Raw Edges

RAW EDGES XXVI

April 26-28, 2024

Mary d’Angelo Performing Arts Center

Mercyhurst University

School of the Arts

Jodi Staniunas-Hopper, Dean

Department of Dance

C. Noelle Partusch, chair and executive producer

Jennifer McNamara, Mark Santillano, & Solveig Santillano, co-directors

Andrew Ferguson, technical director

Bob Steineck, lighting designer

In observance of federal copyright laws, the taking of photographs and/or recording of any kind is strictly prohibited

Program is subject to change

Latecomers will be seated only during intervals.

Please turn off all cell phones, watches, and pagers during the performance

program

Afriday, april 26 at 7 pm + saturday, april 27 at 2 pm

OPTIC INNOVATIONS

Choreographer | Caitlin Settle

Music | Violin Concerto in D Major, RV 211: II Larghetto and III Allegro, by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Andrea Marcon, Giuliano Carmignola & Venice Baroque Orchestra

Dancers | Emma Berkheiser, Shyla Clifford, Gabrielle Harris, Montana Pastore, Emily Rini, Olivia Turner-Leftwich, Kenzie Krommes (US)

“I awaken today, appreciating everything in sight, and give thanks.” (Louise L. Hay)

With five billion people at risk of myopia by 2050, now is the time to act and preserve the gift of vision for posterity With collaborative innovations, interventions, and play we can tackle the world’s leading cause of vision impairment and prevent the damaging effects of myopia on society as we know it

Caitlin Settle

is a dancer and dance educator from Kitsap County, WA. She is currently finishing her B.A. in dance and minor in biology at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA. She dances ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary styles. She has performed classical and contemporary works ranging from full length ballets to senior choreography capstone projects. She also participated in American College Dance Association conferences and performed in Downtown Pittsburgh as part of Project Dance 2021. Additionally, Caitlin teaches ballet and pointe classes and loves to share dance with the next generation.

ELEGIAC SONNETS

Choreographer | Morgan Masters

Music | “Adoramus te, Christe, LV 1083” by Orlande de Lassus | “Fairytail” by Phoria | “Metamorphosis” by David Arnold and Paul Hart | “Victims” by David Arnold and Paul Hart

Dancers | Ainsley Dunning, Mara Isaacson, Katherine Kilbourn, Kenzie Krommes, Abigail Lipa, Erin McKenna, Jillian Pohl, Nadia Stronkowsky, Megan Wade, Nicole Hirsch

“Ye vales and woods! fair scenes of happier hours! / Ye feather'd people, tenants of the grove! / And you, bright stream! befringed with shrubs and flowers, / Behold my grief, ye witnesses of love!”

“Sonnet XVI From Petrarch” by Charlotte Smith

Morgan Masters

From Greenville, Michigan, Morgan attended Interlochen Arts Academy, where she graduated with a major in Dance in 2020. She is currently completing her B A in Dance at Mercyhurst University. While at Mercyhurst she has enjoyed choreographing as well as performing in other student choreographers' works.

MÉMOIRE

Choreographer | Grace Mullins

Music | “Violin Sonata in C Major” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by Takako Nishizaki & Jenő Jandó | “Nuvole Bianche” by Ludovico Einaudi, performed by ThatCelloGuy

Dancers | Joanna Clifford, Shyla Clifford, Jakquelyn Gauker, Isabella Johnson, Mia Semieraro, Alyson Szewczyk, Nicole Walters

“Music plays a profound role in the definitive stages of most people’s lives

Reminiscent of the sounds and smells that flavored our youth, music intonations organize our personal memories into temporal time sequence “

(Kilroy J. Oldster, from Dead Toad Scrolls)

intermission

Grace Mullins

of Indianapolis, Indiana, is currently a student at Mercyhurst University where she will be graduating with a BA in dance and minor in marketing in the spring of 2024. She has previously danced with Boston Ballet II and trained with Miami City Ballet School and Indiana University’s Pre-College Ballet Program. Some of her favorite performance opportunities include Justin Hogan’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht, and Sidra Bell’s Savage Birds.

