The Dancers
Founder/Artistic Director
Sadie Weinberg
Birthtown: Solana Beach, CA
Hometown: Encinitas, CA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Running into family around town.
As a second-generation dancer, Sadie spent a lot of time in the studio as a young person, but didn’t start her own training until high school. In high school, she trained mostly in ballet at California Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego and Hammonds Studio of Dance. She completed her BFA at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College in 1999 where I was influenced by Neil Greenberg, Kazuko Hirabayashi, Doug Varone and Kevin Wynn among others. After moving back to San Diego in 2002, she produced and presented an evening of work every year and toured her work nationally and internationally. As a dancer, she worked briefly with Gina Gibney while in New York, and performed locally in San Diego as a company member with Malashock Dance, McCaleb Dance, Jean Isaac's San Diego Dance Theater, Yolande Snaith's ImagoMoves, and other independent dancemakers. Since completing her MFA at UC Irvine in 2005, she has taught for two decades throughout San Diego in high schools, studios, colleges and universities. She is currently on faculty at Palomar and UC San Diego.
In 2018, Sadie founded LITVAKdance along with core group of homegrown dancers she met as an educator in local institutions.
Photo credit: Nicole Kim
Fall 2026 Performers
Listed by cast
Ritual
Photo Credit: The cast
Ashley Akhavan
Hometown: Encinitas, CA
Birth town: Valley Center, CA
Something that has been bringing you joy lately: Being back in the studio with LITVAK.
Ashley received some of her most influential training at MiraCosta College before earning her B.A. in Dance from San Diego State University and later an M.A. in Professional Communication from the University of San Francisco. One of Ashley's greatest joys has been the opportunity to perform locally and nationally with LITVAK. Outside of the company, she works as a Communication Specialist and teaches dance and fitness classes. Ashley is a founding member of LITVAKdance.
Hannah Wyer
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Atsugi, Japan + San Diego, CA
Birthtown: San Diego, CA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Enjoying the sun, spending time outdoors on long walks with my husband and our dog!
Hannah Wyer began her dance journey at a local ballet studio outside of Atsugi, Japan. She continued her dance training upon moving to San Diego at San Diego SCPA where she was introduced to contemporary and modern dance. Hannah has performed with San Diego Dance Theater and Philadanco prior to joining LITVAKdance Outside of dance, Hannah works full time as an administrative specialist. Hannah joined LITVAKdance fall of 2021 - this show marks Hannah’s fifth fall production.
Nicole Kim
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Birth town: Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: leaning into my auntie era & getting in the ocean at the end of the day
Nicole Kim began her dance journey at age 4, dancing hula at Kehulili O Kailani in Encinitas, then training in contemporary and hip hop at Danceology PAC as a teenager. She holds a BFA in Art & Design from Cal Poly SLO, and recently returned to movement at MiraCosta College, earning her AA in dance. Nicole works full time as a graphic designer and photographer, and has been honored to dance with LITVAKdance since 2023.
April Tra
Hometown and Birthtown: San Diego, CA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Great conversations with friends over coffee.
April’s dance training began with the San Diego Civic Dance Arts and continued with Eveoke Dance Theatre. She holds a BA in Dance Performance from UC, Irvine, and was given an award for Excellence in Performance from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. April attributes her dance skill set as a byproduct of training with so many great people including Ericka Moore, Kathryn Irey, Jess Humphrey, Gina and Kyle Sorenson. Sadie Weinberg, Kathleen Hermesdorf and Donald McKayle. April is a founding member of LITVAKdance and is currently discovering a path into the field of health and wellness outside of her dance practice.
When worlds collide
photo credit: Nicole Kim
Kyle Filley
Pronouns: he / they / she
Birthtown/Hometown: San Diego, CA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: The Ocean’s push & pull
Kyle’s early dance training includes Carlsbad Park Dancers, North County DanceArts, and training in gymnastics at YMCA Oceanside. Kyle received a BFA in Dance & Psychology (NYU), MA in Somatic Counseling at CIIS (Current AMFT). Recent influential training through East Bay (CA) Contact Improvisation scene ~ Vitali, Andy/Miriam, Roohen. Professional career: Alma Esperanza Cunningham, Residencies through SpringFall Studio (+ evening length show) & Finnish Hall (research-oriented), UNA Productions, Stephen Petronio Dance Co., Helen Simoneau. Currently, happy to be working with LITVAKdance as I re-explore my hometown. Full circle, having had worked with them about 8 years ago.
