BONDED:
TAKING AGENCY PERFORMER BIOS

HUI CHA POOS - PROJECT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Hui Cha Poos, mother of two, has taught at the University of Central Oklahoma for over 20 years. She directs the KD2 company, teaches Jazz/Hip Hop, and is the Dance Education Coordinator. After a successful career as a dancer in LA, she moved home and co-founded Oklahoma Dance Alliance, OKLA Dance Connection, Groove Street Productions (Vancouver, BC) and is the founder and current Academy Director of RACE Dance Collective in Oklahoma.

Besides RACE, she has choreographed numerous projects and productions for Lyric Theatre, Pollard Theatre Company, Oklahoma City Rep, Southern Plains Theatre, Nike, Blu Cantrell, OCU, UCO, and many more. Her original choreographic works have been featured in dance concerts in LA (Commonality Dance concert), New York (The Gibney), Seoul, Korea (Tune Dance Show) and she has had short films (Swirl, Homecoming Trilogy, and The Guard, and Cube of Light) featured in several festivals from SXSW to Hamburg, Germany. Recent film credits include Full Out 2 (Netflix)choreographer and Finding Carlos (Apple TV)-producer, choreographer. Hui was selected as one of “6 Theatre Workers You Should Know” by American Theatre Publication, was awarded the Governor’s Arts Award for Arts in Education (2021) and was named Artist of the Year by the Paseo Arts Association (2022). She is Co-founder and Co-chair of Okc’s first district sponsored dance festival, Calderon Dance Festival and in 2023, was recognized by Ok Contemporary with their Founders Day Award.

LULU BARTON

Lulu is a classically trained dancer with ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom, and hip-hop experience. From a young age she was training and performing professionally. Born and raised in China Lulu met her amazing husband John while he was on assignment in China. Together they created a company making pool cue cases. Yes, a living can be made just by making cases for pool cues. In 2014 Lulu and John brought their small family to America and started their new lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Even though Lulu works full time at her company she always makes time to practice and earn her place as a member of the Race Dance Collective. She is honored to be chosen and blessed by the warm welcome by her dear friends in the Oklahoma Dance Community.

Lulu’s daughter, Jessie Barton was the youngest member in Race Academy, and she was accepted into the Classen SAS Middle School for the Performing Arts as a dance major and so the tradition continues from one generation to the next. Lulu thinks that life is dance and dance is life and that in life, as in dance, one must move carefully, gracefully, deliberately, and in harmony with others.

CHASE BLOOMER

Chase Bloomer was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Chase is a self taught dancer starting at the age of 5. From learning Michael Jackson videos to taking his first dance class his freshman year of college in 2015. Chase has been a part of RACE Dance Collectiive for 7 years, Generation WHY for 6 years, and O’city Crew for 3 years, and many other projects through the years. Chase has a passion for dance and mental health. As dance has been a way to feel free for Chase, he pushes others to find what works for them.

“To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins. Everything living has a rhythm. Do you feel your music?” – Michael Jackson

BRI CLARK

Brianna studied Dance Performance at the University of Central Oklahoma from 2014-2018. In 2015, she was awarded a bronze medal with Eclectix Independent (IO) at WGI World Championships which was a childhood dream. She has had the privilege to perform in works by DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion, Mike Esperanza, Kate Jablonski, James Gregg & Rubberlegz, Kristin Mcquaid, Shayna Acosta, Hui Cha Poos, Hilary McAlister and more. Brianna has danced with Kaleidoscope Dance Company (2016-2018), Meraki Movement Company (2018-2020) & Race Dance Collective (2022-present). Her choreographic works have been presented at Soul de Soul, ACDA, RACE Dance Collective’s 2023 ‘RESURGENCE’ and more.

“Nothing is more revealing than movement.” - Martha Graham

DAELAN GALINDO

Bio Coming Soon.

brigitte goulart

Brigitte Goulart is an OKC based actor, comedian, dancer, and all around performer. She holds her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing from Oklahoma City University. She has worked with many theatres and arts organizations across the state including OKC Improv, Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, Oklahoma Repertory Theatre, and RACE Dance Collective. She is a third year member of RACE Dance Company. She also teaches tap and jazz at RACE Dance Collective. Brigitte hopes to promote and uphold RACE’s mission through her artistry as well as her own personal mission of uniting people through the arts.

samantha haynes

Samantha Haynes holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography at the University of Southern Mississippi where she graduated with Highest Honors. While at USM Samantha was recognized in her department for Outstanding Junior and Most Memorable Senior Piece. While completing her undergraduate degree Samantha attended the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina for two summers where she studied under numerous artists including Elizabeth Corbett (Forsythe Company), Jennifer Nugent (Bill T. Jones Company) Teena Marie Custer (Venus Fly Trap Crew), Pamela Pietro (Anthony Morgan Dance Company), Gerri Houlihan (Lar Lubovitch Dance Company) and Sherone Price (Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble).

