Dana Wilson
Dana has worked as a dancer for countless commercials, music videos, award shows, television shows ("America's Got Talent", "Dancing with the Stars", "American Idol"), live shows (Kenny Ortega's rendition of " Rocky Horror Picture Show"), movies ("Shrek 4" and "Charlie Wilson's War"), and recording artists including Kylie Minogue, and Florence and the Machine.
Dana also danced, and assisted Marty Kudelka on numerous projects for Justin Timberlake, including the world tour "Future, Sex, Love Show". She has also worked as the assistant choreographer to two-time Emmy Award winner Wade Robson for Cirque Du Soleil's "BELIEVE", and Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler for "THE WIZ" (on Broadway). More recently, Dana has evolved into a respected choreographer, appearing on "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 7, and teaching all over the world. She has lit the stage as a performer, and become a passionate teacher and choreographer, but above all, Dana Wilson is an admirer and student of movement.
Randi Kemper
Started her professional dance career at age 16 touring with Aaron Carter. Since then, she's worked for Raven Symone, Hilary Duff, Bette Midler, Jason, Derulo, Sean Kingston, Ciara, Ne-Yo, Usher, and Janet Jackson. She has performed on Saturday Night Live, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, the MTV Video Music Awards, the American Music Awards, and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Randi Kemper has been sought out to work with top choreographers in the industry like Gil Duldulao, Marty Kudelka, Brian Friedman, Aakomon Jones, and Rich and Tone Talauega, just to name a few. You can currently catch her performing with Chris Brown on upcoming projects. She has a fresh face to movement and continues to share her passion through dancing and teaching around the world.
Sam Lips
Sam is currently pursuing a BFA in musical theatre from the University of Michigan. There he has performed in THE FULL MONTY (Ethan), BRIGADOON (Harry Beaton), INTO THE WOODS (Rapunzel's Prince), EVITA (Tango Dancer) and 42ND STREET. He will also be choreographing SPRING AWAKENING in February. Regionally he has been seen in LEGALLY BLONDE (Carlos), SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Frank), CRAZY FOR YOU (Junior), THE LITTLE MERMAID, KISS ME, KATE, MISS SAIGON, ANNIE, and OLIVER! He has also played the title role in THE NUTCRACKER with Toledo Ballet every winter since being in college. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.
Hilary Morris-Pawlik
Currently dancing in Terry Beeman's Mental Head Circus and is the Jazz and Lyrical Director at Revolution Dance Center in Los Angeles. Recent choreography credits are: The Surrogates, Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, CBS pilot A Marriage, Showtime's television series Look, and Drive A, The World In Shambles music video.
Some of her past dance credits include:The Young and the Restless, CBS's Smith, Jackass Number 2, NBA All-Star Dance Team, Terry Beeman's Hollywood Pin-Up Girls, commercials for Target, Old Spice, Sparkle Paper Towels, Party Poker.Net, San Miguel and more.
Emily Fisher
For some visual stimulation, as well as find out what I'm up to, you can log onto www.emilyafisher.com !!! (forgive the shameless plug) You can check out the shows I've been involved in and see the two dance videos on there - one is of me singing and tapping and the other is some good ol' Fosse.
Right now, I'm playing "Louise" in the musical "Carousel" in St. Louis. I'm playing the daughter in the show that...ready for it...has her own 20 minute dream ballet where she goes through her first love interest and deals with being teased and tormented by her peers. Personally, I'm terrified but so excited for the opportunity. We're working on choreography now, the show runs November 16-20th.
After that, I'm graduating in May and am planning to move to NYC to continue "livin' the dream."
Laura Hinton
Laura opened her own studio this year! Boutique Dance Academy in Castle Rock opened Summer 2011. Look for her company to be competing at several competitions and conventions throughout the season! Teaching with other MLDA Alumni, Amber Shipps.
Krystin Stephenson
Krystin is living and dancing in LA right now, she is doing the first Mexican Billboard Awards with Liz Imperio right now. She was also seen recently in the season premiere of "How I Met Your Mother"!
Allie Petersen
She has
traveled all over the world performing and
teaching dance. Most recently, Allie was a
Teacher Assistant with West Coast Dance
Explosion and a dancer in Disney's "High
School Musical 2." Allie is currently a featured dancer in Las Vegas at The Excalibur Hotel.
