NewDANCEfest FACULTY & STAFF

Click on the “+” to read about each member of our NewDANCEfest faculty and hear about what classes they will be teaching!

  • Andi Salazar is a Chilean Choreographer, Dance Educator, Performer, and Sociologist. She received her BA degree in Sociology at UC of Chile, the same place where she founded Kazé Dance, a Contemporary dance company where she was the Artistic Director and Choreographer for eight years. In 2017, Andi relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and obtained her MFA in Dance and Choreography from Mills College. There, she also had the opportunity to perform for choreographers such as Joe Landini and Molissa Fenley, and showed her work along with her Dance Company “A Pulso Dance Project" at many festivals around the State. During her years in the Bay, Andi also worked as a faculty member at the Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, Shawl Anderson Dance Center, and as a Teaching Artist for the Community program at Alonzo King Lines Ballet Dance Center. In 2023, she relocated to New York to continue her studies and joined the Master’s degree “Teaching Dance in the Profession: ABT Ballet Pedagogy” at New York University.

  • Celia Benvenutti is an Afro-Puerto Rican dance artist, native Detroiter, Howard University alumna and certified Dunham technique instructor. She has been studying dance for 30 years under the tutelage of master teacher and certified Dunham technique instructor Penny Godboldo, former head of the department of dance at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI. Benvenutti’s background includes extensive training in the Dunham Technique, classical ballet, modern (Horton and Graham), jazz, traditional African, Afro-Cuban, Haitian and Puerto Rican Folklore. Celia was principal dancer in Taurus Broadhurst Dance: A Contemporary African Company located in Washington D.C. from 2012-2016. In 2020, she was awarded a local choreographic residency by Collective Sweat Detroit and the Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Award for dance and choreography through the Kresge Foundation. She is currently a member of Ozzie Rivera’s RicanStruction, a Detroit Puerto Rican folkloric dance troupe. She is also part time dance faculty at Wayne State University and a teaching artist for Living Arts, a non profit arts organization located in the heart of Southwest Detroit. Her artistic goals focus on facilitating and encouraging liberation of the mind, body , and spirit through dance.

    Class Description:

    This Dunham technique class will investigate how the Dunham technique has been informed by Afro-Cuban dance. Benvenutti creates spaces for further awareness and engagement in Afro-Caribbean folklore and spirituality.

  • DANSCEND

    Danscend’s mission is to bring mental wellness to the forefront of dance training by providing a space for education, application, and community to performers, educators, families, and professionals. Danscend's virtual courses, workshops, and community support programs are thoroughly researched, vetted by mental health professionals and created from peer-reviewed scientific studies. Co-founders Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux have a shared sixty years between them in the dance industry and after working together in the education field for many of those years, the idea of Danscend was born. With Danscend, Deiss and Loucadoux have created a resource that they wished had been available when they were beginning their dance careers; a resource that will now benefit not only their students, but also the dance industry as a whole.

    Workshops:

    (Advanced) Didn’t Book the Job? Five Ways to Confidently Cope with Failure

    In the dance world, we all fail from time to time. While failure is a part of the artistic process, it still isn't always fun. In fact, the same parts of our brain are activated when we, for example, are not cast in a role as when we break an ankle. So, to our brains, a broken heart isn't that different from a broken arm. In this workshop, we will talk about how to cope when we fail, how to see the "bigger picture", how confidence is built (not born), why our brains compare ourselves with others, and how our mindset can significantly impact our dance performance.

    (Youth) The Mirror is Lying to You: How to Feel More Confident in Dance Class

    In this workshop, we will learn about how our brains impact the images we see in the mirror and how that can impact our dancing. As dancers, the way we see and feel about our bodies can either help us feel brave and bold in the classroom or it can sometimes influence us to feel less confident. We will talk about how we can learn to create a healthier relationship with our bodies, how we can learn to build confidence in ourselves and our dancing, and how we can begin to shift our mindset to become the best dancers we can be.

  • Deavondre Jones is an accomplished business leader and educator, currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University and Oakland University. He received his Business and Arts Management degree from Columbia College in Chicago and has since gained extensive experience in business development and community leadership. Deavondre is the Creator of DanceSpire 100, a 5-step business development product designed to help service businesses build out tech-enabled models. He has also partnered with Techtown Detroit to pilot Scale Studio, a program aimed at scaling Detroit service businesses for a global and digital-first world. Deavondre is most known for his work as the Founder of DanceSpire, a company with a mission to make Hip Hop dance accessible and affordable to the everyday dancer. In addition to his professional pursuits, Deavondre is an active member of the Michigan Action Plan for Fatherhood Involvement (MAP-FI) state-wide board and volunteers for the West Michigan "Dads Count!" collective. He is a passionate advocate for fatherhood, building businesses, and building community.

    CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

    Urban Dance Choreography: A choreography class rooted in learning DanceSpire's Musicality and Choreography process. These tools and methods will help students become self-sufficient and confident in future Hip Hop classes.

  • Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Alma College and a Master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Indianapolis. In 2001, feeling bound by the limitations of traditional health care, she opened the area’s first Integrative Pilates and Rehab Clinic, Inspired Wellness, in Metro Detroit.

    She holds numerous certifications in Pilates including dance specific Pilates. She has extensive training in modalities such as Brain Gym, Body Ecology, Muscle Activation, Body Rolling and Kinesio taping. Kelly also specializes in pelvic floor and pre/postnatal rehab and educates other professionals with courses through the Center for Women’s Fitness.

    She also completed a 3 year course of study in Integrative manual therapy which combines techniques such as cranial sacral therapy, lymphatic drainage and myofascial release. Her favorite component of this work is the visceral (organ) releases as the effects can be profound!

    Kelly’s work is sought for her unique, synergistic approach that goes beyond the diagnosis and functional deficits to examine the true root causes such as “tripped-up” reflexes, cranial-sacral system disruption, and an un-integrated nervous system.

    She traveled the country as a principal educator for Polestar Pilates for 10 years. She continues to inspire rehab and wellness pros as a presenter at conferences and seminars across the country and virtually.

    CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

    INner Strength: Conditioning to empower the dancers physical + eMOTIONal health

    Align your body + mind from the INside out! This transformative class goes beyond the surface to address the root of strength and stability IN your core + nervous system, forging a powerful connection to your arms and legs. Experience simple, yet profound techniques such as isometrics, that go deep to help the nervous system feel safe IN opening greater flexibility and ease. Leave empowered with unique exercises to add to your conditioning routine. This experience will end with an INjury prevention discussion including a Kinesio tape demo and Q&A.

    To fully experience this workshop please bring a mat, journal + pen, water bottle, open mind & receptive heart

  • Hannah is a board-certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who specializes in Sports Nutrition and Eating Disorders. Hannah attended Madonna University for her graduate degree and then completed her dietetic internship with the University of Michigan. Hannah has been dancing since she was 4-years old and competitively danced for 8 years. After high school, she taught as a competitive dance instructor at a studio and a Varsity High School dance team for 4 years. Hannah follows an “all foods fit” approach where food is not labeled as “good” or “bad”. She believes that nutrition is not “one-size fits all” and when implemented in an appropriate way, it can help you perform your best while also feeling your best. In her discussion, she will be giving a basic nutrition overview which will serve as the foundation of the “what” and “why” for everyday nutrition. She will also dive briefly into the performance nutrition aspect, explaining optimal nutrition for pre/post practice to aid in performance and recovery.

  • International award-winning choreographer, dancer, producer, director, casting director, booking agent, educator and CEO of LM Productions Entertainment Group LLC, Lisa McCall has choreographed for television, film, on and off Broadway stages and world concert tours. She perfected her skills under the direction of Katherine Dunham mastering the Dunham technique. Later, Lisa became Franklin’s choreographer, dance road manager and casting director up until the iconic singer’s death. She choreographed jaw dropping routines that were performed before large and prestigious audiences at the White House, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Kodak Theatre, Essence Festival, Radio City Music Hall and several award shows such as the Grammy and BET Awards. Lisa has worked with some of the entertainment industry’s elite artists that include Fantasia Burrino, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Peabo Bryson, Chaka Kahn, Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, Patti Labelle, The O’Jays, Jeffrey Osborn, Kem, Big Sean, just to name a few.

    As an award-winning educator, Lisa has taught in Africa, Europe, South America, the University Port-au-Prince in Haiti, the University of the West Indies in Grenada, and was adjunct professor at Wayne State University and Oakland University. She also taught at the D’Jembe Dance and Drum Center in New York. She has taught master classes and all aspects of cultural arts that include folkloric dance, Afro-Cuban, African, Caribbean-

    style and Haitian dance throughout the United States and abroad. She currently teaches and heads the Dance Department at Voyager College Preparatory High School.

    In 2020, Lisa was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame as an Iconic Legendary Choreographer at the House of Representatives. The Ambassador to Grenada presented her with an international award for bridging arts between the United States and Grenada.

