2024 CCBC Dance Company
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Melinda Blomquist |
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Director's Note
50 years ago, the journey of the CCBC Dance Company began. The original name of the company was Dimensional Dance Media, and it was created under the direction of Carole Drake Cascio, the founder of the Dance Program at what was then Essex Community College. Over time the landscape of the company and the college has shifted and evolved. We are honored to continue to bring dance into the lives of all who participate, either onstage or in the audience as we celebrate 50 years of making and sharing the art of dance.
This concert features work by CCBC Faculty, alumni, and our guest artists Alvin Mayes and Peter Pucci. Each piece comes from the unique viewpoint of the choreographer, and we hope that you take time to ponder and think about each of the works after the performance.
Last Fall we were able to move into our newly renovated dance studios on the Essex campus. As I watched the dancers walk into our beautiful new studios and dance through the space, I am reminded we need to continue to share the wonder of movement and meaning. I hope that you discover something about yourself and the art of dance as you watch these works.
As CCBC Performing Arts is focused on bringing some joy into our lives by exploring the idea of “What’s so Funny” we hope we bring a smile to your face as we dance and share our joy with you. I hope we will always continue to find art in our lives. In this concert we are pleased to be sharing the stage with some of our alumni who are performing with the company, and some of our alumni who will be joining us on stage for a special piece commemorating 50 years of Dance at CCBC.
Enjoy the performance!
Melinda Blomquist
Artistic Director, CCBC Dance Company
The CCBC Dance Company
Haydee Berdejo | Sonja Boxall | Alexa Breakiron*
Megan Caldwell** | Ava Correlli Lerew*
Jaquan Hanson Campbell | Sarah Emilia Harris
Kayla Holloman | Jalen Johnson | Talyia Johnson
Taylor Lawrence | Anastasia McKenzie*
Naomi Muthama | Tanauria Randolph | NyMa’at Re
Maegan Read* | Maheshwari Shukla
K. Rayne Smith | Micah Wesley-Curtis
*Alumni | **Faculty
Maryland All State Honors Ensemble Dancers
Charlotte Bauermann | Hereford High School
Sophia Daly | Academy for the Fine Arts
Lulna Ghirmai | Reservoir High School
Jordan Reed | Academy for the Fine Arts
Emma Tippet | Arundel High School
Claire Williams | Reservoir High School
Dance Express Dancers
Zakiyyah Connelly McLean | Olivia Curry | London Drake
DeAngela Harrod | Jemel Johnson-Smith
Noami Johnson-Smith | Katrece Jones | Maya Wilson
Program Order
A seed planted in the heart...Be Kind
(2024)
Choreography: Adrienne Kraus Latanishen
Music: Cruel World by Skip Marley and Seeb
Dancers: Jaquan Hanson Campbell, Sarah Emilia Harris, Kayla Holloman, Jalen Johnson, Talyia Johnson, Anastasia McKenzie, Naomi Muthama, Tanauria Randolph, NyMa'at Re, Maegan Read, Maheshwari Shukla, K. Rayne Smith, Micah Wesley-Curtis
Understudy: Haydee Berdejo, Sonja Boxall, Taylor Lawrence
Waves
Choreography: Kauscha Howard
Music: Some Kind of Different by Dean Lewis
Dancers from Dance Express: Zakiyyah Connelly McLean, Olivia Curry, London Drake, DeAngela Harrod, Jemel Johnson-Smith, Noami Johnson-Smith, Katrece Jones, Maya Wilson
CCBC Office of Student Engagement Dance Express Club Sponsors: Denise Bellamy, K. Lenai Gallop, and Kauscha Howard
(Friday and Saturday Performances only)
catching over light
(2024)
Choreography: Tommy Parlon with contributions by the cast
Music: razz by Sounds from the Ground
Dancers: Jaquan Hanson Campbell, Tanauria Randolph, NyMa'at Re, Maheshwari Shukla
Costumes: Tommy Parlon
TØRVEDANSEN
Choreography: Alice Howes
Music: Sekstur from Vendsyssel (Traditional); Performed by: Danish String Quartet
Dancer: Kayla Holloman
Costume: Alice Howes
SPIRIT SONG: WELCOMING FALL
(2024)
WE ARE NEITHER THE FIRST, NOR THE LAST
TO WITNESS THE EMBLAZENED BEAUTY OF AUTUMN.
