George Avalos began his dance journey in El Paso, TX, at 13, training in various styles such as Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Jazz. Growing up as a competitive dancer, he has attended local, regional, and national competitions. George has taught in El Paso for the past six years at multiple studios.

Salvatore Bonilla (he/they) is a Puerto Rico native who started dance training in Mableton, GA, at their high school. They went on to receive a B.F.A. from Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in 2017. They have danced in works by Adam Hougland, Bill T. Jones, Jose Limón, Joshua L. Peugh, Alysa Pires, Mike Ezperanza, Greg Bielemeier, and Shaun Keylock. They danced with Dark Circles Contemporary Dance in Texas for a few seasons while attending school. After briefly living in Europe and exploring different dance techniques, they now reside happily in Portland with a new dance community.

CHADI EL-KHOURY (he/him), A native of Beirut, Lebanon, graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, with a B.A. in Theology, Sociology, and Applied Research Methods. He then pursued a B.F.A. at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance. He was a resident artist for Charlotte Street Foundation's Urban Culture Project (2013) and has had choreographic residencies with DCCD, Modern Night at the Folly Festival, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, and Youth America Grand Prix. He joined DCCDUSA as a dancer in 2014 and assumed the role of Executive Director in the fall of 2015. Chadi's corporate background includes over 13 years of experience. In addition to his leadership role with DCCDUSA, Chadi is working towards an M.B.A. in Business Analytics from Southern Methodist University. He is also a Senior Manager overseeing Strategy Consulting and Analytics at Health Care Service Corporation, the largest customer-owned health insurance company in the United States.

Sebastian Garcia (he/him), a Dallas native, earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University in May 2023. Before transferring to SMU, he attended Collin College, where he performed with the Collin Dance Ensemble. Growing up in Wylie, Texas, he trained at the Dance Company of Wylie during high school. Sebastian’s performance credits include works by Joy Bollinger, Brandi Coleman, Kim Cooper, Molissa Fenley, Matthew Neenan, Joshua Peugh, Pascal Rioult, and Pat Taylor, among others. Possessing a passion for choreography, he has also premiered/performed self-choreographed pieces in various showcases at SMU, Collin College, and Misfit Dance Camp. Previous works include “When I Get It Right,” “A Picture In My Head,” and “Act of Contrition.”

Vanessa Owen (Asheville, NC) holds a BFA in Dance from Wright State University. She has danced around the globe, most notably on fifteen U.S. State Department tours with Company E. Festivals and companies across the U.S. have presented her choreography, and she has received a Choreographic Fellowship from Virginia Commission for the Arts, an N.C. Artist Support Grant, a McDowell Regional Artist Grant, and the Audience Choice Award at NYC’s Dance Gallery Festival. She is co-founder of Stewart/Owen Dance alongside her husband, Gavin Stewart.

Ian Spring is originally from Middletown, Ohio, where he began his training under the direction of Phyllis DeWeese-Morgan. He received his BA in dance from Point Park University before joining Parsons Dance for seven seasons. Ian joined the cast of the Radio City Summer Spectacular, choreographed by Mia Michaels, in 2016. He has danced in several productions with Austin McCormick’s Company XIV, Samson et Dahlila at the Metropolitan Opera, and Sleeping Beauty Dreams, choreographed by Edward Clug. Ian currently dances for company Boca Tuya in NYC in addition to freelancing.

Gavin Stewart (Asheville, NC) holds a BFA in Dance Performance from UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Gavin has danced with Richmond Ballet, Wylliams/Henry CDC, MOVE: the Company, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Company E, and others. Mr. Stewart has danced works by J. Archibald, J. Beamish, G. Balanchine, V. Caniparoli, M. Cong, C. Denice, J. Lang, J. Peugh, T. Tharp, A. Tudor, and more. He operates Western North Carolina-based Stewart/Owen Dance with his wife, Vanessa Owen. Gavin is grateful to join Dark Circles for the first time.

SKYE TODARO (she/her) is a Bryan, Texas-raised emerging artist who graduated from Southern Methodist University in May 2022. She received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance alongside a B.A. in Psychology. Skye is passionate about getting her master’s in counseling to work with adolescents struggling with mental health problems. Skye has performed in choreographic works by Robert Battle, Take Ueyama, Caleb Teicher, Joy Bollinger, Michelle Gibson, Mark Burrell, Pat Taylor, Brandi Coleman, and Joshua L. Peugh. She is thrilled and appreciative to be dancing with Dark Circles Contemporary Dance for the first time.

Erin Vonder Haar is a native of Seattle, Washington, and received a BFA in dance from Southern Methodist University. She has performed works by Bruce Wood, Summer Rhatigan, Danny Buraczeski, Joshua L. Peugh, and Desmond Richardson and is the co-founder of Groundworks Dance Company, located in Dallas, Texas. Erin was recently featured in the “Backcountry Basin” film by Joshua L. Peugh, commissioned by Dance Now NYC. She also recently choreographed Sydney Cope’s new music video, “Think I found My Way.” She is humbled and excited to be back dancing with Dark Circles Contemporary Dance!