MERDE

Choreographer | Joanna Clifford

Music | “Basketball“ by Barrie

“Sister, I“ by Jesse Marchant

Dancers | Sophia Du Jat, Gabrielle Harris, Emily Rini, Moira Sullivan, Nicole Walters

“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems” (Epictetus)

Joanna C;lifford

spent her childhood in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she was introduced to music in her early years. At the age of 14, her devotion to dance ignited with training at multiple schools including School of Ballet Arts, Palm Beach Atlantic Dance Preparatory, and The King’s Academy Dance Conservatory. She has flourished in her years of training at Mercyhurst University earning her B.F.A in Dance and minor in Religion and Society. As her season at Mercyhurst closes, she is excited to uncover where her passion will lead her in the professional dance world

LINES AND DRAFTS

Choreographer | Madeleine Plourde

Music | “Gymnopédie No. 1: lent et douloureux (D major)” by Erik Satie, performed by Linda Peters | “Conción del Fuego Fatuo” by Manuel de Falla, performed by Jonathan Nolan | “Ionisation” by Edgard Varèse, performed by Amadinda Percussion Group | and the voices of the dancers

Dancers | Elodie DeVos, Abigail Lipa, Montana Pastore, Mia Semieraro, Olivia Showers, Nadia Stronkowsky

We like to evaluate the world in terms of good or bad. Right or wrong. Failure or success. But in trying to succeed, we often forget the steps that get us there. Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, is considered one of the most successful artists of all time but not because he was perfect. He had his flaws, but he never stopped trying. True success consists in steps of learning, trying and sometimes failing, steps that are often more valuable than the end result

“Lines and Drafts” is a ballet-inspired, contemporary dance work that looks at the idea of perfection. Through the movements, lighting and voices of the dancers, the audience is led through three of Picasso’s famous stages of painting as the music pays homage to his contemporaries and inspirations Each section holds in its own place in Picasso’s story while building on the last, just as every draft of our lives leads us to what we call the end result. As the lights fade, the audience will be left not only with a picture but a story, a story made of steps.

Madeleine Plourde

is graduating this year with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Integrated Media and Strategic Communications. She is passionate about using dance and the arts to connect with others. Originally from Vermont, she has trained primarily in ballet, pointe and modern dance though she has taken classes and workshops in a wide variety of styles. While at Mercyhurst, Madeleine has studied pedagogy and dance history and has been a part of the Liturgical Dance Ensemble She has performed internationally and worked with artists such as Sidra Bell.

THE MYTH OF THE INDIGENOUS WOMAN

Choreographer | Olivia Turner-Leftwich

Music | “Panorama” by Big Dog Little Dog | “Farewell to Ireland/Foxhunter’s Reel” by The Celtic Fiddle Festival | “Phantasy Quintet: Prelude” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed by Garfield Jackson and the Maggini Quartet

Voices of Culture | Kenzie Krommes, Jillian Pohl, Madeleine Sipos, Megan Wade

Original Woman | Grace Mullins

Interpreter | Elena Bobby

Interpretation | Anna Menarcheck

Every time a story is told and heard a new version is born in the mind of the listener This piece is about the echoes of interpretations of powerful indigenous women inspired by the historiography of Lady Boudica, La Malinche, and Queen Maeve. What is the responsibility of the interpreter against the inevitability of myth? And, what is the value of truth when myth is more enticing?

Olivia Turner-Leftwich

is originally from Nashville, TN where she began her dance training at Centennial Youth Ballet with her sister Katelyn. At Mercyhurst University, Olivia is pursuing her BFA in Dance, BA in History, and is involved in the Honors Program. She finds storytelling particularly inspirational and will jump at the chance to tell stories (both real and mythical) with her own dance, choreography, or historical research.

program B

saturday, april 27 at 7 pm + sunday, april 28 at 2 pm

STRENGTH IN UNITY

Choreographer | Alyson Szewczyk

Music | “Brotsjór” composed and performed by Ólafur Arnalds | “The Time to Run” composed and performed by Dexter Britain | “Imagine” (Piano and Violin Version) composed by John Lennon and Performed by VioDance

Dancers | Natalie Cecil, Elodie Devos, Nadine Fox, Jakquelyn Gauker, Isabella Johnson, Emily Rini, Sophie Satoh, Olivia Showers, Megan Wade

This piece explores the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks and the effects that it had on the people of our nation The contrasting states of the human body’s nervous system going from chaos to calm are portrayed In the immediate aftermath the sympathetic nervous system was activated due to a stress response causing people to act in disarray. Even though the horrific things about that day will never be forgotten, many will agree that our nation became more unified than ever before. A sense of unity eventually allowed the opposing parasympathetic nervous system to be activated and people to come together In this unity there is strength!

Alyson Szewczyk

Alyson Szewczyk, is a native of Erie PA, Melbourne FL, and Pittsburgh PA. She is working to obtain a BA in Dance and a BS in Biology with a Neuroscience concentration at Mercyhurst University. While at Mercyhurst Alyson has had the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Swan Lake, and original works created by students and faculty Alyson has enjoyed the opportunity to grow as a dancer, expand her performance repertoire, and create her biggest choreographic work yet.

