope began dancing in the West African tradition around 2016 and continues to study under Jean Claude Lessou and perform with Lannaya Drum and Dance in Austin, TX.  In 2019 she began training in classical ballet and modern dance. Hope has danced in Shakti Moves Dance Company for 5 seasons. She is humbled to be a part of the company, not only for the opportunity to grow and refine as a dancer, but also to explore art and movement as a means to promote wellness and healing.

Emily received her early classical ballet training at Arkansas Academy of Dance. She has also attended intensive programs at the Joffrey Ballet and with Doug Varone and Dancers. Emily holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In recognition of her academic and artistic excellence, Emily was awarded a full scholarship to study dance at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy in 2012. She was also a resident company member of the affiliated Arkansas Festival Ballet for eight years. Her local performance credits include work by Celina Chapin in Austin’s Frontera Fest and four years with Lisa Nicks’ Band of Wild Ponies. Emily has taught all youth levels of ballet. Currently, Emily teaches youth and adult ballet classes at Dancers Workshop and is excited to be dancing with Shakti Moves Dance Company.

Abby began dancing at the age of 5, participating in youth musical theater groups and taking classes with studios such as Discovery Dance. She found that she simply couldn't keep away from the studio floor and continued dancing on her school's dance teams through middle and high school. Also while in high school, Abby started dancing with Shakti Moves in 2016 as an apprentice, and has since grooved and performed with them on and off for the last six seasons. She is thrilled to be able to be a part of such a special process that promotes creativity, inner strength and healing.

Riah began dancing after discovering her high school color guard team. Upon graduation Riah continued to perform professionally at the world class level touring as a color guard member. Riah has performed with The Cadets, Phantom Regiment, Origins Open and Origins World. Riah joined the Shakti Moves Dance Company in 2023 as an apprentice to continue to pursue their passion for movement and artistry. Riah has decided to continue her education by pursing a BFA in dance.

Alwynne began dancing at 8 years of age. She started taking ballet and fell in love with it. Alwynne received her ballet training at Capitol City Ballet. SHe has only recently started exploring modern dance along with other styles of moving and is to continue learning. This is Alwynne’s first season and joins Shakti Moves Dance Company as an apprentice.