School of Dance Alumni
Our Featured alumni go on to perform at the highest levels with award winning dance companies and on stages around the world, they lead, teach, inspire, and transform their communities through dance and movement in a variety of ways.
Featured Alumni 2010 鈥 Current
Lily Gelfand (BFA/HTC 鈥18) 鈥 is originally from Youngstown, OH and is a performing apprentice with David Dorfman Dance in NY. While at 91探花, Lily has had the pleasure of performing in works by David Dorfman, Kyle Abraham, and Joanna Kotze. As a skilled collaborative musician, Lily has accompanied class and composed for Molissa Fenley, Giada Ferrone, David Dorfman, and Davide Di Pretoro.
Corrinne Baily (BFA 鈥17) 鈥 is originally from Columbus, Corrine is a first-year company member and teacher with MamLuft&Co. Dance (ML&Co.), a Cincinnati based modern dance company. Certified Pilates Mat instructor. Find out more about Corrinne and ML&Co. at
Trezon Dancey (BFA 鈥17) - is from Hartford, CT and is in his first season as a company member with Dayton Contemporary Dance Co. (DCDC), an Ohio based modern dance company rooted in the African-American experience. Find out more about Trezon and DCDC at
Curtis Johnson (BFA 鈥15) - company with the West Virginia Dance Co. (WVDC), the only professional touring dance company in the history of the Mountain State. Also performed with Theatre West Virginia鈥檚 2015 summer season. Find out more about Curtis and WVDC at .
Kristopher Terry (BFA 鈥14) - is dancing professionally through GO 2 Talent Agency in Burbank, CA. Recently performed on the 2015 American Music Awards and touring with pop singer and actress, Ariana Grande. See Kris in action at
Michael O鈥橬eill (BFA 鈥13) 鈥 Current company member with RE/dance group in Chicago, IL that is dedicated to the presentation of dance theatre works that examine the many facets of personal, intimate human relationships. Read more about Michael and the company at
Kimberly Murry (BFA 鈥13) - Artist Services Assistant at The Yard. Former company member with Mordine and Company Dance Theater in Chicago and in NY she performed in BodyStories with Teresa Fellion Dance and served as the Rehearsal Director of Bryce Dance Company.
Earlyn Whitehead (BFA 鈥13) - is a movement artist residing in Chicago, IL. Currently, she dances and performs with Nico Rubio and his tap company, 333, and with Kelly Anderson Dance Theater. Earlyn is a teaching artist with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and on faculty at Dovetail Studios in Chicago, IL and SoleUnique Dance Complex in Aurora, IL. Find out more about Earlyn at
Megan Lee Gargano (BFA 鈥12)鈥 Founder, Director and performer for the Movement Project, a Cleveland based dance company. Learn more about the Movement Project at
Sammy Donahue-Roth (BFA 鈥11) 鈥 Performer and company manager for Nadine Bommer Dance Co., a NY based dance company founded by Israeli choreographer Nadine Bommer. The company performs both locally and abroad. Check out the company鈥檚 website at
Madeline Shrock (HTC 鈥11) Managing editor of Dance Magazine and Pointe Magazine in NYC. As an avid dance videographer and editor, she has worked on video projects for Bates Dance Festival and the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company in Southern California. She served as a marketing and education manager for Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and is a former assistant editor鈥攔esearch for DanceMedia's various publications.
Whitney Joseph - (BFA 鈥11) from Ohio enlisted the assistance of OU business majors to create a business plan for her dream to run a dance studio in Zanesville, OH. Their plan advised her to buy the building she had planned to rent in economically challenged downtown 鈥 which she did. Her business, Movement on Main, houses a thriving dance and fitness business, a community theater, and rental music studios.
Elizabeth Chestang 鈥 (BFA 鈥10) Instructor at SoulCycle; Dancer/Actor/Model with Bloc Talent Agency in NY. Former member of the Brooklynettes Dance Team, the official NBA dance team for the Brooklyn Nets. Check out Liz鈥檚 Dance and Performance Reel at
Featured Alumni 2000- 2009
Jesse Keller - (BFA 鈥09) is a member of Stephanie Batten Bland鈥檚 Birdlegs Dance Co. a company supported by Michail Baryshnikov鈥檚 NYC Center for Dance. Resident Director of Island Programs and Education at The Yard, a contemporary artist residency, dance and performance center in Chilmark, MA. Find out more about Jesse and The Yard at
Angela Nicole Patmon (BFA 鈥08) 鈥 Dancer at The Metropolitan Opera, Wideman Davis Dance, and dancer/model for MAC Cosmetics in NY. Former company member of Joel Hall鈥檚 Dance and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater鈥檚 second company.
