LAMONDANCERS SEASON 12 2020/2021
Arianna Elsworth
Arianna began dancing at the age of four and recently graduated from Seymour Dance, where she trained with a highly competitive dance team. This included a wide range of genres: Ballet (completed RAD Advanced 2 Exam), Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Samba. She’s competed at many local competitions, provincials, and recently in the USA. She has earned numerous awards, scholarships, highest-scoring solo awards, and top ten placements, including her recent work in self-choreography. She enjoys broadening her dance training by attending a wide range of intensives, as well as performing professionally when possible, including work with Enfuse Entertainment, dancing for charity events, Diner én Blanc, etc. She is a passionate dancer, is determined and driven. Arianna is deeply grateful for the support she has received from former dance teachers, friends, and family, and she looks forward to her journey this season with Lamondance.
Madeleine Martin
Madeleine started dance at the age of two in Surrey, BC. From kindergarten to Grade 12, Madeleine received her classical and modern dance training at Mi-Cher Dance Academy, under the tutelage of Cheryl Gedert, Catherine Potoky and Karrie Hill. Madeleine also participated in the Royal City Youth Ballet’s rendition of the Nutcracker every Christmas for six years. She had the opportunity to dance in her high school’s production of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. After graduating high school, Madeleine moved to Toronto for two years to continue her studies in the Dance Performance Programme with George Brown Dance and Canada’s Ballet Jorgen. With GBC, she had the opportunity to work with talented teachers and choreographers, like Hannah Keil, Louis Laberge-Cote, Suzie Burpee and Derek Sangster, as well as earning herself a spot on the programme’s honour role and a diploma in Dance Performance. In 2018 Madeleine moved back home to join Lamondance season 10 and has been part of the LMD family ever since. Madeleine is thrilled to be part of the 3rd year scholarship program.
Linnea Goldstorm
Linnea brings her youthful energy to Lamondance, excited to further develop her ballet and contemporary technique and artistic expression, learning from other members of the company, the faculty and guest instructors. Linnea has been a successful competitive level dancer at RNB Dance for more than five years and participated in community dance programs in North Vancouver even before she could walk. She has been lucky to be selected for and participated in intensive dance programs in Vancouver (Vancouver Ballet Society 2018 and 2019, Arts Umbrella 2020), New York City (Joffrey 2018), Portland, Oregon (Oregon Ballet Theatre 2019), dancing with students and teachers all over the world and absorbing inspiration from living and working in the local artistic communities. Ballet and contemporary might be her passion, but you can also find her sampling other dance styles without fear, be it Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Grooving, House, or Bhangra. Favourite dance memories include dancing en pointe in the rain, in Central Park, New York, and preparing for and competing for classical and contemporary ballet at YAGP in Las Vegas under the guidance of her amazing teachers. Like all dancers, the recent period of social isolation has been tough on Linnea. Still, she has continued dancing in a makeshift home studio and through the online dance community on Zoom. Growing up with dance has and continues to provide Linnea with a way to express feelings in ways that words cannot, and she looks forward to how she and other dancers and their choreographers, will process their experiences into their art.
Olivia Reilly
Olivia began dancing at age 5 with ballet classes at GP Dancers Academy. She took RAD ballet exams every year with help from her ballet teachers Nancy-Marie Rigler and Jacqueline Taylor. She began modern classes around age ten and started to fall in love with the style. She wasn’t introduced to contemporary until later when she began working with Kylee Hart. Olivia also trained with The Academy dance program, Diverse Dance Company and JT Bodyquest Pilates Studio. She used summers as an opportunity to further her training, travelling to Alberta Ballet School and Arts Umbrella. She has performed anything she could find from dance competitions to local theatre productions and is very grateful to be pursuing it as a career. Olivia looks forward to her future with Lamondance. She hopes to expand her artistry and technique and is excited for the opportunity to work with so many amazing artists.
Will Jessup
Will, grew up in Calgary Alberta and started his dance training at the age of seventeen in a high school dance program. After he graduated he danced with Ember dance company a training company in Calgary. The following summer he attended the Edmonton School of Ballet summer intensive where he received a scholarship to train there for the year. After two years of training in ballet and modern he moved to Vancouver to train with the Source dance company under the direction of Joanne Pesusich. He is currently trying with Lamondance Company under the direction of Davi Rodrigues. As an emerging artist Will has had the opportunity to do freelance work for emerging choreographer Ana Sosa for 12 minutes max’s and has also had the pleasure of working with other top choreographers in Canada such as, Josh Beamish, Brandon Alley, Racheal Prince, Kirstin Wicklund, Dario Dinuzzi, Heather Dotto and many more. Will has also been focussing a lot on the creation side as well creating work for studios as well as personal projects which he has performed excerpts from in festivals and shows around Vancouver.
