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Welcome to almost the end
of Dance Theatres 2011-12
season. We have an ener-
getic company eagerly an-
ticipating our April 14 and
15 concerts in Hall Audito-
rium. With 1 new appren-
tice member this semester,
plus the returning veteran
dancers, Geoff Fishburn,
our lighting designer, 3
student choreographers, 3
guest choreographers and me all setting danceswe
have a terrifc concert in the works!
I can`t believe how fast the semester has fown.
Spring Break seemed to be a bit early this year and we
are already in the second week back from it as I write
this. I had a personal 'high right before Break at the
National Synchorized Skating competion in the Bos-
ton area. I work primarily in the area of performance
with the teams and spend the most time with the
Senior team (the most highly skilled team of the three
that Miami supports). Well, the Senior team won the
performance award for their short program using the
music, 'Blue Suede Shoes! What a high know-
ing that the girls, who worked very hard and truly
deserved the award, partially won because of my
contribution. The trophy is a great remembrance.
Many of you reading this have fond memo-
ries of attending the American College Dance Festi-
val. DT has not participated the last 2 years because
of scheduling conficts. This saddens me because
of the artistic, more than entertainment, values the
Festival promotes. With so many dancers now com-
ing from competition backgrounds, they have not
had some of the historical and artistic experiences
that dancers all over the country had 10 years ago. I
hope the company can fnd a way to participate next
year. Our guest
choreographers
especially provide
a link to the strong
artistic side, espe-
cially in modern
dance, and the
company is very
fortunate to have
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Mi a mi Un i v e r s i t y | Sp r i n g 2 0 12
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Saturday, April 14 - 7:30pm
Sunday, April 15 - 2:00pm
Location: Hall Auditorium
Tickets: Free to Miami students with ID in Shriver Center and at
the door; $6 in advance and $8 at the door for students/seniors; $10 in
advance and $12 at the door for general admission.
Join us after the Saturday evening concert for a Talkback session
where audience members will have the chance to meet the choreogra-
phers and dancers, discuss the performance, and offer feedback.
For ticket information, call 513-529-3200 | www.muohio.edu/dancetheatre
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Editor: Sally Stearns
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CAROLINE FARRIS, SENIOR
I
ts been an incredible four years, thats for
sure. Dance Theatre has raised me well, but I
cant stay forever. Whats to come next for me?
Frankly, I don`t know yet, but I do know I have
written way too much about myself over the past
four years, and I would like to take this opportunity
to thank Dance Theatre as a whole- past and pres-
ent- for helping mold me into the college graduate I
am soon to become.
Stumbling into the studio as a gangly
freshman, I found an amazing group of women who
took me in and who taught me so much. As a young
member, I saw Dance Theatre as a great pastime,
a hobby, but it did not take me long to realize how
valuable it really was. Now, as a senior comparing
myself to my peers, many people I know don`t do
much. They go to school, and after they leave the
classroom, they turn their minds off. Working as
a group and striving towards goals each semester
requires strength and productiveness. Keeping busy
and staying productive are hard aspects to measure,
and to this day it amazes me that some people could
care less about them.
Take a second and think about how blessed
we all are/all were, to be on the dance foor at
Miami University. We expanded our minds outside
the classroom. This is a conscious choice we have
all bravely made, and we are doing far more than
getting by. We have chosen the path of business and
productiveness, and now I know I can`t settle for
laziness. We all have Dance Theatre to thank for
things we may not even realize yet. I have a strong
feeling I will credit DT for more later than I can
even imagine now.
Anticipating my future, I know I will be
among great company who came from this great
company. DT alumni lead, inspire, and make a
difference. I am eager to join the group of strong
women and men who have graduated from this
company, and I could not be more thankful for this
dynamic, inspiring, awesome experience.
the fnancial support from the Patron Program to fund
the choreographers honorariums.
So join me in supporting the company with
your presence at our concert. Wed love for you to feel
the excitement with us!
