THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
MEET OUR
TEAM
Our educators are not just amazing teachers, they are professional level practitioners with real cultural experience. They bring their experiences in the streets, studios, and stages to every program.
OUR FOUNDERS
DAHLIA NEISS
FOUNDER
Before establishing CultureShockNGO, Dahlia served in various areas at The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including the general counsel’s office, the office of reproductive health, and oversaw multiple grants and contracts involving infrastructure redevelopment throughout the world. Currently, Dahlia is a board member of The Anthony Bowen YMCA in Washington, D.C. This YMCA historic role as the first African American Y, founded in 1853, by Anthony Bowen, and the first African American YMCA in all of North America makes it a significant landmark in Washington D.C. Dahlia works with the organization to create programs for arts, dance, performance, classes, and early childhood education that will enhance its role in the community as well as greater DC and give homage to the roots of this particular Y.
Dahlia serves on the China Folk House (CFH) Board. The purpose of the China Folk House Retreat is to purchase, reconstruct, and maintain an imported Chinese farm house in the United States as a place for the social and educational development of youth and others. The expectation for CFHR is to sponsor programs, events, activities, and/or exhibits that further cultural exchange between US and China, to take place at the house or in support of the house.
As a long-term supporter of Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Dahlia serves on the Artistic Director’s Circle for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company Board.
Dahlia is the proud mother of three incredible young ladies! August, who follows her mother’s passion for international work; Indiana, the artist, and Severine, the dancer. All three girls have worked with CutlureShockNGO. Gorgeous Gold George is their very special Golden Retriever!
SEVERINE CALDWELL
CO-FOUNDER
Severine Caldwell is one of the founding members of CultureShockNGO. Severine was one of the first teachers to work with children that are part of Washington D.C.’s most underserved population. Severine helped create our programming while kids were emerging from the constraints of the pandemic, and went on to initiate the first dance camp in Los Angeles, program for our homeless transitional space partner, Safe Place for Youth, as well as work as a student Surf instructor.
She is a gifted dancer and is a Senior member of the pre-professional company Elements Urban Arts Collective. She has also danced for other companies led by rising dance stars such as Ayden Elder.
Severine loves working with our community students!
OUR EDUCATORS
LINDSEY GAARDSMOE
DIRECTOR & EDUCATOR
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Lindsey’s dance journey started at a young age where she trained in various styles at her local studio. Her passion for dance continued to grow and has now led her to pursue a career in dance.
After studying Marketing and Dance at Gonzaga University, Lindsey began working in the professional dance industry in Los Angeles in the business, teaching, and performing realms. Some of her most rewarding work includes dancing and choreographing for music videos, assisting choreographers, working with college and pro dance teams, live event performances, and more!
Lindsey believes in the power of dance and its ability to transform lives. With over 9 years of experience in teaching, she has seen first hand the positive influence that dance brings the youth - increased self confidence, connection to mind and body, a support system and community, and more. She is passionate about encouraging dancers that she works with to step into their greatness and leaves them with tools that they can take into their lives beyond dance!
ANJA TEMPEL
CURRICULUM + PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Anja is a choreographer, director, performer, and cultural strategist working at the intersection of dance, storytelling, and community impact. She earned her B.F.A. from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and holds a Master’s in Communication Management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, equipping her with a strong foundation in communications' strategy and cultural leadership.
She began her formal training at The Ailey School and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and was a member of the (MOVE) NYC Young Professionals Program. These formative experiences cultivated her discipline, artistic rigor, and dedication to excellence.
As a performer, Anja danced as a principal in national campaigns for Mercedes-Benz, bringing dynamic presence and technical precision to commercial work. As a creative director and choreographer, she has directed original projects including Metallic Seduction and Caribeauty, crafting movement-driven narratives that center embodied power and cultural expression.
Anja currently serves as Program Development Manager and Dance Instructor with CultureShock NGO. She develops curriculum and leads initiatives such as the 5 Elements of Hip Hop series, integrating arts education, cultural preservation, and leadership development to drive meaningful social impact.