FLY ON, YOU SPIRITS OF EARTH AND SKY
FLY ON
- - ALVIN MAYES
Choreography: Alvin Mayes
Music: Metamorphosis No. 1: Third Coast Percussion by Philip Glass
Rehearsal Directors: Melinda Blomquist and Adrienne Kraus Latanishen
Dancers: Jaquan Hanson Campbell, Talyia Johnson, Naomi Muthama, Tanauria Randolph, NyMa'at Re, Maegan Read
Understudy: Sarah Emilia Harris
Costumes: Alvin Mayes
- 10 minute intermission -
Local Valley
(2024)
Choreography: Peter Pucci
Rehearsal Assistant: Anastasia McKenzie
Rehearsal Directors: Melinda Blomquist and Adrienne Kraus Latanishen
Music: En Stund Pa Jorden, Tjomme, and El Invento by Jose' Gonzalez
Dancers: Jaquan Hanson Campbell, Talyia Johnson, Anastasia McKenzie, NyMa'at Re, Maheshwari Shukla, K. Rayne Smith
Understudy: Sarah Emilia Harris
Costumes: Peter Pucci and Charisse Secrest
I Mostly Laugh in English
(2024)
Choreography: Kristi Schaffner
Music: Love You by Free Design, Water Fountain by tUnE-yArDs
Dancers: Alexa Breakiron, Ava Correlli Lerew, Megan Caldwell, Sarah Emilia Harris, Kayla Holloman, Talyia Johnson, Anastasia McKenzie, Naomi Muthama, NyMa'at Re, Maegan Read, K. Rayne Smith
Costumes: Kristi Schaffner
Cascading Momentum
(2024)
Choreography: Melinda Blomquist
Music: Earth Song and Transilvania Dreams by Adrian Ordean
Music Editing: Craig Blomquist
Dancers from the Maryland All State Honors Ensemble: Charlotte Bauermann, Sophia Daly, Lulna Ghirmai, Jordan Reed, Emma Tippet, Claire Williams
Costumes: Melinda Blomquist
(Friday and Saturday only)
A Slip of the Tongue
(1990)
Choreography: Leslie Tinios
Restaging: Melinda Blomquist
Music: Travelling by Meredith Monk
Dancers: Kayla Holloman, Naomi Muthama, Maegan Read, K. Rayne Smith
Costumes: Melinda Blomquist and Leslie Tinios
A Celebration of the past 50 years
(2024)
Choreography: Melinda Blomquist and Adrienne Kraus Latanishen
Music: Dance of the Drums by Gene Koshinski; Epic Violin, Cello, and Drums by Clocks and Clouds; Evening Samba by Mickey Hart
Music editing: Craig Blomquist
Dancers: Haydee Berdejo, Sonja Boxall, Alexa Breakiron, Jaquan Hanson Campbell, Sarah Emilia Harris, Kayla Holloman, Jalen Johnson, Talyia Johnson, Taylor Lawrence, Anastasia McKenzie, Naomi Muthama, Tanauria Randolph, NyMa'at Re, Maegan Read, Maheshwari Shukla, K. Rayne Smith, Micah Wesley-Curtis, joined by CCBC Dance Company and Dimensional Dance Media alumni from the past 50 years
Video Editing: Melinda Blomquist
Costumes: Melinda Blomquist
Creative Team
Melinda Blomquist
Alvin Mayes
Adrienne Kraus Latanishen
Alice Howes
Tommy Parlon
Kristi Schaffner
Peter Pucci
G. Maurice (Moe) Conn, III
Lisa L. Boeren
Charisse Secrest
Amy Jones
Moe Conn
Sam Koch
Paul Albers
Aaron Partin
Paul Albers, Alex Bosworth, Nathaniel Key, Sam Koch, Aaron Partin
Carole Cascio
Leslie Weiss Tinios
Anna Rider
Diana Curran
Vanessa Jackson Johnson
Tiffany Butler
Christian Ian Richard
Jonathan Christopher Dalen
Artistic Directors Timeline
Dimensional Dance Media
Artistic Directors
1974 - 1981 | Carol Cascio
1982 - 1992 | Leslie Weiss Tinios
1993 - 1994 | Anna Rider
1995 | Diana Curran
1996 - 1997 | Anna Rider
1998 - 2002 | Vanessa Jackson Johnson
CCBC Dance Company
Artistic Directors
2003 - 2004 | Vanessa Jackson Johnson
2005 | Tiffany Butler
2006 - 2008 | Christian Ian Richards
Fall 2008 | Jonathan Christopher Dalen
2009 | Christian Ian Richards
Spring 2010 | Tommy Parlon
Fall 2010 - Present | Melinda Blomquist
Meet the Company
Haydee Berdejo
Haydee is in her first year dancing with the CCBC Dance Company. She is enjoying Dance Company because she is experiencing many new and great things that she would not have imagined doing. Haydee feels that that she has improved as a dancer thanks to her teachers, classmates, the master classes and in all aspects of being in the Dance Company, which is she feels has been a very nice experience. Haydee is dancing at CCBC because it is a good opportunity to learn, gain confidence in herself, have experiences, and grow as a dancer.
