BSDC Staff
MS. TABITHA “DANCE DIVA” CEO/Artistic Director
BIO: Tabitha Hitchye was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her ethnic background is multi-racial. Raised as the daughter of a musician, she was exposed to the music industry as a young child and grew up singing in various choirs & groups. At the age of 19 she was introduced to Latin Dance which turned into a love and passion for her. Latin dance & music inspired her to become a dance instructor in order to share the love of dance with others. She has been teaching Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, & Flamenco for a combination of 11 years and dancing for 20 years. Musicality, Rhythm & Timing is a major focus in every class that she instructs, while also encouraging her students to add their own style into their dancing.
She co-founded Baltimore Salsa Dance Company in 2008, retired the company In 2016, and is bringing back the company this year! She has performed at various events over the years with Dance In Time Productions, Sentimiento Dance Company, Linda’s de Doza, and has instructed/performed in numerous events & charities throughout the DMV area: University of MD Eastern Shore, Penn State University, Northern Virginia Comunity College, The Army National Guard in DC, Baltimore National Aquarium, Baltimore City Association of School Psychologists-Charity Event, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, March of Dimes Fundraiser, & various congresses.
She currently holds the following certifications: Salsa Instructor & Business Development from Edie the Salsa Freak, Flamenco & Spanish Dance from Marsha Bonet & Dancers, LLC, & Zumba Fitness I & II. She is currently a member of the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Tax Professionals, AAHPERD, National Association of Dance & the National Association of Professional Women. Her educational background includes Fashion Design/Merchandising, Business Management, Accounting & Cosmetology and is also an authorized IRS and registered tax preparer for the State of Maryland, Assistant Meetup Organizer for the Baltimore Salsa Meetup Group & Organizer of the Baltimore Latin, Flamenco & Spanish Dance & Maryland Latin Dance Meetup Groups.
She is a Designer and owner of Hitchye Apparels Inc., Hitchye Dancewear, Owner of HAI Model Management, Founder of Women Empowered- W.E., the Studio Director of Dance & Artistic Expressions Studio and the CEO & Artistic Director of Baltimore Salsa Dance Company!
MR. MORRIS JACKSON- Business Advisor/Consultant
BIO: Morris Jackson has impacted the higher education landscape worldwide for more than a quarter century as a counselor, university professor, administrator, and fundraising and community relations professional. He has successfully interacted with academicians and educational administrators at all levels and from all ethnicities. He has served as anadvisor to the Ambassador of the Iraq Embassy, Washington DC (2013) and Educational Advisor for several years, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, Embassy of Saudi Arabia. as well as consultant to Kuwait University. He has published several chapters in text books and journal articles. He currently is a senior advisor to folks in the entrainment, international, academic arena. He has a Ph.D from George Washington DC
YAFREISI ADAMES Makeup Artist & Bachata Team Assistant
BIO: My Name is Yafreisi Adames I am 22 years old , and I'm Dominican, I do makeup for a living and also work at ulta beauty, I've been doing makeup for 3 years now and I have been doing it for all different types of occasion, I love dancing bachata it's one of my passions and I enjoy expressing myself in dance , I'm open to new experiences and I'm excited for this journey of dancing with Baltimore Salsa Dance Company!
TREVOR “EL MORENITO” BROWN BSDC Salsa Instructor
BIO: Trevor Brown A.K.A. El Morenito, is known for his unique, raw, and playful dance style. Trevor is originally from New Jersey, where he was initially introduced to Latin dancing. After moving to MD, Trevor started pursuing his interest in the Latin dance culture. After going out and learning to dance in a social environment, Trevor was recruited to learn styling and technique under the tutelage of the D.C. legend and world renowned salsa dancer Psyon Mauricio Scott, who is the co-founder, and former co-director of the Clavekazi Dance company, and who later established the Mezzlocutis Dance company with co-director Tanya Fiske. Trevor now dances and teaches group classes in Baltimore, but is also available for one on one private lessons, private parties, corporate events, and other similar functions. As an instructor Trevor really enjoys helping & teaching newer dancers to get the hang of the social Latin dance styles and seeing his students progress. Trevor feels the dance culture will only grow with more people learning the proper techniques in order to apply them when they dance socially.
MS. DAWN ”LA MAMBOLERA” VASQUEZ- BSDC Salsa on2 Instructor
BIO: Dawn Vasquez, a native New Yorker with a love for dance, started very young with trips into the city to see plays on Broadway. Mambo became her passion. She has dedicated over 25 years of her life to dancing, performing, teaching, and choreography. All of her experiences have made her the dancer sheis today. After living all over the East coast, her journey with mambo began with Mambo Jam Plus,crowned for being the first on2 team in Texas. This afforded her first salsa congress in Puerto Rico, and many congresses thereafter. Thanks to Eddie Torres, Griselle Ponce, and Seaon-Stylist Bristol, she was able to define herself as a dancer.
