Hanna Bricston
Ballet/Contemporary

Hanna Bricston grew up dancing and training in Elgin and Chicago. A graduate of Larkin High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Hanna joined River North Dance Chicago (RNDC) in 2004. During her 12 years at RNDC, Hanna served as rehearsal assistant, co-choreographer with Artistic Director Frank Chaves, and solo choreographer in addition to performing all over the world. Hanna danced in works by Mauro Astolfi, Robert Battle, Sidra Bell, Frank Chaves, Kevin Iega Jeff, Harrison McEldowney, Ivan Perez, Julia Rhoads, Anton Rudakov, Luca Signoretti, Lauri Stallings, and Sherry Zunker. Hanna has also worked with ODC (San Francisco) and Northwest Dance Project (Portland). Most recently, Hanna danced and served as assistant rehearsal director for two seasons with Visceral Dance Chicago.

Now, Hanna is creating her own company of work called Hanna Brictson and Dancers, which was honored to perform in Dance for Life 2018. She also directs and choreographs for her student group, Integrity Dance Company, based in the suburbs of Chicago. Hanna’s choreography has been set on River North Dance Chicago as well as Dance in the Parks (Chicago), MADCO Dance Company (St. Louis), and University of Iowa Dance Department. Her work can be seen in Kmart commercials (national), high school dance teams, and competitive dance studios throughout the country. Hanna has taught all over the U.S. as well as in Germany, Israel, and Russia. Recognized by Dance Magazine for her dedication to dance, Hanna has been nominated for Princess Grace Awards as a dancer and choreographer.

Leo Saron
Hip Hop

Leo has been surrounded by dance nearly his entire life. He is number three in a line-up of four siblings, all of whom dance. Leo started his formal dance education at the age of five, although no one would argue that he was learning hip hop movement at home well before that. He competed for two years at Eau Claire School of Dance in Eau Clarie, WI, before moving to the Madison area in 2015. At age ten, he began taking hip hop classes at MPDC under his mentor, Ariel Jaurez. At this time, Leo also started taking drop-in hip hop classes under Ariel Juarez at Express Yourself, dancing with dancers much older than himself, learning fresh choreo every week, and honing his hip hop skills and technique. In 2018, Leo joined the MPDC competition hip hop team. He competed for four seasons at MPDC, earning multiple awards for both group pieces and hip hop duets. He competed his final season on the MPDC hip hop team under the direction of his big brother, Max Saron.

Leo has also been a part of Barrio Dance in Madison since its opening in 2019, taking drop-in classes multiple times a week and attending workshops and master classes. He has been on the Barrio Dance Factory competitive team for the last two years. Leo has always gravitated to new opportunities, attending Reveal and Monsters dance conventions over multiple years. He has also joined the Milwaukee hip hop dance community, where he takes classes, teaches classes, has joined a showcase team, and has even danced during Milwaukee Bucks halftime events. In 2022, Leo earned a Monsters Dance Cast Nomination, which started a national adventure as he danced and connected with dance communities throughout the country, including Washington DC, Dallas, Nashville, and Chicago.

In November of 2023, the Barrio Dance Factory team won first place at the World of Dance competition in Chicago, earning themselves a spot to compete at the World of Dance Nationals this summer in Los Angeles. Leo and his team have been working hard since November to prepare and practice their choreo for this huge event! Over the course of this last year, Leo has also been teaching hip hop choreo at Barrio Dance as well as helping to develop large-group team choreography.

In addition to dance, Leo is a straight-A high school student. He is currently a junior, taking three AP classes and participating in Forensics, DECA, and lacrosse. Leo is also an active volunteer at Sun Prairie Community Schools, Prairie Music and Arts, and the Sun Prairie Youth and Families Commission.

Lilian Wilner

Certified trainer:

GYROTONIC^® Level 1
GYROTONIC^® Dancer Application
GYROTONIC^® Shoulder Girdle Application
GYROTONIC^® Jumping Stretching Board
Gyrokinesis® Level 1 Apprentice

My life is about the joy of moving the body. I believe that every person should be able to enjoy a healthy, strong, and flexible body, and it’s my mission to help people get there.

