April is a passionate artist, dancer, teacher, and choreographer. One of her greatest goals is to share her life’s passion of movement so others may experience the joy that dance cultivates.
April began dancing at age 5. As an adolescent, she danced at the Conservatory of Dance and Performing Arts for several years and moved on as a teacher’s aide in college dance courses. April has performed in several ballets such as The Nutcracker and Snow White. She’s attended dance intensives and teacher workshops at Ballet Magnificat! In 2011, she formed a dance ministry in San Francisco called Open City Dance. This ministry provides anyone who has a love and appreciation for the arts to share it within the community. In 2013-2014, she danced with professional ballet company Anastasis in East Bay. April currently shares her love of dance by teaching and choreographing as a ministry in the Bay Area.

Denai began her career as a competitive gymnast before discovering dance. She danced with a local studio in Wisconsin before deciding to pursue a BFA at the University of Arizona. After graduation, Denai and her husband moved to Los Angeles where she danced with Kybele Dance Theater, Benita Bike’s DanceArt, Contemporary Arte in Movement, and Stretch Dance Company.  Her choreography has been presented at the Pasadena Dance Festival, the World Dance Alliance General Assembly, and the LA Dance Invitational held at the Ford Theatre.  Favorite musical roles include “Cassie” in A Chorus Line, “Louise” in Carousel, and “Girl in the Green Dress” in Singin in the Rain. Denai is passionate about worship dance and led the dance ministry at her church training up dancers in the prophetic and worship arts.  Denai currently teaches at a number of Bay Area studios and is also mom to her son, Caleb.

Heather is so blessed to be dancing with such a godly group of women! Much of her dance experience comes from 3Crosses Neighborhood Church of Castro Valley, having performed in their mainstage productions for 9 years. She has recently found that worship dance is one of the most precious ways of communicating with her Loving Father and loves connecting with Him in such a sweet way! Dance and other creative art forms have always been a source of refreshment for Heather, and she counts it a true gift to dance in worship to her King. Above all, Heather is so grateful to God for giving her a passion for dance and leading her to this beautiful dance company with an upward focus!

At a young age, Erika’s parents noticed she loved grooving to music at home and signed her up for dance lessons. Erika grew up dancing ballet, jazz, and tap competitively. In high school, Erika tried out cheer leading and facilitated a dance club. While Erika studied psychology at the University of Pacific, she joined a hip hop dance crew, Rhythm Inc, and enjoyed choreographing dance routines for her sorority, Alpha Phi. Upon moving to the Bay Area in 2016, she started dancing with 3 Crosses Music and Arts Outreach, before joining Open City Dance. Dance has been a crucial part of Erika’s self expression and continues to serve as a way to connect with God, people, and the present moment.

Karina began dancing at the age of 3 and has been in love with performing ever since. Primarily trained in jazz and tap, she danced with the San Ramon Valley Dance Academy and the Castro Valley High School Dance Team. After committing her life to Jesus late in school, Karina began to learn how she could use this art form she loved to worship God. What once was a source of self-glorification, she discovered dance could reflect the goodness of God, tell the story of his love, and express a greater purpose of life. Karina is deeply grateful to her parents for supporting her dance career, both in financial sacrifice and being present at every performance.

Tiana was born and raised in Oakland, CA. As a child, Tiana enjoyed music and had a love for dance. In her high school years, she studied jazz, hip hop, modern (Dunham technique) and began her journey in the performing arts. From 2003-2008, Tiana danced professionally in several hip hop companies. After several years and a change of heart, Tiana decided to surrender her gift of dance to the LORD and fell in love with praise dance. Tiana has continued her dance education with liturgical, ballet, and contemporary dance at Ray of Light Performing Arts in Hayward, CA. She also co-leads the One Worship team at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Tiana is thrilled to be a member of Open City Dance! Her heart’s desire is to spread the love of God to the world, to continue to grow in deeper intimacy with the Lord through worship and use her gift of dance to draw others to Christ.