meet our operating staff
"Dance to Unite opens the minds and hearts of our youth for a better future."
Galit Adani, Founder and Executive Director
Galit Adani is a social entrepreneur with a personal mission to make the world a better place by being committed to continuous personal growth. She was born and raised in Israel to a family of Yemenite, Iraqi and Russain descent. At 20 years old Galit completed her 2 years mandatory military service at an air traffic control base. Galit was a flight attendant with El Al airlines for a short time before she came to the U.S to attend NYC’s Queens College where she graduated with honors and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre-Communications and Psychology. Galit was passionate about dance since a young age yet started her professional dance training as a young adult, when she arrived to the U.S
During her college years she began to volunteer as a dance teacher for NYC’s inner city youth with the non-profit organization Groove With Me, a weekly volunteer commitment, full school year-round, that she kept for 11 consecutive years (1998-2009). During that time she had a successful career in the field of dance as a performer, choreographer and a dance teacher for children and adults. She also had an extensive experience in the field of education as a Youth Director (grades 6–12) and a Hebrew school teacher (grades 3–12) at The Conservative Synagogue Religious School located in Westport-Connecticut (1999–2009).
Inspired by the concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) in Judaism and after over a decade of working with youth, Galit founded the non-profit organization Dance to Unite; a school program that integrates dance and guided conversations about values with the mission to teach and celebrate cultural diversity (in October 2009). For the first three years of Dance to Unite’s foundation Galit was a non-paid full-time volunteer director. She created the Dance to Unite class structure, wrote and implemented The 13 Steps to Unity Curriculum and designed and developed the teacher training in the Dance to Unite Teaching Method, which is focused on social emotional learning (SEL) and weaved into a unique dance instruction for children.
Galit describes herself as a lifelong student of spiritual knowledge, she advocates for the need for equality and unity among all living beings, and so she lives a vegan, health focused lifestyle with the emphasis on being compassionate towards animals. Galit believes in education and peacebuilding as means to create positive changes on a personal level, in the community and worldwide.
She is also a Certified Life Coach and a NonProfit Consultant.
Contact Galit: galit@dancetounite.org
"Dance to Unite is investing in the celebration of unity and a future of peace.”
Kate Engelhart, Administrator and Coordinator
Kate Engelhart was born and raised in Hunterdon County, New Jersey where she developed a love of dance from a young age. While training in classical ballet and contemporary dance at the Mill Ballet School in Lambertville, NJ, she had opportunities to dance professionally with the Roxey Ballet Company as well as participate in community outreach and diversity programs. Kate cultivated a deep appreciation for diversity through seeing dancers from around the world come together to share their art.
Kate moved to New York City to pursue a degree in Nursing and is forever grateful to have found Dance to Unite in the spring of 2018. She joined Dance to Unite through the internship program and progressed from an assistant teacher to co-lead teacher to teaching artist and trainer in the Dance to Unite Teaching Method. Kate has been the organization’s coordinator and administrator since 2019.
Kate continues her work with Dance to Unite while working full time as a Registered Nurse in Manhattan. She achieved her Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse certification and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Nursing Education. Kate hopes to combine her passions for community, education, culture, and health for the betterment and investment of youth.
Contact Kate: kate@dancetounite.org
“Dance to Unite brings the diverse beauty of the world together in NYC schools through dance, helping students learn and embrace important life values that will empower them to be the best global citizens they can be!”
MelimeL, Project manager, Brand & design
Melissa "MelimeL" Lauradin is a creative artist and mompreneur. She is CEO and Lead Graphic Designer of MelimeL Digital Art Design. Her published works as a writer and poet include Beneath the Deep Surface which was released as a 2nd edition for print and e-book in July 2022. Aside from designing and writing, MelimeL enjoys travel, photography, performing, and is an aspiring DJ. She hosted an Annual Women Empowerment Event during Women’s History Month for ten years from 2013-2022 and is currently developing a documentary film about the event. In 2015 and 2019 respectively, MelimeL launched The sisSTAR Loop, a platform for women-owned business and professionals and The Empowerment Network, a digital magazine, with its 13th issue currently in production. Through her creative works she hopes to empower others to excel in their personal and professional lives.
