Desiree Dantona will soon be a senior in the dance program at the University of Minnesota. She discovered her passion for dance growing up in Waconia, MN. Since then, she has enjoyed expanding her knowledge of performance art through various experiences in Minneapolis and Canada as well as performing with local jazz company Eclectic Edge Ensemble. When Desiree is not performing or rehearsing, she enjoys teaching dance, watching The Office, and playing with her tortoise, Bruce Willis.
My name is Heather Dunne. I have always been a dancer at heart, i began dancing at age 3 at Dancin' Star Studio and stayed there for 15 years. For two years during high school i danced at the Phipps Center for the Arts int eh summer performances of Dances, Chances, Circumstances. I am currently enrolled in the BFA Dance Program at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and in my third year. At the University i have performed works by Linda Talcott-Lee, Joanie Smith, and Paula Mann. I have also worked with various teachers in jazz, modern, ballet, and afro-brazilian techniques. As a student of the Dance Production class for the U of M, I assisted in putting together the 08-09 season of the annual SDC show contributing as a member of the marketing committee. I have also been a part of many composition pieces done by students and some of my own. Currently i am in my first year as an apprentice for Eclectic Edge Ensemble. I enjoy fueling my passion as a dancer and am very excited for what the future holds!
Bailey Anderson is an artist who is interested in concepts surrounding what is considered dance, theater, and art. During her studies at the University of Minnesota she has been able to work with and learn from many amazing peers, faculty, and guest artists. She also has an amazing list of recipes and believes cooking is good for the soul.
Mackenzie Beck-Esmay is an honors student in the BFA Dance Program at the University of Minnesota. While finishing her undergraduate degree, she is also working towards earning her masters in Nursing. Mackenzie is excited and grateful for the many strategies and skills that this course has provided! Having begun dance at the age of two, Mackenzie sees dance as an integral part of her life and has found the many stories told by professionals in the field throughout this course to be truly inspiring.
Kelsey Watt is a junior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities pursuing a BFA in dance. She also has an interest in musical theater and in the spring, performed in the University Theatre department's production of The Wiz. She was most recently seen in teh University Dance Theatre's production of Dance Revolutions, performing works by Sardono Kusumo and Jose Limon's Missa Brevis, reconstructed by Sarah Stackhouse.
Laura Kirkeby will be finishing up her third year as a BFA dance major at the University of Minnesota. She has performed in the University of Minnesota's faculty show with Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner and Paula Mann. She most recently was in "Uncivil Wars" at the Walker Arts Center with David Gordon. Laura teaches dance at Escalate dance and theater studio.
My name is Toni Jost. I am currently a junior and a BFA dance major at the U of M, Twin Cities. Dance highlights my past, present, and future, and i try to surround myself with it as much as i can. I am not only involved with classes and performances through the school, but i am also auditioning for and taking part in the opportunities that i can find.
Tristan Emanuel Koepke is a moderately talented artist. He is tall, blond, and slightly awkward. He is a proud member of the Cubbyhole Collective. Share the earth; let's hold hands. Namaste.
Kristin Luth is a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in both Dance and Communications. She is a member and captain of the University of Minnesota Dance Team and has been involved with several dance opportunities including Metro Ballet Company, NRG Dance Center, and Crash Dance Productions. Throughout her dance and school experience, Kristin traveled and danced on a Chinese National Television show in March of 2009. Besides dancing and studying for classes, in her spare time Kristin enjoys practicing yoga, running, and weightlifting.
Kelsey Kudak is a senior at the University of Minnesota pursuing a bachelor's degree in English and Dance with minors in photography and journalism. She grew up in St. Cloud Minn., and moved to Minneapolis in 2005, beginning her successful undergraduate career. During her years in the dance program, she has been privileged to work with Charles Moulton, Shapiro and Smith, and Max Pollak while strengthening her insights and experiences as a journalist, writer, and dancer. After moving to the Guatemalan highlands to volunteer as a medical translator in 2007, she realized her interest in the coffee industry was intimately tied to her time there. She has returned to the country several times since-most recently spending time on a coffee cooperative near Guatemala's border with Mexico. She is currently focusing on the education of hte average coffee consumer while writing and photographing her undergraduate English thesis, "Exposing Cherries: An Examination of the Coffee Supply Chain in Light of the Fair Trade Industry. " http://www.focallengths.com
Renee Copeland is an ok artist with some ideas she hopes that no one else has thought of. She relies on luck and a little bit of talent for success. Survival Strategies includes making friends and dumpster diving. She hopes the two are not mutually exclusive...
