Executive Director: Justin Cosme-Perez
Justin Cosme-Perez (he/him/his) was born in NY and raised in Orlando FL where he performed with Walt Disney World Entertainment, Nao Dance Collective, Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre, and VarieTEASE. Mr. Cosme-Perez joined Nimbus in 2013 as a Company Dancer and was Company Manager from 2014 – 2017. He quickly became a key component of the Nimbus team, and was promoted to Director of Operations from 2017 – 2021. In his tenure as Director of Operations, Mr. Cosme-Perez worked hand in hand with Artistic Director Samuel Pott to build Nimbus from a small company, running out of a church basement, to the largest arts organization in Jersey City and a leader in the arts in New Jersey. Mr. Cosme-Perez holds his BFA in Dance from New World School of the Arts / University of Florida and was Salutatorian of his graduating class. He has served on committees for the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Dance New Jersey, Young Audiences, and National Endowment for the Arts. He was the Director of the Color Guard programs at Ocoee High School, New Smyrna Beach High School, and Rutgers University. Mr. Cosme-Perez was the Creative Director of Change Through Dance, Inc. (CTD) and was the Satellite Chief Administrator for Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, LA, Texas, and Georgia. Mr. Cosme-Perez’s choreography has been presented across the east coast including two premieres at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mr. Cosme-Perez also serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Nimbus2 and is proud to be the New Executive Director of Nimbus.
Contact: justin@nimbusdanceworks.org
Associate Artistic Director: Anitra Keegan
Anitra Keegan (she/her/hers) was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Holmdel, New Jersey, Anitra Keegan brings a wholly unique and diverse approach to her passion for dance. With close to three decades of experience, Ms. Keegan began her training at the Academy of Dance Arts in New Jersey, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Rock School for Dance Education. Out of high school, Ms. Keegan began her professional career in Philadelphia with the Pennsylvania Ballet, where she performed in classical works such as George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Western Symphony, and Who Cares? She was later accepted to the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. After graduating, she was asked to join the Ohio Ballet in Akron, Ohio. Under the direction of Heinz Poll and Jeffrey Graham Hughes, Ms. Keegan had the privilege to work with distinguished choreographers, including Alonzo King, Donald Bryd, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Laura Dean, and Anne Marie DeAngelo. Looking to strengthen her dance repertoire, Ms. Keegan then moved to New York City to pursue a free-lance career, which allowed her the opportunity to work with companies including DancesPatrelle, Chamber Dance Project, and BalletNY, where she was featured as Desdemona in John Butler’s Othello . In 2007, Ms. Keegan returned to Philadelphia and joined BalletX as a Principal Artist, where she was featured in world-premiere roles by such noted choreographers as Matthew Neenan, Edwaard Liang, Alex Ketley, Jorma Elo, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jodie Gates, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. In 2013, she traveled nationally and Canada as Capezio’s Master Pointe Specialist/ Brand Ambassador. Creating educational events and designing custom pointe shoes for premiere dance companies. After five years, in 2018 Ms. Keegan joined Nimbus Dance as the Associate Artistic Director and continues to pass along her knowledge and passion to a new generation of dancers.
Contact: Anitra@nimbusdanceworks.org
Managing Director: Hannah Weeks
Hannah Weeks (she/her/hers) joined the Nimbus staff in 2016, starting her career in arts administration as Nimbus’ Outreach Liaison. She ascended quickly to Assistant Director of Programs and then Director of Programs, coordinating Nimbus’ education and outreach programs as well as all in-house, NimbusPRESENTS productions. Weeks grew Nimbus’ community education programs from serving 350 students in 2016 to serving 1700 students across northern New Jersey in 2019 with sustained in-school and after-school programming. Weeks also facilitated the development of Nimbus’ presenting wing, managing the expansion of performance offerings to include music, spoken word, humanities discussions, community events, and more. Weeks performed with Nimbus Dance from 2015-2020, premiering many works by Artistic Director Samuel Pott, including the title role in Esther, as well as works by Darshan Singh Bhuller, Dawn Marie Bazemore and Sofia Nappi, and repertory by Korhan Basaran, Vernard Gilmore, Charles Moulton, and others. She was a teaching artist for the School of Nimbus and Community Education Programs from 2015-2021. Originally from Iowa City, IA, Weeks was immersed in the arts from an early age, studying violin at the Preucil School of Music, and dance at Nolte Academy of Dance, and City Ballet of Iowa. Weeks continued her studies at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Alonzo King Lines Ballet Training Program, and the University of Iowa, from which she will graduate with a B.A. in Business Studies – Arts Management. Weeks is the 2017 recipient of the Nimbus Award for Service Through the Arts and has served as Nimbus’ Managing Director since 2021.
