T h e N u t c r a c k e r , A C T I I
MusicbyPyotrIlyichTchaikovsky
ChoreographybyJustinM.Hogan'09
Rehearsal Directors: Matthew Christensen, Jennifer McNamara, C. Noelle Partusch
Sugar Plum Fairy: HannahDragan
Angels: KatieBazala
JoannaClifford GabrielleHarris MaraIsaacson
Hot Chocolate: CarlosDelaIncera OliviaTurnerLeftwich AmeliaWaddell
Coffee Lead: AlysonSzewczyk
Coffee Corps: AinsleyDunning AnnaMenarchek GraceMullins MadeleinePlourde
Tea: SophieSatoh
Marzipan Lead: JakquelynGauker
Marzipan: KatieBleu IsabellaJohnson MeggiePeterson KatelynTurnerLeftwich
Kutia (Russian): ErinLeach DanielleTuomey
Dew Drop: MaiaCieply
Flowers: KatieBazala
JoannaClifford AinsleyDunning GabrielleHarris MaraIsaacson KatherineKilbourn
Clara CharlotteMeilaender
RebeccaJones
KatherineKilbourn CaitlinSettle NadiaStronkowsky
RebeccaJones
AnnaMenarchek GraceMullins MadeleinePlourde MiaSemieraro CaitlinSettle
Saxophone
Willow Lapp-alto Dennis Whalen-alto Aidan Moore-tenor Abigail Secor-tenor Cooper Hicks-baritone
Trumpet
Kirk Morrison
Austin Aldrich Tristan McCray Chris Wise
Rhythm Section
Trombone
Vinnie Boni
Olivia Gelo Kole Wentling Rebecca Ferguson
Jacob Perry-piano | Camryn "C.C" Smith-vibraphone | Emily McGarvey-bass guitar Anthony Bach-drum set | Nick Caruso-drum set
Guest Artist and Master of Ceremony
Dillon Shidemantle
DILLON SHIDEMANTLE
Guest artist and Master of Ceremony, isanaccomplishedvocalistaswellasanexcitingperformeronthetrumpet.Someofthe greatestvocalistsofoureracanbeheardwithinDillon’svocalstylings.HebringstolifefragmentsofFrankSinatraandBobbyDarin gluedtogetherwithalittleBublé.
DillonwasbornandraisedinConneautville,Pennsylvania,andhasbeenperformingprofessionallyforoveradecadeDuringhis collegeyears,DillonperformedfortheErieJazzandBluesFestaswellastheColumbusJazzandRibsFestIn2018,hespentthe summerasanightlyentertaineratOWAThemeParkinFoley,AlabamaAdditionally,DillonperformedwithTheDaveBanksBig Bandastheleadsingerandtrumpeter HehasperformedwithsomeofOhio’sfinestmusiciansincluding:JoeAugustine,Dave Morgan,JimRupp,andJackieWarren.
RightbeforeCOVID,DillontraveledtoNewOrleanswhereheperformedontheAmericanHarmonywithpianistandactor TheronBrown.InJuneof2021,Dillonreleasedhisdebutalbum“1960,"adedicationtohismother.Thematerialcontainedin. “1960”waspremieredontheopeningnightofTheKnightStageinAkron,Ohio.
DillonholdsaMaster’sinTrumpetPerformancefromtheUniversityofAkronHehasstudiedwithJackSchantz,ScottJohnston, MarkMaliniak,MarkDulin,HelenWelch,andBarbaraRosene,tonameafewAlsoofnote,whileattendingMercyhurstUniversity, DillonbecameafoundingmemberandfrontmanofTheMonk’sBrew,ajazzcombothathasperformedover100shows
SCOTT MEIER
Associate Professor of Music at Mercyhurst University, beganhisstudiesattheUniversityofWyoming,receivingaBachelorof ScienceinmusiceducationAftersevenyearsofteachinginstrumentalandchoralmusicinArizonapublicschools,heearnedhis masterofmusicinwoodwinddoublingattheUniversityofRedlandsinRedlands,Californiawherehestudiedsaxophoneand conductingwithEddieR Smith,clarinetwithPhillipRehfeldt,oboewithFranciscoCastillo,andflutewithSaraAndon Later, whileearninghisPhDattheFloridaStateUniversity,hestudiedconductingwithJamesCroft,RodneyEichenberger,andAndre Thomas.
Dr.Meierteachesappliedsaxophone,conductsthewindandjazzensembles,teachesmusiceducationandtechnologycourses,andis conductingresearchinmultimediaperformanceart,projectormapping,andthetransferoflearning.Hehaspresentedorgiven clinicsinelevenstatesandatthenationalconventionsoftheNationalAssociationforMusicEducationandtheNationalArt EducatorsAssociation.
Heservesasthecoordinator,andperiodicallytheconductor,fortheannualTriStateMusicFestivalatMercyhurstUniversityand hasservedontheBoardofDirectorsforJazzErieDrMeierisanactiveperformerandhasplayedprofessionallywithseverallocal ensemblesincludingthePresqueIsleSaxophoneQuartet(asafoundingmember),theDaveStevensBigBand,theErie Philharmonic,theErieChamberOrchestra,WindsontheLake,JacksonStation,KeyWestExpress,andTheGroove.Heis currentlyamemberofTheClevelandWinds,thePresqueIsleSaxophoneQuartet,thePresqueIsleJazzOrchestra,andtheMisery BayBigBand.
THE MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY
ENSEMBLE
JAZZ
JUSTIN M. HOGAN
Guest Choreographer and Dancer,isknownforhisengagingstorytellinganddevelopedfusionofideas,dance,design,andresearch thatbecomethefoundationsforhisworks FromCincinnati,Ohio,JustinbegandancingattheageofthirteenwiththeSchoolfor CreativeandPerformingArts ThiswasfurtheredbytrainingwiththeCincinnati,Houston,andBostonBalletAcademiesbefore attendingMercyhurstUniversityandearningaBachelorofArtsinDancePerformanceandChoreography.
