Davinara Marcario is a Kazakh-American artist from Albany, New York, and the director of DDC (Davinara Dance Collective). Davinara Dance Collective explores the complexities of adoption, family, and race using a Kazakh-Contemporary fusion for movement generation. The group started from a project at Mason Gross School of the Arts, where Davi later received her BFA in Dance and was the recipient of the 2024 Margery J. Turner Choreographer Prize. They’ve been honored to present work at Arts on Site, New York City Center,  Ailey Citigroup Theatre, and Dixon Place. DDC is thrilled to continue its artistic journey and share its vision with more communities.  

Most recently, she has joined KAŌS Arts under Nikaio Bulan Sahar. In January 2024, Davinara joined the Company of Collaborative Artists (CoCA) under Camille Rennie, performing across New Jersey. In addition to dance, Davinara teaches ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop in Jersey City and Hoboken. She is also a Pilates Instructor for KenPilates.

Ava Rakowski (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher originally from Lyndhurst, NJ. Rakowski is a recent graduate from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her BFA in Dance and a second major in Journalism and Media Studies. She is currently a member of Artichoke Dance Company, an environmentalist dance company based in Brooklyn. She has previously worked with Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Pam Tanowitz, Thang Dao, Kun-Yang Lin, and more. 

Jovy Rose Mariano is a Filipina-American dancer and choreographer who has recently obtained her BFA in Dance at Montclair State University. She has performed works by renowned artists such as Kyle Abraham, Stefanie Batten Bland, Sidra Bell, Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, Maleek Washington, and Rodrick George, with performances at venues such as The Joyce Theater and New York Live Arts. Jovy trained at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a scholarship and Van Lier Fellow recipient. Her additional training includes programs with Springboard Danse, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Alongside performing, Jovy choreographs, serves as an adjudicator for dance competitions, and strives to bring leadership, creativity, and versatility to her artistic practice. 

Gabrielle Cardinale (She/her) received her BFA in Dance from Rutgers University under the direction of  Gerald Casel and John Evans. Cardinale has performed the work of restaged José Limón, Baye and Asa, Julia Ritter, Nicolette Alberti, Andres Zachery, Ani Javian and John Evans.  Cardinale has had the honor of performing in pieces showcased in Koresh Artist Showcase, Yang Lin Inhale Showcase, and at Steps on Broadway’s Spring Lab Choreographers showcase. She trained abroad at the Italian program Accademia dell’Arte under Alessio Trevisani and Helena Fernandino. Her choreographic work has been chosen to be showcased at Jacob’s Pillow as a result of being selected at ACDA nationals. Cardinale plans to continue to pursue her career in concert and commercial work, as well as choreographic works of her own.

Laura Luzardo (she/her) is a Uruguayan-American movement artist based in New Jersey. Having graduated from Rutgers with a BFA in Dance(2024) Laura’s studies focused on post-modern and contemporary fusions, and has gotten to work alongside many artists including Netta Yerushalmy, Beth Gill, Evelyn Wang, John Evans and others in their works. Outside of her contemporary training, Laura focuses on Commercial/Latin styles of dance as a constant learner and instructor. She continues her love of dance as a freelance artist, working with different companies like Davinara Dance Collective, new name collective, and O’campoWangDance and teaching dance to all ages.

Sydney Foley is a twenty-six year old from Chicago, IL. She attended Marymount Manhattan College in NYC where she graduated Magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance and a concentration in modern ('22). During her time at Marymount, Sydney worked with Peter Chu, Andrea Miller, Lone Kjaer Larson, Adam Barruch, Kim Craven, Katie Langan, Pedro Ruiz and many more. 

Currently, Sydney is a freelance artist in New York City/Jersey City Area who has performed for The WNBA (The Chicago Sky), Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, Six Degrees Dance Company, Artichoke Dance Company, Dance In The Parks (Chicago), Ballaro Dance Company, Alison Cook Beatty Dance Company, 32nd Pack Dance Company, Threads of Truth, Augie Sherman, The Hole Story: A Docu-Cabaret, and CoreDance Contemporary. Sydney is so excited to be working with Davinara Dance Collective!