Dylan Baker Dancer, Teaching Artist hails from a small town in southern Wisconsin. After earning his BFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts, he decided to make the move to New York City. In addition to creating and presenting his own choreography, he has worked with David Parker and The Bang Group, Kim Gibilisco Dances, and IsadoraNOW. When Dylan is not dancing you can find him cooking, taking photos, or teaching a classroom of children. Dylan has most of his teaching experience with tap, modern and science. Dylan is very excited to be dancing with Matthew Westerby Company!
Mandy Sau-Yi Chan Dancer, Teaching Artist is originally from Hong Kong, received a BFA in Dance at The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts (HKAPA) and her MFA in Dance at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She was awarded a scholarship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund 2000-2002 to pursue her study in New York. She is a ballet instructor at Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn Academy, a certified Pilates & Yoga instructor and is also a certified Holistic Health Counselor. She has worked in New York with Abby Man Yee Chan, Rosalind Newman, Mariana Berkerman Dance Company, Eva Dean Dance and Neville Dance Theatre. Currently, Mandy performs for Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn and has been a principal dancer since 2003. Mandy is thrilled to be working with Matthew Westerby Company.
Amanda Gavan Dancer, Teaching Artist was born in the UK, where she began her training at the Royal Ballet School. She also trained on scholarship at the Ailey School and Alonzo King Lines Ballet School. Previous company affiliations include Hope Boykin Dance, Body Of People, Thomas Ortiz Dance and Opus Dance Theater. Amanda recently performed as a guest artist for The Lion King, for the inaugural celebrations of President Obama. She has extensive teaching experience in ballet, modern, tap and creative movement in schools all over Europe and South America.
Alessandra Larson Dancer, Teaching Artist, Rehearsal Director is a New York-based freelance performer, producer and publicity manager. Originally from Maryland, she graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in St.Louis with degrees in dance and psychology, and is currently pursuing a certificate in conflict resolution from Columbia University. She has danced with Matthew Westerby since 2006, in addition to performing with Aviva Geismar/Drastic Action, Debra Wanner Dance and Nu Dance Theater, among many others. Her other work has included producing Breaking Ground – A Dance Charrette and The A.W.A.R.D. Show!. Since 2007 she has taught in Germany with Dancing to Connect, a cultural diplomacy project produced by Battery Dance Company.
Kristin Licata Dancer, Teaching Artist graduated from Fordham/Alvin Ailey BFA program where she performed the works of Alvin Ailey, Joyce Trisler and worked with choreographers William Forsythe, Robert Battle, Sean Curran and Elise Monte to name a few. Since graduating, she has danced for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, Felice Lesser Dance Theater, Vox Lumiere and can be seen in the film Jaaneman. Currently, she performs with Covenant Ballet Theatre, Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, Regina Nejman and Co., VaBang! and WongDance. Kristin is excited to be working with Matthew Westerby Company this season.
Clement Mensah Dancer, Teaching Artist was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and moved to the Netherlands at the age of 11. After graduating from CIOS (Sports Academy) he went to Amsterdam School of Arts and graduated in June 2008. He received a fellowship to study as an exchange student at the Alvin Ailey School, where he was also a member of the Student Performing Group. Clement received his MA in dance performance from Trinity Laban (UK) in 2011, spending a year with Transitions Dance Company. As a professional dancer, Clement has worked with Kisshoffmoves Company (Amsterdam), the Francesca Harper Project, and the Elisa Monte Dance Company. He was also an apprentice for Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He also danced the male lead role of John in Voodoo-Queen which premiered in 2009 at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre in New York City. Clement joined Matthew Westerby Company in 2009 and is very excited about the opportunity to work with this Company. Teaching credits include the Alvin Ailey School, Codarts in Rotterdam, Amsterdam school of Arts, Dancers’ Workshop in Wyoming and at Laban, London. He has also choreographed for the Junior Repertory Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the Aseid Company.
Dina-Verley Sabb-Mills Dancer, Teaching Artist is a Philadelphia native, and holds a MFA in Dance from Temple University, and a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of the Arts. Dina's teaching credits include Temple University, Muhlenberg College, Koresh School of Dance, The University of Pennsylvania, DaCi International, The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, American College Dance Festival, and Black College Dance Exchange. Dina has also been asked to teach at Drexel University and Cedar Crest College. Dina is based in New York and is currently working with Charles O. Anderson, artistic director of Dance Theatre X in Allentown, PA. While receiving her MFA, Dina's work was selected to be performed as part of a juried performance at ACDFA at SUNY Buffalo and she presented work in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Dina's work has also been set and performed with Dance Theatre X and Danse4nia Repertory Ensemble. Upon finishing graduate school, Dina was profiled in the Temple Times among outstanding graduates. Most recently Dina presented her latest solo work a (happy) life at the Dance in Queens: Solo Flight artist residency at Topaz Arts. She is currently dancing in Charles O. Anderson’s World Headquarters. Dina joined MWC in 2011.
