LaKeysta is a proud mother of 2 brilliant, energetic children that keep her challenged and young. In between motherhood she is able to find time to continue training and performing in her passion that struck at age 8. LaKeysta took her first dance class at Frans Dance and Gym in Ponca City, Oklahoma and knew right away her place in the world. In 2011, she graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BFA degree in dance performance. After graduating, LaKeysta had the pleasure of performing as a company member in Oklahoma’s first jazz/hip hop company, RACE, alongside many inspiring artists then producing and directing shows for The RACEy Show and Junior/Teen RACE. She has worked several contracts with Norwegian Cruise Lines as a singer, dancer, and aerialist traveling around the country and the Caribbean and accepted a lead role in Tulsa Theatres, Barnum. Having worked with acclaimed choreographers such as Tiger Martina, Hui Cha Poos, Christina Woodard, Jenn Rapp-Pearl, Ricky Whitfield, Adam Parson, Mayala, Leslie Snelson-Figueroa and more has been a highlight to her career. While performing on stage is her preference, she enjoys and is grateful for any opportunity to teach, connect and share her passion for the arts.

Narrator, Uncle Dross

Chanh began dancing at a young age through his youth group and expanded his interest in dance through hip hop and choreography videos on Youtube and through KPOP. Chanh’s formal training began in 2018 at RACE the Space taking classes in hip hop, contemporary, jazz, and KPOP. Chanh currently dances with S-Class and is entering his second year as a dancer for RACE Dance Collective. Chanh began teaching at RACE the Space in 2020 and has served on RACE Dance Collective’s Board of Directors since 2019. 

Lead Dancer, Nutcracker

Jesus Martinez is a hip hop instructor who also specializes in breakdancing. He was self taught since he was a baby until he took regular dance classes in high school. He was introduced to RACE his senior year, where he joined JR. RACE (now RACE Academy) and performed in the 2013 production of RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker. Ever since, he’s been with the collective, growing and performing in multiple productions and community events. Jesus has performed with the Oklahoma Philharmonic in the Civic center, on the Thunder’s O’City Crew, in 2 music videos, won D2DA’s “Male Choreographer/Dancer of the Year” award, choreographed for a Mattel commercial, and performed in Pollard Theatre’s “Bring It On: The Musical” production. In addition to performing, Jesus is also the Community Engagement Director with RACE. He has a very fundamental style of dance and detailed way of teaching.

Lead Dancer, Mama

Ligia is a professional Latin American dancer from Nicaragua, currently based in Oklahoma, USA and with over 20 years of dance and performing arts experience. Ligia studied at The Nicaraguan Academy of Dance’s Juvenile Program where she graduated with a Dance and Performing Arts Major at the early age of 14 years old where she learned ballet, jazz, contemporary, folklore, bellydance, Latin, Caribbean and African dance. Upon graduation, she entered the accelerated dance program at The National School of Ballet where she graduated with a Ballet and Performing Arts Major. Throughout her 4 years at The National School of Ballet she specialized in traditional ballet technique (Cuban style), partner work, theater and music. During her time as a professional dancer in Nicaragua she joined the Ballet Folklorico Quetzaltnahuatl and the Nicaraguan Ballet Company as Corps de Ballet, performing in various shows including La Fille Mal Gardee, Spartacus, Carmen and Majisimo. Ligia got to be part of the touring act and visited over 20 cities during her time as a company dancer. During her last years in Nicaragua, Ligia joined the Nicaraguan Salsa Company where she competed in the Adrian & Anita World Cup and achieved 4th place. Now based in the USA and as a company dancer for Race Dance Collective for the last 3 years, Ligia has participated in RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker with the lead role of Mom, Disorder (Company Show) as a soloist and RACEy show. Ligia is a multidisciplinary artist as she enjoys learning and expanding into different mediums, she is a professional photographer, grant writer and entrepreneur as she is the co-founder and CEO of Starving Artist Co. She aims to continue her dance and performing arts career and is passionate about creating meaningful connections that empower and strengthen the arts.

Featured Dancer: Bratz Doll
Freedom Dance Choreographer

LyKayla is a movement and visual artist based in Oklahoma City. This is her first year as a RACE Company member and she is thrilled to be making her debut in RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker!

