Meet our 2017-18 Core Team Members!
Jessica Mallari
Co-Executive Director
Jess is a fourth year from the San Fernando Valley studying Sociology and Italian at UCSB. She started dancing in 8th grade and later began training with Rooks Dance Crew, as well as taking class at various studios in Los Angeles area. Her most recent dance experience has been training and competing with VMo Dance — placing Silver at the 2018 Hip Hop International. Going into her 3rd and final year on CORE with Urban, Jess can’t wait to vibe with everyone and bring everything she has to Urban!
Fun fact: Jess is an ice cream enthusiast (Shout out to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream) and LOVES everything Disney, especially Disneyland. One thing on her bucket-list is to visit all Disneyland’s in the world, and she’s halfway there! Also she says to watch this video because it’s fantastic —> https://youtu.be/e_C5zsPmuXE.
@_jessicamallari
Olivia Simon
Co-Executive Director
Olivia grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA, and has been dancing since the age of 3. She danced competitively since she was 5, and started dancing commercially at the age of 11. She has trained in various styles, including jazz, tap, ballet, modern, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theatre. At the age of 12 she began assisting for renowned teachers, and took on teaching a few years after. Currently a student at UCSB, Olivia hopes to obtain her degree in biology. Some of her favorite hobbies are making jewelry, playing piano, napping, and eating LOTS of food. This is her second year on core, and she could not be more excited!
@oliviasimon
Kristen Chu
Business Executive
Kristen is from Torrance, CA and is currently a fourth year Communications/Psychology double major (applied Psychology minor) at UCSB. She started dancing in 4th grade doing ballet and jazz at her local dance center, leaving during 7th grade to do competitive dance at Fusion Dance Studios. During her freshman year of high school she joined the advanced dance team at her school where she trained heavily in many styles of dance at various studios, including hip-hop at Boogiezone Utopia. She is now going into her third year dancing with Urban and can’t wait to see all the things we’ll accomplish in the upcoming year.
Fun fact: Kristen is currently studying abroad for the quarter in London! She is also a major foodie, so she’s always down to go grab a bite and hang out when she gets back!
@kristenchu
Shante Boudaghi
Financial Executive & Team Captain
Shante is from the San Fernando Valley and is currently majoring in Religious Studies at UCSB. She began dancing at the age of nine at her local My Gym and fell in love instantly. She has trained in a number of styles including commercial hip hop, waacking, popping, house and lyrical. She has taken numerous classes all over So Cal and is motivated to take even more so she can expand her choreo repertoire. Shante also works at the Orfalea Children’s Center and volunteers often for different EOP events. She loves kids, is a huge Star Wars fan and has the craziest hair on Urban. She aspires to eventually train in breaking and tap and is very excited to begin another year on Urban!!
@shanteboudaghi
Aaron Nishikawa
Co – Artistic
What’s good! My name is Aaron Nishikawa and I’m a third year studying Communication. I first started dancing alone in my room through Youtube videos. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of highschool that I joined Pasadena highschool’s dance team and was on that for 2 years. During my second year on Pasadena’s dance team, I joined Theory Dance Company, a hip hop dance team based in west covina. I was a part of Theory Dance CO. for 2 years until I left to train at Snowglobe Perspective for the summer, before coming to UCSB. Once I arrived at UCSB, I trained in foundational street styles before joining Urban Dance Company my second year. I am now Co-Artistic Director, alongside Megan Deffenbaugh, and excited to bring my creativity to the team. Fun Fact: I love music and play drums and some guitar.
@a.nish
URBAN DANCE COMPANY 