Summer Sturm
Summer began her dance studies at the age of 3 in a small town in Alberta and has trained in many genres such as ballet, contemporary, musical theatre and acrobatics. At the age of 8, she began competing at a competitive level and has loved it ever since. Summer has trained in New York City, Paris, France and Bucharest, Romania. In 2017, Summer attended the Bucharest Dance Festival and received an invitation to perform at the Gala event where 25 out of 600 numbers were showcased. She is also a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor and continues to share her passion for acrobatics. In her later years of training, Summer fell in love with contemporary and being in Lamondance season 11 gave her the opportunity to learn from many new choreographers and dancers in the Vancouver area. Summer is thrilled to join Lamondance for a second season.
Ashley Rabinovitch
Ashley began dancing at the age of 4. She danced at Pro Arte Dance and West Vancouver Dance Conservatory. At 13, she was the Ballet Intermediate Representative at the BC Provincials and was awarded the overall winner and continued to be selected as Provincial Representative in both Ballet and Contemporary over the next few years. Ashley has attended different summer intensive programs, including The National Ballet School in Toronto, École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec, Joffrey Experience All-Contemporary Intensive NYC and Complexions Contemporary Ballet in LA. In November 2017, Ashley competed at the World Showdance Championships in Germany with Team Canada and was selected as the senior soloist for Canada West. Ashley has completed all her RAD and ISTD exams being awarded Distinction. Ashley is very excited about the next chapter in her life and is looking forward to dancing with Lamondance and continuing to grow as a dancer.
Danielle Drach
Danielle began dancing at her local dance studio at the age of 6 and quickly transitioned into competitive dance. She trained in the genres of Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern and Acro. Under the direction of Lisette Stein Danielle received numerous scholarships and awards. In 2017, at the age of 15, Danielle decided it was time to take her training to the next level in becoming a professional dancer and pursue pre-professional education with the Alberta Ballet School. Danielle attended Alberta Ballet school as a scholarship student for three years, working closely with Aram Manukyan, Sasha Ivanochko, Edmond Stripe, Graham McKelvie and artistic director Ashley McNeil. In 2018 Danielle received the artistic excellence in contemporary award from Alberta Ballet school, and the following year received the highest overall contemporary solo award in Alberta Ballet’s solo adjudication performance. Danielle has had the opportunity of performing choreographic works by Edmond Stripe, Sasha Ivanochko, Graham McKelvie, Helen Husak, Davida Monk, and Jean Grand-Maitre. Danielle is thrilled and honoured to be dancing with Lamondance for its 12th season and looks forward to all the challenges and growth the season will bring.
Grace Willock
Grace was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC, and began her early training at Onedance Creative Arts Centre. Grace continued her training at ProArte Centre, from which she graduated in 2017. She furthered her training at summer programs, such as the School of Alberta Ballet Summer Intensive in Calgary and studied dance at Ryerson University in Toronto. Grace joined Lamondance for Season Eleven and had the opportunity to work with talented artists including Racheal Prince, Brandon Alley, Dario Dinuzzi, Kirsten Wicklund and Amber Barton. Grace is looking forward to her second season with Lamondance.
Isla Spotswood
Originally from Pretoria, South Africa, Isla’s family moved to Calgary, Alberta at the age of five. She competed and trained as an elite gymnast before starting dance at age eleven. Isla completed her professional training at Alberta Ballet School in 2019 where she trained closely with Aram Manukyan, Graham McKelvie, Sasha Ivanochko and Artistic Director Ashley McNiel. She worked with and performed choreography by Edmund Stripe, Davida Monk, Jean Grand-Maître, Helen Husak, Sasha Ivanochko and Graham McKelvie. Isla has participated in summer programs such as Joffrey Ballet NYC, Arts Umbrella’s ISDI and Gaga Lab. During her first season at Lamondance she had the pleasure to work with artists such as Dario Dinuzzi, Amber Funk Barton, Brandon Alley, Racheal Prince, Kirsten Wicklund and Peter Smida. Isla is thrilled to continue her training and development as an artist as she enters her second season with Lamondance.
Natasha Pavan
Natasha Pavan began her training at the age of five years old. She has trained in all different dance styles, including jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, modern, ballet, tap, and tumbling. She has spent most of her dance career in a competitive company at Pulse Dance Centre, where she now continues to assist and teach classes. Natasha has also competed in many local and international competitions and conventions, where she has attended many workshops. She has also completed her Advanced 1 ISTD Modern Exam. Natasha is happy to be continuing her dance training as a part of Lamondance for Season 12.