  • Shannon Stewart is an assistant professor in contemporary dance. Her/Their practice and research connect technical and somatic dance methods to gender, labor, and ecology through writing and interdisciplinary performances. Shannon’s work has been presented in the U.S. and Europe on stages, screens, and in galleries, most recently touring Mexico, Croatia, the Pacific Northwest and Gulf South. Shannon teaches Countertechnique™ , improvisation, Performing Gender in Dance, and interdisciplinary choreography. They were a 2023 artist resident with re:FRAME at the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography and have been supported by National Dance Project, National Performance Network, Foundation for Contemporary Art, UCROSS Foundation, Art Omi, among others.

    Class Description: Countertechnique has been with me for many years, showing up at pivotal times of development as a dancer and teacher. Countertechnique gives me space to continually grow and be challenged in my physical practice while finding ease and freedom in an ever changing body. As a teacher, I always aim to facilitate a space of curiosity, growth, and artistic community. Teaching professional and pre-professional dancers, I see myself as a facilitator and container creator for collective practice – a practice that really gets people moving fully, flying, and flocking through the space, with incredible awareness and minimal tension.

  • Lillie Hamilton grew up in Kalamazoo, MI and graduated cum laude from Oakland University in 2018 with a BFA in Dance. While at OU, she received the Outstanding Dance Performance MaTilDa award and studied dance abroad in Berlin, Germany at the Tanzfabrik and the Freie Universität. She performed works by acclaimed choreographers such as Loni Landon, Stephanie Martinez, Stefanie Batten Bland, and Laurie Eisenhower. During her senior year at OU, Ms. Hamilton apprenticed with Eisenhower Dance Detroit. She has also trained with various professional companies at their workshops including DIAVOLO LA, Thodos Dance Chicago, Strictly Seattle, and National Choreographers Initiative. She was the recipient of the 2019 Monticello Choreography Award from Regional Dance America for her work titled “River” performed by Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Youth Ensemble. She has also presented her work at Youth America Grand Prix along with various other competitions and intensives. In 2021, Ms. Hamilton choreographed a trio on the EDD professional company titled “Have You Had Enough?” This is her 7th season with Eisenhower Dance Detroit.

    Youth: Alignment, Strength and Conditioning, Jazz

    Adv: Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Contemporary Partnering and setting new choreography

    “I’m excited to meet new people and feel the large amounts of energy in our space each day. I’m excited for us all to push out of our comfort zones and try new styles! I can't wait to get to know my cast, and craft a great work together!”

  • ImmersEDD Intern

    Ashley Schrader is a current senior at The University of Arizona double majoring in Dance and Business Management graduating May 2024. Ashley has performed in numerous works featuring the lead female in Nevermore by Thang Dao, the “Lady in White” in Diversion of Angels by Martha Graham, and “I Had a Dream” solo in Company B by Paul Taylor. She has worked with many choreographers such as Kayla Farrish, Frank Chavez, Chris Compton, Alysia Johnson, Duane Cyrus, Jason Hortin, and Gabriel Speiller. She has trained at several intensives including Hubbard Street “Create” intensive, Brucewood Dance Company Winter intensive, Limón Dance Company, Chuthis, and more. Ashley is very excited about this opportunity to work with Eisenhower this summer!

    Ashley is thrilled to be working with Eisenhower Dance Detroit this summer! "Growing up, I attended numerous dance intensives and loved each experience. I've already learned so much on the administrative and planning side of EDD's intensives and I can't wait to continue to see how NDF unfolds. I hope we can provide the participants with an unforgettable summer of dancing!" Ashley's goal is to create an environment where all the dancers feel welcomed, excited and comfortable approaching her with any questions.

  • Stephanie’s yoga journey began nearly 20 years ago as a student seeking skills to help heal from trauma, alleviate high anxiety, and connect with the present moment. Mindfulness, presence, and peace are just a few of my favorite benefits of yoga and meditation. After graduating from Oakland University in Business, she followed her heart and became a certified Yoga Teacher. Over the past 8 years she has been fortunate enough to share the many gifts of yoga as a full time teacher, studio co-owner of The Yoga Garden, and part time trauma sensitive yoga teacher at a local psychiatric hospital. She looks forward to guiding you through breath, movement and stillness to transcend your mind to a place of peace and equanimity.

    “Lokah Samastah Suckino Bhavantu”

    “May all brings everywhere be happy and free.”

