North Coast Dance Festival 2024 - NMU Theatre and Dance

Choreographer: Maté Szentes

Music: “Fljòtavik” by Sigur Ròs

Dancers: Julia Feldman & Maté Szentes

Choreographer's Note: On a frozen lake lit by the moon late at night, warmth is brought by the human connection of two strangers gliding through a moment in time.

Choreographer: Karina Johnson

Music: “Chan-Chan” by The Buena Vista Social Club

Dancers: Lauren Goodman, Emma Houston, Xander Martin, Don'Tae Mitchell, MJ Opulencia

Choreographer's Note: “I didn’t compose Chan-Chan, I dreamt it. I dream of music. I sometimes wake up with a melody in my head. I hear the instruments, all very clear. I look over the balcony and I see nobody, but I hear it as if it was played on the street.” -Compay Segundo

When I read this quote I immediately felt connected to it. These words so perfectly embody how I feel about choreographing dance, and I knew I needed to create something to this piece of music. I interpreted the music in my own way but tried to preserve the soul and power behind the notes. The main theme I wanted to convey was individuality; that through all adversity, you remain your true self, and through that find togetherness with others.

Choreographer: Jill Grundstrom

Music: “New Money” from The Great Gatsby

Lighting Design: Wildcat Performing Arts Academy Design & Production Students

Dancers: Wildcat Performing Arts Academy Dancers

Choreographer: Julia Feldman

Music: “Consolation No. 3” by Franz Liszt

Dancers: Ava Chatterson & Maté Szentes

Choreographer: Karina Johnson

Music: “Le Cygne” by Camille Saint-Saëns

Dancers: Lauren Goodman

Founder: Gus Giordano

Artistic Director: Nan Giordano

Choreographer: Al Blackstone

Music: “Prelude no. 1 B Flat Major” by George Gershwin

Production Stage Manager: Julie Ballard

Lighting & Media Designer: Julie Ballard

Dancers: Adam Houston, Sasha Lazarus, Talia Luzzo, Amanda Hickey-Newcom, Skyler Newcom, Fernando Rodriguez, Simon Schuh, Erina Ueda, Analysse Vance, Eduardo Zambrana

Ava Chatterson (Dancer in Reverie) was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and received her early training at the Flint School of Performing Arts. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Ballet and Legal Studies from Indiana University. She has also trained at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. Ava has been a dancer with the Sacramento Ballet since 2010, and has also appeared with Texture Contemporary Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Ava is a founding member and dancer with Capital Dance Project, and is on the faculty of the School of Sacramento Ballet.

Julia Feldman (Reverie Choreographer & Dancer in glide) trained under Pamela Hayes of Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet. She began her professional career with the Sacramento Ballet in 2011 and is a current Company Artist. Feldman discovered her passion for choreography through the Sacramento Ballet’s Beer and Ballet showcase, creating new work annually since 2012. In 2015, she co-founded Capital Dance Project (CDP), a collective of professional dancers in Sacramento, where she has premiered nine works. In 2019, she was selected for the National Choreographer’s Initiative. In 2021, Julia co-created a new Nutcracker for the Sacramento Ballet. She was honored to participate in the New York Choreographic Institute's 2022 Spring Session. Her first full commission, 'Hearts,' premiered in April 2022, and she will debut her second for the Sacramento Ballet’s 70th Anniversary season in 2024-25.

Maté Szentes (glide Choreographer & Dancer) is originally from Budapest, Hungary. He studied at the Hungarian Dance Academy and attended summer programs at North Carolina Dance Theater. Upon graduation he joined the Hungarian National Ballet for 3 seasons and in 2012 he moved to California and joined the Sacramento Ballet. Mr. Szentes relocated to the east coast in 2015 to join the Richmond Ballet where he danced principal and soloist roles. In 2021 he became a freelance artist based out of Los Angeles. Since 2016 he is actively choreographing and his works have been performed across the country by various companies and festivals.

