Wendy Carcaño is an M.F.A graduate student at the University of California, Irvine. Her artistic process in rooted in improvisation and movement exploration. Ms. Carcaño has been involved in dance curriculum development for the Los Angeles School District. Creative movement and movement exploration have been her area of expertise in the public school system. In California, she has spent ten years advocating dance in underrepresented communities.

 

Anaëlle Echalier is currently a dance exchange student in at the University of California, Irvine. Anaëlle is visiting from France, where she studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Her choreographic work is based on improvisation and contact. In Paris, she formed a modern dance company working with jazz musicians, where she studies the relationship between dance and music. Anaëlle has performed professionally with Daniel Dobbels, Paco Decina and Robert Seyfried, among others.

 

Michael Lane is a Drama Student at The University of California - Irvine. His performing experience ranges from plays, musicals to opera. Lately he has been studying Directing with Bill Rauch, particular interests including both Devised and Collaborative performance. Currently he is creating a devised theatre work with the support of a UROP Fellowship at UCI. Michael Lane originally hails from Sacramento, CA.

 

Jamie Alexandra McCann, currently a first year graduate student at the University of California Irvine, has been dancing for 25 years.   Ms. McCann graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall of 2000 with her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies.   Upon graduation she taught dance classes at UT Arlington and directed the university's undergraduate performing company for five years.   In addition to teaching, Ms. McCann performed professionally with Le Cabaret Burlesque and continues to appear as a guest artist for the company when she is in Dallas.

Originally from Hawaii, Julie Parker earned her B.F.A. in dance from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Off-Broadway credits include Chet Walker's To Be Frank, Skip Costa's Rock Stars NYC and others. New York company performance credits include Anne Doss Repertory Company, American Entertainment Productions, and New Jersey Performance Foundation. Baltimore company credits include the Collective Dance Company, Movement/Addiction and the Carroll County Ballet. Julie moved to California in 2005, and since has performed with Janelle Burgess as well as the Crystal Cathedral's Glory of Easter. Julie has been teaching ballet, jazz, and modern dance for 10 years, and is very happy to be working towards her M.F.A. degree at the University of California, Irvine.

 

Aubri Siebert started her dance training with Paige Santos in San Marcos, California. For the last three years she has been performing and instructing as a professional ballroom dancer with the Atomic Ballroom, and continues to work in this field. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance at the University of California, Irvine just a year ago and has now returned to join in the graduate program.

 

 

Marci Tuttle is in her first year of graduate school at the University of California, Irvine.   She is interested in the relationship between dance and imagery and how that enhances performance and technique.   She comes to us from Utah where she was actively involved in dance education in the public school systems. Marci is new to the field of dance for the camera and is excited to be a part of this project.  

 

Natalia Valerdi is a researcher in the area of somatics and interactive technology in the context of choreography & performance. Her recent choreographic work involves experimenting with the interaction between performer, video and sound in real time. Her choreography has been produced in Mexico, Switzerland and the United States and she has performed for choreographers Jean Isaacs, Yolande Snaith, Patricia Rincon and Allyson Green. Her studies at the Center for Choreographic Research in Mexico City piqued her interest in somatic work. She received her B.A. in Dance from the University of California, San Diego. Transitioning from performer to researcher, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the University of California, Irvine Dance Department with a focus in researching the intersection between physical awareness and technology.