Sonja Boxall
Sonja is in her first semester dancing at CCBC. She graduated from Old Mill High School and trained at Artistic Movement of Dance. Sonja is enjoying making a lot of new friends and learning dance in a more serious way. She is exploring if she wants to make dance a career or a hobby.
Alexa Breakiron
Alexa is an alumni of CCBC's Dance company who graduated in 2018 and has returned to dance again after taking a break for a few years. Before graduating from CCBC, she was a competitive dancer with training in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. She continues to explore her love of movement and has recently received her 200 RYT.
Megan Caldwell
Megan began her dance training in Hanover, PA at The School of Music and Dance. Other training includes Kirov Academy of Ballet and The Rock School of Ballet. She earned her bachelors degree in Advertising at Penn State University while dancing for the Penn State Lionettes Dance Team. She went on to work professionally dancing on stages for Holland America Line cruise ships, regional theaters, theme parks, and was in the last remaining cast as a Bluebell dancer in Jubilee! at Ballys Las Vegas. She is now a licensed Realtor in Maryland and a member of BODYspace Movement Collective.
Ava Correlli Lerew
Ava is an alumni dancer that we are thrilled to have back on stage with us. Ava iss a dance graduate of Goucher College. Ava is a theatre teacher at Beth Tfiloh Dahan School and a dance teacher at EMpowered Dance Center. Since graduating from Goucher College, Ava is active in the community theatre and local dance opportunities With Maryland Dance Project. Ava has been a pirate performer at Urban Pirates, and a party princess at Falling Stars Parties LLC. Ava would like to thank her supportive family, and wonderful husband for their endless support.
Jaquan Hanson-Campbell
Jaquan is in his first year dancing with the CCBC Dance Company. He
attended Towson High School prior to coming to CCBC. He is enjoying the many opportunities that are a part of the CCBC Dance Program and being a member of the CCBC Dance Company.
Sarah Emilia Harris
Sara is currently in her fifth semester with the CCBC Dance Company, balancing her commitment to dance with a teaching position at Holabird Dance Parks and Rec. Having graduated from Center Pointe Performing Arts in 2022, she is now embracing having her first understudy role and looks forward to going to the American Dance Festival this summer. Sarah is set to transfer to Stevenson University this fall, where she plans to major in Theatre and Media Performance and minor in Film. Her goal is to continue her dance journey at CCBC, collaborating with the amazing faculty to enhance her skills as a performer. Congratulations to Sarah on being selected as the Outstanding Student in the Dance Program for the 2023 –2024 Academic Year.
Kayla Holloman
Kayla is in her first year dancing with the CCBC Dance Company. She attended high school in Ireland and moved during her last year allowing her to finish school online during Covid in 2020. Kayla’s main dance studies were in Ireland through Monica Loughman Elite Ballet which allowed her to have the opportunity to train with Anton Ploom in St. Petersburg, Russia. Following this she received an offer to move back to the United States and train with Kirov Academy. She is loving working with new choreographers and making new friends as we prepare for performances while pushing her limits and going out of my comfort zone. Kayla is currently dancing at CCBC while she is studying radiography and preparing to begin her career with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Jalen Johnson
Jalen is in his first year at CCBC. I attended Patapsco High School Center For the Arts, and graduated from the Dance Program in 2022. He is super excited to have joined the CCBC dance company this year! He made a vow to himself that he wouldn’t stop dancing after high school, no matter what, and he is so grateful to have this opportunity bestowed upon him. He has enjoyed dancing with the company this year. He feels that there’s a sense of community whenever we’re all in the space, and there’s never a dull moment. He is excited to see what’s to come for the company as he continues his education here at CCBC.
