Rachelle Rafailedes Mucha

Woman with wavy brownish hair and wearing a black long sleeve shirt looks into camera with her arms loosely wrapped around her

Panelist - Los Angeles Choreographers Institute

Rachelle Rafailedes Mucha is a native Ohioan who began her formal dance training at an early age. She has since received her BFA from The Juilliard School in 2009, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, where she was awarded the Martha Hill Prize for outstanding achievement and leadership in dance. In her professional career spanning over 15 years, Rachelle has been fortunate to perform works by renowned choreographers including: William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Twyla Tharp, Benjamin Millepied, Merce Cunningham, Justin Peck, Martha Graham, Shannon Gillen, Antony Tudor, and Emmanuel Gat, among many others. She was a member of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham from 2009-2013 and is a Bessie Award winning collaborator for Abraham’s The Radio Show. Rachelle joined L.A. Dance Project in 2013 and became a rehearsal director in 2018. Rachelle danced with L.A. Dance Project until October 2020 when she joined L.A. Dance Project’s administration as the Director of Foundation and Government Grants and Director of Artist Residency Programs.

*Photo by Morgan Lugo

After 20 years of artistic creation and community engagement, L.A. Contemporary Dance concludes its journey as an organization as of January 9, 2026.

Founded to showcase dance in Los Angeles, LACDC evolved into a home for collective artistry where performances were crafted by choreographers and dancers alongside playwrights, composers, designers, filmmakers, photographers, stage managers, technicians — an incredible team whose imaginative work gave shape and emotional depth to our repertory. These collaborations brought contemporary dance to life in ways that were bold, explorative, expressive, and accessible.

Through live events, digital experiences, and educational programming, LACDC cultivated environments rooted in curiosity, belonging, and learning without judgment. The organization consistently asked how contemporary dance might better reflect and serve the community around it, valuing discovery over mastery and process alongside performance.

This vision was made possible thanks to the creativity and leadership of our Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, Managing Directors, and Company Staff:

Artistic Leadership

Kate Hutter Mason — Artistic Director & Co-founder (2005–2015)
Genevieve Carson — Artistic Director (2016–2020)
Jamila Glass — Artistic Director (2021–2025)

Executive & Managing Leadership

Michelle Jolly — Executive Director & Co-founder (2005–2009)
Lauren Dragicevich — Managing Director (2009–2013)
Eva Angeloff — Managing Director (2013–2018)
Napoleon Gladney — Executive Director (2019–2025)

We are profoundly grateful to all who have left their fingerprints on the organization. This work would not have been possible without the support of our board members, donors, producers, presenters, community partners, volunteers, students, audiences, friends, and family — all who believed in this work. You made it possible.

While LACDC as an organization is closing, the values we cultivated continue forward through the relationships formed here and in all of you.

To anyone considering starting a company or pursuing a dream project — do it. Start now. Don’t wait for the opportunity; be the opportunity. We need your voice and creative work more than ever.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey.

L.A. Contemporary Dance
(2005–2025)