Katie Wafer
Katie was a member of
the Arizona State Dance Team for
three years, and captain for one.
Katie has performed for numerous
events in California, New York and
Florida, as well as spending a summer
performing with a tour called
"Tanzommer" in Austria. Katie has
performed for NFL Halftime shows,
commercials, corporate events, and collegiate games and
promotions. While in Arizona, Katie had the opportunity
of dancing at Super Bowl 42. She loves teaching youth
dance classes and choreographing for High School Poms
Teams. She has recently worked and judged USA and UDA
competitions in the Denver area. Katie has been awarded
Sports Illustrated Cheerleader of The Week, Collegehoops.
net Cheerleader of The Day, and Spark Magazine Featured
College Athlete. KATIE IS CURRENTLY A DENVER BRONCOS CHEERLEADER.
Laurel Bashore
Laurel currently attends Point Park University. Laurel's focus in dance is modern and jazz and she plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Laurel has had great success already as a pre-professional dancer. She placed top 10 at JUMP Nationals and West Coast Dance Explosion in 2008 & 2009. Laurel was also awarded Co. Dance Assistant Teacher Award, followed with an apprenticeship and now is a part of their Hall of Fame.
Kayla Radomski
In 1999, Kayla was named Miss Pre-Teen Colorado. In 2004, Kayla was the youngest dancer ever to appear in a Britney Spears Tour concert video.
In 2009 Kayla finished as one of the Top 4 Dancers on the "So You Think You Can Dance." She also appeared with Jennifer Lopez on the Dick Clark Times Square 2010 New Year's Rockin Eve, and had the opportunity to travel to different countries as one of JLO's dancers. Kayla performed in and helped choreograph multiple routines for the 2010 Academy Awards. She has danced in multiple awards shows including the 2010 Kids Choice Awards, the 2010 World Music Awards, 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards. Kayla has danced in multiple music videos including Miley Cyrus "Can't Be Tamed," and Elliott Yamin "Three Words" as a featured dancer. She has also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dancing with the Stars, Americas Got Talent, GLEE, Drop Dead Diva, Parks and Recreation and will appear in the movie remake of Footloose.
Kayla also had the opportunity to work on a TV show pilot called 'Grace' with Carrie Ann Inaba and Mia Michaels.
Janaya French
After graduating in2010, Janaya started her dance career assisting West Coast Dance Explosion for their 2010/2011 season. She has just moved to Los Angeles and is currently signed with Bloc Talent Agency. Janya will be dancing at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas for new Year's Eve in a show for E+Productions. Besides auditioning, Janaya is also teaching dance classes at Revolution Dance Center in Montrose,CA. Was also recently seen in the season premiere of "How I Met Your Mother".
Kristin McQuaid
Kristin has been in the entertainment industry for over 15 years and has worked with top celebrities such as Britney Spears, Prince, Mandy Moore, Mark McGrath, Cindi Lauper, and more. Along with her music videos and stage work, Kristin has also been in 10 national commercials, some of which include US Cellular, Dr. Pepper, Jack in the Box, Outback Steak House, and Pepsi. She has been seen in the feature film Beautiful starting Minnie Driver, Days of our Lives, American Dreams, Zombie Prom produced by Wes Craven, Entertainment Tonight, and much more! Kristin takes pride in the work she has done and still continues to pursue her dream as an entertainer. She has been traveling around the country the past few years choreographing and teaching master classes. After finally settling in Tulsa, Oklahoma Kristin decided she wanted a company of her own, Prestige Dance Company, Owned and Directed by Kristin McQuaid. Kristin has been setting award-winning choreography and teaching master classes for top renowned studios in the nation. Most recently Kristin was nominated as one of the 14 finalist for the Capezio A.C.E. awards in NYC in August. This was a nationwide competition and over 200 contestants entered. Kristin feels very honored to be apart of this amazing opportunity.
Emily Brown
Emily moved to California after she graduated high school. Now, going on her third year of residing in Los Angeles, California, Emily has accomplished many of her goals and still strives to succeed in her career as a professional dancer.