    Class Description:

    Gentle Flow Yoga is a fully guided practice focused on breath and body awareness. Class will consist of gentle spinal movements, standing poses, and longer holding stretches to help relieve tension from the body, while easing the fluctuations of the mind. Our session will conclude with a short guided meditation focusing on mindfulness and self love.

  • Andrew Cribbett, originally from Thomasboro, Illinois, received a full scholarship to The Washington Ballet in Washington D.C. He then attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts to finish his senior year of high school. He joined Eisenhower Dance Detroit in 2011 and retired as a company dancer and Rehearsal Director in 2021. While dancing with the company, Mr. Cribbett toured nationally and internationally both teaching and performing in venues as far as Tel Aviv, Israel. He also had the great pleasure of performing original works by Nicolo Fonte, Gina Patterson, Darrell Grand Moutrie, Edgar Zendejas, Joshua Peugh, Ron De Jesus, among many others. His choreography has received recognition for Top 12 placement at YAGP for solos, small groups, and ensembles. Over the years, Mr. Cribbett has taught and choreographed for several local studios including The School of Eisenhower Dance Detroit and also trains elite level figure skaters in Junior Ice Dance. He is also pursuing a degree in Nursing concurrent with his role of Assistant Artistic Director.

    “When working with me in the studio, remember that every drop of sweat is a step closer to mastery. Hard work is not just about perfecting a movement; it's about discovering the depth of your resilience and the beauty of your dedication. Embrace each challenge with determination, and let your passion for dance fuel your persistence. As the Assistant Artistic Director, I believe that together, we'll transform effort into artistry and perseverance into breathtaking performances.”

  • Isabella Varon graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2020 where she received her BFA in Dance with a concentration in ballet. During her time at Marymount, under the direction of Katie Langan, she performed works by Kyle Abraham, Adam Barruch, Michael Thomas, and Breton Tyner-Bryan. Her additional summer training includes Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, American Ballet Theatre, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She recently performed with Jodie Randolph Dance for Michigan Dance Council and Lindsay Grymes at the Steps on Broadway Performance Lab. In addition to performance, Ms. Varon has a passion for teaching. She is the Associate Artistic Director of Young Dancers Initiative and the Assistant Company Director at Viva Dance Co. where she leads weekly ballet, contemporary, improvisation, and composition classes. She is on faculty at RELEASE Detroit, and guest instructs at various dance programs in Metro Detroit.

    Youth: Movement Development, Ballet, setting new choreography

    Adv: Ballet, EDD Rep

    “I am looking forward to sharing music, digging into lots of repertory, and getting on our leg, while establishing a positive mindset in ballet class. I am super excited to be setting work on the Youth Division, too!”

  • Alex Hlavaty graduated with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University in May, 2015. He studied in New York City with Gibney Dance and in Montréal with O Vertigo and Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal before joining Eisenhower Dance Detroit. He is currently in his ninth season dancing with EDD, where he has performed and taught master classes nationally and internationally. He has set excerpts of EDD repertory on high school and university students at summer intensives, workshops, and master classes. Mr. Hlavaty is also an avid choreographer and writer. His choreography has been performed in festivals, intensives, and competitions. He has also created two works on EDD’s professional company. His poetry has been published in the literary journal The Laureate, 14th Edition, and he has written for DancePlug online as a resource for dance students, professionals, and educators. He is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Junior, Senior, and Advanced program, and strives to use PBT fundamentals to bring the best instruction to his students.

    Youth: Contemporary and Improvisation/Exploration

    Adv: Ballet, Contemporary, EDD Rep

    “I’m most excited to work with dancers from all different backgrounds and experiences in dance and watch them come together to bring all of their individual strengths into a piece of professional repertoire! “

  • Tara Charvat graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2018 with a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University. While attending WMU, she performed works by renowned choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Anthony Tudor, Lew Christensen, Frank Chavez and Brian Enos. She attended summer programs with New Dialect, chuthis., BODYTRAFFIC LA, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Big Muddy Dance Company and DanceWorks Chicago. In 2018, she received a scholarship to the Lou Conte Dance Studio where she attended weekly class with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago artists and presented her own choreography. In 2019, Ms. Charvat joined NewDances, a collaboration between Thodos Dance Chicago and DanceWorks Chicago. For the 2019-2020 season, she apprenticed with Eisenhower Dance Detroit and, in the Fall of 2020, was promoted to company member. She is also a teaching artist for the School of Eisenhower Dance Detroit as well as other studios in the metro Detroit area. She proudly serves as the Assistant Artistic Director of Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Youth Ensemble, as well as the director of EDDYE’s annual concert, Dance Mosaics. Ms. Charvat frequently choreographs around metroDetroit and presents solo choreography each year at the Youth America Grand Prix competition.

