Spencer John Powell (Artistic Director) –

Spencer John Powell is the Artistic Director of Mounarath Powell Dance (formerly Visionary Dance Theatre and Visionary School for the Performing Arts). More than thirty years of experience as a performer, choreographer, teacher, director, and producer have earned him awards and guided the studio’s success. Powell’s early background in musical theatre, ballet, and modern dance, along with performances in all dance genres, led to his passion for choreography that empowers artists and performers.

Originally from Utah, Powell attended Weber State University (full ride talent scholarship), studied dance and theatre in Houston and New York (including with Penelope Dudleston, former New York City Ballet dancer), was mentored by Jeanne Travers (University of South Florida, School of Theatre and Dance), and served as Education Coordinator (Utah Head Start Program). He performed with Utah Musical Theatre, Orchesis Dance Theatre, Weber State Performing Arts, Discovery Dance Theatre, Junction City Theatre, and Another Language Performing Arts Company, and was Artistic Director of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre. Powell also co-founded and directed Tanner-Powell Dance Theatre and in 1994 founded Kidz Danz Kompany. After moving to Southern California, he re-established KDK as San Diego’s first – and only – children’s modern dance company, which performs in association with Visionary.

Powell’s work continues to have an impact in the arts, both locally and internationally. He has been guest teacher for North Coast Repertory Theatre and was invited to teach master classes in African-American dance form and in collective choreography at Soul Music and Performing Arts Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Also in Vietnam, his piece “Son of Cain” – that was commissioned by The Movement Kitchen and sponsored by the American Embassy in Vietnam – made its debut there in 2019. Though now retired from performing on the professional stage (after playing the lead role of Edna in a 2015 production of Hairspray), Powell is in demand as a choreographer, director, and producer for professional and community theatre musical revues and plays. Most recently, he directed and choreographed the Coronado Playhouse production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, for which he earned a 2022 Best Director nomination.

By collaborating with authors, musicians, and visual artists, as well as welcoming all participants – whether able-bodied or of varying economic, ethnic, gender, racial, or social status – Powell advocates for the wider arts community.  Co-creating Mounarath-Powell Productions (with Visionary Business Director Mickey Mounarath) promotes that vision by producing works from emerging and professional artists in all disciplines. And, seeing the accomplishments of former students that are performing on the Broadway stage, dancing with major ballet and modern dance companies, or becoming teachers, college professors, and arts professionals, is why Spencer John Powell is passionate about empowering artists and performers.

Mickey Mounarath (Business Director) – Mickey Mounarath is the Business Director of Mounarath Powell Dance (formerly Visionary Dance Theatre, Visionary School for the Performing Arts, and Mounarath-Powell Productions). He co-produces all of the dance concerts, recitals, and musical theatre productions and manages the lighting design and direction in studio. Mounarath also coordinates and arranges performance events for Visionary at other public venues.

As a former member of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre and performer with Orchesis Dance Theatre and Another Language Performing Arts, Mounarath’s earlier experience as a dancer prepared him for his current work in the arts. He has co-produced numerous plays in the Directors’ Showcase Series and has done lighting projects for other dance companies and colleges as well.

Mounarath and his decades-long career in the computer industry is what maintains both the financial solvency and the technical artistry necessary for operations with Mounarath Powell Dance.

Caley Hernandez (Executive Director, Dancer) – Caley Hernandez began dancing at eight, joining the dance company La Diego II at thirteen. She received scholarships for professional training at The Academy of Performing Arts and performed in San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker before relocating to the Pacific Northwest. There, she danced professionally with Polaris Dance Theatre, trained at Northwest Dance Project and The Portland Ballet, and engaged in film and other dance projects. In 2018, Caley returned as a company dancer, choreographer, and instructor for Mounarath Powell Dance, becoming the Studio Manager in 2020. She has performed in San Diego Dance Theatre’s Young Choreographer’s Showcase, Jason Mraz’s 2020 musical production, Shine, and La Jolla Playhouse’s 2021 Pop-Up Wow Festival. In 2022, she directed and choreographed an original production of The Nutcracker: In A Nutshell for Mounarath Powell Dance School, continuing to innovate with new variations annually. In 2023, Caley was a featured dancer in the rock musical, Light My Fire and presented new choreography multiple times for, The Gathering, hosted by Kevin Jenkins and Ballet Counterpointe. Last year she was selected to present her work, The Joy of Dance, at the Bill Evans Somatic Dance and Movement Conference in Washington and furthered her training in New York City.​ In March, Caley curated and directed the spring performance of the MPD company.

