Dancers
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Resident Dancers
Kelsey Bartman
Lindsey Burke
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Lindsey Burke trained at the ROCK School West studying ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. She continued on to the ROCK School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, under the direction of Bo and Stefanie Spassoff. She attended multiple summer intensives including Miami City Ballet and the Joffery Ballet. Lindsay then attended Point Park University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in ballet in 2014. She has performed in Ben Stevenson's End of Time, and Paquita. Lindsay also had the privledge of working with Joysanne Sidimus and was cast as the "Waltz Girl" in Serenade. Lindsay has also worked with MERZTANZ Contemporary Ballet and the Pittsburgh Opera in Daughter of the Regiment.
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Madeline Kendall
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Madeline Kendall was raised in Sacramento, California where she trained from the age of eight at Capitol Ballet Center under the direction of Stuart Carroll and Sharron Newton. In 2014, Madeline moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to dance with Ballet West, where she had the opportunity to perform in productions of Giselle, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, George Balanchine’s Symphony in C, and John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet. Over the past two years, Madeline toured the state of Utah as a part of an educational outreach called Ballet West for Children. She also performed as a guest artist in a production of The Nutcracker in Fairbanks, Alaska. More recently, Madeline travelled to Germany where she participated in a Cultural Dance Exchange Program with The Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin.
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Katie Miller
Katie received her early ballet training at Paavola School of Dance in Flint, MI. After graduating high school, she continued her training with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program and had the opportunity to perform with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Katie joined the Sacramento Ballet in 2010, and throughout her six seasons there, she was honored to perform a variety of works. Her favorite roles include the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake, the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, and the Second Violin in George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco. Katie has been a guest dancer with Texture since 2012 and joins this season as a resident dancer. Photo credit: Keith Sutter.
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Alan Obuzor
Alexandra Tiso
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Alexandra Tiso began her dance training in jazz, tap and contemporary styles at various schools in Tampa, Florida. At twelve years old, she changed her focus to classical ballet and modern with teachers Amanda Keeney and Mitsie Kraack. She was accepted into the dance program at Blake High School of the Arts where she studied under Albena Arnaudova and Kelly Rayl. Alexandra also attended training intensives at Orlando Ballet, the ROCK School, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet and Nashville Ballet. After graduation, Alexandra joined the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate program, where she danced as a trainee for two years before joining Texture Contemporary Ballet in 2012.
Alexandra has performed works by George Balanchine, Robert Moses, Alan Obuzor and Kelsey Bartman. She has performed on tour in New York, Chicago, Florida and at the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts. Alexandra is the youth director at Dancexplosion Arts Center and is on staff at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. Her choreography has been set on Texture Contemporary Ballet and Blake High School of the Arts. Alexandra is also artistic administrator for Texture. |
Brynn Vogel
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Brynn Vogel, originally from Sacramento, California, began her training at Capitol Ballet Center unde the direction of Stuart Carroll and Sharon Newton. At the age of 17, Brynn moved to Pittsburgh to study dance at Point Park University. While in school, she had the opportunity to perform in works such as Gerald Arpino’s Light Rain and George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie. Brynn graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Dance in 2011, and joined Texture the following year. |
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Guest Dancers
These are artists who have worked with us on recent projects.
Amanda E. Bailey
Amanda E. Bailey is originally from East Granby, Connecticut where she trained at Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts for 15 years under the artistic direction of Sharon Dante. While at Nutmeg Conservatory she learned the Graham Technique from Terese Capucilli. She graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Program while receiving the highest dance scholarship each year. Amanda has had the pleasure of performing in La Belle Danse choreographed by Jessica Lang, Very Instinctual by Cooper Verona, The Togethercoloured Instant by Peter Mertz, Valse Fantaisie by George Balanchine, Found Songs as the lead dancer by Gina Patterson and “Dew Drop” in The Nutcracker by Novodran Svetlana. She has performed with Lake Erie Ballet and has learned works by Mariah McLeod, Sarah Everheart, Victoria Mazzarelli, Barry Hughson, Kate Mehan, St. Amand and Lynn Peterson. Amanda is also an aspiring dance photographer.
