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Administrative Team

Kahina Haynes, Dance Institute of Washington
Kahina Haynes, Executive Director, is a passionate arts activist and the visionary architect behind DIW’s strategic revitalization following the significant loss of its Founder/Artistic Director, Fabian Barnes. Prior to her appointment by The Board of Directors, Ms. Haynes worked in program and process evaluation for a number of philanthropic and non-profit organizations including the United Nations (Bureau for Development Policy at UNDP), The Annie E. Casey Foundation, SafeKids Worldwide, and the World Bank Group. Ms. Haynes holds a B.A. from Princeton University with a Minor in African American Studies and a concentration in Dance; as well as, a Master’s Degree from Oxford University in Evidence Based Social Intervention.
Serving DIW from 2005-present, Mr. Fischer specializes in arts and culture proposals. He is an expert arts and cultural grant writer and development consultant; his track record includes teaching grant writing (Center for Nonprofit Success), reviewing for Catalogue for Philanthropy, getting hundreds of foundation, corporate and fed/local government grants funded and awards earned (including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for DIW), high-quality communications, storytelling, and stewardship of donations, campaigns, and grant funding. Mr. Fischer is committed to his craft as a writer and is a key asset in arts/cultural development. He is a graduate of Goucher College in MD. He is currently based in Brooklyn, NY, and is able to serve DIW through the use of technology and quarterly visits to DC.
Longtime resident of the DMV, Korina Isler has always remained involved in creative endeavors. Korina has trained in a jazz, modern, theatre, and mime, but her biggest love has always been tap and the time spent at Knock on Wood Tap Studio in Silver Spring. Korina is also a mixed media artist and the Project Coordinator for Black Girls Who Paint. With a B.A. in English from Spelman College, Korina Isler has always been devoted to being a strong advocate for equal access to arts. In previous roles, Korina has worked as both the organizer of artistic engagements, as well as the facilitator of classes. A passion for artistic excellence and equity are what brought Korina to the Dance Institute of Washington. She is very excited to be serving the DIW community as the School Administrator. Whenever possible, Korina hopes to remind everyone of their own magic and power to create something beautiful.
Khendall Beale serves as the Curriculum Specialist for DIW’s academic program. Her role includes the oversight of academic power hour programming, grant compliance, and strategic planning. Beale is passionate about the fine arts community and has served at DIW since 2018. Beale is a native Washingtonian and a graduate of Lincoln University, having earned B.A of Science in Communications and Print Journalism. She has a background in strategic communications, program and partnership development, and special events. She has experience working in local government affairs, public education, and not-for-profit organizations.
Monique Watson

Monique Watson is a professional dancer and choreographer from Havre de Grace, Maryland. By day, she is the Coordinator for DIW’s Creative Career Readiness Program and believes that building a student up professionally and academically is crucial to having a sustainable career in the arts. Formerly, she was the Deputy Artistic Director of Culture Shock Washington DC’s Season 16 & 17, and teaches Hip Hop and Street Style fundamentals & Heels Performance across the DC Metro area including: ZD Dance Academy, CUnit Studio, The DC Hip Hop Theater Festival, The Kennedy Center: Sound Health Series, Shell Shock DC, and more.

Her instruction is designed for all ages and focuses on three key concepts: Passion, Patience, and Persistence. The 3 P’s build incredible artists inside and out!

Carla Camargo, originally from Mexico, is a dance professional, advocate, and marketer in the DMV area. Carla’s passions revolve around her activism for equality, underrepresented youth, and immigrant rights. As a Latina immigrant woman, she is extremely passionate about her work and all efforts leading to positive progress of the BIPOC community. Across all aspects of her life, Carla is an enthusiastic, open-minded, and determined individual. Carla is currently the Marketing & Communications Manager at the Dance Institute of Washington.
Gina Safadi
Gina Safadi, dancer, teacher, dance coach, director, producer and cultural manager. Originally from New York , Gina shared her knowledge for over 15 years in Ecuador and is now working her magic in Washington DC. Gina earned her B.A. in Dance & Sociology from Marymount Manhattan College and received her Certificate in Arts Administration from New York University. Gina is a Certified International Latin Dance Judge and a World Salsa Summit Member. She is currently an administrator at Dance Institute of Washington and a Latin dance event producer.
Erin Johnson
I was born and raised in Washington, DC. From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to help children. In May of 2017, I received my BS in Psychology at Delaware State University where I did research on the effects that trauma can have in the classroom. I started my journey in education in August 2017, when I was with Americorps as a City Year. Through that program, I did 1700 hours of community service in a school and neighborhoods that were both underserved and underrepresented. I have been doing my best to help kids learn ever since. Part of the reason why I decided to work with children especially those who are underserved is that I used to be one of them. I wanted to be the person I needed when I was their age and show them that there is a way out of the darkness of poverty.
Marquite Hall
Marquite Hall is a Washington DC native who started dancing at The Dance Institute of Washington at age 14. He received Ballet, Modern, and African training while being a student at the Dance Institute of Washington. He then received the opportunity to train with The Dance Theater of Harlem in the summer of 2017. He later graduated from Bell Multicultural High School and went to study at Point Park University for Musical Theater. Recently, Marquite joined the DIW Staff team as a Program Assistant and is excited to once again be part of the DIW family, now as part of the administration.
Danyale Speight has been the Operations Coordinator at DIW since March 2021. Danyale graduated from Duval High School in 2005. Danyale holds previous experience in the non-profit sector as well as healthcare and retail. The experience gained in the healthcare sector prepared Danyale for nonprofit because it allowed her to continue to help those who needed help the most. The experience also showed Danyale that great collaborative work will always have great outcomes. Danyale joined the nonprofit sector in 2019 and ever since then she has decided that she has a passion for being a part of organizations that strive to create opportunities for the youth in ways that they couldn’t even imagine. The administrative skills that Danyale holds allow her to contribute to ideas and create a structure that allows for continued success. Danyale attends Eastern Gateway College to earn her Associates Degree in Business Management with hopes of having a career in Project Management. Danyale enjoys spending time with her family particularly her little people (nieces and nephews).
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