Spring Dance Concert 2026 Program

WHERE THE SKY OPENS OPENS WHERE THESKY THESKY

2026 SPRING

dance concert M AY 2 @ 2 : 0 0 P M

S T. A G N E S A C A D E M Y’ S MEYER HALL

LOOK

UP

Welcome to Where The Sky Opens.

In a world that often demands our attention be fixed downward on screens, on tasks, and on the paved paths beneath our feet, this performance is an invitation to shift your perspective. Our school’s theme this year, “Look Up”, served as a profound North Star for our dancers and choreographers. To look up is to acknowledge that there is something vaster than us; it is an act of hope, curiosity, and radical presence.

Today’s program is designed to be an intimate journey. Through these expressive solos and small group works, we explore what happens when we finally disconnect from the noise and rediscover the beauty of the "now." Whether choreographed by our guest professionals, our talented students, or myself, each piece is a testament to the infinite possibilities that emerge when we stop rushing and start noticing.

Thank you for being part of this community and for sharing this space with us. We hope that as you watch these artists move, you feel inspired to breathe, to connect, and most importantly, to keep looking up.

With gratitude,

Director of Dance

ST. AGNES ACADEMY ARTS PRESENTS

Where the Sky Opens SPRING DANCE CONCERT featuring works by

LIZZY AGUILERA JOHN BEASANT III YERI BINGHAM KEITH ANTHONY R. CROSS SONIA ENGMAN RANDALL FLINN MADDIE MEDINA JESSICA KRAL PETERS SAVANNAH TRUEMAN ‘27 and special guest

JILLIAN QUINER Lighting Design

JON BONNER

Sound Design

ROBERTO AGUILAR Production Stage Manager

LILY WEBBER '26

Director of Dance JOHN BEASANT III MEYER HALL May 2, 2026

program Four Props Four Shades of Red Choreography: Keith Anthony R. Cross Performers: Sophia Garibaldi ‘28, Madeline Plummer ‘27, and Macy Richmond ‘29 Echoes of the Drum Choreography: Yeri Bingham Performer: Chloe Yen ‘28 Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You Choreography: Savannah Trueman ‘27 Performer: Savannah Trueman ‘27 The Space You Left Choreography: Lizzy Aguilera Performer: Ashleigh Alexander ’27, Sophia Garibaldi ’28, Camila Valencia ’29, and Monica Valencia ‘28 Filling Me with Home Choreography: Maddie Medina Performer: Iris Hinkle ‘28 I53 Choreography: Randall Flinn Performer: Jillian Quiner (Guest Performer of Ad Deum Dance Company) Everything I Wanted Choreography: Jessica Kral Peters Performer: Sarah Delgado ‘28 Drift Choreography: John Beasant III Performers: Alexandra Boyles ’29 and Alexander Zhao ‘28

program - continued Hurt Choreography: Jessica Kral Peters Performer: Julia Chang ’28 Written on My Heart Choreography: Randall Flinn Performer: Sophia Garibaldi ‘28 Not Everyone Understands House Music Choreography: Sonia Engman Performer: Ashleigh Alexander ‘27, Christian Chen ‘29, Macy Richmond ‘29, Camila Valencia ‘29, and Alexander Zhao ‘28

There will be NO intermission

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THE CHOREOGRAPHERS Lizzy Aguilera received her BFA in Dance from the University of Houston and her MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She is a principal dancer with Mezclada Dance Company and serves as Assistant Director alongside her husband, Joel Aguilera. Together, they have choreographed and led residencies at institutions including Principia College and Lamar University. Lizzy is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston and the Assistant Artistic Director of her family-owned studio, Dayton Academy of Dance. As a performer, she has appeared with companies such as Six Degrees, NobleMotion, Psophonia, and Dance Houston. Her teaching spans a wide range of styles, with a focus on jazz, contemporary, and acrobatics. She is the Assistant Artistic Director of Dayton Academy of Dance and previously directed the dance program at Crosby Middle School. Lizzy aims to bridge the gap between foundational technique and social and emotional learning in the dance classroom.

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 Compañia Nacional de Danza of Costa Rica. In addition to concert dance, John’s creative work spans theatre, 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.

Yeri Bingham is a Korean and modern dancer originally from Korea. She started dancing at 5 years old. She graduated from the TOP Art Middle school and High school in Seoul and received a bachelor’s degree of Dance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, Korea. Yeri’s choreography received an award at the Dance and People Choreographic Festival in Korea. She received 2nd Place overall at the Soonchunhyang University International Dance Competition in Seoul as well as the Best Dance Instructor Award at the Now Here Performance Academy in Seoul.

THE CHOREOGRAPHERS Keith Anthony R. Cross is a distinguished educator and choreographer currently serving his 18th year as Artist in Residence at The Kinkaid School. As the Founder of Tendu Inc. and Artistic Director of Texas Dance Theatre, Keith’s influence spans professional companies and elite academies worldwide.

He remains a sought-after clinician as a Master Teacher for Cross Jazz Tours and a Consultant for the American Dance Convention. His expansive teaching credits include prestigious institutions such as Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.

Internationally, he has guest taught at Rick Odems’ Dance Explosion (Paris), Claude Marchant Dance Theatre (Sweden), and Academy Lupec’s (Mexico). From the Jazz Dance World Congress to the International Ballet Competition, Keith’s career is defined by a commitment to technical excellence and the global advancement of jazz and contemporary dance.

