Aliya Cheyanne is the author of "Guided Journal: Writing Prompts for Growth & Emotional Wellness,” an essential writing tool that inspires radical self-acceptance through transformative self-compassion. Aliya utilizes resources from her own healing journey to better serve others invested in their personal growth. She is a relentless humanitarian with more than a decade of experience in the social justice arena as a project manager and communications strategist. Aliya was born and raised in the Bronx and earned her BA in Sociology with a minor in Black Studies from CUNY Baruch College. When she is not recording episodes of The Prolific Hub Podcast, she enjoys pursuing passion projects, being a world explorer, and cultivating spaces for creativity to thrive in her own life, and in the lives of others.

Becca Sigmund has performed professionally with both ballet and modern dance companies, including Upstate NY Ballet Company (aka Syracuse City Ballet), San Diego Dance Theater, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and Kinetics Dance Theatre’s Professional Company. She received her year-round training from both The Rock School West and Nolte Academy of Dance, and attended summer programs such as ABT, Joffrey Ballet, Malashock Dance, Nashville Ballet, and City Ballet of San Diego. She has trained extensively in all styles of dance including ballet, pointe, modern, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theater and hip hop and has over 16 years of teaching experience at studios throughout Iowa, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Texas. Becca is certified in teaching Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and is currently the only instructor in the Dallas metroplex, and one of only two in the state of Texas, to hold a Level 3 certification, the highest certification in the program. 

Brian is a seasoned lighting designer whose work includes The Washington Ballet's NEXTsteps 21-22, multiple collaborations with choreographer Amy Seiwert such as Under Covers, The Nutcracker (Sacramento Ballet), and Wandering (Imagery), which won an Isadora Duncan Award. His work with Smuin Ballets includes Renaissance, Broken Open, and Requiem, and he’s collaborated with Kate Weare on pieces like Dark Lark and Garden. His designs have premiered at BAM, Fall For Dance, The Joyce Theater, and Jacob’s Pillow. With an MFA from NYU/Tisch, he also teaches design, lights diverse live events, and consults on architectural lighting and museum exhibits. 

Courtney MCarthy is the CEO and founder of Loyobo, a community for women who are sick of trying to be smaller. This isn't about weight loss. This is about learning how to love your body and feel strong so you can take up more space in your life! Radical body acceptance, Joyful Movement, and Food Freedom. 

Courtney's mission, as an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor, Body Image and Mindful Eating Coach, is to show women how to write your own rules when it comes to fitness and health. She will be your biggest hype girl along the way. 

Courtney is always down for a dance party. When she is not working, she loves going for long walks with her puppy Archie and cuddling with her cat, Munchkin. 

The Loyobo Virtual Platform & Community includes live fitness classes, on demand videos, group coaching, cooking calls, mindful eating support, and more.

Ms. Higgins has been with Howard Community College since 2013, having previously taught at institutions such as Marymount Manhattan College, Columbia University, and the New York City Ballet Education Program. Her choreography has been showcased in Bolivia and across the U.S., including at Cunningham Studio and Joyce SoHo. She received the Turner Choreography Award, won the New Moves NY State Choreography Competition, and was featured in Back Stage Magazine's "Best Picks." She holds a University Fellowship and a School of Visual Arts and Dance Fellowship from Florida State University and was a Garden State Scholar at Rutgers University. As a dancer, she toured with Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance, Dance Compass, and others, and has been commissioned by Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Steffi Nossen School, and others.

Choreographer and director Lauren Tait moved to Lititz in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience in dance performance, education, and advocacy. She was Executive and Artistic Director of Kinetics Dance Theatre in Ellicott City, overseeing a professional company and an 800+ student school focused on artistry and accessibility. Lauren has choreographed for events like the Maryland Dance Festival and the Baltimore Museum of Art and has taught at Howard Community College. Her project, CommunityDanceLaboratory, is dedicated to dance outreach and education. A grant recipient, she has served on the Maryland Dance Education Association board and currently sits on the Kinetics Dance Theatre board. Lauren trained at the Carver Center for the Arts and Technology and earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Visual and Performing Arts/Dance and Psychology.

Liz taught dance in Anne Arundel County Public Schools and has presented at events like the National Dance Education Organization Conference (2019) and Maryland dance festivals. Liz has collaborated with Full Circle Dance Company and LucidBeings Dance, and her choreography has been featured in the Baltimore Dance Invitational (2019) and Annual Maryland Choreographer’s Showcase (2022). At Kinetics Dance Theatre, where she joined in 2019, Liz is now the Artistic Director, managing programs, directing the dance company, and teaching. She earned her M.F.A. in Dance from Hollins University in 2021 and was named Dance Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Dance Education Association. She is focused on promoting safer dance spaces through diversity, equity, and inclusion research. 

Ryan Bailey is a dancer and choreographer based in the DMV and NYC. After graduating with a BA in dance in 2016, he was recognized as an outstanding senior in choreography and dance and became an American College Dance Association Gala Finalist. He furthered his education through training programs with dance companies in Chicago, NYC, LA, Portland, and Tel Aviv. In 2017, Ryan premiered his company Pacing Bodies’ first evening-length show, funded by Earl and Darielle Linehan. That same year, he appeared on season 14 of *So You Think You Can Dance*. Professionally, he has danced with MADBOOTS DANCE company and Project 44 Dance Company, performing at venues like Gibney Dance and the Joyce Theater. He has also danced for Priore Dance in D.C. Currently, Ryan teaches and choreographs at various studios and conservatories, recently setting work for Peabody Dance Conservatory and Howard County Dance Company, while also presenting new works at dance festivals.