Faith Markovetz
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Birth Town: Aurora, Colorado
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Learning to surf.
Faith spent the majority of her childhood within the walls of her family’s dance studio. Faith graduated with a BFA in Dance in 2022 from Arizona State University and, Faith returned to Colorado performing with Wild Heart Dance for three seasons. As an educator, she has engaged with students in dance studios, public schools, and has recently deepened her work by obtaining Early Childhood Education credentials. She currently teaches at Fusion Dance and Carmel Mountain Preschool. This is her first show with LITVAK.
Lemoe Mata’itusi
Pronouns: he/they
Hometown + Birthtown: San Diego, CA
Something that has been bringing you joy lately: connecting to my cultural roots and spending time with my family has been a joyful part of my healing and self-discovery.
Lemoe began dancing as a child with the youth group at his family church, performing in dances that represented his cultural upbringing as a Samoan-American boy growing up in Southeast San Diego. It wasn’t until college that he began training in Western dance forms, where an Intro to Ballet class would inspire a lifelong pursuit of movement practice. He left school for a contract with the Black Grace dance company in Aotearoa New Zealand before returning to San Diego as a founding company member with LITVAKdance. Aside from his work as a freelance dance artist, Lemoe is a hospitality professional, curating vibes and setting the atmosphere in shared spaces for spirited enjoyment.
April Tra
*Bio Above
When Fear Leads
photo credit:: Sharon McKeeman
Cece Carton
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Del Mar, CA
Birth town: Skippack, PA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Recently, Cece has been finding joy in reading books in the sun!
Cece Carton began dancing at age 4 training in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and tap at The Dance Centre in Skippack, Pennsylvania. She continued her dance education at UCSD under the mentorship of influential teachers like Sadie Weinberg and Ana Maria Alvarez. Graduating in 2025 with a B.A. in Dance and Psychology, Cece has just begun developing her professional dance career with Litvak and looks forward to her first fall show with the company. Outside of dance, Cece works at a barre fitness studio in Encinitas.
Davan Murphy
Birthtown: San Luis Obispo, CA
Hometown: fluctuating between Los Angeles and San Diego
Something that has been bringing you joy lately: Seeing my parents more often
Davan grew up in San Luis Obispo, California, where she trained at the Academy of Dance. She danced with the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo for four years and continued her dance training at the University of California, San Diego. This is her second year dancing with LITVAK. Outside of dance, Davan holds a B.S. in Neurobiology and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Neuroscience at the University of Southern California, with a research focus on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is Davan’s second fall production with LITVAKdance.
Lulu Arellano
Hometown: Tustin, CA
Birthtown: Philippines
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Seeing the all the birds and little critters that feel safe enough to hangout in my garden
In the Philippines, Lulu was classically trained in the Cecchetti ballet syllabus and various Philippine folk dances. After moving to California, she focused on classical modern and contemporary techniques, eventually earning her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Cal State Fullerton. While pursuing her Master’s in Environmental Studies, she continues to perform throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, and occasionally for festivals in New York. This is Lulu’s second fall production with LITVAKdance.
Cecily Holcombe
Hometown: Solana Beach, CA
Birthtown: El Cajon, CA
Something that is bringing you joy lately: Visiting Japan for the first time and taking dance and fitness classes with my kids
Cecily discovered dance at UC San Diego, where she earned a B.S. in Physics. She has trained and performed with Liss Fain Dance in San Francisco, San Diego Dance Theater, and several local independent choreographers, including Khamla Somphanh, Lavina Rich, and Blythe Barton. She joined LITVAK as a guest artist in 2023 and is happy to be back for this show. When she’s not dancing, Cecily works in education as a math and science tutor and college counselor.
*Additional cast members: Ashley Akhavan, Nicole Kim & Hannah Wyer (pictured above)