Kali Marie Oliver (Akron, OH) began her dance training with her mother and went on to train at Nan Klinger's Excellence in Dance. She attended summer intensives at Chautauqua Institution, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and The Ailey School. Oliver graduated magna cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance.
Upon graduating, she worked closely with Karole Armitage as a guest artist with Armitage Gone! Dance. Oliver spent three seasons in Ailey II under the direction of Francesca Harper, during which time she performed in the Holland Dance Festival.
She has had the privilege of performing works by Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe, Robert Battle, Andrea Miller, Anna Sokolow, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, William Isaac, Baye & Asa, and Maurya Kerr.
She was honored to be a guest artist during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2023 New York City Center season and was thrilled to officially join the company in 2024.
From Meredith Rainey’s humble beginnings in Fort Lauderdale, a remarkable journey unfolded for this talented dancer and choreographer. Starting with a simple suggestion during his teenage years, he ventured into ballet and choreography, eventually making history as the first African American dancer in the Milwaukee Ballet. Alongside his performing career, while dancing for Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet X, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Complexions he delved into choreography, earning prestigious grants and fellowships from organizations like the PA Council on the Arts and winning accolades such as The Joyce Theater Foundation's The A.W.A.R.D. Show! Philadelphia. His commissioned works have graced stages worldwide, showcased by renowned companies including Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet (formally known as Pennsylvania Ballet), American Repertory Ballet, Ballet X, Brandywine Ballet, Delaware Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, Incolnballet, and Phrenic New Ballet.
Beyond Meredith’s choreographic achievements, he shares his expertise with aspiring dancers as an adjunct professor at University of the Arts, Swarthmore College, Bryn Mawr College, and Drexel University. His journey, marked by resilience and dedication, serves as a testament to the transformative power of dance, leaving an enduring impact on the art form and inspiring future generations of performers and creators.
Melissa Rector, independent artist and Assistant Artistic Director of Koresh Dance Company has been wowing audiences for 30 years both on stage and behind the scenes as a teacher and choreographer. As the artistic voice behind Koresh Dance’s youth ensemble and an independent producer, Melissa has a singular choreographic voice that speaks volumes about the tenderness and power of being human.
Hailing from West Virginia, Melissa came to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts and graduated in 1993. Melissa has been dancing with Koresh Dance Company since its inception in 1991 and is the company’s Assistant Artistic Director. She is also an instructor at the Koresh School of Dance, where she teaches her unique style that blends modern jazz and Luigi technique. Her work has been performed locally at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Annenberg Center, Drexel University, the Grier School and Brandywine Ballet. She frequently travels around the country to perform, teach master classes and set choreography on students. In 2008, Melissa helped to establish the Koresh Youth Ensemble and serves as their artistic director, setting both original choreography and company repertory on the group.
Judine Somerville is currently the recipient of the Steven Goldberg Award as well as the F. Lammot Belin Arts Scholarship. She has performed in five original Broadway musicals including the eight-time, Tony Award winning, smash-hit Best Musical HAIRSPRAY, where she was part of the singing trio sensation ‘The Dynamites’. Judine is the recipient of the historic Legacy Robe, which is awarded to the cast member who has performed in the most Broadway musicals. Judine also reprised her roll for NBC-TV’s live presentation “HAIRSPRAYLIVE.” Directed by Kenny Leon and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. The NBC sensation featured Harvey Fierstein, Martin Short, Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana Grande, Andrea Martin, Sean Hayes and Rosie O’Donnell.
Her other Broadway credits include ON THE TOWN, THE LIFE, CRAZY FOR YOU and LATE NITE COMIC.
Judine's many television appearances include "The Rose Bowl Parade, “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The Early Show CBS,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “The Caroline Rhea Show,” “The VH-1 Vogue Awards,” “The Ricki Lake Show” and PBS-TV’s “Spirit.” Judine has also performed on The Tony Awards, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Grammy Awards and at The New York Stock Exchange.
Judine has sung the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center and is a former member of The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Previously a Guest Artist at Lincoln Center’s Meet The Artist Series, Judine is currently on the faculty of The Ailey School Broadway Classroom, and a Guest Artist at Rosie’s Theater Kids.
She is an inspiring and respected national motivational guest speaker. Through her burgeoning Motivational Movement, Judine is determined to bring euphoric inspiration to underserved students through Broadway Master Classes, Dance Workshops and one-week Residencies. Judine's objective is to EDUCATE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER for LIFE.
Efe Alibo became a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Instructor in 2012. Over the years she has trained with several GYROTONIC® master trainers including the creator and founder, Juliu Hovarth. She is also certified on the Archway, Leg extension unit, GYROTONER®, Jumping Stretch Board, as well as in the GYROTONIC® Level 2 and GYROKINESIS® beginner level 2.
She has further training in specialized modules: Application to psoas principles, Application to faisal body, Application for high end athletes, Application for dancers 1& 2, and therapeutic applications of the pelvic girdle. Efe is qualified to pre-train individuals interested in becoming GYROTONIC® Instructors. Efe continues to broaden her knowledge through periodic training in other complementary techniques.