BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The way Micaela Taylor moves looks so smooth and effortless.

The LA Times has called her athletic, graceful, precise, and fluid while Dance Magazine has added her to their 2019 "25 To Watch" list.

Not only is she cutting a rug in “Snap,” but she has choreographed a piece for the L.A.-based dance company BODYTRAFFIC, inspired by social media and how people’s photos tell a story about them.

"I wanted to create a work where you see a lot of images come to life and you go a little bit deeper into each one and you kind of get to see and peel back the layers of a narrative," said Taylor.

BODYTRAFFIC is the dance company in residence this season at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the performing arts. For the first-time ever, the venue is presenting all L.A.-based companies, artists, and choreographers.

Taylor was born and raised in West L.A. and would tell herself that one day, dance would bring her to the Wallis.

"Oftentimes it hasn't really hit me I have to pinch myself, this is really happening. Just really, really, an honor," said Taylor.

The company was founded in 2007 by Lillian Barbeito and Tina Berkett. Together they have simultaneously grown their world-class contemporary dance company while helping to establish L.A. as a city known for dance.

 

"It's really the who's who of contemporary dance in Los Angeles so I feel like LA is the place to be," said Barbeito.

Taylor was a former member of the company, but left to pursue her choreographic career.

Barbeito is behind the scenes with BODYTRAFFIC while Berkett still dances, and working with Taylor again has been a thrill.

"Now to get to actually embody her work with her doing it right next to us, it's pretty special," said Berkett.

BODYTRAFFIC's first performance of the season will run September 26 through the 28 and features four different pieces including Taylor’s.

"Now this work 'Snap' will be toured all over and the Wallis is the world premiere of the work so it's just really exciting that my work will be included in this performance at the Wallis," said Taylor.

Where BODYTRAFFIC will be bringing this groovy music and movement for all to see.