Emily has been featured in many theater and concert shows across the country, regional commercials, as well as danced for many local artists throughout southern California. She has now attained a featured role in Disney's live stage show, ElecTRONica, performed with up and coming artists CC Sheffield and Serryce Emry, and is going on her third consecutive season with MashUp Contemporary Dance Company. She is now also an assistant for Desiree Robbins, Associate Producer of "Infinite Dance Cast", a new found "health and wellness coach", and is in the process of obtaining her certifications to be a personal trainer.
Thankful to be making dance, entertainment, and health a career, Emily is excited and looking forward to continuing down the road she is on.
Katelyn Forsberg Harris
Katelyn has trained at , NYC's Broadway Dance Center and STEPS, as well as Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Katelyn was a principal dancer with Tapestry Dance Company in Austin, TX from 2006-2010. Through her work with Tapestry she has been very fortunate to learn from such masters as Jeni LeGon, Harold Cromer, Brenda Buffalino, Sarah Petronio, Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, and of course, Tapestry's artistic director, Acia Gray. She is currently touring with the company in their production of "The Souls of Our Feet" which was selected for a grant by the NEA: American Masterpeices in Dance and will tour China in October 2012.
Chad Azadan
Chad had worked on films like "Charlie's Angels", "Rock Star", "Town & Country", and "Cinderelmo". His television credits include: commercials for Gap, The 2003 Latin Grammys, ABC's 50th Anniversary Special, The 2003 NAACP Image Awards, 3rd Rock From The Sun, Days Of Our Lives, and recently he was a seen on Dancing With The Stars with the cast of Le Reve. Along with his commercial work, Chad began pursuing a career in concert dance. Having the opportunity to perform with companies like Odyssey Dance Theater, River North Chicago Dance Company, and Liz Imperio's Instincts Live Media Dance Company. After relocating to Vegas. He was a featured performer in Celine Dion's "A New Day", at Caesar's palace in Las Vegas for four years. You can currently find Chad dancing in "The Show in The Sky" at The Rio as well as "Le Reve" at Wynn Las Vegas.
Nina McNeely
She has been dancing, teaching and choreographing in Los Angeles for the past nine years. Her commercial work consists of working for such artists as the B-52s, Beck, Shiny Toy Guns, Britney Spears, Fergie, Kinky and The Bird and The Bee. She is a member of Hysterica Dance Company directed by EDGE faculty members Kitty McNamee and Ryan Heffington. She choreographs and performs at many club venues in Los Angeles and enjoys teaching a physically and creatively challenging, contemporary class at EDGE. She also currently teaches at The Sweat Spot in LA.
My company WIFE is really taking off we have a new show coming up at the end of feb its a full length show!!!!! check out our website wifewifewife.com and here is a link to our latest that is going to be on Amon Tobin (electronic artists) dvd boxset that getting international distribution!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P01BXM2YdCc
Lauren Sigler
Lauren has danced with recording artist John Gillette, as well as on Billy Bell's Contemporary company "Lunge Collective." She recently performed on The Jerry Lewis Telethon in Las Vegas. She is currently living in Los Angeles, and has performed with the touring show Macy's Passport "Glamourama", featuring Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, And Far East Movement.
Kelly McQuaid
Kelly started her dancing career at the age of three. She began training at Michelle Latimer's Dance Academy in Colorado. There she studied Jazz and Lyrical along with Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop.
In 1998 her family relocated to California and she continued her training at West Coast School of the Arts. Later she attended The Academy of the Performing arts at Huntington Beach High School.
At 21 Kelly moved to Dallas and found she could continue her passion of dance at Dallas Power House of Dance. She indulges in her love for dance by traveling to various cities to choreograph numbers along side her older sister, Kristen.
Kelly plans to continue performing and teaching to grow and encourage others to live up to their passion and dreams.
Waeli Wang
Waeli enjoyed her senior year of high school dancing for MLDA. Because if that year, she was signed to Bloc right out of high school to pursue her dance dreams in LA. After spending a year in the city of angels, she came back to Colorado to attend CU Boulder as a film production major. She quickly found a new form of dance ~ pole dancing. Waeli is now a competitive pole dancer while pursuing her new dream: making movies!