Kelly Southall - teaches at George Washington University and is the Associate Artistic Director and performer for the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance company (DTSBDC) out of Washington DC with the company representing the USA on state department supported tours. In 2001 he won the U.S. Midwest Championships in Traditional Irish Dance and qualified for the 2002 World Irish Dancing championships. Find out more about DTSBDC at
Jessica Fox (BFA 鈥04) 鈥 is a movement artist and entrepreneur from West Virginia. Fox has several arts related business: JDG: The Migration Project (06鈥), a non-profit dance company which started in Washington DC, 4th Avenue Arts (鈥06) a 1923 Performing Arts Theater in Huntington, WV , and 4th Avenue Pilates (08鈥) the only certificating Pilates studio located in Huntington, WV. Fox holds an MFA in dance from Hollins University in collaboration with Forsythe Studios and the University of Frankfurt. She was a company member with CityDance Ensemble (DC), and has performed with KDNY Dance, and Troika Ranch. Fox is currently the Assistant Director of Recruitment for the College of Fine Arts at 91探花.
Caroline Londergan (BFA 鈥04) 鈥 Owner of the White House Pilates Studio in Redondo Beach, CA. She was the first to introduce the amazing benefits of Pilates to The White House, the United States Secret Service, and the Washington D.C. SWAT Team. Over the two-year contract with The White House she designed personalized Pilates and Yoga sessions for the members of Capital Hill, CIA Agents, Secret Service Agents and White House Officials.
Anna Sullivan (BSS 鈥04) 鈥 is the Artistic Director and Choreographer of the multi-media dance theater project, Anna and The Annadroids. Sullivan is originally from Columbus, Ohio and received a Bachelors of Specialized Studies in Choreography, Performance, and Cultural Anthropology from 91探花. Find out more about Anna and the Annadroids at
Megan Pitcher (BFA 鈥02) 鈥 Founder, Artistic Director, and Interdisciplinary Artist for Meglouise a collaborative movement and media-based performance group in Chicago. You can find out more about Meglouise at
Joshua Dean (BFA 鈥01)-鈥╥s currently an Adjunct Instructor of Dance at Pace University in NY and is a performer, choreographer, and aerialist. He has danced for the legendary Twyla Tharp and several NYC dance companies. He is also the co-owner of Aerial Art NYC and has performed aerial dance around the globe. Joshua is also a member if 2 Ring Circus, a NY based Aerial dance and performance company.
Check out Josh鈥檚 website at
Featured Alumni 1990 - 1999
Nathan Andary (BFA 鈥99) 鈥 is an Associate Lecturer on the dance faculty at 91探花 and holds a M.F.A. in Dance from the University of Maryland鈥擟ollege Park (2012). Nathan is a Laban/Bartenieff certified movement analyst and Somatic movement educator. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Ohio Dance
Christine Camper - earned four degrees from OU, starting with a BFA in Dance, an MA, and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction all from the College of Fine Arts, and a MEd from The Patton College of Education. Former Arts Coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education and Assistant Professor of Dance at Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Lesley Kennedy (BFA 鈥93) 鈥 2013 School of Dance Outstanding Alum. Certified AcroYoga Teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist, Pilates instructor, Reiki Healer. Danced with Mikhail Baryishnikov and Azure Barton in NYC. Member Doug Elkins Dance Company. NY.
Suzi Shelton (BFA 鈥93) - is a children's music recording artist who has been performing music for kids around her home base in New York City for the past 10 years. Growing up in Chesterland, Ohio, Suzi studied early childhood education and dance. Find out more about Suzi at
Kristen Daley (BFA 鈥92)鈥 Dance Department Chair and Professor at Sonoma State University. Toured and performed nationally and internationally with Doug Elkins Dance Company in NYC.
Regina Klenjoski (BFA 鈥92) - Founder and Artistic Director of Regina Klenjoski Dance Company (RKDC) based in Los Angeles.
鈥淩egina Klenjoski (is one) of the most active and ambitious dance makers leading Southland contemporary companies鈥-Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times.
鈥淎 dynamic, graceful and indefatigable presence鈥- Victoria Looseleaf, Los Angeles Times.
Find out more about RKDC at .
Featured Alumni 1980 - 1989
Jane Weedon (BFA 鈥89) 鈥 Therapist at Work Space in NY, specializing in Physical Therapy, Pediatric Physical Therapy, Therapeutic Body, and Infant Massage. Arts Administrator for Hospital Audiences, Inc., an organization that brings the arts to the mentally ill and developmentally challenged.
Sarah Gamblin (BFA 鈥88) - Associate Professor of Dance at Texas Women鈥檚 University. MFA from University of Washington, faculty member Performed and toured internationally with Bebe Miller Dance Co. in NYC. Find out more about Sarah at
James Adlesic (BFA 鈥86) - Location scout and manager for TV Show 鈥淟aw and Order鈥 in NYC. Recipient of a $7,000 grant for choreography from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Touring North and South America with Merian Soto, Pepon Osorio and other NYC-based artists. Performer in independent films.