Jessica Ehlert is a dance major whose favorite technique classes are the ones that occur in the grass surrounding the dance building. She has enjoyed opportunities to perform in professional works in Minneapolis, and has also loved the chances she has had to perform the work of her peers. She hopes to one day combine her love of performance with certification in Dance Movement Therapy to create a career that changes with each new day.
Kristin Fluguar is a senior dance major at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has worked with choreographers Laura Selle, Matt Jenson, and Paula Mann. She has danced professionally under the direction of Tim Cameron, and has choreographed professionally for area theater companies.
This spring, Mallory Dykema completes her BFA dance major at the University of Minnesota. During her years at the University, Mallory has danced choreography by Mathew Janczeweski, Karla Grotting, Cyndi Gutierrez-Garner, and Maggie Bergeron. She has also had the pleasure to be cast in reconstructions of Anna Sokolow's Rooms, as a soloist in Jose Limon's Missa Brevis, and Trisha Brown's Planes. She is also a member of the local jazz company, Eclectic Edge Ensemble. Aside from performing, Mallory is a jazz and sacred dance teacher at the Prairie School of Dance in Eden Prairie. Upon graduation, Mallory will continue performing, choreographing, and teaching, as well as pursue a career as a freelance makeup artist. In her spare time, she enjoys moving furniture, coffee shops, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her husband, Traivis.
My name is Heather Dunne. I have always been a dancer at heart, i began dancing at age 3 at Dancin' Star Studio and stayed there for 15 years. For two years during high school i danced at the Phipps Center for the Arts int eh summer performances of Dances, Chances, Circumstances. I am currently enrolled in the BFA Dance Program at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and in my third year. At the University i have performed works by Linda Talcott-Lee, Joanie Smith, and Paula Mann. I have also worked with various teachers in jazz, modern, ballet, and afro-brazilian techniques. As a student of the Dance Production class for the U of M, I assisted in putting together the 08-09 season of the annual SDC show contributing as a member of the marketing committee. I have also been a part of many composition pieces done by students and some of my own. Currently i am in my first year as an apprentice for Eclectic Edge Ensemble. I enjoy fueling my passion as a dancer and am very excited for what the future holds!
Bailey Anderson is an artist who is interested in concepts surrounding what is considered dance, theater, and art. During her studies at the University of Minnesota she has been able to work with and learn from many amazing peers, faculty, and guest artists. She also has an amazing list of recipes and believes cooking is good for the soul.
Mackenzie Beck-Esmay is an honors student in the BFA Dance Program at the University of Minnesota. While finishing her undergraduate degree, she is also working towards earning her masters in Nursing. Mackenzie is excited and grateful for the many strategies and skills that this course has provided! Having begun dance at the age of two, Mackenzie sees dance as an integral part of her life and has found the many stories told by professionals in the field throughout this course to be truly inspiring.
Kelsey Watt is a junior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities pursuing a BFA in dance. She also has an interest in musical theater and in the spring, performed in the University Theatre department's production of The Wiz. She was most recently seen in teh University Dance Theatre's production of Dance Revolutions, performing works by Sardono Kusumo and Jose Limon's Missa Brevis, reconstructed by Sarah Stackhouse.
Laura Kirkeby will be finishing up her third year as a BFA dance major at the University of Minnesota. She has performed in the University of Minnesota's faculty show with Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner and Paula Mann. She most recently was in "Uncivil Wars" at the Walker Arts Center with David Gordon. Laura teaches dance at Escalate dance and theater studio.
My name is Toni Jost. I am currently a junior and a BFA dance major at the U of M, Twin Cities. Dance highlights my past, present, and future, and i try to surround myself with it as much as i can. I am not only involved with classes and performances through the school, but i am also auditioning for and taking part in the opportunities that i can find.