A MOMENT IN RHAPSODY

Choreographer | Katherine Kilbourn

Music | “3 Preludes No 2 in C-Sharp Minor” by George Gershwin, played by Richard DiFiore | “Rhapsody in Blue” by Ekseption | “The Man I Love” by George Gershwin, played by Richard DiFiore

Skirts | courtesy of SoMar Dance Works

Dancers | Drew Bauerle, Nicole Hirsch, Morgan Masters, Montana Pastore, Caitlin Settle, Moira Sullivan

Katherine Kilbourn

Katherine Kilbourn grew up in Easton, Maryland where her love for various dance styles began at the Mid Shore Dance Academy. She attended the Washington School of Ballet before furthering her education at Mercyhurst University where she will graduate with her BFA in Dance and a minor in Psychology this spring. Alongside her ever-growing love for ballet, she has enjoyed being a company member of Mercyhurst’s SoMar Dance Works and president of their National Honor Society for Dance Arts chapter.

AN ODE TO THE IMPERMANENT

Choreographer | Nadine Fox

Music | “Being Here” by Mammal Hands | “Before Dawn” by On Earth, Micheal Gungor & Tyler Chester | “Gun” by Mas Ysa | “For Blue Skies” by Strays Don’t Sleep | “Winter” by Matt Corby

Dancers | Sophia Du Jat, Ainsley Dunning, Madeleine Plourde, Sophie Satoh, Mia Semieraro

This thesis explores the feelings towards change and impermanence. The choreography is metaphorically based on seasons and has a visual element to depict the relationship of impermanence with our environment, the people who we connect with & our relationship with ourselves. The basis of my research has roots in Japanese thought and understanding Wabi Sabi which is a Japanese perspective that finds beauty in things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.

intermission

Nadine Fox

Nadine Fox was raised throughout her life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Nadine is extremely grateful for her time at Mercyhurst University where she had the opportunity to pursue both of her passions to receive a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Performing Arts Dance while simultaneously taking prerequisites for Physical Therapy graduate school.

Nadine is currently a certified exercise fitness instructor by the American Council of Exercise (ACE) and is currently in the process of studying for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Personal Trainer Exam. After graduation, Nadine will be working as the Supervisor of the Wellness: Healthy Living Department and the Founding Director for the Youth Ballet program at the Beaver County YMCA.

THE PROMISED LAND

Choreographer | Mara Isaacson

Music | “The Tragic Tale of Maggie Donavan” and “When I Cross

Over Jordan” by Bobbie Lancaster

Dancers | Natalie Cecil, Carlos de la Incera, Sophia Du Jat, Nancy Fisher, Ava Khoury (US), Erin McKenna, Nadia Stronkowsky, Moira Sullivan

“I look back upon the long, dangerous and precarious emigrant road with a degree of romance and pleasure; but to others it is the graveyard of their friends.” (Loren Hastings, Portland, Oregon, December 1847)

Mara Isaacson

is from Greenwood, Nebraska and will graduate in May with a BFA in Dance and minor in Social Justice from Mercyhurst University. Mara danced with American Midwest Ballet’s Junior Company prior to coming to Mercyhurst. Raw Edges has positively challenged her as a choreographer this year, and she has greatly enjoyed performing in one of the pieces!

FEMALE CREATURE: MARZANNA

Choreographer | Anna Menarchek

Music | “Sinfonietta: II. Serenade. Un poco adagio” by Szymon Laks and NFM

Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra | “Symphony for Strings: IV Allegro molto” by Szymon Laks and Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio

Headpieces | in collaboration with Savannah Rachael

Dancers | Emma Berkheiser, Gabrielle Harris, Isabella Johnson, Ava Khoury, Olivia Showers, Madeleine Sipos, Katelyn Turner-Leftwich

Spring is drawing near, winter doesn’t want to go away

It’s still frigid in the evenings and snow is still falling Marzanna, Marzanna,

you winter lady, Today we’ll drown you

Because we don’t want any more winter

Anna Menarchek

is a dancer, performer, and choreographer in Erie, PA. She will graduate this spring from Mercyhurst University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance She has trained in ballet, pointe, pas de deux, modern, jazz, and has deepened her passion through Pedagogical practices and learning about dance history. While at Mercyhurst, she has explored a variety of repertoire including Taglioni in Pas De Quatre, a cygnet in Swan Lake, the Sugar Plum fairy in Tis The Season: The Nutcracker, as well as collaborated with artists such as Steve Rooks

MY EYES ARE CLOSED BUT MY MIND’S AWAKE

Choreographer | Katelyn Turner-Leftwich

Music | “Summer Night Sounds” by Acerting Art | “The Last Foundry” by Raime | “Miserere, Op 44:11 Miserere nobis - Lento, tranquilissimo, cantabilissimo, dolcissimo” by Henryk Górecki, performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, conductor

Dancers | Drew Bauerle, Elena Bobby, Natalie Cecil, Nancy Fisher, Jakquelyn Gauker, Abigail Lipa, Jillian Pohl

Katelyn Turner-Leftwich

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Katelyn began her dance training with the Centennial Youth Ballet She is a double major with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Pre-Health Sciences, and in addition to her training at Mercyhurst she has gone to LINES Ballet Pre-Professional Summer Program, New Dialect Summer and Winter Intensives, and American Ballet Theatre’s Collegiate Program. After graduation she plans to continue dancing and exploring new ways of movement.

