Spring Dance Concert
May 4th @ 2:00 PM
St. Agnes Academy’s Meyer Hall
ST. AGNES ACADEMY ARTS PRESENTS
RORRIM
SPRING DANCE CONCERT
featuring works by guest artists
HUNTER CHRISTIAN GARCIA DeMARCO HOWARD
MARIA McCAIN OLIVIA MORROW CORY THAXTON
FRANK VEGA
SACHI JAVLE ‘27 MEREDITH PRYOR ‘25 GEORGIE RAWSON ‘26
SAVANNAH TRUEMAN ‘27 JESSICA VARGAS ‘27
ANDREA WILLMAN ‘26 MARYAM ZAAFRAN ‘26 and student choreographers
Scenic & Lighting Design
JON BONNER
Sound Design
ROBERTO AGUILAR
Production Stage Manager CAMILLE GREELEY '24
Director of Dance
JOHN BEASANT III
MEYER HALL
May 4, 2024
program
Peaceful Verticality
Choreography: DeMarco Howard
Performers: Aralyn Anderson, Vivienne Oelke, Caroline Rohloff, Maggie Ruiz
Pianist: Jeremy Wood (St. Agnes Academy Director of Music)
***Aerial dance combines elements of acrobatics and dance, incorporating movements while suspended in the air using apparatus like silks, hoops, or trapezes. Mr. Beasant hopes to be able to integrate aerial dance into the St. Agnes Academy future curriculum. This art form fosters creativity, enhances strength and flexibility, and offers young learners a unique outlet for artistic expression that challenges both their physical and mental capacities.
Egyptian Dance (excerpt from SAA’s production of AIDA)
Choreography (under the guidance of Mr. Beasant): Sachi Javle ‘27, Meredith Pryor ‘25, Savannah Trueman ‘27, Andrea Willman ‘26, Maryam Zaafran ‘26
Performers: Sachi Javle ‘27, Meredith Pryor ‘25, Savannah Trueman ’27, Andrea Willman ‘26, Maryam Zaafran ‘26
Frank Dances
Choreography: Frank Vega
Performers: David Calderon ‘25, Chloe Liang ‘27, Gabriella Lin ‘24, Katherine Lojo ‘27, Sachi Javle ‘27, David Roman-Pavajeau ‘25, Emerson Stai ‘27, and Savannah Trueman ‘27
Change
Choreography: Maria McCain
Performers: Maria McCain and Shea Morris
MTV Mashup
Choreography: Hunter Christian Garcia
Performers: David Calderon ‘25, Kate Fuller ‘27, Sachi Javle ‘27, Chloe Liang ‘27, Gabriella Lin ‘24, Nina Lykidis ‘26, Katherine Lojo ‘27, David Roman-Pavajeau ‘25, Helena Palinkas Sanches ‘24
program - continued
4x4
Choreography (under the guidance of Mr. Beasant): Georgie Rawson ‘26, Meredith Pryor ‘25, Jessica Vargas ‘27, Maryam Zaafran ‘26
Performers: Georgie Rawson ‘26, Meredith Pryor ‘25, Jessica Vargas ‘27, Maryam Zaafran ‘26
Student Art Pieces: Zahra Ajani ‘25, Kira Guevara ’27, Micaela Lim ‘27, Fiona Young ‘24
Another Day of Sun
Choreography: Cory Thaxton
Performers: David Calderon ‘25, Kate Fuller ‘27, Sachi Javle ‘27, Katherine Lojo ‘27, David Roman-Pavajeau ‘25
Here, Still
Choreography: Olivia Morrow
Performers: Gabriella Lin ’24 and Nina Lykidis ‘26
Peripeteia (a dance film)
Choreography and Videography: John Beasant III
Performer: Daniela Romero
***Through the synergy of visual storytelling and the physical language of dance, film transcends mere documentation, weaving memories into a tapestry of movement and emotion, elevating the human experience to a realm where words alone cannot reach. This dance was presented at the SoloDuo Dance Festival at Dixon Place in New York City, NY. Mr. Beasant looks forward to integrating Dance for Film into the dance curriculum this Fall at St. Agnes Academy.
