Advocate
Core Beliefs
As a dance advocate, Alyssa believes in dismantling systemic barriers that exclude diverse identities, cultures, and bodies from the dance landscape and accessibility of dance for all. They champion inclusivity by creating spaces where all body types are celebrated, whether they conform to traditional standards or not. Decolonizing dance means honoring the roots of marginalized communities—centering Latinx and African diasporic traditions, while challenging Eurocentric norms that dominate the field. Equity in dance requires intentional action: equitable access to training, funding, and platforms for BIPOC dancers, LGBTQ+ artists, and those with disabilities. By amplifying underrepresented voices, redefining technique, and fostering respectful collaboration, we can transform dance into a space of healing, empowerment, and true representation.
Preservation of History
Alyssa’s vocabulary and practicum is defined by preserving the legacies of dance. Alyssa's practice is defined by honoring dance's history, citing origins and creators. This is a practice learned from her mentors in tap dance: Christina Carminucci and Lisa La Touche, two women at the forefront of accessibility and preservation of history. Alyssa is passionate about the preservation of history through the lens of black and other non white dance, because the stories have been passed down through word of mouth without solid documentation, resulting in history and dancers being forgotten. The best example of this is Baby Laurence, the most revolutionary tap dancer of all time with only small clips to remember him by. This is important to Alyssa, because as history gets forgotten the culture is distorted and altered.
Representation
Alyssa aims to achieve a world of dance that has an emphasis on representation and accessibility, aiming to break down barriers and create a more inclusive art scene. Overall Alyssa's work as a performer, choreographer and educator contributes to the broader discourse on diversity, equity and inclusion in dance. In a collaborative sense, Alyssa aligns with dancers and artists who challenge systemic racism and promote inclusivity. The fight for a truly diverse field is never ending, and Alyssa uses her privilege to be the voice for others who's voices are being silenced, and is always creating work for the many people who are marginalized.