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Dancing in Summer, the Festival
June 27-29, 2025, Riverside Arts Center
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Two Professional Choreographers Showcases,
Master Classes,
Choreography Showing,
Dance Film Screening
Pre-Professional Concert
Submissions for the Professional Showcases and Choreography Showing are closed, but we're still taking submissions for the Pre-Professional Concert and the Dance Film Screening!
See Links below:
Looking back...
About the 2024 Artists
Kaley Pruitt
Showcase Artist and Master Class Teacher
Pruitt founded her dance company Kaley Pruitt Dance in 2014 in New York City and has created over 30 works for the stage and screen. She is originally from Ketchum, Idaho and is currently an Assistant
Professor of Dance at SUNY Brockport. She received her MFA in Dance & Choreography from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where she was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship. She holds her BFA in Dance from Florida State University and was a member of their performing group, Dance Repertory Theatre under the direction of Lynda Davis. Pruitt has been commissioned by Steffi Nossen Dance Company, Idaho Dance Theatre, Vision of Sound/Society for New Music, Repertory Dance
Theatre, Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, Fem Dance Company, Simantikos Dance Chicago, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and Illinois State University. Additionally, the company has been presented
by: NYS DanceForce, St. Louis Contemporary Dance Festival/ Resilience Dance Company, Take Root at
Green Space, Modern American Dance Company (MADCO) Dare to Dance, Rochester Fringe Festival,
Austin Dance Festival, ACDA National Conference, Mark DeGarmo Dance, Milwaukee Fringe Festival,
WIM Dance Festival, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Dixon Place Theater, Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, Triskelion Arts, Chez Bushwick and The Center for Performance Research, Built on Stilts Martha’s Vineyard, The Secret Theater, Ketchum Arts Commission, and Movement Research. Pruitt has also held faculty positions at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Steffi Nossen School of Dance. www.kaleypruittdance.com, @kaleypruittdance.
Artist Statement: Kaley Pruitt Dance investigates the nuances of the human experience and explores the intrinsic
communication between bodies in space. The work spans comedic dance theater to abstract concert
aesthetic, film and site-specific work. Pruitt is interested in bringing dance into the public sphere through
interactive and community-based work. Kaley aims to create an environment where the audience shares
new perspectives and experiences kinesthetic empathy through physical and verbal storytelling.
Photo: Zach Lyman
Pruitt founded her dance company Kaley Pruitt Dance in 2014 in New York City and has created over 30 works for the stage and screen. She is originally from Ketchum, Idaho and is currently an Assistant
Professor of Dance at SUNY Brockport. She received her MFA in Dance & Choreography from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where she was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship. She holds her BFA in Dance from Florida State University and was a member of their performing group, Dance Repertory Theatre under the direction of Lynda Davis. Pruitt has been commissioned by Steffi Nossen Dance Company, Idaho Dance Theatre, Vision of Sound/Society for New Music, Repertory Dance
Theatre, Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, Fem Dance Company, Simantikos Dance Chicago, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and Illinois State University. Additionally, the company has been presented
by: NYS DanceForce, St. Louis Contemporary Dance Festival/ Resilience Dance Company, Take Root at
Green Space, Modern American Dance Company (MADCO) Dare to Dance, Rochester Fringe Festival,
Austin Dance Festival, ACDA National Conference, Mark DeGarmo Dance, Milwaukee Fringe Festival,
WIM Dance Festival, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Dixon Place Theater, Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, Triskelion Arts, Chez Bushwick and The Center for Performance Research, Built on Stilts Martha’s Vineyard, The Secret Theater, Ketchum Arts Commission, and Movement Research. Pruitt has also held faculty positions at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Steffi Nossen School of Dance. www.kaleypruittdance.com, @kaleypruittdance.
Artist Statement: Kaley Pruitt Dance investigates the nuances of the human experience and explores the intrinsic
communication between bodies in space. The work spans comedic dance theater to abstract concert
aesthetic, film and site-specific work. Pruitt is interested in bringing dance into the public sphere through
interactive and community-based work. Kaley aims to create an environment where the audience shares
new perspectives and experiences kinesthetic empathy through physical and verbal storytelling.
