CREATIVE DIRECTOR, RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER

since 2014

Meredith Ventura is a multi-creative artist based out of southern California. She graduated with honors from UC Santa Barbara, with a B.F.A. in Dance in 2013, received her M.F.A. in dance at Hollins University in 2018, and is currently a Ph.D. student in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. As the founder and artistic director of Selah Dance Collective, Ms. Ventura has produced and performed in full evening-length performances and presented works throughout the United States. She has performed with Nebula Dance Lab and Janusphere Dance Company and travels nationally and internationally as a dance educator and advocate for the arts.

COMPANY MANAGER

since 2021

Vietor Davis is a dance artist based in Santa Barbara, California. Vietor started his training in ballet and contemporary dance in 2017 at The Dance Network and later joined their senior dance company. Vietor joined Selah Dance Collective in 2021 and made his professional debut in Arianna Hartanov’s Bolero. Vietor has since performed throughout the United States with Selah as a member of the touring company, including their recent performance of Sound and Smoke at Gibney 280 in March 2023. Vietor looks forward to continuing to develop his artistry with Selah Dance Collective.

SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR

since 2017

Rachyl began her dance training at the age of three with Temecula Dance Company in tap, jazz and ballet. At age 12, she focused on ballet training at The Ballet Studio in Temecula, CA. She attended summer intensive programs with American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Walnut Hill School of the Arts to augment her training. Rachyl was a company member at City Ballet of San Diego for 3 seasons where she performed in George Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht, the company’s productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliette, Firebird and Giselle. Rachyl is now a company member in her seventh season with Selah Dance Collective and Nebula Dance Lab.

since 2024

Avery Trask started dancing at 11 and trained under the direction of Kirsten Oakley and Laurin Boland at Oakley Ballet Center in Ventura, California. Predominately trained in ballet and modern dance, she was a part of Footworks Youth Ballet from 2017-2023 as a dancer and rehearsal assistant. She has been featured in soloist and principal roles in the company’s repertoire, including The Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Snow White in the production by the same name. She is pursuing her BFA in Dance at the University of California of Santa Barbara.

since 2016

Ashley Kohler Reynolds, a Santa Barbara based Dancer and Instructor, joined Selah Dance Collective in 2017. A sought-after performer in the Santa Barbara dance community, Ashley has danced with choreographers like Weslie Ching, Robin Bisio, Nicole Helton, and performs and is rehearsal director for Nebula Dance Lab, a professional contemporary dance company in Santa Barbara. Aside from performing, Ashley also has a passion for teaching. She has been on staff at Los Olivos Dance Gallery for 15 years, and also teaches in local schools through Children’s Creative Project.

since 2025

From Santa Rosa, CA, Bella Schwartz trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and tap. She spent summers at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Ballet West, and ABT. She then moved to Indianapolis to study at Butler University, graduating cum laude with a BFA in Dance Performance. At Butler, Bella was honored to perform soloist roles in modern and contemporary works by notable faculty including Susan McGuire, David Ingram, and Derek Reid. Bella also performed in classical ballets presented by Butler Ballet. She began her career as a member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s Second Company under the direction of Shonna Hickman-Matlock. Bella is delighted to be joining for her first season with Selah.

since 2025

Darya Hessami is a dynamic and versatile dancer specializing in modern, contemporary, and hip hop. With over 20 years of experience, she has performed in several competitions, including Hip Hop Internationals, Red Rock Dance Festival, and Choreographer’s Carnival. Darya trained with Tracy Kofford for 6 years and toured nationally with SBCC Dance Company. Darya had the opportunity to study abroad with Florence Summer Dance while choreographing a new work, Unraveling Poignance. Darya joined Selah in 2025 and has also performed as a guest artist with Novus Contemporary Ballet.