Jennifer McNamara

Assistant Professor, is delighted to be a part of the Mercyhurst University dance faculty. Raised in Syracuse, NY, she spent two seasons with Richmond Ballet; among her most notable performance opportunities with the company were Kurt Joos’s The Green Table and Balanchine’s Serenade She spent the next eleven years with Eugene Ballet, where she toured the United States, Canada, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Syria, Jordan, and Tunisia She was grateful to grow as an artist in narrative ballets including performing the role of Lucy in Charles Bennett’s Dracula She also created leading roles in many of artistic director Toni Pimble’s contemporary works, as well as being sought by guest choreographers. After performing in Paul Vasterling’s Seasons, Jennifer was invited to become a principal dancer with Nashville Ballet; in her six years there, she was especially noted for dramatic portrayals such as the Chosen One in Salvatore Aiello’s The Rite of Spring and the title roles in Dennis Spaight’s Scheherazade and Paul Vasterling’s Romeo and Juliet and Lizzie. She was coached by the late Elaine Thomas of the Royal Ballet for performances as Myrtha in Giselle, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, among others in the classical canon

After retiring, Jennifer worked to combine her love for teaching, words, and making things; she was an adjunct professor at Middle Tennessee State University and the rehearsal director for the Centennial Youth Ballet, she taught contemporary ballet for New Dialect’s daily company class, and she was on the faculty of the School of Nashville Ballet. Jennifer has designed and built costumes for her own choreographic works as well as on commission for others; several of these creations have been in gallery exhibitions

As a Pilates educator and an intuitive dancer-teacher, Jennifer’s thoughtful inquiry into the intertwined science and art of movement informs her work in and out of the studio; she is also an advocate for creating equitable opportunities in dance She is a past recipient of the Individual Artist Fellowship (Dance) from the Tennessee Arts Commission. Recent publications include an article in Arts Education Policy Review and the chapter “Afterword(s)” in Masculinity, Intersectionality & Identity: Why Boys (Don’t) Dance (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022) She is the co-editor of the book Dancing Mind, Minding Dance: Socially Relevant and Personally Resonant Dance Education (Routledge, 2023) and has co-authored a chapter on mixed methods research for the forthcoming book, The Handbook of Dance Education Research (Intellect Books, 2024) Jennifer earned her MFA in Dance from Hollins University in 2018.

.C. Noelle Partusch

Professor, Dance Department Chair, and Artistic Director of the Mercyhurst Liturgical Dance Ensemble, specializes in Labanotation and Liturgical Dance. She earned her BFA from the State University of New York College at Purchase in 1988, a Labanotation Teacher’s Certificate from the Dance Notation Bureau in New York City in 1989, and her MFA from The Ohio State University in 1992 Ms Partusch teaches ballet, pointe, dance conditioning, dance appreciation, kinesiology, Labanotation, and has taught a special interdisciplinary course called “The Sacred and the Beautiful ” In 2015, she developed a new academic course called “Liturgical Dance: Concepts and Perceptions” that is offered as a selection of courses within the Catholic Studies Minor at Mercyhurst University She choreographs for concert dance, opera, and dance in worship. Noelle served as the associate artistic director of Alaska Dance Theatre for 11 years and danced professionally with Atlanta Ballet II, Buffalo Ballet Theatre, Buffalo Inner-City Ballet, Empire State Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, and the Anchorage Opera. In addition, she was adjunct faculty for the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Theatre and Dance and Alaska Regional Director of the Sacred Dance Guild. She is currently the Co-Vice President and Coordinator of Sacred Dance in Higher Education for the Sacred Dance Guild She is also a member of the International Council of Kinetography Laban, and CORPs de Ballet, International. Ms. Partusch was invited to give presentations on Liturgical Dance at the conference “Performing Arts Training Today” in Bovec, Slovenia and at the National Church Musician’s Conference at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa In addition, she was invited to be one of three keynote speakers at the 2016 Northwest PA Synod Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For over 20 years Ms Partusch has danced in many churches and worship settings and acts as artistic director to the Mercyhurst University Liturgical Dance Ensemble where she mentors the next generation of leaders in Liturgical Dance. With this ensemble, she has traveled to New York City, NY; Atlanta, GA; Sydney, Australia; and Jerusalem, Israel to attend “Project Dance” and present her choreography Most recently Ms Partusch traveled with 14 members of the Liturgical Dance Ensemble to Norwich, United Kingdom, where they led a sacred dance workshop and performed an entire concert of Liturgical Dance at Westacre Theatre

Noelle Partusch is married to Tony Partusch, a licensed journeyman plumber who is currently the purchasing agent for V.P. Plumbing Supply in Erie, PA. Tony is an avid fisherman and a fantastic cook! Tony and Noelle are the very proud parents of twins Krista & Anton and their younger sister, Kara Noelle attributes her success to a lot of hard work, a great amount of faith enabling her to take many leaps, and the ongoing and amazing support of her family.

