Performing Artists

Kenda Newbury's AZDance Group

Artists

2011 Winter and 2012 Spring

AZDance Group's Professional Roster

Omaya Ahmad - Principle Dancer, Rehearsal Director, Choreographer – Scottsdale, AZ - Omaya, an Arizona native, began dancing at the age of three. Since then, she has had the opportunity to train at several different studios, which helped her to foster an intense love for the art form. She became a company member of AZDance Group after performing in a Desert Foothills Theater production with Kenda Newbury and has appeared in every one of the company's productions since its inaugural year, 2004. Last season, Omaya choreographed her first company piece – a co-choreographer of the company’s premier work “Moving Through Domestic Violence." Omaya recently graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering. Currently, she is back at ASU working to earn an M.S. degree in Sustainability in conjunction wih working as a research assistant for the Decision Center for a Desert City.

Paula Burton - Principal Dancer – Scottsdale, AZ - Paula began dance at the age of five and by nine joined the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem, PA. In 1981 she joined Ballet Pacifica (founder/director Lila Zali) and performed classical ballets (Nutcracker, Lise in Fille Mal Gardee, Les Sylphides). Since 'retiring from dance in 1993', Paula stayed involved with dance as Ballet Mistress at Northwest Ballet in Anacortes, WA and for seven years was the Dance Director at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach. She is a certified Jazzercise instructor for over 10 years and is currently teaching Jazzercise in North Scottsdale, guest ballet teaching at valley dance studios and working with AZDance Group. Paula joined AZDance Group mid-season last year; this will be Paula’s first full-season with the company.

Samantha Lupascu - Principal Dancer - Phoenix, AZ -

Samantha Lupascu grew up dancing in Yuma, Arizona. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Arizona and then moved to Phoenix to continue dancing and further her education. She danced for three years with Center Dance Ensemble before entering a graduate program with the Arizona School of Health Sciences where she earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. During PT school, she danced with Terpsicore Dance Company and later became Artistic Director. She is currently working as a physical therapist in Phoenix, specializing in Women’s Health. This is her first season with AZDance Group.

Deserae McCall - dancer - information and photograph coming soon


Nicole Person-Rennell -

Principle Dancer, Co-Choreographer – Rochester, Minnesota / London, England -
Nicole began dancing at age three in Phoenix, Arizona and began dancing with AZDance Group at age eighteen, with her sister Katie. The greatest portion of Nicole’s performance experience occurred with the Arizona Sunrays Dance Company, performing at recitals, concerts, sports events, competitions, fairs, and charity functions. Currently, Nicole is a second year medical student at Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnestoa. During her junior year of college, Nicole studied abroad in South Africa, continuing ballet training, ballroom dancing, and focusing on African dance. Nicole is one of the co-choreographer’s for the company’s work “Moving Through Domestic Violence”. Nicole will be spending this season in London, England studying general medicine at Cambridge on full-schoolarship; she would like to thank God, her family, her friends, and Chris, whom she married in March 2009, for all their love and support.
Linda Ramseyer -

Principle Dancer, Children’s Christmas Company Rehearsal Associate Director, Costume Assistant Director, MEM Stage Assistant - Glendale, AZ -
Linda, a native Phoenician, began dancing at the age of six with Arnora's Studio. She soon turned her sights to gymnastics and competed 9 years with the Arizona Sunrays and the University of Arizona. Linda holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering and a MBA from Arizona State University. She works at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Linda took a sabbatical from dance, to raise her family of two children and returned eleven years ago training and dancing at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy and other studios in the valley. She loves to dance and is still going strong. This is her fifth season with AZDance Group.





