JEFFERSON
DANCERS
GUEST COREOGRAPHERS
Alicia Anthony
Alicia is an aerial dance instructor, coach, performer, and choreographer based in Portland, Oregon. She developed her skills as a studio dancer and competed while studying at the University of Oregon. Later, she began training as a circus artist. You can often see her performing with A-WOL Dance Collective, Rose City Circus, and March Fourth Marching Band.
Alicia has launched several aerial dance training programs in the Pacific Northwest and is co-artistic director of A-WOL Dance. She also owns Aerial Dance PDX, a studio dedicated to young aerialists. Her true passion lies in creating choreography and collaborating creatively with dancers.
Julie Hoel Barnes
Julie began her journey in dance and gymnastics at the age of six in the Chicago area. She minored in modern dance at both the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College. After moving to Portland, she discovered a passion for aerial movement. Julie has performed with Pendulum Aerial Dance Theatre and Polaris Dance, and she co-founded and performed with the A-WOL Dance Collective. Currently, she serves as a board member of A-WOL and works as a school psychologist at Jefferson. This year, she has been excited to explore aerial work with the Jefferson Dancers!
Sara Martins
Sara Mishler Martins is a choreographer, dance educator, and performer who was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. As a JD alumna, Sara credits her passion for dance and her versatility, in large part, to the many exceptional teachers and choreographers she worked with at Jefferson High School. Martins earned her BA in Dance from UCLA, then worked as a freelance performer and choreographer in L.A., and served as the Associate Director of Dance at the prestigious Buckley School. In the Portland area, Martins’ theatre choreography has garnered critical praise, as well as multiple nominations and awards for Outstanding Choreography. Sara also serves as the choreographer for the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus and their dance group, The Locomotions. She has taught numerous dance styles at Northwest Academy, NW Dance Project, Polaris Dance Theatre, and is currently the Director of Dance at da Vinci Arts Middle School. Martins is thrilled to return as a choreographer with the Jefferson Dancers this year; she would like to thank Steve for the invitation, and her husband Fernando, and twins, Ava and Alex, for their love and support.
Jonte Moaning
A multitalented maestro of song, dance, and creativity, Jonté is entertainment personified!
Hailing from Portland, Oreogon, Jonté began training at The Oregon Ballet Theater School, before attending Jefferson High School. There, he became a member of the nationally acclaimed dance group, The Jefferson Dancers. He was distinguished as one of the youngest members in the history of The Northwest African American Ballet, which afforded him the opportunity to travel the world.
Upon moving to New York, Jonté trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, while auditioning relentlessly. In 2004, he landed his first professional role, dancing alongside music royalty, Janet Jackson, at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.
Jonté has worked with a myriad of international artists as both a dancer, and choreographer. He danced, choreographed, and served as Artistic Director on the Beyoncé Experience Tour, and choreographed performances for the 2008 Grammy Awards for both Beyoncé and Tina Turner. He has also danced alongside Bette Midler, Mya, and Toni Basil, and many others.
Jonté has participated in musical collaborations with Cassie, Ty Cheng, Shomari Wilson, and Tonex. He can be seen in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too, on America’s Next Top Model, and BET’s 106 & Park. He is contracted by Surge Models, can be seen in campaign commercials for Ice Breaker, Hello Kitty, Swatch, and Adidas, and holds several choreography credits for K- Pop Stars, such as The Wonder Girls, JYP, and Tara.
Michael Munday
Michael Munday is a Dancer/Choreographer currently in Los Angeles, CA with 16 years of professional experience. He is an alumni of The Jefferson Dancers. Michael attended the EDGE Performing Arts Center Scholarship program and has since danced with such artists as Taylor Swift, Aretha Franklin, John Legend, Kacie Musgraves, as well as performed for such people as Barack and Michelle Obama and the legendary, Chita Rivera. Having been featured in many films and tv programs like La La Land, The Prom, Ted 2, Soundtrack Dancing With The Stars and the 75th Annual Tony Awards with Ariana Debose. He is currently assistant choreographer for the Toni Braxton and Cedric the Entertainer Las Vegas residency.
Vivian Proctor
Vivian Proctor is a 17 year-old dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre. She's been dancing since the age of 4, starting off doing ballet and tap at Peninsula Park's community center. She then danced at Oregon Ballet Theatre School for 9 years. She also had Damon Keller as a dance teacher both at Chief Joseph Elementary School and at Ockley Green Middle School which inspired her to try more styles than just ballet. For two years, Vivian studied ballet at City Ballet San Francisco and has recently moved back to Portland. She was grateful to join Jefferson Dancers her junior year of high school and expand her skills in other dance styles. She is appreciative to Steve Gonzales for the opportunity to choreograph and thankful to her family and everyone who has supported her education.
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Finn Wilder
Finn Wilder began their dance career under the supervision of Damon Keller, but their passion for dance intensified when they joined The Jefferson Dancers at 16 learning from amazing teachers like Bunky Williams, Lauren Smith, Steve Gonzales, Cynthia Tosh and Oluyinka Akinjiola. Over two years, they performed nationally and internationally with The Jefferson Dancers. Later, in 2024, they earned First Place for Outstanding Student Choreography at the Regional High School Dance Festival for their piece 'Peaks and Valleys.’ Finn further honed their craft by studying the Limón Technique at Sam Houston State University while pursuing a BFA in Dance. Currently, they continue to build their career with StepsPDX and are preparing to open a dance studio in North Portland within the next few years, where they plan to make a significant impact on the local dance community.