Erika Mori
Graduated from USC...Currently living in San Francisco, i'm taking a year off of work and moving to buenos aires, argentina in november to learn how to tango, . i'll also be hosting anyone cool enough to come down to visit. :)
Danielle Beeman
Attending the University of Iowa as a Major in Dance and major in communications.
In 2 pieces of the Upcoming Dance Gala Performance in Iowa City. The first Piece with Alan Sener (Alan was a primary dancer in the Falco company and now restates and directs Falco's work as the artistic director. He has also worked in Commercial and television dance and freelanced his work around the world. He now teaches modern at the University of Iowa). The Second Piece (as an understudy) with Charolte Adams (Has danced internationally and had her works performed internationally. She is now the undergraduate director and teaches kinesiology as well as modern at the University of Iowa).
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to work with The Hubbard Street Dance Company and a re-work of Trisha Brown's piece Set, Reset, Reset.
I am also currently working with:
George de la Pena- (Ballet and Pointe instructor at University of
Amando Durante- (Modern and Ballroom instructor at University of iowa)
Eloy Barragan- (Ballet and Partnering instructor at The University of Iowa)
Deanna Carter- (Ballet and a Pointe instructor at the University of Iowa)
*All of these instructors have worked with world renowned companies and Artists, and set work and performed all over the world. Work among them has also varied from Broadway, to commercial, to television. All of their full bios can be found at http://dance.uiowa.edu/about/faculty-and-staff/
Lizzie Yacovetta
Lizzie began dancing at the age of 4. At the age of 13, she came to train at Michelle Latimer Dance Academy. Lizzie spent a year on scholarship at Michelle Latimer Dance Academy at the age of 15, and had the honor and inspiration of working with Dee Caspary, Jason Parsons, Mia Michaels, and Ray Leeper. In the summer of 2004, Lizzie traveled with Michelle and fellow students to perform a piece by Brian Friedman in the choreographer's Carnival. Upon graduating, Lizzie received a Performing Arts Scholarship to Colorado State University where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. Currently, Lizzie is sharing her love and knowledge of dance as a full-time dance instructor.
Chelsea Latimer
Chelsea attended The Denver School of The Arts as a vocal music major, after High School, Chelsea moved to LA and studied voice at The Musician's Institute in Hollywood. She has worked as a personal asst. to Brian Friedman, and as an intern at BUST magazine in NYC. Chelsea has also worked as a freelancer for OK magazine, a content writer/editor at Guidespot.com,a social content producer for Shoptopia.com, a writer for GoGallivanting.com, a Celeblogger for Yourtango.com and a Publishing Services Mgr for Lijit. Chelsea is currently living in Los Angeles again and is the Asst. Digital manager for Digital Media Mgmt, assisting high profile celebrities and their brands. Chelsea is also the web fairy of her own brand, Talks Smack,Inc.
Taylor Peters
Dance:
*Backup Dancer for recording artist, John Gillette; August 2010- August 2011
*RockStarz Dancer; July 2009-July 2011
*Dancer in the movie Harold and Kumar 3; July 2010
*Cheerleader for Indian Premiere League (India); March 2010
*Music Video for Jibba The Gent; February 2010
*Principal Dancer for 303 Magazine Hair Show; October 2009
*Entertainer for Wicked cast party; October 2009
*Harley Davidson Expo Show ; July 2009
*Denver Nuggets Dancer; 2008-2009
Modeling:
*3 Page spread in Mile High Sports Magazine; December 2010
*Print work for Sugar Mill Productions' website; November 2010
*Commercial for "Little Clean Screen"; October 2010
*Commotion Fashion Show; June 2010
*Print work for Earls Restaurant; April 2010
*In Bloom Fashion Show; March 2009 & 2010
*Outta Bloom Fashion Show; September 2009
*'How Funky Met Fresh' Fashion Show; October 2009
Personal life:
* I graduated from the Denver School of Massage Therapy in July of 2011 and then moved to San Francisco, CA with my boyfriend Craig. We are now expecting our 1st little bundle of joy at the end of March 2012 :)
Kaelin Pilkington
Currently is an honors student at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a part of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and made the Deans List as a freshman. This past summer she received her certification to teach Zumba and is now teaching at school and at studios and gyms around Centennial over breaks.