Professionally,JustinhasperformedsoloistandprincipalroleswithCarolinaBallet,St.LouisBallet,andLouisvilleBalletinadditionto beingaguestartistwiththeNevadaBalletTheatre,PeoriaBallet,BalletConcerto,andothers.Hefindsequalcomfortincontemporary andclassicalroles,wherehismusicalityandcharacterdevelopmenthaveearnedcriticalpraise.
Justin'schoreographicjourneybeganatMercyhurst,wherehispasdedeuxBehindClosedDoorswasnamedasagalaselectionatthe AmericanCollegeDanceFestival WhileatCarolinaBallet,hewastheonlynonseniormemberofthecompanypermittedto choreographforadancerproducedshow,andtheonlycompanymemberduringhisthreeyearsatStLouisBallettochoreographon hiscolleaguesAtLouisvilleBallet,hehashadfiveworkscommissioned,withasixthtopremiereinearly2023AmongthemwasThe HeartofLight,theSilence,whichearnedcriticalpraiseas"theheartoftheevening[ ]itspowerexemplifiedbytheaudience'ssilenceas itended"andwasrestagedayearlater.
Faculty
LESLEY BORIES-SCALISE
Artist in Residence,beganherdancetraininginFlint,MichiganunderthedirectionofGaylaZukevich.Atage12,shewasinvited underfullscholarshipandrelocatedasaninternationalstudentinresidencewiththeNationalBalletofCanadainToronto.She continuedhervariousdancestudiesunderscholarshipwiththeRoyalWinnipegBalletSchool,InterlochenArtsAcademy,North CarolinaSchooloftheArts,andtheChicagoCityBalletSchool.LesleywasalsooneofonlysixstudentschosenfromacrosstheU.S.to attendasixweeksummerintensiveinNewYorkstudyingwithSuzanneFarrellandPaulMejia.Profoundlygratefulforherformidable earlytraining,Lesleypraisesbecomingaprofessionalballerinaattheyoungageof16tosomeofherothermastersofclassicalballet; FanchonCordell,MelissaHayden,LarryLong,EvelynHart,Wilhelm“Willy”Burmann,KarenKain,HomerBryant,MichaelVernon, and“MissO”BettyOliphant
HerextensiveprofessionalcareerbeganwithChicagoCityBalletunderthedirectionofMariaTallchiefandPaulMejia,BalletChicago underthedirectionofDanielDuell,DanceTheatreofFloridadirectedbySeanMusselman,andthePittsburghBalletTheatredirected byPatriciaWildeandTerrenceOrr.WhiledancingwithBalletChicago,shewasasoloistguestartistinRuthPageofChicago’s productionofTheNutcracker,directedbythelateLarryLong.Lesleyhasperformedmanyprincipalroles,someofwhichinclude GeorgeBalanchine’sSquareDance,WesternSymphony,Jewels,Apollo,TheFourTemperaments,TheNutcracker,DanielDuell’s HanselandGretel,MariusPetipa’sSleepingBeauty,DavidParson’sHairyNightonBaldMountain,LisadeRibere’sAmazingGrace, andtheroleofTheSylphinAugustBourneville’sLaSylphide.Anadditionalprofessionalopportunitysheholdsdearlywashavingthe honorofperformingattheesteemedJacob’sPillow
Uponretiringfromthestage,shehasbeenaballeteducatorformorethan20years Mrs BoriesScalisehasservedontheteaching facultyofTheRockSchoolofthePennsylvaniaBallet,PointParkUniversity,NewCastleRegionalDance,andGreaterYorkCenter forDanceEducation.ShealsohadtheprivilegeofservingasleadadjudicatorforBalletMichigan’sproductionofTheNutcracker. LesleywasformerlytheexecutiveartisticdirectoroftheLakeErieBalletSchoolandCompanywhereshechoreographednumerous classicalballetsandcontemporarypieces,includingherfulllengthproductionofTheNutcracker.Furthermore,shechoreographeda contemporaryballetforMercyhurstBalletTheatre,whichwasperformedinNYCattheJoyceTheaterin2014fortheNYCDance AllianceFoundationCelebrationawardingover$8millionincollegescholarships.HerlatesttriumphisthecommencementofVirtual BalletAcademy,providinganinclusiveonlinedancecourseanddanceconditioningeducationforalllevelsandages.Lesleybegan teachinginMercyhurst'sDanceDepartmentin2003andenjoyssharingherloveforthismagnificentartform,includingteaching masterclasseslocallyandthroughouttheUS
THE MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY DANCE DEPARTMENT
MATTHEW CHRISTENSEN
Adjunct Faculty fromSaltLakeCity,Utah,beganhistrainingat17andcontinuedattheBalletWestConservatoryandtheUniversity ofUtah,wherehewastherecipientoftheprestigiousWillamF.Christensenscholarship.Heattendedsummerprogramsonfull scholarshipatBalletWest,LAClassicalBallet,andBostonBallet.TwoofhismostinfluentialteacherswereNYCBprincipaldancer ConradLudlowandthelateWillamF.Christensen.WhileattheUniversityofUtah,performedtheleadinPaquita;MichaelSmuin’s RomeoandJuliet,balconypasdedeuxandEternalIdol,pasdedeux;andVioletteVerdy’sDivermento Matthew’sfirstprofessional contractwaswithIndianapolisBalletTheatre,wherehetouredAlbertoAlonso’sCarmenthroughouttheUS andTaiwan,and performedintheworldpremiereofartisticdirectorEldarAliev’s1001NightsMatthewalsoperformedtheroleofVonRothbartin SwanLake,coachedbyAliev,whowasfamedforhisinterpretationattheKirovAfterjoiningEugeneBallet/BalletIdaho,Matthewwas promotedtoprincipaldancerinhissecondseasonHedancedprincipalrolesinTheNutcracker,SwanLake,andTheSleepingBeauty, aswellasoriginatedrolesincontemporaryrepertoirebyartisticdirectorToniPimble,amongothers
Matthewandhiswife,JenniferMcNamara,joinedNashvilleBalletin2001,wheretheyoftendancedtogetherHehasbeennotedforhis exquisitepartneringskillsandeffortlessmaletechniqueinperformancesofPrinceDésireinTheSleepingBeauty,PrinceSiegfriedin SwanLake,AlbrechtinGiselle,theSugarPlumCavalierinTheNutcracker,TheGoldenSlaveinDennisSpaight’sScheherazade,the WarriorinSalvatoreAiello’sTheRiteofSpring,andthetitleroleinPaulVasterling’sRomeoandJuliet.