Contact: Hannah@nimbusdanceworks.org
School Director: Harumi Elders
Harumi Elders (she/her/hers), a Maryland native, received her BFA from the Boston Conservatory with a concentration in performance, pedagogy, and choreography. While studying, she had the privilege to begin her professional dance and teaching career with the City Ballet of Boston. Shortly after graduating she moved to NYC and began dancing with Nimbus Dance Works. She had the honor to dance for Nimbus for three seasons, performing a variety of roles including Sugar Plum Fairy, Strange Fruit (soloist), Patch of Turf (soloist), Shadow of Sound (soloist), Surface Tension, and We Acquiesce (soloist). Post-Nimbus Harumi went on to perform two seasons in the award-winning Christmas show at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. She also joined the pre-production cast of The Wizard of Oz at the Media Theater, danced as a featured artist in various commercials, and danced back up for Sofia Carson on the Disney Channel. As a teaching artist, Harumi has taught ballet, theater jazz, improvisation, and modern technique in dance studios throughout the East Coast, including Nimbus Dance Works, City Ballet of Boston, Studio of Ballet Arts, and Londyn Skye Dance Center. Currently, she is completing her 3rd year on the Dance and Musical Theater Staff at High Tech High School. Along with performing and teaching Harumi is a certified Personal Trainer and loves to integrate health and fitness into her teaching style. Harumi is ecstatic to come full circle and rejoin the Nimbus team as the School Director.
Contact: Harumi@nimbusdanceworks.org
Associate Director of Advancement: Gwen Brownson
Gwen Brownson (she/her/hers) has spent the past 15 years dedicated to the evolution of the arts-education field and examining how the arts enhance cross-curricular learning with an emphasis on critical literacy skills and exploring themes of social justice through the performing arts. Her most recent work in this area was as Project Manager on a groundbreaking research project out of Fordham University looking at how Theatre Teaching Artists help to foster critical consciousness in children of color. For over a decade in New York Gwen was the Education and Programs Director for the Literature to Life Program out of The American Place Theatre where she helped to build the company’s nationally recognized educational methodology, community engagement model and intensive Teaching Artist Training program. More recently the focus of Gwen’s career has shifted to helping micro-nonprofits implement capacity building efforts through strategic planning, resource sharing and right sizing. As Consulting Director of Literature to Life from 2018-2020, Gwen led the charge on all strategic planning, organizational, Board, and infrastructure development – moving Lit to Life from start-up phase towards independence after decades of its functioning under the aegis of larger umbrella organizations. Prior to her work in arts-administration Gwen produced, directed, taught and performed in the theatre for over 20 years. She received her Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts from UCLA and her Masters Degree in Educational Theatre from NYU. Gwen grew up in Northern California and currently lives in Jersey City with her husband and daughter Olive. She’s a proud JC resident and is thrilled to be joining the talented team and Nimbus Arts Center.
Contact: gwen@nimbusdanceworks.org
Development Manager: Comora Robinson
Comora Robinson (she/her/hers) brings a wealth of knowledge to Nimbus with over 15 years of experience in leading sales and marketing teams, diversity and inclusion initiatives, relationship management, community building and fundraising. She began her professional career in New York City in the fashion and luxury goods industry before becoming an Advertising Coordinator at American Media, where she honed her advertising and sales experience. She soon transitioned into Finance working at BNP Paribas in Client Management where she created, fostered, and maintained client relationships by serving as the single point of contact between top tier clients and the business. While at BNP she co-chaired the African Heritage Business Networking Group, aligning diversity initiatives with the US Diversity Council and Corporate Social Responsibility team, cultivating talent and executing BNP’s global core values.