Katie Rennell -

Principal Dancer, Rehearsal Assistant, Co-Choreographer – Phoenix, AZ - Katie

began dancing at the age of three in Phoenix and with her twin sister, Nicole, danced with AZDance Group at the age of eighteen. Last season, Katie came back into the company for the spring performances of “Run For Life” and the première of "Moving Through Domestic Violence". This made her realize that she wanted to continue her training and dance performance artistry. This is Katie’s first full-season back with the company in several years and AZDance Group is thrilled! Katie graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in German. Currently, and recently obtained her Masters degree in Education and a teaching certificate!
Cathryn Vernon - dancer - information and photograph coming soon

Educational Outreach Programs

Apprentice Company

Rochelle Marks -

Apprentice Company Member -

is a fifteen year old homeschooler that began dancing when she was two years old. At the age of eight, she was chosen to dance her own eight-minute choreography to "Carman" in four concerts with the Phoenix Symphony for the Schools. By the age of ten, she had choreographed, danced and acted in two mass-media produced DVDs; "Creating Ballet Fun with Rochelle" and "Creating Ballet Dreams". She has danced numerous roles in productions of Nutcracker, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Coppelia and the Little Match Girl. A modern piece entitled, "Reaching out of Limits" was specifically choreographed for her by Kennet Oberly. Rochelle receives her training from Christina Hampton, Artistic Director of Arizona Youth Ballet and has also attended summer programs of San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Anaheim Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

Molly O'Toole - Apprentice Company Member -

is a 14 yrs old and has been dancing since she was 2 years old at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Quincy, MA. She is currently an 8th grader at East Middle School in Braintree, MA. She dances 5 days a week at the studio taking Ballet,Pointe,Jazz,Tap,Modern & Hip Hop and is a studio assistant twice a week. She maintains a B+ average in all her classes at East. In 2009 she auditioned for a part in an independent film "Again" and was one of five dancers chosen to be in the film as a trained dancer. This past January Molly and the studio dance team traveled to Orlando Florida to Disney World. They performed 8 routines at the Down Town Disney Stage. She is supported lovingly by her Mom,Dad and Big Brother Tom.

Leah Dodd - MEM Demonstrator/Assistant and Stage Performer

- see biography below in MEM Demonstrator

Community Performers

AZDance has found that there is a desire and, on our part, a need, to include those that might not regularly consider themselves "performers" ... or at least those that don't get the opportunity TO perform like they should. We reach out to the community and in turn have some wonderful, caring men and women who enjoy working with AZDance Group.

Michael Somar

Paul O'Brien

Chris Person-Rennell

Movement E-Motion (MEM) Participants & Performers

dance program for young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism and Physical Challenges

Abby Baird - Movement E-Motion dancer - Anthem, AZ - Abby is a lover of dance and music. At an early age she connected with music and began to express her creative side. She loves to dance with CD's, DVD's, the radio, or anything that sounds like music. She loves High School Musical, all of the Disney princesses, and Hanna Montana. She's a sister to Beth and Brock, daughter to Ted and Peggy, and loving caregiver to Nala the kitty. (who sometimes is her unwilling dance partner)!! This is Abby's first semester with the Movement E-Motion dance program and is loving each opportunity to dance, rehearse her technique and steps and to perform !

Andrew Calandra - Movement E-Motion dancer – Peoria, AZ - Andrew joined AZDance's Movement E-Motion dance program a year and a half ago and is loving his dancing. He enjoys listening to music on his Ipod, dancing and watching Professional Wrestling. He loves the stage and performs for his audiences ! You can see Andrew in Mother Ginger, Doll Dance, Get Your Head in the Game and Fosse amongst other audience favorites.