Lana Kay Rosenberg
March 20, 2012

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DT Spring Newsletter | 2
Stumbling into the studio as a gangly
freshman, I found an amazing group of women who
took me in and who taught me so much. As a young
valuable it really was. Now, as a senior comparing
requires strength and productiveness. Keeping busy
and staying productive are hard aspects to measure,
and to this day it amazes me that some people could
Take a second and think about how blessed
Miami University. We expanded our minds outside
the classroom. This is a conscious choice we have
getting by. We have chosen the path of business and
things we may not even realize yet. I have a strong
Sophomores
Kristin Bell and
Carly Kennell met
Mary Poppins at
Disney World over
Spring Break, later
learning it was DTs
own alumni Jenna
Green!
@4A%0B/*5 )/ !'
G
wendoline Caniceiro Miranda, or Gwendy
for short, is not your typical dancer. Rather,
Gwendy was born overseas in Luxemborg to
Portuguese parents. She started dancing when she was
8 years old, beginnng with ballet and then taking up
jazz and modern dance at the age of 12.
She came to Miami in August of this year, and
wanted to continue dancing while she was here. She
attended the Dance Theatre Winter Concert, and knew
she wanted to join the company.
'I was looking for a group that does what I
love to do everday. I didnt want to lose my technique,
and wanted to meet new people, and I found a home in
Dance Theatre, Gwendy said.
Dance in Luxembourg
compared to dance here
is fairly similair, remarks
Gwendy. She says learning
American dance was not a
very hard transition, because
the moves are generally the
same.
Its the names and
titles of dance moves that
are different, but I caught on
quickly, she said.
Dancing means the world to Gwendy.
To me, dancing is putting in movements what
I feel, she said. 'It is talking without actually talking.
You can dance when youre happy and you can dance
when youre sad, its something that is always there.
When asked what she will miss most once she
graduates and returns home, Gwendy said the girls of
Dance Theatre without a moment of hesitation.
'I only joined in January but I feel like I am al-
ready so close to these girls, she said. 'Practicing and
being goofy with the girls each day is what has made
my experience already so memorable.
Based on her own experience, Gwendy offers
advice for both veteran and up-and-coming dancers.
My advice would be to never quit, she said.
When I was young, I wanted to stop danc-
ing so many times, but I never did and I am so happy
that I didnt.
That hard
work pays
off, some-
times in ways
you may not
even notice.
!' CDE: FEGD+!
D
ance Theatre doesn`t just stick to it`s own
schedule. Rather, the company travels outside
the walls of Phillips Hall and performs in a
variety of events on campus each year, showcasing
their talent and supporting the arts.
On February 2, Dance Theatre performed in
Valentunes, a Charity Beneft concert for Mr. Hol-
lands Opus Foundation hosted by Tau Beta Sigma.
Among performers such as the Cheezies, Remnants,
Miami Twirlers, and the Miami University Gospel
Singers, Dance Theatre performed a piece from the
Fall concert by senior president and choreographer
Caroline Farris.
Its always
great to collaborate
with other groups on
campus for a good
cause, Caroline said.
There are so many
different talented artists here, and Valentunes really
showcased Miami`s talent!
Junior Sami Ackard also enjoyed performing in
Valentunes.
It was so nice to be performing for a differ-
ent audience and at a different venue. It was much
less stressful, so we were able to do what we do best. I
DT Spring Newsletter | 3
Gwendy Miranda
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REBECCA TALDA
W
hen I was
three years
old, I watched
the American Ballet
Theatre Nutcracker
Ballet starring Mikhail
Baryshnikov and Gelsey
Kirkland, and I was in
love. From that mo-
ment on dance became
my passion in life, and
I dreamed of one day
becoming a ballerina
and dancing for crowds
of a thousand peo-
ple. Dance for me
was always a place where I could channel the frustrations
and emotions I encountered each day. It was one of the
few places I felt comfortable enough to express myself. I
learned many things during my time dancing.
When I came to Miami University, I hoped
that I would be able to continue to dance as an
activity on the side, something fun to do outside
of classes. Unfortunately, I was only able to take
dance classes a handful of times during my frst
year. Although I did not know it then, I have since
realized how much I missed it. The transition from
high school to college was not an easy one for me,
and I think part of the reason for this was that I no
longer had dance in my life and a group of people
in my life who could relate to the side of me who
loved to dance.
