The Ladies
Gladys Liu
Gladys grew up in the Bay Area, CA. Although trained in classical ballet and traditional Chinese dance, her current passion lies in House, Locking, Waacking and other street styles. She joined Mix'd Ingrdnts in 2011 and since then, had the opportunity to perform at SFIHHDF, Oaktoberfest, MoAD SF, and many other community events. She recently presented solo work at SF DIGGS Deeper and made it to top 4 at The GroovMekanex 16th Anniversary Jam. When Gladys is not training, she is a full time online marketing specialist.
Nina Wu
Nina is a learning game designer by day and dancer in all other times. In addition to Mix’d, she is also a company dancer for Sarah Bush Dance Project. Nina studied math, visual art, and education at Duke University. Her pursuit for adventure took her from teaching 4th grade, to working in an NYC art gallery, to now designing math video games, dancing and performing all the while. (www.ninawu.com)
Esme Kundanis-Grow
Esme is a San Francisco based choreographer, performer and dance teacher. She has presented her choreography locally at ODC, Dance Mission Theatre, KUNST-STOFF Arts, and The Garage. She currently performs with Mix’d Ingrdnts, LizTenuto/DanceandaHalf, and Pearl Marill/Modern on Command. She teaches dance through San Francisco Arts Education Project, Brisbane Dance and Theatre Workshop, ODC, and Rhythm and Motion Dance Workout Program. (www.ekgrow.com)
Marjorie Ortiz
Marjorie is a Bay Area native who graduated from California State University, East Bay on the Dean’s List and as one of CSUEB’s Most Notable Women. She has been teaching, choreographing, and directing dance programs in the Bay Area since 2005, working with CSUEB’s Eclectic Pulse Dance Team, Team Up for Youth, The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro, and the Berkeley Jr. Bears Cheer & Dance Team. Marjorie is currently a dance instructor at Destiny Arts Center, Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, Shu Ren International Immersion School, and teaches various dance styles privately. Through dance as a positive outlet and tool to heal, she hopes to empower others to raise awareness and gain support for various philanthropic causes, inspiring them to use their voice as performers to create art that is significant to them and impactful on society. Some of Marjorie’s work has included performing with local Bay Area artists, Groove Generation of In the Groove Studio in Oakland, A.V.I.D. directed by Amy Marie La Faille, the Interdisciplinary Inclusive Ensemble directed by Eric Kupers, and MEnD Dance Theater Company directed by Grace Alvarez. Marjorie is also a proud member of Dance the Bay’s Advisory Board as a Dance Education Specialist mentoring aspiring dance instructors.
Cassey Dela Pena
Cassey grew up in San Jose, CA. She began training in various styles of dance at twelve years old with Startistic Expressions Dance Company. In high school Cassey was a member of IndepenDANCE Company and served two years as their student-director. She eventually began training in urban hip-hop choreography in 2011 under the direction of Hungry Bumz based in San Jose. Since then, she has focused her energy on evolving her free movement and being an honored member of Mix’d Ingrdnts. Cassey is currently a student at California State University East Bay majoring in Health Science emphasis in Pre-clinical Option and aspires to be registered nurse in the future.