MARISA SHIMANO

Marisa graduated from North Western University with a BA in English and Psychology, as well as a special recognition for Dance Excellence, and completed her professional dance training at the Ailey School in New York City. Marisa has been teaching dance since 2011, and loves connecting with students of all ages and abilities. She has taught and choreographed at institutions throughout Orange County including Jimmie Defore Dance Center and South Orange County School of the Arts, and went on to serve as Artistic Director of Graffiti Dancers; a collegiate contemporary dance company. In 2016 Marisa partnered with Vanessa Valecillos to create a version of Stravinsky's Firebird for Ravinia Festival's Reach*Teach*Play program, bringing classical dance to schools in the Chicago area.

Marisa is in her second season as a company member with Malashock Dance, and is also a member of Malashock's teaching faculty for youth classes. Since moving to San Diego in 2018, Marisa has had the privilege of performing with BAD Dance Collective, Blythe Barton Dance, the PGK Dance Project, and Continuum Dance Project, and for independent choreographers Brittany Taylor, Clayne Hammon, and Jacob Soble. Marisa is a 200HR certified yoga instructor through YogaWorks.