    Youth: Week 1 setting new choreography

    Adv: EDD Rep

    “When working with me on EDD rep or new choreography, dancers can expect to be challenged technically and artistically, especially in regards to movement quality and texture, musicality and embodying movement through honest intention! “

  • Shelby received her bachelors in Biology with high honors from Madonna University, her PTA degree from Professional Skills Institute and is also a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher. Shelby has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant for over 11 years and has worked mainly in outpatient orthopedics. She has taken numerous continuing education courses and has experience in various techniques including: McKenzie Method, cupping for myofascial decompression, kinesio taping, and vestibular rehab. Shelby’s love for movement led her to Pilates which is now her main career focus. She recently completed her Perinatal Pilates Specialist certification and has launched a program geared towards pregnant and postpartum moms. Shelby teaches privates, duets and small group classes at a studio in Garden City, Michigan.

    Class Description:

    Mat Pilates: Be ready to strengthen, lengthen and tone your entire body in this Mat Pilates class. This class will focus on using your breath for proper core engagement while working on strengthening and stability of all of the surrounding muscle groups. Pilates is a great form of cross training for athletes and dancers and will work the body from head to toe. Class will begin with a mobility warm up followed by a full body flow and ending with a stretch.

  • Originally from Wisconsin, Brooke holds a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Business from the University of Arizona. She has performed and taught nationally and internationally with Eisenhower Dance Detroit, and trained with professionals from Hubbard Street and Giordano at Thodos Dance Chicago. Brooke has experience training Olympic-bound ice skaters and both professional and pre-professional dancers in metro-Detroit. She is a certified GYROKINESIS® Trainer and STOTT Pilates apprentice, currently teaching Dance, Pilates, and Reformer classes in Northwest Indiana.

    Class Description:

    - The Ballet and Contemporary classes will both involve a fusion of my training with EDD, Pilates, and GYROKINESIS, emphasizing proper anatomical alignment and full-range movement. The upbeat class aims to challenge dancers to their fullest potential while promoting ease and grace in the movement!

    - The Pilates & Recovery class is designed for dancers to crosstrain efficiently, emphasizing core strength and breath work to facilitate movement with ease. The second half will focus on stretching tight areas in the body to aid recovery. The class will leave you feeling rejuvenated and challenged! Please bring a mat if desired.

  • Originally from Miami, FL, Meagan Cubides began her formal training at the Miami City Ballet School and later New World School of the Arts High School. In 2019, she graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program. Over the course of her training, she has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Francesca Harper, Jamar Roberts, Adam Barruch and Sidra Bell among others. During her time in college, she danced professionally with Ballet Hispanico Dos for their 2017/18 season. She also studied at various summer programs such as Arts Umbrella Dance, Bodytraffic, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Ballet Austin. Ms. Cubides most recently danced for four seasons with Visceral Dance Chicago. In addition, she was a guest artist with Symbiosis Arts andFreckled Sky Inc. She is thrilled to be joining Eisenhower Dance Detroit.

    Youth: Jazz

    Adv: Jazz, Ballet, EDD Rep

    “I am most looking forward to meeting new people and sharing EDD’s open and supportive community!”

  • NewDANCEfest Youth Division Coordinator

    Lisa Johns began her dance training at age 3. She received her early training from Joanne Zavisa at Joanne’s Dance Extension in Canton, MI. After graduating high school Lisa continued her dance training at Oakland University. While studying at OU, Lisa had the privilege of working with many respected choreographers including Meg Paul, Laurie Eisenhower, Stephanie Pizzo, Ali Woerner and Thayer Jonutz. Lisa was the first student to produce her own independent dance concert, and received her BFA in 2014 after receiving the MaTilDa award in outstanding choreography. After graduation Lisa spent time touring with NUVO Dance convention and has since continued to teach dance throughout all of Metro Detroit, being sought out for her specific teaching skills in acrobatics. She is currently working toward her Master’s of Arts from University of Michigan in nonprofit management.

