Mary Jo Horvath has directed and choreographed over 40 concerts for the Dance program at Southwestern College since 1990. She enjoys seeing her students grow in technique and artistry. Mary Jo received her B.A and M.F.A. in Dance from the University of California at Irvine where she was fortunate to study with Eugene Loring, Jillana, Donald Bradburn, El Gabriel, Olga Maynard, James Penrod, Janice Plastino and Nancy Ruyter. She has danced professionally with Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre and the California Rhythm Project under the direction of Pam Thompson-Spiinner, a protege of the legendary tap dancer Eddie Brown. Mary Jo has studied under many wonderful dance artists including Jean Isaacs, Billy Siegenfeld and Jeannie Hill, Diane Walker, Linda Sohl-Ellison and Ted Levy. Mary Jo frequently attends dance workshops and tap dance festivals and was certified by the American Tap Dance Institute led by Chris Baker. She is excited about promoting local dance companies and featuring them in the Dance Studio Theatre at Southwestern College.

Dana Maué earned her Master of Arts degree in Dance from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from The State University of New York at Brockport. Throughout her career, she has studied with such renowned dancers as James Payton, Garth Fagan, Clyde Morgan, Naima Prevots, Mindy Cooper, Liz Lira and David/Jennifer Stein. She is trained in various styles of dance technique and possesses a high level of passion for Musical Theatre Dance and Latin/Ballroom. Dana realized her passion when she began acting and dancing in musical productions in high school; she continued performing in college productions and now performs at the professional level. One of the highlights of her career was being chosen to perform in the Kennedy Center Honors television show as part of a tribute to dancer Chita Rivera. She has performed in New York, Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. She has taught and choreographed at several community colleges in Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as California State University at Dominguez Hills. At SWC, Dana teaches Musical Theatre for Dance, Hip-Hop, Latin, Ballroom, Dance Production, Music For Dancers and is the advisor for the SWC Dance Club. She enjoys dancing and performs throughout Southern California with the San Diego-based groups Majesty In Motion and Royal Elegance.
dmaue@swccd.edu
619-421-6700 x5972

Colleen began her training under artists of the San Francisco Opera
Ballet, then received her B.A. and M.F.A. degrees in dance from UC Irvine. She is the author of “Passing Through Plateaus: Effective Teaching Methods,” published by Dance Teacher Now. Colleen’s eclectic credits include choreography and dancing for ballet companies, musical theatre productions, concert dance companies, industrials, two KPBS television specials and a Music Television pilot entitled Surf Party. Since 1983, Colleen has created at least three choreographic works each semester for three college dance companies. She has been on faculty at Southwestern college since 1993, Mesa college since 1987, and in 2001 she was honored with the Excellence In Teaching Award from Grossmont college, where she has been teaching for almost 27 years. Recently Colleen has developed the “Backwards Dance History Series” for Mesa College and is working on a dance video project entitled, “Lifeworks.”

Jaami Waali has been dancing for over 23 years and teaching for over 16 years. She began teaching through AmeriCorps National Service, and in 2002, she founded Kruciaal Element Dance Compnay where she directs, choreographs, and organizes numerous
performances in SD and LA County including events like Monster Bash and Mardi Gras. She is also certified in Level I Pilates Mat Training and will undergo Level II in January 2012. Over the last 22 years, Jaami has danced with several dance companies, and has been represented by Dorothy Day Otis Dance Agency and Bloc Agency. Jaami has a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts and a Masters degree in Dance. Jaami has performed with vocal artists Anisha Nicole, La Rain, Jason Brown, Tawny Heath, Juice, and Abrina. In addition, Jaami has taught at over 50 studios in Southern California, including Culture Shock Dance Center, University of San Diego, Boogiezone, Malashock Dance School, Lakeside Farms Elementary, Aztec Recreation Center at San Diego State University, Mesa Community College, and Southwestern Community College. Her choreography has been featured all over the western United States via vocal artists, exhibitions, and benefits. Aside from dancing, Jaami has over 10 years experience in social services where she has worked with youths from 2-18, adults with both physical and developmental disabilities, and seniors. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and paints in her spare time. Jaami is very grateful for her wonderfully unique family and friends who have always loved and supported her; they have taught her optimism and laughter. She hopes to spread her love for life and dance to as many people as she can! Web: www.Jaamiwaali.com

