Rita Burns, from Williamsburg, Va., lives in Metropolitan D.C. as an independent dance artist, instructor, DJ, and cultural bearer. She has a strong background in theatre and contemporary dance, and is deeply rooted in the dance music culture.

Throughout her career, Rita has been a member of various dance companies with notable choreographers, including Ronya-Lee Anderson, Monstah Black, Adrian Bolton, Gesel Mason, Tony Powell, Deborah Riley, and Vincent Thomas. She has offered choreographic support in various projects, including Nehprii Ameni's performance installation, “Food For The Gods,” and was featured in Seshat Yonshea Walker’s multimedia choreodrama, “CHRCH, A Black Music Story.”

She was a guest artist in Bessie’s Outstanding Creator/Choreographer, Latasha Barnes’, The Jazz Continuum, and worked with esteemed choreographers, David Roussève, Bill T. Jones, and International Dance Music Awardee, Ultra Naté. Rita has held DJ residencies and has performed at notable events, including the National Minority AIDS Council, The Kennedy Center for National Dance Day, Juste Debout, Blacklight Summit and Capital House Fest - Salute To Sam “The Man” Burns.

Currently, she hosts a radio show, “Meeting In The Ladies Room” (A Collective of Women DJs) on WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington, D.C. Rita has decades of experience teaching young people. In addition, she has been a guest presenter at American University, Howard University, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), and recently moderated for the DC Caribbean FilmFest and DC/Dox Documentary Film Festival.

Rita collaborated with Urban Artistry for "Follow the Music: Exploring Multi-Linear Legacies of House Culture;” her narrative is preserved at the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Rita aims to enhance her artistry while positively affecting her communities, believing in music and movement's healing powers.