 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
DR. TECSIA EVANS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
| R O S S D A N C E C O M P A N Y |
Tecsia is the founder and Artistic Director for Ross Dance Company, LLC. She is a director,
choreographer, dancer, and instructor. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and
Dance from the University of California, Berkeley and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California
School of Professional Psychology. She has studied and worked with Carol Murota, Lisa Wymore, Joe
Goode, David McCauley, and Derrick Minter, rehearsal director of Ailey II. Evans has danced for over 14
years in jazz, modern, hip hop, and praise dance. Her choreography has appeared at Merce
Cunningham and Joyce Soho in New York City, Madrid Theater in Los Angeles, Laney College, UC
Berkeley’s Dance Department, C.O.L.O.R Danz, JAMZ dance videos, music videos, and several National
Dance Competitions. Evans has been teaching hip hop, modern/jazz, and praise dance for studios in the
Bay Area for over 10 years. Evans was also part of the staff for the Alvin Ailey dance camp at UC
Berkeley.
One of her plans is to do a community outreach programs using the dynamics of dance and psychology.
Evans’ biggest goal is diversifying the dance community. Her work such as (Evening of Soulful Modern
Jazz {2005}, Testimony {2006}, Speak {2007}, To Evolve and Stay Young {2009}, More Than {2010}
explored the challenges and empowerment of spirituality, women gender roles, strength of sisterhood,
domestic abuse and the power of freedom. Her intent behind her work is to highlight and comment on
the social discourse that individuals face in their relationships, spirituality, and society. Evans strides to
invite the audience into the stories of social discourse by connecting with their mind, emotions and soul.
choreographer, dancer, and instructor. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and
Dance from the University of California, Berkeley and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California
School of Professional Psychology. She has studied and worked with Carol Murota, Lisa Wymore, Joe
Goode, David McCauley, and Derrick Minter, rehearsal director of Ailey II. Evans has danced for over 14
years in jazz, modern, hip hop, and praise dance. Her choreography has appeared at Merce
Cunningham and Joyce Soho in New York City, Madrid Theater in Los Angeles, Laney College, UC
Berkeley’s Dance Department, C.O.L.O.R Danz, JAMZ dance videos, music videos, and several National
Dance Competitions. Evans has been teaching hip hop, modern/jazz, and praise dance for studios in the
Bay Area for over 10 years. Evans was also part of the staff for the Alvin Ailey dance camp at UC
Berkeley.
One of her plans is to do a community outreach programs using the dynamics of dance and psychology.
Evans’ biggest goal is diversifying the dance community. Her work such as (Evening of Soulful Modern
Jazz {2005}, Testimony {2006}, Speak {2007}, To Evolve and Stay Young {2009}, More Than {2010}
explored the challenges and empowerment of spirituality, women gender roles, strength of sisterhood,
domestic abuse and the power of freedom. Her intent behind her work is to highlight and comment on
the social discourse that individuals face in their relationships, spirituality, and society. Evans strides to
invite the audience into the stories of social discourse by connecting with their mind, emotions and soul.
LORAN TOLBERT
Loran Tolbert has received formal dance training in ballet, tap, modern and hip-hop beginning at age
six in her hometown of Los Angeles. She attended Florida State University to pursue a B.S. in
Communication Disorders and immediately moved to San Francisco to obtain a M.S. in order to work
as a licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She began dancing again in 2006 with Antoine Hunter’s
Urban Jazz Dance Company. She actively leads and choreographs for her church praise dance
ministry at Covenant Worship Center in Berkeley. She is also a co-coordinator for the Bay Area
Praise Dance Festival and Conference. This is Loran's third season with the company. She plans to
dance the rest of her life.
six in her hometown of Los Angeles. She attended Florida State University to pursue a B.S. in
Communication Disorders and immediately moved to San Francisco to obtain a M.S. in order to work
as a licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She began dancing again in 2006 with Antoine Hunter’s
Urban Jazz Dance Company. She actively leads and choreographs for her church praise dance
ministry at Covenant Worship Center in Berkeley. She is also a co-coordinator for the Bay Area
Praise Dance Festival and Conference. This is Loran's third season with the company. She plans to
dance the rest of her life.