Debi Toth-Ward holds a BFA in Performing Arts from Johnson State College in Vermont and an MA from San Diego State University, where she was awarded the 1998 alumnus of the year. Debi’s choreography has been presented in New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, and recently in the “Other Side” festival in Seattle. In 1996, Debi was selected by the San Diego Union as one of the top ten choreographers to be watched. She has an extensive performing career as will. She was a member of the Throne Dance Theater in New York, where she appeared with Dave Brubeck and sons. In San Diego she has been seen with Three’s Company, Patricia Sandback and Dancers, and was a founding member of Malashock Dance, where she assisted the director for nine years. Debi has taught children of all ages, several college residencies nationally, and is on the faculty at Grossmont College, City College, and Southwestern College.

MaryBeth Hughes moved to San Diego in 1994 after graduating from Brigham Young University with a Masters in Dance. There she was part of their world touring Latin and Ballroom Dance Team. Since her arrival in San Diego, she has been an energetic contributing member of the San Diego dance community with a varied career as dance educator, choreographer, competitor, performer and artistic director of her dance company, Strictly Passion Dance. She has been Adjunct Dance Faculty at Southwestern College since 1996 and currently enjoys teaching at several of the satellite campuses including Otay Mesa and San Ysidro. MaryBeth also serves as Associate Dance Faculty at MiraCosta College in Oceanside and she is the dance master for the San Dieguito Cotillion in Del Mar, educating children 5th through 12th grade in social etiquette and Ballroom dance. She also continues to run her private studio with group and private lessons in swing, Latin and Ballroom dance and Hatha Yoga in a variety of locations throughout San Diego.

Spencer Smith has been performing professionally on the stage and screen since the age of 8 years old. As a dancer, he has achieved a number of nationally recognized accolades including: 2 time United States National Junior Latin Dance Champion, United States Junior Swing Dance Champion, Top National Junior Latin Champion (voted by United States Ballroom Dance Association). He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in both Dance and Drama from the University of California Irvine. Returning to San Diego, Spencer is currently head of the theater arts program for ROP’s Sweetwater Union School District where he is both teaching, directing and choreographing many new works.

Drenched in the sun-bright rhythms of Africa, singer and drummer Akayaa Atule brings her own flavor of Ghanaian Highlife music to San Diego. Akayaa is a native of the Frafra tribe in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The daughter of a master drummer, she learned how to dance and drum almost as soon as she learned how to walk. As a young woman in 1980, Akayaa attended the Performing Arts School of Ghana, where she furthered her study of the talking drum and traditional dances. Akayaa first came to California in 1983, bringing with her the music and dance traditions of the Frafra tribe. As a teacher and performer, Akayaa has shared these traditions with people of all ages throughout California. She is currently a dance instructor at San Diego State University and Southwestern College, and at several elementary schools in San Diego through Young Audiences of San Diego. In addition to Akayaa and Bolga Zohdoomah, she is the founder of the dance and drumming ensemble Abaa Koma. She also conducts private dance and drumming workshops solo, and performs solo or with the band for company conferences, parties, cultural/street fairs, schools, and special events.

Akayaa Atule obtained a a Master Degree in Dance and Music from the Performing Arts College in Ghana in 1982. In 2002, she founded Akayaa and Bolgo Zohdoomah, a high life musical band, in San Diego, CA. Akayaa also teaches music and dance to young audiences in the San Diego area.

Bio and picture coming soon.

Nancy Boskin-Mullen teaches Dance of Latin America at SWC where she has also taught courses in jazz, modern, and swing dance.  She earned two degrees from UCLA; an MA in Dance and a BA in World Arts and Cultures, with a concentration in World Dance.  Ms. Boskin-Mullen has an eclectic dance background. Her professional experience ranges from cruise line choreographer to Can can dancer, from an international folk dance company to an Afro-Haitian Ensemble.  Ms. Boskin-Mullen teaches at several community colleges in San Diego county, instructing courses in jazz, tap, ballroom and introduction to dance.  Ms. Boskin-Mullen is also a lecturer at California State Universty San Marcos where she teaches Global Modern Dance. She is the resident choreographer for Clairemont High School’s Drama Department, co-choreographing musicals with her husband David Mullen, and the co-director of local tap dance company “The California Rhythm Project.”