Marjan Esáa

Yelisabel Villarreal Scott, better known as Marjan Esáa is the founder of The Rhythm of the World Foundation, Inc., as well as the creator and producer of the show since its conception in the year 2011.

Marjan Esáa is a performer, choreographer, and instructor who found her love of dancing at age three in her birthplace of Venezuela.  Her experience with ballet, jazz, modern dance, and a variety of Latin music styles led to regular performances on popular Spanish-language televisions shows such as Sábado Gigante, El Show de Cristina, and Premios Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina while she lived in Miami, Florida. She has called Oklahoma home for over 20 years. She is a member of Candela Latin Dancers from Clips ‘N Hips, and performs and teaches bellydance in Norman. She is also the founder and director of Mystical Hips Dance Troupe.

Her talent and love of belly dancing was showcased when she won 1st runner-up in the prestigious Queen of Raks Sharqi competition (Dallas, 2006) judged by Egyptian dancers and celebrities such as Nagwa Fouad, Dr. Mo Geddawi, and Randa Kamel.

This rich history has significantly influenced the dances that Marjan studies, teaches, and performs.

www.marjandancer.com
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Alexis Luna

Alexis Luna is a student at the University of Oklahoma pursuing a degree in biology on the pre-med track. Alexis was raised in Southside Oklahoma City and has a strong connection to her Hispanic and Mexican roots. She previously served as the Reina Hispana de Oklahoma and Philanthropy Chair for OU’s Hispanic American Student Association. Her passion is singing and bringing her community closer together with culture and love.

To book Alexis for your next corporate event, or party call (810) 877-0113.

Classen SAS School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast is a public Visual and Performing Arts School on the east side of Oklahoma City. The dance department is directed by Erika Vasquez and Cameelah Pennington Cook.

The dance department at Classen SAS at Northeast focuses on classical ballet, western modern, and flamenco forms of dance. Classen SAS at NE is currently ranked Oklahoma's 2nd best high school.

Norahua Folklorico Mexicano

Norahua, means friends in the language of the Tarahumara (indigenous people from northern Mexico). Founded in 1993, the group emphasizes the colorful, exciting, and diverse culture of Mexico.

Artistic director Jaime Fuentes studied Mexican Folkloric dance at Escuela Superior de Danza Folklorico in Chihuahua, Mexico. He is the recipient of numerous awards recognizing his work in the field of classic and folkloric dance, including the “2014 Most Outstanding Hispanic Dance Artist Award” by the Hispanic Arts Council of Oklahoma, the title of “Ambassador of the Mexican culture in Oklahoma” from the Mexican Consulate in Little Rock, he was also recently recognized by the Agencia Latina of Oklahoma for his “Legacy and Community Service”. He has been invited by Universal Studios in California, The University of Chihuahua Mexico and to Perú for a cultural exchange.

Jaime has dedicated his talent and experience to teaching both the technical and historic aspects of folkloric dancing. He motivates and inspires his students to work hard and to express their love for dance in the interpretation of the various dances that are representative of many states in Mexico. He believes that instilling cultural pride through dance is a healthy way to boost self esteem and confidence in our Latino youth.

Norahua brings the dances of Mexico to the public via festivals, special theatre performances, conferences, meetings, and any celebration where the spirit of Mexico can be experienced through an entertaining and inspirational performance. Most recently, Norahua has been invited to an International Festival in Turkey.

For information about classes or performance availability please contact Jaime Fuentes at (405) 204-2938.

HOPE Philippines’ Filipiniana Extravaganza

HOPE Philippines’ Filipiniana Extravaganza is a fairly new dance group that with the objective of preserving and sharing the Phillipino culture in Oklahoma, have sought the mentorship of seasoned performer and director of Clips N Hips, Marti Rickman. Under her mentorship, they are growing and hoping to represent their country and beautiful culture through dance in local festivals and cultural events.

Alana

Alana Chirinos is a 13 year old singer and songwriter. She attends Classen SAS Middle School as a vocal major in the Visual Performing Arts program. She's been writing songs since she was 9 years old. She plays the piano and guitar. You can learn more on instagram @AlanaLuzmila . She sings covers as well as her own material.

