ANYA CLARKE-VERDERY (they/she) Born and raised in Brooklyn, with roots hailing from Trinidad & Tobago, Anya Clarke-Verdery is a queer choreographer, dance artist, and educator. They received their BFA in Dance from Long Island University where they began their choreographic career choreographing for the American College Dance Association. In 2016, they won 1st prize for Choreographic Excellence in the 11th International REVERBDance Festival. Described as movement that “moves between lucid and fluid to downright jarring in the most effective way,” Anya’s work has been presented at venues such as the Andy Warhol Museum, Gelsey Kirkland Theater, Dixon Place, and more. As a dance artist Anya has worked with choreographers such as Matthew Rushing, Sidra Bell, Earl Mosley, Clifton Brown, Holly Blakey, Alex Ketley, Staycee Pearl, among others. Alongside partner Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery, they were selected as the 2019 Guest Lecturer and Resident Artist at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Art & Drama, and a 2018 PearlDiving Movement Resident Artist at PearlArts Studios. Anya’s love for dance permeates through their teaching. Their expertise with both children and adults has led them to teach at schools and organizations such as Point Park University, Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, UC Santa Barbara, Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, A BroaderWay Foundation, Excellence Community Schools, and more. With MICHIYAYA, Anya is the lead choreographer creating highly physical and visceral choreography that melds with each dance artist’s voice.