The Company
Meet The Movement Artists of Komansé Dance Theater
Jaiva Crawford
Jaiva Crawford is a Creative Entrepreneur and Atlanta native with a deep-rooted passion for dance and the arts. She began her training at the Conservatory of Dance and Fine Arts in Decatur, GA, studying Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, African, and more. She earned a B.A. in Dance with a Modern concentration and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Kennesaw State University under the guidance of Dr. Ivan Pulinkala and esteemed faculty. After working seven years as a paralegal in top Georgia firms with aspirations in Entertainment Law, she returned to her first love—dance. Jaiva has performed with companies including Princess Cruise Lines, Komansé Dance Theater, Dominion Entertainment, Axam Dance Theatre Experience, Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, and CityDance Collective. Passionate about giving back, she teaches at studios across metro Atlanta and leads classes for organizations like The Boys and Girls Club, JFly’s How Big Is Your Dream Camp, and local performing arts schools. Jaiva continues to explore new avenues to grow as a dancer, educator, and choreographer.
Lauren Oblitey
Lauren Oblitey is a performance artist and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. Beginning her pre-professional training at Gotta Dance Atlanta under CiCi Kelley, she has studied all styles of dance with a focus on modern and contemporary since age 9. She’s trained with prestigious programs like Alvin Ailey and Perry Mansfield, and studied abroad in Amsterdam at Henny Jurriëns Studio and ICK Dans Amsterdam. A former member of SOMOS Dance Company, Lauren holds a B.A. in Modern Dance from Kennesaw State University. Her creative work spans film, AI collaboration, site-specific improvisation, and stage performance, all driven by a love for free movement and the influence of natural elements.
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones, a 25-year-old Texas Southern University graduate from Opelousas, Louisiana, discovered his passion for the arts early but began formal dance training in his senior year of college. Guided by Sheila Milner at Official Dance Zone, he was introduced to ballet and commercial dance. After graduating in 2021, Chris moved to Atlanta to train under ballet master Levon “Mr. C” Campbell and has since immersed himself in a range of styles including hip-hop, Horton, jazz, and contemporary as he continues to grow as a versatile performer.
Ashleigh Armstrong
Ashleigh Armstrong, a 27-year-old Macon, Georgia native, found her passion for dance in middle school, inspired by her father’s legacy as a musician, promoter, and philanthropist. After rigorous training in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary under mentor Jacqueline Lockhart, she pursued her dream at Spelman College, becoming the first woman to graduate with a B.A. in Dance Performance & Choreography. Since then, Ashleigh has performed in tours, award shows, and music videos, with a notable appearance in the 2023 film The Color Purple. A creative visionary, she aims to use dance as a gateway to modeling, acting, and global artistic exploration.
Eryn Cade
Eryn Cade, a native of Fairfield, Alabama, is an interdisciplinary dance artist, choreographer, and educator. An alumna of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, she holds both BFA and MFA degrees in Dance from the University of Alabama. Her award-winning research examines the hyper-sexualization of the Black female body in dance. Eryn has performed internationally, representing Jellybean Dance Collective in France, and worked with notable companies like Urban Bush Women and Southern Dance Works. She’s performed alongside artists including Tony! Toni! Toné!, Bootsy Collins, and Sheila E. at the 2022 World Games. Currently, she dances with Komansé Dance Theater and teaches ballet, modern, hip-hop, and West African at Alabama State University. Eryn’s work integrates faith, cultural identity, and social commentary, aiming to empower through dance and celebrate unapologetic Blackness.
Kamaria Blocker
Kamaria began her dance training at a young age in various Atlanta studios and trained with Price Performing Arts Center from 2007–2011, competing nationally. She later attended Kennesaw State University, where she danced with the university's company during the 2014–2015 season and earned a B.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in International Business, Economics, and Policy, along with a minor in Dance. Kamaria joined Komansé Dance Theatre in 2018 and has since performed in productions like Skid and Skid: Revisited. Her training includes Xcel Studios Adult Program, Jeremy Green’s Behind the Movement (Season 9), Sakinah LeStage’s mentorship program, and Haus of London. Outside the studio, Kamaria enjoys traveling, styling clothes, and exploring new cuisines, always bringing her creativity and curiosity into everything she does.
Chealsea Stevens
Chealsea Stevens is a dynamic and versatile dancer specializing in hip hop, jazz, contemporary, modern, and musical theatre. She has performed alongside artists such as Queen Naija, Bobby Wilson, and Sunshine Anderson, and with companies like Norwegian Cruise Line and Carowinds Theme Park. Her training began at Nulook Dance Theatre and continued as a Theatre major at Florida A&M University. Chealsea is currently a company member of Komansé Dance Theatre, where she continues to expand her artistry. In addition to performing, she is a passionate choreographer and educator, serving as the choreographer for spring musicals at several Douglas County high schools. She also teaches with Artportunity Knocks, an after-school program, helping students discover their voice through dance. Chealsea’s work reflects a commitment to movement, mentorship, and creative expression that inspires both audiences and aspiring dancers.
