Company Artists
KALIE MCLAUGHLIN
Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Kalie McLaughlin grew up in a performing arts family. She began dancing at the age of two and grew up performing at her family’s dance studio. In 2014, Kalie graduated from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts with an Advanced Honors Diploma. During her time at LVA, Jeneane Gallo-Huggins was her biggest supporter and inspiration. After high school, she was accepted into the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ dance department with a full ride scholarship and graduated four and a half years later with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Performance and Choreography, and a Pilates minor. Kalie was also presented the Certificate of Excellence Award in 2019, given to only one Fine Arts senior every year. During this time, she was a high-level collegiate and amateur Latin ballroom dancer and competed and performed around Las Vegas with her ballroom partner, at the time, Gary Knox-Derry.
During her time at UNLV, she traveled in and out of the country to teach Pilates and children dance. She loves traveling and was blessed to visit four different countries during her time with the UNLV dance department. Kalie was chosen to study abroad for a semester in Seoul, South Korea in the fall of 2016 and studied ballet, modern, and traditional Korean dance with the Korea National Sports University dance department. Currently, Kalie lives in Las Vegas, Nevada working in the community as an elementary school teacher, teaching kids dance, working in the physical therapy department with Pilates, and is a single mom! After her long break from dance to have her baby, she is excited and blessed to have the amazing opportunity to dance with Contemporary West Dance Theatre.
JP O’DONNELL
John Paul (JP) O’Donnell, a Kansas City native, began his dance training at Miller Marley School of Dance under direction of Tara Wells, and Christopher Barksdale. He went on to receive a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the esteemed University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Dance. It was there that JP had the opportunity to collaborate with such artists as Christopher Huggins, Kevin Iega Jeff, Ronald Tice, Gary Abbott and Dee Anna Hiett, who had a huge role in shaping his career. During his time at university (2017-2021) JP performed at the prestigious Kauffman Performing Arts Center (“Crescendo”), Starlight Theatre (“Grease”), Cedar Fair (“Grand Carnivale”) Modern Night At The Folly (Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company) and with Whidbey Island Dance Theatre (“The Nutcracker”).
JP joined Contemporary West Dance Theatre in 2021, and since then has been honored to perform repertoire by some of the greatest including Alvin Ailey (“Night Creature”) Donald Byrd (“Shards”) Milton Myers (“Ebony Concerto”) and Founder/Artistic Director Bernard Gaddis. JP looks forward to his role as Company Manager as well as the future of the company.
Bethany Kendrick
Originally from Fredericksburg, Texas, Bethany graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) with her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance, in addition to a Pilates Teacher Certificate. Bethany’s early training was with Fredericksburg Dance Company and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston Texas. She has attended summer intensives with Ballet Austin, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, and Bruce Wood Dance. Performance highlights in the TCU SCCDance include works by Nina Martin, Susan Douglas Roberts, and guest artists Lalitaraja, José Limón (restaged by Natalie Desch), KT Nelson, Bernard H. Gaddis, Jamila Glass and William Isaac. Bethany performed principal role of “Commandant” in Dr. Suki John’s Sh’ma feature-length dance film. Bethany joined Contemporary West Dance Theatre in their 2023-2024 season.
Viola Taylor
Viola Taylor received her B.F.A. from The University of the Arts in 2023. She is a New Jersey native who began dancing at an early age with her parents, both of whom are currently dance teachers. She started training at Halliday Dance of Pennsauken, New Jersey. Viola grew to love dance immensely and became a principal dancer with IMAGINE…Dance Theater. She has trained extensively and performed for great institutions such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, PHILADANCO! , Pennsylvania Ballet, Washington Dance Institute and Anthony Burrell Breaking Barriers, to name a few. She dances African, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Praise, Afro-Cuban and many other dance forms. She also attended Eleone Dance Theater of Philadelphia where she danced for two years with Eleone Dance Unlimited and with the second company Eleone Connections. Viola has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC for the 25th annual International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference, in Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colorado and in Los Angeles, California with IMAGINE… Dance Theater at IABD as well. She is a four time state and national dance medalist for NAACP ACT-SO COMPETITION where she has performed and served as a Dance assistant. Viola was awarded a Gold Medal at the ACT-SO National Competition in Traditional Dance in 2016 a bronze medal for Modern dance in the 2017 competition, a gold medal for Modern in the 2018 competition and a gold for Modern dance in 2019. This is Viola’s first season with Contemporary West Dance Theatre.
