Angela Chambers, an Oakland native, raised in Berkeley, is a long time resident of Santa Cruz county where she has established her role as a deeply rooted community leader, fierce youth empowerment advocate, and dynamic dance artist. As an artist, Angela spent her youth performing Musical Theater. Upon moving to Santa Cruz to attend UCSC, Angela was introduced to formal dance training where she developed and expanded her knowledge of and relationship with dance not only as an art form, but as a tool for personal growth and as a catalyst for social change. At UCSC, Angela performed, directed and choreographed in many productions. After graduating in 2014 with a BA in Intensive Psychology and Dance, Angela further pursued her dance training with intensives and residencies and continues to work as a performer, choreographer, and now producer within the Santa Cruz/Bay Area dance communities. Alongside performing, Angela spends most of the season as a lead teacher and Community Engagement Director at the Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center (TWDCC) the only Black, female led non profit dance arts organization in the county, where she focuses on the development and commitment to their mission of access, equity, and excellence. She is also a seasonal teacher at Motion Pacific and a guest artist/choreographer at local universities, festivals, and productions. When not dancing, Angela, a Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (Y.P.A.D) certified Health and Wellness teacher, pursues her passion for elevating and supporting youth development and community activation as a mentor and coach for young dancers and as the director of the SCC Black Health Matters Initiative Youth Ambassador program. She also serves as the Program Manager and on the award winning Initiative’s advisory panel. To this end, Angela continues to find ways to successfully engage her dedication to community organizing, youth empowerment, and the power of dance & the performing arts.