Our Team
Ari Smith is a creative, specializing in production and theater management. As a D.C. native, she has always been very passionate about uplifting the Black community through the arts, since training at the Dance Institute of Washington at five-years-old.
Ari received her B.A. from the University of Oklahoma, with minors in Non-profit Organizational Studies and African American Studies, moving on to work with multiple public relations agencies, cinematography companies and local non-profit organizations around the DMV. Always keeping the goal of amplifying Black and minority communities, Ari returned home to DIW, bringing a wealth of experience in production management, film, photography and public relations.
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).
Desmond “Dez” Jordan is an artist, dancer, and arts administrator. He is passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect with the arts.
Desmond studied at Ryerson University (Toronto, CA) and earned his BFA in Dance Education. He danced with Radio Disney Artists Kicking Daisies, Debbie Reynolds, and Deborah Cox—and has years of extensive training in Hip Hop. Since then, he has been working in arts administration and management within the Metro DC area.
Desmond’s goal is to step into roles that positively impact the community at large and the organization he serves.
Dominique Speight brings over five years of experience in financial services to her role as Finance Coordinator. With a background in accounts receivable, billing administration, and accounts reconciliation, she plays a key role in maintaining accurate reporting and ensuring the smooth execution of day-to-day financial operations.
Outside of her professional life, Dominique finds joy in being a mother. She treasures time spent with her two children, who inspire her daily. With a strong commitment to both career and motherhood, she navigates each role with the same dedication and thoughtfulness.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, From a very young age, Erin knew that she wanted to be a resource for youth. In May of 2017, Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Delaware State University where Erin researched the effects that trauma can have in the classroom. Erin started her journey in education and community service in August of 2017, when she served in Americorps as a City Year. Through that program, Erin served 1700 hours of community service both in schools and in neighborhoods that were both underserved and underrepresented. Erin has been doing her part to foster warm environments where youth can learn and grow since then.
Haley Baird is a dancer with a passion for serving local communities. Originally from Minnesota, Haley is now in her second year at DIW. After graduating from Princeton University in 2024 with a B.A. in Public and International Affairs and a minor in dance, she received the Project 55 Fellowship award, joining DIW as the Development Coordinator. She spent the start of her fellowship year supporting grant applications and donation campaigns, eventually taking the lead on DIW’s individual giving portfolio.
Now serving on DIW’s staff as the Manager of Individual Giving, Haley brings a strong belief in DIW’s work and mission to her role. Following from her own experience as a competitive dancer and as Artistic Director of Princeton’s Disiac Dance Company, she understands dance as a critical community resource. She brings experience from her multiple internships with nonprofit organizations to her work at DIW, developing and project managing DIW’s giving campaigns, meeting with supporters, and fundraising for DIW’s renowned artistic programming.
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.
Julia Battist is a French ballet dancer trained at the Paris National Conservatory and at the Paris dance school, Le Monde de la Danse. In 2008, she won the Grand Prize for the role of Nikiya (la Bayadère) at The Dinant International Contest in Belgium. For two years she toured Europe with Le Ballet Classique de Paris under the artistic direction of Jeannette Jacquet, performing classical repertory such as Swan Lake and The Nutcraker. In 2015, Julia moved to the U.S. to develop her modern and contemporary dance technique. She has worked with Nhiane Khosi Dance Theatre in New York and toured in the U.S. and India with Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company of Washington, DC. Her most recent
projects with Company E includes (In)Security: Or, Jack And Nikki Do The Cold War Tango and the Jungle Book and The Four Seasons, performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Beyond full-time dance commitments, Julia instructs ballet at the Dance Institute of Washington and leads a unique program for children at BloomBars called “ Le Ballet en Français”. Julia Battist has been deeply inspired by the artists of her family, especially Clément Bottier and Frederic Veys. She considers her teacher and friend, Muriel Duclos, as her cherished mentor.
Lily Lane- Singletary (she/her) is a Northern Virginia native and dance educator of over 10 years. Since 2013, Lily has taught at private studios, elementary schools, high schools, fitness facilities, and children’s theatre companies. She is also a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). Through coaching, Lily helps artists find their way through the arts by exploring their values, talking through fears, and defining success.
Lily earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from George Mason University (GMU) and her master’s degree in Dance Education and Ballet Pedagogy from New York University (NYU). Throughout her university career, she interned at The Lewis Foundation for Classical Ballet in Bangalore, India, became the graduate research assistant archiving her program’s 90th anniversary, held multiple cultural and academic leadership positions, and received both the Outstanding Leadership and Community Building in Dance Education award from NYU and the Graduate Dance Education Participation Award from the New York State Dance Education Association (NYSDEA).
Lily is certified through the Cecchetti Method: Grades 1 to 3 and the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum®, Levels Pre-Primary – Level 7 & Partnering. She is now the Creative Career Readiness (CCR) Program Manager and ballet teacher at the Dance Institute of Washington in Washington, DC overseeing DIW’s Allegro and Workforce programs.
Marcus Johnson is a native of Washington D.C who has been studying, and training rigorously in professional dance for 12 years. Marcus is trained in Ballet, Modern, African, and Hip Hop and started professionally training at Duke Ellington School of The Arts. Following his tenure at Duke Ellington, Marcus was chosen to tour in China for an international dance conference. He has performed with Sting and Paul Simon, toured in Los Angeles, where he also kept up his training. Marcus has been teaching dance for about 7 years at the Dance Institute of Washington, where he’s had the pleasure of instilling all that he has learned through the years to the next generation. Marcus believes it is very important to be versatile and adaptive in this field –“it enhances your capability as a young dancer”. Marcus is grateful for the experience of inspiring the next generation to come; to mold great, strong and disciplined dancers at the Dance Institute of Washington and to impact and change the lives of children through the Art of Dance. Marcus is also experienced in the ins and outs of programming and stage productions. While he may often teach, you can also find him in meetings working hard alongside of DIW’s Creative Director.
Rayshaun Humphrey brings over fifteen years of experience in business operations, procurement, and organizational leadership to his role as Senior Operations Manager. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing as well as an MBA in Human Resource Management.
Rooted in his North Carolina upbringing, Rayshaun developed a strong appreciation for the power of relationships, strategy, and community investment. His career journey has combined corporate expertise with a passion for people, allowing him to streamline processes, strengthen teams, and create structures that help organizations thrive.
At the intersection of business and the arts, Rayshaun is committed to supporting the mission of nonprofits by ensuring operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and organizational sustainability—allowing creativity and community impact to flourish.
Tynika has been working at the intersection of arts, education, and equity for over a decade. In this time, she has played key roles managing youth-centered resources, programs, and service implementation; developing communication strategies and nurturing collaborations across teams; and streamlining administrative and operational processes.
Tynika is deeply motivated by opportunities to support and celebrate the growth and successes of young people, particularly young artists of color, who often have limited access to or are excluded from the arts. She is dedicated to fostering experiences that are positive, inclusive, and enriching for all students who engage with her and with DIW. Though much of her work takes place behind the scenes, having time to connect with students is what keeps her days bright.