Sonia Engman is a professional choreographer, performer, and educator. She received her BA in Contemporary Dance with a minor in Arts Management in 2016 from the University of New Mexico. She is in her 5th year as a member with Open Dance Project, an immersive dance theatre company, Mezclada, a company that blends Contemporary and street styles with Latin dance, and a member of Assorted Flavas, a street dance crew based in Houston, Texas for 25 years. Sonia’s emphasis is in modern, ballet, street/club styles such as hip hop and house dance, salsa, and jazz. She has performed and presented choreography through ACDA, the University of New Mexico, Open Dance Project at Miller Outdoor Theatre and Match Theatre, and in New York at the Young Choreographers’ Showcase and Chelsea Factory. Sonia views art and the education of art as a means of social change and has a passion for teaching dance to people of all ages and abilities.

Randall Flinn is recognized as a multi-decade’s artistic ambassador of dance in the Houston and international dance community. He travels globally as a dance educator, choreographer, director, and lecturer. He has served as a dance educator for Cirque Du Soleil, Hong Kong Ballet, Xaris Danz Germany, and Project Dance Global Dance Festivals in NYC, Sydney, London, and Paris. Presently, Mr. Flinn presently serves on the faculty for Houston’s Kinder High School for the Performing Arts, Houston Ballet Academy, The University of St. Thomas, and Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is the founder and artistic director of the Houston based Ad Deum Dance Company, now celebrating their twenty seventh season of national and international touring.

THE CHOREOGRAPHERS Maddie Medina is a dancer born and raised in Houston, Texas.

She trained at Vitacca Dance Project from 2015-2017. Medina then trained at the Juilliard School working with renowned choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Andrea Miller, and Brian Arias. There, she also performed repertoire by Bill T. Jones and Trisha Brown. She has worked professionally with Brett Ishida in new works known as longing floats around you, dream of black, and mutability. She graduated from The Juilliard School with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts in 2021 and is now dancing professionally with Vitacca Ballet, where she has performed works by Ethan Colangelo, Micaela Taylor, Robyn Mineko Williams, and Garret Smith.

Jessica Kral Peters holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of St. Thomas, where she balanced her academic pursuits with a vibrant dance career. With a rich training history spanning from Dance Works to prestigious programs like the Point Park University Summer Intensive, she has honed her craft across various disciplines, including contemporary, hip-hop, and jazz.

Notably, she contributed her talents to renowned groups such as The Houston Met Too Pre-Professional Company and the University of Arizona Black N' Blue Hip-Hop Crew. An acclaimed choreographer and performer, Jessica's passion for dance continues to drive her, evident in her dedication to ongoing learning through classes. Now, as a mother to her delightful daughters and son, Leayden, Axyl Rose & Zeppelin, she eagerly anticipates passing her love for dance to them and nurturing the next generation of dancers at Dance Works.

Savannah Trueman ‘27 is a junior at St. Agnes Academy and is so excited to share her love of tap! She is a member of the Tiger Girls Dance Team and competition team, and she trains in studio classes outside of school. She has recently been an assistant choreographer in last year’s spring musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, and showcased some of her choreography in last year’s Spring Dance Concert. She thanks you all for coming and hopes you enjoy the show.

GUEST PERFORMERS Jilian Quiner grew up dancing in New Jersey where she trained at the Art of Dance under Valerie Harman and the North Jersey School of Dance Arts under Christine Taylor Schmelz. She attended numerous conventions and competitions including New York City Dance Alliance, JUMP, NUVO, 24 SEVEN, Adrenaline, Artists Simply Human, Onstage New York, and Turn It Up Dance Challenge, where she received various scholarships and awards. Jillian and her five sisters own the YouTube channel Quiner Sisters, which follows their journey as dancers. In connection with their social media presence, they had the opportunity to perform together on FOX 29’s Good Day Philadelphia. Jillian is also a dance instructor with experience teaching contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. Jillian has been with Ad Deum since 2024.

WHO’S WHO THE CREW

SPECIAL THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Lily Webber ‘26 - Stage Manager Rory Etheredge ‘28 - Run Crew Preston Taylor ‘28 - Run Crew Jayden Tran ‘29 - Run Crew

Dr. Karen Jakuback, Head of School Carleen Raymond ‘00, Principal Dale Grassman, Director of Facilities

VOLUNTEERS

ST. AGNES ACADEMY ARTS

THANK YOU to all the parent volunteers who have gone above and beyond in time and talents, especially:

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/Tiger Girls Head Coach 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

Pranika Sinha Friends of the Arts (FOTA) Dance Chair

Thanks for a great season!

2025 - 2026 marquee

events

Christmas

by Candlelight

Book by Sarah Hammond Music by Adam Gwon

A Vocal Arts Holiday Concert featuring Handel’s Messiah

October 2 @ 7 p.m.

October 3 @ 4 p.m.

October 4 @ 7 p.m.

October 5 @ 2 p.m.

ARTHUR W. BUCKLEY THEATRE

December 12-13 @ 7 p.m.

MEYER HALL

Book & Lyrics by Willie Reale Music by Robert Reale

February 26-28 @ 7 p.m.

March 1 @ 5 p.m.

MEYER HALL

WHERE THE SKY OPENS OPENS WHERE THESKY THESKY

A showcase of compelling student work from St. Agnes Fine & Performing Arts Departments April 14 @ 5 p.m.

Spring Dance Concert Presented by St. Agnes Academy Dance Department

May 2 @ 2 p.m.

MEYER HALL

For Fine & Performing Arts Info and Tickets: www.st-agnes.org/arts

Stay tuned for our announcement of the 2026-2027 Marquee Season, coming later this month!