After graduating, Samantha moved to the OKC area where she fell in love with the dance community and also met the love of her life, Caleb Haynes. Together, they have two fur babies Rainey and Kimber. Samantha has enjoyed teaching with multiple studios over the years and is thankful for each and every student and friend she has made along the way. Samantha currently instructs at OKC Ballet, choreographs for Spotlight Productions OKC, and guest judges for P3 Talent Competition. This is Samantha’s fifth season with RACE Dance Collective.

chanh le

Chanh began dancing at a young age through his youth group and expanded his interest in dance through hip hop and choreography videos on Youtube and through KPOP. Chanh’s formal training began in 2018 at RACE the Space taking classes in hip hop, contemporary, jazz, and KPOP. Chanh currently dances with S-Class and is entering his second year as a dancer for RACE Dance Collective. Chanh began teaching at RACE the Space in 2020 and has served on RACE Dance Collective’s Board of Directors since 2019.

steve le

Steve was inspired to start dancing back in 2004 from choreography in music videos. With only self-taught experience, he made the NBA New Orleans Pelicans Jr. Hip-Hop dance team in 2005 where he stayed for two years. In 2010, he took his dancing skills back to the NBA where he danced in front of 18,000+ people nightly for the Oklahoma City Thunder interactive squad for seven years. After some time off, he joined RACE Dance Collective for three years, both as a company member and choreographer. He looks to bring new perspectives to the dancers of OKC by specializing in elements of voguing and waacking.

sadie grace

Sadie was born in Muskegon Michigan and shortly moved to Dallas, Texas with her family and was lucky enough to grow up at a local theater and ignite her love of the arts. Sadie has been in the Performance Art world since before she could talk. Studying Dance/musical theater/theater arts since the age of 3. She has received numerous titles as a soloist and choreography awards. Sadie comes from a Family of artists and has been lucky enough to explore her love of dance at various studios in the Dallas metroplex and has been teaching all ages and styles at Artworks Academy of Performing Arts. Sadie’s love lies in contemporary, jazz, and modern dance. She is so incredibly excited to start her second year with the RACE Collective and share the love of dance with so many incredible humans, creating the most incredible art. Sadie is so thankful for the people who inspire her most, her incredible family and friends who continue to show up for her in every way. “With love and peace”

jesus martinez

Jesus Martinez is a hip hop instructor who also specializes in breakdancing. He was self taught since he was a baby until he took regular dance classes in high school. He was introduced to RACE his senior year, where he joined JR. RACE (now RACE Academy) and performed in the 2013 production of RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker. Ever since, he’s been with the collective, growing and performing in multiple productions and community events. Jesus has performed with the Oklahoma Philharmonic in the Civic center, on the Thunder’s O’City Crew, in 2 music videos, won D2DA’s “Male Choreographer/Dancer of the Year” award, choreographed for a Mattel commercial, and performed in Pollard Theatre’s “Bring It On: The Musical” production. In addition to performing, Jesus is also the Community Engagement Director with RACE. He has a very fundamental style of dance and detailed way of teaching.

ligia espinoza martinez

Ligia is a professional Latin American dancer from Nicaragua, currently based in Oklahoma, USA and with over 20 years of dance and performing arts experience. Ligia studied at The Nicaraguan Academy of Dance’s Juvenile Program where she graduated with a Dance and Performing Arts Major at the early age of 14 years old where she learned ballet, jazz, contemporary, folklore, bellydance, Latin, Caribbean and African dance. Upon graduation, she entered the accelerated dance program at The National School of Ballet where she graduated with a Ballet and Performing Arts Major. Throughout her 4 years at The National School of Ballet she specialized in traditional ballet technique (Cuban style), partner work, theater and music. During her time as a professional dancer in Nicaragua she joined the Ballet Folklorico Quetzaltnahuatl and the Nicaraguan Ballet Company as Corps de Ballet, performing in various shows including La Fille Mal Gardee, Spartacus, Carmen and Majisimo. Ligia got to be part of the touring act and visited over 20 cities during her time as a company dancer. During her last years in Nicaragua, Ligia joined the Nicaraguan Salsa Company where she competed in the Adrian & Anita World Cup and achieved 4th place. Now based in the USA and as a company dancer for Race Dance Collective, Ligia has participated in RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker and Disorder (Company Show) as a soloist. Ligia’s main passion has always been dance, however, in the recent years she has enjoyed diversifying and expanding her artistry through different mediums, she is a photographer and entrepreneur as she is the co-founder and CEO of Starving Artist Co. an Oklahoma-based creative media company that strives to empower artists and local businesses through social media marketing, website and brand development.

emma palma

Emma is from Appleton Wisconsin, She began dancing when she was two, and participated within the dance competition world. Although she started with ballet and tap, her love for dance expanded, pushing her to explore many other styles such as jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. She attended Oklahoma City University, and received a Bachelors of Performing Arts. She currently works as a dance teacher for school children in Oklahoma City. She is starting her first year with RACE Dance Company, and is intrigued with what is yet to come!

luis rojas

Luis Rojas is an actor, singer, and dancer from Colombia. In 2008, he began his formal musical theater training at MISI Musical Theater School (Colombia). In 2010, he was accepted in Proscenio Musical Theater School (Buenos Aires, Argentina) where he completed this program. He moved to New York in 2016 where he had the opportunity to learn and work with choreographers and master teachers such as Al Blackstone, Richard Pierlon, Lisa Harvie, and Yuka Kawazu. His credits include: In the Heights, Spring Awakening (El Juvenil Theatre, Argentina); Alfonsina (Danse En L'Air, NYC); Cabaret (Sooner Theatre); RACE's Hip Hop Nutcracker, The RACEy Show, Resurgence (RACE Dance Collective), RENT (Southern Plains Productions). Luis is so grateful to be a part of such an amazing company.