Mark Santillano

Assistant Professor, has had a multifaceted career in the arts. His work as a dancer, choreographer, educator, photographer, videographer, editor, musician, composer, writer, and actor, culminates in dance works that are pan-genre, multimedia, and interdisciplinary that range from the poignant to the preposterous Mark earned a BFA in Dance and B.S. in Communications from Southwest Missouri State University, and his master’s from Wesleyan University Mark toured the world with Pilobolus Dance Theatre and was a company member of Indianapolis’ Dance Kaleidoscope. As a member of Actor Equity Association his credits include international tours of The King and I, West Side Story, and A Chorus Line. Mark has had his choreography presented in Sweden, Korea, Austria, Regional Dance America; Beef & Boards Dinner Theater, Firehouse Dinner Theater, the San Diego Civic Dance Company, and numerous colleges across the country

Along with Solveig Santillano, Mark is co-founder/co-director of SoMar Dance Works Established in 1999, SoMar is in-residence at Mercyhurst and has received numerous grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Mark served as an Artist-in-Residence at his alma mater, SMSU prior to coming to Mercyhurst in 2000. He teaches Modern, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre Dance, Contemporary Partnering, Choreography, and is resident photographer, videographer, and media archivist for the Dance Department Mark is also recipient of an Erie Arts & Culture Artist Fellowship and has served on the board of directors for the Erie Dance Consortium and the American College Dance Association.

Solveig Santillano

Associate Professor, teaches choreography, modern, dance appreciation, dance conditioning, dance history, senior seminar, and yoga studies Holding an MFA (Hollins), MALS (Wesleyan), and BFA (Julliard), Santillano is a CLMA (Integrated Movement Studies) and ISMETA registered Dance Therapist and specializes in somatic disciplines. A recipient of Wesleyan’s Rulewater prize for her research on yoga and dance, Santillano is aregistered yoga teacher (RYT @ 500 hours) with Essential, Advanced (Open Sky Yoga), and Restorative Yoga (Judith Hanson Lasater) certifications. Currently studying with Douglas Brooks, Judith Hanson Lasater, Francois Raoult, Ernesta Corvino, and Bill Evans, she is a certified Bill Evans teacher, is trained/taught Stott Pilates

Her rich performance career includes Anna Sokolow’s Players Project, Ruby Shang and Dancers, Prometheus Dance Theatre, Boston Arts Group, Spencer/Colton, Nancy Compton, Neta Pulvermacher, and six years of international touring with MOMIX Dance Company as a soloist, choreographic collaborator, with whom she appeared in Italian television specials and an IMAX film for the Korean Film Festival. Her work as a choreographer/director/performer/collaborator has culminated in the co-founding and co-directing (with partner Mark Santillano) SoMar Dance Works, the contemporary in-residence dance company at Mercyhurst University Their work has been presented internationally (Sweden, Austria), nationally and regionally (AZ, CA, CT, ME, MI, NY, NC, PA, SD) and locally. Long time Pennsylvania Partners of the Arts grant recipients (2007-present), the duo was awarded Erie Arts and Culture’s first Established Artist Fellowship (2016), and celebrated their company ’ s 20th anniversary in 2019

Santillano dedicates her life to teaching, coaching and direction inspired by ongoing somatic, dance, and yoga research, the intersection of arts, advocacy, and community service Her teaching credits include overseeing/directing the dance department and student company at Salem State College (MA), teaching national and international master classes, and serving on the faculty at Erie Dance Conservatory, Lake Erie Ballet, Springfield Ballet, Lexington School of Ballet, H T Chen & Dancers (NYC), the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, health/wellness facilities including Manhattan Body (NYC), YMCA, Manchester Health Club, Success Naturally Yoga Center, and Inner Balance Pilates. She serves as faculty advisor for the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) and the Yoga Club, attends, teaches, and presents at regional to international workshops and conferences, and is dedicated to building/serving community as an artist and educator, supporting young artists in their holistic pursuit of excellence, optimal human movement potential, meaning making, and cultivation of their personal “voice”

Matthew Christensen

Adjunct Professor, is from Salt Lake City, UT. He began training at age 17 and continued at the Ballet West Conservatory and the University of Utah, where he received the prestigious Willam F Christensen scholarship He attended summer programs on full scholarship at Ballet West, LA Classical Ballet, and Boston Ballet Two of his most influential teachers were NYCB principal dancer Conrad Ludlow and the late Willam F. Christensen While at the University of Utah, he performed the lead in Paquita; Michael Smuin’s Romeo and Juliet, balcony pas de deux and Eternal Idol, pas de deux; and Violette Verdy’s Divermento.