Ciera René Thorne
Ciera René Thorne, is a native of Washington, DC and Maryland. Although she began dance classes at a very young age, it was at the age of 9 when she became determined to become a Professional Dancer after seeing the Lion King on Broadway. Ciera trained at Divine Dance Institute and Dance Dimensions, in Maryland, in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, African and Modern disciplines. Ciera went on to attend the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts High School in Washington, DC, while simultaneously dancing in the Katherine Smith Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Afterwards, she attended Temple University Boyer College of Dance in Philadelphia, where she graduated with a BFA in Dance and an AA in Africology. While attending Temple University, Ciera danced with Philadanco II! and later, with Creative Reaction Hip-Hop Company.
Throughout the years, Ciera attended Dance Intensives at Divine Dance Institute, Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Philadanco!, Eleone Dance Theatre, The Greater Allen Cathedral Worship Conference and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater for further training. Furthermore, she has attended International Association of Blacks in Dance Conferences in Washington, DC, Dayton, OH, Denver, CO, Philadelphia, PA and Toronto Canada. Ciera has danced in Projects by Christopher Huggins, Kevin Iega Jeff, Joe Gonzalez and Productions by Bill T. Jones, Sue Samuels, Jamel Gaines, and Donald T. Lunsford.
Ciera moved to New York in 2021 to begin her Professional Dance career. While in New York, she was a member of Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn and TORCH Dance Theatre, as well as an Intern/Understudy in Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre Ballet Company and guest artist in Jo-Mé Dance of Boston. Highlights during her time in NY were performing at “New Year’s Eve at Times Square” brining in 2023 which was televised; and, she felt honored to perform at the illustrious Carnegie Hall. Ciera is very family oriented, spiritual and adventurous. She has been a member of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Maryland most of her life, and a dancer/choreographer in Praise in Motion Liturgical Dance Ministry there. She attributes her faith to be the source that leads and guides her in life and her career. Ciera is extremely excited to begin a new adventure on the West Coast, dancing with Contemporary West Dance Theatre in their 2023-2024 Season.
Mayra Munoz
Mayra Munoz is a native of Las Vegas, this is her first season with Contemporary West Dance Theatre. Munoz is trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance from the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. There, she performed alongside NBT’s company dancers in numerous ballets and with Cirque du Soleil artists in A Choreographer’s Showcase. She attended and graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2022 with her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. During her time at the University she worked with choreographers Cathy Allen, Louis Kavouras, Dolly Kelepcz, Ari Mayzick, Christopher Huggins.
Nalyanie (Nani) Albarran
Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Nalyanie (Nani) Albarran began dancing at the age of 11 attended in the magnet performing arts schools in the valley (Gilbert, K.O. Knudson, and Las Vegas Academy). She has received her B.F.A in Dance from Point Park University where her most notable credits include works by Edwaard Liang, Christopher Wheeldon, Martha Graham, Daniel Karasik, Susan Stowe and Jay Kirk. Her extensive training in ballet include the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Point Park University’s international dance summer program, as well as, private training with Monique Meunier. She is currently a certified Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor. Nani is looking forward to working with Contemporary west dance theatre.
Ryan McCann
Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Ryan McCann began his dance training at Wilmington Dance Academy and Northeast School of Ballet. In 2020, he enrolled at The Conservatory at Northeast School of Ballet and had the opportunity to perform many ballets and contemporary works with Northeast Youth Ballet, as well as performing in The Urban Nutcracker with City Ballet of Boston. In 2023-2024 he attended the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he performed a variety of works such as: José Limón’s “Chaconne”, restaged by Kurt douglas; Dan Wagoner’s “Plod”, reconstructed by Randy James and Gwyneth Jones; and “help you. help me.” by Kevin Lau. In 2024 he danced with BalletX at their summer intensive. Ryan is excited for his first season with Contemporary West Dance Theatre!
Baili Goer
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Baili Goer began her dance training at the age of five at the Dallas Black Dance Academy, under the guidance of founder Ann Williams. During her time at the academy, Baili performed with various ensembles, including the Allegro Performing Ensemble, Senior Performing Ensemble, and Junior Performing Ensemble. She also trained at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she received a comprehensive dance and academic education.
