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Build Belonging

Director’s Note

Welcome to Resonance, our 2025 Spring Dance Concert at Meyer Hall. Today’s performance celebrates the spirit of “building belonging” through a vibrant collection of works that reflect the diverse voices and growing artistry within our dance community.

Under my direction, this program brings together original choreography by our St. Agnes dancers, professional guest choreographers from Houston, and myself, along with performances by two guest artists and four short films from our Dance in Film course. Each element has been thoughtfully curated to deepen our students’ artistic experiences and to foster a culture of excellence and innovation.

At St. Agnes Academy, we believe in shaping dancers who not only perform with technical skill, but who also think critically, create boldly, and lead with heart. Meaningful engagements with professional artists further enrich our students’ growth, but it is the vision and daily commitment of our program that empowers them to become dynamic, thoughtful, and resilient artists.

Dance holds the power to resonate across boundaries, offering connection, understanding, and hope. As we look ahead, we remain devoted to cultivating spaces where every voice is seen, heard, and celebrated.

Thank you for joining us and for supporting the bright future of dance at St. Agnes Academy.

Warmly,

John Beasant III Director of Dance

ST. AGNES ACADEMY ARTS PRESENTS

Resonance

SPRING DANCE CONCERT

featuring works by

JOEL AGUILERA JOHN BEASANT III

RANDALL FLINN KATE FULLER ‘27

JESSICA KRAL PETERS DR. JANAKI RANGARAJAN

EDDIE STRACHAN SAVANNAH TRUEMAN ‘27

ELYSSA VEGA FRANK J. VEGA

MARIA MCCAIN & ANANYA A. NAIR and special guests

Lighting Design JON BONNER

Sound Design

ROBERTO AGUILAR

Production Stage Manager KATIE OLIVERO '26

Director of Dance

JOHN BEASANT III

MEYER HALL

May 10, 2025

Stillness in the Wake

program

Choreography: John Beasant III

Performers: David Calderon ’25, Nina Ewart ’28, Kate Fuller ’27, Millie Green ’28, Iris Hinkle ’28, Maddie Plummer ’27, Anisa Sinha ’28, Savannah Trueman ’27

Skating Through Life (dance film)

Choreography and Performer: Charlotte Loweth ‘25

Cinematography: Karla Atwood

Blueprint of Belonging

Choreography: John Beasant III

Performers: David Calderon '25 and Sophie Garibaldi '28

Never Loved Again

Choreography: Jessica Kral Peters

Performer: Julia Chang ‘28

Whoa!

Choreography: Joel Aguilera

Performers: David Calderon '25, Iris Hinkle '28, Kasi Ezike '26, Kate Fuller '27, Maria Ortiz '26

Holding On (dance film)

Choreography, Cinematography, and Performers: Gabbie Bode ’25, Bella Jilek ’28, Kate Palmer ‘25

Como La Flor

Choreography: Elyssa Vega in collaboration with the performers

Performers: Kate Fuller ’27, Sophie Garibaldi ’28, Kate Mejia ’27, Rachel Sun ’26

Canticum Ad Maria

Choreography: Randall FlInn

Performer: Maria McCain (Guest Performer - Director of Dance at University of St. Thomas)

program -

It’s All About Friendship Musical (dance film)

Choreography, Cinematography, and Performers: Inara Akhter ’26, Samantha Brumfield ’26, Ariana Singh ‘26

Take Me to Church

Choreography & Performers: Kate Fuller ’27 & Savannah Trueman ’27

Bhav Geet- "Jaya Sharade"

Choreography: Guru Dr. Janaki Rangarajan

Performer: Ananya A. Nair (Guest Performer – Student at Rice University)

Branches (dance film)

Choreography, Cinematography, and Performer: Molly Vance ‘25

Eilish

Choreography: Frank Vega

Performers: Nana Barning ’28, Kate Fuller ’27, Iris Hinkle ’28, Sachi Javle ‘27, Meylia Kumata ’28, Kate Mejia ’27, Savannah Trueman ’27