From the earliest age, I never really walked—wherever I went, I did cartwheels and danced. At ten, I began studying ballet, and soon I trained to become a professional dancer. I performed across North America as a soloist and principal dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grandes Ballet Canadiens, Alberta Ballet Co., and the Indianapolis Ballet Theater.

I first studied at the National Ballet School to learn movement sequences developed specifically for dancers. They were of great benefit to my dance students, but I was keen to find tools to help the broader population, and in 2008, I was thrilled to discover the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM^®. I could immediately see its remarkable potential to help the body connect to its innate abilities to move, heal, and restore itself.

In 2008 she was introduced to the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM^® and immediately recognized the value in it for all walks of life. After taking classes for several months, Lillian wanted to add it to her teaching skills. While going through the certification training courses, she was also preparing to have hip resurfacing surgery by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. John S. Rogerson.

I am excited to have founded Madison’s first studio offering Gyrotonic exercise, and I look forward to sharing it with you so that you can experience your body free of pain and full of joy.

Randy Duncan

Modern Jazz

A native of Chicago, Randy has the unique privilege to be a three-time recipient of Chicago’s prestigious Ruth Page Award for Outstanding Choreographer of the year. He has received numerous other awards including the Artistic Achievement Award from the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, three Black Theatre Alliance Awards for theatre and the Gay Chicago Magazine After Dark Award for his work in Apple Tree Theatre’s production of Hello Again.

He earned an American Choreography Award Nomination for his choreography in the blockbuster movie Save the Last Dance, starring Julia Stiles. Mr. Duncan’s work can be seen in the companies of Joffrey Ballet, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company, Bat-Dor Dance Company of Israel, Ballet Met of Columbus, Ohio and many others. While working in such theatres as the Goodman Theatre of Chicago, Manhattan Theatre Club in New York, South Coast Repertory in Orange County, CA, Actor’s Theatre in Louisville, KY, Washington DC Shakespeare Theatre, Court Theatre of Chicago and Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR, he has created original choreography for Hair, Carousel, Zoot Suit, Once On This Island, The Rose Tattoo, Amadeus, Antigone, Death and the King’s Horseman, Pirates of Penzance and the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined.

More recently, he returned from Yale University where he choreographed director Liz Diamond’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Randy continues his support for HIV/AIDS causes by donating his time and choreography to Dance for Life.

He is a proud member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Union as well as Actor’s Equity. In 1999, Mr. Duncan was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.

He was also inducted into his alma mater, Illinois State University Hall of Fame. He teaches worldwide and for the past 19 years has been on the faculty of The Chicago Academy for the Arts (CAA), where he now serves as Dance Department Chair.

Jess is a Madison based aerial dancer and coach. She is passionate about safely bringing the expressive freedom of aerial dance to all. She values continuing education striving to adapt and grow as an instructor and artist, and bring new and innovative ideas to her students.

Her classes are inclusive and offer a supportive learning environment for every body. Instruction is adjusted to individual student needs so that each can safely build a strong technical foundation, progress through skills at a comfortable pace, and explore movement and artistic expression in new ways. She has completed teacher training in Aerial Fabrics, Trapeze, and Lyra through New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), in Rope (corde lisse) through Born to Fly-Paper Doll Militia, and in aerial straps through Aaron Koz.

Kaitlin began her dance career in Chicago, IL. She has a true passion for the art that is dance and a passion for teaching.

Kaitlin has pursued her career in the dance convention & competition world working for Dupree Dance, HEAT Dance Convention and Activate Your Artistry. She has also worked as a performer in Chicago at Generation Rescue alongside Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy’s Fashion Show, Northern Illinois University’s dance team and several others. While performing in college, Kaitlin fulfilled her dreams of graduating college with a Kinesiology Degree from Northern Illinois University. Chicago has always been home for Kaitlin as she continues to extend her passion and love for dance at various studios and high school dance teams!

Kaitlin always knew teaching was where her heart lies. While her in-vigorous and fearless style has lead her dancers to the industry as well as achieving HEAT’s Supernova National Title with her piece “Lessons”. She believes the true success to a dancer starts with kindness, hard work and trust in your teachers!

