CLASS OF...
'81 | '84 |'85 | '93 | '95 |'96 | '98 | '99 | '00 | '01 | '02 | '03 | '04 | '05| '06
Catherine Earp
E-Mail: CDEarp@aol.com
Catherine is certified as a Pilates Instructor and Health Fitness
Instructor through Pilates Inc. and the American College of Sports
Medicine, respectively. Her clients include dancers, other professional
athletes, business executives and stay-at-home moms. She has given
classes for Virginia Ballet Theater, Norfolk Academy dance teams
and the United States Navy. In addition to teaching Pilates, she
also performs regularly with a local choreographer, former Alvin
Ailey soloist, Elbert Watson. (Update: September, 2003)
Megan Henningsen
E-Mail: megankendra@gmail.com
I just landed my "dream teaching jog" at Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) where I teach humanities. I am also a member of The Tacoma Dance Collective and I teach yoga here and there! (Update: September, 2007)
Gabriel John Holloway
E-Mail: gholloway@pohladfamilycharities.org
I am currently a dancer and board member of Arena Dances by
Mathew Janczewski in Minneapolis. I also have a wonderful job with
a private foundation that lets me take time off to go to rehearsals,
performances, and tours.
Kayleen Langner Jensen
E-Mail: kayleenjensen@hotmail.com
I am currently teaching 1st grade at Birchview Elementary in Wayzata, MN. I just finished my MA in Education in June 2007. I am continuing to dance with adult performers at the DanceXchange in Eden Prairie and enjoying dance events around the cities! (Update: October, 2007)
Christina Ley Andersen
Email: christina_ley_andersen@yahoo.com
Shortly after graduating in the spring of 2000, Christina moved
to New York City with her husband where she received her teaching
certificates in both STOTT Pilates and Yoga. After teaching in New
York for a short while, Christina moved back to her home town of
Grand Rapids, MN to take a position at a local dance studio teaching
Modern, Ballet, Pilates and Yoga. (Update: October, 2003)
Anna Bachman Itman
Email: annaitman@hotmail.com
I am currently living with my husband in Bloomington and teaching
throughout the metro area. Since graduation, I have found several
outlets for dance instruction. As a high school dance teacher, coach
and freelance choreographer, I have kept myself as busy as always.
I am proud to have four graduates of my high school team dancing
at St. Olaf! (Update: June, 2004)
Tia Fink
Email: tiafink@comcast.net
After graduation, I moved to Seattle to pursue my Pilates Certification.
Upon completion (certified through Authentic Pilates/Romana's Pilates/PMA
Certified), I moved back to Minneapolis and freelanced as a pilates
instructor. Currently, I am one of the owners of a pilates studio
in St. Louis Park called Alotapilates. I teach pilates full time
and am hoping to start dancing again very soon! (Update: January,
2007)
Dustin Haug
E-mail: duhaug@seattleschools.org
Currently, Dustin is touring with Lingo dancetheater, performing
an evening length work, Relatively Real. On the side, he collaborates
with friends Paige Barnes (choreographer), Stefan Gruber (animator),
and Jeff Hustion (musician/noise architect). The quartet will show
the first installment of their work at Velocity Dance Center in
early December. He is also involved in the creation of Lingo's newest
work, Inhabit, that will premiere in April '07. When he's not dancing,
which is rare, Dustin enjoys substitute teaching, working events
for a lighting and sound company, and hanging out in his beautiful
loft space. (Update: November, 2006)
Elizabeth Hein
I just recently finished law school and passed the IL bar exam.