Photo: Zach Lyman
Bernard Brown
Showcase Artist
BERNARD BROWN is a performing artist, choreographer, filmmaker, educator, and arts activist working at the crossroads of Blackness, Queerness, and belonging. As artistic director of Bernard Brown/bbmoves, a social justice dance theater company, he choreographs for stage, specific sites, film, and opera. His work has been presented across Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe, including On The Boards, Centre de Developpment Choregraphique La Termitierre, Dance Camera West, American Dance Festival’s ADF Movies by Movers, Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and Royce Hall, amongst other venues. Commissioning organizations include The City of Los Angeles, UCLA, Santa Monica Symphony, Dance Mission Theater, the Fowler Museum, South Chicago Dance Theater, Lula Washington Dance Theatre II and a host of universities and community organizations. His company made their international performance debut on a US Embassy-sponsored tour to Burkina Faso, West Africa. Brown has developed work in residencies with The Music Center, Johns Hopkins University, Dance Italia, and B Street Theater. For nearly 3 decades, Brown has toured with and performed the choreography of leaders of the dance field including Lula Washington Dance Theatre, David Rousseve/REALITY, Donald McKayle, Rennie Harris, Rudy Perez, Pat Taylor, Doug Elkins, Janessa Clark, and Lucinda Childs, to name a few. By invitation, he has joined casts of productions like the Kennedy Center’s Masters of African American Choreography, Los Angeles Opera’s AIDA, and Robert Wilson’s Letter to a Man with Mikhail Baryshnikov. He is a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. As a sought-after educator, Brown has conducted workshops, lectures, presentations, and master classes internationally, namely in Israel, Burkina Faso, Panama, Malta, and Brazil, and across the US, sharing his inclusive pedagogy. He is a core member of Street Dance Activism and an ongoing collaborator with Dancing Through Prison Walls, an aboltionist project. His activism has been featured in Dance Magazine, the Los Angeles, and New York Times. A first-generation college graduate, he is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Loyola Marymount University, a Certified Katherine Dunham Technique Instructor Candidate, and currently a California Arts Council Established Artist Fellow. The Los Angeles Times has called him “…the incomparable Bernard Brown…”
David B. Arenas @david_b_arenas
BERNARD BROWN is a performing artist, choreographer, filmmaker, educator, and arts activist working at the crossroads of Blackness, Queerness, and belonging. As artistic director of Bernard Brown/bbmoves, a social justice dance theater company, he choreographs for stage, specific sites, film, and opera. His work has been presented across Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe, including On The Boards, Centre de Developpment Choregraphique La Termitierre, Dance Camera West, American Dance Festival’s ADF Movies by Movers, Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and Royce Hall, amongst other venues. Commissioning organizations include The City of Los Angeles, UCLA, Santa Monica Symphony, Dance Mission Theater, the Fowler Museum, South Chicago Dance Theater, Lula Washington Dance Theatre II and a host of universities and community organizations. His company made their international performance debut on a US Embassy-sponsored tour to Burkina Faso, West Africa. Brown has developed work in residencies with The Music Center, Johns Hopkins University, Dance Italia, and B Street Theater. For nearly 3 decades, Brown has toured with and performed the choreography of leaders of the dance field including Lula Washington Dance Theatre, David Rousseve/REALITY, Donald McKayle, Rennie Harris, Rudy Perez, Pat Taylor, Doug Elkins, Janessa Clark, and Lucinda Childs, to name a few. By invitation, he has joined casts of productions like the Kennedy Center’s Masters of African American Choreography, Los Angeles Opera’s AIDA, and Robert Wilson’s Letter to a Man with Mikhail Baryshnikov. He is a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. As a sought-after educator, Brown has conducted workshops, lectures, presentations, and master classes internationally, namely in Israel, Burkina Faso, Panama, Malta, and Brazil, and across the US, sharing his inclusive pedagogy. He is a core member of Street Dance Activism and an ongoing collaborator with Dancing Through Prison Walls, an aboltionist project. His activism has been featured in Dance Magazine, the Los Angeles, and New York Times. A first-generation college graduate, he is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Loyola Marymount University, a Certified Katherine Dunham Technique Instructor Candidate, and currently a California Arts Council Established Artist Fellow. The Los Angeles Times has called him “…the incomparable Bernard Brown…”
David B. Arenas @david_b_arenas
Simona Di Nardo
Showcase Artist and Master Class Presenter
Simona Di Nardo’s been working as a freelance
choreographer in Italy and abroad. During and after her graduation at the “Accademia Nazionale di Danza” in Rome (Italy), she took part on many occasions as a guest
choreographer, production assistant and maintenance
choreographer. After the research thesis titled: “Assessment of Strength in Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers”, she started
to apply the sports science to the dance performance. It’s possible to resume the main feature of all her own
choreographies in one word: “versatility”. For this reason, she’s studying the training strategies which will let the dancers adapting to each single choreographic delivery, building the dancers performance both artistically and athletically.
Simona Di Nardo’s been working as a freelance
choreographer in Italy and abroad. During and after her graduation at the “Accademia Nazionale di Danza” in Rome (Italy), she took part on many occasions as a guest
choreographer, production assistant and maintenance
choreographer. After the research thesis titled: “Assessment of Strength in Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers”, she started
to apply the sports science to the dance performance. It’s possible to resume the main feature of all her own
choreographies in one word: “versatility”. For this reason, she’s studying the training strategies which will let the dancers adapting to each single choreographic delivery, building the dancers performance both artistically and athletically.