For inquiries contact 405-887-5476.

Hurrey-UP Consulting & Performing Arts

Hurrey-UP Consulting & Performing Arts produces performing arts programming with “a cultural slant and two-tablespoons of soul”. We create artistic works that speak beyond language. With our major focus being on youth empowerment through the performing arts, the company produces stage works with culturally infused elements where the audience feels our sense of artistic passion through our performances. We work with extreme diligence to strengthen the awareness of cultural theatre, theatre-in-education, and its positive impact on society and culture.

Under the direction of Ayinde Hurrey, son of The Last Poets’ original percussionist, Raymond “Nilaja” Hurrey, the company produces play productions, films, masterclasses, African dance, and African drumming. HUPC&PA seeks to offer a fully engaging, tangible, hands-on theatrical experience with our audiences. The company’s aim is to continuously lean forward, engage, “and move UP”, in order to use the power of the performing arts to change the world for the better.

Candela and Mini Candela Latin Dancers from Clips 'N Hips

Performer and entrepreneur Marti Rickman leads these groups from her unique hair salon and dance studio, Clips ‘N’ Hips. She has been recognized by both her native country as well as her adopted one. Recognized as an Illustrious Colombian, she was given the title of Colombian Cultural Ambassador in Oklahoma by the Colombian Consulate in Houston. She has also been invited in more than one occasion to be the guest speaker at the New Citizenship Ceremonies in Oklahoma, a huge honor.

Her groups showcase dances not only from her native Colombia, but also from different countries in Latin America. Members of these groups come from a variety of Latin American countries and the U.S, each with different strengths and a wide variety of cultural and artistic backgrounds. They are unified by one common factor: a passion for everything dance.

To book a variety Latin show for your next event, please contact Marti Rickman at (405) 209-4823.

www.clipsnhips.com

Halau Hula 'O Nani

Betty Clymer, known as “Nani” by family and friends, embraced the fine art of Hawaiian hula at the age of 14. She studied hula under several Kumu Hula teachers (hula masters), to include Keli’i Frank Chang and Stephanie Ku’ulei Mahelona. In 2001, under the direction of Kumu Hula Frank Chang, Betty was privileged to have participated at the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition, which is considered the most prestigious hula competition in Hawaii. She continues to perform in many states, primarily in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. To this day, Betty’s love for the hula is evident.

Encouraged by Kumu Hula Stephanie Mahelona, she developed Halau Hula ‘O Nani (school dance of beauty), and shares her hula by offering instructions weekly to children and ladies of all ages. She and her group also offers Hawaiian-Polynesian entertainment for any event, to include weddings, birthdays,  and corporate events. Current members are: Betty Clymer, Adriana Hill, Mahli Hill, Cheryl Jones, Jennifer Schafer, Bethany Broach, Hana Broach, Toby Nelson, Chrichelle Fernandez, Sandra Burdick, Paressa Duwel, Mariah Richardson, Lydgia Jackson, Kate Jackson, Madeline Taomia, Eileen McGuire, and Crystal Palone.

For class schedule information or to book a Hawaiian-Polynesian show for your next event, please contact Betty Clymer at (405) 317-6982 or e-mail betcly@aol.com. e-mail betcly@aol.com.

Central Plains Dance Troupe

The Central Plains Dance Troupe is a Native American Dance Troupe comprised of many different tribes throughout the state of Oklahoma and surrounding areas including Kiowa, Cheyenne, Choctaw, Prairie Band Pottawatomie, Ponca, Tonkawa, Otoe, Pawnee, Chickasaw, Comanche, Sac and Fox, Taino Arawak, and many others. We strive to educate and entertain audiences of all ages throughout the country on the beauty and skill of Native American culture through dance and powwow music. We honor our ancestors by keeping our culture alive and strong in the 21st century. We reflect our culture that has been passed down from generation to generation and share the storytelling and origins of these dance styles. We hope to leave audiences not only entertained but educated on our culture and have an everlasting connection of who we are as Indigenous people.