Talyia Johnson
Talyia is a high school senior who is homeschooled. She began attending CCBC this fall as a dual-enrolled student, and this is her first year dancing with the CCBC Dance Company. Talyia also trains in the pre-professional dance program at the Peabody Preparatory of the
Johns Hopkins University, where she has danced since she was three years old. She is thrilled that CCBC Dance Company is providing performance opportunities, master classes, and the opportunity to work
with guest artists, all of which are helping her meet her dance goals. She is honored to perform with incredible dancers who have become her really good friends.
Taylor Lawrence
Taylor is in her first year dancing with the CCBC Dance Company.
Anastasia McKenzie
Anastasia is a CCBC Dance Company alum and dancer with Trajectory Dance Project. She recently received her Master's degree in Sports Science and Rehabilitation at Logan University. She is enjoying being able to dance again.
Naomi Muthama
Naomi is in her first year as a member of the CCBC dance company. Participating in dances and mastering choreography brings me back to high school, when I danced all four years while at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts. Naomi had a long gap in her dancing since starting college, and it's been a rough journey. She is excited to be able to get back on my feet and dance throughout the semester. Congratulations to Naomi on being selected as the Outstanding Student in the CCBC Dance Company for the 2023 –2024 Academic Year.
Tanauria Randolph
Tanauria graduated from Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts where she participated in the dance magnet for all four years of high school. She also was in competition dance at Underground Dance Academy where she trained in all types of styles for about three years of her dance career. She is super excited to be a part of CCBC’s dance company. Dance has been such a saving grace and has helped her get over some tough hurdles from this year. She is so excited to have this opportunity to perform again and continue her dance career at CCBC.
NyMa'at Re
NyMa’at is in her second semester dancing at CCBC while also being a dual enrollment student. This year she is enjoying being with her new long-term friends and is loving dancing at CCBC because it has improved her technique and dance skills so much. She can't wait for more years to come.
Maegan Read
Maegan is a CCBC Dance Company alum and graduated from CCBC in June 2021. This semester she is enjoying being able to dance with her friends again after graduating from CCBC last year. She is back dancing at CCBC this semester because she missed her friends and missed dancing in a studio and just dancing in general. Since graduation, Maegan has not been dancing as much and is very thankful for this opportunity.
Maheshwari Shukla
Maheshwari is in her first year dancing with the CCBC Dance Company. She attended Oakland Mills High School. She enjoys dancing and collaborating with her fellow dancers, fostering a sense of teamwork, and building strong relationships. Also, opportunities for continued growth and improvement in dance techniques, learning and creating choreography, and performance skills. She feels that Dance at CCBC offers a well-structured and reputable dance program that provides dancers with access to experienced instructors, artists, and opportunities to improve in diverse dance styles. She also enjoys that the program offers flexible class schedules, making it easier for dancers to balance their dance training with other commitments like work or family responsibilities.
K. Rayne Smith
K. Rayne is in her first year at CCBC as a student and a dancer. She went to Pikesville High School and danced there and in middle school. She is enjoying learning choreography that takes her out of her comfort zone. She is dancing at CCBC because she wants to pursue the Associate of Fine Arts degree and pursue dance as her future career.
Micah Wesley-Curtis
Micah is in her first year dancing at CCBC. Previously she attended Patapsco High School. Micah is enjoying the freedom to grow and develop as a dancer at CCBC. She is dancing at CCBC because she has felt disconnected from dance since high school, After hearing about the dance program at CCBC she was immediately interested. The program is flexible and can accommodate all levels of dancers.
Dance Express
Dance Express is a student club organization dedicated to offering educational developmental, and social activities that enhance the learning experience through movement. Our aim is to create a safe and supportive environment where students can explore various genres of dance and showcase their skills and talents.
Melinda Blomquist
Melinda holds an M.F.A. in Dance Choreography and Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Arts in Dance Pedagogy from Brigham Young University.
Melinda has presented her choreographic work at numerous venues nationally and internationally including the Mid-Atlantic and South-Central American College Dance Festival, Northwest Vista College, Towson University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Attakkalari Festival in Bangalore India.
