Jessika is originally from Memphis, TN, and moved to Minneapolis at a very young age. She is currently based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She began her first formal dance training 7 years ago at Lundstrum Center for the Performing Artist where she was introduced to jazz, ballet, and musical theatre. She has studied horton and other dance styles at TU Dance Center. Continuing her gratitude for the arts, Jessika is a 2015 graduate from Perpich Center for Arts Education where she studied dance. She communicates predominately through elements of modern dance, hip hop, and improvisation. She has performed at The Guthrie, The Ordway, Northrop, The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, and The XCel Energy Center. In short, she defines her style as self truth, self experience mixed with modern, hip hop, and improvisation. She hopes to bring about healing, change, and conversation to the world through her artistry. She currently dances with the dance company SHAPESHIFT and with different artist in the Twin Cities.
Rachel has been dancing since the age of 5 at dance studios throughout Minnesota such as Studio 4 Dance. She is trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, jazz, musical theatre, pointe, and tap. Recently graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BFA in Dance, she has had the opportunity to have worked with artists from New York, Los Angeles, and the Twin Cities area including Gregory Dolbashian, Wynn Fricke, and Gerald Casel. She also has trained in intensives in Italy and LA, performed backup for Tori Kelly at the Official Prince Tribute Concert in 2016, etc. Rachel pays it forward as she also is in contemporary dance company Black Label Movement, and teaches/choreographs movement/technique in contemporary, hip hop, lyrical and ballet at Studio 4 Dance in Burnsville.
As a dancer and choreographer, Alan is a two- time Sage Award Nominee in the State of Minnesota. Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Alan has been performing 10+ years and has been sculpting his craft as an all-around performer. He is a member of SHAPESHIFT's Creative Team, Immortal Dance Team leader, Head Choreographer for LegacyLiveEnt, Co-Founder of Rebirth Of Quality Art, and Creative Director for Global recording artists RajiTheOne and Anjanie Da Artist.
Ashley is the Founder and Creative Director of SHAPESHIFT. She is trained in Jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop and African. Ashley’s credits include SHAPESHIFT productions: Grey Skies Blue, XI:XI, XI:XI: The Awakening; Associate Choreographer for hip-hop musical Last Stop On Market Street (Children’s Theatre Company); Associate Choreographer In The Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar (Ordway Center for Performing Arts); Ensemble West Side Story, 2nd Assistant Director Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Ordway Center for Performing Arts); Ensemble The Amen Corner (Guthrie/Penumbra Theater); Film/TV credits include: Commercial, MN Zoo, African Penguin Exhibit. Most recently, you may have seen Ashley on the concert stage for The Official Prince Tribute with her SHAPESHIFT squad at Xcel Energy Center (Tori Kelly) or at We Day (Paul Abdul, Natalie La Rose, OMI).
Ashley’s additional credits include performer for J Lo’s Direct TV Now Campaign Super Bowl LII, Official Prince Tribute Concert Xcel Energy Center ( Tori Kelly), The Target National Sales Concert (Willow Smith), Team iLuminate in Las Vegas at the Bellagio (America's Got Talent), and more.
In the studio, Selmer draws from life’s real and imaginary experiences to craft stories that emote feelings and reflect diversity & inclusion. She emphasizes technique but prefers utilizing each dancer’s unique and beautiful movements as tools for telling, moving, and interwoven narratives.
She encourages SHAPESHIFT dancers to openly share their personal experiences, and together they design choreography that captures common elements that make us the same, in so many ways, despite our socioeconomic or racial differences.
Beyond dance, Ashley is a Rom-com collector, lover of overpriced latte's and vintage furniture. She is annoyingly organized (according to family and friends). Selmer earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (emphasis in choreography and performance) from The University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Gabriel started his movement training at the tender age of five at Out on a Limb Dance School, and he fell in love with the art form in high school, while attending the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists in St. Paul Minnesota. Gabriel is continuing to perfect his craft and just graduated with his BFA at the University of Minnesota School of Dance. Performing is his passion, but he also enjoys working as a dance instructor and choreographer. Gabriel loves music, fashion, longboarding, and always tries to be the best friend, son, and brother that he can be.
Corey began studying dance at age 13. He has trained with Mathew Janczewski of Arena Dance, Kenna Cottman with Voice of Culture, Amy Sackett, Deborah Johnson, Arturo Miles, Erin Thompson, Pandora, Betsy Maloney, Laura Ciganko, Carol Schwarzkopf, Sonya Tayeh and Mia Michaels. In 2010 Corey graduated from the Main Street of Performing Arts (MSSPA)with honors and an emphasis in dance performance. Following graduation, he was invited back to choreograph a contemporary piece titled “Twilight for the MSSPA Dance Company”. While serving as a significant contributor on SHAPESHIFT’S creative team, he also is a competitive dance instructor and choreographer at Turning Pointe Dance Studio in Eagan Minnesota, where he has received many national titles, including 2014’s Triple S National Grand Champion title.
Luis (age 21) hails from the 612 area code (Minneapolis). He started training at SPCPA, where he excelled in numerous styles (Modern, Ballet, Jazz) and world dances (African, Hip-Hop, Character). He has studied intensively with Uri and Toni at TU Dance. Among many other acting and dancing projects, his credits include performer and co-creator with LegacyLivEntertainment and New Black City dance crew.
Nate is a 20 year old dancer, born and raised in South Minneapolis. Nate is a humble student of dance and hip hop. He would describe his style as unorthodox like Prince, not wanting to be closed into a limited box in anything. Nate enjoys cooking and working out at the gym with his friends. He is looking forward to continuing his training and exploration throughout his journey with SHAPESHIFT!
