HCC Dance Festival Teaching Artists

Lindsay Backiev - Show Me Your Muscles

Lindsay Backiev, PT, DPT (she/her) is the current Johns Hopkins Hospital Performing Arts Physical Therapy Fellow-in-Training (2023-2025). She is a former professional dancer and a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) where she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2018. As a student physical therapist, Lindsay collaborated with USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance to create a pre-participation dancer health and wellness screening and has since presented this work at National and International conferences. She has guest lectured for USC Kaufman’s conditioning for dance majors and for pre-professional dancers partaking in Chicago-based summer intensives at Columbia College and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Lindsay is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and has extensive experience in pelvic health physical therapy, training with Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and IPC: Integrated Pelvic Care. Prior to her career as a physical therapist, Lindsay earned her BFA in modern dance performance at The University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA). She performed with International Ballet Ensemble (Twin Lake, MI); Evita (Wilmington, DE); SHARP Dance Company (Philadelphia, PA); Anne-Marie Mulgrew & Dancers Company (Philadelphia, PA); Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre (Chicago, IL); Harrison McEldowney’s Dance for Life finale; Beyoncé; and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Ryan Bailey - Contemporary Dance

Ryan Bailey is a dancer and choreographer based in the DMV & NYC. Upon graduating with a BA in dance from UMBC in 2016, Ryan was granted outstanding senior in choreography and dance after he was awarded an American College Dance Association Gala Finalist. He then furthered his education by attending training programs with dance companies in Chicago, NYC, LA, Portland, and Tel Aviv. In 2017, Ryan premiered his company Pacing Bodies first evening length show funded by Earl and Darielle Linehan which premiered at UMBC. Ryan was featured on national television on season 14 of So You Think You Can Dance that same year. Ryan has danced professionally for MADBOOTS DANCE company on various projects and performances at Gibney Dance, New York Live Arts, and at the Joyce Theater in NYC. He has also had the opportunity to dance for Project 44 Dance Company, performing at the Jack Crystal Theater in NYC. Ryan has performed with Priore Dance directed by Robert Priore based in D.C. Ryan was also a background dancer for the music video “Moons” by Micah McLaurin. Currently, Ryan teaches and choreographs dance at various studios, conservatories, and universities. Recently Ryan set work for Peabody Dance Conservatory and Howard County Dance Company. In 2024, Ryan danced in a second evening length work for Haus of Pvmnt Dance Company in NYC at Abrons Art Center. Choreographically he presented a work in progress evening length piece for Baltimore Dance Project and ASCEND summer intensive at UMBC this past year.

Ricky Jefferson  -  Musician/Accompanist

Riccardo “Ricky” Jefferson is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, accompanist, and educator who works in the Baltimore and DC areas. His love for music started with his mom playing Earth, Wind and Fire CDs and his dad playing House mix tapes and Pink Floyd. However, this love grew even stronger when he was introduced to the Beatles, a Tribe Called Quest, Herbie Hancock, and Daft Punk. Ricky studied Classical piano throughout elementary and middle school, then got into Jazz during high school. He continued his Jazz studies into college, receiving his B.A. in Jazz Studies from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in May 2020, studying under Harry Appelman and Matt Belzer. Although his degree says jazz studies, Ricky plays almost every genre he can get his hands and ears on, including R&B, Neo-Soul, Rock, Pop, Fusion, and Contemporary Classical. Ricky is all over the Baltimore music scene, as he plays a significant role in groups such as the Noah Pierre Band, Sunstrider, and MLLN. He also has been growing a solo music career under the name Rickaay, which aims to blend all his favorite musical quirks. You can find Ricky's creative fingerprints all over the internet -- YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music, other streaming platforms, and even Twitch -- for his love for creation doesn't stop at music. Ricky's goal is to immerse himself in a world of creativity through any and every medium possible, and it's obvious.

Ama and Chris Law/Project ChArma  -  Hip Hop and House

Born and raised in the vibrant DMV metropolitan area, Ama and Chris Law are co-founders and co-directors of Project ChArma, a dynamic dance theater collective that harnesses the power of art as a force for activism and social dialogue. Their journey together began in high school, uniting their passion for dance and an unwavering commitment to creative expression.

Both earned MFAs in Dance and Choreography from the University of Maryland College Park, where their diverse training shaped their unique styles. Ama brings decades of experience from the Kankouran West African Dance Company, alongside rigorous training at Broadway Dance Center NYC. In contrast, Chris combines elements of Hip-Hop, roller skating, martial arts, and modern dance, creating innovative choreography that breaks boundaries.

Project ChArma, pronounced "karma" to reflect its guiding philosophy, beautifully intertwines their names and shared ideals. Partnering with the Kennedy Center, they helped with planning National Dance Day 2023 to honor Hip Hop's 50th Anniversary and showcased their artistry in April 2024 as recipients of the Local Dance Commissioning Fund.

The Laws have enriched the dance community through teaching and choreography at prominent institutions, including Dance Place DC and Howard University. Their research presented at the International African and Diasporic Dance Traditions Conference in Brazil and involvement in the BlackLight Summit at UMCP highlight their dedication to advancing African dance culture. With community building and preservation at the heart of their mission, they lead discussions that inspire and uplift, infusing their teaching with principles of connection and empowerment.

Devinne Cook - Jazz and Acro/Tumbling  

Devinne Cook is a dancer, choreographer, and educator with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Master's in Business Management. With a specialization in contemporary and jazz dance styles, Devinne has performed and choreographed nationally. She is a three-time NFL cheerleader and serves as an adjudicator for dance competitions across the U.S.  