In2005,hereceivedtheTennesseeArtsCommission’sFellowshipinDance.Forfiveyears,Matthewhasbeentheballetmasterfor CentennialYouthBalletandtheprimaryupperdivisionteacherforMetroNashvilleParks’DanceDivision,wherehestagedThe Nutcracker,Giselle,SwanLake,Paquita,ActIIIandthedreamscenefromDonQuixote,andchoreographedoriginalworks.Heis passionateaboutprovidingahighqualityclassicalballeteducationtoallstudents.Matthewisdelightedtobeonthefacultyof MercyhurstUniversity.
ANGELA MACDONOUGH DIFIORE
Adjunct Faculty hasovertwentyyears’experienceinthefieldofdanceasaperformer,choreographer,andeducatorSheholdsaBFA inDancefromNewWorldSchooloftheArtsandanMFAinDance(ChoreographyandPerformance)fromFloridaStateUniversity AngelahaspresentedherchoreographicworkinperformancesthroughoutthestateofFlorida;Erie,Pennsylvania;Fredonia,NewYork; MountSanJacinto,California;andProDanzaItaliainMontescudaio,Italy.Angelahasservedasthecodirectorofthedanceprogram atBrowardCollegeinFortLauderdale,Florida.AtBrowardCollegeshehadtheopportunitytoteachBallet,ContemporaryDanceand JazzaswellaschoreographfortheBCCDanceEnsemble,directconcerts,developdanceprogramcurriculum,andmentorstudents.
ShehasperformedthroughoutthesouthFloridaregionwithsuchgroupsasDancesynergy,CorpsChameleon,MillenniumDance Syndicate,BalletFlamencoLaRosaandKokoflux,FuzionDanceArtists(SarasotaContemporaryDance),andotherindependentartists WhilecompletingherMFAindanceatFloridaStateUniversity,Angelahadtheopportunitytodanceintheworkofchoreographers suchasLyndaDavis,TerryCreach,SusanMarshall,andBrendtSchneiderShewasalsoanactivememberofDanceRepertoryTheatre asaperformer,rehearsaldirector,andcompanyassistant
WhilelivinginNewYorkCity,AngelaperformedwithTheUglyCompany,directedbyTennilleLambertatvariousperformancesat theCunninghamTheatreSpace,MovementResearch,andDanceTheaterWorkshop.ShealsotaughtforFSUinNYC(adance program in NYC through Florida State University, designed for undergraduate seniors and MFA candidates) leading the Movement/Studioelement“Classasamovingbody.”AngelaworkedcloselywithDr.SallySommertoconnectthestudioelementwith thehistoryandresearchportionsoftheFSUinNYCexperience.
AngelahasbeeninvolvedinseveralperformancesofFloridaWaterwaysDanceProjectandNationalWaterDancesince2010asa collaborator,choreographer,performer,andorganizerShehasalsobecomeinvolvedinchoreographingandperformingindancefor filmprojectsforErieDanceFilmFestivalaswellascreatinganewscreendanceworkmadeforFredoniaDanceEnsembleInaddition todance,AngelahasagreatinterestinyogaandisaRYT200certifiedyogainstructorandamemberofYogaAlliance.Angelahas taughtbothdanceandyogaatSantaFeCollege,UniversityofFlorida,theCollegeofCentralFlorida,SomaMovementArts,SUNY Fredonia,PerryMansfieldPerformingArtsSchoolandCamp,andtheMercyhurstSummerDanceExperience.Angelaisarostered teachingartistwithErieArts&CultureandhasservedontheboardofErieDanceConsortium.Currently,Angelaisanadjunct professoratMercyhurstUniversityandSUNYFredonia.
MICHAEL S. GLEASON
Adjunct Faculty’sprofessionalperformingexperiencesembracednotonlyballet,butalsomodernandjazzTheycarriedhimfromone coasttotheotherandbackagain,includingseasonswithTheMetropolitanOperaBallet,TheClevelandBallet,TheSanFrancisco OperaBallet,andnumerousguestappearanceswithcompaniesthroughoutthecountry HebeganhistraininginLosAngeleswith EugeneLoringandcontinuedhisstudiesinSanFrancisco,NewYork,andSeattleUponcompletinghisprofessionalcareer,heattended MercyhurstUniversityunderthe“ReturningProfessionalProgram”andgraduatedSummaCumLaudewithaB.A.inDance.
Mr.GleasoncofoundedandactedastheexecutivedirectorofDANSOURCE,aninformationandreferralservicethatfortenyears linkedcompanieswithdancers,teachers,andchoreographers. From1994to2016heservedasproductionmanagerandtesident designerfortheMercyhurstDancersandtheMercyhurstOperaforwhichhedesignedsets,lights,andcostumesforGiselle,Cinderella, TheNutcracker,Carmen,TheSleepingBeauty(opera),SongofNorway,DonGiovanni,andMarriageofFigaro.
