Guest Artists
Masterclass Series
Expand Your Skills:
A Deeper Dive into Dance
Join us for the 2026 season of DVP’s Guest Artist Masterclass Series, a unique program that brings respected New York City–based dance artists to lead dynamic workshops that celebrate diverse movement traditions. Designed for older adults and open to all experience levels, these classes offer a space to explore movement, creativity, and cultural expression.
2026 Schedule
Monday, Feb. 9th, 2026
1:30-2:30PM
Bharatanatyam (Indian Dance)
Taught By:
Sloka Iyengar, PhD
Queensbridge Riis
Senior Center
10-25 41st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
The Indian dance that Sloka practices consists of hand gestures, facial expressions, percussive movement, melody, and rhythm. We will explore these aspects and then bring them all together to co-create a piece together. All the movements we will explore can be done seated on a chair, standing up, or even just with your hands! Find the joy of expression, movement, music, and storytelling in Bharatanatyam. All activities are adaptable to all abilities!
Sloka (pronounced “Shloka”) Iyengar, PhD, is a neuroscientist and practitioner of a traditional Indian dance form called Bharatanatyam. She is passionate about relieving suffering through scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Sloka is creating the foundation to use Bharatanatyam to facilitate creative aging and has been awarded fellowships and grants from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and the New York Public Library to bring Bharatanatyam to NYC's older adults! She also works with people with mild/ early dementia at The Memory Tree.
Wednesday, Feb. 11th, 2026
1:00-2:00 PM
Traditional West African Dance
Taught By:
Lamine Thiam
Park Slope Heights & Hills
Center For Successful Aging
463A 7Th St.
Brooklyn, Ny 11215
Traditional West African dance will start with a good warm up and then breakdown the steps, making it easy for students. Then groups cross the floor dancing to traditional west African drumming!
Lamine Thiam, born in Senegal in 1972, is a world-renowned actor, dancer, model, choreographer, teacher, composer, and drummer who specializes in teaching traditional West African dances and rhythms from Senegal, Guinea and Mali. He has performed extensively around the world - in the US, Mexico, Africa, and Europe. Lamine's work as a dancer and musician is athletic, vigorous, elegant, and expressive. As an actor, he has appeared in significant films including Spielberg's "Amistad" and "Tears of the Sun", as well as in various New York City plays and countless dance programs, including at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. He currently teaches at the dance conservatory of Purchase College and the acting school Esper Studio in Manhattan. He also composes and performs afro-fusion music, combining West African traditional rhythms with jazz and blues, with his band Lamine World Music. His friendly ebullient spirit, pedagogical capacity, and exceptionally diverse skill set allow him to connect with both students and audiences alike wherever he teaches and performs.
Wednesday, Feb. 11th, 2026
2:00-3:00 PM
Traditional Chinese Ribbon Dance
Taught By:
Mei-Yin Ng
Hudson Guild Fulton
Senior Center
119 9th Ave
New York, NY 10001
This dynamic workshop introduces participants to the traditional Chinese ribbon dance, blending graceful movement, rhythm, and expressive storytelling. Through guided exercises and simple choreography, students explore how long silk ribbons create flowing patterns in the air, developing coordination, musicality, and creativity. Suitable for all levels, the workshop emphasizes cultural context, playful exploration, and joyful movement.
Mei-Yin Ng is a professional dancer, choreographer, and Mandarin teacher of Chinese descent, born in Malaysia, with over 14 years of training in Chinese language and performing arts. Based in New York City, she has extensive experience teaching children in public, private, and community settings, and has worked with organizations including Arts Connection, the New York Chinese Cultural Center, China Institute, and Families with Children from China. An internationally touring contemporary and traditional Chinese dancer, Ng has performed across Asia, Europe, South America, and the U.S. Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Arts Connection Janklow Award, NYFA Fellowships, MAP Fund support, and international awards for her dance films and community-based projects.
Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 2026
2:00-3:15 PM
Dances of the African Diaspora
Taught By:
Anthony Howell
Accompanied by:
BabaDon
Central Harlem Senior Citizens' Centers
at Kennedy Community Center
34 West 134 Street
New York, NY 10037
Dive deep into the cultural roots and vibrant rhythms of African Diaspora dance. this immersive session focus' on authentic movements, storytelling, and the historical context of each style. Focus on intricate choreography, performance skills, and a deeper understanding of dance principles.
Anthony “Tony” Howell is a dancer, choreographer, teaching artist, and producer dedicated to African diasporic dance forms. His early training began touring internationally with Marie Brooks Children’s Dance Group in the Caribbean, Ghana, and Italy. He studied classical ballet at the Joffrey Ballet and Dunham Technique with Larl Becham, Lavinia Williams, Philip Stamps, and Joan Peters. Howell has performed with Chuck Davis’ African American Dance Ensemble, Kenel Archer Haitian Folkloric Dance Company, and Eugene James Dance Company, and has choreographed works for institutions including FIT and State Street Productions. He has taught widely throughout New York City and internationally, including recent workshops in Brazil and Cuba, and continues to share his work as a Guest Artist with Dances for a Variable Population.Dance Company in Havana, Cuba (2024). He is invited to conduct workshops at Bale Renconcavo co-directed by Elisio Pitta and Clyde Morgan in Cachoeiras, Bahia, Brazil and FUNCEB in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil (2026). Mr., Howell earned his B.A. at SUNY/Albany in African Studies and French (2002) and MSW at the Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University (2018). He is the author of “Ice does Melt” prose and essay by Anthony Tony Howell (Blurb.com –2013), and “The African Diaspora in Arts and Culture from A to Z” (Amazon.com).
Wednesday, Feb. 25th, 2026
1:30-2:45 PM
Soul Line Dance
Taught By:
Maisha Thompson
William Hodson
Senior Center
1320 Webster Ave
Bronx, NY 10456
Join Maisha Thompson, a talented dancer and instructor, as she shares her love for dance as a way to lift the soul. In her class 'Soul Line Dancing, Maisha will guide you through energetic and fun movements set to the beat of R&B, gospel, and contemporary hits. These dance moves can be done without a partner and will improve your cardiovascular health while providing an opportunity to boost your social interactions. Get ready to groove and have a soulful good time!
Maisha Thompson studied African Dance under the talented Artistic Director, Jerome Hunter of the LaRocque Bey School of Dance Theater in Harlem. Maisha also received additional training with Artistic Director, Fumilayo of the Fusha Dance Company as well. Maisha taught African Dance movements for the New York City Mission Society Power Academy afterschool programs. She has served as choreographer for Grosvenor Neighborhood program for their cultural ceremonies and received numerous acknowledgements for her outstanding work with families and children.
A Look at Past Classes:
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Additional Classes
Looking for more ways to move? Join our additional classes, from lively cardio to modern dance, available online, in-person, and even over the phone!