GPDC Dancers

SECOND CHANCE - DANCE FESTIVAL DANCERS, May 16, 2009

 

Clare Bayens began her extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern at the age of 4 in Houston, Texas. Throughout the summers she continued studying at University of the Arts, Gourcher College’s Summer Arts program, Alvin Ailey’s Summer Intensive Program, and the Bates Dance Festival. Under the direction of Loretta Livingston, Donald McKayle, Bob Boross, and Diane Diefenderfer, she graduated in 2006 with a BFA in performance from the University of California, Irvine. Most recently, she has performed with Kybele Dance Theater under the direction of Seda Aybay throughout Southern California. Clare also is a certified Pilates instructor and practices in the Pasadena area. 

Erica Preus is a native of Southern California, and has been dancing since she was three years old. Though she began predominately as a ballet dancer, Erica’s teenage years as a competition dancer for USA and UDA exposed her to lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern. After graduating from Canyon High School in Anaheim, Erica attended UCLA and pursued a Bachelors degree in English Literature with a minor in Classical Civilizations. She is now pursuing a full time career as a makeup artist, and currently works as a freelance artist for Lancôme Cosmetics. For Erica, dance is the human personification of art, and proof that the human body is capable of inconceivable strength as well as breathtaking grace. She hopes to be fortunate enough to continue to dance, in any genre, for many years to come.

Video Choreography: Dancers

Crystal Truesdell - Principle Dancer, Los Angeles, CA (Washed & Red)

Crystal been with Grounding Point Dance Company in Los Angeles since March of 2006. She is a significant player in the artistic process of Grounding Point Dance Company's video projects. She has performed throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Washington DC with Grounding Point Dance Company, Metrolopis Dance Theater, and the California State Fullerton Dance Department. GPDC's Artistic Director, Carrie Smaczny, created a video choreography solo entitledWashed,specifically for Crystal. This piece was shot at the cliffs in Pal Los Verdes overlooking the ocean. Washed premiered at Dance Camera Istanbul in April of 2007. Crystal is also a solo artist exploring her own video choreography and photography skills.

Maggie Carvalho - Principle Dancer, Phoenix, AZ (Walk & Untitled Jazz)

Maggie was one of the first company members to join GPDC in 1999. She is a beautiful dancer with style, grace, and amazing musicality. She was instrumental in the development of Grounding Point Dance Company and was considered Carrie Smaczny's muse. She entered into the company at 18, totally willing to explore any type of dance style. Her early training includes Plumb Dance Academy & Scottsdale Community College. Her other artistic talents including styling hair with her training from Scott Cole Academy, She owns a hair salon, Green With Envy in Scottsdale, AZ.

Stage Performance: Dancers

2008- Obscure Dance Party For Everyone, The Open Space, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

1000 Petals , Choreography / Dancer: Carrie Smaczny

Graffiti Project - Video Installation - Dancer: Crystal Truesdell, Guest Dancer: Lexi Yalj & Bulletyme

2008 - Jam on It - Hype Dance Studios Semi- Annual Production, Torrance, CA

 Like That, Choreography & Dancers: Carrie Smaczny & Crystal Truesdell

2006 - Arizona Dance Jam, Ryan Performing Arts Center, Tempe, AZ

Falling Forward (multi-media stage performance), choreography: Carrie Smaczny 

Dancers: Jessica Pierce, Sadie Ford, Lucy Corner, Crystal Truesdell, Monica Bumatay

2005 - Outline, Rayn Performing Arts Center, Tempe, AZ

Dancers: Courtney Bogardus(apprentice), Kristina Carlson, Tiffany Carlson, Maggie Carvalho, Julianna Curtis, Courtney Smith Campbell, Brooke Fields, Sara Radavich, Carrie Smaczny

Lighting Designer: Andy Hutchinson & Production Assistant: Jennifer Rhea McKusick

2003-2005 University of California, Irvine - Carrie Smaczny, choreographic research in video choreography

