A Los Angeles native, Marissa Osato is a choreographer, director, and educator who creates emotionally-driven, embodied narratives to find cross-cultural universality within shared experiences. Using a hybrid language of contemporary, modern, and hip hop techniques, Marissa’s choreography exhibits a sense of groundedness and abandon, of rhythm and dynamism, of stillness and intimacy.
Marissa is the co-founder/co-artistic director of Entity Contemporary Dance, an LA-based dance company that has taught workshops and performed original repertory in the U.S. and Asia. Marissa earned an MFA in Choreography from California Institute of the Arts and a BA in Dance and BA in Literary Journalism from the University of California, Irvine.
As a dancer and choreographer represented by Clear Talent Group, Marissa has worked with recording artists such as Imagine Dragons, Coldplay, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Deborah Cox and Jordin Sparks. Marissa has taught and set choreography at over 50 studios and colleges across the U.S., and has held master classes in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Guam, and South America.
In 2019, Marissa was selected for the Joffrey Ballet’s Winning Works choreographic residency and the USC Kaufman New Movement Residency. Marissa is currently an Associate Professor of Dance at Santa Monica College.
Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, Will Johnston received the majority of his training at A.K.A Dance Company under the direction of Kelly and Alex Velasquez. Will holds an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of California: Irvine as well as a B.F.A in Dance Performance, a B.F.A in Dance Choreography, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Credits include Clear Talent, Sonya Tayeh, Stacey Tookey, Justin Giles, Erica Sobol, Donald McKayle, Loretta Livingston, Jodie Gates, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio, Teddy Forance, Christopher Scott, Phillip Chbeeb, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, Glee, Son Lux, Sigur Ros, FARR, Deborah Cox, Jordin Sparks, X Ambassadors, Katy Perry, and Rita Ora.
In addition, Will is the co-director of Entity Contemporary Dance and a faculty member at West Coast Dance Explosion, Murrieta Dance Project, and Chapman University. He has taught and choreographed across the United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.
Most recently, Will Johnston along with co-director of Entity Contemporary Dance, Marissa Osato, were awarded 1st place for their work “PEEL,” at the 2017 Capezio Ace Awards.
COMPANY MANAGER, COMPANY MEMBER
JOINED 2019
Vickie Roan is a Los Angeles-based dance artist represented by BLOC Talent Agency.
As a student, she studied at the Orange County School of the Arts in the Commercial Dance Conservatory and went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Chapman University with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Psychology.
As a professional, she lives in the fusion of concert and commercial work. Her credits include SONOS, Apple, Renee Rapp, OneRepublic, Ashe, Meta/Oculus x Billie Eilish, Ben Platt on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Amber Liu, Justin Giles’ SoulEscape and Cinereal Production’s Club Babalu, LA’s newest immersive burlesque show.
She is proud to be a company member and the company manager of Entity Contemporary Dance, co-directed by Marissa Osato-Moreno & Will Johnston.
She strives to use dance as a vehicle to contribute to the world around her and ultimately, encourage others to do the same. As a choreographer and teacher, she has had the opportunity to connect with students across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and Japan. She is currently a faculty member of Revolt Dance Intensive touring throughout Mexico and is a Guest Lecturer at her alma mater, Chapman University.
JOINED 2009
Karen Chuang is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. A California native, Karen graduated from UCLA with a BA in Business Economics (go Bruins!). As a professional dancer Karen has appeared in television shows, films, live events and tours, and danced with artists including Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, P!NK, and Khalid. Karen is represented by Clear Talent Group, and is an original member of Entity Contemporary Dance. She is currently a dancer on Taylor Swift’s, The Eras Tour. As a choreographer, Karen meshes her experience in the commercial and contemporary dance worlds. She's presented original works at TEDxUCSD, the Capezio A.C.E. Awards in New York, and the McCallum Choreography Festival in Palm Desert, CA. Recently, Karen choreographed a segment for Julianne Hough and Harry Shum Jr. in the ABC special, “Step Into…the Movies with Derek and Julianne Hough”, and was a choreographer for the CBS series, “Come Dance with Me”. Karen has taught internationally in countries including: Spain, Mexico, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. She is currently on faculty for Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention and is a lead contemporary instructor for STEEZY Studios.
JOINED 2011
Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Diana Schoenfield is a movement artist based in Los Angeles, currently represented by Clear Talent Group. Graduating from the University of California, Irvine, Diana received her B.F.A. in Dance Choreography and her B.F.A. in Dance Performance.
Diana’s credits include dancing for artists such as The Weeknd, Le Sserafim, Sofía Reyes, Cordae, Juice WRLD, PVRIS, Mulherin, Becky G, Helene Fischer, Manuel the Band, Black Midi, Amber Liu, Gila, Kloxxi, and Donald McKayle. Diana has also performed at Coachella, TED Talks 2022, the Latin American Music Awards, League of Legends Worlds, Encabritados Festival, Bud Light Seltzer Sessions, Balón de Oro, Paramount’s “Mafia Spies,” and in Cirque du Soleil’s “Twas the Night Before.” Diana has presented original choreographic works in the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts, TEDxOrange Coast, TEDxUCSD, the Capezio A.C.E. Awards in New York, and the McCallum Choreography Festival in Palm Desert, California. As an educator passionate about exploring and connecting through movement, Diana has taught workshops internationally, in locations including Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and México, as well as throughout the United States. Through her work, Diana continues to research movement, vulnerability, the human condition, and beyond.