since 2026

Erika Cruz is a Santa Barbara native and graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts, where she studied Musical Theatre in both Los Angeles and New York. She also studied Ethnic Studies, Chicano Studies, Native American Studies, and Black Studies at Santa Barbara City College. After spending the last decade performing both nationally, and internationally, Erika is now back in Santa Barbara teaching dance, spending time with family, and staying involved in the community. She’s happy to be part of this disco adventure. Keep Families Together.

since 2025

Lara van Diggelen has been dancing since the age of 3 in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has toured nationally as an assistant with the Dupree Dance Convention and worked as a choreographer for San Ramon Valley Dance Academy. She has participated in summer intensive programs with NYC Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary, Jacob Jonas The Company, Bates Dance Festival, and Santa Barbara Dance Theater, learning under artists such as Paul Matteson, Angelica Stiskin, Akira Uchida, and Brandon Whited. She is currently working towards her BFA in Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Trained in a variety of styles, she is most passionate about contemporary, modern, and jazz movement and is excited to continue to build her artistic expression with Selah.

since 2024

Madeline Skye Stiner, raised in Santa Ana, California, began her formal dance training at the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School under the direction of Alaine Hubert, graduating in 2021. She continued her career in dance as a Trainee with American Repertory Ballet, training under the direction of Ethan Stiefel and Aydmara Cabrera, and was later invited to join the faculty of Princeton Ballet School. Throughout her career, Madeline has trained extensively with renowned artists such as Stella Abrera, Paloma Herrera, and Kevin McKenzie. She has also participated in prestigious summer intensives with American Ballet Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Boston Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy, and Joffrey Ballet Chicago. In addition to her dance achievements, Madeline holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. She is currently a trainee with State Street Ballet and has performed in company productions such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Scheherazade. 

since 2025

Molly Gray started dancing when she was 3 years old in an Allen Hancock performance of The Nutcracker. She went on to study ballet and jazz at the Los Olivos Dance Gallery, and later attended UC Irvine where she majored in dance performance and dance choreography. While at UCI, Molly was a member and featured soloist of the late Donald McKayle’s Etude Ensemble, and received an award from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts for excellence in choreography. Molly supplemented her training through workshops and intensives with Alonzo King Lines Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and RUBBERBAND Dance. In 2018 Molly moved to New York City where she performed with various companies including The Dash Ensemble under the direction of Gregory Dolbashian, Barkin/Selissen Project, and The Pocketfuel Groovers. She also worked with and performed for various choreographers including Max Stone, Julia Ehrstrand, and Theresa Jimmerson. Molly has shown her choreographic work in New York City and Stockholm, Sweden. She’s very excited to be working with Selah Dance Collective.

since 2015

Originally from Orange County, Monique Nadeau studied at La Danse in La Mirada before moving to Santa Barbara in 2003. She is a multidisciplinary dancer with extensive performance experience including work with the UCSB Dance Team, Rhythm Street Team, and Fusion Dance Company. Monique joined Selah in 2015 and also dances with Nebula Dance Lab. Monique spends her days as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Santa Barbara’s Cottage Hospital.

since 2026

Elianne Holt began her dance training at Hosanna Dance Studio in Eugene, OR, where she fell in love with dance in all forms. After her oldest brother decided to become a professional dancer, she followed in his footsteps. She began training more seriously, which included summer intensive training at the University of Utah, Oregon Ballet Theater, and State Street Ballet. In the fall of 2023, Elianne joined State Street Ballet’s Professional Track and performed alongside the professional company in their production of The Nutcracker. Elianne joined Novus Contemporary Ballet in 2025 and Selah Dance Collective in 2026.

since 2026

Faye Zink, originally from Evergreen, Colorado, began training at Kinetic Arts Dance Studio. She expanded her training through prestigious summer intensives with Sacramento Ballet, State Street Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, performing in works by Igal Perry and Mizuho Kappa. In 2024, Faye moved to Santa Barbara to train at State Street Ballet and joined Novus Contemporary Ballet in 2026. She joined Selah Dance Collective as an apprentice in 2026.