Alan Obuzor - FOUNDER - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER - DANCER
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Alan Obuzor was honored in 2013 by Dance Magazine by being named one of the "Top 25 to Watch". Originally from Pittsburgh, Alan began dancing at the age of nine. Two years later he attended Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School(PBTS), where in 1998 he was a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Foundation Dance Honorarium. Alan received a contract to join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's(PBT's)professional company at the age of 17. During his seven years in PBT's Company, he danced a wide array of ballets ranging from classical to neoclassical to contemporary, which included principal and soloist roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Symphony in C, Carmina Burana and Divertimento 15. In that time he also worked with many world renowned figures in dance, and was selected to originate soloist roles in new works by choreographers Dwight Rhoden, Derek Dean, Matjash Mrozewski and Jiabin Pan. Alan began teaching in 2002; from 2007-2012 Alan was on the faculty of PBTS as one of the primary Pre-Professional Division teachers and choreographers. In the fall of 2012, Alan joined the teaching faculty of Pittsburgh Youth Ballet. Alan choreographed his first work in 2002 on himself and a fellow dancer. Since that time he has choreographed over 55 new works for Texture Contemporary Ballet, PBT, PBTS, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company, New Ballet Ensemble, Harvard Ballet Company, Point Park University, Dancers' Trust, Canton Ballet, Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and various independent projects. In 2011, Alan won first place in the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters Dance/Choreography competition. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of Texture Contemporary Ballet in 2011.
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Marjorie Liese - OPERATIONS MANAGER - FINANCE MANAGER
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Marjorie Liese is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She managed Carnegie Mellon University's Federal Credit Union for six years, then worked as an independent consultant auditing and managing credit unions for another seven years. Marjorie has been an active volunteer in the community for over 25 years for a variety of organizations, from co-ops to arts organizations, from parent groups to homeschooling groups, always serving as a treasurer. She successfully single parented and home educated four of the best children, her greatest accomplishment in life.
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Katie Miller - COMPANY & SCHOOL MANAGER
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Katie Miller is originally from Michigan and began taking dance classes at the age of three. She studied for many years at the Paavola School of Dance, spending summers at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s (PBTS’s) Intensive Summer Programs. She continued her studies at PBTS’s Graduate Program for two years where she had the opportunity to perform with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, attended Complexions Contemporary Ballet Summer Intensive, and also received private instruction from Giuseppe Canale of Northeast Academy of Dance.
She has performed with Texture Contemporary Ballet since 2012, danced with the Sacramento Ballet for six years, and had the opportunity to perform in The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Forever Balanchine: Farewell Performances at The Kennedy Center. The performances have ranged from classical, to contemporary, to tap, to neoclassical ballets exemplified by George Balanchine: Serenade, Chaconne, Concerto Barocco, The Four Temperaments, Who Cares?, Stars and Stripes, Western Symphony, and Rubies. Katie has taught at Paavola School of Dance, The School of the Sacramento Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School in their Pre-Professional Division, Summer Intensive, and Community Division. She has also choreographed for Texture Contemporary Ballet’s WIP Choreography Project. For several years, Katie has been doing wide ranging administrative tasks for Texture as an Administrative Assistant and Manager of Outreach & Community Involvement. She is also currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at St. Mary’s College of California. |
Madison McGrath - Administrative Coordinator
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Madison McGrath, originally from Illinois, brings a variety of experiences to the team. She began her career dancing with the Central Illinois Ballet before transitioning to the healthcare industry. After moving to Indiana, she worked as an Administrative Coordinator for Mattison Corporation, managing multiple clients. Recently relocating to Pennsylvania, in her free time, Madison enjoys boxing, traveling, and photography. Madison is excited to be back in the dance world and is eager to contribute her passion and experience to the team.
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Bob Steineck - LIGHTING DESIGNER - STAGE MANAGER - PRODUCTION MANAGER
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Bob Steineck has design credits spanning over 28 years that include concerts, ballet, modern dance, opera and theater. He is resident lighting designer for Squonk Opera, Mercyhurst University Dance Dept., Reed Dance and recording artist Maria Del Ray. Mr. Steineck has toured throughout the United States with such companies as Rennie Harris' Puremovement & RHAW, Squonk Opera, the Lyon Opera Ballet, Sankai Juku, Pheonix Dance Company, Kirov Ballet Academy and the America Tour for Stars on Ice. Television/Video/DVD credits include The Paranoid Firebird for Pillow Project Dance Company Astro-Rama for Squonk Opera, the Dizzy Gillespie Allstar Big Band for A&E Cable, the Spyro Gyra concert for PBS, Lindy & Loon for Maria Del Ray and Johnny a Trio by Warner Bros. Publications. He has designed for several corporate events and fundraisers. His most recent lighting designs include: Squonk's Off-Broadway production of Mayhem & Majesty, Inky and On the Rox for Off the Wall Productions, Love American Style for Rennie Harris' RHAW, Nothin' but a Word for RHPM, Jazz Furnace for Pillow Project at Historic Carrie Furnace, The Unofficial Guide...at Painted Bride Arts Center in Philadelphia and Hammerstep in Grinnell, IA.
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Mark Simpson - PHOTOGRAPHER
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Mark Simpson studied photography at Pittsburgh Filmmakers after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in History. Mark works as a full-time professional photographer specializing in commercial, event, and performance photography. He has photographed performances for several local universities and theaters including Duquesne University and the Kelly- Strayhorn Theater. Mark’s work has been featured in local and national publication including Pittsburgh Magazine and Natural History Magazine. He is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and is a board member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP). Mark currently resides in Mt. Lebanon with his wife and two daughters.
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Kelly Gallagher-Friend - GRAPHIC DESIGNER
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Kelly Gallagher-Friend is a graphic designer and artist from Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 2014 with a degree in Visual Communication Design with a focus in Graphic Design. After a few years in the marketing design space (and a global pandemic), Kelly started Your Friendly Kreative, a creative studio that focuses on brand development and authentic design. Through her wide array of personal and creative experiences, paired with her versatile eye for design, she’s here to guide you, not lead you through your project. She prioritizes active listening and developing a true connection to ensure she fully understands you and your unique vision.
When she is not designing and consulting with businesses and brands, Kelly teaches tap, acrobatics, and contemporary at DancExplosion Arts Center in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. She has worked with the competitive team for the last 8 years and her works have received numerous special, technique, and first overall awards. Kelly has also danced with and choreographed for Texture Contemporary Ballet (Unmeasured Rhythmn 2018, Open Air 2021) as well as choreographed for Texture Ballet School’s 2023 Spring Performance. |