Meet Your Yoga Guide: Sandy Homburg

With a passionate heart and a devoted spirit, Sandy embarked on her yoga journey over a decade ago, receiving her 200 RYT in 2011. Her dedication to the practice and eagerness to deepen her understanding of its roots led her to achieve the prestigious 500 E-RYT in 2016. Beyond the mat, her role as the Director of Teacher Training allowed her to inspire and mentor countless others on their paths to becoming skilled yoga instructors.

Sandy’s pursuit of knowledge didn’t stop with certifications. She further enriched her expertise by participating in numerous workshops, completing a Duke Integrative Medicine Certificate for Integrative Yoga for Seniors, and traveling to the ancient temples of India. It was there she immersed herself in the philosophy and history of yoga, enabling her to weave authentic insights and practices into her teachings.

Her teaching philosophy mirrors the openness and acceptance that yoga embodies. In Sandy’s classes, everyone is welcome, regardless of their experience level. She encourages students to listen to their bodies, make modifications when needed, and celebrate their own unique journeys.

While Sandy is well-versed in various yoga styles, her heart resonates most deeply with Meditation, Yin, and Slow Flow yoga. These practices, known for their rejuvenating qualities, perfectly encapsulate her belief in the power of gentle movement and mindful stillness. Through her guidance, students discover not only flexibility and strength but also a profound sense of inner peace and balance.

Join Sandy on the mat. Here, you’ll find a community where every breath and movement brings you closer to your truest self, all while being supported and uplifted by a teacher whose life’s work is to light the way for others.

Namaste.

Pato Cierna is the artistic name of Patricio Cierna Estrada, an Argentine singer and dancer.

In 2007, at the age of 8, Pato began his career as an artist until he was 14 years old at a Musical Comedy School in the West Zone, studying Singing, Guitar, Piano, Jazz, Hip Hop, American Zapateo and Theater.

In 2012 he began his work in theater, giving Hip Hop classes, until he reached the dance floor of the successful and popular TV show “Showmatch” at the age of 16.

In 2017, he won a dance scholarship in the United States and decided to travel every month during that year to participate and grow his dance level internationally.

He had the pleasure of working as a choreographer and dancer for different TV Shows for
Netflix (“El Marginal” and “Cielo Grande”), HBO (“Día de Gallos”) and Nickelodeon (“Kally’s Mashup”).
In 2018 he choreographed the opening of “The Olympic Games” held in the city of Buenos Aires.
Luis Fonsi, Sebastian Yatra, Emilia Mernes, Ysy A, Rombai and Angela Torres are some of the famous singers he had the privilege of accompanying as adancer on stage.
Since 2014 he has participated every year dancing and choreographing in “Dancing With The Stars” Argentina version accompanying figures such as Federico Bal, Lourdes Sanchez, Sol Perez, Florencia Vigna, Jesica Cirio, Agustin Sierra, etc.
From 2016 to 2018 he participated as a stable dancer of the children’s program hosted by the renowned host Lourdes Sanchez “El Universo de Lourdes”.
Finally, his career as a teacher began 9 years ago and since then he had thehonor of teaching in the most important schools in Argentina such as”Fundación Julio Bocca”, “La Estación de Danza”, “El Club de Danza”.

Roderick Phifer is a Charlotte NC native whose artistic passion is realized through choreography, dance education and performance. His experience ranges from commercial and concert dance training, which heavily influences his personal style in movement. He received early training from the North Carolina Dance Theatre under the direction of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia Mcbride, Dance Productions under the direction of Lori Oxendine, and mentorship of the late Denise Britz-Clark. As a young queer artist, expanding and exploring the language of dance outside of his home was always a major priority, which led to him training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He continued his education and earned his BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Shortly after, he transitioned and joined Philadelphia’s contemporary company BalletX as a company artist for 5 seasons.