Lenataa Goka
Lenataa S. Goka is an Atlanta native with proud roots in Rivers State, Nigeria. A 2016 graduate of Georgia State University, she exemplifies the modern creative professional through her dynamic work in dance and the arts. Trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, West African, and Afrofusion, Lenataa has studied with renowned institutions including Atlanta Ballet, Gibney Dance, GALLIM, and the Anthony Burrell Center for Dance. Her performance credits include work with Kanye West, Yemi Alade, Sho Madjozi, Asake, and Fireboy DML. She has also starred as a Principal Dancer in Komanse Dance Theatre, the Step Up TV series, and the 2023 musical film The Color Purple. Outside of performance, Lenataa tutors grade school students and leads her creative business, TNL Vision Creatives, aiming to uplift her community through art and education.
Andries Payne
Andries Payne is a teacher, dancer, and choreographer in Atlanta. He is currently a company member in Komanse Dance Theatre, an emerging modern/contemporary company in the city.
Although born in Sacramento, California, he considers Atlanta his hometown. He has worked with companies such as Kennesaw State Dance Company, AREA Dance Company, and Gotta Dance Contemporary where he studied ballet, modern,contemporary, and jazz. His favorite two genres of dance are ballet and ballroom.
Anesia Sandifer
Anesia Sandifer is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Augusta, Georgia. She earned a BBA in Finance with a minor in Dance from the University of Georgia and received a full scholarship to the Debbie Allen Summer Intensive, performing on ESPN for the Special Olympics World Games. Anesia later joined Step Afrika!, performing Off-Broadway and touring over 25 countries as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador. Her work is featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and she has appeared on BET, MTV, CNN, Oxygen, and Netflix. As a choreographer, her work has been showcased at the Kennedy Center, Peabody Dance Festival, and Northwest African American Museum. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Anesia uses dance to heal, inspire, and unite communities.
Nyisa Casado
Nyisa Elia Casado, born in Liberty City, Miami, FL, is an Afro-Latina artist of African American and Cuban descent. She holds a BFA in Dance & Choreography from Alabama State University (Summa Cum Laude) and an AA from Miami Dade College. Her training includes Young’s Contemporary Dance Theatre, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Anthony Burrell’s Center for Dance. She has danced with Jubilation Dance Ensemble, City Gate Dance Theatre, and Komansé Dance Theatre. A former Sensational Stingette at ASU, Nyisa transitioned into commercial dance with credits including BET’s Soul Train, Real Housewives of Atlanta, the R&B Experience Tour with Xscape, and A Jazzman’s Blues choreographed by Debbie Allen.
Jordan Cowan
Jordan Cowan, born in Birmingham, AL and raised in Jacksonville, FL, discovered his passion for dance in grade school through his school’s hip-hop team, which evolved into a performing crew across Florida. He pursued formal training at Alabama State University, earning a BFA in Dance in 2019. That same year, he joined the renowned Garth Fagan Dance Company, where he performed until 2021. Now based in Atlanta, Jordan is a company member with Komansé Dance Theater under the direction of Raianna Brown. He remains deeply grateful for the continued support of his family and friends and is passionate about inspiring others to embrace their individuality and let their light shine to the fullest.
Hannah Morrison
Hannah Morrison (she/they) is a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and educator originally trained at Dance Arts Centre in Suwanee, GA under Jeff Boss and Jamie Wardop. After graduating from AMDA’s Dance Theatre program in NYC, she performed regionally in A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, and Beauty and the Beast. Since returning to Atlanta, Hannah has worked commercially through XCEL Talent, appearing in the 2024 VMAs (Katy Perry), The Staircase, Megalopolis, and the SCAD Fashion Show. She’s also danced in and choreographed for Rachel Truitt’s ADMIX Project and Brady Michael’s RISK. Currently, she performs with Komansé Dance Theatre and teaches at DANCE LAB. With multiple choreography and national competition awards, Hannah is passionate about inspiring the next generation to be bold, creative, and confident artists.
Jay Roddy
Jarrod, 22, is a Metro-Atlanta native who began his dance journey at age nine with a summer hip-hop class at Georgia Dance Conservatory. He later joined Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre (GMDT), training in classical ballet, partnering, and contemporary dance. There, he discovered his love for performing and choreography, creating works for Marietta High School’s Theatre Department and GMDT’s Dancing with the Stars of Marietta. Jarrod continued his training at The Nutmeg Conservatory, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he performed in works by Robert Battle, Merce Cunningham, and Shen Wei. Throughout his career, he’s worked with renowned artists including Juel D. Lane, Grady Bowman, Dwana Smallwood, and Charmaine Hunter. With a strong foundation in both performance and choreography, Jarrod brings passion, versatility, and storytelling to every stage he steps on.