I am now living in Alexandria, VA and am working in DC as an associate
attorney at the Law Offices of Stewart & Stewart. I practice
international trade law. After a three year break, I hope to be
able to start dancing again! (Update: October, 2003)
Toni Melaas
E-mail: tonimelaas@yahoo.com
Toni Melaas is currently working on projects with Alexandra
Beller/Dances, Melissa Briggs Dance and Faye Driscoll and is in
production for the new movie by director Julie Taymor. This summer
she had the pleasure of performing at the State Theater for the
Lincoln Center Festival with Shen Wei Dance Arts and in the past
has been honored to work with the Aquila Theater Company with Olympia
Dukakis, Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig and Gerald Casel, among
others. She has taught workshops in Poland, Russia, South Korea
and Thailand, and participated in residencies at various colleges
in the U.S twining dance with her experience in Anusara yoga, pilates,
BMC, and developmental movement. (Update: November, 2005)
Emily Stein
E-mail: emily_stein@hotmail.com
After a phenomenal senior year in Companydance, I spent the
summer at the American Dance Festival. Dancing, learning, and living
down in North Carolina was a great experience — which was shared
with two other Companydance alums and two current St. Olaf dancers.
I now live and work in New York City — and I love it! I do
PR and Promotions, and in my free time I take yoga like its going
out of style.
Laura Fillingame
E-mail: lkfillingame@wisc.edu
am currently in my second year of a Ph.D. program in Counseling
Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although extremely
busy, I find time to take advantage of occasional East African dance
classes and continue to have interest in researching dance-movement
therapy. (Update: January, 2005)
Erica Riedesel
E-mail: erica-riedesel@uiowa.edu
After 4 long years, I am getting ready to graduate in May from
the U of Iowa College of Medicine with my MD! I will start in the
Pediatrics residency program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison
in July!! My schedule has kept me pretty busy lately, but I'm still
taking pilates, yoga, and occasional dance classes when I can manage.
I also got to see CompanyDance at ACDFA at U. Iowa last month, and
they were strong and beautiful as always! (Update: April, 2006)
Erin Scheiwe
E-mail: escheiwe@yahoo.com
Erin Scheiwe Rockwell is originally from Steamboat Springs, Colorado where she grew up dancing with Ballet Northwest. In 2001, Erin graduated with a B.A. in dance and computer science after four wonderful years at St. Olaf and headed towards the skyscrapers of New York City. In New York, Erin’s choreography was presented on several great stages including Dance Theatre Workshop, The Culture Project, University Settlement, One Arm Red, Saint Marks Church and Evolving Arts Theater. She also enjoyed working with a dance theatre company called Notes In Motion and performing with a variety of independent choreographers. In August 2005, Erin moved cross-country to the sunny west coast to pursue an M.F.A. in dance at California State University, Long Beach! During her time in Long Beach, she received a certification in Pilates through Body Arts and Science International and taught Pilates and modern dance as a Graduate Assistant at CSULB. In January 2008, Erin moved to join her husband, Owen Rockwell, in Jackson, MS where she is now on faculty with Belhaven College Dance Department. (Update: April, 2008)
Jen Westmoreland
E-mail: jtwestmore@yahoo.com
Jen Westmoreland Bouchard lives in Minneapolis and is the chair of the French program at Holy Family in Victoria, MN. She publishes regularly on African and Caribbean literature (look for her work in Global Woman Magazine!) and also enjoys working as a translator. She and her surfer husband recently moved from sunny CA back "home" to MN. (Update: September, 2007)
Marte Kristin Hovig
E-Mail: marte_kristin@hotmail.com
I am currently working as a dance teacher at Sunnm¯re Folkeh¯gskule
in Ulsteinvik. I also tour with DKS at different schools, offering
a performance and workshops. This year I have been offered a position
with YMCA/YWCA's national education center and will be giving dancecourses
for them in Bergen and Oslo. (Update: August, 2006)
Katherine Blackwell
E-Mail: blackwel@eresmas.com
I am now a 3rd year MD/PhD student, having just begun working
on my thesis in bone biology. I have had some time for social dancing...
country line dancing in CT could be a study in dance ethnography!