During the pandemic, he shifted roles by joining Philadelphia’s Chocolate Ballerina Company as their rehearsal director, where he was also a part of creating and choreographing for Philadelphia’s first all black cast of the Nutcracker. Roderick is currently a freelance company artist with BIGKIDS dance, founded by Mark Caserta(2020), company artist and rehearsal director with Waheed Works, founded by Tommie Waheed Evans(2021). Dance Educator at The Rock School West for Dance Education, and Company Assistant Director at Touch of Class Dance Studio(2023). He has most recently joined as a faculty member with the National Heat Dance Convention in (2023).

Roderick has earned the opportunity to teach and perform on an international level, while also pouring his knowledge and passion back into the new generation of rising dance artists.

Isaac Knuteson
Contemporary

Isaac was born in Perm, Russia, and adopted at the age of 18 months. At age three, he started dancing. He went on to join a competition team, winning many awards and scholarships, and competed at national events including NYCDA and Dupree Dance, and was an assistant for Dupree Dance In 2021. He also competed at Yagp & placed top 12 in contemporary in 2019. He then trained in New York City for a few months with Broadway Dance Center, Steps On Broadway, and Peridance Center – on full scholarships – and was awarded college scholarships from Studio School of Los Angeles, Point Park, and a $60,000 scholarship to AMDA. Isaac is also a Go 2 Talent agency representative in Los Angeles and is also a Heart of Gold representative.

After years of competing in various styles, including hip-hop, tap, Modern, and jazz, Isaac decided to dedicate himself to ballet. He trained with Madison Ballet as a pre-professional/trainee under the direction of Rachelle Fochs, and with Central Midwest Ballet as a pre-professional under the direction of Marguerite Luksik. He attended numerous summer intensives at Ballet Austin, Point Park Dance, Kanopy Dance, Miami City Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Des Moines Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Visceral Dance Chicago, Madison Ballet, Nova Línea, & Oklahoma City Ballet – all on scholarships. He then attended Oklahoma City Ballet postgraduate division & Nashville Ballet & Miami City Ballet Pre-professional division.

Isaac was a guest artist and performed with Madison Contemporary Dance in 2021 & with New Brese Dance Company in 2023. Isaac also has worked and been mentored by some of the leading choreographers and teachers like Oliver Muñoz, Jason Ambrose, Anaïs Chalendard, Brian Stevens, Lourdes Lopez, Herman Payne, Chantel Aguirre, Craig Black, Terrill Mitchell, Nick Mullikin, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye & Tracie Stanfield.

Isaac has performed in many classical pieces such as “The Nutcracker”, “La Bayadera”, “Western Symphony”, “Paquita”, “Borreguita and the Coyote”, & George Balanchine’s “AGON”. He also has performed contemporary works at Nashville Ballet & Oklahoma City Ballet choreographed by Julia Eisen & Chloe Jenson. Isaac has worked with and performed pieces by Annie Franklin, Madison Hicks, Arizne Okammor & performed his work “Marginal”, Kameron Saunders & performed his work “Femme”, Braeden Barnes & performed his work “I am” & performed new works by Morgan Williams. Isaac has also performed at multiple dance festivals, “No Dance Festival”, and “Death Door Dance Festival”, & has taught at Water Street Dance Festival, & performed at Club Jete in L.A.

Isaac has begun to choreograph his own pieces, and his work has been winning many overalls and judge’s awards. His choreography has been nominated for the Industry Dance Awards for 2023. He also choreographed “Water On Water” for the trainees at Water Street. Isaac is currently dancing for Water Street Dance Milwaukee professionally for the 2023 spring/summer season.

Carol Marion Ceniti
Founder of the Madison Professional Dance Center (MPDC)
JAZZ – ACRO – BEMOVED – LEAPS/TURNS

Carol Marion Ceniti received her B.S. in Physical Education & Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been active as a dance instructor, performer, & choreographer nation-wide since 1982; training with professionals from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company, Wats On Dance, Jump Rhythm Jazz, Spectrum Dance Theatre, Nicholais/Murray Louis Dance Company, Joseph Holmes Dance Company and many more.

