The Dancers

Mara "He Is The Way" Torres

Mara Torres is a founding member of SMW. Like Windley, Torres grew up in Central New York, attended the New York State Summer School of Dance and graduated from Barnard College with an AB in Dance, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Cappa. While at Barnard, she was able to perform the works of classic and contemporary modern choreographers: Jose Limon, Donna Uchizono and Lila York to name a few, as well as the West African work of Maguette Camara. After graduating she performed with Christopher Williams and Rebecca Stenn. When Windley asked Torres to work with her in 2003, Torres, questioning the relevance of the modern dance world, but not yet fully on board with the SMW vision responded, "If you teach me hip hop, then sure." Many years and "cool lessons" later, Torres is grateful to call herself a Christian and a Warrior. In 2005 she was baptized at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and is currently an active member of Uptown Community Church. She is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with her Catholic sisters, proclaiming in movement the hope that is found through faith in Jesus Christ.