Currently Melinda is a Professor of Dance at the Community College of Baltimore County, and she also serves as the Program Coordinator and the Artistic Director for the CCBC Dance Company. Melinda has also worked with Trajectory Dance Project and with the Theatre and Music departments as a choreographer for Musical Theatre productions in Arizona, Texas and Maryland including The Fantasticks, Fiddler on the Roof, Good News, and She Loves Me. Melinda is involved in community outreach, focusing on promoting the importance of dance as art form in public education. She has provided workshops and master classes in Texas, Alaska, and Maryland to students at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Deep Vision Dance Company and as Past-President of the Maryland Dance Education Association.
To learn more about the Dance Program visit: www.ccbcmd.edu/dance
Alvin Mayes
Alvin Mayes is Principal Lecturer for the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at the University of Maryland; he engages with dance through a lifetime of performance, film, mentorship, research, and choreography. He is proud to have choreographed four award winning works for the Maryland Youth Ballet: Tahquamenon Falls, Thin Ice, Eireann Kente, and Celestial Orbits. He has created more than 200 dances for the University of Maryland, collaborating with Dance, Theatre, Music, Women’s Studies, and Athletics. His international work has been centered primarily in Manta, Ecuador on Compañía Céibadanza, where he created Los Ojos Sobre Manabí, winning an invitation to The XI Festival Internacional "Fragmentos de Junio” in 2013; and Désdamona, based loosely on Othello, in 2016 in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. His CCBC commissioned work, Early Fall, was created as a 10 year remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy. It was performed for the Baltimore city-wide memorial concert at Dundalk Community Center Theater on September 11, 2011. And lastly, Alvin was the recipient of the 2023 MDEA Living Legacy Award presented by the Maryland Dance Educators Association for his teaching, choreographing and coaching dance in the state of Maryland.
Adrienne Kraus Latanishen
Adrienne is proud to have graduated with honors from The Community College of Baltimore County with her A.A. in Dance. She then transferred to The University of Maryland where she also graduated with honors with her B.A. in Dance. Besides being an adjunct dance faculty member at CCBC, she dances professionally for Trajectory Dance Project and independently for herself. Previously, she also danced for BlueShift Dance (principal dancer), The Collective (dancer, choreographer, educator), B3W of New York City, Andary Dance (soloist, principal dancer), and withhart.dance.projects (founding member, assistant director, soloist, principal dancer). She was Director of Dance at St. Timothy's School, a private and boarding school for girls and she choreographed as Artist in Residence at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts for numerous years. Recently, Adrienne choreographed for The Salem Players Theatre Company, Northeast High School, and Baltimore Composers Forum.
Alice Howes
Alice is a dance artist and educator who is director of Trajectory Dance Project, a Baltimore-based modern dance ensemble. She has held full-time faculty positions at universities including Coppin State University, UNC Charlotte, and Lamar University. In addition, she served from 1995 to 2004 as artistic director and resident choreographer of Washington, D.C.’s Sister’s Trousers Dance Company, a modern dance ensemble based in the D.C. area. Sarah Kaufman of The Washington Post described Howes’ performance as “riveting, thrilling and deeply mysterious”. Howes’ choreography has appeared in selective showcases at venues such as D.C.’s Dance Place, The Booth Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater and Millennium Stage. She holds an MA in dance from American University and an MFA in dance from Sam Houston State University. Howes also has earned a Certificate of Movement Analysis (CMA) from the Laban Institute of Movement Studies in New York City.
Tommy Parlon
Tommy a native of Washington, D.C., received his M.F.A. in Dance (Choreography and Technology) from Arizona State University and his B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. From 1998-2002 he was an Assistant Professor of Dance at Kent State University. While in New York City he danced with J. Fregalette Janson Dance, Centaur Dance Theatre, Beyondance Inc! and the Paris based multi-media performance art company FIASCO. Mr. Parlon has danced in pieces by Doug Varone, Stephen Petronio, Alvin Mayes, Laura Dean and Elizabeth Streb. In 1996-1998 he collaborated on Falling to Earth, an interactive multi-media performance piece created with the Institute for Studies in the Arts at Arizona State University. His choreography has been commissioned by Incidents Physical Theater of New York City, NEW ARTiculations in Tucson, Arizona, Lansing Chamber Dance in Michigan, and numerous colleges throughout the United States. He was awarded an Individual Artist Award in Solo Dance Performance from the Maryland State Arts Council in 2004 and an Artist Award in Choreography in 2007. Mr. Parlon is currently the Artistic Director of Tommy Parlon Dance Projects in Washington, D.C., and the Artistic Associate of Ground Zero Dance in Richmond.