Matthew’s first professional contract was with Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, where he toured Alberto Alonso’s Carmen throughout the United States and Taiwan, and performed in the world premiere of artistic director Eldar Aliev’s 1001 Nights. After joining Eugene Ballet/Ballet Idaho, Matthew was promoted to principal dancer in his second season He danced principal roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as originated roles in contemporary repertoire by artistic director Toni Pimble, among others.

Matthew and his wife, Jennifer McNamara, joined Nashville Ballet in 2001, where they often danced together He has been noted for his exquisite partnering skills and effortless male technique in performances of Prince Désire in The Sleeping Beauty, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Albrecht in Giselle, the Sugar Plum Cavalier in The Nutcracker, The Golden Slave in Dennis Spaight’s Scheherazade, the Warrior in Salvatore Aiello’s The Rite of Spring, and the title role in Paul Vasterling’s Romeo and Juliet

In 2005, he received the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Fellowship in Dance. Prior to joining Mercyhurst University’s Department of Dance, Matthew was the ballet master for Centennial Youth Ballet and the primary upper division teacher for Metro Nashville Parks’ Dance Division, where he staged The Nutcracker, Giselle, Swan Lake, Paquita, Act III; and the dream scene from Don Quixote, and choreographed original works He is passionate about providing a high-quality classical ballet education to all students Matthew graduated summa cum laude from Mercyhurst with a BFA in Dance in 2023

Richard DiFiore

Music Director and Principal Pianist, holds a master's degree from the University of Florida in piano performance Richard has been in high demand as a dance accompanist for many years and taught at Florida State University as a visiting professor in the School of Dance before coming to Mercyhurst In addition to his duties here, he has played for many summer dance programs and intensives including American Dance Festival, American College Dance Association, Chautauqua Institute, and Perry-Mansfield Summer Dance Intensive. Richard is also an accomplished collaborative pianist and has accompanied many recitals, both instrumental and vocal, and is active as a vocal coach for singers In addition to playing for both ballet and modern classes, Richard teaches music for dancers at Mercyhurst University

Andrew Ferguson

Technical Director, is from Ocala, Florida, and began working in technical theatre 14 years ago. Andrew graduated from Mercyhurst University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music

Education Technical theatre continues to be a passion of his that has led him to work with artists from all around the world on productions varying from ballet to vaudeville, and everything in between During his career, in various capacities, he has worked with Moscow Ballet, Dorrance Dance, Ballet Hispánico, Troupe Vertigo, Cirque Zephyr, Pilobolus, Alvin Ailey

American Dance Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, Bernadette Petters, Vanessa Williams, Aaron Tveit, David Sedaris, Dave Brubeck, Branford Marsalis, Chris Botti, Leslie Odom Jr., our beloved Erie Philharmonic, and many more. Andrew has led technical artistry for ballet productions such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Little Match Girl, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more Operas include Madame Butterfly, The Magic Flute, Dido and Aeneas, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Tosca, L’Elisir d’Amore, The Tales of Hoffman, Nabucco, La Boheme, Faust, and more than can be listed When rarely not in a theatre, Andrew can be found spending time with his lovely wife Emily, their three dogs, and enjoying the simple things in life

Harold Hotchkiss

Assistant Technical Director, has been working in technical theater for 22 years Harold is a native of Buffalo, New York, and a graduate of the University of Buffalo. He completed his MFA in theatre design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During Harold’s time in theater he has worked with many educational institutions such as Mercyhurst University, Penn State Behrend, Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, California, University of Buffalo, and more. Currently he divides his time working as an assistant technical director in Erie, Pennsylvania, and production manager/technical director in Hayward, California Outside of the theater Harold enjoys working in the garden with his wife, Gillian

Danielle Kaiser

Administrative Assistant, Adjunct Faculty, Dance Club Advisor, Dance Team Coach, is a native of both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She holds her B.A. in Dance and B.A. in Secondary Education Mathematics from Mercyhurst University as well as her MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University Danielle has been the recipient of the Mercyhurst Egan Scholarship from 2006 to 2010 as well as the Etoile Leadership award in 2010. She was also honored with the Howard Gilman Fellowship Award through Jacksonville University’s MFA program, acting as the cohort and faculty liaison from 2017 to 2019 Having trained with Tauna Hunter, Michael Gleason, Christina Hay, C Noelle Partusch, Mark and Solveig Santillano, Nathaniel Johnson, Christina Teague-Mann, Ana Sanchez-Colberg, and Cari Frieberger, she has had opportunities to work closely with artists such as Lily Baldwin, Marianela Boán, Alonzo King, Elena Estanol, Bill Evans, Erin Tisdale, Momix Dance Company, Pilobulus, and Valerie Valentine She has previously appeared as company member with SoMar Danceworks, the Mercyhurst University Dance Team (captain), and the Erie Bayhawks AAA NBA dance team (captain)

