The People of Integra Dance Arts
Mika Deslongchamps Massey
Co-Owner/Director
Mika Deslongchamps Massey hails from Tucson, AZ. where she trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap under the direction of Mary Beth Cabana, Susan Quinn, Michael Williams, Sam Watson and Elizabeth George. In her professional career she trained and worked with Alonzo King, Ana Sanchez-Colberg, Marienela Boan, and Mia Michaels. Her training culminated this spring when she received her Masters in Choreography from Jacksonville University.
Mika has spent the past thirteen years actively engaged in the local and national performing arts community. Her choreography is in demand throughout the nation. With experience in collaborative work re-developing performing arts organizations, directing a professional non profit dance company and being resident choreographer of theater and opera companies; Ms. Massey’s expansive skill set is honed to the world of dance rather than a singular aspect. She has worked rigorously to bridge the technical excellence dancers strive to gain between styles of dance, to develop movement curriculum that enhances and trains the technical and artistic performer, and to continuously bring dance into other communities. In addition, Ms. Massey has co-developed an innovative Circus for Dancers program, and has spent time in residency with the Southern Arizona Network for Down Syndrome (SANDS), teaching movement classes for children and adults with down syndrome.
For the past 10 years Mika was on faculty at a prominent local dance studio as the director of jazz programs, instructor of tap and ballet, and classical ballet choreographer. She has trained students who have gone onto programs at Houston Ballet, The Juilliard School, University of Utah, University of Arizona and notable professional appearances commercial work and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She lives with her husband, Tom in Tucson’s Southeast community where she has worked within the Vail School District and resided for the past ten years. She is excited to continue to share her love of dance with the students at Integra Dance Arts.
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Julie Ann Nichols
Co-Owner/Director
Julie Ann Nichols began her dance training at the age of five at Michele's Dance Academy in Las Cruces NM where she later became a principal and founding member of the Las Cruces Chamber Ballet Company. There, she trained with Kathy Kildow, Michele Self and Kevin Self (American Ballet Theater, Martha Graham, North Carolina School of the Arts) She also danced solo and principal roles in “The Nutcracker,” “Swan Lake”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Coppelia” and several additional original works, most notably partnered with Mel Tomlinson (New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Dance Theater of Harlem). She was also selected to train on scholarship with the Pennsylvania and Milwaukee Ballet and received scholarships from the Cecchetti Council of America.
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Julie attended Brigham Young University where she danced and trained with the BYU Theatre Ballet. In addition to dancing, Julie continued to cultivate her skills in choreography and costume design. and was awarded a BA in Theatrical Costume Design. Intertwining these passions throughout her career, she has staged numerous original pieces and designed an extensive costume portfolio. Following college, Julie moved to Tucson, AZ with her husband Eric. As a mother of young children Julie was again drawn towards her love of dance and for eight years directed Ballet Belles, a child-centered dance academy and performing group. For 6 years Julie taught ballet, jazz, and tap at a prominent east side Tucson dance studio where she was also costume director and designer.
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Julie has loved living in Tucson since 1995 and has lived in Rita Ranch for the past 17 years. She and her husband have 4 children who have attended Vail schools and have participated actively in the community. Additionally, for over 20 years Julie has taught and mentored youth and children through her church organizations. She continues to share her love of dance with others through Integra Dance Arts.
Kathryn Pitre
Faculty
Kathryn Pitre was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated with a BFA in Dance from Jacksonville University. Kathryn is trained in the dance styles of ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, tap, hip hop and ballroom. She was a member of the modern dance company DanceWorks at Florida State College at Jacksonville as well as a company member at East Coast Ballet.
Kathryn has improved her training and dancing abilities by training with the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet School in New York City during their summer intensives. For the past two years, she worked and trained with The Ailey School in New York City through The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Kathryn has been fortunate enough to work with incredible choreographers and professors throughout her training.
Growing up dancing and adoring musicals, Kathryn’s goal is to eventually combine arts and medicine to prove just how powerful the arts can be.
Shamine Adams
Faculty
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Shamine Adams began dancing at the age of 3 and it became a lifelong passion of hers. Dancing at studios throughout Tucson, AZ, she eventually joined the Sabino High School Pom Line a widely recognized and highly awarded dance team in the Southwest. Post high school she continued to dance with On The Mark Dance Co and the University Dance Project while guest teaching at various workshops and intensives. Although well versed in a variety of dance styles, Ms. Adams specializes in hip hop and jazz funk.
During this time, Shamine received her Cosmetologist license; and has been working as a well known hair and make up artist for the past ten years. Dance was put on the back burner while she began to raise her children. She and her husband Bryan have three wonderful boys ages 1, 5 and 10. Her hobbies include chasing after children, baseball, Zumba and anything Disney related. She is looking forward to sharing her love of dance at Integra Dance Arts.