Board of Directors
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Dancer: Cameron McKinney
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For more than 25 years, Fran Spector Atkins has created innovative, socially engaged performance works that bridge the arts, science, and community dialogue. Through her interdisciplinary process—combining research, interviews, and choreography—she has developed a body of work that addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time, including environmental sustainability, social justice, public health, and youth resilience.
Her work exemplifies how the arts can serve as a powerful vehicle for artistic excellence, education, empathy, and social change, leaving a lasting impact on audiences, collaborators, and future generations of artists.
Spector Atkins’ creative process begins with in-depth research and direct engagement with experts and community members. These voices are woven into original music scores and multimedia design, forming the foundation for choreography that is both aesthetically compelling and intellectually grounded.
Her major works reflect a sustained commitment to socially relevant themes (with significant community partners):
A defining aspect of Spector Atkins’ legacy is her commitment to equitable access to the arts. Each performance is paired with movement workshops designed for youth, particularly in underserved communities.
Through these programs, she has:
Together with her late husband, Jim Atkins, she established a state-of-the-art studio and performance venue in Marina, California which was home to a school, company and performing venue. Under her leadership, it also fostered community engagement initiatives, including the Choreographers Showcase, the Sadie Rose Residency Program, the Ocean Arts Festival, King City Dance Week and SpectorDance On-Site.
Her influence extends nationally and internationally through guest artist residencies at institutions such as Stanford University, Brown University, and Oberlin College, and through work presented in Isreal (Kibbutz Dance Company) England (London School of Contemporary Dance), Italy (Rome Cultural Bridges), Denmark (Arrhus Gitta Holm Dance), Taiwan (Kaohsiung Dance School), and the Egypt.(Cairo Indgi El Sol Dance) and Guam Arts Council.
Spector Atkins’ contributions have been widely recognized, including:
Her work exemplifies how the arts can serve as a powerful vehicle for artistic excellence, education, empathy, and social change, leaving a lasting impact on audiences, collaborators, and future generations of artists.
Spector Atkins’ creative process begins with in-depth research and direct engagement with experts and community members. These voices are woven into original music scores and multimedia design, forming the foundation for choreography that is both aesthetically compelling and intellectually grounded.
Her major works reflect a sustained commitment to socially relevant themes (with significant community partners):
- Figures in the Dust (National Steinbeck Center) — based on Grapes of Wrath about the importance of the work and farming)
- Common Ground (United Farm Workers) — about California agriculture today
- East West (Rancho Cielo) — about gang violence
- Ocean Trilogy (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) — about merging science and art to address ocean health and climate issues
- When You Were Gone (Porter Center for Military Families) about military sacrifice and youth perspectives on deployment
- Wildfires (Esselen Tribe of Monterey County) about Indigenous knowledge of the land and fire stewardship
A defining aspect of Spector Atkins’ legacy is her commitment to equitable access to the arts. Each performance is paired with movement workshops designed for youth, particularly in underserved communities.
Through these programs, she has:
- Engaged young people in creative expression and critical thinking
- Provided high-quality arts education where it is often lacking
- Fostered dialogue across generations and cultural perspectives
Together with her late husband, Jim Atkins, she established a state-of-the-art studio and performance venue in Marina, California which was home to a school, company and performing venue. Under her leadership, it also fostered community engagement initiatives, including the Choreographers Showcase, the Sadie Rose Residency Program, the Ocean Arts Festival, King City Dance Week and SpectorDance On-Site.
Her influence extends nationally and internationally through guest artist residencies at institutions such as Stanford University, Brown University, and Oberlin College, and through work presented in Isreal (Kibbutz Dance Company) England (London School of Contemporary Dance), Italy (Rome Cultural Bridges), Denmark (Arrhus Gitta Holm Dance), Taiwan (Kaohsiung Dance School), and the Egypt.(Cairo Indgi El Sol Dance) and Guam Arts Council.
Spector Atkins’ contributions have been widely recognized, including:
- Dewar’s Young Artist Recognition Award (State of California)
- Florence Haspel Zeve Award for Outstanding Female Artist
- Named one of 10 individuals making “altruistic contributions” (Carmel Magazine)
- Featured in Luminaries of Monterey County
- SpectorDance named Outstanding Arts Organization (Arts Council for Monterey County)
- Common Ground — National finalist, Ovation TV Award
- Two-time TEDx Monterey presenter
- Has been funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Irvine Foundation, Packard Foundation, California Arts Council, Arts Council for Monterey County, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Harden Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Chapman Foundation and many local and statewide foundations, individuals and businesses.
- Finalist: Creative Capital, MAP Fund, Creative Work Fund
- Selected for Up Next at APAP
- M.F.A., Dance & Choreography — Mills College
- B.S., Occupational Therapy — Boston University
- Certification: Laban Movement Analysis (LIMS)
- American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum (Certified Teacher)
Roger D. Stewart, Ph.D., SpectorDance Board Chair, is a Management Consultant. He is focused primarily on improving SpectorDance’s organizational structure, efficiency, information management, and financial oversight. He served as Associate Dean at the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. Previously he worked for many deans for over more than thirty years at the University of Southern California. He was Executive Associate Dean of the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and was responsible for a half billion-dollar annual budget, staff personnel, technology, and facilities. He is a graduate of Goddard College, Harvard Divinity School, and Boston University.
Amy Byington was trained in dance (ballet, jazz, modern, character and tap) at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, Joffrey Ballet School ,and Broadway Dance Center in New York. Amy came to SpectorDance in 2006 to share her love of dance by teaching ballet classes to all ages. In 2009, she accepted the role of Assistant School Director, 2015 Director of the Youth Company, and in 2017-2021 School Director. Today she is teaching community dance classes are the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula Amy holds a B.S in Marine Science from Texas A&M University and a M.S in Marine Science from San Jose State University. She is a senior analyst and research technician at the Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory at Moss Landing Maine Laboratories.
