Latoya KcMelvin-Westpoint
Lecturer
School of Music and Dance
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
SDSU
Bio
Latoya McKelvin-Wespoint, a San Diego-based Movement Educator & small business owner, weaves her passion for mindful movement into empowering experiences that celebrate wellness for all and champion social justice.
Latoya briefly studied dance at State University of New York University At Buffalo before finding her dance home at Temple University. During her academic studies she trained with renowned dance educators Ronald K Brown, Milton Myers, Robert Battle, Kim Bears Bailey and Caroline Adams. Latoya spent several years with Philadelphia Dance Company also known as Philadanco!. She toured and performed works by Dawn-Marie Bazemore, Tommy Waheed Evans, Chloe Davis, and Christopher Huggins.
Upon moving to San Diego in search of better weather, Latoya began to deeply explore Pilates and Yoga, somatic practices that aided her during her performance career. On this journey she was mentored and trained extensively with Master Pilates Educator Rael Isacowitz, Founder of BASI Pilates.
Latoya is Founder of Movement Matters Collective (MMC), a San Diego based wellness organization that provides Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, and workshops to support well-being. MMC facilitates culturally affirming and joyful wellness experiences for individuals and communities. With MMC Latoya actively collaborates with non-profits, educational facilities, governmental initiatives and local organizations to promote health across generations and ensure underserved communities have access to movement and mindfulness practices.
Latoya's commitment to equitable wellness opportunities extends to empowering youth through movement programs in local schools and facilitating safe training for aspiring ballet dancers. For Latoya, movement is a powerful tool for healing, connection, and social change. Her work celebrates the strength and resilience of humans while fostering a more inclusive and equitable world through the joy of movement.