JOINED 2011
Grayson McGuire, born and raised in Kansas City, moved out to Los Angeles in 2012 to pursue a career in the commercial dance industry. Grayson has danced for artists such as Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Kali Uchis, Twenty One Pilots, Helene Fischer and more. As well as dancing commercially, Grayson also focuses equal energy towards teaching and choreographing, having taught all over the world at studios in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, Greece and more. In 2020, Grayson and his choreography partner Shiori Kamijo won first place at the Capezio Ace Awards, under Break the floor productions, a prestigious choreography competition seeking out the most innovative upcoming choreographers in the dance industry. Grayson’s style infuses elements of classical ballet with the athleticism and groove of hip hop and jazz.
JOINED 2014
Emily Crouch grew up in St. Louis and started her professional career in Los Angeles in 2014. A big believer in movement as an open and deeply personal path, Emily has tried to dip her toes in every facet of dance. She has worked with many artists such as JLO, Mariah Carey, Rosalia, Katy Perry, Meghan Trainer and Dua Lipa as well as been on a world tour with Muse and US tour with DWTS. She has also made her mark in Television/Film being a part of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Babylon, 1923, Winning Time, Masked Singer and Physical to name a few. She has been fortunate enough to be a lead in three Old Navy commercials, and a UFC promotion. While working in the commercial world, Emily has also continued with her company roots dancing in projects with Entity Contemporary Dance, SoulEscape, On The Fringe at the Hollywood Roosevelt, and works presented by Daniel Ezralow and Debbie Allen. Recently, Emily was the associate choreographer for Savor After Hours in Chicago, and continues to assist some of the greatest in the industry. It brings her so much joy teaching and educating the next generation through it all.
JOINED 2014
Jason Martin is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in sunny San Diego, CA. Originally from the Bay Area, Jason began dancing at Dance Direction under the mentorship of Lisa Clark Schmeling before earning his BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University.
Jason has appeared in a variety of tv, film, music video and live performances that include: The Oscars, Ryan Gosling, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Ben Platt, Nike, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Prom a Netflix Original, Poppy International Tour, Cirque du Soleil, Universal Studios Japan and more. Currently, Jason is a proud member of Entity Contemporary Dance Company.
As a choreographer and teacher, Jason is passionate about fostering confidence and creating a nurturing space for his students to explore their artistry. His choreography can be seen across various convention and competition circuits, as well as at choreography festivals and showcases. He specializes in a variety of genres including contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and modern dance. His love for teaching has taken him around the globe, from the US to Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Hong Kong, inspiring eager dancers at every stop.
JOINED 2017
Shiori Kamijo is an LA-based dancer and choreographer originally from Japan. After working with iconic Japanese artists and teaching at many esteemed dance studios in Tokyo, she moved to Los Angeles and became a company member of Entity Contemporary Dance in 2017. As a choreographer, Shiori won the Capezio A.C.E. Awards Grand Prize in 2020 and has presented original work at the McCallum Choreography Festival in Palm Desert, CA and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2022. She has taught and performed internationally in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.
JOINED 2017
JOINED 2017
JOINED 2018
Eugenia Rodriguez is originally from Monterrey, Mexico. She graduated in 2018 from Chapman University with a B.F.A in Dance Performance and Entrepreneurship and Anthropology Minors. After school, Eugenia joined the LA based dance company Entity Contemporary Dance, directed by Will Johnston and Marissa Osato. Other credits include Paula Abdul's "Magic Summer Tour", Kids Choice Awards Mexico, Cirque Du Soleil, Becky G, Sofia Reyes, Paloma Mami, Ricky Martin, Michael Buble, BANKS, Anitta, Ylona Garcia, Nicole Ziniago, Julia Stone, Paramount+, Anna La Serie TV show and “Así Se Baila” produced by Telemundo. Currently, Eugenia tours with the dance convention Hollywood Vibe. Throughout the years, she is very grateful to have presented original work, performed, and taught internationally in places like Cuba, India, Mexico, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as across the United States. Eugenia is passionate about cultivating a sense of curiosity and exploration both in her teaching and work.
JOINED 2024
Aika Doone is a dancer and educator based in Los Angeles. She holds a BFA in dance performance from Chapman University. After earning her degree, Aika garnered a diverse portfolio of performance experience as both a company dancer and freelance artist. She has danced with companies such as NW Dance Project, Open Space Dance, Backhausdance and the IAF Company. Throughout her career, she has worked with choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden, Tyce Diorio, Ihsan Rustem, Zak Schlegel, Luca Veggetti and Sarah Slipper. Most recently, Aika became the newest member of Entity Contemporary Dance, co-directed by Will Johnston and Marissa Osato.
JOINED 2017