Rianna Wallace
Rianna Wallace is a South Florida–born emerging artist with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Photography from Brenau University. She has performed works by guest artists such as Owen Scarlett, Julio Medina, Xavier Lewis, Jennifer Archibald, and Dubois A’keen. In Atlanta, she appeared in the “Fall 4 Fall” festival and taught Hip Hop and Jazz with “Hip-Hop All-Starz.” A multi-disciplinary creative, Rianna’s passion for photography and digital art led to her work being featured in two exhibitions at Atlanta’s High Museum. She also runs a photography brand, “PicBy.Ri,” where she fuses dance and visual storytelling. Rianna is committed to evolving as a performer, choreographer, and visual artist, continuously exploring new ways to merge movement and imagery in her artistic practice.
Katelyn Draper
Katelynn Draper is a dedicated dancer, improviser, educator, and performer with over a decade of experience mentoring young artists and enriching the dance community. A Florida native, she earned her BFA from the University of Florida, graduating Summa Cum Laude, with additional training at New World School of the Arts and Jacob’s Pillow. Katelynn has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Judith Jamison, Kyle Abraham, Bill T. Jones, and Rennie Harris. Her career includes appearances in the Orange Bowl Halftime Show with Ciara, halftime shows with the Miami Heat, and MTV’s The Seven. In Miami, she danced with Peter London Global Dance Company and New World Dance Ensemble. She also performed with several NYC-based companies and recently at the “Disrupt Industry Screenwriting Conference” in Portugal. Honored with multiple choreography and performance awards, Katelynn is passionate about inspiring others through dance and is excited to continue her journey with Komansé Dance Theater in Atlanta.
Tony DeBerry
Tony DeBerry is a teacher, dancer, and choreographer who currently serves as Resident Choreographer for Komansé Dance Theater. A Bowling Green State University graduate with a B.S. in Education (Dance focus), Tony has over a decade of experience in jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and heels. He’s worked with artists like Xscape, SWV, Kanye West, Todrick Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Jill Scott, and appeared in musicals like Chicago, Dreamgirls, and West Side Story. His TV/film credits include P-Valley, Genius: Aretha, With This Ring, and The Piano Lesson. Notably, he choreographed for NY Fashion Week in 2022. He’s danced with renowned companies such as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and Verb Ballet. As head of the Dance and Theatre Department at Summerour Middle School and founder of Fundamentals Dance Intensive, Tony is committed to uplifting underprivileged communities through the arts.
Anyssa Tucker
Anyssa Tucker is a versatile dancer from Lakeland, FL, who began her training at Barbara's Centre for Dance and continued at Lois Cowles Harrison School for the Arts and Orlando Ballet School. She earned her BFA in Dance from Florida State University in 2020 and further honed her craft through programs with San Francisco Conservatory of Arts, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Anyssa joined Komansé Dance Theater in 2022 and has since performed in multiple dance films and live productions, including works for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Now in her third season with Komansé, she continues to grow as a performer and is passionate about using dance as a means of expression, storytelling, and impact.
Toryn Hammond
Hi everyone, I’m Tori Hammond! I’m 23 years old and hold a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in modern dance from Kennesaw State University. I’ve had the honor of performing with the Atlanta Hawks Dancers, Atlanta Dance Connection, and touring twice with Drumline Live. I’m thrilled to continue my journey with Komansé Dance Theater, where I can share my passion for storytelling and movement with this incredible company!!
Sakinah Bennett
Sakinah Bennett, a 25-year-old native of Douglasville, Georgia, began dancing at age 5 at A.D. West Dance Company, training in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, and contemporary. In 2012, she attended the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Summer Intensive, later continuing her training at Southern Dance Precision. She was accepted into the Fine Arts Magnet Education Program at New Manchester High School, graduating in 2017 with a dance major and theater minor. During high school, she joined Axam Dance Theatre Experience, where she remains an associate member. In 2019, she received a scholarship to Ronald K. Brown’s Evidence Summer Intensive. Sakinah earned a degree from Bard College on a full scholarship from the Posse Foundation, studying dance and historical studies with a concentration in Africana Studies. She is also the co-founder of Sister to Sister, a mentorship program for young women of color in the arts. Her performance credits include the Atlanta Opera (2024), Yung Bleu/Lil Wayne, Tasha Cobbs, Dominion Entertainment’s Black Nativity, and Bobby Brown. Sakinah is also a professional model and the founder of the branding agency Simple Solutions. She is currently balancing her artistic career with life as a new mom and wife to Munir Zakee.