Alyssa Marrin
Alyssa currently holds a degree in Dance from Loyola Marymount University, is a certified Massage Therapist, and is working toward starting a Graduate Degree Program in Kinesiology for Injury Prevention/Rehabilitation and Dance Therapy. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2002, Alyssa has toured with a professional modern company, and danced and choreographed for several shows and events throughout the area including a performance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Alyssa currently works for a non-profit foundation, is a consultant for two dance non-profit organizations, is a massage therapist, and continues to dance, choreograph, and teach as much as possible. Look for her new dance company, Above Ground Dance, coming in 2012!
Karen Block
Karen relocated to Boston, Massachusetts to study hospitality administration at Boston University. There she served as the vice president for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, the public relations chair for the National Association of Catering Executives, and as a health educator for Peer Health Exchange.
While in Boston, she continued to dance with local hip-hop company, WRUSH Dance Crew, and was the first female dancer selected to join Static Noyze Dance Company, featured on the fifth season of MTV's Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew.
After graduating summa cum laude in May 2011, Karen moved to Orlando, Florida to work for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings at the Walt Disney World Resort. She hopes to continue pursuing her passions for dance and event planning and is excited for what the future holds.
Tiffany Colston
Tiffany Colston is a singer/dancer/songwriter that began singing and dancing at the age of 3. Born in Tampa, Florida into a military family her mother put her in the Fame Dance Studio. Soon after, she continued her dance studies in Colorado at The Dance Movement and eventually landed a spot in Michelle Latimer's Dance Academy and company. After being crowned Miss Colorado Teen under National American Miss Pageants in 2003, being a part of this elite dance studio and company gave her a chance to compete nationwide in ballet, lyrical, hip- hop and jazz while studying under some of the top choreographers including Brian Friedman. Michelle Latimer and Voice Coach Natalie Oliver-Atherton also helped prepare her for the nation wide pageant and talent division to be held in Hollywood, California. Being a part of Michelle Latimer Dance Academy provided Tiffany the opportunity to attend many dance workshops including those at the renowned Edge Dance Studio in Los Angeles, California. But most importantly, being a part of Michelle Latimer Dance Studio introduced diversity in dance and even inspired her to chase her number one dream in singing. Her passion, drive in music, and same Berklee alumni voice coach Natalie then led her to the most prestigious music school, Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts. There, she was given the opportunity to enhance her musical knowledge and received a bachelors in music business. While studying at Berklee Tiffany also continued dancing for Artists in Boston including Disney's Camp Rock star Matthew Finley. Besides working with the band, "Joey Scott and the Connection", she has sung with artists such as Earth Wind and Fire's, Phillip Bailey, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and performed in tribute to award producer, Rodney Jerkins and many other industry greats. After traveling overseas to perform in Serbia and Switzerland with the Gospel ensemble at Berklee, Tiffany is currently songwriting for artists and performing all over the New England area. Her burning desire, talent, energy, humility, and tenacious spirit have brought her to her current level of success as she continues to pursue her dream in music.
Rachel Walker
In 2009, shortly after graduating high school, Rachel moved to Los Angeles and was quickly signed with Bloc Talent Agency. Since then, Rachel has danced in music videos for artists such as Far East Movement, Cymphonique (daughter of rap artist Master P), and up and coming pop artist Natasha Slayton. She also worked as a back up dancer for artists at the San Diego Indie Music Festival in March 2010. Most recently, Rachel has become an original member of the Burlesque All Stars, a burlesque dance troupe run by former Forty Deuce headliner Miss Dakota. The troupe can be seen performing all over Southern California as well as in Dallas and is currently rehearsing a full production show to debut in February 2012. Over the past year, Rachel has discovered her intense passion for yoga and continues to practice everyday. Additionally, she is working towards her Bachelor of Natural Health Sciences degree in an online program, while continuing to audition and pursue her professional dance career.
Clare Steninger
Clare Steninger completed her Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles) in the spring of 2011. She is now studying for her Masters in Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. She is also enjoying being a teacher's assistant and being back in Colorado! She still attends occasional dance classes and enjoys going to dance performances of all kinds!
