Moraporvida Contemporary Dance
MPVCD Ensemble
Erika Curry -Elrod
Performing Artist
Erika Curry-Elrod grew up performing and dancing in Denver, CO at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy. After graduating high school she received a BA from Beloit College, double majoring in dance and physics. Her passion for dance was further elevated through the direction of her professors, Chris Johnson and Margaret Rennerfeldt, along with guest artists Kirby Reed, Aiko Kinoshita, and Heidi Latsky. After her freshman year of college she received a full ride scholarship to attend American Dance Festival. While there, on top of getting to take class from some amazing teachers and getting to see some awe inspiring shows, she also go to perform in works by Keith Thompson and Ming Yung Lang. Upon graduating college, she worked as a geophysicist at the USGS for a couple years before switching gears and moving to Telluride, CO. There she helped found the Telluride Dance Collective where she worked as a performer, choreographer and teacher. She was also a company member of Telluride Theater (as a dancer) and got to dance and strut down the runway in several Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show productions. She has also had the privilege of working with 3rd Law Dance Theater, Evolving Doors Dance, Edgar L. Page’s Feel the Movement, Nosilla Dance Project, and Kim Robards Dance. She now works as a software developer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO and is so excited to be dancing with Moraporvida.
Sofia Grant
Performing Artist
A native of Denver, CO, Sofia has always had a passion for dance and grew up training with ballet studios in the greater Denver area. It was not until she was accepted into the Dance Program at Denver School of the Arts, that she realized her love for modern and contemporary dance. Sofia received her modern dance training at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, performing with the youth “TraininGroup” throughout high school. Upon graduating from DSA in 2011, Sofia went on to study at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado in Boulder where she received her Bachelor's degree in Business. During this time, she continued her dance training with the Schiff Dance Collective. Following graduation, she became a part of the Schiff Dance Collective Professional Company, performing for four seasons. Since 2018, Sofia has performed with Industrial Dance Alliance and Moraporvida Contemporary Dance. This is Sofia’s second season with Moraporvida and she is grateful for every opportunity that comes her way.
Kallyn Rand
Performing Artist
Kallyn Rand holds a B.A. in Dance from Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver and has been the owner and creative director of Rand Dance Academy in Golden, Colorado since 2018. Kallyn has trained and studied with Jacob Mora, Leslie Merrill, Nicole Predki, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Vivian Kim, Keith Haynes, Hannah Kahn, and others. Kallyn was selected to represent MSU in a new work by Darrell Grand Moultrie in 2017 ACDA Central Conference. She has choreographed for MSU productions, ACDA conferences, annual Children’s Hospital Charity events, and dance competitions in Denver. She has been dancing professionally with Moraporvida Contemporary Dance since 2019. Kallyn is thrilled to continue her passion for dance working with Jacob Mora and the Moraporvida dancers.
Lexy Silva
Performing Artist
Lexy Silva is originally from Durango, CO, completing her early dance training with Bella Dance Company and Judy Austin. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas Christian University with a BFA in Modern Dance. Since moving to Denver in 2013, she has danced professionally with Kim Robards Dance, Apex Dance, WRHBL Productions, jk-co, and has been dancing with Moraporvida Contemporary Dance since 2015. She is a certified Pilates instructor teaching at Axis Pilates and has taught dance at many studios in the Denver area. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2022. She works as a mental health counselor with Insight Counseling and Wellness Center helping clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. She feels so fortunate to be a part of Moraporvida for many years!
Kennady Simpson
Performing Artist
Kennady Simpson, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, embarked on her dance journey at a young age. Discovering Sweatshop Dance as a teenager, she trained in all styles. Following high school, Kennady ventured to New York City, refining her skills at the Conservatory at Steps on Broadway. Throughout her training, she collaborated with various choreographers, contributing significantly to her artistic development. Notably, she worked with the Verdon Fosse legacy, culminating in her performance of the iconic "Dancin’ Man" from Bob Fosse’s 1978 musical, "Dancin'." Earning the role of dance captain, Kennady was granted the privilege to restage and preform “Dancin’” once again at the New York Jazz Choreography Festival. Her extensive training extends, encompassing summer intensives at The Boston Conservatory and Rockettes Invitational Week.
DeAndre Carroll
Guest Artist
DeAndre Carroll is the director of The FunKinetic Project. He is an award nominated choreographer, accomplished teacher, and performer specializing in dances of the African diaspora including West African, Afro-Caribbean, and Hip Hop dance forms. He has been an instructor and active member of the Colorado dance community for over 20 years, having taught at such institutions as Motion Underground and Streetside Dance in Boulder, The Bboy Factory, School of Breaking, and Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance. He has also been the artistic director and producer of the Disciples of Funk dance festival, now in its fourth year." DeAndré has also been a dance soloist with C+C Music Factory, a guest artist with the Boulder Colorado Hip Hop Festival, and taught collaborative workshops for the Colorado Dance Festival with the Philadelphia based Hiphop Company Rennie Harris Pure Movement and The African American Dance ensemble. He has also been a regular instructor at local dance schools including Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance, and Motion Underground.
Kevin O'Keefe
Guest Artist
One of Colorado’s original Hip Hop teachers, Kevin O’keefe has an extensive background in all Hip Hop styles. He received training from industry pioneers- Clyde Evans, Eric Finn, Quickstep and Rennie Harris. He has performed with: Don Campbell Lock jr , Electric Boogaloos , Lady Jules of the BeatFreaks , and the late Gary Kendall of the Jabbawockeez , And is a former member of Motion UnderGround’s Hip Hop company EOM. He has been a guest artist at the Arena in Switzerland, The San Francisco Hip Hop Festival, the Colorado College Dance Festival, The Breaking Point in Montana, CU Boulder, and CSU Fort Collins, Red Rocks community college and Front Range community college. Kevin now is Bringing this unique flavor to many studios in Colorado and is the Founder/Director of True 2 Form Dance Group. He has for years been spreading a fire about the history of Hip Hop and a vision for where it could go. At this time, Kevin is a member of Street Stylez b-boy crew, Performing core member with Machinez Remainz popping crew, and Rennie Harris Grass Roots Project. Witch has just finished a small performance tour of the Eastcost.