Marisa Bianan
Showcase Artist and Master Class Teacher
Marisa Bianan obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Michigan University in April 2018. Through her studies, Marisa had the privilege to work with choreographers including Jeremy Blair, Monique Haley, Carolyn Pavlik, and Brendan Duggan. Since graduating, Marisa has presented various choreographic works in the Midwest including at the 2019 Midwest RADFest and Inaside’s Summer 2022 in-
person/virtual hybrid concert. Recent accolades include becoming a finalist for the 2021 Maggie Allesee Choreography Competition, being commissioned to create a new work for Western Michigan University’s First Year Performance class, which premiered in February 2022, and being accepted into the 2023 + 2024 Detroit Dance City Festival Choreographer’s Showcase. Marisa stepped into the role of Associate Artistic Director with Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers in 2021. 2023-2024 will be Marisa’s sixth season with WSCTD.
Marisa Bianan obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Michigan University in April 2018. Through her studies, Marisa had the privilege to work with choreographers including Jeremy Blair, Monique Haley, Carolyn Pavlik, and Brendan Duggan. Since graduating, Marisa has presented various choreographic works in the Midwest including at the 2019 Midwest RADFest and Inaside’s Summer 2022 in-
person/virtual hybrid concert. Recent accolades include becoming a finalist for the 2021 Maggie Allesee Choreography Competition, being commissioned to create a new work for Western Michigan University’s First Year Performance class, which premiered in February 2022, and being accepted into the 2023 + 2024 Detroit Dance City Festival Choreographer’s Showcase. Marisa stepped into the role of Associate Artistic Director with Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers in 2021. 2023-2024 will be Marisa’s sixth season with WSCTD.
Maurice Archer
Intro to Break Dancing for contemporary dancers:
Maurice Archer is a seasoned dance teacher and the driving force behind A2 Breakdance, a platform dedicated to self-expression and youth empowerment since its inception in 2009. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, Maurice has reached over 10,000 students and showcased his artistry through 100 performances at various organizations, events, festivals, and venues. His influence has extended beyond Ann Arbor, resonating with surrounding communities as A2 Breakdance continues to grow in popularity.
At A2 Breakdance, Maurice champions the transformative power of movement, striving to unlock the inner potential of every individual he encounters. His motto, "life is a dance," encapsulates his philosophy of embracing life's rhythms and finding strength, joy, and purpose through movement. Join Maurice on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment through the art of breakdance.
Maurice Archer is a seasoned dance teacher and the driving force behind A2 Breakdance, a platform dedicated to self-expression and youth empowerment since its inception in 2009. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, Maurice has reached over 10,000 students and showcased his artistry through 100 performances at various organizations, events, festivals, and venues. His influence has extended beyond Ann Arbor, resonating with surrounding communities as A2 Breakdance continues to grow in popularity.
At A2 Breakdance, Maurice champions the transformative power of movement, striving to unlock the inner potential of every individual he encounters. His motto, "life is a dance," encapsulates his philosophy of embracing life's rhythms and finding strength, joy, and purpose through movement. Join Maurice on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment through the art of breakdance.
Seyong Kim
Showcase Artist
Seyong Kim, an Associate Professor of Dance at Western Michigan University, holds an MA in Dance Education from NYU Steinhardt and an MA in Dance from Sung-Kyun-Kwan University (Seoul, South Korea). He is a CMA (Certified Movement Analyst) from Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, a RSDE (Registered Somatic Dance Educator), and a PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) Certified Teacher. Seyong is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 of the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum. Furthermore, he earned the Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.
Seyong has taught for the University of Georgia, Rutgers University, Kent State University, Lindenwood University, Randolph College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Peridance, Steps On Broadway, Libera University in Italy, World Dance Alliance-America (WDAA), American College Dance Association (ACDA), Cecchetti Council of America, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Alabama Dance Festival, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, West Hawaii Dance Theatre, Chicago Repertory Ballet, South Chicago Dance Theatre, Ballet 5:8, Charlottesville Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, and Ballet Preljocaj.
As a professional dancer, Seyong has danced with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, Albania National Ballet Theatre, Baltimore Ballet, Traverse City Dance Project, Neglia Ballet, TAKE Dance, and Oakland Ballet Company. In addition, his choreographic works have been internationally invited at Landestheater Coburg in Germany, Florence Dance on Screen Festival in Italy, International Contemporary Dance Festival of Mexico City, Taiwan JueDai Taipei International Dance Festival, ProArteDanza in Canada, Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK, Lebanon International Dance Festival, Battery Dance Festival, Palm Desert Choreography Festival, American Dance Guild Festival, Cleveland Dance Festival, Richmond Dance Festival, Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, Chicago International Dance Forum, Detroit Dance City Festival, Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Orlando Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival, Oklahoma International Dance Festival, Breaking Ground Contemporary Dance Festival, Washington International Dance Festival, CrossCurrent Asian-American Dance Festival, and Movement Research at the Judson Church.