Amanda E. Bailey is originally from East Granby, Connecticut where she trained at Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts for 15 years under the artistic direction of Sharon Dante. While at Nutmeg Conservatory she learned the Graham Technique from Terese Capucilli. She graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Program while receiving the highest dance scholarship each year. Amanda has had the pleasure of performing in La Belle Danse choreographed by Jessica Lang, Very Instinctual by Cooper Verona, The Togethercoloured Instant by Peter Mertz, Valse Fantaisie by George Balanchine, Found Songs as the lead dancer by Gina Patterson and “Dew Drop” in The Nutcracker by Novodran Svetlana. She has performed with Lake Erie Ballet and has learned works by Mariah McLeod, Sarah Everheart, Victoria Mazzarelli, Barry Hughson, Kate Mehan, St. Amand and Lynn Peterson. Amanda is also an aspiring dance photographer.
Corey Bourbonniere
Corey Bourbonniere is a native of Woonsocket, RI. Corey received his training with the State Ballet of Rhode Island, Heritage Ballet and most recently, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. He also spent a summer training with Texas Ballet Theatre. He currently dances with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as a corps de ballet member. His favorite roles include dancing as a "Stomper" in Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, the "Waltz Boy" in George Balanchine's Serenade and "Drosselmeyer" in Terrence Orr's The Nutcracker.
Corey Bourbonniere is a native of Woonsocket, RI. Corey received his training with the State Ballet of Rhode Island, Heritage Ballet and most recently, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. He also spent a summer training with Texas Ballet Theatre. He currently dances with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as a corps de ballet member. His favorite roles include dancing as a "Stomper" in Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, the "Waltz Boy" in George Balanchine's Serenade and "Drosselmeyer" in Terrence Orr's The Nutcracker.
Tyler Curry
Tyler Curry is a senior earning his Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Point Park University. Originally from New Orleans, LA, he spent four years with the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts where he studied musical theater and dance. Later, he moved on to Oklahoma City University where he had the opportunity to work with Jo Rowan and performed with the American Spirit Dance Company for one year. Since living in Pittsburgh, he has had the joy to work closely with Jill Randolph, Nicholas Petrov, Ron Tassone, Garfield Lemonius and Christopher Huggins on respective projects.
Tyler Curry is a senior earning his Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Point Park University. Originally from New Orleans, LA, he spent four years with the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts where he studied musical theater and dance. Later, he moved on to Oklahoma City University where he had the opportunity to work with Jo Rowan and performed with the American Spirit Dance Company for one year. Since living in Pittsburgh, he has had the joy to work closely with Jill Randolph, Nicholas Petrov, Ron Tassone, Garfield Lemonius and Christopher Huggins on respective projects.
James Gilmer
James Gilmer, a native of Pittsburgh and recent graduate of Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts school, began his dance training at age five. He has trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School for four years and attended summer programs including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Point Park University, the Chautauqua Institution, and American Ballet Theatre. In September 2009, James had the privilege to meet and perform for the First Lady Michelle Obama at the G20 Summit Spousal Program in Pittsburgh. In July 2011, James joined the Cincinnati Ballet. He is extremely delighted to dance with such wonderful artists as a part of Texture Contemporary Ballet.
James Gilmer, a native of Pittsburgh and recent graduate of Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts school, began his dance training at age five. He has trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School for four years and attended summer programs including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Point Park University, the Chautauqua Institution, and American Ballet Theatre. In September 2009, James had the privilege to meet and perform for the First Lady Michelle Obama at the G20 Summit Spousal Program in Pittsburgh. In July 2011, James joined the Cincinnati Ballet. He is extremely delighted to dance with such wonderful artists as a part of Texture Contemporary Ballet.
Temple Kemezis
Temple Kemezis began her classical ballet training at age 15 with the School of Nashville Ballet. In 2003 she was
asked to continue her training with teachers Dennis Marshall and Marjorie Grundvig in Seattle, Washington. Summer educational programs attended include Boston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, New York. She has performed with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Connecticut Ballet, Ballet Neo/Kate Thomas, Eidolon Ballet, BalletNY, DancesPatrelle and has also toured Peru with
SENSEDANCE. Some influential workshops that Temple has attended are the Northwest Professional Dance Project and Alonzo King’s LINES. Her favorite roles performed include Amaranthine Road by Henning Rubsam and “Dawn” in Coppelia.