His40yearsofteachingandcoachingexperiencesincludeworkwithartistsfromtheNorwegianNationalBallet,AmericanBallet Theatre,JoffreyBallet,BostonBallet,Cleveland/SanJoseBallet,NashvilleBallet,PacificBalletTheatre,CincinnatiBallet,and CharlestonBalletTheatre.From1994to2019hetaughtballet,pointe,men’stechnique,pasdedeux,andchoreographedforthe MercyhurstDanceDepartment.HeisalongstandingmemberfortheCORPSdeBalletInternational.
TAUNA HUNTER
Professor Emeritus and retired Chair of Dance at Mercyhurst University (1994 2019),beganherdancetrainingwithWillamF ChristensenandcontinuedattheUniversityofUtahwheresheearnedBFAandMFAdegreesinballetperformanceandchoreography. SheperformedasaprincipaldancerwithBalletWestandDallasBalletandappearedasaguestartistwithBalletConcerto,Colorado Ballet,DavidTaylorDanceTheatre,NorthernBalletTheatre(England),ThePavlovaCelebrationInternationalTour,andnumerous regionalcompaniesthroughouttheU.S.DuringheraffiliationwithBalletWest,sheworkedundertheguidanceofBruceMarksand ToniLanderandreceivedcriticalacclaimasoneofthecompany’sleadingballerinas.In1982,sheplacedasasemifinalistattheII InternationalCompetitioninJackson,Mississippi.In1985,shecofoundedDANSOURCE,anationalnetworkingandinformation servicethatconnecteddancersandcompaniesforovertenyears.Asitsmanagingdirector,shewashighlightedin“Megatrends2000” andfeaturedin“Success”Magazineasatrendsetterinthefutureofthearts.Ms.Hunterhasappearedinallthemajorrolesoftheclassical repertoireandhastaughtforcompanies,universities,andprivateschoolsthroughouttheU.S.andinEngland,Canada,andChina.She hasstagednumerousfulllengthclassicalballetsandchoreographedover25contemporaryworks.For10yearsshewasaGuestArtistin ResidencefortheInterlochenArtsAcademysummerdanceprogram.ShehasbeenhonoredwiththeChautauquaArtistTeacher Award,ErieArts&CultureLifetimeAchievementAward,theUniversityofUtahLegacyAward,andwashighlightedintheJuly2017 issueofDanceTeacherMagazine.ShecurrentlyservesasvicechairoftheErieArts&Cultureboard,whereshealsoactsaschairforthe FundDevelopmentCommittee.Inaddition,sheservesontheAdvisoryBoardsofBalletConcertoinTexas,andFlorida'sDanceNow Miami!InthepastshehasservedontheUniversityofUtahArtisticAdvisoryCouncil,theNationalAssociationofSchoolsofDance board,andlocallyactedasartisticadvisortoLakeErieBalletfor18years,aswellasservingaspresidentandchairmanoftheboardfor theErieDanceConsortiumfrom2000to2010MsHunterhasbeenmarriedtoMichaelSGleasonfor34yearsandtheyhavea27 yearolddaughter,Caitlin Whensheisnotteaching,coachingorstagingballets,sheenjoystravelingwithherfamily,gardening, golfing,andspendingthecoldmonthsintheirpeidàterreinFloridaAsabreastcancersurvivor,sheactivelysupportsbreastcancer awareness
JENNIFER McNAMARA
Assistant Professor, isdelightedtobeapartoftheMercyhurstUniversitydancefaculty.RaisedinupstateNewYork,shespenttwo seasonswithRichmondBallet,mostnotableforthechancetoperforminKurtJoos’sTheGreenTableandBalanchine’sSerenadeonthe sameprogram Shespentthenext11yearswithEugeneBallet,whereshetouredtheUS,Canada,Taiwan,India,SriLanka, Bangladesh,Syria,Jordan,andTunisiaShewasgratefultogrowasanartistinnarrativeballetsincludingperformingtheroleofLucyin CharlesBennett’sDraculaShealsocreatedleadingrolesinmanyofartisticdirectorToniPimble’scontemporaryworks,aswellasbeing soughtbyguestchoreographersforherartisticcontributions AfterperforminginPaulVasterling’sSeasons,Jenniferwasinvitedto becomeaprincipaldancerwithNashvilleBallet Inhersixyearsthere,shewasespeciallynotedfordramaticportrayalssuchasthe ChosenOneinSalvatoreAiello’sTheRiteofSpringandthetitlerolesinDennisSpaight’sScheherazadeandPaulVasterling’sRomeo andJulietandLizzieShealsoperformedrolesincludingMyrthainGiselle,theSugarPlumFairyinTheNutcracker,andOdette/Odile inSwanLake,amongothersintheclassicalcanon
Afterretiring,Jenniferworkedtocombineherloveforteaching,words,andmakingthings;shewasanadjunctprofessoratMiddle TennesseeStateUniversityandtheballetmistressfortheCentennialYouthBalletShetaughtcontemporaryballetforNewDialect’s dailycompanyclass,andshewasonthefacultyoftheSchoolofNashvilleBalletJenniferhasdesignedandbuiltcostumesforherown choreographicworksaswellasoncommissionforothers;thesecreationshavebeenthesubjectofgalleryexhibitionsontheintersection ofdanceandfashion,andasapartofanIsadoraDuncancelebration
AsaPilatesmasterinstructorandanintuitivedancerteacher,Jenniferoffersinsightfulinquiryintothescienceandartofmovementas theyintertwineineachindividual’sbody Sheisalsopassionateabouttheintersectionsofequityanddancepedagogyandcoaching dancersinthetraditionpassedtoherbythelateElaineThomasoftheRoyalBallet SheisapastrecipientoftheIndividualArtist Fellowship(Dance)fromtheTennesseeArtsCommissionandispursuingateachingcertificationthroughtheNationalDance EducationOrganization.Recently,shewasinvitedtoserveastheinternalcopyeditorfortheforthcomingtext,Masculinity, Intersectionality&Identity:WhyBoys(Don’t)Dance.JenniferearnedherMFAinDancefromHollinsUniversityin2018.