Seyong Kim, an Associate Professor of Dance at Western Michigan University, holds an MA in Dance Education from NYU Steinhardt and an MA in Dance from Sung-Kyun-Kwan University (Seoul, South Korea). He is a CMA (Certified Movement Analyst) from Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, a RSDE (Registered Somatic Dance Educator), and a PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) Certified Teacher. Seyong is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 of the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum. Furthermore, he earned the Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.
Seyong has taught for the University of Georgia, Rutgers University, Kent State University, Lindenwood University, Randolph College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Peridance, Steps On Broadway, Libera University in Italy, World Dance Alliance-America (WDAA), American College Dance Association (ACDA), Cecchetti Council of America, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Alabama Dance Festival, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, West Hawaii Dance Theatre, Chicago Repertory Ballet, South Chicago Dance Theatre, Ballet 5:8, Charlottesville Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, and Ballet Preljocaj.
As a professional dancer, Seyong has danced with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, Albania National Ballet Theatre, Baltimore Ballet, Traverse City Dance Project, Neglia Ballet, TAKE Dance, and Oakland Ballet Company. In addition, his choreographic works have been internationally invited at Landestheater Coburg in Germany, Florence Dance on Screen Festival in Italy, International Contemporary Dance Festival of Mexico City, Taiwan JueDai Taipei International Dance Festival, ProArteDanza in Canada, Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK, Lebanon International Dance Festival, Battery Dance Festival, Palm Desert Choreography Festival, American Dance Guild Festival, Cleveland Dance Festival, Richmond Dance Festival, Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, Chicago International Dance Forum, Detroit Dance City Festival, Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Orlando Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival, Oklahoma International Dance Festival, Breaking Ground Contemporary Dance Festival, Washington International Dance Festival, CrossCurrent Asian-American Dance Festival, and Movement Research at the Judson Church.
Master Class Teacher
odie Randolph is a choreographer and dance educator based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a graduate of Jacksonville University where she received her MFA in Choreography.
Jodie served as an adjunct lecturer of dance at Eastern Michigan University and teaches master classes throughout the country. She has taught for companies, colleges, conventions, and festivals including Platinum Dance Experience, Versatile Dance Company, Michigan Dance Project, Detroit Dance City Festival, Brighton Dance Festival, Wayne State University, and Escuela Nacionale de Danza (Santo Domingo). Her students have gone on to study at The Juilliard School, Marymount of Manhattan, Indiana University, Point Park University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, and Eastern Michigan University. Her students can be seen working on Broadway, in Sleep No More, and notable companies like Batsheva Dance Company and The New York City Ballet.
Jodie has presented work at esteemed venues across the United States and Caribbean including Hudson Guild Theatre (NYC), Huntington Avenue Theatre (Boston), Music Hall (Detroit), and Palacio de Bellas Artes (Santo Domingo), among others. Jodie's choreography has been commissioned for Brighton Dance Festival (MI), Dance Masters of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Oakland University (MI), Snow College (UT), and ENDANZA (DR). Her work has been presented at DUMBO Dance Festival (NYC), Boston Contemporary Dance Festival (MA), Brighton Dance Festival (MI), Detroit Dance City Festival (MI), Michigan Dance Festival (MI), Oakland Dance Festival (MI), and EDANCO (Dominican Republic).
In 2012, Jodie started JRD as a platform to showcase her work. This 501c3 organization works on a project basis and contracts dancers from all over the country.
In 2013, as a response to her own quest for dance training and mentorship, Jodie started Young Dancers Initiative, a 501c3 organization that trains and mentors serious students looking toward a future in dance.
Jodie served as an adjunct lecturer of dance at Eastern Michigan University and teaches master classes throughout the country. She has taught for companies, colleges, conventions, and festivals including Platinum Dance Experience, Versatile Dance Company, Michigan Dance Project, Detroit Dance City Festival, Brighton Dance Festival, Wayne State University, and Escuela Nacionale de Danza (Santo Domingo). Her students have gone on to study at The Juilliard School, Marymount of Manhattan, Indiana University, Point Park University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, and Eastern Michigan University. Her students can be seen working on Broadway, in Sleep No More, and notable companies like Batsheva Dance Company and The New York City Ballet.
