top of page

APEX COMPANY

likewiselensphotography-87.jpg

TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN CONCERT AND COMMERCIAL DANCE BY UNITING EXCLUSIVE MOVEMENT ARTISTS UNDER THE VISIONARY DIRECTION OF MARYANN CHAVEZ AND MONIKA FELICE SMITH. WE STRIVE TO BLEND THE SOPHISTICATION AND ARTISTRY OF CONCERT DANCE WITH THE ENERGY AND APPEAL OF COMMERCIAL MOVEMENT, CREATING A UNIQUE PLATFORM WHERE INNOVATIVE CHOREOGRAPHY AND DIVERSE DANCE STYLES CONVERGE. OUR COMMITMENT IS TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF DANCE PERFORMANCE, OFFERING GROUNDBREAKING WORKS THAT CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES, INSPIRE FELLOW ARTISTS, AND REDEFINE THE POSSIBILITIES WITHIN THE DANCE WORLD. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY, WE AIM TO FOSTER A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY PERFORMANCE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER AND VERSATILITY OF DANCE.

COMMITMENT: 6 MONTH CONTRACT

DIRECTORS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & CORE MEMBER

A PROFESSIONAL DANCER, PERFORMING ARTIST, TEACHER, AND CHOREOGRAPHER RESIDING IN BOTH LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK. SHE HAS HER BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, WHERE SHE TRAINED IN RESIDENCIES WITH COMPANIES SUCH AS BAIRA MOVEMENT PHILOSOPHY AND ENTITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY. TORI IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN LOS ANGELES AND IS REPRESENTED BY BLOC TALENT AGENCY IN BOTH LA AND NYC. SOME OF HER CREDITS INCLUDE OLIVIA RODRIGO, HOZIER, MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE X OFFICEMAX, LAUV, SMARTWATER, HALF ALIVE, WOWASHWOW PELÉ TIME SQUARE BILLBOARD, FINNEAS, THE STRANGERS, DE SOI, MALK. TORI’S STYLE BLENDS ELEMENTS OF JAZZ, TECHNIQUE, AND STREET STYLES INTO AN ALTERNATIVE CONTEMPORARY FUSION.

TORI HAS ASSISTED MARYANN AT SOULDESOUL DANCE CONVENTION, CODA, HAMILTON EVANS INTENSIVE, AND IN HER CLASSES AT STUDIOS IN LA SUCH AS MOVEMENT LIFESTYLE, GENESIS, & TMILLY. SHE ALSO HAS ASSISTED MARYANN IN THE FILMING OF HER TMILLY TV TUTORIAL VIDEOS & HAS ASSISTED HER CLASSES FOR LUME’S LIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM.

TORI HAS ASSISTED MONIKA IN CLASS FOR CHOREOGRAPHER’S GUILD, LMU X BLOC LA, CLI CONSERVATORY, AND IN HER MASTERCLASSES AT STUDIOS IN LA SUCH AS MOVEMENT LIFESTYLE & MILLENNIUM DANCE COMPLEX. HER ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER CREDITS WITH MONIKA INCLUDE MEGHAN TRAINOR X FRESH PET, HOZIER, LIQUID DEATH, SKECHERS, DIAMANTE, WOD. TORI HAS ALSO ASSISTED MONIKA ON A HANDFUL OF LUME COLLECTIVE SHOOTS & LUME COLLECTIVE’S 3RD ANNUAL SHOWCASE, “FOUR”.

THE COMPANY

likewiselensphotography-3.jpg

Cedric “Thane” Sanders is a professional dancer, model and actor with over 22 years of experience in competitive and improvisational dance. Before moving to Los Angeles, Thane trained with competitive teams and hip-hop teams from Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD throughout his youth. Thane graduated from California State University, Long Beach with two degrees in Political Science & Criminology, as well as a minor in Dance. Since moving out to LA in 2018, Thane has performed with numerous artists and choreographers including (but not limited to) Katy Perry, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, Panic! At the Disco, Swae Lee, and more!

CEDRIC "THANE" SANDERS
(HE/HIM)

likewiselensphotography-29.jpg

Isabel Lacon is a Dayton, Ohio native living in LA as a professional dancer. From dancing on
tour with Cirque du Soleil to grooving on the big screen in the movie Renfield, she brings her
diverse training to every job. With a background in contemporary, jazz, ballet, hiphop, musical
theatre and acro she completed a year of training at the CLI Conservatory under direction of
Teddy Forance while simultaneously earning her Bachelors of Science in Health and Wellness.
Outside of Lume Apex, Isabel also dances with the LA based contemporary company, Royal
Flux. When she isn’t dancing, Isabel teaches group fitness at Pure Barre Encino and
choreographs for competition dance studios.

ISABEL LACON
(SHE/HER)

likewiselensphotography-47.jpg

Mia Harris is a Los Angeles-based dancer. Graduating summa cum laude from Chapman University, she earned a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA in Philosophy. During her time at Chapman she served as Dance Captain for Monika Felice Smith’s “Serpent”, presented solo work in collaboration with Will Johnston, and performed in many other live and filmed performances. 
Mia is a current core company member of Lume Apex as well as Lume Dance Collective, co-directed by Monika Felice Smith and MaryAnn Chavez. She has also worked closely with: Gracie Whyte + Laura Berg (Ground Grooves), Victoria Brown, Riley Roberts, Natalya Z, Brian Golden, and more. 
As a dance professional, Mia lives in the fusion of concert and commercial work. Combining her deep knowledge of both dance and philosophy, she takes her own unique approach to movement through an authentic, thoughtful, and comprehensive lens.

