Co-Creator & Program Director

Born and raised in San Francisco, Vicki Alvarez began dancing at a young age, training in multiple styles and performing on platforms like America’s Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance. She holds a BA in Psychology with a Dance minor from Cal State Northridge and an MS in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute. As a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, Vicki has worked with diverse populations—from early child development to seniors with dementia. Guided by the belief that the body is the unconscious mind, she uses movement as a powerful tool for connection and healing.

Co-Creator & Lead Facilitator

Clory Rossi-Shewan is a licensed psychotherapist, dancer, choreographer and dance instructor. Originally from Italy, she trained and performed professionally in ballet and modern dance with Balletto di Roma, IALS in Rome, Ajkun Ballet Theatre, and Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. Clory earned her MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles and currently provides psychotherapy to college students in Santa Barbara. Her clinical experience includes working with diverse individuals, couples, families, and children, integrating art, dance, movement, and yoga. She is currently completing training in Dance/Movement Therapy.

Program Coordinator

Andrea brings a background in wellness, mental health, and creative arts to her role as Program Coordinator at Let's Dance It Out. With a passion for creating inclusive, joyful spaces, she supports the planning and coordination of LDIO’s therapeutic dance programs. Andrea is committed to fostering community, connection, and self-expression through movement.

Facilitator

Lauren is a Facilitator with LDIO and has been a dedicated member of the team since 2013. Her work with this community inspired her to pursue a career as a therapist. She is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with specialized training in Expressive Arts Therapy, Mindfulness, and Trauma-Informed Yoga. Lauren has devoted her career to bringing arts and wellness to young people in schools and community-based settings. 

Facilitator

Stephanie Dawn Hawkins is a passionate dance facilitator, sound healer, and writer who thrives on blending movement, creativity, and connection. A graduate of NYU with a degree in psychology, Stephanie earned her Dance for All facilitation certification through UCLA’s Healing Arts Initiative. Whether she’s leading workshops, crafting words, or dancing it out, she brings her full heart and deep love for artistic expression to every space she holds.

Facilitator

Alyssa Zepeda is a licensed clinical social worker and dance therapy student, whose journey in the world of movement began at the tender age of five. With a lifelong passion for dance, Alyssa has always been captivated by the powerful intersection of movement, creative expression, and mental health. This fascination led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Dance, laying a strong foundation for her future endeavors.

After completing her Master’s in Social Work in 2015, Alyssa joined the Let's Dance it Out Team as an intern, where she not only supported the program but also honed her skills in the expressive arts field. With over a decade of experience, she has worked with children, adults, and families, employing a unique blend of creative, somatic, and evidence-based approaches to foster healing and growth.

Alyssa's commitment to understanding the transformative power of movement and somatic wellness is evident in her ongoing research and studies. She recently had the honor of presenting her work at the National Dance Education Organization's 2024 Somatic Special Topic Conference in New York, showcasing her dedication to advancing the field of dance movement therapy and ecosomatics.

With a warm and approachable demeanor, Alyssa Zepeda continues to inspire those around her, proving that the rhythm of life can be a powerful tool for mental well-being.

Facilitator

Rugile (Reggie) Pekinas is a California native who has centered dance in her life since she was 3 years old. She has worked in education with different student populations all around the world, and has taught dance to children in Spain. Now working as a SPED teacher for high/ middle schoolers in Los Angeles, Reggie is excited to combine her passions for dance and inclusive learning to the LDIO community! 

Facilitator

Nadene Pita, is a Māori artist blending culture and transformation. Her 2023 California Arts Council Emerging Artist Fellowship recognizes her diverse talents. In "Turning Arrows into Flowers," she weaves Māori heritage with jazz and electroacoustic music. Her new project, "Wood, Wire, Bone," explores themes of family and feminism. Collaborations with Lama Tashi Norbu and David Ornette Cherry defy convention, and with Red Sky Performance, she bridges cultures. Beyond stages, she teaches healing arts to underserved communities. Nadene's MA in Contemporary Cross-Cultural Improvisation guides her, ensuring her performance art and music remains a transformative journey of heritage and innovation.

Outreach & Community Engagement Intern

Xan Blackwell is the Community Engagement and Outreach Intern at Let’s Dance It Out, where they lead efforts to build meaningful community partnerships, enhance visibility, and expand access to inclusive dance therapy programs. Combining a professional background in dance and social work, Xan is deeply committed to using movement as a tool for healing, empowerment, and connection. They work to ensure that individuals of all abilities feel seen, supported, and inspired to express themselves through dance. Through their role, Xan actively advances the organization’s mission to make therapeutic dance accessible and impactful for diverse communities.

Intern

Bernadett (Betti) Toth was born and raised in Hungary, Betti holds a BA in Education with a major in Social Pedagogy from Eszterházy Károly University. Having lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years, she brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her volunteer work. She also served as a Peace Corps education volunteer in Timor Leste. Betti is certified in Social Emotional Learning via Arts from The Arts and Healing Initiative in Santa Monica, CA, and she is also certified in the BTO (Beat The Odds) Trauma-Informed Program, which integrates the power of contemporary drum circles to foster core strengths such as focus, listening, team building, emotional expression, anger/stress management, empathy, kindness, and gratitude. Betti has received extensive training in Council Training 1 through Beyond Us & Them organization and continues her ongoing development with them. In the summer of 2024, Betti joined LetsDanceItOut program as a volunteer, where she actively contributes to promoting emotional well-being through movement and artistic expression. Her work is rooted in empathy, creativity, and the belief in human connection as a path to personal and community growth.