Jodie has presented work at esteemed venues across the United States and Caribbean including Hudson Guild Theatre (NYC), Huntington Avenue Theatre (Boston), Music Hall (Detroit), and Palacio de Bellas Artes (Santo Domingo), among others. Jodie's choreography has been commissioned for Brighton Dance Festival (MI), Dance Masters of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Oakland University (MI), Snow College (UT), and ENDANZA (DR). Her work has been presented at DUMBO Dance Festival (NYC), Boston Contemporary Dance Festival (MA), Brighton Dance Festival (MI), Detroit Dance City Festival (MI), Michigan Dance Festival (MI), Oakland Dance Festival (MI), and EDANCO (Dominican Republic).
In 2012, Jodie started JRD as a platform to showcase her work. This 501c3 organization works on a project basis and contracts dancers from all over the country.
In 2013, as a response to her own quest for dance training and mentorship, Jodie started Young Dancers Initiative, a 501c3 organization that trains and mentors serious students looking toward a future in dance.
Sarah Zehnder, Zehnder Dance
Showcase Artist and Master Class Teacher
Research, rooted in feminism, aims to challenge, question, empower, and surprise through the power of the moving body, forming relationships that evoke emotion and attention to the women’s experiences and stories. Zehnder’s choreographic work has been produced internationally, performing in such prestigious festivals as Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Reverb International Dance Festival, Florence Summer Dance (Florence, Italy), Pasadena Dance Festival, DUMBO Dance Festival, the Solo/ Duo Festival, the MAD Festival, Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, the Women in Dance Project (New York City and Chicago), the Evening of Contemporary Dance Performance Series (NYC), Utica Dance Festival, and Buffalo Dance festival. Her work has been presented at Dixon Place, Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Gowanus Arts,
Triskelion Arts, 92nd Y, Greenspace, and the Center for Performance
Research (CPR). Subsequently, she was awarded the Bossak/Heibron
Charitable Foundation grant to support her research as well as a space
residency at Chen Dance Center. Zehnder was also awarded the Appleton
Grant as well as a Choreographic Fellowship from Mass Cultural Council to support the creation Permeating Voices that Linger, in collaboration with
composer/vocalist Alexandra Ludwig. Most recently, she was awarded a
Research Fellowship through the Jacob's Pillow College Partnership Program for 2023-2024 to support her feminist research. Furthermore, she has shared her choreographic vision as a Guest Artist at Dance New Amsterdam, Gibney
Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Santa Monica College, Grand Canyon
University, Scottsdale Community College, SUNY Brockport, Bowling Green
State University, University of Toledo, Glendale Community College, University of Northern Colorado, and Queens College. Zehnder currently serves as director of dance at Springfield College.
Research, rooted in feminism, aims to challenge, question, empower, and surprise through the power of the moving body, forming relationships that evoke emotion and attention to the women’s experiences and stories. Zehnder’s choreographic work has been produced internationally, performing in such prestigious festivals as Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Reverb International Dance Festival, Florence Summer Dance (Florence, Italy), Pasadena Dance Festival, DUMBO Dance Festival, the Solo/ Duo Festival, the MAD Festival, Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, the Women in Dance Project (New York City and Chicago), the Evening of Contemporary Dance Performance Series (NYC), Utica Dance Festival, and Buffalo Dance festival. Her work has been presented at Dixon Place, Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Gowanus Arts,
Triskelion Arts, 92nd Y, Greenspace, and the Center for Performance
Research (CPR). Subsequently, she was awarded the Bossak/Heibron
Charitable Foundation grant to support her research as well as a space
residency at Chen Dance Center. Zehnder was also awarded the Appleton
Grant as well as a Choreographic Fellowship from Mass Cultural Council to support the creation Permeating Voices that Linger, in collaboration with
composer/vocalist Alexandra Ludwig. Most recently, she was awarded a
Research Fellowship through the Jacob's Pillow College Partnership Program for 2023-2024 to support her feminist research. Furthermore, she has shared her choreographic vision as a Guest Artist at Dance New Amsterdam, Gibney
Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Santa Monica College, Grand Canyon
University, Scottsdale Community College, SUNY Brockport, Bowling Green
State University, University of Toledo, Glendale Community College, University of Northern Colorado, and Queens College. Zehnder currently serves as director of dance at Springfield College.
Anya Gustafson
Showcase Artist
Anya Gustafson is a junior at Indiana University from Northville, Michigan. She began her training at Angie Hahn’s Academy of Dance and is currently pursuing her B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance. During her time at IU, Anya has been a part of SLIP (2021 & 2022), New Moves (2022 & 2023), Journeys of Joy (2022), and the Junior Choreographic Performance Project, From the Ground Up (2021). She also has choreographed for shows such as SLIP and Afterimages (JCPP 2023). Outside of the department, Anya acts as the Event Coordinator for the student-led organization,
Movement Cooperative, and is excited to continue her dance education.