She worked briefly as a Pointe Magazine contributor, and is presently the event manager for celebrity chef Chef Julian Medina of Toloache and Yerba Buena restaurants in New York City.
Temple Kemezis began her classical ballet training at age 15 with the School of Nashville Ballet. In 2003 she was
asked to continue her training with teachers Dennis Marshall and Marjorie Grundvig in Seattle, Washington. Summer educational programs attended include Boston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, New York. She has performed with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Connecticut Ballet, Ballet Neo/Kate Thomas, Eidolon Ballet, BalletNY, DancesPatrelle and has also toured Peru with
SENSEDANCE. Some influential workshops that Temple has attended are the Northwest Professional Dance Project and Alonzo King’s LINES. Her favorite roles performed include Amaranthine Road by Henning Rubsam and “Dawn” in Coppelia.
She worked briefly as a Pointe Magazine contributor, and is presently the event manager for celebrity chef Chef Julian Medina of Toloache and Yerba Buena restaurants in New York City.
Andrea Kozai
Andrea Kozai began her training in Boulder, CO and completed her Bachelor degreed with a double major in Dance and Exercise Science at Skidmore College. While at Skidmore, she performed the works of Jose Limon, Robert Battle, and the classical ballet masters. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City and worked as a freelance dancer. She performed all over New York and toured nationally with companies including Riedel Dance Theater, Ariel Rivka Dance, and Valerie Green/Dance Entropy. In addition, she launched a personal training business, Virtuoso Fitness, and presented several scientific papers at annual meetings of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. After seven years in New York, Andrea moved to Pittsburgh with her husband. Since arriving in the Steel City, She has completed her Master's degree in Dance Science and performed with Attack Theater and Bricolage.
Andrea Kozai began her training in Boulder, CO and completed her Bachelor degreed with a double major in Dance and Exercise Science at Skidmore College. While at Skidmore, she performed the works of Jose Limon, Robert Battle, and the classical ballet masters. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City and worked as a freelance dancer. She performed all over New York and toured nationally with companies including Riedel Dance Theater, Ariel Rivka Dance, and Valerie Green/Dance Entropy. In addition, she launched a personal training business, Virtuoso Fitness, and presented several scientific papers at annual meetings of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. After seven years in New York, Andrea moved to Pittsburgh with her husband. Since arriving in the Steel City, She has completed her Master's degree in Dance Science and performed with Attack Theater and Bricolage.
Isabella Mascio
Isabella Mascio, grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Peters Township High School. She studied with the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company for twelve years. She has performed Balanchine’s Snowflakes, Gold Birds, Circus Polka, Waltz of the Hours, Serenade, Western Symphony, Stars and Stripes and Who Cares? with PYBCO. Isabella has attended summer intensives at the Miami City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy. She has also performed Circus Polka with the New York City Ballet in Saratoga. She placed in the Top 12 for her classical variation in the Youth American Grande Prix semi-finals in Indianapolis. Isabella is thrilled to be dancing with Texture Contemporary Ballet.
Isabella Mascio, grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Peters Township High School. She studied with the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company for twelve years. She has performed Balanchine’s Snowflakes, Gold Birds, Circus Polka, Waltz of the Hours, Serenade, Western Symphony, Stars and Stripes and Who Cares? with PYBCO. Isabella has attended summer intensives at the Miami City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy. She has also performed Circus Polka with the New York City Ballet in Saratoga. She placed in the Top 12 for her classical variation in the Youth American Grande Prix semi-finals in Indianapolis. Isabella is thrilled to be dancing with Texture Contemporary Ballet.
Darren McArthur
Hailing from Niles, OH, Darren McArthur received his early dance training at The Performing Arts Center under Lisa Friend. Upon graduating high school, Darren attended Point Park University where he pursued at Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While at Point Park he had the privilege of performing works by several choreographers such as Gerald Arpino, Trey McIntyre, Kiesha Lalama, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Alan Obuzor and Ohad Naharin. Throughout the years, Darren has attended several intensive programs as well, such as American Academy of Ballet, Movement Invention Project and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Most recently, Darren has worked with FireWALL Dance Theater and is thrilled to be working with Texture.