Kristi Schaffner
Kristi attended the University of Oklahoma as a teaching fellow where she received her MFA in modern dance (2011). She also has BFA in dance education from Kent State University (2004). Through a graduate student grant, she studied Laban Movement Analysis at the Laban Institute in NYC. Ms. Schaffner has performed with Jeslyn Dance Gallery, Clawson Dances, Junction Dance Theatre, and Tommy Parlon Dance Projects among others, and is a current dancer and Director of Education and Outreach for Dragonfly Dance Experiment. Her choreography has been presented across the country including Pittsburgh, Oklahoma City, Washington D.C., Annapolis, Baltimore, Salt Lake City and at the Howard County Dance Festival. A passion for education has inspired her to create and implement dance curricula for both preschools and charter school students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. Ms. Schaffner is a current adjunct faculty member in the dance divisions of Anne Arundel Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County and is a frequent guest instructor and performer in schools and community events.
Peter Pucci
Peter Pucci is a Lucille Lortel Award winner and Drama Desk Nominate for Outstanding choreography for Queens Boulevard (the musical). Peter also received a Drama Desk Award for his work on The Orphans' Home Cycle. Peter graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Modern Dance. Peter was a principal dancer and rehearsal director with Pilobolus Dance Theatre for nine years. While with Pilobolus, Peter toured and taught worldwide, made several film and television appearances, performed on Broadway, collaborated on many Pilobolus pieces, before forming his own company, Peter Pucci Plus Dancers. Pucci Plus performed in New York City on Broadway and five seasons at The Joyce Theater.
Peter has choreographed over 150 dances, including commissioned works for The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Hispanico, Colorado Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, Alberta Ballet and the Big Apple Circus. He has also served as movement director on 90 theatrical productions in New York City and at regional theaters across the USA.
Recent commissions include a new commission for the University of Richmond’s Theatre & Dance department’s University Dancers, Fete du Ballet for the Texas Christian University’s School of Classical & Contemporary Dance, a NEA funded production of Migration, a group work for 50 dancers produced by the Community College of Baltimore County
Peter has also directed two dance films, Swag n' Bach: A Path To Choreography and In the Garden that premiered at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Peter is a Trustee Host for the Dance on Film Series at Jacob Burns and has curated many short dance films programs for the Dance on Film Series. He was an Artist in Residence at Manhattanville College for nine years and a Guest Choreographer/Movement Director for seven years at the Juilliard School of Drama. Peter is currently the Guest Artist in Residence at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Essex Campus and the Executive Director of the Carole Cascio Fund For Mind Movement Dance Connections.
For additional information at: https://pucciplus.com/
G. Maurice (Moe) Conn, III
Moe is in his eleventh year with CCBC where he is the full-time Technical Director and Designer at CCBC Catonsville’s Center for the Arts Theatre. He has an MFA in Scene Design and Technical Theatre. Moe has been doing technical theatre since 1993, as a Designer, Technician, Technical Director, and Educator. He served as the Technical Director for five summers at Cockpit in Court where he continues to design both lights and sets. He has also designed for Vagabond Players in Fells Point. Moe has received multiple nominations for Best Scene Design from Broadway World.com and received Best Scenic Design from the MD Theatre Guide’s Readers’ Choice Awards. When not backstage, Moe volunteers with “Behind the Scenes” which provides financial support for theatre technicians in need throughout the entertainment industry. He also helps coordinate the Long Reach Long Riders charity motorcycle ride, (www.LRLR.org) to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes, two theatre-based charities.
Lisa L. Boeren
Charisse Secrest
Amy Jones
Moe Conn
Sam Koch
Paul Albers
Aaron Partin
Paul Albers, Alex Bosworth, Nathaniel Key, Sam Koch, Aaron Partin
Carole Cascio
Carole Cascio of Kent Island, was born July 5, 1943, in Dade County, Florida. Carole moved to Maryland when she was 13.
Carole earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education (PE) from Towson State College (now Towson University) and a master’s degree from George Washington University where her emphasis was in Modern Dance. She was a Professor of Dance and PE at Goucher College before transferring to Essex Community College (now called Community College of Baltimore County) to coach the women’s lacrosse team. While at Essex, Carole created their dance department and was the Dance Department Chairperson from 1969 to 1996. She founded the college’s original dance company, Dimensional Dance Media (DDM) in 1974. Carole choreographed and directed DDM for many years.
