Guest Artists

2024-25 

KYLE MARSHALL

Guest Residency Oct. 20-27

Kyle Marshall is a choreographer, performer, teacher and artistic director of Kyle Marshall Choreography (KMC), a dance company that sees the dancing body as a container of history, an igniter of social reform and a site of celebration. Since inception in 2014, KMC has performed at venues including: Chelsea Factory, BAM Next Wave Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Actors Fund Arts Center, NJPAC, Little Island, and Roulette. Kyle has received choreographic and dance film commissions from the Baryshnikov Arts Center, “Dance on the Lawn”, Montclair’s Dance Festival, Harlem Stage and THE SHED.

Kyle has received a 2018 NY Dance and Performance Juried Bessie Award, a 2020 Dance Magazine Harkness Promise Award and a 2020 Bessie Honoree for his revival of Colored (2017). He has also received choreographic fellowships from Princeton University, Center for Ballet and the Arts, and residencies from Monira Foundation, 92nd st Y, CPR, and Bethany Arts Community. As an educator, Kyle has conducted masterclasses, creative workshops, set choreography at schools including; ADF, Rutgers University, Ailey/Fordham University, Sarah Lawrence College, County Prep High School, and Eugene Lang/New School. He is currently an adjunct professor at NYU’s Open Arts Program and Drew University. Kyle is a former member of the Trisha Brown Dance Company, doug elkins choreography etc., and Tiffany Mills Company. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a BFA in Dance and a NJ Arts Fellow.

TUMELO KHUPE

Tumelo Khupe (alias Melo) is a performing artist, krumper, and emerging choreographer
based in the Twin Cities and from Botswana. Her artistry investigates and explores how the
body manifests lived experiences through movement. Krump is foundational in her work as it offers endless possibilities for storytelling through its technique and language. She makes use of some elements of theater to reveal these moments through freestyle or improvisation. The four pillars of her artistry are rawness, discovery, individuality, and spirituality.

She graduated with a BA in Music Theater with a minor in Dance. Some awards received are the David Wick Leadership Award, the David Wick Best Choreography Award, and The Mabel Meta Frey Outstanding Theater Artist Award. She is a Naked Stages Fellow, Generating Room Fellow, Next Step Fund grantee, and most recently, a Chawrchā, a next-generation choreographic lab Fellow and has performed with Emmy award-winning company, Hip Hop Nutcracker.

DARRIUS STRONG

Darrius Strong is a highly accomplished choreographer, dancer, and educator based in the Twin Cities. His creative work has garnered recognition and been featured in prestigious venues such as the Walker Art Centers, Choreographers Evening, and Rhythmically Speaking. As the founder and artistic director of STRONGmovement and the director of the Hip Hop program at Eleve Performing Arts Center, Strong continues to push boundaries and inspire others through his innovative approach to movement.

Notable highlights of Strong’s career include being featured in the 2015 New Griots Festival and an American Standard Billboard advertisement in NYC’s Times Square in 2016. In 2017, he received the Momentum New Works recipient award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to the field. Strong has also served as the Movement Director for esteemed theater organizations such as Guthrie Theater and Ten Thousand Things Theater, lending his expertise and artistic vision to enhance stage performances.

His choreographic talents have been sought after by renowned dance companies including Threads Dance Project, Flying Foot Forum, Alternative Motion Projects, TU Dance, and James Sewell Ballet, where he has created captivating works. Additionally, Strong has dedicated the past seven years to bringing Hip Hop knowledge and technique to Anoka Middle School for the Arts, making a significant impact on the next generation of dancers.

Beyond the realm of dance, Strong has made his mark as a movement director for musicians as well. He has collaborated with notable bands such as Noneabove and has provided movement direction for various cover bands performing at prestigious galas.

Recognized for his artistic excellence, Strong is a recipient of the 2019 Jerome Hill Fellowship and the 2022 Choreographer McKnight Fellowship, solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the dance community.

Past Guest Artists

2023-24

PERSIAN DANCE GUEST ARTIST

Guest Residency November 6 – 11

Natalie Nayun is an international teacher and performer specializing in contemporary and folkloric styles from Central Asia and the Middle East.  She has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for over 15 years. She is lucky enough to have studied dance in her travels to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Oman. She is a well known soloist and the Artistic Director of Ballet Afsaneh. She founded international online dance school Pomegranate Garden Dance featuring teachers and students from all over the world. She is a passionate teacher and a lifelong student. Her hope is to share the beauty in these regions of the world through dance!

Cynthia Gutierrez Guest Artist Residency – Feb. 17-23
Guest Artist Cynthia Gutierrez guest taught classes and created a new work that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert. 

Scott Stafford set a new work on the First Year Dance Project that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert.

2022-23

John Ysursa gave a lecture titled “Basque Folk Dance and the Inherent Tension of Basque Identity”. Oier Araolaza and Josu Garate performed Basque dance.

Lisa Berman and Joseph Tran of BRKFST Dance guest taught classes and restaged a work that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert. 

Mathew Janczewski taught Modern 3 and created a new work that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert.

2021-22

Melissa Teodoro
A guest artist setting works on members of Companydance and Veselica and bringing Afro-Colombian dance to students through a variety of residency activities.

2018-19

Shapiro & Smith Dance

2017-18

Michael Pili Pang
Stephan Koplowitz

2016-17

Marciano Silva dos Santos
Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater
Amy Slater

2015-2016

HIJACK

2014-2015

Karla Grotting
Theatre Engine
Stephan Koplowitz

2013-2014

Alexandra Beller/Dances

2012-2013

Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater
Ragamala

2011-2012

Urban Bush Women

2010-2011

Shapiro and Smith

2009-2010

Mathew Janczewski
Uri Sands

2008-2009

Eddie Oroyan
Peggy Paver
Robin Stiehm

2007-2008

Brad Garner
Keith Johnson
Brent Schneider

2006-2007

Christian Adeti
Lorry May (Anna Sokolow)
Ellen Keane

2005-2006

Lingo Dance Theater
Mathew Janczewski

2004-2005

KT Niehoff
Walter Kennedy

2003-2004

Jan Erkert
Joe Chvala

2002-2003

Joe Chvala
Barbara Thatcher

2001-2002

David Dorfman
Gail Corbin
Cathy Young
Chris Aiken
Wynn Fricke

2000-2001

Jan Erkert & Dancers

1999-2000

David Dorfman
Seán Curran

1998-1999

Art Bridgman/Myrna Packer

1996-1998

Repertory Dance Theatre
Keith Johnson