Katie Carroll - Movement E-Motion dancer – Cave Creek, AZ - Katie, a graduate of Cactus Shadows High School, has been performing with AZDance Group’s Movement E-Motion since its creation four years ago. She is a regular AZDance Group cast member of Run for Life/Angels, Oklahoma, Voules-Vouz, Get Your Head in the Game, Fosse, An Angel Came Down, excerpts of “Mixed Nuts” and more! She is a highlighted performer in Party

Time and Doll Dance. Kathleen has grown in self awareness and confidence while making new friends and loves performing in front of groups.
Tham Carroll - Movement E-Motion dancer - Cave Creek, AZ - Tham, a Cactus Shadows High School graduate, has been a member of the MEM program since January 2007. She is a regular performer of Run For Life/Angels, Oklahoma, Voulez-Vous, Get Your Head in the Game, Fosse, An Angel Came Down and other excerpts of "Mixed Nuts". Spring 2010 she was highlighted in the company's premiere work of "Drum and Dance". Tham loves the energy and support of the MEM group and company as well as the many friends she has met.


Dana Dumaplin - Movement E-Motion dancer – New River, AZ - Dana is a 15 year-old, home schooled high school freshman. She is passionate about signing and dancing. Dana joined the AZDance Group’s MEM program in Feb. 2007 and has been performing with them ever since. Dana is a regular MEM performing member of many works including Drum and Dance, Aladdin, Fosse, Get Your Head in the Game, and has beenhighlighted in Doll Dance and Party Time. The MEM group have become like family to all of us. We are very thankful for this opportunity to be part of this wonderful group. Dana lives in New River with her parents, 2 dogs, and 8 horses.

Teresa Homad - Movement E-Motion dancer - information and photograph coming soon.

Kerry O'Brien - Movement E-Motion (part time) dancer - Pembroke, MA - Kerry, sister-in-law to Ms. Newbury, is joining the MEM participants for the second season while visiting her Arizona Newbury/O’Brien family. Last season, Kerry was able to join the MEM class and perform with them in the company’s “Collection” concert held April of 2009 performing in Oklahoma, Run For Life/Angels and Voules-Vouz. She also was involved in pe rforming with the company at the 25^th Anniversary of Desert Foothills Dance concert, dancing in the above listed plus Doll Dance. Prior to that experience with AZDance Group and her sister-in-law, it had been eighteen years since her last dance class! We welcome her onstage and in the MEM classroom again.



Annie Perry - Movement E-Motion dancer - Anthem, AZ - Annie was born in

Tokyo. She moved to Arizona in 2004 after living with her family in Singapore. Her first dance experience was in New Jersey when she was seven years old and she has luckily danced continuously since then. She is now twenty-one years old and attends a Day Training for Adults program which she entered after graduation from Barry Goldwater High School. She has been dancing with AZDance Group’s MEM program for four years and loves music, singing and dancing. She is a regular AZDance Group cast member of Run for Life/Angels, Oklahoma, Voules-Vouz, Get Your Head in the Game, Fosse, An Angel Came Down, excerpts of “Mixed Nuts” and more! She thanks the MEM program and Ms. Kenda Newbury for giving her such wonderful experiences.
Hiroko Perry - Demonstrator/Stage Assistant - see below for biography and photo


Jeffrey Reed -

Movement E-Motion dancer – New River, AZ - Jeffrey
, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, moved to Phoenix in 1979. He graduated from Paradise Valley High School June 19, 1993 an currently lives in New River with his mom, Wendy and dad, Hank. He is a regularly seen in the company's works including Aladdin, Get Your Head in the Game, Run For Life to name a few and has been featured in Doll Dance, Party Time and An Angel Came Down. This is Jeffrey’s third semester with AZDance's MEM program and loves dancing
.


Meghan Silhasek -

Movement E-Motion dancer - Paradise Valley, AZ -

Meghan joined MEM in the Fall of 2010, performing with the company in their Christmas concerts at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and the Performing Center for the Arts at PVCC. We are thrilled with Meghan's progress and her enthusiastic approach towards dance!






Sheridan Wheeler - Movement E-Motion dancer - information and photograph coming soon

Movement E-Motion (MEM) -

Demonstrators/Assistants, Stage Performers

without the following individuals, MEM would not be where they are or what they are. Thank you!

