Melissa webster (missy)
Melissa Webster (Missy) has enjoyed watching the Boston dance scene grow and transform for the past 20 years. She found her passion for performance at a young age and what was once just a hobby, soon became a career in dance and teaching. Throughout her years as a teaching artist, she has created lasting bonds with many students and their families. The connections made to those students, have been essential in creating a welcoming dance community at Missy’s Movement. Melissa started Missy’s Movement with a goal to bring healing movement to all children in a noncompetitive environment. During the pandemic, she moved her classes outdoors and invited all families to join her. Though losing her physical space and a forced closure in 2020 was alarming, she was comforted to find new spaces in Hingham and Quincy. It is never a space that matters, but the feeling you get when you are with the right people. Melissa is Co-Founder and Board President of Mosaic Dance Inc, a Boston based adult dance company which strives to provide engaging performances and accessible dance education to all. After working with many dance companies through performing and teaching, she jumped at the opportunity to create Mosaic Dance Inc. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, Mosaic Dance Inc partners with community-based organizations, public schools and nonprofit organizations with the shared passion and goal of positively influencing at-risk communities through dance. Through Mosaic Dance Inc, Melissa reconnected a partnership with D.E.A. Educational Foundation, which brings free dance classes to title one school 5th graders. She has extensive experience educating children in both public and private schools. Currently Melissa teaches dance programs at Clifford Marshall Elementary School in Quincy, Gardner Pilot Academy in Boston, and Elements Academy in Weymouth along with many classes at Missy’s Movement.
Melissa loves volunteering with children at community events, raising her son, and looks forward to watching her students and their families grow.
Katharine Suyematsu (katie)
Katie grew up in Wellesley, MA where she began dancing at the age of three. She trained at two local dance studios in the following styles of dance: ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and acrobatics. She began teaching her own dance classes at age sixteen. After high school, Katie attended Roger Williams University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in May, 2014, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and Performance Studies and a minor in Biology. During her time at RWU, she worked with numerous choreographers from across New England, New York, Europe, and Asia. Upon graduating from RWU, Katie began teaching at dance studios in the Greater-Boston area as well as the South Shore. Around the same time that she started a career in dance education, Katie pursued opportunities to dance professionally in Boston. She was a member of Rainbow Tribe, Inc. from 2014-2021, and has also danced with two smaller contemporary companies: Grant Jacoby and Dancers and Penumbra:RME. While in Rainbow Tribe, Inc. she choreographed a number of dances for their annual performances, and gradually took on more leadership roles and responsibilities. Towards the end of 2021, Katie and two close friends formed their own Boston-based dance company called Mosaic Dance Inc. Katie is the Artistic Director of the company. Not only is she a dance educator in a studio setting, but Katie also teaches dance classes in public schools in and around Boston. One such after-school dance program is the DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program. Katie began teaching for this program in 2016 and has recently had the opportunity to continue this partnership through Mosaic Dance Inc. The DEAEF YDP gives students in public schools around the country opportunities to dance and find healthy ways to express themselves. Katie wears many “hats” as a teacher and performer. She is able to blend both worlds seamlessly through her versatility, passion, and creativity. As a dance educator, Katie hopes to instill the same love for dance that her teachers instilled in her at a very young age.
Alex “backspace” diaz
Alex "BBoy Backspace" Diaz is a dancer from Worcester who has over 20 years of experience in Breakin' (also known as Break Dancing). He is a member of T.o.p. R.o.c.k. Crew, which stands for "The Only People Rockin' Our City kids". Alex is also the founder of "The Orphanage Movement", an alliance of artists who guide the young generation of dancers through teaching dance, sponsoring events, and judging competitions.
Alex has come home after 8 years working as a dancer/entertainer for Disney Cruise Line. He utilized his off time to travel to various countries where he taught workshops, judged competitions and attended dance battles. During these adventures, Alex learned from many local legends not only about dance approaches, but the importance of cultural values derived FROM the dance. Alex believes that all movement can be utilized across all aspects of dance. His approach to teach Hip Hop emphasizes on using vocabulary and creativity interchangeably. When asked about his success Alex replies, "It helps with the bills, but I find that the real satisfaction comes with teaching others & seeing faces light up when they understand and properly execute a move. I feel I truly am good at what I do when I see that I can teach it to others. I feel like I am giving back and keeping the dance going through teaching our kids, our future."
Darkia Anderson
Darkia Anderson grew up dancing and competing in a variety of dance styles starting at the age of 5. She continued her love of dance by dancing on her college dance team.
Darkia studied dance movement therapy at Lesley University and is passionate about combining her two passions of dance and therapy. She currently dances with Mosaic Dance Inc which is a nonprofit Boston based dance company. She performs contemporary, hip hop, jazz and modern dance while also creating choreography. Darkia feels that dance is a space of release and creativity, and she is passionate about the mind body connection. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students.
Henry “kidspin” Kasdon
Henry "kidspin" Kasdon loves to dance. Whether at a party, onstage, in class, a battle or a video; he's always ready to break it down. Combining his athletic experience and love for music, he started out his dance career as a freshman at Tufts University in 1998 as a Breaker. He quickly spread into all styles of hip hop, and throughout his college career he expanded into jazz, modern, and various cultural dances. After graduating in 2002, Henry joined Rainbow Tribe and began teaching hip hop at Boston University and Harvard University. In the following years he expanded to various elementary schools, high schools and dance studios. He has spent time teaching for Boston Ballet, Berklee College of Music, and Boston Conservatory. He was featured in the only Boston episode of MTV's My Super Sweet 16. In 2008 Henry cofounded Bside and has been Director ever since. Along with his ongoing classes, he teaches master classes all over New England under the Hip Hop Umbrella. From breaking to boogaloo, reggae, funk and krump, he works on both choreography and freestyling. As a DJ, drummer, filmmaker, property manager, coach, husband and father, he has a full life - but there is always time to dance.