Carol served as Jazzworks Dance Company’s Artistic Director & principle choreographer since 1985, contributing 66 works to the company’s repertoire. Under her direction, the company has earned a reputation for being “sophisticated, technically proficient, & tremendously entertaining…” (The Wisconsin State Journal), & “one of the gems of Madison’s performing arts landscape” (The Overture Center). Carol’s choreography often combines movement vocabulary from ballet, modern & jazz dance. Her work has been described as “Innovative…charming & breezy…no clichés” (Dance International).

Some of the organizations that Carol has choreographed for include: The Amsterdam School of the Arts in Holland, The UW-Madison Dance Department, The University of Massachusetts, Bay View Performing Arts College, UW Whitewater Dance Department, Deerfield Prep Academy, The Overture Center, Ormao Dance Company, The Madison Opera, The Isthmus Jazz Festival, Tim Weisberg (music video), The UW Varsity Band Concert, The UW Dance Team, Illinois’ Dance for Life, Presentence DansTheatre, Milwaukee Kid’s Corps, CUNA Mutual Group (promotional videos), Wisconsin Dance Masters Association, The Wisconsin Dance Council, Madison Ballet, Kanopy Dance, Park City Dance Studio, as well as local high schools and churches. She has collaborated with numerous musicians and choreographers – creating multi-media works for stage and video.

Career highlights include: being commissioned to choreograph and perform at the Overture Center Symphony Hall’s Grand Opening Night in 2004; receiving 1 bronze & 2 silver medals at the International Choreographer’s Competition at the Jazz Dance World Congress; performing her work at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall as well as in Wiesbaden, Germany; receiving the Wisconsin Dance Council Leadership Award; being awarded two Choreographer’s Fellowships from the Wisconsin Arts Board; choreographing 2 winning pieces for the Overture Center’s Rising Stars Talent Competition, and receiving many overall awards and accolades at dance competitions throughout the years.

Carol was a personal trainer, gymnastics coach, and fitness program coordinator at CUNA Mutual Group ( as well as a dance instructor) prior to founding The Madison Professional Dance Center (MPDC) in 2001. She served as the owner & director of MPDC until June of 2023. She is now excited to focus on teaching and choreographing for MPDC.

VALERIE HOMBURG
Owner/Director

Valerie’s journey into the world of dance began at age two due to her inability to avoid running into inanimate objects. Unbeknownst to her parents, this problem-solving tool would quickly become one of the most essential aspects of her life. Valerie danced at several studios in Madison until finding her home at The Madison Professional Dance Center, where she studied under the care of Carol Marion Ceniti. Valerie has also trained with Jazz Dance World Congress, River North Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, and Central Midwest School of Ballet among other summer programs.

Valerie has performed in several of Madison Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker and was The Sugar Plum Fairy in Verona Youth Ballet’s production in 2011. She also had the opportunity to perform with the late company Jazzworks. Valerie graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies. While at UW, she had the opportunity to study many different styles of dance and choreography through elective courses and clubs. Additionally, she played an integral role in putting together and performing in a multi-faceted performance through UW-Madison’s OMAI First Wave, which combined contemporary and break dance with original music.

In 2016, Valerie co-wrote, produced, choreographed, and danced in “Pursuit,” a full-length show, telling the story of sacrifice and growth through movement accompanied by live original music written by Lo Marie and Invisibleman. Through this endeavor, she was able to provide paid performance opportunities for pre-professional dancers in the Madison area. Valerie has choreographed and danced in music videos for artists Lo Marie and Madison Malone.

In 2011, she turned her focus towards teaching and choreographing and has taught Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, and Lyrical at MPDC and other studios around the Madison and Milwaukee areas. Through her work with competitive companies, she has been able to choreograph award-winning pieces for dancers of all ages. Her hands-on approach and her focus on the development of the whole child lend themselves to mentorship, which is the most fulfilling part of her work. The rewards of teaching are boundless, and she is beyond grateful to have found her life purpose.

Throughout her teaching career, Valerie continued to receive mentorship from Carol Marion Ceniti.

In 2023 Valerie transitioned into ownership of the studio and is eager to continue learning and growing alongside her students and incredibly skilled faculty.

