Ekaterina Chernikhova Dancer began her dance studies in her home city of Moscow, Russia, where she attended the Moscow School of Contemporary Dance.  Internationally, she has also attended the Ecole Superior de Danse Cannes Rosella Hightower (France) and the Cologne Dance Academy (Germany).  Ekaterina received her BFA in dance from Tulate University in New Orleans, LA, where she performed choreography by José Limón, Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, among others.  After graduating she moved to New York City where she has worked with various choreographers, including Michael Thomas and his Motion Theatre Lab dance company and Pascal Rekoert.  Ekaterina is also a fully certified, practicing Pilates instructor.  This is her first season with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Jamison Goodnight Dancer was born and raised in Vineland, New Jersey. She began her dance training at Maxine’s Studio of Dance and soon became a member of the Vineland Regional Dance Company under the instruction of Maxine Chapman. She continued her education at SUNY Purchase and graduated in May 2009 with a B.F.A in Dance Performance while also receiving her Associates Degree in Business Administration. Over the years Ms. Goodnight has had the opportunity of working with renowned choreographers such as Doug Varone, Helen Pickett, Ronen Koresh and Jonathan Phelps. She has also been a guest artist with the Amy Marshall Dance Company, Syren Modern Dance, and teaches at various dance studios in the area.

Jung Hm Jo Dancer, from Dae Gu, Korea, studied modern, ballet, and Korean traditional dance. He earned a BA in Dance from SeJong University. He then performed with Tatmaroo Dance Company and with choreographers in Korea, Japan, and Singapore, including Chung-Ja Choi, Hae-Jeon Hong, Na-Young Kim and Young-Chan Lee. Since his arrival in New York City in 2006, he has danced in Chang-Yong Sung's Moment and in a gala performance at the White Wave Dance Theater and has also appeared at La MaMa. He danced with the Sharon Wong Dance Company in Louisiana and, in Montreal, performed in La ou je vis by Daniele Desnoyers. Mr. Jo was assistant choreographer to Chang-Yong Sung on Requiem, performed by the Alvin Ailey Second Company at the Joyce Theater. Last year, he danced for Colman Lemieux & Compagnie. This is Mr. Jo's first season with the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Justin Lynch Dancer was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He trained as a pianist at Boston University and the Royal College of Music in London, and studied dance in New York and Paris. In addition to his work with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Justin has toured nationally with Naganuma Dance and Ko-Ryo Dance Theater and has performed in works by Mariana Bekerman and Takehiro Ueyama, among others. This is his first season with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Saki Masuda Dancer, born and raised in Japan, trained in classical ballet at Takako Ballet School. She moved to NY in 2006 and was invited to join the Steps Repertory Ensemble for 2006-2007, where she had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers. Ms. Masuda has had the pleasure of working with companies, such as Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Ballet Hispanico, Mad About Dance, Naganuma Dance, View Pointe Dance, Staten Island Ballet and Xodus Dance Collective, and with choreographers such as Jacqulyn Buglisi, Milton Myers, Jason Winters, Bradly Shelver, Steven Sofia, Monica Bill Barnes, Yesid Lopez, Michiyo Tanaka, Helen Heineman, Ursula Verduzco and Karen Gayle. Her other credits include appearing in the musical "Cats" as Victoria.  Saki is very excited to work with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company for her first season.

Riyo Mito Dancer is originally from Kobe, Ja[an, where she began her training in ballet at an early age. At Takarazuka-Kita High School in Japan, she learned modern and jazz dance, rhythmic gymnastics and japanese traditional arts (Nihon-Buyou and Nou-Kyogen).  She moved to New York in 2006.  Riyo trained in Horton, Graham and Dunham techniques as well as Ballet and Jazz at The Ailey School and completed the program.  Recently, she has danced with Parijat Desai Dance Company (since 2006) and Japan Performing Arts (since 2008).  It is her first season with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Manuela Sanchez Dancer grew up in Brooklyn, NY and began dancing at Eileen's School of Dance in Queens where she studied ballet, jazz and tap. She then attended Talent Unlimited High School in Manhattan, through which she was able to continue her training at The Martha Graham School and Ballet Hispanico. She continued her studies at Long Island University- Brooklyn Campus under the direction of Dana Hash-Campbell and graduated with a BFA in Dance in 2010 and a minor in Psychology.  During her college career Ms. Sanchez has had the privilege of working with artists such as Kevin Wynn, Nathan Trice, Earl Mosley,  Alenka Cizmesija, Astrid Von Ussar, Ronald K. Brown, Meredith Rainy and many more artists.  She has also trained at summer programs such as nathantrice/RITUALS and Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts where she was part of EMIA's Repertory Ensemble. It is her first season working with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Francisco Silvino Dancer began his dance studies in his native São Paulo, Brazil, in 1994.  He has been developing research on contemporary dance as well as classical dance ever since.  In 2002, he danced for Balé Cidade de São Paulo under Ivonice Satie´s directorship.  In 2001, he joined the Distrito Dance Company, directed by Patty Brown.  In 2003, he danced for the Balé Teatro Castro Alves in Salvador, Bahia. In 2008, he joined DanceBrazil as a dancer and in 2009 became the company’s Rehearsal Director.  This is his first season with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Wei Yao Dancer graduated from Chinese Ethnic Culture College in Beijing with a major in Chinese Folk Dance. He later danced with Goundong Song and Dance Company and Gounzou Dance Company.  He  also taught at Goundong Dance School before he moved to Hong Kong and danced in musical productions at Disneyland. He joined Nai-Ni Chen in January 2008.

Yao Zhong Zhang Dancer came from Shanghai, China, where he graduated from the Shanghai Kuan Opera School with a major in the male warrior role. Mr. Zhang performed with the Shanghai Kuan Opera Theater for ten years before moving to New York, where he also performs with the Tong-Ching Chinese Opera Company. He has been a member of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company since 2000.

Min Zhou Dancer graduated from the dance department at the Hubei Arts Academy.  She  later joined the Hubei Province Song and Dance Troupe and became a renowned principal performer. Ms. Zhou, an elected member of the Chinese Dancers' Association, has a wide repertoire that ranges from exquisite Chinese classical dances to gracious and playful folk dances.  While in China, she joined several performing arts groups and toured to Switzerland, Japan, Canada, and France.  In New York, she danced with the Chinese Cultural Center. This is her third year with the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.