Carole studied with Maida Withers, Don Redlich, Al Huang, and Bill Evans. Choreographic credits include: Towson University, George Washington University Goucher College, Essex and the Dance Construction Company in Washington D.C.
After retiring from Essex, Carole continued to share her knowledge and experience. Carole also devoted much of her time to her career as a painter and ceramist. She created many watercolors and clay works in her personal space, Lifesong Studio, a short walk from her home. She was always learning and experimenting with new ideas. Her work has been displayed and sold in galleries in Chestertown, Easton, and Annapolis. Carole was an active member of Kent Island Federation of Arts, ArtEast and Working Artists Forum in Easton.
Carole also taught Pilates at the Kent Island Senior Center in Stevensville and at Chesapeake College for many years.
Leslie Weiss Tinios
Leslie Weiss Tinios received her AB in Dance Performance and Choreography, Phi Beta Kappa, from Goucher College, her CMA (Certificate in Movement Analysis) from The Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York, and her MALS in Interdisciplinary Arts from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
She has also studied at the Laban Art of Movement Centre in London, at Bill Evans’ Seattle Dance Theatre, and with Robert Ellis Dunn, Kenneth King, Nora Guthrie, Trisha Brown and Marcia Siegel in New York. In 1980, Leslie joined the Dance Faculty at Essex Community College, where she later choreographed for and then directed Dimensional Dance Media from 1982-1992. Upon Carole Cascio’s retirement, Leslie became Dance Department Chair in 1996. Additionally, Leslie’s passion for movement and meaning led her to the study and teaching of yoga, meditation and health and wellness. She retired from teaching in 2020.
She continues to discover the wisdom of the body and is an avid sewist and budding gardener.
Anna Rider
Anna Rider is a somatic movement behavioral health therapist that has integrated her skills as an educator, dancer, teacher, choreographer and dance advocate. She received her MFA from Temple University, her MSW from Highlands University, her certification as a Laban Movement Analyst from the Bartenieff/Laban Institute of Movement Studies and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Anna has taught creative movement to children and provided professional development for classroom teachers. Anna has worked with; MATI (Maryland Artistry in Teaching Institute), Forklift Danceworks and Mindpop’s Creative Learning Initiative. Anna has also taught at the University of Iowa, the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies extension program at University of Maryland College Park, Community College of Baltimore County CCBC, Baltimore School for the Arts, and Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, where she directed the dance magnet. Anna worked with Carole Drake Cascio as the Assistant Director of the Dimensional Dance Media DDM at CCBC and was also an Artistic Director of DDM.
Anna’s private practice is where she works somatically with a solution focused perspective to move creatively, attentively and efficiently in their everyday lives. While working at the Sports Training Institute in NYC she started to integrate and utilize her studies in Bartenieff Fundamentals, Kinesiology, Ideokinesis, and Body-Mind Centering.
During the last forty-two years, she has worked with dancers, musicians, actors, athletes, people with post-traumatic injuries, those affected by Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy and the elderly to bring awareness to their body patterns and movement choices.
Anna enjoys working with the very young to the very young at heart using the language of movement.
Diana Curran
Diana Curran is a retired educator, former professional dancer and choreographer born and raised in Baltimore with 39 years of teaching experience.
After graduating from Goucher College in 1978 with honors she began her teaching career assisting Carole Drake Cascio with the Dimensional Dance Media (DDM) as a choreographer and then becoming Artistic Director of the DDM herself. Diana taught at CCBC for ten years.
In 1979 she co-founded the The Naked Feet Dance Company where she was a principal dancer and choreographer for six years while also performing extensively for Young Audiences. She performed as a soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and has been the recipient of choreography awards and grants from the Md State Arts Council and Baltimore City.
She has also taught at Goucher College, Towson University, Loyola University, the Chatauqua Institute in New York and The Bryn Mawr School for Girls where she shifted her focus to world dance and choreography. She has studied at the Graham, Limon and Ailey schools in New York. She has also studied with Lar Lubovitch, Bill Evans, Kathy Wildberger, June Finch(Cunningham), Luigi, Nat Horne, Arthur Hall, Bebe Miller, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar to name a few.
She has been on the Boards of the MD State Arts Council and the Baltimore Commission on Arts and Culture.