Artist Statement:
My work, “Submersion,” is a contemporary dance
composition that was created to transport one into a world of water.
From zooming into the chemical movement of the molecule to the more
broad flow of the body, the work dives into water’s properties and vitality
to life.
Anya Gustafson is a junior at Indiana University from Northville, Michigan. She began her training at Angie Hahn’s Academy of Dance and is currently pursuing her B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance. During her time at IU, Anya has been a part of SLIP (2021 & 2022), New Moves (2022 & 2023), Journeys of Joy (2022), and the Junior Choreographic Performance Project, From the Ground Up (2021). She also has choreographed for shows such as SLIP and Afterimages (JCPP 2023). Outside of the department, Anya acts as the Event Coordinator for the student-led organization,
Movement Cooperative, and is excited to continue her dance education.
Artist Statement:
My work, “Submersion,” is a contemporary dance
composition that was created to transport one into a world of water.
From zooming into the chemical movement of the molecule to the more
broad flow of the body, the work dives into water’s properties and vitality
to life.
Cultivate Dance
Showcase Artist
Cultivate Dance Project (CDP) is a part-time contemporary dance
company with a mission to grow the artist and athlete in each dancer.
We aim to offer an open collaboration and conversation between our
artists, including dancers, choreographers, musicians, and photo/
videographers, that allows each individual to explore their interests and
share their stories through movement while working within a shared artistic community.
Melissa Hinchman founded Cultivate Dance Project in fall of 2018 as a part-time,
creative outlet for adult dancers in the Columbus, Ohio community. As CDP’s
Artistic Director, the work she has set on the company has been a part of local
productions including Columbus Dance Alliance WORKS #2, Cleveland Dance Festival, Ten Tiny Dances Columbus, City Dance Showcase III and IV, Columbus Arts Festival, and New Albany Dance Festival. CDP’s first dance film, Memory Is A Monster was selected to be a part of both Constructed Sight Dance Film Festival
2022 and Cleveland Dance Fest Virtual Film Gallery 2022. Melissa holds a B.F.A. in Dance from The Ohio State University. Her past performance credits include; ensemble dancer in Kings Island’s 2008 live shows, company member of SMAG Dance Collective, and principal dancer with Seven Dance Company. Melissa is currently a full-time dance educator at Columbus DanceArts Academy in Dublin, Ohio.
Cultivate Dance Project (CDP) is a part-time contemporary dance
company with a mission to grow the artist and athlete in each dancer.
We aim to offer an open collaboration and conversation between our
artists, including dancers, choreographers, musicians, and photo/
videographers, that allows each individual to explore their interests and
share their stories through movement while working within a shared artistic community.
Melissa Hinchman founded Cultivate Dance Project in fall of 2018 as a part-time,
creative outlet for adult dancers in the Columbus, Ohio community. As CDP’s
Artistic Director, the work she has set on the company has been a part of local
productions including Columbus Dance Alliance WORKS #2, Cleveland Dance Festival, Ten Tiny Dances Columbus, City Dance Showcase III and IV, Columbus Arts Festival, and New Albany Dance Festival. CDP’s first dance film, Memory Is A Monster was selected to be a part of both Constructed Sight Dance Film Festival
2022 and Cleveland Dance Fest Virtual Film Gallery 2022. Melissa holds a B.F.A. in Dance from The Ohio State University. Her past performance credits include; ensemble dancer in Kings Island’s 2008 live shows, company member of SMAG Dance Collective, and principal dancer with Seven Dance Company. Melissa is currently a full-time dance educator at Columbus DanceArts Academy in Dublin, Ohio.