Nick Carlisle (BFA 鈥84) 鈥 Dance Faculty at Lake Erie College in Painesville, OH. His extensive performance career includes membership in the Tom Evert Dance Company, Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels and MorrisonDance, as well as appearances with the Cleveland Opera, the Repertory Project and the Lakeland Civic Dance Company.
RoseAnne Spradlin (BFA 鈥83) - 2003 Bessie Award Recipient. Certified Movement Analyst, Body Mind Centering Practioner; Independent performer/choreographer, NYC, private movement therapist/educator. Former dance faculty at ADF in North Carolina and NYC.
Mimi Goese (BFA 鈥82) - 1990 Bessie Award Recipient. Currently recording with several composers and bands Hugo Largo and Delilah. Independent performance artist/singer, NYC.
Anne Lobst (BFA 鈥82)- 1989 Recipient of Bessie Award. Independent performance artist/actress; co-director DanceNoise, NYC.
Lucy Sexton (BFA 鈥82) - Producer of film and theatrical work in NYC. 1989 Recipient of Bessie Award. Independent performance artist, co-director of DanceNoise, NYC. See Anne and Lucy鈥檚 performance art work 鈥淜ing Tut鈥檚 Wah Wah Hut鈥 in NY.
Featured Alumni 1969 - 1979
Vanessa Bell-Calloway (BFA 鈥79) 鈥 A 1994 Recipient of 91探花鈥檚 Medal of Merit Award, Vanessa is a NY and LA based actress and dancer and has performed on stage, in films and for tv in productions like 鈥淒reamgirls,鈥 鈥淎ll My Children,鈥 鈥淐oming to America鈥 and 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Love Got to Do with It.鈥 She has also starred in several NBC and CBS sitcoms. Find out more about Vanessa at .
John McLaughlin (BFA 鈥79) - Recipient of Bessie Award. Formerly member Douglas Dunn Co., Served as visiting faculty member at the University of North Carolina after returning from teaching at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts; founder of 鈥淏efore the Dancing Company,鈥 in Perth, Australia. Current faculty member in Mississippi.
Nancy Allison Smith (BFA 鈥76) 鈥 An award-winning director/producer, choreographer and performer based in New York and recipient of 2002 91探花 College of Fine Arts Outstanding Alumna Award. In addition to extensive training in classical, world and modern dance techniques she is also certified in Laban Movement Analysis and ISHTA Yoga. Nancy鈥檚 award-winning films have screened at film festivals throughout the world. You can view a sample of Nancy鈥檚 work at
Linda Sohl-Ellison (BFA 鈥75) - 2006 Outstanding Alum of School of Dance. MFA, UCLA; professor at Orange Coast College in La; director/choreographer/performer, Rhapsody in Taps, Los Angeles; former member Jazz Tap Ensemble. Recently finished choreography project with Gregory Hines. Performing in California, New York City and Europe. Stikato, her dance for BYU received commendation at American College Dance Festival, '97.
Thomas Evert (BFA 鈥73) - 2005 Outstanding Alum School of Dance, Dancer/Choreographer and Artist. Former soloist, Paul Taylor Dance Co., NYC; former faculty, Cleveland State University and director of Tom and Susana Evert Dance Co. of Cleveland. Find out more about Tom Evert at
Deborah Riley (BFA 鈥72) - Currently artist-in-residence and administrator, The Dance Place, Washington, D.C. Recipient of 2001 Outstanding Alum of School of Dance. MFA, University of Illinois, former member Douglas Dunn and Dancers and Independent choreographer/performer working with Diane Frank.
Roger Preston-Smith (BFA 鈥72) 鈥 Performed on Broadway and in the touring companies for, 鈥淧eter Pan,鈥 and 鈥淎nnie Get Your Gun.鈥 Served as assistant choreographer for CBS movie, 鈥淕ypsy,鈥 starring Bette Midler.
JoAnn Fregalette-Jansen (BFA 鈥72)- Choreographer and performer in the movie 鈥淢ichael鈥 with John Travolta, other movie choreography credits include 鈥淭he Astronaut鈥檚 Wife,鈥 鈥淩emember the Titans,鈥 鈥淔ear and Loathing in Las Vegas,鈥 鈥淟ucky Number,鈥 鈥淭he Mexican,鈥 鈥淲hat Dreams May Come,鈥 鈥淩osell,鈥 Target and the X-Files. Writer, producer and choreographer for 鈥淒irty Dancing Havana Nights.鈥 Former member Dan Wagoner Dance Company; guest artist teacher at California Institute for the Arts.
Diane Frank (BFA 鈥69) - Faculty at Stanford University MFA, University of Illinois; former member Douglas Dunn and Dancers; independent choreographer/dancer working with Deborah Riley; former teacher, Merce Cunningham Studio.