Dance Theatre came into my life when I
missed dance the most, and I will be forever grateful
for that. It gave me an opportunity to fnd my home
away from home here at Miami. It has just recently
hit me that I may not be able to be a member of, or
dance in, a group like this again, and that saddens
me. Dance Theatre was a huge part of my college
experience and I want to thank Lana Kay and all the
girls who were a part of this company during my
three years as a member.
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think we gained a lot of fans from it too! she said.
Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, is a cul-
tural event hosted by the Indian Student Association
each year. This year, Dance Theatre performed a dance
that sophomore Kristin Bell created in company tech-
nique class, which was transformed into a full piece
for the show.
'Performing in Diwali was a great experience
because not only did we get to do what we love, per-
forming on stage and sharing what we`ve been work-
ing on, but we had a part in a truly magical event. I felt
part of something even bigger, Kristin said.

DT Spring Newsletter | 4
Dance Theatre Executive Board: Sami Ackard, Kristin
Bell, Bridgette Rawlins, Danielle Salomon, and Caroline
Farris
W
hen I came to
college, I wasnt
sure whether or
not I would have the op-
portunity to dance again.
Dance has always been an
integral component of my
life and has been the driv-
ing force in almost every
major decision I have made.
I knew that Miami Univer-
sity had a dance company,
but was hesitant as to what
this company entailed.
Dance Theatre is that and
so much more. Whether I was having a night of late
rehearsals, getting the opportunity to choreograph my
own work, or simply getting a change to know the
amazing women in DT, every moment was a chance
to get to do what I love most. In all honesty, Dance
Theatre has helped me get through college without
losing my mind. It provided balance and stability
when I sometimes felt like my world had turned into a
whirwind of endless exams and lab reports.
What makes DT such a great organization is
the people. College is all about meeting new people
who are interested in different things, yet is nice to
have a group of friends that all love something just
as much as you do. I loved how we would share and
obsess over dance YouTube videos with each other
on facebook. I loved how excited we would be when
we ran into each other going to class. I loved how we
had little traditions before a performance and when we
would pump each other up in the wings before run-
ning on stage. There are hundreds of little moments
like these that I loved. This is what makes DT more
than just a dance company.
Dance Theatre has shaped my college experi-
ence, and I am so grateful and privileged to be a part
of such an amazing organization. I want to thank all
the members of Dance Theatre and Lana Kay for
always being there and pushing me to expand my
boundaries. I became a more complete, well-rounded
dancer because of Dance Theatre and the different
opportunities it presented to me.
BRIDGETTE RAWLINS
S
hannon Vroom has cho-
reographed four pieces for
Dance Theatre since she
graduated from Miami.

'I love to come back to the
studio where there are so
many memories and to see
dancers and students who are in the
same postion I was. Its neat to see
whats changed, but at the same time
everythings pretty much the same,
which is reassuring, she said.
Shannon was inspired for her
piece by the book War of Art by Steven Pressfeld, which
she said is about about how inspiration comes when you
work really hard. She believes inspiration will plant itself in
your mind; you cant search for it.
There are fve dancers in her piece, who
were chosen because of their technical talent as
well as organic quality.
'I look for dancers who can dance into the
foor and take a piece of choreography and make
it their own, Shannon said.
Shannon now lives in San Fransico with
her husband and two year old daughter. She owns
a design studio with her husband, and still dances
quite a bit.
She has a fond memory of her time in
Dance Theatre.
I made some lifelong friends in Dance
Theatre. I grew into myself when I was in this
company. It gave me a lot of self confdence and
the neatest thing was being able to create things
from start to fnish with people you love.
SHANNON VROOM
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DT Spring Newsletter | 5
A
fter
gradu-
ating
from Miami in
1998, Joanna
Kotze has come
back almost
every year since
2004 to choreo-
graph for Dance
Theatre.
Her piece
for the Spring
Concert, entitled
Here, There, is a trio of dancers.
I wanted to do a portrait of three people and
the relationships between them and what can be drawn
out from there, Joanna said.
Joanna is a professional modern dancer from
New York City, so she adapted a lot of what she`s
working on in New York for her piece.