(Update: November, 2005)
Stephanie Laager
E-Mail: laag0006@umn.edu
While in my third year of the Doctor of Pharmacy program, I
have become extensively involved in the dance program at the University
of Minnesota. I take the advanced modern class, which is Horton-based
and taught by Toni Pierce-Sands. I have also been involved in several
performance opportunities including student and faculty works. I
am a founding member of Carl Flink's Black Label Movement, a new
Twin Cities-based modern dance company. I look forward to balancing
company rehearsals and performances with my clinical pharmacy rotations.
I will be interning at various hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies
in the Twin Cities area beginning May 2005. (Update: April, 2005)
Nellie Rainwater
E-Mail: nellierainwater@hotmail.com
For the past two years, I've been living in the Washington D.C.
area. I've been very fortunate to have many performance opportunities
here, and I am currently dancing with Jane Franklin Dance (www.janefranklin.com),
as well as independent choreographer, Jessica Marchant. Last year,
I was thrilled to dance at the Kennedy Center for the Metro DC Dance
Awards, and to choreograph a piece for Jeslyn Dance Gallery's New
Works Show. I also teach dance and do a bit of freelance writing
in my spare time. (Update: August, 2006)
Mary Davies
E-Mail: mpdance4u@hotmail.com
After receiving my MFA in Dance Performance from the University
of Iowa this past May, I have moved back to Minneapolis to pursue
my performance career. Watch for me on stage! (Update: August, 2006)
Nicole Habberstad
E-Mail: nikkeek@hotmail.com
I am still living in La Crescent, MN. I am currently in my fourth year with my dance studio. I have just over 100 kids. I still substitute teach on the side. Last summer I was married to Mike Wiczek and exactly 9 months later I became a mom to a beautiful little girl Riley. Life has become very very busy. (Update: November, 2007)
Miranda Jirik
E-Mail: mirandajirik@yahoo.com
I've been living and working in New York City since graduation.
This fall I am looking forward to starting an MFA program in dance
performance and choreography at Sarah Lawrence College. (Update:
August, 2005)
Emily Judd
E-Mail: ejudd@darkwing.uoregon.edu
I am currently in my initial year of graduate school at the University
of Oregon in Eugene. I will be getting my MFA degree in dance performance
and choreography, looking towards my goal of teaching in higher
education someday. I am also getting my fix of kids by teaching
hip hop at a local middle school. (Update: March 2004)
Madelyn Pearson
E-Mail: pear0373@umn.edu
Hi everyone! I'm currently in my 2nd year of dental school at the
University of Minnesota. In my spare time I teach an off-ice dance
class for ice skaters in Stillwater, and I head to Zenon for a class
whenever I can. (Nothing beats dancing at St. Olaf though!) (Update:
October 2004)
Kate Bronson
E-Mail: kbronson24@yahoo.com
I am currently a Site Director for a YMCA before and after school
program and summer day camp in Apple Valley. I see a little under
100 kids each and try to infuse a bit of dance into my program as
much as possible. I'm loving perk of free yoga and pilates classes
at the Y after work. If you are in the Minneapolis area, give me
a call! (Update: January, 2007)
Elise Ericksen
E-Mail: elisemarie9@hotmail.com
I am currently working with three dance schools in Portland, OR. I have just completed choreographing and directing a children's ballet of The Little Mermaid. I am currently working on the Nutcracker as well as my own ballet version of Louis May Alcott's Little Women. This Spring I will be choreographing and directing a new version of Beauty and the Beast. And in my spare time I work for a yoga studio! I have St. Olaf to thank for a great preparation for my career in dance! (Update: October, 2007)
Denise Gagner
E-Mail: deniseirenegagner@yahoo.com
Hello Everyone! I've been living in Minneapolis since graduation,
teaching dance and trying to do a little choreography as well.
I teach at a small school in Apple Valley, where I've been reviving
my tap skills and putting my dance history and anatomy/body knowledge
to good use. Next year I'll be teaching modern at a dance
school in Stillwater. I've also been collaborating with Allison
Lorenzen on some choreography and improving with sherry and Allison.