C. NOELLE PARTUSCH
Professor, Dance Department Chair, and Artistic Director of the Mercyhurst Liturgical Dance Ensemble, specializesin Labanotationandliturgicaldance. SheearnedherBFAfromtheStateUniversityofNewYorkCollegeatPurchasein1988,a LabanotationTeacher’sCertificatefromtheDanceNotationBureauinNewYorkCityin1989,andherMFAfromtheOhioState Universityin1992.Ms.Partuschteachesballet,pointe,danceconditioning,danceappreciation,kinesiology,Labanotation,andhas taughtaspecialinterdisciplinarycoursecalled“TheSacredandtheBeautiful.”In2015,shedevelopedanewacademiccoursecalled “LiturgicalDance:ConceptsandPerceptions”thatisofferedasaselectionofcourseswithintheCatholicStudiesMinorat MercyhurstUniversity. Shechoreographsforconcertdance,opera,anddanceinworship. Noelleservedastheassociateartistic directorofAlaskaDanceTheatrefor11yearsanddancedprofessionallywithAtlantaBalletII,BuffaloBalletTheatre,Buffalo InnerCityBallet,EmpireStateBallet,AlaskaDanceTheatre,andtheAnchorageOpera. Inaddition,shewasadjunctfacultyfor theUniversityofAlaskaAnchorageDepartmentofTheatreandDanceandAlaskaRegionalDirectoroftheSacredDanceGuild SheiscurrentlythecovicepresidentandcoordinatorofsacreddanceinhighereducationfortheSacredDanceGuild Sheisalsoa memberoftheInternationalCouncilofKinetographyLaban(ICKL),andCORPsdeBallet,International Ms Partuschwas invitedtogivepresentationsonliturgicaldanceattheconference“PerformingArtsTrainingToday”inBovec,Sloveniaandatthe NationalChurchMusician’sConferenceattheUniversityofAlabamainTuscaloosa,Alabama Inaddition,shewasinvitedtobe oneofthreekeynotespeakersatthe2016NorthwestPASynodConventionoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica For over20yearsMs PartuschhasdancedinmanychurchesandworshipsettingsandactsasArtisticDirectortotheMercyhurst UniversityLiturgicalDanceEnsemblewhereshementorsthenextgenerationofleadersinliturgicaldance Withthisensemble, shehastraveledtoNewYorkCity;Atlanta,Sydney,Australia,andJerusalem,Israeltoattend“ProjectDance”andpresenther choreography.MostrecentlyMs.Partuschtraveledwith14membersoftheLiturgicalDanceEnsembletoNorwich,U.K.where theyledasacreddanceworkshopandperformedanentireconcertofLiturgicalDanceatWestacreTheatre.
NoellePartuschismarriedtoTonyPartusch,alicensedjourneymanplumberwhoiscurrentlythepurchasingagentforV.P. PlumbingSupplyinErie,Pennsylvania.Tonyisanavidfishermanandafantasticcook! TonyandNoellearetheveryproud parentsoftwinsKristaandAntonandtheiryoungersister,Kara.Noelleattributeshersuccesstoalotofhardwork,agreatamount offaithenablinghertotakemanyleaps,andtheongoingandamazingsupportofherfamily.
MARK SANTILLANO
Assistant Professor,hashadamultifacetedcareerinthearts.Hisworkasadancer,choreographer,educator,photographer, videographer,editor,musician,composer,writer,andactor,culminatesindanceworksthatarepangenre,multimedia,and interdisciplinarythatrangefromthepoignanttothepreposterous.MarkearnedaBFAindanceandB.S.incommunicationsfrom SouthwestMissouriStateUniversity,andhismaster'sfromWesleyanUniversity.MarktouredtheworldwithPilobolusDanceTheatre andwasacompanymemberofIndianapolis’DanceKaleidoscope.AsamemberofActorEquityAssociationhiscreditsinclude internationaltoursofTheKingandI,WestSideStory,andAChorusLine MarkhashadhischoreographypresentedinSweden, Korea,Austria,RegionalDanceAmerica,Beef&BoardsDinnerTheater,FirehouseDinnerTheater,theSanDiegoCivicDance Company,andnumerouscollegesacrossthecountryAlongwithSolveigSantillano,Markiscofounder/codirectorofSoMarDance WorksEstablishedin1999,SoMarisinresidenceatMercyhurstandhasreceivednumerousgrantsfromthePennsylvaniaCouncilon theArtsMarkservedasanArtistinResidenceathisalmamater,SMSU,priortocomingtoMercyhurstin2000Heteachesmodern, jazz,tap,musicaltheatredance,contemporarypartnering,choreography,andisresidentphotographer,videographer,andmedia archivistfortheDanceDepartmentMarkisalsorecipientofanErieArts&CultureArtistFellowshipandhasservedontheboardof directorsfortheErieDanceConsortium,andtheAmericanCollegeDanceAssociation
Associate Professor, teacheschoreography,modern,danceappreciation,danceconditioning,dancehistory,seniorseminar,and yogastudies.HoldinganMFA(Hollins),MALS.(Wesleyan),andBFA(Julliard),SantillanoisaCLMA(IntegratedMovement Studies)andISMETAregisteredDanceTherapistandspecializesinsomaticdisciplines.ArecipientofWesleyan’sRulewaterprizefor herresearchonyogaanddance,Santillanoisaregisteredyogateacher(R.Y.T.