DAKOTA ROSS

Dakota Ross began dancing in high school at the Lawton Ballet Theatre, where he took a few partnering and ballet classes. He did not really start his full dance training until he arrived at UCO and decided to become a dance major. There he studied for 4 years in ballet, modern, jazz, and a few special techniques like Arial and hip hop. Along with skills like music production, film work, and portfolio development.

Dakota Ross has been fortunate enough to be able to audition for RACE right outside of graduating and making the company. He has been a part of the RACE show: DISORDER and the RACEY show: BONDED.

Dakota thinks that dance should be shared with everyone and that it is a safe space to explore who you really are. It’s a way for him to be free from the world and truly be himself. He invites you to do the same!! Really let yourself go in the art and enjoy it and be free!

grace sanchez

Grace Sanchez is a graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.F.A in Dance Performance. While at UCO she was a member of the Kaleidoscope Dance Company. While a part of Kaleidoscope she got to work with artists such as Tiffany Carson, Christian Von Howard, Bill Evans, Hilary McAlister, Mike Esperanza, and Adam Parson. She also got to travel to Seoul, South Korea on a study performance tour with Kaleidoscope. Grace has been dancing for 19 years training in Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Tap, Aerial, and Hip Hop. She is currently the Assistant Pom Coach at Bishop McGuinness. She also teaches jazz at Doran-Vossen School of Dance. Grace is a second year member of RACE Dance Collective.

chloé STEVENSON

Chloé Astelle Stevenson has been dancing since she could stand, 100% imbued with her mom’s passion for creative movement. She danced competitively with Applause and Victory Dance, attended too many conventions to count, joined RACE Jr. briefly in its early years, choreographed for school musicals, and had the honor of partaking in the Rockette Summer Intensive. After taking a break from dance to study film in college, she is so happy to have reignited her passion for dance with the RACE community. Chloé is grateful for the friendships she has made with RACE: Disorder and RACEy: Bonded and is looking forward to continuing to grow as an artist!

roxanne ryan

Roxanne (Ryan Thornton) is a passionate dancer and fitness enthusiast who brings a unique blend of experience and expertise to the world of dance. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Health & Exercise Science from SCU, Roxanne's journey into the world of movement began with a collegiate cheer scholarship for their large coed team.

For over 11 years, Roxanne was deeply entrenched in the Allstar and School cheerleading industry, both as a coach and an athlete, before gracefully transitioning into the realm of dance. Her dedication to physical well-being extends beyond dance, as she is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

What truly sets Roxanne apart is her deep appreciation for the profound impact of body movement on the mind and body. This fascination led her to explore the realm of dance therapy after college. She received a certification as a Zumba instructor and infused her lessons with a unique blend of physical therapy, mobility training, and a dash of empowerment. Roxanne is self-taught and honed her craft by learning multiple choreographies from online resources, aiming to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for individuals who may be new to dance or feel self-conscious. This journey evolved into "REVIVE," Roxanne's platform where she empowers women to harness the therapeutic potential of dance and body movement to heal from body dysmorphia, anxieties, and insecurities.

In 2019, Roxanne found her home at RACE, where she had the privilege of introducing heels classes. The warmth and camaraderie of the RACE community deepened her love for dance, leading her to become a first-year member of the RACE Company.

zhané tibbs

Zhané started dancing at a small studio called Studio 7 in 2015. After RACE Dance Company hosted their summer classes there, she fell in love with dancing even more. Zhané began training in hip hop with RACE in 2016, and after being highly encouraged by the company's founder, Hui, to take other classes, she started exploring different styles such as jazz, contemporary, ballet, jazz funk, modern, and heels. Through these classes, Zhané improved her technical abilities and increased her knowledge and understanding of the historical roots of dance. After taking a break in 2018 and giving birth to her beautiful son, Zhané returned to the dance floor in 2022, inspired by a community of women dancing in heels. Through these classes, she found courage and confidence in her own skin. Zhané loves taking and teaching heels and loves that she can share her passion for empowerment through her classes at RACE and performances like the RACEy Show. Being part of this company is so special because she gets to witness and learn from dancers from all walks of life. Not everyone has the opportunity to be trained young. Still, with companies like RACE, everyone has community and opportunities to thrive no matter where they are in their dance journeys.

race the space pre-show community performance

BONDED:TAKING AGENCY PERFORMER BIOS