Yasmina Devos (KDK Coordinator, Dancer) – Yasmina Devos began dancing at the age of four and was a member of Kidz Danz Kompany before joining the junior company at Malashock Dance in San Diego when she was seventeen.  While training and performing there, she met Courtney Giannone and Sam Tribble who taught her CYR Wheel.  Yasmina attended San Diego Mesa College, where she had the opportunity to train under Donna Flournoy and Blythe Barton before transferring to Cal State Fullerton.  During her college years, Yasmina studied under Lisa D. Long and Alvin Rangel and was a dancer in an original composition that was written and arranged by Saunder Choi called Verum Corpus along with the university singers.  Now, she holds a bachelor’s degree in dance and has returned to San Diego to dance professionally with Mounarath Powell Dance.

Caryn Ipapo-Glass (KAU Coordinator) –

Minaqua McPherson (Studio Manager, Dancer) – Minaqua was first introduced to dance and the stage in her youth with classes in ballet and jazz at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. As a young adult, she began to study Modern Dance at UCSD, where she graduated with a BA in dance and theater in 2007. Since then, Minaqua has trained and performed in arts communities both nationally and internationally with a multitude of outstanding choreographers including Evelyn Thomas of Nuba Dance Theater, Barbara Fritsche Danza, Gabe Mason, Lavina Rich of Push Process Movement, Monica Bill Barnes, Diego Pinon’s Body Ritual Movement, Greg Sample of Sample Dance, Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater, and Kata Pierce Morgan’s Golden Corpse Ensemble. She is thrilled to join the professional company of Mounarath Powell Dance and work with their diverse group of company members.

James LaRose (Dance Manager, Dancer) – James joined Mounarath Powell Dance in 2016. He performed Spencer John Powell’s choreography for Son of Cain at the Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy for Holding Common Ground: Pathways to Cultural Exchange in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He has worked with esteemed choreographers such as Jeanne Travers, Khamla Somphanh, Kiona Daelyn, Emily Navarra, and Trixi Agaio, and portrayed Puck in Opera NEO’s production of The Fairy Queen.

James has performed as a soloist in the Mix Match Festival, appeared as a guest artist in San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker tour, and worked with Ballet Counterpointe under choreographer Kevin Jenkins. His contributions to youth arts were highlighted in The San Diego Union-Tribune, and he was selected to perform in the Virtual LA Dance Festival.

Beyond the stage, James has also earned praise as an actor, delivering a standout lead performance in the award-winning short film Cronch. He currently serves as the Dance Manager for Mounarath Powell Dance, continuing to shape and elevate the art form with his passion and expertise.

Khamla Somphanh – Faculty of Visionary Dance Theater, The Kennedy Center Dance Lab, Lynch Dance Institute, Inspired Movement, Lecturer at San Diego State University and holds open community movement classes throughout San Diego. Somphanh received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts from St. Mary’s College of California, graduated from Duke Ellington Performing Arts High School in Washington, D.C. and attained Certification in Theory and Practice of Horton Pedagogy from The Alvin Ailey School in NYC. Her choreographic works have been commissioned by dance companies, conservatories, performing arts high schools and competition dancers across the country. Some of Somphanh’s performing credits include ODC/San Francisco Dance Company (San Francisco), Wylliams/Henry Dance Ensemble (Kansas City), the Broadway production of “The King and I” and 1st national touring company, Na-Ni Chen Dance Company, East/West Repertory Ensemble, Soundance Dance Company (New York City), Dance Esaias (Miami), New World Dance Company (Washington, D.C.), Malashock Dance Company, San Diego Opera (San Diego).