@500hours)withEssential,Advanced(OpenSky Yoga),andRestorativeYoga(JudithHansonLasater)certifications.CurrentlystudyingwithDouglasBrooks,JudithHansonLasater, FrancoisRaoult,ErnestaCorvino,andBillEvans,sheisacertifiedBillEvansteacher,istrained/taughtStottPilates.Herrich performancecareerincludes:AnnaSokolow’sPlayersProject,RubyShangandDancers,PrometheusDanceTheatre,BostonArts Group,Spencer/Colton,NancyCompton,NetaPulvermacher,andsixyearsofinternationaltouringwithMOMIXDanceCompany asasoloistandchoreographiccollaborator,withwhomsheappearedinItaliantelevisionspecialsandanIMAXfilmfortheKorean FilmFestival. Herworkasachoreographer/director/performer/collaboratorhasculminatedinthecofoundingandcodirecting (withpartnerMarkSantillano)ofSoMarDanceWorks,thecontemporaryinresidencedancecompanyatMercyhurstUniversity. Theirworkhasbeenpresentedinternationally(Sweden,Austria),nationallyandregionally(AZ,CA,CT,ME,MI,NY,NC,PA, SD)andlocally(extensively).LongtimePennsylvaniaPartnersoftheArtsgrantrecipients(2007present),theduowasawardedErie Arts&Culture’sfirstEstablishedArtistFellowship(2016),andcelebratedtheircompany’s20thanniversaryin2019.Santillano dedicatesherlifetoteaching,coaching,anddirectioninspiredbyongoingsomatic,dance,andyogaresearch,theintersectionofarts, advocacy,andcommunityservice.Herteachingcreditsincludeoverseeing/directingthedancedepartmentandstudentcompanyat SalemStateCollege,teachingnationalinternationalmasterclasses,andservingonthefacultyatErieDanceConservatory,LakeErie Ballet,SpringfieldBallet,LexingtonSchoolofBallet,H.T.Chen&Dancers(NYC),theMissouriFineArtsAcademy,health/wellness facilitiesincludingManhattanBody(NYC),YMCA,ManchesterHealthClub,SuccessNaturallyYogaCenter,andInnerBalance Pilates.SheservesasfacultyadvisorfortheNationalHonorSocietyforDanceArts(NHSDA)andtheYogaClub,attends,teaches, andpresentsatregionaltointernationalworkshopsandconferences,andisdedicatedtobuildingandservingcommunityasanartist andeducator,supportingyoungartistsintheir(holistic)pursuitofexcellence,optimalhumanmovementpotential,meaningmaking, andcultivationoftheirpersonal“voice."
Staff
RICHARD DIFIORE
Music Director and Principal Pianist, holdsamaster'sdegreefromtheUniversityofFloridainpianoperformance.Richardhasbeen inhighdemandasadanceaccompanistformanyyearsandtaughtatFloridaStateUniversityasavisitingprofessorintheSchoolof DancebeforecomingtoMercyhurst Inadditiontohisdutieshere,hehasplayedformanysummerdanceprogramsandintensives includingAmericanDanceFestival,AmericanCollegeDanceAssociation,ChautauquaInstituteandPerryMansfieldSummerDance IntensiveRichardisalsoanaccomplishedcollaborativepianistandhasaccompaniedmanyrecitals,bothinstrumentalandvocal,andis activeasavocalcoachforsingers Inadditiontoplayingforbothballetandmodernclasses,Richardteachesmusicfordancersat MercyhurstUniversity
University Technical Director, isfromOcala,Floridaandbeganworkingintechnicaltheatreeightyearsago.Andrewgraduated fromMercyhurstUniversityin2010withaBachelorofMusicdegreeinEducation.Technicaltheatrecontinuestobeapassionofhis thathasleadhimtoworkwithartistsfromallaroundtheworldonproductionsvaryingfromballettovaudeville,andeverythingin between.Hehasworkedasatechnicaldirectorforballetandopera,aswellastheMercyhurstInstituteofArtsandCulture(MIAC). Duringhiscareer,hehasworkedwithMoscowBallet,DorranceDance,Pilobolus,AlvinAileyAmericanDanceTheatre,Martha GrahamDanceCompany,PaulTaylorDanceCompany,ChitaRivera,BernadettePetters,JudyCollins,DarleneLove,DaveBrubeck, JaneLynch,andmanymore AndrewhasledtechnicalartistryforballetproductionssuchasSleepingBeauty,SwanLake,The Nutcracker,LittleMatchGirl,AMidsummerNight'sDream,andmoreOperasincludeMadameButterfly,TheMagicFlute,Amahl andtheNightVisitors,L’elisird’amore,LaBoheme,andmorethancanbelistedWhenrarelynotinatheatre,Andrewcanbefound battlingwithparonagolfcourseHelovesspendingtimewithhiswifeEmilyandtheirthreedogs,andenjoyingthesimplethingsin life
SOLVEIG
SANTILLANO
ANDREW FERGUSON
OWEN HITT
Theater Technician, hasworkedintechforthreeyearsandhasbeenwithMercyhurstforthepastsevenmonthsassistinginlighting design,sounddesign,setconstruction,andanyothertechnicalprojectsthatmayarise.HealsohelpswithproductionsattheWarner TheaterandErieInsuranceArenaworkingasastagehand.OwenisagraduateofMercyhurstUniversityandspentthepasttwoanda halfyearsworkingasaSystemsEngineerinMediaSecurityfortheWaltDisneyCompanyinLosAngeles.Hehasalwaysconsidered theateranddancetobeapartofhislife,havingreceivedaminorintheateratMercyhurstUniversity,andactingin20productionsover 15yearsatFairviewHighSchool,MercyhurstUniversity,andtheEriePlayhouseWhenOwenisnotworkinginthetheaterhecanbe foundathome,spendingtimewithhisbeautifulwifeandtheirtwosleepycats,orinfrontofthecomputer,workingonsomecrazytech projectandplayingvideogames
HAROLD HOTCHKISS
MFA, Assistant Technical Director, hasbeenworkingintechnicaltheatrefor22years.HaroldisanativeofBuffalo,NewYork,anda graduateoftheUniversityofBuffalo.HecompletedhisMFAinTheatreDesignfromtheUniversityofIllinoisatUrbanaChampaign. DuringHarold’stimeintheatrehehasworkedwithmanyeducationalinstitutionssuchasMercyhurstUniversity,PennStateBehrend, MoreauCatholicHighSchoolinHayward,California,UniversityofBuffalo,andmore.Currentlyhedivideshistimeworkingasan assistanttechnicaldirectorinErie,Pennsylvania,andproductionmanager/technicaldirectorinHayward,California.Outsideofthe theatreHaroldenjoysworkinginthegardenwithhiswife,Gillian.
