Jillian Barber, Rehearsal Director.
Jillian began her dance training in the Vagonova style of ballet technique at the Ballet Theatre of Annapolis (now Ballet Theatre of Maryland) for fifteen years under the tutelage of Edward Stewart, Leslie Bradley, and Heidi G. Menocal. She continued her training with a dual emphasis in ballet and modern dance at Towson University under teachers such as Dennis Price, Catherine Horta-Hayden, Stephanie Powell, Dana Martin, and Susan Mann.
During her high school years, Jillian was a performer with the Broadneck High School Dance Company as well as the Anne Arundel County Dance Ensemble and served as a student writer to the Anne Arundel County Public Schools dance curriculum after graduating. The dance programs in Anne Arundel County Public Schools are near and dear to her heart. During her time at Towson University, she performed with the Towson University Dance Company, working with many guest artists and choreographers. Notable roles include “Sing Sing Sing”, “9 Loves Songs and a Bucket of Tears”, and the Doris Humphrey role in “Shakers”. She also performed as a guest with the Stephanie Powell Dance Ensemble.
Jillian has been a member of the Maryland Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance since 2000, serving as Vice President for Dance from 2007-2009. She is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization and the Maryland Council for Dance, serving as a judge for scholarship auditions for young dancers.
In addition to directing the dance program at Annapolis High School, Jillian has taught classes at Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and Rohanna Dance Productions, and has worked in collaboration with the dancers at Studio 180.
As Jillian’s time has shifted from that of the dancer to that of the dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director, she has realized that her love of dance is unparalleled, and the learning process never ends. Dance is ever changing, refreshingly experimental, and lends itself to collaboration with people from all walks of life. As Tywla Tharp said, “what we can learn about working creatively and in harmony can trans- form our lives, and our world”.
Danica Kalemdaroglu, Artistic Associate.
(Photo by Enoch Chan) Danica Kalemdaroglu is a born mover originally from Norfolk, Virginia. Dance has taken her to Maryland to complete a BA in Performance and Choreography from Goucher College and an MFA in Performance and Choreography from the University of Colorado at Boulder. While in Colorado, Danica completed the teacher-training program at the Pilates Center, Boulder to become a fully certified Pilates instructor. Danica has worked with numerous esteemed choreographers such as Kevin Wynn, Bebe Miller, Gabe Mason, Kathleen Hermsdorf and Tere O’Conor. Danica has performed locally with Bosma Dance and is co-founder of Collective Dance NY. Currently, Danica is living, performing and teaching Pilates in Richmond, Va.
Stephanie Yezek, artistic contributor for the 2009 season
(Photo by Enoch Chan) Stephanie Yezek has been dancing professionally in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Virginia since 2003, when she graduated from Bucknell University with a BA in English and a minor in dance. Stephanie received her MA in English Literature and Language from Oxford University in 2006. While abroad, she worked with Argentine choreographer Florencia Lopez-Boo and Oxford’s contemporary dance ensemble, Freefall, performing in Oxford, Cambridge and London. She made her New York City debut July 2007 with obKNOXious dance and continues to work with Gesel Mason Performance Projects in Takoma Park, MD. She is certified in BASI Pilates and teaches Pilates, dance and fitness classes throughout DC and Baltimore. Her teaching credits include thewashingtonballet@THEARC, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Sitar Arts Center, Trinity University and American University. She also continues to explore the milieu between dance and language as a contributing writer for Dancer Magazine. Stephanie has been a company member with BosmaDance since 2004, has performed with Gesel Mason Performance Projects, and is currently performing with Dakshina/Daniel Pheonix Singh Dance Company and Deviated Theater (directed by Enoch Chan and Kimmie Dobbs).
Dancers
Kimberly Kandra
Sarah Keller
Brigid Myers
Janet Parker
Natalie Shea
Shannon Siriano