For bookings contact Cecil Gray at (405) 209-6019.

Mystical Hips Dance Troupe

Mystical Hips - under the direction of Marjan Esáa - is a dance team made up of performers from all walks of life who have found a love for raks sharqi, better known as bellydance. They strive to promote the art of raks sharqi and the Middle Eastern culture it represents. They are an experienced group that frequently performs at fairs, festivals, birthdays, weddings, and cultural events throughout Oklahoma.

Current members are Shayda Omoumi, Jessica Frazier (Meera), Angela Helt (Delmara), Jun Yi (Eva), and Stacey Harris (Nova).

For booking information, contact Marjan at (405) 820-0797
marjandancer@hotmail.com, or visit www.marjandancer.com.

Raíces from Clips 'N Hips

Raíces means roots in Spanish. Members of this group are children whose parents come from different parts of Latin America or the world such as Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Ghana; with some members also from the United States. Marti Rickman, a choreographer and performer with more than 20 years of involvement in the artistic world, created Raíces to teach those children their parents’ cultures through dance. Members include: Camila García, Eva Catalina Wberth Fields, Carmen Elizabeth Wberth Fields, Renatta García, Miranda Aranda, Victor Scott, and Lucas Scott.

Azuquita Cubana

Heather Burns created the group Azuquita Cubana primarily to perform folkloric and modern dances of Cuba, but she and the dancers also enjoy studying dances from other parts of the world as well. Heather is a teaching artist on the Oklahoma Arts Council's Artist Roster. She and her group enjoy performing for events and working with other artists. Contact her at heatherburnspersonal@gmail.com

McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma

The McTeggart School of Irish Dance is Oklahoma’s first accredited school of Irish dance. With over 20 years teaching experience and countless dancers who have competed at the regional, national and world championship level. We offer the highest standard of performances and instruction for traditional Irish step dancing with classes offered in the Oklahoma City area.  We enjoy sharing our love of Irish dance, all while helping to keep Irish culture alive in Oklahoma. With innovative, heart pumping choreography set to both traditional and contemporary Celtic music. Our dancers enjoy performing all over the State. 

For information contact 405-659-0600 or visit the website https://mcteggartokc.org/

Raquel Fabiú Carrasco

Born in Extremadura, Spain, Raquel Fabiú Carrasco was raised in a Gypsy Roma family. Flamenco is in her genes. She studied in Madrid and Barcelona with some of the best flamenco teachers.

She has performed all over the world starting in the Gypsy tablaos in Spain, as well as theaters and night clubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Here in America she has performed in Hollywood and Las Vegas.

Raquel teaches the art of flamenco in Oklahoma City from her own home studio. Contact her to enroll at (405) 359-9430.

Baila OKC Bachata Performance Team

Victor is one of Baila OKC's instructors. He teaches Cumbia and Bachata with both Baila OKC and the University of Oklahoma Latino Club. Dani is the Baila OKC volunteer coordinator and assistant to the Baila OKC staff. Both Victor and Daniela are also Iroko OKC salsa students with past experiences in dancing with other groups in Oklahoma. They are always taking classes and workshops to improve their craft. 

Okie Skye Highland Dance

Okie Skye Highland Dance is committed to learning and sharing Scottish Highland Dance in Oklahoma. Diverse in ages, backgrounds, and hometowns, Okie Skye practices weekly in Oklahoma City under the direction of Elizabeth Kabrick. Okie Skye enjoys performing at events around the state such as Highland Games, Celtic Gatherings, and Multicultural Showcases, as well as private events. Mrs. Kabrick has been dancing for over 50 years, beginning her Scottish Highland training at The Lawrence School of Dance under the direction of Betty Lawrence, her teacher and mentor for well over 20 years. In addition to numerous US cities, Mrs. Kabrick has trained, performed, and competed in Scotland, Australia, and Canada. Highlights from her competitive years include performing in Glasgow’s Lord Provost Procession, competing in the Sydney Opera House, and qualifying for the US Highland Championships three times.

For more information or to try a class, please contact Elizabeth Kabrick okieskyeshd@gmail.com