DANIELLE KAISER
Administrative Assistant, Adjunct Faculty, Dance Club Advisor, Dance Team Coach, isanativeofbothPittsburghand Philadelphia,PennsylvaniaSheholdsherBAinDanceandBAinSecondaryEducationMathematicsfromMercyhurstUniversity aswellasherMFAinChoreographyfromJacksonvilleUniversity DaniellehasbeentherecipientoftheMercyhurstEgan Scholarshipfrom2006to2010aswellastheEtoileLeadershipAwardin2010 ShewasalsohonoredwiththeHowardGilman FellowshipAwardthroughJacksonvilleUniversity’sMFAprogram,actingasthecohortandfacultyliaisonfrom2017to2019 HavingtrainedwithTaunaHunter,MichaelGleason,ChristinaHay,CNoellePartusch,MarkandSolveigSantillano,Nathaniel Johnson,ChristinaTeagueMann,AnaSanchezColberg,andCariFrieberger,shehashadopportunitiestoworkcloselywithartists suchasLilyBaldwin,MarianelaBoán,AlonzoKing,ElenaEstanol,BillEvans,ErinTisdale,MomixDanceCompany,Pilobulus,and ValerieValentine ShehaspreviouslyappearedascompanymemberwithSoMarDanceworks,theMercyhurstUniversityDance Team(captain),andtheErieBayhawksAAANBAdanceteam(captain) Daniellehasappearedonstagebothnationallyand internationallywithPGTEntertainmentandPrincessCruises,Ltd onboardtheDawn,Emerald,andGrandPrincessvessels, performingasanaerialist,balletsoloist,andassistantcompanyperformancemanager Herchoreographyhasbeenpresentedaboard theDawnPrincesswithPrincessCruisesLtd aswellaswiththeMercyhurstUniversityDepartmentofDance,ClevelandBallet Conservatory,ErieContemporaryBalletTheatre,JacksonvilleUniversity’sMFAprogram,andErieDanceTheatre,NYCDA,and RDANortheast Danielle’schoreographypresentedattheNortheastRegionalDanceAmericahasbeennominatedfortheprestigious MonticelloChoreographyAwardin2015andtheNationalChoreographicAwardin2019 Daniellecurrentlyservesasadjunct facultyandadministrativeassistanttothechairoftheDanceDepartmentatMercyhurstUniversity,wheresheisalsothecurrent advisortotheMercyhurstUniversityDanceClubandheadcoachoftheMercyhurstUniversityDanceTeam Sheistheprimary balletinstructorandadvisorforLittleDanceStudioinErie,Pennsylvania,aswellasafreelanceteacherandchoreographerinthe northeastregion.DanielleistheArtisticDirectorandFoundingBoardMemberforSeicheDanceCollective;Erie’snewestnotfor profitprofessionaldancecompany.Herpassionresidesinpreservingtheintegrityofdanceeducationbyusingherknowledgeinboth theeducationanddancefieldstofacilitatethefuturegenerationofdancers,choreographers,anddanceeducators.
JOHN PRIOR Assistant University Technical Director isanativeofErie,Pennsylvania,havinggraduatedfromCentralHighSchool.Johnhas extensiveexperienceworkingonthetechnicalelementsofproduction.Hecontinueshis13yearrunworkingasastagehandforErie’s WarnerTheatreandtheErieInsuranceArena.JohnhasalsoworkedforGriséAudioVisualforthelast6years.ThisisJohn’ssecond yearworkingfortheMercyhurstUniversityMaryD’AngeloPerformingArtsCenter,wherehecontinuestocontributehishelpand expertisetotheDanceDepartment WhenJohnisnotofferinghistechnicalexpertisehereandaroundtheEriearea,heenjoyshis passionsofgolfandmusic
CLAUDIA POTOCKI
Wardrobe Mistress,isanErienativewhosepassionforsewingbeganwithhermomandgrandma,butismostlyselftaught.Claudia hascreatedbeautifulcostumesnotonlyforMercyhurstbutalsoforlocaldanceorganizationsincludingTheDanceCompany,Erie DanceConservatory,SoMarDanceWorks,LakeErieBallet,Kristen’sDanceCompany,andregionallyfortheOlmsteadPerforming ArtsCenterandthePennsylvaniaGovernor’sSchooloftheArts.ClaudiahasbeenwiththeMercyhurstDanceDepartmentsince2000. Shehasenjoyedworkingwithartistsfromaroundtheworld,includingpastandpresentMercyhurstDancefaculty,LuisMontero, NataliaKrasovska,BruceMarks,BillEvans,andmanymore.SomeofherfavoriteaccomplishmentsandjoyswerecostumingforThe SleepingBeauty,Cinderella,SymphonieItalienne,LaFilleMalGarde,and‘TistheSeason.