For me, its important to leave something with
the students and give them something to take out of it.
My goal is to make a piece but have the dancers learn
something, she said.
The unique element of Joannas piece is that it
was learned in the short time of just fve days.
She chose dancers with a great attitude and
spirit who really connect to dance in some way.
My movement style is different from what
they are normally used to, so they have to be willing
to dive in and be willing to do something really differ-
ent, she said.
In New York City, Joanna makes her own work
and dances for several independent choreographers.
She majored in Architecture at Miami, and makes sure
to touch base with company director Lana Kay each
year because of the signifcant impact Dance Theatre
made on her life.
JOANNA KOTZE
G
uest choreographer Gregory Robinson is especially
inspired by music.
Choreographing his sixth piece for Dance Theatre,
entitled Dream Journal, Gregory made sure to chose the perfect
song.
The music is a tribute to Philip Glass, a composer and
musician of whom he has a person admiration. Its his 75th
birthday, so I wanted to pay a special tribute to him, Gregory
said.
Instead of coming up with the steps frst, Gregory
chooses the music. I really have to absorb the music and lose
myself in it. I have to know it inside out, he said.
Five dancers are featured in his dance, and he wants to
use more human, everyday costumes to clearly illustrate his
meaning.
Gregory also gets inspiration from the dancers in the
company. 'By making a piece of mine their own, they inspire
me in more ways than one, he said.
Gregory has been a Freelance teacher and choreogra-
pher in Dayton since 1980.
GREGORY ROBINSON
DT Spring Newsletter | 6
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Philip Glass
JOANNA KOTZE
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DT Spring Newsletter | 7
I
joined Dance Theatre the
frst semester of my fresh-
man year, and have been
involved heavily ever since.
This will be my ffth perfor-
mance and 2nd time choreo-
graphing for the company.

I come from a competition
background, so I was raised
with high energy and high
intensity dances. For those of
you who are unaware of the
competition world, it is a very
driven one. There are eleven-
year-old girls who dance better
than I ever could, even after
my 18 years of training. It
sometimes gets a bad repu-
tation however, because of shows like 'Dance
Moms or 'Toddlers and Tiaras. You know,
shows that everyone watches but is too embar-
rassed to admit it. Despite that, it is a great world
to grow up in, and I think that is where I devel-
oped a lot of my drive and motivation. Coming
to college, I was nervous to leave that world, but
was pleased to fnd a place like Dance Theatre.
One of the reasons Dance Theatre was so ap-
pealing to me was that it focused much more on
the artistic aspect of dance, which I could excel
in. There was so little focus on tricks and fashy
costumes, and more about the movement. In my
frst piece, I attempted to encompass that abstract
quality. However, I ended up straying away from
it in the end, and produced an uplifting and un-
complicated dance instead.
In my dance this semester, entitled Har-
rowing Reverie, I have incorporated my current
training, with a lot of my previous training. In my
opinion there is a good balance between stylized
movement and athletic movement. Using the
music of three very different composers: Zedd,
Edvard Grieg and Road Hawgs, this dance is un-
complicated, with no abstract theme; I just want
the audience to enjoy it and not rack their brains.
ALEX HINTON
SAMI ACKARD

As a member of Dance The-
atre my freshman and sophomore
years, it has been an incredibly
rewarding experience. The com-
pany is able to teach each other
and learn from each other, which
helps everyone grow as dancers.
Being a sophomore, I decided to
challenge myself by creating a
piece for the upcoming concert in
April. My piece, entitled Take It
Away, consists of contemporary
movement supported by distress-
ing emotions. Working with my
dancers has given me the oppor-
tunity to channel my creativity
through a group of hard working girls.
Ill never forget the amount of time I spent
choosing the perfect song for my piece. I sat in my
director Lana Kay`s offce for hours debating what
song was best suited for my style. William Fitzsim-
mons is the singer and songwriter of my dance, but
there are three different versions of this song, which
made it diffcult to settle on the right one. During
my rehearsal I would play the three versions of this
song and have my dancers dance to each of them
until they felt like the music matched their move-
ment. Having seven dancers in a piece with three
options seemed like there would be many opinions,
but fortunately we all agreed on the exact same
song.