Michelle Ramos is an international ballerina, choreographer and teacher. She is a performance & choreography specialist with a focus on ballet, contemporary dance, and the development of the MindBody as an instrument of art. Ms. Ramos is a university professor and also teaches at conservatories, offers master classes for companies and creates original choreography. She continues to perform as a guest artist.

Pr. Ramos holds an MFA in Performance & Choreography on a talent and dean scholarship from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts; a BFA in Ballet and Contemporary Dance on a merit scholarship from Boston Conservatory; a Yoga teaching certification from the Perri Institute for Mind and Body in New York City and is an alumna of the National School of Classical and Contemporary Dance in Mexico City where she studied in the eight-year track as Ballerina Executant of Classical Dance and under the tutelage of Lourdes Trevino.

Jennifer Kletzinski
PT, MPT, OCS, WCS, CSCS

Born & raised in Madison WI Jennifer is honored to offer teens and adults of all ages a unique resource for specialty Physical Therapy and wellness through strength & conditioning, injury prevention and conservative injury management.

Bridging the gap between traditional rehab and fitness, Jennifer is passionate about running, women’s health, and holistic care. Jennifer grew up playing team sports and studying ballet from a young age. After having children she began endurance training in earnest. Jennifer completed Ironman WI 2015 as an Ironman Foundation athlete raising funds for Coaches vs Cancer WI. Jennifer enjoys training for road and trail races alike. She is an avid marathoner and repeat Boston Qualifier. She has completed five of six World Marathon Majors; last up: Tokyo. During downtime she enjoys reading, traveling, concert going, and time connecting with friends & family.

Nicole Nelson is a hip-hop teacher and dancer in the greater Madison area. In her students, she values a global mindset, hard work ethic, and an openness to explore and express. Her pursuit of dance and sense of adventure has taken her beyond the Madison area and even the U.S. to cities such as Florence, Italy, and Buenos Aires, Argentina to participate in shows, workshops, and conventions.

Her dance experience, however, began with musical theater, where she discovered her love of the arts, and dance in particular; her intensive dance training began much later when she was 19. When she isn’t teaching dance, Nicole is typically managing Barrio Dance and her clothing line, 1LIFE, or planning her next chance to travel.

She is excited to join the MPDC staff this year and share her passion for hip hop & street/social dance styles!

MPDC Performing Groups:

Senior Company

Adv Hip Hop Team
Teen Lyrical Team
Tap Team
Intermediate Hip Hop Team

Junior Company

Junior Jazz Team
Junior Lyrical Team
Junior Hip Hop team

AUDITION SCHEDULE

Age 13 & under:

Tuesday, May 10

6:40 pm Lyrical
7:10 pm Jazz

Wednesday, May 11

5:00 pm Tap
5:20 pm Hip Hop

Age 14+:

Wednesday, May 11

5:00 pm Tap

Thursday, May 12

7:30 pm Advanced HH team

Senior Co & Teen Lyrical Team

Sat May 14, Noon

BREANNA BRZEZINSKI

BALLET – MODERN – PILATES

Breanna first began dancing at the age of three and immediately found her greatest passion. She trained at Green Bay School of Dance for a few years but later moved on to train under Jeanette Makaroff of Makaroff School of Ballet in Appleton, WI. While with MSB, she was also a company member of the Makaroff Youth Ballet and performed roles including the little match girl in “The Little Match Girl” and Arabian in “The Nutcracker” at the Appleton PAC. She spent her summers going to summer intensive programs with the American Ballet Theater and the Rock School of Dance where she was trained by former professional dancers such as Ted Kivit, Robert La Fosse, and Alaine Haubert.

After high school, she attended UW-Stevens Point and received her BA in Dance, BS in Psychology, and a Pilates teaching certification through Balanced Body. While at UWSP, she was able to expand her dance education under the direction of Jeannie Hill, Joan Karlen, Pamela Luedtke, and Michael Estanich. She enjoyed exploring other dance genres she had never tried before: modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Ballet still remains her favorite dance genre but she enjoys teaching modern, basic movement fundamentals, improvisation, and Pilates.