After competing, performing, and dancing in various cities for events with various partners, she was able to be a part of “Mambo Nights”, a TV show based in Dallas that followed the local mambo scene. Shortly after, she met Louis Delgadillo, who is a local promoter/instructor in the Dallas area. He opened even more doors for her, and introduced her to a whole other world of salsa. She diligently pursued more training and workshops with Salsa Y Control, Rumba Y Timbal, Cobo brothers, Darlin Garcia, Jayson Molina, Francisco Vasquez, Guaguanco Dance Company, Lee Rios, Jorjet, and Guajiro Dance Company to
name a few.
Upon moving to Maryland, she met Vanessa Beltran and Tabitha Hitchye, who welcomed her with open arms into the Maryland salsa scene. Their selflessness and experience here allowed her to have a new love and appreciation for her art. After meeting Eileen Torres, she was blessed to be one of the Eileen Torres dancers in the D. C. production “The Night at the Palladium”. This experience gave her a renewed respect for the stage. She has been humbled to be able to witness the rise and success of her fellow
dancers and looks forward to being a part of the next wave!
As a matured dancer, her style is global, with heavy influences of the afro-cuban roots of guaguanco, infused with cha-cha, bachata, and hip hop. She loves being able to express the love of her culture
through dance. She is forever a student of dance, and will humbly share, as well as grow, within her love of mambo.
MR. MATTHEW DEAN- Instructor & Assistant Team Director
BIO: My name is Matthew Dean and I am 36 years old, proudly born and raised in Baltimore with a beautiful wife of 4.5 years with a gorgeous 2-year old son. I have been dancing since 2006, and my passion has only grown over time. I have danced and performed many styles from mambo and bachata to classic ballroom, with great groups such as Georgia Boy Dance, Daniel and Desiree World Team Project, Zafire DC, and Sentimiento. I have always enjoyed dancing as a way of expressing myself and letting go. I’m always a student at heart, willing to learn as much as possible to improve my craft. I am humbled by this opportunity to return to the world of dancing with Baltimore Salsa Dance Company!
MS. KELLI "KELLZ" BIGELOW- Cuban Salsa/Casino Instructor
A note about your Profesor de Baile… “Kellz” is a native Baltimorean, formally educated in Dance and the Performing Arts. Kellz, is classically trained in Ballet, Jazz, African Contemporary, Modern, and Tap at some of Baltimore’s legendary institutions such as Baltimore School for Arts, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore Arena Players Youth Program (under Sevlyn White) , Towson and Goucher Universities Dance auxiliary programs and graduated from Walbrook SHS as a Dance Major. Kellz also attended Alvin Ailey’s Youth Program summer dance intensives under Tracy Inman and Melanie Person, she also attended UMES where she was a Biology Student with Dance as a minor.
Kellz has trained under world renown dance sages such as: Norma Pera (BSA Repertoire), Sylvester Campbell (BSA Jazz, Modern African Contemporary) , Judith Jamison (Ailey Repertoire summer intensive), Sheena Black ( Dunham Technique, Dances of the Diaspora), Alexis Hernandez (Afro Contemporary, Karelia DeSpaigne (Cuba - Tierra Kaliente – Esquela D’Arte), the Muniquitos De Mantanzas (Cuba – Rumba Yambu, Guanguanco, and Columbian) and a host of other amazing dance instructors and ensembles.
Kellz has over 45 years of Dance and Performing Arts experience, beginning with her Aunt Denise as her first dance teachers, along with Ms. Hugie at James Mosher elementary. Kellz has performed around the nation and even overseas as a well-recognized and respected… Dope azz House Music Dancer being seen on stage with the likes of International Djs such as Louie Vega, Dennis Ferrer, Karizma, Tony Humphries and a host of other DJs.
Kellz has spent the last 5 years training, learning and becoming immersed in the Cuban Dance Culture after walking into a Rueda De Casino Party where she knew nothing about Casino nor Rueda, but she innately felt the rhythms.
Kellz joined the community dance group – Rueda De Casino Baltimore where she learned all about Rueda from Cedric Teamer. She then broadened her dance studies to attend DC Casinero classes, studied Afro Cuban movements and concepts from Sheena Black, Kati Hernandez, Duane Wrenn, and Yeni Molinet.
In 2018 Kellz had her DNA footprint mapped by 23& me. Kellz just KNEW her natural Afro Cuban rhythm meant she had Afro Cuban or Latino roots. WELP!!!!! Part of that is true... Kellz lineage is: 66.9% Sub Saharan African:
54.9% West African – comprised of Nigerian/Yoruba, (Igbo Bantu tribes) 21.6%, Ghanaian/Sierra Leonean 19.9%, Congolese and Angola 9.6% and Senegambia and Guinean 5.6% being the major contributors.