Although this piece will defnitely appear
in a solemn nature, I want the audience to interpret
the dance through their own perspective rather than
basing it off my individual story.
The quote I presented to my dancers when
we began working on this piece was the following:
'Sometimes you`re fush and sometimes
youre bust, and when youre up, its never as good
as it seems, and when you`re down, you never think
youll be up again, but life goes on. David McK-
enna.
This quote allowed me to express my inspi-
ration behind creating this piece and I was able to
depict some of the lyrics for my dancers to show
them the quotes relation to the music.
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3J40#1 +%,-
Sue Stoltz Nason (1972 and
74) had a hip replaced in No-
vember and is doing great!
Kathryn Graham Craft (1978
and 80) agent says her novel,
Dance of The Fallen Sorrow, is
ready to go out! She`ll be shop-
ping it to publishers starting next
week. 'I`m eager for this new
phase of the process to begin.
Other than that Im still a free-
lance developmental editor and
writing coach. Through Dave
I now have fve grandchildren,
and were headed to Hungary
in June to see his daughter get
married, with a stop in Denmark
to see my brothers new baby.
My son Jackson, 24, is in grad
school for voice performance
and opera at Eastman School of
Music in Rochester, NY. Marty,
22, is graduating from Drexel
University in June with a major
in civil engineering with a traffc
engineering emphasis.
Anne Mercier (1989) met up
with Lana Kay in Rouen, France
in February when she was there
for a skating competition. It was
fantastic to see her and know
that she is still dancing!
Joanna Kotze (1998) is thrilled
to be choreographing for Dance
Theatre again this year. I had
a great week at Miami in January
where my trio worked very hard! I
am still living with my husband, Jon,
in Brooklyn, NY and dancing up a
storm. I have a fellowship through
the Alvin Ailey Foundation work-
ing with ten college students in their
Fordham/Ailey dance program. We
will work for seven weeks and have
a couple of showings of our process
together. I also have a residency and
commission at New York Live Arts
(formerly known at Dance Theater
Workshop) where I will have show-
ings of a work in progress on June
1 & 2. I am also working in projects
by two other choreographers, one
with whom I will be going to Israel
this summer! You can always see
updates aboutof her work on her
website at: www.joannakotze.com
Melissa Bloch-Meier (1998) still
in the Milwaukee area, is working
on 4 musicals now. One is the an-
nual performance of the singing and
dancing group, Accompany of Kids,
that Ive been involved with since
I was 13. Then theres Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
for a community theater, Seussical
the Musical for a high school, and
Beauty and the Beast Jr. for a middle
school. So, between that and my real
job, I`m staying plenty busy!
Allyson Esposito (2000) is still
dancing/choreographing/arts ad-
ministrating (The Space/Movement
Project in Chicago). The company
performed last June at the Joyce
SoHo and just performed a new
piece at The Dance Center of Colum-
bia College Chicago, along with two
other local artists. This is the largest
venue in which we have presented
our work to date, and represents a
big turning point for our group!
Exciting. Their website: www.
thespacemovementproject.org.
they are returning to Cincinnati
as part of the Fringe Festival in
June. She is still working full
time as a program offcer for a
family foundation and enjoying
her second year of marriage to a
great guy.
Lindsay Chichester (2001) says
life in Arkansas is going well.
With my job at Walmart, Im
doing some great international
work travel - I have been to Bra-
zil and China recently. She is
preparing for her September 22
wedding and Alaina Diamond
(2003) is a bridesmaid.
Nikki Few (2002) is teaching a
ballet and modern dance class
this semester on Miamis Hamil-
ton Campus.
Amanda Wentworth (2002)
just starting a new position as
a principle yoga teacher at the
Vanderbilt Integrative Health
Center where I will be teaching
to hospital clients recommended
to alternative healing therapies.
Yoga therapy isnt new, but
this way of reaching out to the
unhealthy populations of soci-
ety is. One of the most exciting
parts of my new job is that I will
be working in a ground break-
ing research study with a doctor
from Harvard on yoga and kid-
ney disease. Really fascinating
stuff that can make a tremendous
impact in the quality of peoples
lives. So I have been super busy
with starting this up as well as
teaching my third annual teacher
DT Spring Newsletter | 8
training in NYC again this year.