This summer I am going out to Bearnstow, a little dance center in
the woods of Maine where I will be working, living, dancing, and
communing with nature for July and August. Stop by and visit
if you are out that way!
Michelle Kinney
E-Mail: kinneym@msnotes.wustl.edu
Hello everyone! For the past three years, I've been studying at
Washington University and will graduate with my Doctor in Physical
Therapy degree this May. I've been traveling all over the country
on clinical affiliations, and am currently on rotation in Seattle.
I take dance, pilates, and yoga whenever I can and am actively involved
in professional organizations for research and treatment of dance-related
injury. (Update: November, 2006)
Ingrid Pharris
E-Mail: ingpharris@yahoo.com
I am currently living in Olympia with my family, paying off student
loans, working as a "correspondence secretary" of sorts,
avoiding PartyLite parties, teaching ballet and creative dance to
little ones, and taking lots and lots of dance!!! I plan to cocoon
here for a bit before emerging somewhere exotic (like Minneapolis
or Seattle or Kyoto!), so come and visit. I miss Susan, Jennifer,
Heather, Sherry, Janice, and Anthony very much, and I am so thankful
for the amazing training you all have provided. I had no idea what
gems you were giving to us until I started teaching. Keep up the
lovely work!
Berit Ahlgren
E-Mail: ahlgrenb@gmail.com
I am working with Uri Sands and Toni Pierce-Sands as a member of
TUDance, based in Minneapolis. They have both been instrumental
and guiding forces in my life since an early age, and it is incredible
to be dancing with them now as a professional.
Eliza Larson
E-Mail: eliza.larson@gmail.com
What a whirlwind year it's been! Last summer (2005), I moved to
Washington DC to work on my MFA in Dance at the University of Maryland.
After some soul-searching, I decided to postpone my MFA degree,
and instead drove across the country to Seattle, where I'm living
right now. Life has been more than kind since I moved, and I'm now
set up in my new apartment on Capitol Hill, performing with a modern
dance "company" in November, and working as an Admissions
Counselor at Cornish College of the Arts. I've gotten to take several
classes with KT Neihoff, and hopefully Emily Wiedenhoeft and I will
begin collaborating soon. Let me know if you're ever out this way...!
(Update: September, 2006)
Maija Saulitis
E-Mail: maijasaulitis@yahoo.com
I'm currently in my second year with AmeriCorps, working with first
and second-graders at a fine arts school in St. Paul. I'm applying
to get my MFA in Creative Writing, and hope to be back in school
next fall. I try and make it to as many dance performances as possible,
here, in the Twin Cities, and hope to take some classes at Zenon
over the winter. (Update: January, 2007)
Julia Langenberg
E-Mail: JuliaLangenberg@gmail.com
I spent the summer after my graduation performing with Keigwin
+ Company and dancing at ADF. Since moving back to Austin, Texas
in the fall of 2006, I have been hired to dance with Blue Lapis
Light (http://bluelapislight.org/),
a site-specific aerial dance company, Sharir + Bustamante Danceworks
(Anthony danced with them years ago), Wonderlust Dance Theater,
Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble, Ballet East Dance Theater, Komo Danceworks,
and Ariel Dance Theater. I am also singing with the Grammy nominated
singing group, Conspirare. Thank you to the dance department for
inspiring me and revealing my love for modern dance! (Update: June,
2007)
Marit Sletten
E-Mail: Marit.Sletten@gmail.com
I am sad not to be moving back onto the hill in a week, but
I am very excited to embark on some new adventures this fall! I
will be attending Augsburg College for the next two years working
towards my Master's of Arts in Leadership. I work for my dad at
his business, EnergyFlo, doing all sorts of different tasks. I try
to make it to Zenon whenever I can to take class. I am sure I will
make several trips to the hill this year to visit friends and family!
(Update: August, 2006)