Movement Reservoir, Choreographer Lachan Niedbala
Showcase Artist
Lachan Niedbala is the Artistic Director and Founder of Movement Reservoir Dance Company, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Hope College in 2019. While at Hope, she worked with choreographers such as Steven Iannacone, Sharon Wong, Matthew Farmer, and many more. Since graduating, she has worked with companies such as Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers, CPR Dance: Inhale Movement, Chamberlain Dance, Tapestry Dance Company, Atelier Dance Company, and various freelance artists. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to take her choreography to Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), and Paris (France.) Lachan currently teaches at Wellspring Dance Academy where she instructs the Advanced Adult Modern class and is the Coordinator for their Youth Performing Ensemble. Additionally, Lachan has always been passionate about her independent projects. She produced the film series Rooted Movement in 2021, Perspectives Dance Concert in 2022, and formed Movement Reservoir in 2022 to continue producing concerts in the Kalamazoo area and beyond. In addition to her dance career, Lachan is a mother and is passionate about creating a dance career that is compatible with motherhood as both are significant callings to both her and many other women
Lachan Niedbala is the Artistic Director and Founder of Movement Reservoir Dance Company, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Hope College in 2019. While at Hope, she worked with choreographers such as Steven Iannacone, Sharon Wong, Matthew Farmer, and many more. Since graduating, she has worked with companies such as Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers, CPR Dance: Inhale Movement, Chamberlain Dance, Tapestry Dance Company, Atelier Dance Company, and various freelance artists. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to take her choreography to Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), and Paris (France.) Lachan currently teaches at Wellspring Dance Academy where she instructs the Advanced Adult Modern class and is the Coordinator for their Youth Performing Ensemble. Additionally, Lachan has always been passionate about her independent projects. She produced the film series Rooted Movement in 2021, Perspectives Dance Concert in 2022, and formed Movement Reservoir in 2022 to continue producing concerts in the Kalamazoo area and beyond. In addition to her dance career, Lachan is a mother and is passionate about creating a dance career that is compatible with motherhood as both are significant callings to both her and many other women
Aimee McDonald, Terpsichore Collective
Showcase Artist, Terpsichore Collective
Aimee McDonald is Artistic Director of Terpsichore Collective, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Previously, she headed Terpsichore's Kitchen from 1998-2009, producing the annual Dancing in Summer choreographic showcase, as well as a series of showings and performances. Her work has been shown in the United States, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Montreal. After an extended hiatus from the stage due to motherhood and recovery from an auto accident, she returned as both choreographer and dancer for live stage work and screendance projects. Since relaunching “Terpsichore” in April of 2023, her work has been shown as a guest artist with Atelier Dance Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and at Detroit Dance Collage Festival, Detroit Dance City Festival’s professional showcase, RAD Fest in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the NaChMo Concert, of Southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor Dance Network’s Launch event, and at numerous studio showings. She is a founding member of Ann Arbor Dance Network, which supports professional contemporary dance performance, collaboration, and higher level class opportunities for the Ann Arbor area. Aimee received her BFA in Dance from the University of Michigan and is a Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® Master Trainer
Photo: Christina Marie Sears
Aimee McDonald is Artistic Director of Terpsichore Collective, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Previously, she headed Terpsichore's Kitchen from 1998-2009, producing the annual Dancing in Summer choreographic showcase, as well as a series of showings and performances. Her work has been shown in the United States, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Montreal. After an extended hiatus from the stage due to motherhood and recovery from an auto accident, she returned as both choreographer and dancer for live stage work and screendance projects. Since relaunching “Terpsichore” in April of 2023, her work has been shown as a guest artist with Atelier Dance Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and at Detroit Dance Collage Festival, Detroit Dance City Festival’s professional showcase, RAD Fest in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the NaChMo Concert, of Southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor Dance Network’s Launch event, and at numerous studio showings. She is a founding member of Ann Arbor Dance Network, which supports professional contemporary dance performance, collaboration, and higher level class opportunities for the Ann Arbor area. Aimee received her BFA in Dance from the University of Michigan and is a Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® Master Trainer
Photo: Christina Marie Sears
Rowan Janusiak, Terpsichore Collective
Showcase Artist
Currently based in Ann Arbor, MI, Rowan Janusiak (they/them) is a queer, interdisciplinary artist creating work that stimulates audiences to question societal standards imposed around pleasure and play. They are a recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Dance and Applied Exercise Science. Their recent endeavors include presenting their choreographic work at the Detroit Dance City Festival and Midwest RAD Fest, serving as Event Manager for Embody Dance Conference, and performing as a drag artist, creating otherworldly makeup and fashion looks while exercising their dance training and raw performance quality on the stage. To learn more about Rowan you can visit their website at https://rowanjanusiak.wixsite.com/howdyrowan or follow them on Instagram @howdyrowan. Photo by Kirk Donaldson
Currently based in Ann Arbor, MI, Rowan Janusiak (they/them) is a queer, interdisciplinary artist creating work that stimulates audiences to question societal standards imposed around pleasure and play. They are a recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Dance and Applied Exercise Science. Their recent endeavors include presenting their choreographic work at the Detroit Dance City Festival and Midwest RAD Fest, serving as Event Manager for Embody Dance Conference, and performing as a drag artist, creating otherworldly makeup and fashion looks while exercising their dance training and raw performance quality on the stage. To learn more about Rowan you can visit their website at https://rowanjanusiak.wixsite.com/howdyrowan or follow them on Instagram @howdyrowan. Photo by Kirk Donaldson
Mackenzie Kalinowski, Terpsichore Collective
Showcase Artist
Mackenzie Kalinowski is originally from Bangor, Michigan and graduated from Hope College in 2022 with a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Business. Mackenzie was previously a member of DDCDances under the instruction of Barbara Selinger but has had the privilege of training under many talented instructors including Sharon Wong, Tracy Dunbar, Crystal Frazier, Matthew Farmer, Jasmine Mejia and Julie Powell. Mackenzie was also previously a company member of the H2 Dance Company, as well as StrikeTime Dance Theater where she had the pleasure of performing works for child audiences as well as being a part of a children’s TV miniseries. Mackenzie has choreographed for many shows including Student Dance Showcases, Anchor Film Festival, Ballet Club, Perspective Dance Concert, as well as a special project for the West Michigan Symphony. In the summer of 2022, she had privilege of studying and performing in Paris at The Centre de Danse du Marais. Mackenzie is currently an Assistant Theater Technician at The Village Theater and was previously a part of the Performing Arts Technician Staff at Hope College where she served as Assistant Lighting Designer for Eric Van Tassel on the shows Ordinary Days and Eurydice, as well as Head Electrician for the show Bright Star. In the fall of 2021, she served as stage manager and head lighting designer for Hope College’s ‘Ballet Movement Lab’ production Sunday in the Snow. Along with this Mackenzie was a part of the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre Company in 2021 as the Electrics Intern and served as Assistant Lightning Designer for Katy Atwell on the production of Children of a Lesser God. Photo by Kirk Donaldson.