Leah Dodd - MEM Demonstrator/Assistant and Stage Performer, Apprentice Company Member (limited)

Leah is a Phoenix native and enjoys dancing, singing, acting and all performance arts. She has danced with Bender Performing Arts since she was 9 and will be starting high school this year at AAEC and PVCC. She loved demonstrating and performing with the MEM group last year and looks forward to another fun year. AZDance thanks her for her time, talents & energies!

Hiroko Perry -

Movement E-Motion mother/assistant – Anthem, AZ - Hiroko is an inspiration to us all. She atte

nds each class and every performance that Annie and the MEM program participates attend. Not only does Hiroko spread enthusiasm and light to her daughter and the teachers of MEM, but she gives each individual MEM participant confidence and enthusiasm. We thank her for her endless energies.

Children's Christmas Company

Sophie Amarel - Sophie has been performing with AZDance Group since Spring of 2010. She is a violinist, attends Freedom Academy North, plays tennis and dances. The past few years her training included tumbling and jazz from with Hodgie Jo. Sophie also performs with the company's Movement E-Motion participants and enjoys the interaction.

Brielle Amarel - Brielle was seen in the company's "Doll Dance" in December 2010 and loved being on stage. She is a very active 3+ year old and enjoys many things including playing with her dolls, drawing and pre-school. Brielle is now taking violin lessons like her older sister, Sophie.

Shaeleigh Kim O’Brien
- Shaeleigh has been involved with AZDance group since 2-weeks, "attending" rehearsals and being the company's first "Baby-Jesus". Now almost 7 years old, she attends Freedom Academy North, takes ballet from her mother and musical theater from Mike Wittmers at Adaptive Force Performing Arts and from Irene Slowamir and Jacelyn Levine at Masters Ballet Academy. She loves to ride horses, tumble and draw and her favorite "classes at school" include Recess and Lunch ! (Okay, she loves math too). She enjoys ice skating with her dad, swimming at Gramma's and Haha's pool and going shopping with her Aunt.




Colin O'Brien - is a 2.5 year old, originally in December 2008, was the company's "Baby-Jesus" in What Child Is This. He, like his sister Shaeleigh, has been in several dances, including Doll Dance. He likes football, 'Bob the Builder' and his favorite movies include Cars (1 & 2), Toy Story (1-3) and Kung Fu Panda (1-2)! One of his favorite activities besides playing football with his daddy or swimming in Gramma's pool, is lounging with his grandpa, "HaHa Newbury" and spraying his mom, dad or sister with the hose. Technical / Community Performers / Other Paul Luckenbill - Stage Manager Mindy Luckenbill - Board Operator Paul O'Brien - Stage Helper, Community Performer- see above Michael Somar - Community Performer, MEM PR and Supporter-see above Chris Person-Rennell - Stage Helper, Community Performer-see above Guest Performing Artists Leticia Guerro, Massachussets, bio coming soon.
Sara Knight , Guest Artist - Manhattan, New York - Ms. Knight was born in England and studied at the Royal Ballet School in London. From there she was invited to study at the famous Kirov Ballet School in St. Petersburg, Russian and was the first English girl to graduate from the Academy. Sara remained in Russia working with the Boris Eifman Company and the Leningrad State Ballet Theatre where she was promoted to soloist. Currently she teaches in New York City and Connecticut and has been guest artist with numerous companies including Boston Ballet, Rebecca Rice Dances, Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble, Margot Parsons Dance Company, Northern Ballet Theatre and AZDance Group both in Phoenix and in New York City.
Dina Ternullo Melley - formerly MA, currently LSU - Dina Ternullo Melley received a BFA in dance from the Boston Conservatory and received additional training from the Joffrey School in San Antonio and Gus Giordano in Chicago. Dina has performed master works by José Limón, Paul Taylor, Martha Graham and Donald McKayle and has toured nationally and internationally with the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble. During the past three years, she has had the pleasure of both choreographing for and performing with the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater, Of Moving Colors, the LSU School of Music, the LSU Opera, the LSU Dance Concert and Christ the King Liturgical Dancers. She has also performed with BRBT’s outreach company Ballet for Children and Colleen Cavanaugh and Dancers in Rhode Island. Dina has been on faculty at Boston College, Regis College, Louisiana State University as well as numerous schools throughout the eastern United States.

