Judith Smith
Artistic Director and founding member: Judith has earned an international reputation in the field of physically integrated dance. Upon taking over artistic leadership of the company in 1997, she began commissioning works by some of the nation’s best choreographers and launched Dance Access Education Program. Judith teaches and lectures at community organizations, schools, universities and conferences. Judith received the 2009 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award, KQED’s Local Hero and the Homer Avila danceAble awards in 2005. She also serves on the Board of Directors.
judy@axisdance.org
Sonsherée Giles
Associate Director, dancer, choreographer, teacher and costume designer: Sonsherée is originally from New Orleans and joined AXIS as a dancer in 2005. Her style is influenced by a dedication to yoga and running – with choreography that represents daily life experiences. She has taught contemporary dance throughout the country and received her MFA in performance/choreography from Mills. In 2008, Sonsherée received an Isadora Duncan Award. Most recently she was honored to receive a Homer Avila Award for Excellence in the field of Physically Integrated Dance.
sonsheree@axisdance.org
Annika Nonhebel
Education Director: Annika relocated to California in early 2006 and joined AXIS in 2007. Originally from the Netherlands, she holds a major in sign languages and has worked on a variety of theater productions as a choreographer, director, and dance teacher with children of all ages. After receiving her MA in Dutch Language & Literature in 2002, she was employed as a research assistant and later as education director for a sign language institute.
annika@axisdance.org
Mollie McFarland
Development Manager: Mollie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Santa Clara University in 1994 with a BFA in Theater & Dance and a BA in English. In 1996, she received her MFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In her 12 years as a performing arts administrator, Mollie has worked for several performing arts organizations including Dance Theater Workshop, NYC; Stephen Petronio Company, Robert Friedman Presents and Western Arts Alliance. Mollie has been AXIS Dance Company’s Managing Director from 2002-2008 and now works as Development Manager.
mollie@axisdance.org
Christy Rotman
Marketing & Office Administrator: Christy relocated to California after graduating with a BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She stumbled upon AXIS’s website prior to moving and was intrigued by the work. Over four years later she is on the AXIS team and loves being a part of this unique company. In addition to working for AXIS, she dances herself with paufve dance & Nina Haft & Company among others.
info@axisdance.org
Board of Directors
Anne Finger
Board President: Anne is a fiction and non-fiction author, lecturer and professor. Her short story collection, *Call Me Ahab*, published by the University of Nebraska Press, was awarded the Prairie Schooner Book Prize in fiction for 2008. She has been an AXIS board member since 2008.
Robin Pomerance
Interim Vice President: Robin brings almost twenty years of arts administration experience to AXIS Dance. She joined the board in July 2008 in an effort to use her skills to promote the mission of this exciting company, and to support its educational objectives. Robin is Program Administrator, Cal Performances.
Leeor Neta
Interim Treasurer: Leeor brings legal expertise to AXIS as an attorney and a 2004 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. Prior to joining the AXIS Board in 2010, Leeor spent several years litigating appeals of death penalty convictions for those unable to afford their own attorney. Leeor also helped found East Palo Alto’s Youth Court, serving as Executive Director for the city’s first juvenile diversion program. He now serves as the Director for Public Interest Programs at Golden Gate University School of Law.
Anna Dos Ramos
Bio coming…
Deirdre Spencer
Deirdre Spencer’s life-long love of fine art coupled with her interest in computers and media made graphic design a natural career path. With equal experience in designing print and web marketing collateral, she has worked with a wide range of visual effects companies, museums and other non-profit organizations. She also devotes time to Bay Area cities and schools. Deirdre joined the AXIS Board in 2010, having created brochures and other promotional materials for AXIS’s Open Season Performances over two years on a volunteer basis. She currently is University Web Manager for Holy Names University.
If you’re interested in serving on the AXIS Board of Directors, please visit our Volunteer Page for more information.