BOB STEINECK
Lighting designer, iscurrentlyresidentlightingdesignerforTextureContemporaryBallet,PittsburghPlaywright’sTheatre, MercyhurstUniversityDanceDepartment,RennieHarris’PureMovementandRHAW,PittsburghFestivalOpera,andRaphaelXavier CompanyMrSteineckhastouredthroughouttheUSandabroadwithbothRennieHarrisCompanies,PureMovementandRHAW, ReedDance,SquonkOpera,theLyonOperaBallet,SankaiJuku,PhoenixDanceCompany,KirovBalletAcademy,andthe"America Tour"forStarsonIce.Television/Video/DVDcreditsincludeAGatheringofSonsforPittsburghFestivalOpera,theDIZZY GILLESPIEAllstarBigBandforA&ECable,theSPYROGYRAconcertforPBS,andJOHNNYATRIObyWarnerBros. Publications.HehasdesignedforseveralcorporateeventsincludingMonValleySizzilesattheHistoricCarrieFurnace.Hismostrecent lightingdesignsincludetheworldpremiereofAGatheringofSonscommissionedbyPittsburghFestivalOpera,andtwonationally touringproductions:PointofInterestforRaphaelXavierandLiftedforRennieHarrisPureMovment.OtherdesignsincludeBoundless forTextureContemporaryBallet,IntheCompanyofGhostsforAdrienneWehrandFrankFerraro,Xerxes,andSweenyToddfor PittsburghFestivalOpera.
Dance Chair and Professor C.NoellePartusch
Professor Emeritus TaunaHunter
Associate Professor SolveigSantillano
Assistant Professor MarkSantillano JenniferMcNamara
Artist in Residence LesleyBoriesScalise Photographers RickKlein MarkSantillano
Technical Director AndrewFerguson
Assistant Technical Director JohnPrior HaroldHotchkiss
Theater Technician OwenHitt
Technical Assistant AdamSchlereth
Wardrobe Mistress ClaudiaPotocki Administrative Assistant DanielleKaiser Archivist MarkSantillano
H
a f e n m a i e r C o l l e g e o f H u m a n i t i e s , A r t s , a n d S o c i a l S c i e n c e s M e r c y h u r s t U n i v e r s i t y D a n c e D e p a r t m e n t F a c u l t y a n d S t a f f
Lighting Designer BobSteineck Adjunct Faculty MatthewChristensen AngelaDiFiore MichaelGleason DanielleKaiser
Music Director & Principal Pianist RichardDiFiore Accompanists NicholasNasibyan ChristianGoulione Admissions Coordinator JulieBenson
Production Assistants
Technical Crew NatalieCecil,NicoleHirsch,AbigailLipa,AnnaO’Rourke,MadeleineSipos, MoiraSullivan,MadisonWanamaker
Administrative Support
SophieSatoh,ProductionPracticumSupervisor KatherineKilbourn
Additional
DrewBauerle,EmmaBerkheiser,KatieBleu,JoannaClifford,AinsleyDunning,NadineFox, KaraHallstrom,MaraIsaacson,RebeccaJones,ErinLeach,AnnieMarkel,CharlotteMeilaender, AnnaMenarchek,MeggiePeterson,JillianPohl,NadiaStronkowsky,KatelynTurnerLeftwich, OliviaTurnerLeftwich,AmeliaWaddell
T H E M E R C Y H U R S T D A N C E R S KatieBazala EmmaBerkheiser KatieBleu KaitlynBrooks MaiaCieply JoannaClifford ShylaClifford HannahDragan AinsleyDunning NancyFisher NadineFox JakquelynGauker KathrynGianforcaro GabrielleHarris MaraIsaacson IsabellaJohnson RebeccaJones KatherineKilbourn ErinLeach MorganMasters CharlotteMeilaender AnnaMenarchek GraceMullins MontanaPastore MeggiePeterson MadeleinePlourde JillianPohl SophieSatoh MiaSemieraro CaitlinSettle OliviaShowers ToriSt.JohnGilbert NadiaStronkowsky AlysonSzewczyk DanielleTuomey KatelynTurnerLeftwich OliviaTurnerLeftwich AmeliaWaddell MeganWade NicoleWalters
Mercyhurst Dance Department would like to thank the following for their support:
AlyssaC.Alger
SamuelP.Black MarieBlum‘08 DanielleBogan RachelBrown‘12 KathyBurns DaraCarman‘08
MollyBoswellCaruso‘05 LizClainStefanelli‘09 Dr.DianeCochran‘78
PatrickConroy
MaryEllenDahlkemper PaulDavie AmyDeer‘12 SondraDepalma‘97 LorraineDolan BrookeDriver‘03 MichaelDuffy AmandaEdge JeffreyW.Evans JeanneFornarola‘79
Dr.ThomasandMrs.MaryGamble
ChristineGeren‘98 ClaireGiardina
GirlScoutsWesternPA
MichaelS.Gleason HaileyGlover‘11 KellyHaggerty TheresaHall‘91 MaureenHaraczy ClaireHinde‘11
JohnandJuliaHoran
YoungArtists’Conservatory
SarahHricko‘11
TaunaHunter ChristineKonzel KaraJonesLouis‘07
SaraLawrenceSucato‘06
NoelleLelakus‘08 FaithLifshen
DavidLivingston
CharlesMcAveney MeganMcHale‘00 GerryMcMurdy MartinMeislin IsabelMilkovich MaryRoseMilkovich CarolineMillikin‘05 AmandaMountain‘04 KathleenPae C.NoellePartusch
AugustinePescatore JordanPirrone ModernDentalGroup
Mr.&Mrs.AlanandRosemaryRainbow SafeNet MarkandSolveigSantillano TawnySchaffer VictoriaScott‘12 CoraMaeSinke ElizabethSinke CharlesL.Sinke VictoriaSmith‘07 JaneSteineck AmyStoddart‘93 PatriciaSullivan PamelaSwaney‘06 RogerSzotko MicheleTapajna RachelTorgeson KarenTyler BernardineVojtko BarbaraVredegoogd PamelaA.Vouri GregoryWarren ChristineWilbur‘11 PeterWilbur BarbaraStoryWalk‘57
InmemoryofAdeledeWalt PatYahn LoriYusz RachelZak‘97
