Rachel Nace began her study of dance in 1982. She danced for 11 years in pre-professional companies and danced professionally for one year. Rachel has studied with many companies and teachers throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. Rachel has taught dance to persons age 3 – adult since 1991 and has taught dance at Harcum College. She served as Ballet Mistress for Greater York Youth Ballet and has guest taught and choreographed at regional ballet companies. She completed master teacher John White’s Teaching Program in July of 2003. Ms. Rachel is the Director of the Dance Program at Inspiration to Movement, Inc. She teaches Intermediate and Advanced classes and the Adult Program.
In 2006 Rachel began studying ballroom dancing. In 2009 she moved to Ohio and became an award winning ballroom dancer.
In 2015 Rachel Nace decided to embark on a journey to create a Professional Contemporary Company based in Columbus, OH. Her hope is to raise the awareness and technical proficiency of local dancers and attract dancers from all around the country to perform original Oyo Dance Company works as well as works by nationally known choreographers.
In 2020, Rachel returned to the stage to perform with the Company.
Alexander Cornejo began his career as a dancer in Salvadoran Folk Dance. He has since studied modern, popular, contemporary, and ballet dancing. During his many years as a dancer, he has performed with professional ballet companies in Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Peru, among others. He served as Artistic Director at the Academy of Dance/Hot Feet Dance Studio in El Salvador. He moved to the United States in 2016 and joined Oyo Dance Company as company member in 2019.
Alex currently teaches the children’s dance program at Inspiration To Movement and is choreographing his first big work for the company – Carmina Burana – that will premiere in the 2021 – 2022 season.
Elizabeth Knecht was a freelance artist performing leading roles and choreographer for various Regional ballet companies. She was on scholarship and apprenticed with the Joffrey Ballet NYC. Her training includes private coaching with Cheri Noble of the Pennsylvania Ballet, Dame Margot Fonteyn, and Assaf Messer of the Bolshoi. She was chosen to present her choreographic work for the Northeast Regional Ballet Association. She taught as a ballet instructor/choreographer for the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter school for 9 years and continues to freelance as an instructor and choreographer throughout the region.
Svetlana Bakalov – is one of the top professional Dancesport dancers in the United States and the world. She was a US representative to the world in professional 10-dance championships held in Japan on June 22, 2003. Her titles include 3rd place finalist in the 2003 US professional 10-dance championships, 1999 Ohio Star Ball Professional Rising Star Latin-American Champion, Open Professional Northcoast and Cincinnati Dancesport Champion, etc.