Breanna is a descendant of the Menominee and Potawatomi tribes of Wisconsin. Growing up, she danced at pow wows as a fancy shawl dancer and so has a great cultural tie to dance as well. Breanna understands the cultural significance of dance around the world and aims to bring that knowledge to her students. Being a dancer of color, she hopes to create more representation and welcoming dance space for other dancers of color.

Outside of dance, Breanna loves to make Native jewelry, ride her horse, read, hike, and play with her cats, Nyx and Pumpkin!

Chris Xayarath

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Born in the suburbs of Chicago IL, Chris Xayarath started dancing in 2002. His interest in dance grew over the years as well as learning many different styles to this day; hip hop, jazz, jazz funk, and contemporary.

From 2007-2009, he joined Xtreme Dance Force in Naperville, IL where he had the opportunity to work personally with choreographers such as Kevin Maher, Matt Cady, and David Moore. Chris was also given the opportunity to open up for Hip Hop artist Soulja Boy at Northern Illinois University in 2008. He opened up for artist Fat Joe and Bruno Mars at the House of Blues September of 2010.

In 2011 and 2012, Chris performed and shared the stage with artists like Lil’ Jon, Ludacris, and Ciara at Chicago’s radio station 103.5 kiss fm’s fantabuloso concert. He recently worked with the Chicago Bulls Luvabulls dance team and was featured in Chicago artist Chance The Rapper in his music video Angels.

Currently Chris is working at Walt Disney World, Seaworld, and Universal Studios Orlando dancing in Festival Of Fantasy Parade, The Festival of Lion King show, Sesame Street Parade, and DreamWorks Destinations!

Sarah is the former coach of the nationally ranked University of Wisconsin Dance Team and a former member of the nationally ranked University of Minnesota Dance Team. Sarah is also a former instructor for West Side Performing Arts in Madison, Wisconsin under the direction of Sharon Butler. Sarah currently teaches for the Madison Professional Dance Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Sarah acts as a choreographer and consultant for studio-based, elementary, high school, all-star and collegiate dance teams across the Midwest. Sarah is also a former instructor and choreographer for Universal Dance Association, and is a veteran judge for the National College Dance Team Championships and National High School Dance Team Championships hosted by UCA/UDA and televised on ESPN.

Sarah is an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Sarah possesses over 30 years of dance experience in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and pompon.

Elizabeth Newberry began dancing at the Madison Professional Dance Center at the age of 3. Her passion for dance grew quickly and by the age of 10, Elizabeth was traveling to different states attending rigorous dance intensives such as Joffrey Ballet and River North Dance Chicago. Throughout this time Elizabeth continued her training with the Madison Professional Dance Center in various styles of dance.

Elizabeth was a member of MPDC’s Senior Company for 8 years. She competed in numerous dance competitions receiving over 15 titles as well as multiple scholarships for further extensive training at studios such as Broadway Dance Center in New York City and Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles.

Over the past 4 years, Elizabeth has traveled to Los Angeles to train with the top instructors in the commercial industry including, Brian Friedman, Dana Alexa, Hamilton Evans, and many more.

Elizabeth was fortunate to participate in WE Day, a youth empowerment event created by Marc and Craig Kielburger, as a part of their talent crew performing for thousands of people and alongside Ciara and Paula Abdul. She also has participated in other dance events/performances such as The Nutcracker and MPDC’s annual Dance for Hunger. In 2015 Elizabeth and her sister Jeanette Newberry won the adult dance category for Rising Stars Competition for their duet, choreographed by Carol Ceniti.

Elizabeth has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to train in various styles of dance over her years of training and is excited to begin her journey as a part of the MPDC staff.

Allison has been dancing for over 30 years and teaching for nearly 20 years. She received her training at West Side Performing Arts in Madison; the EDGE and the Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles; the Broadway Dance Center in New York; and Ballet Chicago.

She is trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop and musical theater and has taught a variety of ages and styles. Her classroom emphasizes technique, core strength, and encourages students to “dance with intent!”