MIA HARRIS
(SHE/HER)

likewiselensphotography-58.jpg

Tatum McClelland is a New England born dancer, teacher, and choreographer now based in Los Angeles after signing with Bloc Talent Agency. During her recent months in California, she has performed in pieces by Theresa Stone, Ryan Green, Monika Felice Smith, MaryAnn Chavez, Hannah Gallagher, Dario Schirone, and more. Recently, she danced in films created by Erica Klein, Renee Baldwin, Sienna Lyons, Monika Felice Smith, Isabella Lown, and more. As a recent graduate from the CLI Conservatory, Tatum has started teaching at studios located in Los Angeles such as Eighty Eight Studios and TMilly Studio, and choreographing work for Club Jete and Lume Showcases. She was a Pro-Track assistant for Los Angeles Dance Magic for a few years, where she worked alongside choreographers such as Jackie Sleight, Will Thomas, Chase Benz, and many more. Tatum has also been an assistant to Sienna Lyons for various projects and classes for a fews years now and continues to further that connection in Los Angeles. Though trained in various styles, Tatum is especially drawn to contemporary dance and enjoys sharing her artistic knowledge with others.

TATUM MCCLELLAND - SWING
(SHE/HER)

likewiselensphotography-33.jpg

CHLOE CARR
(SHE/HER)

Chloe Carr, a native of Las Vegas, is a versatile dancer with extensive training across many different styles, including jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, contemporary, and Latin ballroom. Her formative years began in Las Vegas at Bunker Dance Center, where she had the opportunity to work with acclaimed choreographers such as Peter Chu, Sonya Tayeh, and Chelsea Thedinga.
Following high school, Chloe continued her dance education at Utah Valley University, where she became an integral member of the award-winning dance team. Her time at UVU was marked by significant achievements, including securing double Universal Dance Association titles in Division 1 jazz and pom.
Chloe further honed her craft through her acceptance into Stacey Tookey’s “The Bridge Movement” program in South Orange, NJ. This experience provided her with invaluable connections and exposure to choreographers such as Calen Kurka and Anneka Hansen.
Upon completion of the program, Chloe returned to Utah to expand her skill set with a Pilates mat certification through Balanced Body, demonstrating her commitment to both dance and holistic training. 
In 2023, Chloe relocated to LA and joined the renowned LUME program, directed by Monika Felice Smith and MaryAnn Chavez, which provided her significant experience in the commercial dance industry. This opportunity has allowed her to engage with the commercial dance realm, enhancing her professional portfolio and paving the way for future endeavors in the dance world.
Driven by an unwavering dedication to her craft, Chloe remains committed to pursuing her dance dreams. She recently signed with The Movement Talent Agency and is excited to continue her growth as a dancer, contributing her talents to the ever-evolving landscape of the dance industry. 

MU4.jpg

MILCAH UMALI - SWING
(SHE/HER)

Milcah Umali is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer originally from Jersey City, now based in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, where she earned a degree in Engineering Management while also serving as Artistic Director for multiple collegiate dance organizations on campus.

Storytelling through movement has always been at the core of Milcah’s passion. Over the past decade, she has shared this love by educating dancers across the New Jersey community and choreographing award-winning competition pieces for students. Her teaching style blends a fusion of techniques drawn from her diverse background and inspirations.

Throughout her career, Milcah has had the privilege of training in a variety of professional settings. Her training includes programs and intensives with Entity Contemporary Dance Company (LA), Emily Greenwell through the Peridance Performance Project (NYC), Will Johnston’s AVENUE Contemporary Training Program (LA), Sorah Yang's Artful Balance of Business & Dance Program (ABBD), and Movement Evolution by LA Establishment under the direction of Erin Marino.

Since relocating to LA, Milcah has joined LUME, under the direction of MaryAnn Chavez and Monika Felice Smith. There, she has found a collaborative environment that nurtures her foundations while empowering her growth in a new chapter of her artistic journey.

Milcah is driven by the limitless possibilities that the arts can offer and the untold stories that can be expressed through movement. Along her path of discovery, she simply hopes to remain curious and open to receiving whatever gifts lie ahead.

MIDDLE by SOLOMON // TOUR VISUAL CONCEPT // Lume APEX
00:40
APEX “I Want To Be Bad” 1920s piece | MaryAnn Chavez Choreography
02:09
"Diverge" Supertask | MaryAnn Chavez Choreography | LUME APEX
01:43
APEX “Happy Days Are Here Again” 1920s piece | MaryAnn Chavez & Monika Felice Smith Choreography
01:56
DIVERGE // Lume APEX
01:41
APEX “Stay Ready” | Monika Felice Smith Choreography
01:15
APEX “Weary Blues” 1920s piece | Monika Felice Smith Choreography
01:53
"Underwaterfall" Bearcubs | MaryAnn Chavez & Monika Felice Smith Choreography | LUME APEX
02:18
UNDERWATERFALL // Lume APEX
01:06

©2020 by LUME DANCE, Inc. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page