zoë brielle payne
ZBRI
What began as a serendipitous collaboration in 2019 has become ZBRI Dance Ensemble, a collective of dancers who join Zoë Bri to perform in shows, site specific happenings, outreach programs and films.
Some of their notable performances included a collaboration with the Peabody Vocal Department for John Cage's Songbooks, "WE. A Study of Conflict.", In Progress, a full-length show featuring a live creation process with musicians and dancers, and ZBRI Ensemble with Jack Glantz & Friends in May 2022. This October Zoë co produced a show involving ZBRI Dance Ensemble. “The Galaxy Brain Experience” written by Joe Cahill is a production involving live hip hop musicians, dancers, a string ensemble, and animation. First premiered in April of 2023 with ZBRI Dance Ensemble, the company got the Audience Choice Award for the 2023 Charm City Fringe Festival.
ZBRI Ensemble Members
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Josette Chang
Company Member
MaKenna Brielle Charles
Company Member
Levi Coy
Company Member
Dallas Ryan
Company Member
Josette Chang is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Baltimore, Maryland. She began training in dance and gymnastics at a young age and has experience across a range of styles, with a particular focus on contemporary dance. She currently performs with Full Circle Dance Company and ZBri Dance Ensemble and teaches hip hop at Morton Street Dance Center. Outside of dance, Josette is a high school mathematics teacher and holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago and an M.S.Ed. from Johns Hopkins University.
MaKenna Brielle Charles is a dancer, choreographer, storyteller, and educator from Denver, Colorado, based in Baltimore, Maryland. A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, her work blends dance and theatre to explore memory, family, and Black identity. Rooted in contemporary, modern, and West African forms, MaKenna approaches movement as a space for storytelling, reflection, healing, and truth.
Levi Coy (they/he) is a queer choreographer, director, performer, filmmaker, and educator. Since graduating from Ball State University in 2019 with a BFA in Dance, Levi has broadened their horizons by relocating to Baltimore, MD. Here, Levi’s artistry has been showcased through performances in the DMV area with companies including Kinetics Dance Company, GRIDLOCK Dance, Extreme Lengths Productions, and Orange Grove Dance. As an educator, Levi serves as an Adjunct faculty member for the Howard Community College dance program as well as an instructor and choreographer for the Kinetics Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble. Most recently, Levi has been drawn to the transformative power of dance on film, embracing it as an expansive medium where choreography and cinematic storytelling meet, opening up new pathways for creative discovery and expression.
Dallas Ryan is a Philly-raised dancer primarily trained in modern at Philadanco’s Philadelphia School for Dance. She loves that dance offers freedom and musicality while giving her a way to tell stories through movement. She continued dancing throughout college with Penn Dance Company and, since moving to the DMV, with The Washington Ballet’s adult program and Dance & BMore. She is excited for her second season with ZBRI Dance, blending contemporary, folk, and jazz styles while staying grounded in her technical roots. When she’s not in the studio, you can find her in the hospital as a medical student, channeling the same focus and energy into a very different kind of performance.
P R O J E C T S
Kaleidoscope
Charm City Fringe Festival- Baltimore MD April/May 2026
Premier- LeMondo February 2026
ZBRI Dance Ensemble teams up with David Carlton Adams for a night of live music and dance. Exploring just how much a simple act of kindness can enact positive change.
Returning
Peabody Alumni Concert- Washington DC 2026
First Iteration Premier- Belington, WV 2025
What started as a senior capstone project, debuted in May 2023, got a revamp in Fall 2023 with a live woodwind band, conductor, projection, animation, dancing, singing and rapping that got performed for the Charm City Fringe Festival. Director, Joe Cahill and Producers Zoe Brielle Payne and Bill Liu received the Audience Choice Award for their production.
Of the Same
Textures Showcase - Pittsburgh PA
Going Dutch Festival - Chicago IL
Premier- Peabody Alumni Concert 2024
Created in the throws of lost, Of the Same finds the turmoil within and on the skin. Debuted in January 2023 as ZBRI with Zoe Brielle Payne and Eon Allum.
The Galaxy Brain Experience
Charm City Fringe Festival 2023
Joe Byrd Hall Peabody Conservatory 2023- Premier
What started as a senior capstone project, debuted in May 2023, got a revamp in Fall 2023 with a live woodwind band, conductor, projection, animation, dancing, singing and rapping that got performed for the Charm City Fringe Festival. Director, Joe Cahill and Producers Zoe Brielle Payne and Bill Liu received the Audience Choice Award for their production.
The Galaxy Brain Experience
Charm City Fringe Festival 2023
Joe Byrd Hall Peabody Conservatory 2023- Premier
Tales of The Dark Crystal
Augusta Youth Ballet Company
Inspired by the Jim Henson films and spin offs, Tales of The Dark Crystal invites people to explore the world of Thra in a new way. In an all female cast, audiences get to find a new way to love their favorite creatures in this 45 minute new contemporary ballet. Set on The Augusta Youth Ballet Company and debuted December 2024.