Miesha Gantz
After dancing at MLDA I attended Loyola Marymount Universary for two and a half years. Then did a semester in Alvin Alley's independent study program and a summer as a broadway dance center intern. Now in I'm in LA taking classes and auditioning with Bloc talent agency and currently getting my pilates certification through Equinox gyms.
Emily Marberry
After leaving MLDA, I went to the University of Colorado-Boulder (after a VERY short stint at the University of Missouri), and got my degree in Humanities, with an emphasis in English Literature and Music History. While I was there I was on the inaugural season of the Buff Gold dance team. I was happy to be dancing, but it was definitely very different to be on a "pom" type team! I also continued taking class at Dance West.
After graduation, I moved to Denver and began a 10 year career with PF Chang's. I started as a hostess and eventually became the store accountant and bookkeeper. From there, I was the accountant at a construction company for 3 LONG years, and now I do accounting and billing for a law firm in downtown Denver, and am much happier working in the city in a professional environment. I bought a house about a year and a half ago, and love it!
I started consistently dancing again about 5 years ago, by taking class here in Denver with Terrell Davis at Cleo Parker Robinson. I now take class with Jacob Mora about 3 times a week, and ballet with Debbie Mercer. I'm so so so happy to be taking classes again, and can't believe I took such a long break without dance in my life. I am incredibly grateful to Michelle and all of the teachers I had when I was younger. I believe I received the BEST training and foundation to be able to go take a class ANYWHERE and be successful! I am proud to be an alum, and love to see all the other alums as THEY succeed in dance and life. It was a special time with memories I will never forget. Congrats on 20 years!!
Mariesha Nash
Mariesha is currently Studying dance at the University of Arizona. Here she studies with a faculty who have had the opportunity to work with dance companies like Gus Giordano And River North. Her first performance is in a show that is called " Premium Blend" that runs for 2 weeks at the end of November/Early December. The piece that she is in is called "Step Back" and it is a tap number. She will also be featured in 2 student pieces and a graduate students piece that will be featured later in the academic year. Mariesha has also auditioned to be a part of a performance company that is connected with the school. This company will tour Tucson for a week and then tour China for 5 weeks during the summer in 2012.
Casey Keller
Casey, has been in Utah since she graduated from MLDA in '05. Her second teaching job (after assisting at Michelle's briefly) was at Jennifer Hansen's Premier Dance Academy in Sandy teaching teen and senior advanced lyrical classes, as well as a beginning jazz class. From there she moved on to Pulse 31 (a studio located in place of the first studio she very first began dancing at) teaching intermediate teen and senior ballet, advanced senior lyrical, and the occasional teen and senior hip hop class. Currently she is seeking studio space to begin an adult lyrical class of her own, with many inquires pouring in as to when and where it will begin. Until then, she is content with the occasional drop in class with Sojourn Dance Company. Hopefully things go favorably this Fall and she can join the Sojourn Dance Company, as well as rent out studio space to begin classes of her own.
Mikenzie Nash
Mikenzie danced competitively for sevenyears and has been involved in many different performances including; a lead roll in the Carousel Dinner Theatre's production of "Sound of Music", musical theater productions within her schools, Mrs. Colorado Pageant, Children's Hospital Benefit, "The Nutcracker," and recitals and competitive performances every year.
She was a dancer in a TV pilot, called "Cabby Tree", a show for toddlers. Also, she was a background dancer in "Disney's High School Musical II". For 8 months in 2010, she lived and danced in "One Man's Dream II", in Tokyo Disneyland.
She has had the privilege of working with and taking advanced workshops from many famous choreographers. She is excited to keep training and performing as a dancer, and teaching kids the joy and art of dance.