    “When working with me in class you can expect to be pushed to your highest potential. My goal is to instill confidence in anyone who walks into my class, allowing them to take more risks which is where growth happens. As the NDF Youth program coordinator, I want to create an experience where dancers feel seen and valued. I strive to create a program where dancers have the ability to grow both technically and artistically. I want this to be an experience that they can take with them in the rest of their dance training. “

  • NewDANCEfest and U.P.rootEDD Director, EDD Director of Operations

    Ms. Chirio-Humenay graduated with a BA in Dance from Oakland University and joined EDD as a company dancer in 2012. From 2012-2020, she had the pleasure of touring, teaching, and performing with EDD. In 2018, through EDD’s Beyond the Stage Initiative, she was promoted to Company Manager and currently serves as EDD’s Director of Operations. Wearing many hats within the organization, Ms. Chirio-Humenay teaches at The School of EDD and directs several of the projects and programming EDD has to offer including the annual intensives: NewDANCEfest, The EDD Intensive, and the Winter Intensive. She is responsible for national booking and coordination of in-studio workshops, known as The EDD Experience, as well as educational and choreographic residency programs for school systems from elementary to college level. Ms. Chirio-Humenay also manages EDD’s EducatEDD programs which provide high quality educational materials and resources from knowledgeable and experienced professionals to the public and the dance community. A few of these programs include EDD’s monthly Pro-Tips, High School Dance Table Talks, and most recently An Insider’s Guide to Contemporary Dance online course.

  • Eisenhower Dance Detroit Artistic Director, Stephanie Pizzo, joined the company as a founding member in 1991. At various points in her dance career with EDD, she served as Resident Choreographer, Associate Artistic Director, and Co-Artistic Director. Ms. Pizzo now leads the company into her 6th season as Artistic Director. She focuses on collaborating with the highest quality national and international artists and creating strong ties within the metro Detroit community through the art of dance. Her recent dance for film work, The Five Tangos, inspired by the music of Astor Piazzolla and created in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Art and Zazu Creative Studio, featured each contemporary tango danced in an iconic Detroit location.

    Ms. Pizzo also believes in educational programming and youth mentorship as key tools to develop community connection. She works to use the art of contemporary dance both as a means to present beautiful, athletic, and engaging repertory and as a vehicle to reflect on and explore issues of social significance. She has set her choreography at Illinois State University, Texas A & M University, and Wesleyan University, along with having staged numerous works by Laurie Eisenhower on companies and universities throughout the United States. Her work has been presented in Tel Aviv as part of Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s production of The Light Show, at international dance festivals in Poland, and most recently on the Inside/Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow. A native of Clinton Township, Michigan, Ms. Pizzo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Oakland University. In 2009, she received a Distinguished Alumni or “MaTilDa” award from the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. She served as a special lecturer in dance at Oakland University for 12 years. Ms. Pizzo set new choreography for Texas Christian University and Texas A & M University in February, 2022.

    “When working with me in the C.R.E.A.T.E sessions, dancers will experience an environment of intense creativity and collaborative energy. My goal is to create an open and nurturing space that encourages dancers to explore new dimensions of their artistry. Our sessions will be both challenging and inspiring, fostering a space where dancers can take risks and grow.“

  • Nirvan Singh attended Western Michigan University on full academic scholarship as a Medallion Scholar. He graduated in 2021 with a BA in Dance and a minor in Business Management. At WMU, he performed in diverse works curated by WMU’s dance department faculty including an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake as Prince Siegfried, An Evolutionary Story written in the East Sea, Wingless Angels, and many more. He also performed in guest works by renowned choreographers including Paul Taylor, Aszure Barton, and George Balanchine. While attending the BalletMet Company Rep Week 2019, he danced works by choreographers Edwaard Liang, Gustavo Ramirez, and Justin Peck.

    Following graduation, Mr. Singh danced as an Apprentice with Eisenhower Dance Detroit and taught at the School of EDD. Throughout EDD’s 31st season, he had the opportunity to perform in newly created works by choreographers Maleek Washington, Norbert De La Cruz III, WeWolf, Stephanie Pizzo, and Laurie Eisenhower, as well as present his choreography at the Youth America Grand Prix. After a year away, dancing in numerous freelance projects and performing as a Guest Artist for Wellspring/ Cori Terry & Dancers, Mr. Singh is delighted to return to Eisenhower Dance Detroit as a Company dancer and Teaching Artist at the School of Eisenhower Dance Detroit.

    Youth: Ballet, Choreography Workshop

    Adv: Contemporary, Contemporary Partnering, Jazz, Improvisation and Exploration, setting new choreography

    “When dancers are working with me, they can expect an environment that cultivates exploration and a sense of personability. Since there is so much diversity in movement capabilities from one person to the next, I like to push the dancers to dig deeper into themselves and find what works best for their own bodies.”