Hailing from Niles, OH, Darren McArthur received his early dance training at The Performing Arts Center under Lisa Friend. Upon graduating high school, Darren attended Point Park University where he pursued at Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While at Point Park he had the privilege of performing works by several choreographers such as Gerald Arpino, Trey McIntyre, Kiesha Lalama, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Alan Obuzor and Ohad Naharin. Throughout the years, Darren has attended several intensive programs as well, such as American Academy of Ballet, Movement Invention Project and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Most recently, Darren has worked with FireWALL Dance Theater and is thrilled to be working with Texture.
Victoria McWilliams
Victoria McWilliams is currently woking towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at Point Park University. Before that, she trained at Tempe Dance Academy in Phoenix, Arizona and studied multiple styles of dance. Since starting her studies at Point Park University, Victoria has had the opportunity to perform in works by Dwight Rhoden, Ronen Koresh and Christopher Huggins. Victoria has trained at summer intensive programs such as Alonzo Kings LINES Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Dance Italia.
Victoria McWilliams is currently woking towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at Point Park University. Before that, she trained at Tempe Dance Academy in Phoenix, Arizona and studied multiple styles of dance. Since starting her studies at Point Park University, Victoria has had the opportunity to perform in works by Dwight Rhoden, Ronen Koresh and Christopher Huggins. Victoria has trained at summer intensive programs such as Alonzo Kings LINES Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Dance Italia.
Gabriel Gaffney Smith click here
for biographical information
Henry Steele
Henry began studying dance at the age of 16 in his homeland of Wollongong, NSW, Austrailia . Currently studying at Point Park University, Henry now resides in Pittsburgh, PA. Before dancing, he was a gymnast and developed into an elite Australian Representative and was the national champion on the floor exercise three years in a row. Prior to Point Park, he had the pleasure to perform Jessica Lang’s La Belle Danse. Since he has been at PPU, Henry has studied under Peter Merz, Nicholas Petrov, Kiesha Lalama, Judith Leifer-Bentz, Garfield Lemonious, Ron Tassone and Doug Bentz.
Henry began studying dance at the age of 16 in his homeland of Wollongong, NSW, Austrailia . Currently studying at Point Park University, Henry now resides in Pittsburgh, PA. Before dancing, he was a gymnast and developed into an elite Australian Representative and was the national champion on the floor exercise three years in a row. Prior to Point Park, he had the pleasure to perform Jessica Lang’s La Belle Danse. Since he has been at PPU, Henry has studied under Peter Merz, Nicholas Petrov, Kiesha Lalama, Judith Leifer-Bentz, Garfield Lemonious, Ron Tassone and Doug Bentz.
Amanda Summers
Amanda Summers is originally from Baltimore, Maryland where she trained at the Mid- Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts under the artistic direction of Shannon Torres. She was a consistent Youth America Grand Prix NYC Solo Finalist, placing second in the contemporary category at the regionals in 2009, and receiving a scholarship to Steps on Broadway at the finals in New York. Recently, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Fine Arts from Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Program. While at Point Park, Amanda had the pleasure of performing in Kiesha Lalama’s The Bench as the lead female, as well as works by Christopher Huggins, George Balanchine, Marius Petipa, Gerald Arpino, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Kristofer Storey, Val Caniparoli, Garfield Lemonius, Patrick Frantz, Nicolas Petrov and Peter Merz. She has attended summer programs at Boston Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ramblewood Contemporary Dance Intensive and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Amanda has also danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Sasha York
Originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia, Sasha York trained at Paavola School of Dance in Flint, MI. He later returned to Russia, where he trained with Urey Urivich. Sasha was accepted into the Pre-Professional program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and performed in company productions of Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. He has worked with many well-known choreographers such as Harrison McEldowney, Viktor Plotnikov and Septime Webre. Currently, Sasha is dancing with Ballet Nebraska.
Originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia, Sasha York trained at Paavola School of Dance in Flint, MI. He later returned to Russia, where he trained with Urey Urivich. Sasha was accepted into the Pre-Professional program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and performed in company productions of Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. He has worked with many well-known choreographers such as Harrison McEldowney, Viktor Plotnikov and Septime Webre. Currently, Sasha is dancing with Ballet Nebraska.