Mary Caldbeck
Started competing when I was 7. When I was 13 I moved to the most amazing studio, Michelle Latimers :-) Not long after I worked on the show pilot Kabbys Tree. I received my MLDA scholarship my senior year. After graduation I went on to study Biology at San Diego State. Now, I'm taking a short break from school and plan to move to LA in Jan/Feb to pursue dancing! (and will eventually return to school and continue with my marine and terrestrial biology studies...maybe :-) )
Jena Bergan
21, senior at texas christian university- graduate may 2012. accounting/finance/spanish. i like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
Mary Johnston
Mary Johnston trained and competed with MLDA from 1996-2000. After completing high school in 2000, Mary moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional dance career. She taught at several dance academies throughout the L.A. area while auditioning for music videos, movies, and television shows. Mary was also able to further her dance education at the Millenium and The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood. She traveled the world as a showgirl for Holland America cruise line and Stiletto Entertainment for two years, traveling to places such as South America, Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, and many European countries, all while gaining valuable life and dance experience. Upon returning from sea, she joined Stiletto in their Los Angeles office as a production coordinator. In that position, Mary was in charge of coordinating all aspects of new show production for the ships, from wardrobe to choreography, ultimately traveling from ship to ship to ensure installation ran smoothly. Upon returning to Denver in 2006, Mary joined The Damsels and The Mile High Pin Up Girls dance companies. In 2007 she became a Denver Broncos Cheerleader and ultimately danced with the organization for three years. During a whirlwind tour of Mexico City, Mary was featured on several talk shows, ESPN Mexico Magazine, and several Telemundo programs and commercials. In 2010 Mary rejoined The Damsels in the Executive Director position, performing in "State of the Union" to benefit The Gathering Place. Currently Mary is a Realtor in the Denver Metro area, but always makes time for dance. She has recently started an MLDA alumni class on Sundays at 5pm, that will hopefully someday translate into a company.
Alyssa Noguchi
I JUST transferred from Calarts to CSU and I AM studying apparel merchandising and possibly double majoring next semester in dance. Other than that, just trying to dance on the side whenever I can.
Allison Yee
Graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University, Long Beach. She is currently working for a private equities company in downtown Denver. She enjoys taking dance, yoga, and Pilates classes. And yes, still proudly displays her trophy from winning Miss Global Dance in 2005.
Cody Awn
I am 22 years old now. I am now a tattoo artist at temptation tattoo, in Lakewood Colorado. I also paint custom paintings, walls, shoes ect... Basically if you need any custom artwork I'm the person to talk to!
Danielle (Price) Civello
After MLDA, Dani danced for 4 years on the CU Express dance team. Received her degree in Sociology from CU in 2004. Dani lived briefly in San Francisco, then travelled the world with Mike going to Australia, Thailand, Fiji, New Zealand, to name a few....Dani has worked for the Golden State Warriors, but, now resides in California with her husband Mike and fills her time taking care of her beautiful son, David!
Natalli Dorn
I'm finishing off my third year at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) I am studying Musical Theatre. Since I have been here I have been able to choreograph multple dances under AMDA's name. I've been asked to choreograph a show of nine dances and I have 3 weeks to put it all together. Since i have graduated i have learned a ton and i have met even more that will get me many jobs in the future, but if it wasn't for MLDA who taught me my technique and brought in many choreographers, I wouldn't be where i am today.
Erika Tomlinson
Training and competing at MLDA, quickly opened up the world of dance to Erika, and she quickly decided to jump on board without ever looking back. At the age of 18, Erika was offered her first 6 month contract with Holland America Cruise Lines, much to her surprise, Erika absolutely loved dancing on cruise ships and to date has completed 5 full contracts and many replacement contracts. When not dancing around the world, Erika resides in Los Angeles,CA, where she pursues her dance career in many different aspects.Erika also teaches for Universal Dance Association, and she continues to teach,judge and choreograph around the world. Recently, Erika finished a contract dancing for Universal Studios Hollywood for the holiday season and is getting ready to start rehearsals in LA for the newest Holland America Line ship, where she will fly to Italy in June to be a part of creating new shows for the inaugural cruise.
Jacqlyn Conte
Since graduating in 2007, Jacqlyn spent two seasons with the Denver Nuggets Dancers where she had the opportunity to dance in Taipi and Beijing, China and for multiple recording artists including Montel Jordan, Vanilla Ice, Biz Markie and Naughty by Nature to name a few. She spent one season with the Rocky Mountain Rockstarz where she had the pleasure of dancing at many events and fashion shows around Denver. Many of which benefited local charities. She has recently been choreography assisting for Sarah Schachterle and looks forward to new and exciting dance experiences to come!