Brink
Choreography: John Beasant III
Performers: Kate Fuller ‘27, Sachi Javle ‘27, Jordynn King ‘27, Sherine Liu ‘26, Maddie Plummer ‘27, Rachel Sun ‘26, Lillie Taylor ‘24, Savannah Trueman ‘27
*The videotaping or other video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
THE CHOREOGRAPHERS
John Beasant III, a Colombian American performer, teacher, and choreographer, serves as Artistic DirectorofJohn Beasant and Dancers, a project-based dance company. Hailing from Denver, Colorado, he earned his MFA in dance (with a choreography emphasis) from the University of Utah. Beasant has collaborated with renowned NYC-based companies including Doug Varone and Dancers, the José Limón Dance Company, the Metropolitan Opera, and Elisabeth Motley/Motley Dance. As a founding member of Andrea Miller's Gallim Dance (2007), he contributed significantly to its early success. Beasant's choreography has been commissioned globally, with credits including the Compañia de Cámera Danza of Costa Rica and the Juilliard School. With a broad reach, he has danced, taught, and created throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Hunter Christian Garcia, a Houston-based Hip-Hop Dancer, Choreographer, and Actor, ignited his dance journey at 12, swiftly rising through the city's vibrant scene. A founding member of The Alliance in 2013, combating bullying through dance, he thrived under his mother's guidance. Together, they established Stomp Factory in 2015, a beacon of inclusivity and artistry. Garnering accolades, including first-place victories statewide, Hunter holds an A.A. in Fine Arts from San Jacinto College and a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Houston. Passionate about sharing his craft, he and his mother empower diverse communities through dance education and
DeMarco Howard was born in Houston, Texas where he grew up in a creative environment. After graduating high school, he attended Abilene Christian University where he joined the university's band color guard, a local dance studio, and step team. He also helped start the university's first dance team, held 4 jobs, and even had time to mentor students in the dorm where he was a residential assistant. After graduating, DeMarco moved back to Missouri City where he taught dance at a local studio for 4 years. At that time, he started his own studio, and the rest is history.
Maria McCain is the Director of the Dance Program at University of St Thomas (UST) here in Houston. She graduated with her MFA in Dance at Belhaven University (Jackson, MS) in 2019. Since then, she has performed, choreographed, and taught for numerous dance companies and organizations including Ad Deum Dance Company (PDDP), Belhaven University’s Dance Ministry Ensemble, BU Dance Ensemble, Of Moving Colors (Baton Rouge, LA), and Cangelosi Dance Project (Baton Rouge, LA). Outside of University of St Thomas, Maria has taught at Houston MET Dance, Christian Conservatory of Dance (New Albany, MS), and Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet.
THE CHOREOGRAPHERS
Olivia Morrow, a BFA in Dance graduate from the University of Houston, received the Joanna Friesen Dance Scholarship. Her choreographic works, including pieces like “rest” and “gate(keeper),” have been showcased at various events such as the Thinking. Making. Doing Festival, Midtown Fall Festival in Philadelphia, and Midtown Arts & Theatre Center Houston. Notably, she was chosen for the Emerging Choreographer
Fellowship by Aimed Dance Company and exhibited her work at The HappeningKinder HSPVA 50th Anniversary Exhibition through DiverseWorks. Recently, Olivia premiered her piece titled “Going Anywhere” in the Spaces Dance Concert presented by HTX Connect at the MATCH Theatre.
Cory Thaxton, a Monroe native, graduated in Journalism from The University of Louisiana Monroe in 2018. At 29, he's the Communications Coordinator for the Division of Research at The University of Houston. Dancing for 15+ years, Cory shines in Jazz, Musical Theater, Jazz Funk, and Contemporary styles. His passion for the arts ignited in high school, driving him through 12+ musicals and choreographed productions. Beyond stage, Cory's talent reached television with X-Factor and a statewide Vantage Health commercial alongside Miss Louisiana 2018, Holli Conway. His diverse journey also includes directing dance teams and teaching in Houston studios.
Frank Vega's career spans performances in the US and Europe, including television, film, numerous musicals, and notable dance companies. He has graced stages in 30 productions alongside renowned actors and director/choreographer Rob Marshall. He choreographed for various dance and theater productions, earning honors like the Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for Dance. He won three Tommy Tune Awards for Choreography after returning to Houston. Frank's contributions extend to Co-Artistic Director of Dance Arts Studio and La JAZDANZ, showcasing his dedication to the arts.
WHO’S WHO
THE CREW
Courtney Shopoff ‘24 - Light Board
Lola Ridgway ‘26 - Sound
Katherine Olivero ‘26 - Deck Manager
Maggie Touma ‘26 - Deck Manager
Daniela Bascom ’27, Emma Johnston ‘27, Kendall McClure ’27, Briana Smiley ‘27
THE SPEAKER & THE POET
Quinn Lesniak ’24 (The Speaker)
Mary Oliver (Author of Devotionsbook of poetry) VOLUNTEERS
THANK YOU to the following parent volunteers who have gone above and beyond in time and talents
Michele Rawson
Friends of the Arts (FOTA) Dance Chair
John Rawson
Elaine Sanches
Agnes Trueman
SPECIAL THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Deborah Whalen, Head of School Carleen Raymond ‘00, Principal
Dale Grassman, Director of Facilities
NHS Student Ushers
ST. AGNES ACADEMY ARTS
Aaron McAllister
Director of Fine & Performing Arts
Jeremy M. Wood
Performing Arts Department Chair & Director of Music
Kim Fuselier Mendoza
Associate Director of Music
Jewell Handy ‘88 Director of Theatre
Jon Bonner
Technical Director
Roberto Aguilar
Asst. Technical Director
John Beasant III Director of Dance
Kaylee Hoffner
Dance
Terry Suprean Fine Arts Department Chair
Laura Costa ‘78
Fine Arts
Claire Loft Fine Arts
Sharon Gehbauer ‘89
Fine Arts
Chris Ellis
Administrative Assistant Arts & Athletics