LEAP Class of 2023/2024
Congratulations to the LEAP Class of 2023/2024!
Jeremy Bannon-Neches
Congratulations!
Alvin Crawford
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Yes, when I finished reading every single word of the Odyssey by Homer in class with Professor Christian. At first, I was intimidated by the number of pages of the massive book, but he encouraged me to push through and as a fan of Sci-fi, I would enjoy it. He was not wrong, I loved it.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
To use the research skills learned at LEAP to write and produce my own work.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Performing the role of Mufasa in The Lion King on Broadway and singing the role of Sarastro in The Magic Flute in Vienna
Jonathan David Dummar
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
My favorite memory from my time in LEAP was gathering with many fellow dancers late on Sunday evenings discussing all manner of interesting topics. An organic and beautiful cohesion among the various members of our community was truly emergent as well as our collective striving to more greatly understand and communicate the complexities of our world with increased bravery, honesty and vulnerability.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I am in the process of applying for the Physician’s Assistant Master’s Degree from University of Nevada, Reno; I was born and raised here in Reno and it is truly a privilege to come home and study medicine after a 20+ year career in ballet.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Dancing with the National Ballet of China Tianjin as a guest principal and originating roles with choreographers like Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Edward Liiang, Yuri Possokhov and Jessica Lang.
Jenny Florkowski
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
I made some great friends during my time in LEAP and thoroughly enjoyed many of my courses.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I would like to continue performing and teaching as well as possibly pursue a degree in mental health counseling or art therapy.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Performing in Wicked the musical on Broadway and in both the 1st and 2nd national tours has been one of my greatest performing achievements to date.
Ava Girard
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
I loved reading classmates' ELPs--getting a peak into my fellow students' excellence and thoughtfulness in different areas (such as teaching dance). I also remember some wonderful Zoom conversations with colleagues that broadened my thinking and opened my heart.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
To live and love more and more as a child of God.
Photo Credit: Olga Dunn
Anne-Sophie Rodriguez Hoyt
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Any and all my time with our wonderful Professor Christian DeMatteo 💜 He is so supportive, caring and inspiring. As you can see from others' answers to this question, he has made a huge impact on so many of us! How lucky are we? Thank you so much, Christian!!
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Life is a constant learning journey, and I aspire to continue growing with each day. My students and loved ones are my greatest teachers. Starting my BA certainly propelled me forward on my path and I am grateful to LEAP for that 🙏🏻
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I asked to start ballet at the age of 3 and never stopped. I just can't imagine life without dance in some form! I've loved every moment of having dance in my life: both the studio process, especially with my beloved teachers, being on stage, and now passing on the wisdom I acquired through the years. Choreography that was created on me was especially enjoyable but so were all the classics which will always have my heart. All that to say that I can't pick and that it's all a highlight. Even the struggles are now what informs what I have to share with students. It was all worth it if it saves someone else from making the same mistakes.
Photo Credit: Rachel Neville
Francis Lawrence
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
I loved any class with Christian.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I would like to eventually do a business degree or leadership degree. I also would like to write more scripts down the track.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Dancing with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Broadway national tour of An American In Paris, The Wiz with Broadway Sacrament, West Side Story with The Muny, A hallmark film 'Sugarplum Twist', An episode of Law and Order.
Photo Credit: Jessica Osber
Beth Maslinoff
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
I had been freelancing when COVID hit, so when open classes shut down, so did my connection to the dance community. Joining LEAP in 2020 was one of the best decisions I've made. Not only did it reconnect me to my community, it expanded the breadth and depth of my world in a time that was shrinking in every other way, both through the subject matter we tackled and the relationships that developed in class.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Not done with school yet! I plan to pursue an MBA and/or MPA.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I have been lucky to dance with several companies over 15+ years. Getting to perform Balanchine works, premieres by Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, Amy Seiwert and soloist and principal roles in some of the great classics have all been highlights.
Katie Miller
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
While I don't have a specific favorite memory, I enjoyed the early years of my time in the program and bonding with my colleagues in a new way. I continue to be grateful that the LEAP Program exists for current and former arts professionals.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I look forward to continuing my work as a dancer, teacher, and administrator with Texture Contemporary Ballet & Texture Ballet School in Pittsburgh, PA.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I am very grateful for all the experiences my performance career has given me so far, including six seasons with the Sacramento Ballet, performing at Jacob's Pillow in 2014, and performing with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at The Kennedy Center for the company's final performances in 2017. This season, I look forward to dancing my thirteenth year with Texture Contemporary Ballet.
Photo Credit: Keith Sutter
Brenda Parise
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
The excellent professors and the class discussions on Zoom were a highlight; connecting with fellow dancers in an academic setting was an incredible experience. However, my favorite memory will be the feeling of accomplishment I have right now, having completed my capstone project, knowing the LEAP program allowed me to access potential in me I could have never done on my own. I am so grateful for that.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
To continue learning, growing, teaching, and writing.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Dancing in Mexico was a highlight of my career and my life.
Ginger Griep Ruiz
Congratulations!
Jim T Ruttman
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Christian De Matteo's class holds very fond memories for me.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I was in the original cast of the original production of Side Show on Broadway.
Zarina Stahnke
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
One of my favorite memories from the study program was working on my Senior Project in Fiction writing with Professor Christian DeMatteo. A passion and ambition of fiction writing I didn't know existed in me was unlocked! It was an absolute pleasure.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Some future goals including continuing to develop my painting and visual art practice, to push myself as a performing artist (dancer/actor), to explore my entrepreneurial side for a dance related manufacturing business, and eventually to apply for an MBA to bring all of my creative skills into the business realm.
I want to use the broad brush skills I acquired to pursue my pleasures, joys, and curiosities professionally and personally.
This was just the beginning.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
A recent major highlight was premiering the lead role of Queen Zoe in Johan Inger's new retelling of A Swan Lake at the end of 2023.
Alexandria Kaye Upshur
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
My favorite memory was completing my thesis in Ghana with LEAP students.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I hope to pursue my masters in dance therapy. I'd love to continue to be of service and teach around the world.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Choreographing and dancing for Lana Del Rey as the 2024 headliner for Coachella.