Allison’s experiences include teaching dance at multiple studios in the Madison and Milwaukee areas, dancing competitively with teams and as an individual, choreographing award-winning pieces for several high school, college, and studio dance teams, performing in scholarship shows in Los Angeles and New York, and traveling nationwide for numerous convention circuits – both as a student and assistant. At these conventions, Allison received over 15 scholarships to study at studios in LA and New York, won the titles of “Distinguished Performer” for LA Underground/LA Dance Magic in the junior and teen divisions, and was a finalist for Tremaine Dance Conventions “Dancer of the Year” in the junior, teen, and senior divisions.

Allison received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from Edgewood College and lives in the Madison area with her husband, Tom, and sons, Ryan and Simon.

Breanna first began dancing at the age of three and immediately found her greatest passion. She trained at Green Bay School of Dance for a few years but later moved on to train under Jeanette Makaroff of Makaroff School of Ballet in Appleton, WI. While with MSB, she was also a company member of the Makaroff Youth Ballet and performed roles including the little match girl in “The Little Match Girl” and Arabian in “The Nutcracker” at the Appleton PAC. She spent her summers going to summer intensive programs with the American Ballet Theater and the Rock School of Dance where she was trained by former professional dancers such as Ted Kivit, Robert La Fosse, and Alaine Haubert.

After high school, she attended UW-Stevens Point and received her BA in Dance, BS in Psychology, and a Pilates teaching certification through Balanced Body. While at UWSP, she was able to expand her dance education under the direction of Jeannie Hill, Joan Karlen, Pamela Luedtke, and Michael Estanich. She enjoyed exploring other dance genres she had never tried before: modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Ballet still remains her favorite dance genre but she enjoys teaching modern, basic movement fundamentals, improvisation, and Pilates.

Breanna is a descendant of the Menominee and Potawatomi tribes of Wisconsin. Growing up, she danced at pow wows as a fancy shawl dancer and so has a great cultural tie to dance as well. Breanna understands the cultural significance of dance around the world and aims to bring that knowledge to her students. Being a dancer of color, she hopes to create more representation and welcoming dance space for other dancers of color.

Outside of dance, Breanna loves to make Native jewelry, ride her horse, read, hike, and play with her cats, Nyx and Pumpkin!

Bailey began dancing at the age of three.

From any early age it was clear that dance was the best outlet for her self-expression. Bailey’s dance development took place at Madison Professional Dance Center where she competed with the senior company for six years. She has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop.

While at MPDC, Bailey worked as an assistant for classes in ballet, modern and hip hop. She expanded her training further by participating in summer intensives with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, and Alonzo King Lines Ballet.

She is a rising senior at University of Wisconsin – Madison where she is studying neurobiology, psychology and global health.

Bailey remains active in the Madison dance community and is excited to share her passion for dance!

Holly Walker- Producer, Director, Choreographer

Acting

Holly Walker holds a double major in Business – Marketing and Theatre – Acting Specialist from the UW-Madison, and an M.F.A in Dance from the UW-Milwaukee.

Holly began her career as a performer. Acting credits include Nevada Shakespeare Festival, Ed T.V, Blade, Baby Face Music Video, X-Files, and Warner Brother’s Commercial, (Hulu Web Series) Battleground, and (Award Winning Web Series) Ethical. Dance credits include Madison Ballet – The Nutcracker, Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom – FL, (Dance Scholarship) The Broadway Dance Center – New York.

Holly has worked as a choreographer in Los Angeles with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and East/West Players. Holly has choreographed for Miller Genuine Draft’s Live Industrials in Milwaukee, WI & Orlando, FL. Holly relocated to her hometown of Madison Wisconsin, where she continues to choreograph, direct, in addition to producing for film and stage. Recently Holly started her own company – Shine On!LLC.

She also published and co-illustrated a children’s book called The Little Girl Who Shined Just Right. Currently, Holly is the Director of Theater at Madison West High School. Walker’s show credits include Fiddler On the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, A Chorus Line, Steel Magnolias, Juvie (Awards received WHTF), The Miracle Worker, Urinetown, Multico 17-19, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

In 2016, Holly was honored with a Tony Award Nominee for Excellence in Teaching.

Professional development