Danielle has appeared onstage both nationally and internationally with PGT Entertainment and Princess Cruises, Ltd. on board the Dawn, Emerald, and Grand Princess vessels, performing as an aerialist, ballet soloist, and assistant company performance manager Her choreography has been presented aboard the Dawn Princess with Princess Cruises Ltd as well as with the Mercyhurst University Department of Dance, Cleveland Ballet Conservatory, Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Jacksonville University’s MFA program, Erie Dance Theatre, NYCDA, and RDA Northeast Danielle’s choreography presented at the Northeast Regional Dance America was nominated for the prestigious Monticello Choreography Award in 2015 and the National Choreographic Award in 2019. Danielle currently serves as adjunct faculty and administrative assistant to the chair of the Dance Department at Mercyhurst, where she is also the advisor to the Dance Club and head coach of the Dance Team She is a freelance teacher and choreographer in the northeast region. Danielle is the Artistic Director and Founding Board Member for Seiche Dance Collective; Erie’s newest not-for-profit professional dance company Her passion resides in preserving the integrity of dance education by using her knowledge in both the education and dance fields to facilitate the future generation of dancers, choreographers, and dance educators. She cherishes her time with her 2 5 year old son Caden, her husband Nick, and their new daughter Lila, born in November 2023

John Prior

Assistant Technical Director, is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, having graduated from Central High School John has extensive experience working on the technical elements of production He continues his 18-year run working as a stagehand for Erie’s Warner Theatre and the Erie Insurance Arena. John has also worked for Grisé Audio Visual for the last 10 years This is John’s fifth year working for the Mercyhurst University, where he continues to contribute his help and expertise to the Dance Department. When John is not offering his technical expertise here and around the Erie area, he enjoys his passions of golf and music.

Patrick Skelly

Stagehand / crew not only for Mercyhurst University but also for the IATSE union, local 113 Besides doing theater stage work he also dig graves, picks grapes and is the owner operator of Little Shop of Donuts located in North East, PA. When Pat isn’t working you can find him enjoying the company of his wife, kids, and pets!

Adam Schlereth

Theatre Technician, has been working as a technical assistant with Mercyhurst throughout his past four years while pursuing dual degrees in Intelligence Studies and Cyber Security He has had the privilege of being able to work with renowned artists such as Sutton Foster, Matthew Morrison, Leslie Odom Jr., and more. Beyond Mercyhurst, he also enjoys working with an regional production company that has allowed him to work with many talented artists throughout the tri-state area Adam is very thankful for the opportunities and connections that have been made possible thanks to everyone on the technical team.

Bob Steineck

Lighting designer, is currently resident lighting designer for Texture Contemporary Ballet, Mercyhurst University Department of Dance, Rennie Harris Puremovement, and New Horizon Theatre. Mr Steineck has toured throughout the US and abroad with such companies as Rennie Harris Puremovement and RHAW, Reed Dance, Squonk Opera, Maria Del Rey, the Lyon Opera Ballet, Sankai Juku, Phoenix Dance Company, Kirov Ballet Academy and the "America Tour" for Stars on Ice Television/Video/DVD credits include the DIZZY GILLESPIE Allstar Big Band for A/E Cable, the SPYRO GYRA concert for PBS, Lindy and Loon for Maria Del Rey, JOHNNY A TRIO by Warner Bros Publications, and A Gathering of Sons for Pittsburgh Festival Opera He has designed for several corporate events including Mon Valley Sizzles. Recent lighting designs include: Not My Revolution by actor and playwright, Elizabeth Huffmann. Other designs include Rennie Harris’ Funkedified, Caravan: A Revolution on the Road featuring Terence Blanchard E-Collective, Rennie Harris Puremovement & Andrew Scott, American College Dance Association’s 2023 Festival, a futuristic adaption of Felix Mendelssohn’s ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Mercyhurst University’s Department of Dance, and Texture Contemporary Ballet’s Transformations

MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF DANCE Faculty and Staff

Dance Chair and Professor

C Noelle Partusch

Professor Emeritus

Tauna Hunter

Associate Professor

Solveig Santillano

Assistant Professor

Mark Santillano

Jennifer McNamara

Photographers

Rick Klein

Mark Santillano

Technical Director

Andrew Ferguson

Assistant Technical Director

John Prior

Harold Hotchkiss

Theater Technician

Adam Schlereth

Technical Assistant

Patrick Skelly

Lighting Designer

Bob Steineck

Adjunct Faculty

Matthew Christensen

Angela DiFiore

Michael Gleason

Danielle Kaiser

Production Assistants

Music Director & Principal Pianist

Richard DiFiore

Pianists

Rhonda Berlin

Christian Goulione

Nicholas Nasibyan

Admissions Coordinator

Julie Benson

Administrative Assistant

Danielle Kaiser

Archivist

Mark Santillano

Sophie Satoh (Production Practicum Supervisor)

Katherine Kilbourn

Technical Crew

Amelia Bachman, Abigail Chrin, Isabelle Garvey, MiKayla Sharp, Annabel Vetock, Lauren Zwirecki

Additional Administrative Support

Drew Bauerle, Joanna Clifford, Ainsley Dunning, Nadine Fox, Kara Hallstrom, Mara Isaacson, Anna Menarchek, Madeleine Plourde, Jillian Pohl, Nadia Stronkowsky, Katelyn Turner-Leftwich, Olivia Turner-Leftwich

Amelia Bachman

Drew Bauerle

Emma Berkheiser

Elena Bobby

Kaitlyn Brooks

Natalie Cecil

Abigail Chrin

Joanna Clifford

Shyla Clifford

Carlos De la Incera

Elodie Devos

Sophia Du Jat

Ainsley Dunning

Nancy Fisher

Nadine Fox

Isabelle Garvey

Jakquelyn Gauker

Kathryn Gianforcaro

Gabrielle Harris

Nicole Hirsch

Mara Isaacson

Isabella Johnson

Ava Khoury

Katherine Kilbourn

Kenzie Krommes

Abigail Lipa

Morgan Masters

Erin McKenna

Anna Menarchek

Grace Mullins

Mollee Neblett

Montana Pastore

Madeleine Plourde

Jillian Pohl

Emily Rini

Sophie Satoh

Mia Semieraro

Caitlin Settle

Makayla Sharp

Olivia Showers

Madeleine Sipos

Tori St John-Gilbert

Nadia Stronkowsky

Moira Sullivan

Alyson Szewczyk

Katelyn Turner-Leftwich

Olivia Turner-Leftwich

Annabel Vetock

Megan Wade

Nicole Walters

Madison Wanamaker

Lauren Zwirecki

The Mercyhurst Department of Dance

would like to thank the following for their support

Alyssa C Alger

Samuel P. Black

Marie Blum ‘08

Danielle Bogan

Rachel Brown ‘12

Kathy Burns

Dara Carman ‘08

Molly Boswell Caruso ‘05

Liz Clain-Stefanelli ‘09

Dr. Diane Cochran ‘78

Patrick Conroy

Mary Ellen Dahlkemper

Paul Davie

Amy Deer ‘12

Sondra Depalma ‘97

Lorraine Dolan

Brooke Driver ‘03

Michael Duffy

Amanda Edge

Jeffrey W. Evans

Jeanne Fornarola ‘79

Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Gamble

Christine Geren ‘98

Claire Giardina

Girl Scouts Western PA

Michael S. Gleason

Hailey Glover ‘11

Kelly Haggerty

Theresa Hall ‘91

Maureen Haraczy

Claire Hinde ‘11

John and Julia HoranYoung Artists’ Conservatory

Sarah Hricko ‘11

Tauna Hunter

Christine Konzel

Kara Jones Louis ‘07

Sara Lawrence-Sucato ‘06

Noelle Lelakus ‘08

Faith Lifshen

David Livingston

Charles McAveney

Megan McHale ’00

Gerry McMurdy

Martin Meislin

Isabel Milkovich

Mary Rose Milkovich

Caroline Millikin ‘05

Amanda Mountain ‘04

Kathleen Pae

C. Noelle Partusch

Augustine Pescatore

Jordan Pirrone

Modern Dental Group

Mr. & Mrs. Alan and Rosemary Rainbow

SafeNet

Mark and Solveig Santillano

Tawny Schaffer

Victoria Scott ‘12

Cora Mae Sinke

Elizabeth Sinke

Charles L. Sinke

Victoria Smith ‘07

Jane Steineck

Amy Stoddart ‘93

Patricia Sullivan

Pamela Swaney ‘06

Roger Szotko

Michele Tapajna

Rachel Torgeson

Karen Tyler

Bernardine Vojtko

Barbara Vredegoogd

Pamela A. Vouri

Gregory Warren

Christine Wilbur ‘11

Peter Wilbur

Barbara Story Walk ‘57

In memory of Adele de Walt

Pat Yahn

Lori Yusz

Rachel Zak ‘97