Spencer John Powell has been in the performing arts all of his life. He retired from the professional stage and has only done rare performances here and there. His latest was as Edna in Hairspray. Powell has been teaching for over 30 years. He has been the Education Coordinator for the Head Start program in Utah. Kidz Danz Kompany, founded and Directed by Powell in 1994 and was revived in San Diego. Powell Choreographed his first major work at 19 years old. He has performed in all dance genres from Ballet to Tap. His passion is choreography. In addition to being the Artistic Director of Visionary Dance Theatre, Powell has also joined forces with Mickey Mounarath to create Mounarath-Powell Productions. They focus on producing emerging and professional artists in all art forms. Spencer and his partner were name Power Couple of the year by San Diego Theatre Reviews.

Powell is the former artistic director of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre. He was the co-founder and director of Tanner and Powell Dance Theatre. Powell attended Weber State University on a full-ride talent scholarship. He has studied dance and theatre in New York and Houston, TX under the likes of Ben Lokey(director of Santa Monica Dance Theatre), Diane Ramos, and Cliff Keuter. Powell has danced and studied under his mentor Jeanne Travers (Associate Professor School of Theatre and Dance USF), Abbie Fiat, Lisa Roll, Eric Stern, and Patti O’Neal. Powell has also worked with Penelope Dudleston (former dancer with New York City Ballet). He has performed with such institutions as Utah Musical Theatre, Orchesis Dance Theatre, Weber State Performing Arts, Discovery Dance Theatre, Junction City Theatre, and Another Language Performing Arts Company. Powell’s second work Kaffir(1989) won many awards and was commissioned by the Utah Arts and Humanities Book group. Powell’s choreography is in rep. with many dance companies. In addition to being an award-winning Choreographer, Powell is also an award-winning Actor.

Powell has also been a dance and theatre instructor and choreographer for 30 years. He has worked at the Dudleston School of Ballet, Norma Dutson School of Dance. Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, and Kroc Kids junior theatre company. His work has been performed at high schools such as Helix High School and Point Loma High School. Powell has been a guest teacher at North Coast Theatre. He has choreographed and/or directed professional and community theatre musicals such as Next To Normal, The Wiz, Music Man, and Gypsy, to name a few, as well as many musical revues. Powell’s students have graced the Broadway stage and have danced in major Ballet and Modern Dance Companies around the world. Students of Powell have gone on to be teachers, college professors, and other noble professionals.

As a producer, Powell has produced many productions as well as individual artists such as Blythe Barton, Jess Humphrey, Daniel Marshall, Michael Mizerany, Lavina Rich, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, Khamla Somphanh, Gina and Kyle Sorensen, Jeanne Travers, Diana Valero, KO Dance Company, La Diego Dance Company, and [the] movement initiative.

Powell has a passion to empower the youth through the performing arts, especially in choreography. Powell provides a platform for youth to express their voice and talent through choreography.

Contact Spencer at: Spencer.Powell@VisionaryDanceTheatre.org

Caley Hernandez was born and raised in San Diego and began dancing seriously with The Dance Conservatory when she was eight.  During her five years there, she performed and won top awards in competitions that included Showstoppers and Dance America.  At thirteen, she became the youngest member of La Diego 2, under the direction of Daniel Marshall.  Caley then auditioned for owner and director Kevin Charles Patterson of The Academy of Performing Arts where she earned scholarships for professional training three years in a row.  In 2014, Caley was selected to perform in San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker, and in 2016 joined Visionary Dance Theatre for one performance before she moved to the Pacific Northwest.  She danced professionally for two years with Polaris Dance Theatre under the direction of Robert Guitron and also choreographed a piece for Portland’s Fertile Ground Festival.  Taking full advantage of her new surroundings, she participated in film and other dance projects in addition to training at Northwest Dance Project and Portland Ballet.  Back in San Diego, Caley has rejoined the Visionary family as a company member and Studio Manager. She also continues teaching dance, choreographing, and performing around the city; most recently on stage with singer/songwriter Jason Mraz and his new production, Shine.

Eva Anderson was born in San Diego and danced with Kidz Danz Kompany on scholarship for nine years. She made her premier as a member of Visionary Dance Theatre during the summer of 2018, when she danced internationally acclaimed choreographer Jeanne Traver’s solo work, “Tremors.” Eva has also worked with choreographers suchas Kiona Daelyn, Elyssa Dru Rosenberg, Ramon Montes, Krista Kaye, Kyle Sorensen, and Marty Anthony Dorado. She studied modern dance at the Mark Morris Dance Company in New York. She also has musical theatre experience, having worked with Michael Sokol and Marc Caro, and has performed with local actress Lenelle Wylie. Eva teaches ballet, contemporary, and modern dance at Kidz Danz Kompany, and is currently one of their main in-resident choreographers.

Caley Hernandez was born and raised in San Diego and began dancing seriously with The Dance Conservatory when she was eight.  During her five years there, she performed and won top awards in competitions that included Showstoppers and Dance America.  At thirteen, she became the youngest member of La Diego 2, under the direction of Daniel Marshall.  Caley then auditioned for owner and director Kevin Charles Patterson of The Academy of Performing Arts where she earned scholarships for professional training three years in a row.  In 2014, Caley was selected to perform in San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker, and in 2016 joined Visionary Dance Theatre for one performance before she moved to the Pacific Northwest.  She danced professionally for two years with Polaris Dance Theatre under the direction of Robert Guitron and also choreographed a piece for Portland’s Fertile Ground Festival.  Taking full advantage of her new surroundings, she participated in film and other dance projects in addition to training at Northwest Dance Project and Portland Ballet.  Back in San Diego, Caley has rejoined the Visionary family as a company member and Studio Manager. She also continues teaching dance, choreographing, and performing around the city; most recently on stage with singer/songwriter Jason Mraz and his new production, Shine.

Tanya Lewis started her dance career as a competitive studio dancer.  She discovered a love for modern dance at Palomar Community College and continued her dance education at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).  She graduated with a BA in December of 2012, majoring in dance and minoring in theater where she also received the Stewart Prize in Choreography.  She currently dances with Visionary Dance Theater and is entering her eighth year with the company.  Her stage career includes work with Eveoke Dance Theatre, Patricia Rincon Dance Collective, KO Dance Co, Monica Bill Barnes & Company, Eric Geiger, and Somebodies Dance Theater to name a few.  As an independent artist, past projects include Prism and You’re Late, both evening length works. Her short film, Between Two Ends, was selected as part of the international dance film festival 40 North. She also choreographed for the short film Song of Birds and Bees, winning the Silver Award for best choreography from International Film Awards. Beyond performing and creating work, she has found a special joy in teaching students of all ages. She has taught and choreographed for VDT, Kidz Danz Kompany, World Dance, Momentum, Jibe Studios, Scripps Ranch Academy of Dance, Dance and Company, etc.