MFA Thesis Dancers: Lauren Kadel, Clare Bayens, Cythnia Kastner, Jenna Harbinson, Garrett Moore, Diedre Cavazzi

Production Assistants: Kara Miller & Garrett Moore 

Lighting Designer: Andrew Hutchinson / Stage Manager: Stacy Haggins

CABARET: Choreographic Assistant: Carrie Smaczny, Director: Valerie Rochelle  

Choreography appeared in:  New Slate Graduate Concert Dec. 2003 & Dance Escape Graduate Concert April 2005

Dancer in Moon Mudra, choreography: Loretta Livingston 

2003 - A Little Off Center, Herberger Theater Center, Black Box, Phoenix, AZ

Dancers: Maggie Carvalho Fink, Katrina Steinberg Locklin, Jennifer Rhea McKusick, Kristina Carlson, Kelly Reilly , Yesi Serrano, Courntey Smith

Choreographers: Kristina Carlson, Maggie Carvalho Fink Jennifer Rhea McKusick, Courtney Smith, Katrina Steinberg Locklin, Carrie Smaczny

Lighting Design: Andrew Hutchinson

2002 - Urban Constructions, Herberger Theater Center, Stage West, Phoenix, AZ

Dancers: Jennifer Rhea-McKusick, Carrie Smaczny, Courtney Smith, Katrina Steinberg

Choreographers: Carrie Smaczny, Courtney Smith, Maggie Carvalho Fink, Katrina Steinberg

Lighting: Andrew Hutchinson

Guest Artists: Jay Busch & The Metro Phoenix Jazz Orchestra

2001 - Contemporary Voices II, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ

Dancers:  Eddie Benites, Maggie Carvalho, Sarah Gates, Kristen Little, Jennifer Rhea-McKusick, Carrie Smaczny, Katrina Steinberg

Choreographers: Susan Douglas Roberts, Carrie Smaczny, Jennifer Rhea-McKusick, Maggie Carvalho

Lighting Desinger: Andrew Hutchinson

2000 - Contemporary Voices I, Kerr Cultural Center, Scottsdale, AZ

Dancers: Maggie Carvalho, Kathleen Engle, Sarah Gates, Kristen Little, Jennifer Rhea, Carrie Smaczny, Courtney Smith, Katrina Steinberg

Choreographers: Susan Douglas Roberts, Carrie Smaczny, Katrina Steinberg, Candace Ammerman

Lighting Designer: Andrew Hutchinson

2000 - Defining Dance, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ

Dancers:  Eddie Benites, Maggie Carvalho, Carley Conder, Jessica Corkill, Stephanie Koltiska, Blake Reeves, Sarah McKee Gates, Carrie Smaczny, Jennifer Rhea

Guest Choreographer: Mary Ripper Baker 

Guest Dancer/Performer: Joan Pangilinan-Taylor

Guest Company: San Diego Ballet, Director: Javier Velesco 

Lighting Designer: Andrew Hutchinson 

1999 - Dimensions, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ

Choreographers: Carley Conder, Sarah McKee Gates, Carrie Smaczny, Katrina Steinberg

Dancers: James Asimenios, Aliece Bergen, Maggie Carvalho, John Goodson, Brittany Granville, Stephanie Koltiska, Blake Reeves, Michelle Roberts, Christy Decker, Carley Conder, Sarah McKee Gates, Carrie Smaczny, Katrina Steinberg

Lighting Designer: Andrew Hutchinson

1999 - The Spirit of Dance, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale AZ

Choreographers: Carrie Smaczny & Lynn Hanson 

Dancers: James Asimenios, Marion Campton, Maggie Carvalho, Carley Conder, Xavier Corcoran, Lisa Crawford, Erin Geiger, Lynn Hanson, Amy Hargreaves, Stacie Schlief, Wendy Slagle, Katrina Steinberg

Guests: Mary Ripper Baker, Devon Fleanor

Lighting Designer: Heather Hutton Coomer