All good developments!
J Catilin Ringness (2004) met
up with Lana Kay in Paris,
where she lives and is defnitely
thriving! Lana Kay was on
her way to Rouen, France for
a skating competition. Cait is
going to language classes to
immerse herself in the French
language (although she sounds
wonderful to my ears) and
is a free lance photographer.
Lisa Petersen Snyder (2004)
is still in Chicago and she and
Andy are expecting their frst
child in August.
Jen Strickland de Salazar
(2005) has passed all of her
ordination exams and is one step
closer to being ordained in the
Presbyterian Church (USA). 'I
will graduate from Princeton
Seminary in May and move back
to Columbus, OH where my hus-
band and dog await me. Look-
ing forward to this next chapter
of life! Over the holidays Toffy
and I traveled with my parents to
Korea and the Philippines for 2
weeks.
Carissa Reppert (2006) says
things are good in Arizona.
'One more week until Spring
Break! I can feel the lack of
motivation creeping in already. I
am really thinking about looking for
a new type of position, but I dont
really know what that is yet. Maybe
something with historical societies,
or creating historical lessons for a
foundation that allows teachers to
access them online. Next year will
be 5 years already, which was my
goal, but I dont see myself in the
classroom too much longer. I am
dancing with a ballet studio in their
senior company. I am truly senior
in age compared to most of the girls,
but they are great fun to be around.
I have been in the Nutcracker again
for the past two years- I forgot what
a rush it is to be onstage.
Margaret Donohue (2006) and
Russ had Lucy in early March!
Marge is already back teaching
dance.
Shannon Gierl (2007) is doing
more hot yoga and working out
rather than running. Work is good,
but she is interviewing with another
company. I moved into a house in
Oakley (Cincinnati) with my brother
and we have a pit bull!
Jess Carthen (2008) is still in the
Netherlands and has developed a
partner yoga workshop. Working
with a Serbian ex dancer colleague
of mine, they designed their own
duo yoga sequences, and did a 3
hour workshop last month. She has
started teaching at the studio where
she studies and enjoys the freedom
she is granted for giving lessons.
Basically what I do is choreograph
a nice yoga/dance inspired fow for
an hour and share with wonderful
people. What a job!
Nikki Few (2002) has hopes of
teaching modern and ballet next
semester on Miamis Hamilton
campus.
Nick Sizemore (2004) attended
a black tie beneft for the Paul
Taylor Dance Company March
15 at Lincoln Center with
Denise Baker (2005). We saw
the company`s New York Pre-
mier of The Uncommitted.
It was amazing! We both were
sharing such fond memories of
DT and we wanted to say hi!
Denise Baker (2005) is danc-
ing like a crazy woman these
days,
spending
about 6-8
hours at
Dance New
Amster-
dam taking
classes and
loving it! And as for the poten-
tial dance gig...Katiti King ap-
proached me about dancing for
her earlier this year. She hopes
to choreograph and present
about 4-5 new pieces later this
year and wants me to dance in
them. Im beyond elated since
this gives me the opportunity
to perform and dance for/ work
with her! So, NYC DTers-
watch for a performance date!
Stephanie Ridenour (2008) is
still an Easterner and hanging
in there...busy season for me
is almost over. My last client
fles Friday so counting down
the days to fnally having some
more free time in my life. She
would so much enjoy getting
DT Spring Newsletter | 9
back into dance now that she
will have some free time over
the next few months.
Liz OConnor (2009) has two
more years after this semester
in Optometry School at Indiana
University...almost half way
done! I get to start seeing pa-
tients this summer, which is ex-
citing!! She hopes to be able to
come see the seniors in their last
performance, as well as many of
her favorite choreographers and
alumni! Merde ladies!