After graduating in 2020, Baili went on to study dance at Point Park University under the direction of Garfield Lemonius. After two years, she transitioned to the prestigious Ailey/Fordham BFA Program. During her time at The Ailey School, Baili had the opportunity to perform in Hope Boykin’s “Chasing the Spirit” with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and the Junior Division at the Ailey Spirit Gala. In her senior year, she was honored to perform in Hope Boykin’s “Manifesting Legacy” at The 92nd Street Y in New York, celebrating 150 years of contemporary dance.
Additionally, Baili was selected to present her senior choreography piece, “Four Women,” at the Ailey/Fordham BFA Benefit Concert and at the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Black History Month celebration. She proudly graduated Cum Laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program and remains forever grateful for the unwavering support of her family, friends, and dance instructors throughout her journey. This is Baili’s first season with Contemporary West Dance Theatre.
Malcolm Burton
Malcolm Burton was born in New York City, New York but spent his childhood growing up on the island of Jamaica. Moving back to the States in 2013, He found his love for dance in the church where he was founded by his first dance school Elevé Dave Theater. Under the direction of Diedre Sears, he trained in modern, jazz, african, contemporary and ballet. He later attended the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in 2014 to further his dance foundation until he graduated in 2018. He also attended the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley under the teaching of Karen Kroninger Knerr where he performed lead and soloist roles in ballets like the Nutcracker, Firebird, Pictures of an Exhibition, Midsummer Nights Dream and Carnivale. He was then accepted to Butler University dance program on a partial scholarship.
In college, Malcolm Burton enhanced his ballet foundation while performing soloist and corp roles in the Nutcracker, Raisin in the Milk (Ramon Flowers), Sleeping Beauty, Church Song (Susan McGuire) and Giselle. While studying at Butler, he also performed guesting gigs at local studios like Expressenz Dance Center and Butler Community Arts School. After leaving Butler in 2022, he went on to do freelance dance and teaching gigs throughout NYC, PA and TX. He is excited to join Contemporary West Dance Theatre for his first season.
Jontel McKay
Jontel McKay is originally from St.Matthews, South Carolina. He attended High school at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, South Carolina. He graduated from The University of Missouri Kansas-City getting his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance Performance . Jontel has been dancing for 5 years and so far he has worked with renowned guest artist including Ray Mercer (Residential Choreographer for Alvin Ailey – Fordham BFA program) , Jae Man Joo (Complexions Dance Company ), Nicole Clark Springer (Artistic Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Company), Alonzo King (Artistic Director of LINES Ballet) , Garth Fagan (Founder of Garth Fagan Dance Company).
Rhapsody Taylor
Company Apprentice
Rhapsody Taylor, a New Jersey and Philadelphia native who began dancing at an early age with her parents, both whom are currently dance teachers. At 7 years old, Rhapsody was determined to take her first dance class with her mother taught by the legendary Katherine Dunham herself, which inspired her to continue the legacy and pursue her professional career in dance. She began training at Halliday Dance and was a principal dancer for IMAGINE… Dance Theatre in New Jersey. Her passion for dance led her to perform and train with various companies, conferences, and summer intensives such as, The International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Deeply Rooted, Joffrey Jazz Intensive, Eleone Dance Theater, and Philadanco’s Second company D2.
She received a BFA at The University of the Arts for Dance in 2020 and was awarded by their dance department the Elizabeth Pulaski Scholarship Award with high honors, Summa Cum Laude. Rhapsody has performed in works by Kim Bears Bailey, Wayne St David, Milton Myers, Robert Battle, Mark Morris, Kyle and Dinita Clark, Kevin Iega Jeff and Sidra Bell to name a few.
In 2021, Rhapsody began her professional dance career as a company member with
Forces of Nature Dance Theater under the direction of Baba Abdel Salaam. She was part of many performances including the Cathedral of St John the Divine, The Apollo, The Watergate in Washington DC, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Dance Africa in New York. She moved to Los Angeles California for commercial dance and has trained under Kiira Harper, Aaliyah Janell, JR Taylor to name a few, and has booked dancing in Dj Megan Ryte’s music video “Fly”, MACY’S Christmas Special, Music Soundtrack, Burju Spring Heels Collection, and was a dance lead for PEPSI with Shaquille O’Neal .
Rhapsody is extremely grateful to dance with Benard Gaddis Contemporary West Dance Theatre and is excited to experience all the blessings God has in store for her on this new journey.