Devinne is currently Adjunct Faculty at Howard Community College, where she teaches Jazz Dance. Beyond her formal roles, Devinne is passionate about sharing her knowledge as a Pure Barre instructor and freelance choreographer. Her teaching style emphasizes strong technical foundations, musicality, and artistry while celebrating the individuality of each dancer.

Kimmary Williams - Classical Ballet Technique

Kimmary Williams received her early ballet training in Washington DC. She continued her ballet training in New York City under scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School and with notable teachers Patricia Wilde, Richard Thomas and Finis Jhung. She also attended the University of Maryland as a modern/contemporary dance major. Ms. Williams' career as a professional dancer began with Twyla Tharp where she toured extensively throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. She appeared in the feature film “Hair” with choreography by Twyla Tharp. Additionally, she has performed with The Connecticut Ballet, Halby Dance Theatre, Spectrum Dance Theatre and American Contemporary Ballet. In 1981 Ms. Williams attained her Maestro Cecchetti Diploma. Her teaching credits include Connecticut Ballet, Pacific NW Ballet, Princeton Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Austin, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Edinburgh International Festival. Ms. Williams served as co-artistic director of Southold Dance Theatre. She has been recognized as an emerging choreographer by the Regional Dance Association and choreographed extensively throughout her career. Ms. Williams and her husband established and developed their own professional ballet school, Central Maryland Youth Ballet, from 2004-2024. Most recently she worked with Ballet Arkansas as company teacher and ballet mistress. Additionally, she has had the pleasure of being a guest faculty member of the Cecchetti International Summer School since 1995. Ms. Williams is currently a freelance master teacher and choreographer.

Leigh A. Roberts - Show Me Your Muscles

Leigh A. Roberts, PT, DPT, OCS is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and a Polestar Certified Rehabilitation Pilates Practitioner. Dr. Roberts has been practicing PT since 1999 and has been a Board Certified Orthopeadic Clinical Specialist since 2003. Dr. Roberts served on the board of the Performing Arts Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association from 2005-2011. She has been a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science since 2002. From 2016 - 2023, she was adjunct faculty for the UMD School of Medicine Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science lecturing on dance rehabilitation.

Dr. Roberts works with adolescents thru professional dancers in the clinic, on-site and on tour. She has proudly treated dancers from: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Washington Ballet Company, The Ballet Theater of Maryland, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, The Peabody Institute of JHU, Baltimore School for the Arts, and various touring Broadway shows. Dr. Roberts owned L A R Physical Therapy, a private practice in Howard County for 12 years that specialized in treating dancers. She has been treating performers at Johns Hopkins since 2017. Dr. Roberts lives in Howard County while raising three children with her husband of 24+ years.

Darion Smith (HCCDF Director)  -  Video Dance with Sets and Props

Darion Smith is a dance artist and educator. He started his dance training at Santa Barbara City College. He continued his dance studies at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany and the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow, Russia. Smith earned his MFA in dance from the University of Oregon. Smith’s professional career credits include the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet, and Buglisi Dance Theatre to name a few. In 2007, Smith co-founded Janusphere Dance Company and became artistic director. Smith serves as Assistant Professor of Dance at HCC and as a dance faculty member at the Peabody Preparatory Program in Baltimore, MD. Smith has taught at the University of Oregon, UC Santa Barbara, Pacific Lutheran University, American College Dance Association, Santa Barbara City College, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Washington School of Ballet, and Eugene Ballet Academy. Darion’s choreography has been presented throughout the US, in Mexico and Spain.

Miguel Ledesma - Tap Dance

Miguel Ledesma is a dance artist from Maryland. He received his A.A. in Dance from Howard Community College in 2017, and his B.A. in Dance from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2019.  He received his M.F.A. from Hollins University where he also taught as the Graduate Teaching Assistant. He has performed with the Baltimore Dance Project, Kinetics Dance Theatre, Misako Ballet Company, and Connect the Dots Dance Company as well as performed repertory from the Eric Hampton Foundation, and the Paul Taylor American Modern Dance Company. He has toured with Titans of Dance Convention since its founding in 2012 as a Dance Assistant, and currently as an operations Technician.  Ledesma has also had the privilege to work projects with Adidas, USDA, USA Today/Gannet Co., and The D.C. Bridal Show. Ledesma is currently teaching at Studio Dans in Fulton MD, Howard Community College as an adjunct Faculty Member, and Coppin State University as a Full-time Professor and has been teaching throughout the DMV for the past 17 years. 

Monique DeLuca Watson  -  PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT/DN

Monique is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist with a subspecialty in performing arts physical therapy. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy with two minors in dance and health from Ithaca College. Additionally, she has completed various advanced, post-professional training including both an orthopedic residency through Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY and a performing arts fellowship with Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network. Currently, she treats performing artists out of the Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network office located in Columbia, MD.

As a former dancer, singer, and musician, Monique is passionate about performing arts medicine and currently involved in various educational, research, and outreach initiatives. In conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Medicine, Monique has worked with performers of various local organizations, including The Peabody Conservatory, Towson University, Baltimore School of the Arts, Howard Community College, Rep Stage, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Charm City Ballet, Round House Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center to provide either wellness screens, backstage care, or wellness lectures with focus on injury prevention and promoting peak performance. Lastly, she has presented internationally on various performing arts topics through both the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science and the Performing Arts Medicine Association.