Jenna Green (2009) so,
after fnishing a tour last year,
I returned to Disney World to
continue dancing in the parades
and performing. Its a wonder-
ful experience and Im grate-
ful to have the opportunity to
do something I love, and have
always wanted to do. The smiles
on the children`s faces defnitely
make it all worthwhile. I miss
Dance Theatre tremendously and
Im sure this spring concert will
fabulous as always. I send my
love to the graduating seniors,
and always remember to follow
your dreams!

Lauren Schaeffer (2010) is in
the second year of her Peace
Corps service in Cambodia. She
recently involved students in her
village in Kampong Cham prov-
ince to compete
in Spelling and
Creative Writ-
ing Competi-
tions. Currently
in the process
of renovating
her villages
Health Center by changing the
weathered ceiling tiles, creating a
resource center for patients to edu-
cate themselves about health, and
breeding guppies for villagers to
place in water basins to eat mos-
quito larvae and prevent mosquito-
borne disease, she was inspired by
the efforts of volunteers within her
village to paint the entire Health
Center in 3 weekends. Lauren also
worked with a group called Tiny
Toones for 2 months in Phnom
Penh. They use break-dancing, hip
hop, rap-
ping, and
art to keep
kids off the
streets, off
drugs, and
to create a safe place where they
can express themselves. She worked
with the newly formed Health Out-
reach Team as a consultant and ma-
terials developer and was grateful
for the chance to work with danc-
ers once more. She also teaches a
beginners ballet class to sixth grade
girls 3 times a week and hopes to
start an adults aerobics class soon.
Ali Tanker (2010) is still in Gua-
temala but resigned from her job in
December. She loved the work but
needed a change from the orga-
nizational structure. She is now
pursuing projects as an independent
consultant for social enterprises in
Guatemala. I am currently writ-
ing a methodology and designing a
crowd-funding platform for an or-
ganization that teaches local women
to be change agents through entre-
preneurship and community project
development. The abundance of op-
portunity in this line of work contin-
ues to amaze me. And, she wants
to dance again and is making strides
toward making this happen!
Lisa Walsh (2010) is currently
in her second year as a Teach
For America corps member
in San Antonio, TX teaching
kindergarten. She is currently
looking into future career op-
tions in the education sector in
the U.S. and abroad.
Aimi Toyama (2010) still
works as a Medical Labora-
tory Scientist at the lab for St.
Elizabeth Healthcare in Edge-
wood, KY, as she says 'work-
ing her butt off. She feels
medical school is defnitely in
her future.
Carolann Crittenden (2010)
is still the Marketing Producer
for Fox19 in Cincinnati and
is moving downtown to be
closer to the action.
Alexis Marina (2010) is still
living in Youngstown, Ohio,
working part-time at a boutique
hospitality marketing frm by
day and waitressing by night.
She`s lucky enough to get ev-
ery Sunday off from both jobs
to take modern dance classes
with one of her dance teachers
from high school. Shes glad
shes still able to dance, but its
just not the same as DT.
Arielle Johnson (2011) is very
busy taking graduate classes,
being a teacher, planning les-
sons, AND being the cheerlead-
ing coach has taken over her
life! 'It`s defnitely rewarding
though, and my kids have come
a long way. They have learned
a lot, I have learned a lot, and
our classroom environment is
DT Spring Newsletter | 10
a much happier and productive
place. So, Teach for America
was a good choice for her- and
TFA chose her as the Corps
Member o` the month of July!
Abby Petrasko (2011) is enjoy-
ing work at Progressive Insur-
ance; this rotation is more repeti-
tive than her last one, so it hasnt
taken her as long to feel comfort-
able with what shes doing. Im
doing most of the accounting for
the Marketing group and keeping
tabs on them. Theyre a crazy
bunch so theres always some-
thing going on. Starting to look
a bit more at grad school, most
likely if I do it in the near future
I would apply next spring, but
well see. Still studying for the
CPA, I`m just on the super slow
track to getting it. She misses
115 Phillips Hall!
Caroline Faile (2011) feels
like she will be a better teacher
after all the testing is over as
there is such an emphasis on test
prep and readiness. Its a lot to
handle. Nevertheless, I love my
students, my school and wonder-
ful staff. Third Grade is a great
ft for me. I`m living in Fairfeld
on my own (with a new kitten to
keep me company). It`s excit-
ing-- but also expensive. So if
you know of any senior ladies
who may stick around the area
let me know if they`re consider-
ing needing a roommate!