Contact Mel: melissa@dancetounite.org
“Best thing about Dance to Unite is the strive to create a better future for those who need it the most. A future where everyone has a voice and is empowered by love, harmony and self expression.”
Kasia Witek, project manager
Kasia Witek is a multimedia designer and a video artist. She is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts program Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design in New York City. She has worked as an Associate Creative Technologist for Edelman Digital, a global public relations consultancy firm, and for over a decade has worked extensively as a film producer, editor and visual designer at Arts in Education Roundtable, the 92nd Street Y, Lincoln Center Theater, InsideSchools.org and the New York Philharmonic. One of her documentaries about The New York Philharmonic School Partnership Program was displayed in the lobby of David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center for several years.
Ms. Witek is a Creative Content Director for BridgeMusik and is honored and excited to join another wonderful nonprofit organization, Dance to Unite as Project Manager. She is an immense supporter of Dance to Unite’s mission and looks forward to seeing the organization grow and change many lives along the way.
“As someone who grew up with classes similar to Dance to Unite, I know how important it is for children to have the opportunity to express themselves through movement while celebrating the values and morals that make us human and connect to others. It is an honor to embrace their imaginations and playfulness, and I end up learning so much more from them in the end.”
eryn woo, Recruitment and Training
Eryn Woo is an actor, singer, and dancer based in NYC. Originally from SC, Eryn Woo grew up training and doing community theatre all around her hometown. She has been dancing since she was 7 and has training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre. Eryn has served as a teaching artist at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre and Spartanburg Little Theatre during their summer programs. She is a graduate from Pace University (BFA FTVC) and Broadway Dance Center’s Independent Training Program. You can catch Eryn all around the city teaching at Pure Barre studios across Brooklyn and Manhattan.
"Dance has always been an important part of my life, but I am even happier knowing that Dance to Unite provides an opportunity for me to use my love of dance to give back to the community."
GEENA KIM, Social Media Manager (Instagram & TIKTOK)
Geena Kim is a junior at Columbia University studying biology and dance. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, she found a rich appreciation for diversity and community building when she moved to the US in 8th grade to attend school in Connecticut. Since moving to New York, volunteering with Dance to Unite has been one of the most meaningful experiences for her. She is grateful to have found a community of people who are driven by the same passion to foster a tight-knit community grounded in positive values. She joined the Dance to Unite team last year as an intern and has since progressed to a member of the staff as a TikTok manager while continuing teaching as a co-lead teacher in CPC PS 2. She is thrilled to be giving back to the dance community by teaching the future generation not only the steps but to see the big picture, appreciate cultural diversity, and communicate with one another through the universal language.
Contact Geena: geena@dancetounite.org
“Dance to Unite is the celebration of cultural diversity.”
CHANDRA STONE, social media Assistant
Chandra Stone is a proud New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn. She started dancing at a young age, where she was introduced to R&B and Hip-Hop music. Her passion for dance grew as she joined a group formed by a shared love for this music, performing at block parties and major community events across Brooklyn. Over time, Chandra expanded her dancing skills and discovered her gift for liturgical dance, a form she has passionately practiced and performed for several years.
In addition to her dancing, Chandra also served as an assistant teacher, where she taught first grade. Finding joy in teaching, she discovered how her two passions—dance and education—could beautifully complement each other.
More recently, Chandra became a certified fitness instructor with the NYC Parks Department @ShapeUpNYC, where she leads bodyweight circuit fitness classes. This new role allows her to continue giving back to her community by encouraging health and wellness.
Chandra is driven by the belief that we are not meant to keep our gifts, skills, and talents for ourselves, but to cultivate them and share them with the world. Her mission is to bless others by pouring into their lives and using her unique abilities to make a positive impact.
Contact Chandra: chandra@dancetounite.org
“Dance To Unite is not only a place where students learn from their teachers, but also a place where all the adults surrounding the kids learn and grow together with them.”
anaisa gorbea, social media intern
Anaisa Gorbea is 19 and a sophomore at Fordham University studying Sociology and Economics on the Pre-Law track. Originally from Los Angeles, California Anaisa started her dance journey competing at the age of 2. Now she sees dance from a new lens as she is in charge of capturing content for Dance to Unite’s social media accounts.