Shaina Branfman Baira
 Co-Artistic Director

Shaina  was born and raised in Victoria, Texas and received her BFA in Dance at the University of Iowa. She completed her certification as a Movement Analyst at the Laban Institute of Movement Studies, and completed studies in religion and philosophy at the New York All Faiths Seminary International. She has performed and taught in Haiti, Israel, Italy the UK, Belgium,  and through the USA. She is an ordained Interfaith Minister and member of The Feath3r Theory. Currently Shaina is teaching dance at Wayne State University, is a Detroit based Wedding Officiant and actively serves as a mentor for young dancers. 

Originally from Carleton, MI. Bryan graduated from Wayne State University in 2011 with a B.F.A in dance. He has danced with Nicholas Leichter Dance, Brian Brooks Moving Company, David Dorfman Dance and ThirdRailProjects. He has performed and taught in places such as: Colombia, South Korea, Turkey, Tajikistan, and Armenia; as well as throughout the USA. Bryan is an active sound designer/musician, a member of The Feath3r Theory and is honored to have been selected as one of Dance Magazine's 'Top 25 to Watch' for 2013.

Bryan Strimpel Baira
Co-Artistic Director

Corinne Lohner
Company Member

Texas native Corinne Lohner attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating in 2017, she freelanced in New York City and Salt Lake City, Utah and has presented her own choreographic work in Berlin, New York City, and Salt Lake City. She currently dances with Boston Dance Theater as a guest artist and is thrilled to join BAIRA as a founding company member.

Shannon White
Company Member 

Shannon White was born and raised in Highland, MI, and graduated from Wayne State University with a BFA in Dance in 2019. Shannon is a founding member of BAIRA and is a teaching assistant for Shaina and Bryan at WSU. She believes deeply in Detroit as a new and flourishing center for Dance in America and works hard to bring the gifts of movement and life to this vibrant city.

Eric Blovits

Company Apprentice

Eric Blovits  grew up in Saline Michigan, and began dancing at Rhythm Dance Company in Saline when he was 11.  He is currently a dance major at Wayne State University and a founding member of Wayfaring Theatre Company in Detroit.