Vanessa Jackson Johnson
Dr. Vanessa L. Jackson (EdD, MFA, MA) is an award-winning artist and CEO of Mindful Living 4 Life, a restorative lifestyle coaching practice elevating empathy and equity in the classroom+ beyond. Using her extensive academic leadership experience, she designs culturally sensitive policies and practices aligned with the needs of marginalized communities. Her research investigates culturally responsive teaching and learning in urban public schools and art-centered spaces. She is passionate about facilitating Arts Integration, and Anti-Racism Professional Development trainings rooted in DEI+ principles and practices, and Mindfulness, Meditation and Movement workshops. Her most recent research project, The Impact of Mindfulness on Highly Marginalized Communities of Women and Children investigates the impact of holistic somatic arts on creating and sustainable meaningful behavioral lifestyle choices and changes.
Dr. Jackson is the Editor-in-Chief for the National Dance Society Journal, Chair of The Pierians Foundation Emerging Young Artist Awards and Grants, and Adjudicator for Coppin State University Visual and Performing Arts Academic Scholarship, and former chair of the Higher Education Arts Task Force for Art Education. She has served on the National Endowment for the Arts Dance, and Maryland State Arts Council Creative Arts Projects grant review panels. She also served as a subject matter expert on National Dance Educators Organization Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion + Accessibility, and Building Racial Equity Through Dance (B.R.E.A.D). She has more than 20 years of service on community arts projects, arts education steering committees, and foundations and boards~ advocating for disadvantaged schools, and community arts groups. Vanessa is the Coordinator of the Dance Program at Coppin State University, and former coordinator of Dance at The Community College of Baltimore- where she worked alongside some of the most committed, dedicated, and talented faculty and students!
She is a recipient of the Creative and Performing Artist Scholar at The University of Maryland College Park. She received her Master of Fine Arts in choreography from Temple University where she was a Teaching Fellow, completed her MA in Instructional Technology Systems from The University of Maryland Baltimore County, and her doctoral studies from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Educational Leadership focusing on Cultural Responsiveness in the Arts. Vanessa has served as adjunct professor at The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, and University of Maryland at College Park. She is also founder of the National Historical Black Colleges and Universities Theatre Dance conference, and Daring Artists Making Noise- a company bringing awareness of sexual assault and healing in communities of color. She performed nationally and internationally, and continues serving as a guest adjudicator, choreographer, and educator for national arts organizations. Her most recent project-in-progress, Mindfulness for Women of Color. Her contact information: https://www.mindfulliving4life.com/ and mindfulliving4life@gmail.com or 443-204-4546.
Tiffany Butler
Christian Ian Richard
Jonathan Christopher Dalen
Special Thanks
Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis
CCBC President
Dr. Joaquin Martinez
Provost & Vice President of Instruction
Dr. R. Michael Walsh
Dean, School of Arts & Communication
Professor Nick VanHorn
Chair, Performing Arts and Humanities
Tommy Parlon
Arts Pathways Coordinator
Dr. Anne M. Lefter
Director of the Arts
Johanna Lawrence
Administrative Support Assistant, Performing Arts
Cathy Kratovil
Communications Assistant, School of Arts & Communication
Jackie McTear
Designer, CCBC Creative Services
CCBC School of Arts and Communication
Dr. R. Michael Walsh, Dean Professor
Professor Will Niebauer, Chair, Arts and Design
Professor Nick VanHorn, Chair, Performing Arts and Humanities
Rebecca Minor, Chair, Communications
Dr. Anne Lefter, Director of the Arts
The Arts at CCBC
Dr. Anne Lefter, Director of the Arts
Johanna Lawrence, Assistant to the Director
G. Maurice “Moe” Conn III, Technical Director
Jason Randolph, Technical Director
Marc Smith, Technical Director
Nicole Buckingham Kern, Galleries Coordinator
Jess Rassp, Resident Costumer
Lisa Boeren, Box Office Manager
Eva Grove, Thom Purdy, Box Office Assistant
Brad Norris, Production Manager
Cathy Kratovil, Communications Assistant
Dance at CCBC
Professor Melinda Blomquist | Dance Company Artistic Director, Program Coordinator, Choreographer
Adrienne Kraus Latanishen | Dance Company Associate Director, Choreographer
Alice Howes | Choreographer
Tommy Parlon | Choreographer
Kristi Schaffner | Choreographer
Peter Pucci | Guest Artist in Residence