Trixi Anne Balinggan Agyao (Dancer) – Trixi’s first experience dancing was with traditional Igorot dance she learned from the Northern California chapter of BIBAK. BIBAK is the acronym for the subgroups of Cordillera Country in the Philippines: Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, and Kalinga. Trixi later studied dance at the University of California San Diego with Allyson Green, Margaret Marshall, Judy Sharp, Terry Willson, Liam Clancy, and Eric Geiger. She also performed for and learned from directors Corey Madden and Cirque du Soleil’s Jacques Heim. She is a UCSD graduate with a BA in dance and psychology and was awarded the Stewart Prize in Choreography and the Kendall Laurel Lui Scholarship Award. Trixi has danced with [the] movement initiative, Continuum Dance Project, The Corps Dance Crew, and performed for choreographers such as Jeanne Travers, Gina and Kyle Sorenson, Isabel Beteta de Cou, Jeremy Zapanta, Greg Sample and Marcella Torres-Sánchez. Trixi danced as a core member of Visionary Dance Theatre for five years and served as Visionary’s Assistant Artistic Director in 2018.

Eva Anderson (Dancer) – Eva Anderson is a dancer and choreographer who began her journey in San Diego with Kidz Danz Kompany under the direction of Spencer John Powell. She made her debut as a member of Mounarath Powell Dance in the summer of 2018, performing Jeanne Travers’ solo piece “Tremors,” which earned her a National Youth Arts Award. In 2019, Eva premiered her first evening-length work, “Science in Motion,” which was later restaged with Kidz Danz Kompany in 2023. Her most recent project, “ADRIFT-DRAFT,” a site-specific installation created in collaboration with Ileanna Cheladyn, was showcased at the Manetti Shrem Museum. Eva spent the summer in New York City, training at renowned institutions such as Gibney, Mark Morris Dance Center, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Peridance, and Steps on Broadway. She returned to Mounarath Powell Dance to present her first professional choreographic work in 2024 and continues to dance as a company member with them.

Zayda Estrada (Dancer) – Zayda started dancing when she was six years old in a variety of styles including ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance.  Additionally, she trained at California Ballet and spent a number of years performing around San Diego.  She was a featured dancer in several productions and had the opportunity to perform multiple roles before shifting focus to cosmetology.  In October of 2024, Zayda graduated with a certification in cosmetology and is now returning to the stage with Mounarath Powell Dance.

Jazmine Huerta (Dancer) – Jazmine Huerta (she/her) began her dance journey at the age of two with a small studio called California Dancers in Moreno Valley. She continued to cultivate her dance skills at Dance FX, training in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, musical theatre, and acrobatics. Huerta attended California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) to further her dance knowledge in ballet and the modern techniques of Horton, Graham, and Limón. During her time at CSUF, she had the pleasure of choreographing and working and performing pieces by choreographers such as Leon Damasco, Yoshito Sakubara, Jamila Glass, and Michael Nickerson-Rossi. In 2023, she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Dance. Her professional performances include the Palm Springs International Dance Festival, Nickerson-Rossi Dance Concert “When Academia Meets Professional,” American College Dance Association National Conference, Chloe and Maud Arnold’s Hollywood Tap Festival’s “All-Star Concert” and the DUMBO Dance Festival presented by White Wave in Brooklyn, New York. Since graduating Jazmine has been a dancer at Legoland California Resort, worked with Litvak Dance on a project for SD JFest,, and the San Diego Padres on the Pad Squad. Now she is a company dancer at Mounarath Powell Dance.

Gianna May (Dancer) – Gianna is an award-winning performer with three National Youth Arts Awards for the roles of lead dancer. She started dancing as a member of Kids Danz Kompany when she was six years old, went through the Pre-Professional Program, and became a company member of Mounarath Powell Dance at fifteen.  Gianna is also a working actress and dancer in movies and television including parts in Yes Day, 911, Animal Kingdom, The Neighbors, The Romanovs, Wonderful Wizard of Quads, Verizon, Wells Fargo, and Samsung Commercials, along with many other major network and studio projects.

DeVonté Murphy (Dancer) – DeVonté has had disciplined training in hip-hop, modern, contemporary, ballet, and jazz and showcases a variety of styles during performances.  During his time at Grossmont College, DeVonté danced in concerts and trained under Colleen Shipkowski and Blythe Barton. He has performed with Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater, Common Ground Theater, and Bite Dance Company. DeVonté became a professional company dancer with Mounarath Powell Dance in 2020.  Since becoming a member, he has been a featured dancer and worked with guest artists including Emily Navarra, Jeanne Travers, Betzi Roe, and Robert Todd.