Jenny Yonkoff (2011) continues
to love medical school. When
not in the library, she still takes
dance classes at her local studio
at least once a week. She misses
DT.
DT Spring Newsletter | 11
L1"01 M#1N%*-1)K6- !"#$% '(%")*% )/
?*%-%#) :;*1#5 </#$%*)
Miami Universitys Dance Theatre will present its annual Spring Concert
on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 15 at 2 PM in Hall
Auditorium on the Oxford campus.
Dance Theatres eclectic style continues to include elements of many dance
formsfrom modern to contemporary ballet to jazz. The concert features
music that ranges from the sounds of the Big Band Era, to Philip Glass, to
contemporary.
Company Director Lana Kay Rosenberg has choreographed a tap dance
for 3 dancers, Two for Three. Using music from the Big Band Era and
performed in 2 sections, the dance utilizes the sounds the taps make on dif-
ferent surfaces as well as exploring counter rhythms. She has also collabo-
rated with Cassie Wilson, Assistant Director of Miamis Health & Well-
Being Program and Dance Theatre company member, on a solo entitled for
Finley .
Guest Choreographers include Dance Theatre alumni Joanna Kotze and
Shannon Vroom and professional dancer/choreographer Gregory Robinson.
Company choreographers include Caroline Farris, Sami Ackard, and Alex
Hinton. See pages 5-7 for more information on their dances.
Gregory, Joanna, and Shannon join
with the 3 student choreographers,
dancers, lighting designer Geof-
frey D. Fishburn and Lana Kay in
bringing a performance of sophis-
ticated rhythms, drama, variety,
and explosive virtuosity to the Hall
stage. There will be a Talkback
after the Saturday evening concert.
Tickets are free for Miami students
at the Miami University Box Of-
fce in the Shriver Center and at
the door; $6 in advance and $8 at
the door for students/seniors; $10
in advance and $12 at the door for
general admission. For ticket in-
formation, call the Shriver Center
Box Offce at 513-529-3200. Dance Theatre has been a home to these seniors, who
will be performing in their last concert!
O#)%*%-)%= 1# B%$/01#5 " !"#$% '(%")*% ?")*/#P
Miami University`s DT is a non-proft organization and
donations are our primary source of support. All gifts are
tax-deductable to the extent of the law. Your contributions
are much appreciated.
:;/#-/* Q988R
Complimentary tickets to both Winter and Spring Con-
certs, plus an invitation to both receptions.
!/#/* QS8
Two complimentary tickets to the Winter or Spring Con-
certs, plus an invitation to the reception opening night.
.*1%#= Q7S
Complimentary ticket to the Winter or Spring Concert
Mail to:
Dance Theatre/Miami U Fund
c/o Lana Kay Rosenberg
106E Phillips Hall
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
!"#$% '(%")*% 7899T7897 ?")*/#-
:;/#-/*-

Carla and Albert Bell
Teresa and Garry Bowyer
Camie DeGuerre
*Karen Eifert
**Susan and Kent Farris
Kathryn and Stephen Hinton
Pamela and Mark Hirko
G. Douglas Hoover, DDS
Frank Jordan
*Heather and Paul Kennell
McDonalds-Oxford
Christine and Madison Michael
Judith Mikita
Sara Weible Myers
Sue Stoltz Nason
*Janet and Phillip Rawlins
Robinson & Lipnickey Co., L.P.A.
*Lana Kay and Jerry Rosenberg
Karen and James Saponaro
*Vanessa and Kenneth Schneider
Skipper`s Pub
Kathleen and Chris Sieve
Drs. Bill and Becky Thomas, DDS
Theresa Wang
!/#/*-
David Eifert, DDS and Jane Eifert
Fey Insurance Services
Kona Bistro
Lebowski Tees & Design Inc.
Sandra Seefeld
Liz and Gil Storms
.*1%#=-
Youre Fired
* notes production support (cos-
tumes, set, etc.)
**partial support of a guest chore-
ographer
DT Spring Newsletter | 12

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