Featured Dancer: Bratz Doll
John Marshall Choreographer

Ava Conceicao is a passionate and versatile dancer with a foundation in contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. With over 20 years of training and performance experience, Ava has developed a unique movement vocabulary that blends technical precision with expressive storytelling. Ava has performed in a wide range of productions, including dancing for the OKC Thunder’s hip hop team, O’City Crew, for four incredible years and working as a performance team’s assistant manager, choreographer, and coach for two years. While Ava continues to work with studios across the OKC metro, choreographs for high schools, and always has her headphones on and nose in her notebook, she strives to continue to grow as both a performer and creator. Whether on stage, in the studio, on the court, or behind the scenes, she is committed to pushing boundaries, uplifting others through movement, and using dance as a powerful tool for connection and expression. She can’t wait to share the love of dance with you!!

Featured Dancer: Supafunk

Lai started her musical journey at 2-3 years old, singing in her church choir, and was eventually put into dance classes at Everything Goes Dance Studio by her mother, where she found her love of hip hop and jazz. During her youth, she competed in the Life Change Ballroom competition and joined her high school's pom team. As a freshman, she was the first person in over a decade to make Putnam City North's pom squad, earning a spot for her entire high school career, and was named Captain for both her Junior and Senior years. She also danced with the school's dance company, North Dance Company, where she trained in aerial, modern, freestyle, and jazz. When taking community classes at RACE from Ava C. and Stephan W., Lai knew she wanted to pursue dance professionally. Since then, she's choreographed several local dance programs and artists, and has performed with Oklahoma-based dance crew Legendz (1egendz) and RACE Dance Collective in both the RACEy show and RACE's Hip Hop Nutcracker. This is her second year in RACE's Hip Hop Nutcracker, and she is excited to premiere the role of Supafunk in its first-ever female casting.

Featured Dancer: Tinker Toy

Angelo Normand, a student at Oklahoma Christian University, brings a fresh perspective to the world of dance. As a self-taught dancer, Angelo's journey began with a personal exploration of movement and rhythm, evolving into a dedicated pursuit of the art form. His unique style is a blend of instinct and creativity, shaped by countless hours of practice and a deep connection to music.

Having been involved with race for just four months, Angelo is immensely thankful for the opportunities and experiences he's gained. He appreciates the supportive environment and the chance to collaborate with talented individuals who share his passion. Each rehearsal and performance is a step forward, and he's committed to making the most of this incredible journey.

Angelo is excited to continue honing his skills, pushing creative boundaries, and contributing to the vibrant community within race. He extends his heartfelt gratitude to the company for their belief in his potential and looks forward to a future filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable moments on stage.

Featured Dancer: Snowfly Queen
Bishop McGuinness Choreographer

Emma is from Appleton Wisconsin. She has received a Bachelors of Performing Arts from Ann Lacy’s School of American Dance and Entertainment. She works as a Performer, Choreographer, and Teacher within Oklahoma City, and this is her third year performing with RACE Dance Company. Although Emma typically performs in jazz, contemporary, ballet, and hip hop, she is up for a challenge in immersing herself in many unfamiliar styles.

Dancer, Bratz Doll
Putnam City Choreographer

Ceriniti Walker is a self-taught dancer who began her journey by playing fun dancing games with family and she knew she wanted to become a star getting inspired by Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Les Twins, and Bailey Sok. Her passion for dance grew after she discovered the K-pop group BTS During the pandemic, she started training intensively for for previous desire to become a K-pop artist and went viral for her JYP audition and began uploading her dance videos on YouTube, which garnered thousands of views and caught the attention of K-pop artists.

Ceriniti won her school’s talent show and performed at K-pop Night in Oklahoma City. Her passion for dance continues to grow, leading her to open her own entertainment company in the future. Through this venture, she aims to train and develop other artists to help them reach their dreams.

Now based in Oklahoma City, Ceriniti is actively seeking opportunities in the dance community and in Korea as a professional dancer, determined to break out into the world.

Dancer

Mackenzie has been dancing since the time she could walk. Following in her sister's footsteps, she was at her dance studio almost everyday. She has trained in many styles of dance: jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, hiphop, pom, musical theater, heels, and the list goes on.

She danced competitively for ten years and got the opportunity to train with some of the most amazing choreographers and instructors like Joe Tremaine, Derrick Schrader, and Caleb Brauner. She moved to California and continued her dance training as she attended Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts High School. Throughout Mackenzie’s high school career, she got the opportunity to travel the nation, create her own pieces alongside her peers, as well as perform in multiple shows throughout the year. She graduated as “Dancer of the Year” and a finalist for Orange County’s “Artist of the Year”.

She moved to Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma in 2020. In 2021, she was nominated and accepted to become one of the Co-presidents of the student-run OU Elite Dance Team. After leading the team, she found RACE Dance Collective to continue her dance career. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and family that RACE has provided me, and I cannot wait to see what is next for the collective.”