Mila Gonzales (Guest Dancer) – 

Kevin Jenkins (Guest Choreographer) – 

Dance Magazine has praised Kevin’s work as “riveting” and he travels throughout the country choreographing for State Street Ballet, St. Louis Ballet, San Diego Dance Theater, the School of Ballet Arizona, SUNY Purchase, CPYB, Island Moving Company, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and Big Muddy Dance among others. He has served on faculty at Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, the University of San Diego, and Master Ballet Academy. His choreography has been performed on the Inside/Out Series at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and he has been awarded residencies with Djerassi and the National Choreographers Initiative.

Kevin trained in San Diego under Dave Mullen, Kathy Meyer, Teresa Wells, Kevin Patterson, and Ahita Ardalan. His diverse training led to working with a variety of companies including Mirable Ballet, Butterworth Dance Company, San Diego Dance Theater, and in productions of Guys and Dolls and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Outside the concert dance realm, he appeared in commercials for Allstate Insurance, Latinva Fitness, and Verizon Wireless, danced backup in Las Vegas for the band NRG, and performed in ballroom productions with Mary Murphy.

Stepping away from performing in 2006 he founded Garage Contemporary Ballet with Ryan Orion Beck and served as co-artistic director through 2012. The company was featured in festivals such as 4×4, Breaking Ground, Ignite, Celebrate Dance Festival, and San Diego Young Choreographer’s Prize, while also presenting their own annual season. During this period his work in dance film won him three Editors Choice Awards from Dance and Pointe Magazine. His films went on to be featured in the San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Greensboro Dance Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival, and American Dance Festival.

Deciding to focus on freelance choreography instead of directing a company, Kevin moved to San Francisco where he choreographed for Western Ballet, Emote Dance Theatre, the Orchestra Institute of Napa Valley, and Bay Pointe Ballet. He began traveling as well, creating for Convergence Ballet, Terpsicore Dance Company, Southwest Classical Youth Ballet, as well as Darian Lane’s film At The Ballet.

After leaving San Francisco Kevin enjoyed a two-year tenure with Boston Ballet School. He now lives in San Diego and directs Ballet Counterpointe, which he founded in 2022. He still creates for companies and productions around the country including choreographing and directing Gayle Skidmore’s Hourglass music video and working under Jeremy Lapp at Musical Theatre Guild choreographing Minnie’s Boys. He has also choreographed opera singer Natalie Bancroft’s 2019 European tour and created for dance companies and universities such as Eglevsky Ballet, Ballet Dallas, Bellingham Repertory Dance, Columbia Repertory Ballet, Ketchikan Theatre Ballet, Muhlenberg College, Grossmont College, LITVAK Dance, Wanderlust Dance Project, Columbia Ballet Collaborative, Belhaven University, Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet, and Ballet 5:8.

Joseph Lister (Guest Dancer) – 

Joseph Lister (he/they) began their dance training at California State University, Channel Islands at age 19, where they founded and captained the university’s first dance team, Breaking Pointe. They then transferred to the University of California, Riverside, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2015. During their time at UCR, Joseph was awarded the GLUCK Fellowship and the Chancellor’s Performance Award and apprenticed with Lula Washington Dance Theatre while attending its Professional Development Program. Post-graduation, Joseph danced with No) One Art House during a residency at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and completed a character folk dance intensive at Voronezh Ballet School in Russia. Joseph is currently a dancer, teacher and choreographer for Malashock Dance and is also a soloist with San Diego Ballet, Artistic Director of CalliOpus Contemporary Dance based in Temecula, and guest faculty at Mount San Jacinto College.

Robert Todd (Guest Choreographer) – 

Todd, Regional Director of Grey Matters Rhythmic Movement and Music Program, is a dedicated professional in movement therapy for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. His career spans over four decades, including ten years with the New York-based Lincoln Center Institute and eight years with the California Center for the Arts’ Suave program at Cal State San Marcos.

As a Fulbright-Hays Scholar, Todd toured India, exploring the role of dance and puppetry in education. He has collaborated with renowned dance companies, including Alvin Ailey Repertory Theater, Hamburg Ballet, and Jean Isaacs’ San Diego Dance Theater.

Certified in Minding Motion for Graceful Aging and Horton Pedagogy, Todd is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Currently, he choreographs for San Diego Dance Theater’s Aging Creatively program and leads Grey Matters’ innovative initiatives. Todd’s contributions have been recognized through the “Healing through the Arts” 2025 grant from the Prebys Foundation.