Tristan Emanuel Koepke is a moderately talented artist. He is tall, blond, and slightly awkward. He is a proud member of the Cubbyhole Collective. Share the earth; let's hold hands. Namaste.
Kristin Luth is a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in both Dance and Communications. She is a member and captain of the University of Minnesota Dance Team and has been involved with several dance opportunities including Metro Ballet Company, NRG Dance Center, and Crash Dance Productions. Throughout her dance and school experience, Kristin traveled and danced on a Chinese National Television show in March of 2009. Besides dancing and studying for classes, in her spare time Kristin enjoys practicing yoga, running, and weightlifting.
Kelsey Kudak is a senior at the University of Minnesota pursuing a bachelor's degree in English and Dance with minors in photography and journalism. She grew up in St. Cloud Minn., and moved to Minneapolis in 2005, beginning her successful undergraduate career. During her years in the dance program, she has been privileged to work with Charles Moulton, Shapiro and Smith, and Max Pollak while strengthening her insights and experiences as a journalist, writer, and dancer. After moving to the Guatemalan highlands to volunteer as a medical translator in 2007, she realized her interest in the coffee industry was intimately tied to her time there. She has returned to the country several times since-most recently spending time on a coffee cooperative near Guatemala's border with Mexico. She is currently focusing on the education of hte average coffee consumer while writing and photographing her undergraduate English thesis, "Exposing Cherries: An Examination of the Coffee Supply Chain in Light of the Fair Trade Industry. " http://www.focallengths.com
Renee Copeland is an ok artist with some ideas she hopes that no one else has thought of. She relies on luck and a little bit of talent for success. Survival Strategies includes making friends and dumpster diving. She hopes the two are not mutually exclusive...
Jessica Ehlert is a dance major whose favorite technique classes are the ones that occur in the grass surrounding the dance building. She has enjoyed opportunities to perform in professional works in Minneapolis, and has also loved the chances she has had to perform the work of her peers. She hopes to one day combine her love of performance with certification in Dance Movement Therapy to create a career that changes with each new day.
Kristin Fluguar is a senior dance major at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has worked with choreographers Laura Selle, Matt Jenson, and Paula Mann. She has danced professionally under the direction of Tim Cameron, and has choreographed professionally for area theater companies.
This spring, Mallory Dykema completes her BFA dance major at the University of Minnesota. During her years at the University, Mallory has danced choreography by Mathew Janczeweski, Karla Grotting, Cyndi Gutierrez-Garner, and Maggie Bergeron. She has also had the pleasure to be cast in reconstructions of Anna Sokolow's Rooms, as a soloist in Jose Limon's Missa Brevis, and Trisha Brown's Planes. She is also a member of the local jazz company, Eclectic Edge Ensemble. Aside from performing, Mallory is a jazz and sacred dance teacher at the Prairie School of Dance in Eden Prairie. Upon graduation, Mallory will continue performing, choreographing, and teaching, as well as pursue a career as a freelance makeup artist. In her spare time, she enjoys moving furniture, coffee shops, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her husband, Traivis.
Yui Kanzawa was born and raised in Japan and moved to Hawaii. She participated in a National Student Exchange
from the University of Hawaii at Hilo during her first year and came to the U of M. She has now transferred to the
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and is pursuing a BFA in Dance and a Business Management minor.
Alex Dorman will graduate from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Dance and English. She is interested in
building bridges between artistic disciplines and learning how to make dance more accessible to everyone. She
believes in the ability of art to affect social change and that embodied activism is an integral part of that change. She
also possesses a deep abiding love for Barack Obama.
Natalie Braun is a junior BFA dance major. She has enjoyed the survival strategies class and learning about the
things that we all worry about after college and how others have dealt with certain situations. She is excited to get out
and use this information for herself!
Amy Eichorn is a student at the University of Minnesota with majors in Dance and Fisheries and Wildlife, with
minors in Biology and Environmental Science Policy Management. She loves dance, the environment and wildlife,
and looks forward to working with all of them upon graduation in ways that integrate them all together.
