Benita Bike, Artistic Director
Choreographer Benita Bike began her dance training in Arizona at the age of three. In college, she studied with Utah Repertory Dance Theatre, the faculty of Bennington College and the faculty of the University of Arizona. In New York, she studied with Robert Christopher, Emmy Devine, Karen Levy, and Ruth Currier. An important influence on Benita's artistic work was Tucson dance teacher and photographer Virginia Robinson. Benita's dance work has been shown in the U.S. and in Europe. She was a Massachusetts Artists Foundation Choreographic Fellowship recipient and a former Artist-in-residence at Massachusetts College of Art. In Massachusetts, Benita was the Chair of the Boston Dance Alliance and a member of the Boston Cultural Corporation's Curatorial Board. In Los Angeles, Benita served on the Board of the Dance Resource Center. She has taught dance at her studio in Boston, at Boston Center for Adult Education, Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro and at Whittier College in Whittier, California. Benita was Co-producer of the Fountain Theatre's annual Festival of Solos & Duets in Hollywood and Coordinator of the Dance Series at the Brand Library & Art Center.
The Company
Sarah Chan
Sarah Chan is a Los Angeles based dancer. She began her dance training in classical ballet, pointe, and classical modern under the direction of Gloria Govrin and Libby Nye. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Human Nutrition and a minor in Dance. Upon graduation, Sarah joined Columbus Modern Dance Company and had the pleasure of performing with them for a season before relocating to the Bay Area. Sarah's professional dance experience in the Bay Area includes dancing with ArcTangent Dance and PERSpectives Dance Company. In addition to dance, Sarah is also a Registered Dietitian.
Lauren Gold
Lauren Gold is a Bay Area native who grew up in Pleasanton, CA. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained with Alvin Ailey, Kansas City Ballet, Perry Mansfield, The New Ballet School, the University of Utah, and more. At age 15 she joined modern dance company ConDanza as a trainee. Since, she has received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Science from the University of California, Irvine. Lauren is currently doing freelance work in the Los Angeles area and is a company member with Benita Bike’s Dance Art in Pasadena, CA as well as Geometry 2 in Los Angeles, CA.
Dakota Merritt
Dakota Merritt is a Las Vegas born and raised dancer. She grew up training at Bunker Dance Center and at Las Vegas Academy of Arts. Dakota trained under artists, Peter Chu, Naomi Stikeman, Jeanene Huggins, and Robert Contreras. After graduation she moved onto the University of Arizona to peruse a BFA in dance and a minor in nutritional sciences. While there she had the opportunity to perform in works by Autumn Eckman, Christopher Compton, Tammy Dyke-Compton, Jason Horton, Frank Chavez, set by Hayley Meier and Jason Horton, and Paul Taylor, set by Linda Kent. Dakota has also attended summer intensives and programs to further her education in dance. Currently Dakota resides in Los Angeles as a professional freelance artist and as a personal trainer.
Dalya Modlin
Dalya Modlin is a movement artist based in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BFA in Dance and BS in Psychology. Originally from Southern California, she honed her skills at the Orange County School of the Arts Commercial Dance Conservatory. At UCSB Dalya toured with the Student Company across Europe and apprenticed with Santa Barbara Dance Theater. In August 2023 she became a company member of Santa Barbara Dance Theater. Some of her Performance experience includes work by Helen Simoneau, Rosie Herrera, Brandon Whited, Brian Golden and most recently she has performed with Limón Dance Company.
Emily Wallace
Emily Wallace began her dance training at Summit School of Dance and Alpine Dance Academy in her hometown of Breckenridge, Colorado. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Colorado State University. Emily danced professionally with Denver based dance companies Hannah Kahn Dance Company and Life/Art Dance Ensemble before relocating to Los Angeles. She looks forward to her first season with Benita Bike’s Dance Art.
For former company members
Board of Directors
Sandra Spade Abeles
Kelly Adrianse
Cheryl Banks-Smith
Benita Bike
Clare Kiklowicz
Trudy Niess
Karen Schetina
Daphne Trager
Loui Tucker
Technical
Shawn Fidler, Lighting Design
Dean Wallraff, Composer in Residence