Mackenzie Kalinowski is originally from Bangor, Michigan and graduated from Hope College in 2022 with a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Business. Mackenzie was previously a member of DDCDances under the instruction of Barbara Selinger but has had the privilege of training under many talented instructors including Sharon Wong, Tracy Dunbar, Crystal Frazier, Matthew Farmer, Jasmine Mejia and Julie Powell. Mackenzie was also previously a company member of the H2 Dance Company, as well as StrikeTime Dance Theater where she had the pleasure of performing works for child audiences as well as being a part of a children’s TV miniseries. Mackenzie has choreographed for many shows including Student Dance Showcases, Anchor Film Festival, Ballet Club, Perspective Dance Concert, as well as a special project for the West Michigan Symphony. In the summer of 2022, she had privilege of studying and performing in Paris at The Centre de Danse du Marais. Mackenzie is currently an Assistant Theater Technician at The Village Theater and was previously a part of the Performing Arts Technician Staff at Hope College where she served as Assistant Lighting Designer for Eric Van Tassel on the shows Ordinary Days and Eurydice, as well as Head Electrician for the show Bright Star. In the fall of 2021, she served as stage manager and head lighting designer for Hope College’s ‘Ballet Movement Lab’ production Sunday in the Snow. Along with this Mackenzie was a part of the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre Company in 2021 as the Electrics Intern and served as Assistant Lightning Designer for Katy Atwell on the production of Children of a Lesser God. Photo by Kirk Donaldson.
Róisín O'Brien
Showcase Artist
Róisín O’Brien is a choreographer from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in South Bend IN, USA. Her expertise lies at the intersections of contemporary dance, ballet and physical & visual theatre. Her choreographic works are comprised of intricate yet propulsive technical sequences, often focusing on group interactions and patterns. She works often in a collaborative way with dancers, bringing out each individual’s unique personality and ability. Her works range from an interest in themes & aesthetics within science fiction, to playful investigations of ballet's form and performance contexts.
Róisín's work has been commissioned for Edinburgh's Hidden Door Festival (2022 & 2023, with composer Rowan McIlvride), shown across Scotland (inc. Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Summerhall & DanceLive festival), and selected for emerging choreographer showcases such as Dance Base's Heads Up programme (Edinburgh, 2017) & Resolution Festival (London, 2018), She was part of L20, an artist attachment programme with The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in 2021.
Róisín is also an established dance writer (working across the UK and Europe), freelance arts producer, and qualified yoga teacher.
Photo by Max Crawford
Róisín O’Brien is a choreographer from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in South Bend IN, USA. Her expertise lies at the intersections of contemporary dance, ballet and physical & visual theatre. Her choreographic works are comprised of intricate yet propulsive technical sequences, often focusing on group interactions and patterns. She works often in a collaborative way with dancers, bringing out each individual’s unique personality and ability. Her works range from an interest in themes & aesthetics within science fiction, to playful investigations of ballet's form and performance contexts.
Róisín's work has been commissioned for Edinburgh's Hidden Door Festival (2022 & 2023, with composer Rowan McIlvride), shown across Scotland (inc. Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Summerhall & DanceLive festival), and selected for emerging choreographer showcases such as Dance Base's Heads Up programme (Edinburgh, 2017) & Resolution Festival (London, 2018), She was part of L20, an artist attachment programme with The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in 2021.
Róisín is also an established dance writer (working across the UK and Europe), freelance arts producer, and qualified yoga teacher.
Photo by Max Crawford
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