For more information about Giordano Dance Chicago, please visit the link below!

https://www.giordanodance.org/about-us

Karina Johnson (CO/LAB Dance Company Artistic Director & Chan-Chan Choreographer) started ballet at the age of four in Irvine, California, and was trained by such accomplished teachers as Charles Maple, Amanda McKerrow, and John Gardner from American Ballet Theatre, as well as Evelyn Cisneros from San Francisco Ballet. She attended ABT, Boston Ballet, and American Academy of Ballet summer intensives throughout her years of training, as well as competed in the Youth of America Grand Prix competition for five consecutive years. Starting in 2007, Karina worked on a degree at The University of Utah as well as guested with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s The Nutcracker for three years. In her senior year of college she became a trainee with Ballet West, performing as a supplemental corps de ballet dancer. Karina graduated in 2010 with a BFA in Ballet, and afterwards spent a year as an apprentice at Smuin Ballet in San Francisco before moving to join the Sacramento Ballet. There she had the privilege of performing in such renowned ballets as Ron Cunningham’s The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carmina Burana, Rite of Spring, Cinderella, and The Firebird, as well as Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, and George Balanchine’s Western Symphony, Who Cares?, Rubies, and the First Regiment Lead in Stars and Stripes. One of the highlights of Karina’s career was performing the first act Pas de Trois, and Cygnettes in Swan Lake, one of the hardest and most rewarding ballets to perform. After retiring from her career with the Sacramento Ballet in 2015, Karina helped found the dancer-run company Capital Dance Project, choreographing, performing, and organizing their summer performance series. After eight years of dancing professionally, and 5 more of helping run a project-based company, she decided it was time to pass on her love and knowledge of dance to the next generation... bringing her to NMU!

Lauren Goodman (Company Member) is a senior at Northern Michigan University, majoring in sports science with a dance minor. She has a pre-physical therapy focus and is pursuing a career as a physical therapist with NASA. She is originally from Dayton, OH, and grew up dancing classical ballet. She then went on to major in dance at Wright State Univeristy, while dancing with Dayton Ballet's second company. She left college after two years to dance as a trainee with Alonzo King Lines Contemporary Ballet Company. Some of her favorite roles over the years includes Cinderella in Cinderella, the Black Swan in Swan Lake, and Headache Girl in Serenade. She is so excited for her return to the stage with CO/LAB Dance Company!

Emma Houston (Company Member) is excited to showcase her choreographed piece "Angles and Queens" and perform in her first Co/Lab Production. She is a Junior at NMU, majoring in Multimedia Journalism. She's been dancing for 17 years at various schools including the Joffrey School of Dance, in New York City. She would like to thank her family and friends for their wide support and hope they enjoy the show.

Xander Martin (Company Member) is a first-year dance major, and is very excited for his first musical experience at NMU! He would like to thank his family for helping him get to where he is right now, and to all of the NMU theater professors for helping him improve and succeed!

Don’Tae Mitchell (Company Member) is thrilled to take the stage in North Coast Dance Festival at Northern Michigan University. You might recognize him from his cameos in Spamalot, or his performance with NMU’s very own Co/Lab Dance Company, and in Anything Goes. He's eager to bring that same energy and passion to this new production. When not under the spotlight, Dontae hones his craft and explores the diverse facets of theatrical performance. He thanks the cast, crew, and you, the audience, for making this journey unforgettable." ig: @dontaedamarcuss

Mary Jehms Opulencia (Company Member), also known as MJ, is delighted to be back on stage after taking a break from dance. Prior to her break, she performed in shows such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Hansel and Gretel, and The Nutcracker. As an international student from the Philippines, she is pursuing a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science and pre-medicine at Northern Michigan University. She wishes to share her love and passion for dance at this year’s North Coast Dance Festival and hopes everyone enjoys the show. TikTok: mjjj.mjjj