ERIK LEE
Erik Lee is a bay area native from Oakland who began as a self taught hip hop dancer. He received
his BA in art and dance & performance studies from the University of California, Berkeley. During his
study of dance, Erik trained predominately in Cunningham, and release technique, but also engaged
in capoiera. Simultaneously, Erik was artistic director and choreographer for two student hip hop
dance groups Dance Junta and C.O.L.O.R. Danz, a group which Tecsia Evans founded during her
undergraduate study at UC Berkeley. Erik also has just completed his first year of ministry as a
liturgical worshipper/ praise dance minister at Covenant Worship Center, where he operates as an
instuctor, choreographer and dancer. This will be Erik's first year with the company as an apprentice.
his BA in art and dance & performance studies from the University of California, Berkeley. During his
study of dance, Erik trained predominately in Cunningham, and release technique, but also engaged
in capoiera. Simultaneously, Erik was artistic director and choreographer for two student hip hop
dance groups Dance Junta and C.O.L.O.R. Danz, a group which Tecsia Evans founded during her
undergraduate study at UC Berkeley. Erik also has just completed his first year of ministry as a
liturgical worshipper/ praise dance minister at Covenant Worship Center, where he operates as an
instuctor, choreographer and dancer. This will be Erik's first year with the company as an apprentice.
NOAH JAMES
Tiana was born and raised in Southern California and has received dance training in ballet, tap, and
jazz since age 10. She attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a BA in
Theatre. While there, Tiana danced with the USC Repertory Dance Company, a hip-hop team (USC
Fly Girls), and co-founded a praise dance group (Anointed Vessels of Praise). After graduating,
Tiana moved to the Bay Area where she works as a behavioral coach for emotionally-disturbed youth,
has danced with Tania Santiago’s Afro-Brazilian company, Aguas da Bahia, and is currently the Co-
Artistic Director of Covenant Worship Center’s Worship in Arts Ministry in Berkeley. She also co-
coordinates the Bay Area Praise Dance Festival and is the children's director for the Bay Area Praise
Dance Conference.
jazz since age 10. She attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a BA in
Theatre. While there, Tiana danced with the USC Repertory Dance Company, a hip-hop team (USC
Fly Girls), and co-founded a praise dance group (Anointed Vessels of Praise). After graduating,
Tiana moved to the Bay Area where she works as a behavioral coach for emotionally-disturbed youth,
has danced with Tania Santiago’s Afro-Brazilian company, Aguas da Bahia, and is currently the Co-
Artistic Director of Covenant Worship Center’s Worship in Arts Ministry in Berkeley. She also co-
coordinates the Bay Area Praise Dance Festival and is the children's director for the Bay Area Praise
Dance Conference.
Noah James was born and raised in the Bay Area and has been dancing since eight years old. While
studying at California State University East Bay, he was fortunate to perform at the Kennedy Center
as part of the production "Tongues" directed by Eric Kupers. Noah has studied under amazing artist
such as Erik Kupers, Nina Haft, Antoine Hunter, Robert Henry Johnson, and Michael Velez. He has
been teaching dance for seven years and is currently the Artistic Co-Director at Covenant Worship
Center. This will be Noah's first year with the company as an apprentice.
studying at California State University East Bay, he was fortunate to perform at the Kennedy Center
as part of the production "Tongues" directed by Eric Kupers. Noah has studied under amazing artist
such as Erik Kupers, Nina Haft, Antoine Hunter, Robert Henry Johnson, and Michael Velez. He has
been teaching dance for seven years and is currently the Artistic Co-Director at Covenant Worship
Center. This will be Noah's first year with the company as an apprentice.
| | | | | | | |
TIANA JONES-BEY
ADVISORY BOARD & PRODUCTION
Dwight Evans, Co-Owner and Advisory Board
Mary Ross, Advisory Board
Tammy Bailey, Advisory Board
M.J. Bogatin, Advisory Board
Amelia Berumen, Costume Designer
Mary Ross, Advisory Board
Tammy Bailey, Advisory Board
M.J. Bogatin, Advisory Board
Amelia Berumen, Costume Designer