Christina Connolly
Christina was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She trained and competed with Michelle Latimer Dance Academy from 1995-2004, and she was awarded a studio scholarship when she was 16. At age 19 she moved to Los Angeles, CA where she trained at The Edge Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Complex. In 2006 she was hired as a dancer in the production shows on Holland America Cruise Line and completed an 8 month contract on the Oosterdam. Christina returned to Denver in 2007 to obtain her Paralegal Certification, and for the past 3 years she has worked for the United States Department of Justice as a paralegal in the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Christina was a Denver Broncos Cheerleader from 2008-2011, and she was awarded Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season. She is currently a member of the Dream Project Dancers which is a performing dance company in Denver that contributes a portion of their show proceeds to various charities. For more information on Dream Project and show details visit http://www.adreamproject.com/.
Elizabeth Macy
Elizabeth Macy grew up in a diverse musical and creative home that naturally led to a dance career. She has been dancing and training since she was 4 years old, here in Colorado, as well as intensive workshops and private instruction in New York and Los Angeles. Elizabeth has a broad and extensive knowledge of different dance styles, advanced technique, and performance experience, including television and music videos. At a very young age, Elizabeth was sought out and asked to assist many well known choreographers in the business including Brian Friedman, Travis Wall, Dee Caspary, Kim Mcswain, Laurie Kanyok, Nick Lazzerini, and many others. At age 17, Elizabeth was picked by Gil Stroming, owner and creator of JUMP and many other dance conventions, to tour and assist the choreographers across the U.S. Elizabeth later won JUMP's National Senior Outstanding Dancer, and continued touring with them. Elizabeth soon started teaching young dancers at The Pointe Dance Academy before moving to Los Angeles where she signed with The Bloc Agency, dancing with some new up and coming choreographers. Little did she know that teaching and choreographing was a passion that would become her life's calling. With a unique vision for choreography, and a deep love for dance, she enjoys sharing and teaching young dancers who like herself, just want to dance.
Katie Bailey
I am now a sophomore at The University of Puget Sound and am studying Business and Spanish. I am involved in our dance group on campus that performs two shows annually for charity and our community. This club is just for fun but it is great to still have dance be a part of my life! I am currently the president of my sorority and enjoy participating in Amnesty International and Peace Jam clubs. I am loving my life in the Pacific Northwest and plan to attend law school after I graduate from Puget Sound. I think of MLDA often and the incredible impact your stuido had on me growing up. I feel blessed to have learned the gift of dance and have met such amazing women in the process.
Kory Taylor Ingalls
After high school Kory graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in Broadcast Production and moved to New York City to work at ABC Sports. The sports world brought Kory back to Colorado in 2004 when she helped launch Altitude Sports. Kory worked as a producer on the Denver Nuggets broadcast until 2009 when she started her family. She lives in Castle Rock with her husband Ben and two awesome boys Evan and JT. She is still a freelance producer in her "spare" time.
Darren Dean
Darren Dean has lived and worked all over the world. While in Los Angeles, Darren performed briefly with Hysterica Dance Company while assisting Kitty McNamee at EDGE Performing Arts Center. He also worked directly with Ryan Heffington assisting him with the debut of Stabbing the Classics and styling/design projects for The Nervous Return among others. Darren also collaborated and performed with Nina McNeely in various venues before entering the cruise-ship industry. As a cruise entertainer Darren has performed over thirty productions for several luxury lines and has also recorded a reality pilot and several mini-documentaries. While touring Darren has traveled to every continent visiting over fifty countries and considers this the highlight of his career. Now a skilled aerialist and well versed in many dance styles Darren utilizes the knowledge gained working abroad to remain a versatile and unique choreographer.
Returning to Denver, Darren has served as co-Artistic Director to several dance works, performed for Nina Flowers and other drag artists, modeled for designers and magazines and styled several fashion events. Darren is currently working to complete the Paula Morgan Technique teacher certification, releasing a reconstructed clothing company Circa85™ and filming webisodes for the upcoming Can Eye Ask?™. While Darren no longer pursues work as a performer he continues to instruct and perform locally while collaborating with designers, editors and other artists globally.