A Maryland native, Comora calls Jersey City home with her husband and son. She is an active leader and local community culture contributor. She is currently the President of the French American Academy Parent Teacher Association where she oversees the executive board and coordinates community outreach initiatives. This includes budget management and development, fundraising and the design and execution of all events. She was also the Community Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee where she has created an open forum to discuss topics related to racism, diversity and inclusion across all campuses.
Comora received her Bachelor of Science in Communications (Public Relations) from Bowie State University and a Master of Art in Media Studies from The New School. Comora is a lifelong patron and lover of the performing arts and is excited to start her journey with Nimbus to help further their mission of making an accessible and powerful impact through art.
Contact: comora@nimbusdanceworks.org
Marketing Associate: Vanessa Gomez
Vanessa Gomez (she/her/hers) a Jersey City native, Ms. Gomes was always inspired by the vivacious people and cultures that drive her hometown. Her passion bloomed once she got the chance to travel and experience the vibrant world around her. This pushed her to pursue her passion in digital and natural art. She attended Saint Peter’s University and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2020. In 2019, she joined Nimbus as a marketing intern. Ms. Gomez has since become the graphic designer for Nimbus Dance and has been able to combine her skills and creativity.
Contact: Marketing@nimbusdanceworks.org
Community Programs Manager & JC SummerArts Director: Kayla Alvarez
Kayla Alvarez (she/her) is a graduate of the Dance Education program at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University. Kayla completed her full-time student teaching at County Prep High School in Jersey City, NJ. She is Community Programs Manager for the Nimbus Arts Center, focusing on bringing dance outreach programs to schools in New Jersey. Her engagements have included being the Director for Nimbus’ JC SummerArts program, choreographer for the County Prep High School Dance Company, and a dance instructor for High Tech High School’s Musical Theater students.
In 2021, Kayla graduated with her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. While at Mason Gross, she received extensive training in various dance genres, somatic practices, kinesthetic/anatomical principles, and educational frameworks. She performed the works of Paul Taylor, Shannon Gillen, Stefanie Batten-Bland, and the Hub City Opera & Dance Company. Her dance teaching experience ranges from K-12 across both New Jersey and New York public schools. Currently, Kayla is pursuing a Pilates certification.
Contact: Programs@ninmbusdanceworks.org
Nimbus Dance Board of Directors 2022-2023
2022-2023 Officers
Wendy Paul – Board President (joined 2017)
Executive Director, Jersey City Apartment Owners Association; MPA Candidate 2021, Rutgers University
Reinfred Forson – Treasurer (joined 2020)
Risk Assuarance Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Madeleine Giansanti – Secretary (joined 2015)
Senior Contracts and General Counsel, Aerie Pharmaceuticals
Board Members
Vivian Brady-Phillips (joined 2021)
Executive Director, Jersey City Housing Authority
Anthony Catanio (joined 2022)
Founder/President, Leeann Development, LLC
Justin Cosme-Perez (Joined 2021)
Ex-Officio, Executive Director, Nimbus Dance
Stephanie Daniels (joined 2015)
Creative Director | Web Goddess City of Jersey City
Rae DuBose (joined 2023)
Managing Partner, Onyx Strategic Advisors
Hali Epstein (joined 2019)
Owner/Principal, HJE Interiors LLC
Ning Holmes (joined 2019)
Managing Director at JP MORGAN CHASE
Thomas Macagnano (joined 2021)
Principal of McNair High School
Jennifer Morrill (joined 2018)
Press Secretary, US Senator Robert Menendez
Samuel Pott (joined 2005)
Ex-Officio, Founding Artistic Director, Nimbus Dance
Gennean Scott (joined 2023)
Chief Diversity Officer, The Broadway League