Jonathan Lipow holds a PhD in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics from the University of California–Berkeley, and is currently a professor at the Defense Resources Management Institute located at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Jonathan has conducted numerous overseas assignments for the Department of Defense, and in 2014 was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terror in recognition of his contributions to US national security. Jonathan recently published his first book, Survival: The Economic Foundations of American National Security (Lexington Books, 2016).
Shany Dagan is a Proud Israeli- American Dancer Choreographer, and Aerialist. She holds a Degree in Dance and Musical theater - from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Shany trained at Broadway Dance Center- at the Professional Semester as well as the Warehouse Circus Intensive Program. After serving 3 years in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) while continuing her dance training in Tel Aviv, Shany moved to the United States to pursue her performance career and has performed nationally and internationally over 30 states in the past few years.
Credits include: Little mermaid-played Adella (The Fireside Theatre), Christmas Wonderland National Tour and Le Grand Cirque (Dublin Productions), RWS & Holland America Cruise Line, Dancing With The Stars- ISR, NY Horror Festival, The Dreaming (LIC Theatre), France and Holland Jewish community International Tour, Vassy's 'Concrete Heart' dance video, Danced on NBC on Red Nose Day, and The Collaborators with Rachelle Rack. etc.
In 2018 Shany joined SpectorDance company, under the lead of Fran Spector Atkins where she performed- Ocean-Trilogy (in NYC) and in 2019 -East-West in Monterey, CA. When not performing, Shany works as a Personal Trainer with over 20 professional fitness and nutrition certifications. In addition to her numerous private clients all around NYC and TLV, she also works as a CrossFIT Coach.
Credits include: Little mermaid-played Adella (The Fireside Theatre), Christmas Wonderland National Tour and Le Grand Cirque (Dublin Productions), RWS & Holland America Cruise Line, Dancing With The Stars- ISR, NY Horror Festival, The Dreaming (LIC Theatre), France and Holland Jewish community International Tour, Vassy's 'Concrete Heart' dance video, Danced on NBC on Red Nose Day, and The Collaborators with Rachelle Rack. etc.
In 2018 Shany joined SpectorDance company, under the lead of Fran Spector Atkins where she performed- Ocean-Trilogy (in NYC) and in 2019 -East-West in Monterey, CA. When not performing, Shany works as a Personal Trainer with over 20 professional fitness and nutrition certifications. In addition to her numerous private clients all around NYC and TLV, she also works as a CrossFIT Coach.
Connie DeNault received a minor in dance education and composition at San Jose State University along with her BS degree in Business Administration. With her creative, independent spirit she created Middle Earth in Motion --A School
of Natural Movement, Tumbleweed Gymnastics Company, and The Art of Moving Through Life which collectively featured small concerts with local Santa Cruz choreographers. In 2002 Connie produced a San Jose State Alumnae Dance Concert honoring the retirement of Dance Department Chair and Dean of Humanities, Mina Garman, She has organized several Christmas Dance Concerts at La Posada Senior Center, performances at Santa Cruz Vets Hall and three successful Isadora Duncan Workshops with Master Duncan Dance teacher, Lois Flood. Over the years she has created original choreography using diverse styles and themes such as: the environment, political satire, historic reconstruction, emotional visualization, and literary theatrical narrative. She has completed several dance oral history projects giving honor to aging dancers and performers. She has a passion for dance history and the evolution of all styles of dance and movement.
of Natural Movement, Tumbleweed Gymnastics Company, and The Art of Moving Through Life which collectively featured small concerts with local Santa Cruz choreographers. In 2002 Connie produced a San Jose State Alumnae Dance Concert honoring the retirement of Dance Department Chair and Dean of Humanities, Mina Garman, She has organized several Christmas Dance Concerts at La Posada Senior Center, performances at Santa Cruz Vets Hall and three successful Isadora Duncan Workshops with Master Duncan Dance teacher, Lois Flood. Over the years she has created original choreography using diverse styles and themes such as: the environment, political satire, historic reconstruction, emotional visualization, and literary theatrical narrative. She has completed several dance oral history projects giving honor to aging dancers and performers. She has a passion for dance history and the evolution of all styles of dance and movement.
Advisory Board
Diana Huang - SpectorDance Board President Emerita
Kyra Schlining– SpectorDance Board Emerita
Ziona Goren – SpectorDance Board President Emerita
Karen A. Cook, L. Ac, QME– SpectorDance Board Emerita
Roger L. Thompson– SpectorDance Board Emeritus
Major Volunteers
Toni Gibbs (SpectorDance Board Emeritus), Mark Gibbs, Cecilia Contreras Mejia (SpectorDance Board Emeritus), Malcom Mejia, Emily Zefferman (SpectorDance Board Emeritus), Harley Thompson, Garnett Quarles, Audellia Galindo, Jesus Galindo, and Crystal Forbes
Diana Huang - SpectorDance Board President Emerita
Kyra Schlining– SpectorDance Board Emerita
Ziona Goren – SpectorDance Board President Emerita
Karen A. Cook, L. Ac, QME– SpectorDance Board Emerita
Roger L. Thompson– SpectorDance Board Emeritus
Major Volunteers
Toni Gibbs (SpectorDance Board Emeritus), Mark Gibbs, Cecilia Contreras Mejia (SpectorDance Board Emeritus), Malcom Mejia, Emily Zefferman (SpectorDance Board Emeritus), Harley Thompson, Garnett Quarles, Audellia Galindo, Jesus Galindo, and Crystal Forbes