Since Cuba is Afro by way of the Slave Trade, the Dances of the Diaspora are integral to Cubans and their way of life…This made total since of why Afro Cuban, Casino, Salsa and Latin movements have always come natural to Kellz.
Kellz has been a dance teacher off and on for the past 25 years, teaching dance to Baltimore city students, and in recreation centers throughout Baltimore City, as well as at the college level as an auxillary dance teacher and she is also a certified Zumba instructor.
Kellz traveled to Cuba last year to train in Cuban Dance Disciplines such as Afro Cuban Folkloric Dances, Rumba, Casino, and Afro Contemporary.
MS. TANISHA MCCLELLAN- Communication Coordinator
Tanisha McClellan, born in Maryland, is a woman with multiple backgrounds. With a major in communications and business, she enjoys being a resource and of assistance to local and distant businesses in need of promotions and virtual marketing services. Although she has a 22-year background in corporate as an Executive, she is also the owner of TJM Virtual Assistant and Web Services, and TJM Cleaning Services, a service she still offers to residential and commercial businesses. Tanisha has always had her hand in marketing, and 10 years ago took a liking to the world of experiential marketing (branding) and promotions. With West African and modern dancing under her belt since childhood, she is a lover of salsa, bachata, and cha-cha and kizomba. A cancer survivor who former teacher, artist, and a mother of three wonderful girls, she supports the arts in all genres and all creative activities for people of all ages, especially activities that get people moving. Tanisha is a proud member of the Baltimore Salsa Dance Company and happy to come on board as a Communications Coordinator.
MS. SHEENA BLACK- Body Conditioning & Movement Coach
BIO: Sheena Black, a performing artist, choreographer, and instructor of the African Influence in Modern and Jazz dance of the African Diaspora is from the Cherry Hill Public Housing Community in Baltimore, Maryland. Sheena has danced and trained with Rueda de Casino Baltimore, and taught Dance and Cultural Enrichment at Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle Creative Alliance after school program. She is also founder; director of Sweet Water Movement and Cultural Expressions DME (Dance Music Education).Ms. Black attended Morgan State University, Baltimore MD where she graduated with honor Alpha Kappa Delta in her major of Sociology. Ms. Black’s intense study and training in dance from an Anthropological perspective developed as a member of Images of Cultural Artistry Dance company based on the Katherine Dunham Modern Dance Technique under the direction of the late Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson of Howard University. Her intense Modern Dance training incorporated African Influence movements that focused on body awareness, placement and Kinesiology. Sheena received a grant from D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities and scholarship from the Caribbean Music and Dance Program San Francisco California to attend the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte Havana Cuba renowned for the study of Afro Cuban Folkloric Traditions. Since returning from Cuba, Sheena continued her study of West African Yoruba IFA traditions of Nigeria with Ile IFA Oba Ado Tojuwaleeke, Baltimore Maryland; sacred and secular, music and dances of the Afro Cuban Folkloric traditions at The Latin American Folk Institute and Alafia Dance Studio Mt. Rainer, Maryland with Cuba’s own Master teacher Oscar Rousseaux and Djoniba Drum and Dance Cultural Center with Richard Gonzales in New York. Ms. Black’s studies and dance of the African Diaspora allowed opportunities for professional performances with Havana Select Afro Cuban Ensemble, Sarava Afro Brazilian Dance Company, DC Drum core, coordinate, direct and choreograph for Afridansa, Yanvalou (Dance of Haitian Vodoun). As well as a featured guest artist with the George Mason University Choir and Dance Baltimore just to name a few. Sheena was featured in dancer in the 2001 PBS television documentary Rise Sister Rise: African American Women and Breast Cancer, The Baltimore Times as featured choreographer for the CCBC Dance Company annual spring concert 2001 and The Baltimore sun as guest choreographer with Dance Baltimore at The Baltimore Museum of Art 2007. Sheena has taught numerous workshops and master classes, local and abroad at Morgan, Towson, and Coppin State Universities Baltimore, MD; American College Dance Festival at North Carolina State University and Emory University, Atlanta, GA. and One World Cultural Arts, the Living Well, Baltimore MD. Ms. Black has also created choreography for local dance companies and musical productions such as Fame, Grease, Once on This Island, A Chorus Line, Cinderella and the Wiz.
Baltimore Salsa Dance Company is pleased to introduce and welcome Ms. Sheena Black as BSDC's Body Conditioning & Movement Coach! She will be our main coach in this field for our instructors, students, and performers! Ms. Black is an independent artist that works with many companies, we feel very happy and blessed to have her work with us as well!