Bryn Bridgen
Bryn began dancing at the age in Campbell River, BC, with Studio North Dance Academy, directed by Jen Soo. Throughout her years of dance, she has trained in a variety of genres, such as Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Musical Theatre. From 2015-2018 Bryn worked with renowned choreographers while dancing with “Dancestreams Youth Dance Company.” Artistic directors Patricia MacKenzie and Julia Carr provided dancers with the opportunity to travel and attend workshops to learn from international dance teachers. Bryn has also been selected as a Provincial Representative for the BC Provincial Performing Arts Festivals in 2018 and 2019. Bryn is honoured to be continuing her career with Lamondance for their 12th season. She looks forward to sharing her love and passion for dance with other company members.
Elina Lucky
Australia, is where Elina started her dance. We moved to Canada in 2009, Elina joined her town's local dance studio, where she was enrolled in every genre of dance. She started training professionally at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Winnipeg at 13 years. She studied there for three years and then continued her dance studies at the Alberta Ballet School in Calgary, Alberta, where she graduated. During her time at RWB, Elina got the opportunity to participate in one of the school's student choreographic competition called "First Steps." Elina was fortunate enough to participate as a dancer in her peers' pieces and choreograph her piece for the show. At ABS, Elina got to work with choreographers, such as Rachel Prince, and learn various pieces of repertoire. Elina auditioned at American Ballet Theater and was waitlisted for their pre-company program. Elina was invited to join the ABT's virtual intensive Six weeks program currently. Elina is so unbelievably thankful for the unlimited amounts of love and support she has received from her family and friends throughout her dance journey so far. She is very pleased to be joining the 2020-2021 Lamondance season as her first.
Keira Douet
Keira began dancing at the age of 2 in Port Moody, BC. She was thankful to be apart of a competitive company at Pulse Dance Centre and trained in genres such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop and musical theatre. After graduating in 2018 she joined Lamondance company, directed by Davi Rodrigues. This program has given her numerous opportunities to meet, learn and connect with artists in the dance community and she is grateful for the knowledge and opportunities the training program has brought her. She has had the amazing opportunity to work with Noam Gagnon, Lara Barclay, Brandon Lee Alley, Racheal Prince, Kirsten Wicklund, and Alysa Pires. She is looking forward to continuing her time with Lamondance in the 12th season as apart of the 3rd year scholarship program and being able to grow as an artist.
Katrina Del Villar
Katrina began dancing at her local dance studio in Oakville Ontario when she was 2 years old. In her earlier years of training she danced at Balletomane training mainly in RAD under the direction of Elizabeth Ferenc and Kate Kernaghan. In 2013 when Katrina turned 11 she decided to pursue pre-professional education with the Alberta Ballet School, where she began training in the Cecchetti method, working closely with Janet Tait, Graham McKelvie, Sasha Ivanochko, Murray Kilgour, Aram Manukyan, and Artistic Director Ashley McNeil. Before graduating from the school in 2019, Katrina got the opportunity to perform multiple choreographic works by Edmond Stripe, Jean Grand-Maître, Helen Husak, Davida Monk, Graham McKelvie, and Sasha Ivanochko. Katrina is in her first year with Lamondance. She is ecstatic to continue to grow as an artist and further develop her dance education.
Mackye White
MacKye began dancing at the age of 10 years old in Courtenay, BC, at Pantuso Dance in 2014. He started slowly, but each year added hours and classes. He then joined Eclat Dance in 2015-2017, receiving instruction from Vladimir and Jessa Pereira. A highlight was when they organized a performance tour around Mexico City. He attended the Royal Winnipeg summer intensive (SI) school in 2015, Ballet Victoria SI in 2016, and the Alberta Ballet School (ABS) SI in 2017. He then joined ABS full-time in September 2017, attending with a scholarship and worked closely with Graham McKelvie, Sasha Ivanochko, Wendy Wright, Ashley McNeil, Janet Tait, and Murray Kilgour. MacKye attended the Ignite! Summer program in 2019, working closely with David Nosworthy and Kristen Carcone. He graduated from ABS in 2020 and is excited about coming to work with Lamondance and all that it offers.
Piper French
Originally from Squamish, BC, Piper began dancing with Howe Sound Dance Academy under the instruction of Shalimar Blanchard. In 2017 she started her professional dance training at the Alberta Ballet School on scholarship. Here she studied under the direction of Ashley McNeil and Graham McKelvie. After graduating from the school in 2019 she began her training at Lamondace in North Vancouver, where she was given opportunities to work with both former and current dancers of Ballet BC. Piper has participated in summer programs such as Arts Umbrella’s ISDI and Ohad Naharins’ Gaga Lab. Since joining Lamondace she has performed works by Racheal Prince and Brandon Alley, Dario Dinuzzi and Davi Rodrigues. This is Piper’s second season with Lamondance.