Hailing from Corona, CA,  Ia is a dancer, choreographer,  community artist, and multi-disciplinary instructor based in Wichita, KS. She is a proud alumna of the Wichita State University School (WSU) of Performing Arts having completed her BA in dance under the guidance of Cheyla Clawson, Sabrina Vasquez, Nick Johnson, Denise Celestin, and Mina Estrada. 

 

 Ia has trained in many forms of dance, but has special emphasis on jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, and mime. Through childhood, she has had the honor of training with various choreographers and teachers such as Stefan Wenta, Dante Sevin, Malaya, Adam Parson, and Lois Ellyn. Through WSU, Ia trained under Nick Johnson in the art of mime theater and has assisted him in resetting original repertory works of the Alithia Mime Theater. 

 

On stage, she has performed in the 2012 production, Hansel and Gretel with Nouveau Chamber Ballet, choreographed and directed by Lois Ellyn and had the opportunity to perform in a piece by Dante Sevin at the renowned The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball in Los Angeles, CA. 

 

On film, Ia has worked in collaboration with Rebekah Guerra in the 2020 dance film Ghetto: A Dance Film for Us. In 2021, she had the opportunity to collaborate with Rhiannon Vieyra in Flawed Social Perceptions as well as star as a lead in BRAVE NEW WORLD - Reimagined, written and directed by Nick Johnson.

 

During her undergraduate studies at Wichita State University, Ia served as the 2021-2022 president and artistic director of Mid-America Dance Theatre (MADT), a student organization and dance company within WSU  that is student run and produced. Ia has facilitated, directed and produced various dance showcases and improvisational performances throughout the greater Wichita area in eclectic venues including Mark Arts, Grace Memorial Chapel on WSU Campus (collaboration with Ulrich Museum), ShiftSpace Gallery, Cleveland Corner, and The Little Shop. Ia continues to perform locally within the greater Wichita area and has worked extensively in collaboration with local artists and organizations such as Harvester Arts and Smack Dab Dance Lab. 

 

In May 2018, she completed her Pilates/Dance Conditioning certification through Riverside City College under the guidance and mentorship of Anna Chavez, Kelly Lamoureux, Kirsten Johansen, Summer LeSuer, and Amanda Lupton. Having completed over 900 hours of immersive studio training, including 200 hours of observation and 100 hours of hands-on teaching, she is trained and certified to teach mat and apparatus Pilates.

 

Currently, Ia teaches dance at Encore! Dance Studio and locally within the greater Wichita area.