Jeffrey Polston - Guest Artist - formerly Boston, MA, currently Myrtle Beach - Mr. Polston, born and raised in North Caroline, began his dance training at North Carolina School of the Arts. Upon graduation he joined the Boston-based Impulse Dance Company where he worked with noted choreographers including Donald Byrd and Dwight Rhoden and performed in works by Warren Spears, Rael Lamb, Clovers Mathis, Consuelo Atlas and Fred Benjamin. Jeffrey was a first company member of Philadanco where he performed works by Milton Myers and Tally Beatty among others. He was a soloist with the New Royal Ballet of York, affectionately known as “The New Boys, a company of men on pointe.” Mr. Polston is an original member of Complexions, a NYC based contemporary dance company directed by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson.
Jennifer W. Seabrooke - Guest Choreographer - Dallas, TX - Mrs. Seabrooke received her early dance training at The Ballet Academy at age six under the direction of Nancy Sulik. Jennifer furthered her dance training and artistic journey by earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance, Magna Cum Laude at the University of Arizona, performing as a member of the U of A Dance Ensemble. Jennifer’s professional experience includes Center Dance Ensemble, AZDance Group, Sony, and Holland America Cruise Lines. Mrs. Seabrooke resides in Fort Worth, Texas where she is the Dance Director at Fort Worth Elementary School of the Arts and Jazz Program Director at The Dance Company.
Patty Madden-Waites - Guest Artist - Las Vegas, NV - Mrs. Madden-Waites started dancing in college training at various Phoenix studios, Scottsdale Community College, and Arizona State University. Patty performed with several valley-wide companies including K-Lynne Dancers, Eurasian Dance Company, Christian Dance Company, and Tempe Dance Company. She taught dance in Scottsdale and Tempe as well as for the Fountain Hills Unified School District prior to moving to Las Vegas. The past 10 years Patty has been performing in Las Vegas, a former dancer and magician's assistant with Siegfried and Roy and actor/stunt performer with Star Trek: The Experience. Patty is a certified Les Mills instructor for Bodyflow and instructs throughout the Las Vegas area. She is thrilled to be a part of AZ Dance Group. She is married to Mike Waites of Las Vegas.

Astrit Zejnati - Guest Artist – Phoenix, AZ, born Delvine, Albania - Mr. Zejnait, principal dancer of Ballet Arizona, is working with AZDance Group for a second season as a guest artist. He received his training from the National School of Albania and the University of Oklahoma. He was a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Albania, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Mr. Zejnati's awards include the gold medal in the 1994 Eastern European Ballet Competition in Kazanluk, Bulgaria and first prize in the 1995 National Ballet Competition in Albania, and in 1998 he was a finalist in the Paris International Ballet Competition. Mr. Zejanti's repertoire includes some of his favorite ballets: Swan Lake, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Esmeralda, Cinderella, Lambarena, Nacho Duato's Rassemblement, and George Balanchine's Agon, Apollo and Theme and Variations. Since joining Ballet Arizona in 2003 Mr. Zejnati has originated principal roles in Ib Andersen's Go With It!, Coppélia, Mosaik, and Play; and danced principal roles in La Sylphide; Ib Andersen's Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker, Twyla Tharp's Sinatra Suite, and Dwight Rhoden's Ave Maria. Mr. Zejnati has appeared internationally with National Ballet of Croatia and Jorgen Ballet of Canada.

* as of September 2011



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Most photos and headshots taken by Patty Kaufman, Its U Photo, Phoenix, Arizona - others by Sarah Miley Photography, Anthem, whereas others were individually submitted. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2004-2011 AZDance Group / KLN.