Dancer

Amanda Colborn is a performer, choreographer, teacher, and creator originally from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. She began dancing at the age of two and has been passionate about storytelling through movement ever since. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Dance and Arts Management from Oklahoma City University. She trained extensively in tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop, as well as studying voice. She has performed and choreographed with MOVE! Dance for the World of Entertainment and PEP Dancers, and has served as an Assistant Company Manager with the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Amanda also currently teaches at Dance Phase Studio in Edmond, sharing her love of dance and performance with young artists. Amanda is thrilled to bring her energy, artistry, and lifelong passion for dance to the stage in RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker!

Dancer

At just 23 years old, Gannon Duffy is making his mark on the dance industry as a performer, choreographer and educator. Duffy was raised in Lubbock, TX, and he is currently working in Oklahoma City with Race Dance Collective for the 2025-2026 season. His dance journey, which began thirteen years ago, has rapidly evolved into a flourishing career.

Gannon's versatility as a performer has seen him grace stages in various capacities - from competition dance and notable choreographic projects to musicals and concert works. His professional credits include "TEXAS: Outdoor Musical," The Circle of Excellence Ballet Company, the contemporary dance company "Emergence," as well as Whirlwind dance in Columbus, OH. He has also had a lasting role with the Live Entertainment division of Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH as a performer and choreographer. On top of this Duffy has had the opportunity to participate in many different video projects with choreographers nationwide including Destini Roger’s, Jarod Smith and Courtney Jenée Sauls. 

Duffy's aspirations have been a guiding force, propelling him towards diverse opportunities and achievements. As he navigates his way through a thriving performance career, Gannon also values his education and is in the process of obtaining his bachelors degree. Once his time on the stage comes to an end, he plans to further his education to the masters level so that he may help the next generation of artists and creatives develop professionalism and and grow in their own talent.  

Dancer

Bio Coming Soon.

Dancer

Mia Jensen is originally from Ardmore, Oklahoma, where she began her dance training over 22 years ago. Throughout her training, she studied ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, jazz funk, contemporary, tap, and aerial dance. Mia holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she was a four-year member of Kaleidoscope Dance Company and served as Rehearsal Director her senior year. Performing with Kaleidoscope gave her the opportunity to work with esteemed artists such as Larry Keigwin, Adam Parsons, Tiffanie Carson, Jeremy Duvall, Christian Von Howard, and 10 Hairy Legs. She also traveled with the company to Seoul, Korea, where she performed and experienced dance internationally for the first time.

Since graduating, Mia has continued to expand her artistry. She trained and toured with Rev Collective, a contemporary/jazz company based in Dallas, Texas under the umbrella of Dance Revolution, performing in Florida, Texas, and Chicago to inspire dancers nationwide. She has also been a part of CURE-8, an 8-week creative experience pairing local dance makers with leading industry experts to produce original works premiering at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, participating for the past two seasons. Most recently, Mia joined The Race Dance Collective for their 2025–2026 season, further deepening her commitment to artistry, community, and performance.

Dancer

Brianna studied Dance Performance at the University of Central Oklahoma from 2014-2018. She has had the privilege to perform in works by DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion, Mike Esperanza, Kate Jablonski, James Gregg & Rubberlegz, Kristin Mcquaid, Shayna Acosta, Hui Cha Poos, Hilary McAlister and more. Brianna has danced with Kaleidoscope Dance Company (2016-2018), Meraki Movement Company (2018-2020) & Race Dance Collective (2022-present). Her choreographic works have been presented at Soul de Soul, ACDA, RACE Dance Collective’s 2023 ‘RESURGENCE’, WGI World Championships and more.

“Nothing is more revealing than movement.” -Martha Graham

Dancer

Bio Coming Soon.

Dancer

Joseph has been dancing since age 7. Joseph began his training at Gravity Performing Arts Center, where he studied tap, jazz, ballet, musical theater, lyrical, and tumbling until the age of twelve. Afterward, he danced at his public school which led him to learn aerial and cheer. After graduating high school, Joseph joined Langston’s University cheer team and in 2024, he auditioned for RACE for the first time. Joseph has been training with RACE since then and is excited to premiere this performance as a full company member.

Dancer

CiCi was born and raised in China. During college time, she performed with the college dance team in POM, Jazz and KPop. In 2015, she moved to the US for graduate school at OU. She took a break from dancing until 2021 when she started to take classes at RACE regularly. She has been working on her foundations in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. The OKC dance community is welcoming and kind, which gives CiCi the support to continue her passion for dance. “I am most alive when I can dance with those amazing humans.”