There will be NO intermission

THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Joel Aguilera, a Houston native, holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a BFA in Dance from the University of Houston. He has performed nationally and internationally, touring in Albania, Costa Rica, and Montenegro, and has shared the stage with artists such as John Legend, Pitbull, Lil’ Wayne, and Snoop Dogg. His work has been featured on NBC and in creative projects in Paris. Joel is the Founder and Artistic Director of Mezclada Dance Company, which fuses Breaking, Modern dance, and Latin cultural influences. His choreography has been presented in cities including Houston, New York, Milwaukee, and St. Louis, and showcased in festivals such as Barnstorm Dance Fest, Emerging Choreographers Showcase, and the Texas Latino/a/x Contemporary Dance Festival. In addition to choreographing and performing, Joel serves as an Olympic breaking coach and teaches at the University of Houston, as well as studios throughout Greater Houston. He is passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

John Beasant III, originally from Denver, Colorado, holds a master’s degree in dance from the University of Utah and serves as the Director of Dance at St. Agnes Academy. A dedicated educator and artist, he has worked internationally as a performer, choreographer, and teacher with renowned companies, universities, and festivals. John’s performance career includes work with Doug Varone and Dancers and The José Limón Dance Company, along with collaborations with Gallim Dance, Shapiro & Smith Dance, and The Metropolitan Opera. His choreography has been presented by institutions such as The Juilliard School and California State University, Long Beach. In addition to concert dance, John’s creative work spans theater, television, and film. His current projects explore dance research, dance film, freelance choreography, and photography. Passionate about innovation and education, he continues to mentor the next generation of artists while expanding his own artistic practice.

Randall Flinn began his dance training in Houston over 25 years ago with Glenn Hunsucker, Camille Long Hill, Dina Vail, and Patsy Swayze. He has studied with The José Limón Dance Company and Steve Rooks, former principal with Martha Graham. His teaching and choreography credits include Houston Ballet Academy, Episcopal High School, Houston Met Dance Company, and HSPVA. He has choreographed for Dance Salad, Dance Houston, and Texas Weekend of Contemporary Dance. Nationally, he’s worked with Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria, Ballet Magnificat, Belhaven University, and Project Dance in NYC, LA, and Sydney. After living in Europe and Asia for a decade, he served as guest artist with Hong Kong Ballet, City Contemporary (Hong Kong), Guangzhou Modern Dance Company (China), and Youth With A Mission International Schools of the Arts.

THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Kate Fuller ‘27 has been dancing for 12 years and has trained in a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, modern, and more. She performed in last year’s Spring Dance Concert, appearing in three pieces. This year marks her debut as a choreographer, presenting her first original contemporary work. Kate is thrilled to be both performing and choreographing in the concert and is deeply grateful to her family and friends for their constant support. Enjoy the show!

Jessica Kral Peters holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of St. Thomas, where she balanced academics with a thriving dance career. She has trained extensively in contemporary, hiphop, and jazz at Dance Works and prestigious programs such as the Point Park University Summer Intensive. Her performance credits include The Houston Met Too Pre-Professional Company and the University of Arizona’s Black N’ Blue Hip-Hop Crew. An accomplished choreographer and performer, Jessica remains committed to her growth through ongoing classes and creative exploration. Now a proud mother to Leayden, Axyl Rose, and Zeppelin, she looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with them and inspiring the next generation of dancers at Dance Works.

Guru Dr. Janaki Rangarajan is an internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and teacher renowned for her innovative artistry and unwavering dedication to tradition. Initiated into dance at age four, she trained under Smt. Madhavi Chandrasekhar and later with the legendary Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam at Nrithyodaya, Chennai. Dr. Rangarajan’s performances, lauded for their precision and emotive depth, have graced prestigious venues worldwide, including The Music Academy (India), Jacob’s Pillow (USA), and the Kennedy Center (USA). Her original productions, such as Unravelled, Antaryatra, and Voices, exemplify her creative vision. As founder of Nrityaniketan, she mentors students across continents, fostering the next generation of Bharatanatyam artists. Her accolades include the Nadanamamani Award, Kala Rathna, and the Strauss Fellowship for Choreography. Dr. Rangarajan’s work continues to inspire audiences globally, bridging classical tradition with contemporary expression.

THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Eddie Strachan is a highly sought-after choreographer and dance instructor with nearly 20 years of experience across multiple disciplines, including tap, lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, cheer, and gymnastics. Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Eddie has worked with prestigious companies and taught master classes worldwide. He has made appearances on "Ellen," "Dr. Phil," and ESPN. Eddie has choreographed for major entities like Disney and Jean Ann Ryan Productions, creating shows for Oceania’s five-star cruise ships. His choreography has earned six UDA national titles and three Industry Dance Awards for Best Choreography. As the former Director of Radix Dance Convention and current Convention Director for Revive Dance Convention, Eddie also founded Emotion Choreography Inc., offering advanced training and choreography clinics for dance teams while continuing to influence the professional dance world. This piece choreographed by Eddie brought the Tiger Girls 2ndplace at UDA Nationals in Orlando.

Savannah Trueman ’27 is excited to be performing in her second dance concert with St. Agnes Academy! She’s especially proud to present a piece she co-choreographed with Kate Fuller, showcasing their creativity and dedication. Savannah is a committed member of the Tiger Girls Dance Team and recently contributed as an assistant choreographer for St. Agnes’s productions of The Drowsy Chaperone and Aida She hopes you enjoy the show!

Elyssa Vega is a dynamic dance educator with over twenty years of training and a decade of teaching experience. A graduate of the University of Houston with a B.F.A. in Dance, she performed with the UH Dance Ensemble and Young Audiences Touring Company, and showcased choreography at venues like Zilkha Hall. Vega has directed and choreographed for studios and high schools, including Dobie High School’s JV Lassos and Lariaettes. She has danced with PDC Works, Chapman Dance, and currently serves as a core member of Mezclada Dance Company. Her choreography has been featured in festivals such as the TX Latino Contemporary Dance Festival and Best of Fringe. Vega recently launched Momentum Movement, providing dance training and team building across Texas. She is passionate about inspiring dancers through her diverse experiences and is excited to continue her journey as a co-manager at Hunter Dance Center.

THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Frank J Vega is a versatile performer and choreographer with a career spanning the U.S. and Europe in television, film, and over 30 stage productions. He has performed alongside acclaimed actors and worked with director/choreographer Rob Marshall. His choreography has been featured in numerous theater and dance productions, earning him honors such as the Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for Dance and three Tommy Tune Awards for Choreography. Frank also served on the state advisory panel for the Louisiana Division of the Arts. Currently based in Houston, he teaches Jazz at Houston MET Dance and continues to choreograph and teach across the country.

GUEST PERFORMERS

Maria McCain is the Director of the Dance Program at the University of St. Thomas (UST) in Houston. She earned her MFA in Dance from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2019. Since then, Maria has performed, choreographed, and taught with a range of companies and organizations, including Ad Deum Dance Company’s PDDP/Mentorship program, Belhaven University’s Dance Ministry Ensemble, BU Dance Ensemble, Of Moving Colors (Baton Rouge, LA), and Cangelosi Dance Project (Baton Rouge, LA). In addition to her role at UST, she has taught at Houston METdance, Christian Conservatory of Dance (New Albany, MS), and Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet. Maria is passionate about cultivating excellence in dance through both education and performance. .

“Om Sri Gurubhyo Namaha”

Namaste, my name is Ananya A. Nair, and I am a freshman at Rice University. I have been learning Bharatanatyam for 14 years under the guidance of my Guru, Dr. Janaki Rangarajan, at her dance school, Nritya Niketan. Bharatanatyam has taught me the values of hard work, perseverance, dedication, grace, and leadership. It has given me a profound means of self-expression t hat transcends words. This ancient art form has deepened my connection to my Indian heritage and enriched my understanding of its cultural legacy. In a world that is constantly changing, Bharatanatyam has been a beacon of hope, a dream, and a steadfast companion. I am committed to continuing my lifelong journey in this art under the mentorship of my Guru, and I aspire to share its beauty and spirit with the world..