RYAN PHUONG
BOY ENLIGHTENMENT DEVELOPMENT + EDUCATOR
Ryan D. Phuong was born in Los Angeles, California and trained at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy where he studied multiple styles such as Hip-hop, Ballet, Dunham, Modern, and Contemporary. His professional career began at age 9, with appearances on TV shows such as “The Voice” and “Dancing with The Stars”. Ryan’s love for the stage was palpable, however, his appetite for creativity didn’t stop there. He discovered a parallel passion for acting, which allows him to explore a different dimension of self-expression. His acting credits include co-starring in the Showtime hit Shameless and a recurring, guest star role in four seasons of Young Sheldon.
KAI MORFÍN
EDUCATOR
Kai Morfín is a professional performer who has been choreographing and teaching dance for the past decade at schools, studios, and privately. Trained in ballet, tap, Zumba, and hiphop, Kai performs and choreographs regularly in Los Angeles as a backup dancer and in music videos. He was formerly a member of The Drop Fam (two time Hip Hop International USA Champions) in Tucson, Arizona where he grew up. When teaching, Kai enjoys 'demystifying’ dance and sharing it as an outlet for energy and creativity.
Outside of dance, Kai is also a passionate film & stage actor, often providing fight choreography for projects he works on and previously performing as a company member of the acrobatic Occidental Children’s Theater. In addition, Kai regularly works as a stage technician & stage manager with credits including plays at Dynasty Typewriter & Greenway Court Theatre, as well as Labyrinth Masquerade Ball, POP Opera, & the CSArts Gala.
LEEANN ROSS
EDUCATOR
Leeann Ross grew up as a creative in the Metropolitan Atlanta, GA area. In early years, Leeann made television appearances in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” Showtime’s “The First Lady” and Disney Plus’ “Just Beyond.”
In 2021, Leeann moved to Los Angeles to earn her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance (2025), studying forms like ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, Dancehall, house, and improvisation.
When she’s not on screen, stage, or teaching movement classes, Leeann hosts wellness events informed by her 500 hour yoga teacher certification from Vinyasa Yogashala in Rishikesh, India.
JANAE HOLSTER
EDUCATOR
Janae is a multi disciplinary artist who holds a BFA from USC’s Kaufman School of Dance and is currently working as a dance teacher in the Los Angeles area while pursuing commercial work. Some of their performance credits include being a featured dancer in Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red, Doechii’s Anxiety music video, among others.
RYANN SMITH
EDUCATOR
Ryann S. Smith is a professionally trained dancer, with 15 years of rigorous training across various dance styles, from classical to contemporary. Passionate about sharing her expertise, she instructs and mentors aspiring dancers, aiming to nurture the next generation of talent. Her versatile skill set and classical training provide a solid foundation for her artistic endeavors and academic pursuits in the vibrant world of dance.
KEENAN HUTCHINSON
EDUCATOR
Keenan hails all the way from Indianapolis, Indiana.
He started dancing professionally in 2011 joining the WNBA and NBA Pro Dancer realm. After completing 10 consecutive season with the WNBA; accompanied with 3 NBA seasons Keenan moved to LA at the end in 2021. Since his time in LA, Keenan been seen on movie promos by Disney, music videos with pop artists, tv shows such as Abbott Elementary and still takes his talent to the court by choreographing for NBA, WNBA & collegiate dance teams.
MICHAEL NAFFIER
EDUCATOR
Michael Naffier is an LA-based, Colorado-born artist. At the age of nine, after watching “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” Michael became enamored with dance. Training in styles such as hip-hop, breakin’, contemporary, ballet and jazz at his home studio, Studio West Dance Center, he began finding meaning and purpose in dance beyond choreographing routines on his neighborhood friends.
He continued his exploration at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance where he graduated with a BFA in Dance. Under the direction of artists such as d. Sabela Grimes, Tiffany Bong, Jermaine Spivey, Dawn Stoppiello, Jennifer Lott and more, he began to find his voice while laying a path for artists who didn’t fit neatly into any one box.
Now, Michael mainly trains in House and freestyle in addition to being a full-time composer and music producer. He is deeply immersed in club culture and can be seen lighting up dance floors from LA to CO.