{"id":56,"date":"2013-06-10T10:28:08","date_gmt":"2013-06-10T15:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/?page_id=56"},"modified":"2026-02-26T10:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T16:36:19","slug":"guest-artists","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/guest-artists\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Artists"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

2025-26<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

URBAN BUSH WOMAN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

URBAN BUSH WOMEN<\/a> is a groundbreaking Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble. Founded in 1984 by visionary choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, UBW is an engine and amplifier for the stories of Black Women+. UBW combines radical performance, deep engagement, and ancestral knowledge from the African diaspora into a force that is urgent, forward-looking, and essential. UBW has defied expectations for over 40 years. The very bodies of its founding members \u2013 Black women of various shapes and sizes \u2013 changed the landscape of who could be seen on stage as a dancer. The work placed the concerns of such women center stage. UBW embraces radical storytelling to activate social change. Whether creating genre-defying work for the stage, guiding the development of Black Women+ choreographers and producers, organizing for justice through artmaking, UBW is an innovator, operating at the vanguard. www.urbanbushwomen.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urban Bush Woman Facilitators<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Courtney J. Cook<\/strong> is a Virginia Native now residing in Brooklyn, NY. She is a graduate of the Virginia Governor\u2019s School of the Arts and holds a B.F.A in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. For 10 years, she served as a performing company member, BOLD facilitator and later Associate Artistic Director with Urban Bush Women. She is honored to be a recipient of the 2018 \u201cBessie\u201d Award for Outstanding Performance for her work with UBW, Maria Bauman (MBDance), and Marguerite Hemmings (we free). In 2022, Cook was involved as performer\/choreographic collaborator and vocalist in Cannabis! A Viper Vaudville<\/em>, created by Baba Israel and Grace Galu Kalambay (Soul Inscribed). In fall of 2023, she made her debut performance with Houston Grand Opera as a dancer, commissioned with Urban Bush Women,  in the World Premier of Jake Heggie’s Intelligence, choreographed and directed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. In 2024, she made her debut at The Met Opera in John Adam\u2019s El Ni\u00f1o, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz and choreographed by Marjani Forte-Saunders. She is now a touring company member with Camille A. Brown & Dancers and will be returning to the MET this season a dancer in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Jaim\u00e9 Yawa Dzandu<\/strong> is a choreographer, movement artist, community organizer, and facilitator with roots in Hampton, Virginia, and Wusuta-Anyigbe, Ghana. She creates movement-based art experiences that nurture restoration, social connection, and transformation. Currently, Jaim\u00e9 is the Learning and Community Manager and BOLD facilitator for Urban Bush Women’s BOLD Network (Builders, Organizers, and Leaders through Dance), supporting the growth of dancers and community leaders. Previously, Jaim\u00e9 served as the Interim Director of Program Wellness and Youth Culture at the Lower Eastside Girls Club, where she organized and facilitated year-round wellness and performing arts programming. She is currently a movement and wellness consultant for Lower Eastside Girls Club and The Center for Well-being and Happiness and where she designs and implements curriculum, including “Vitality in Motion and Teen Restorative Circle. She has taught and continues to teach dance\/movement at cultural institutions, universities, community centers, and studios. As a choreographer, Jaim\u00e9 creates work rooted in African Diasporic experimental practices, blending dance, natural elements, and text. Her pieces reflect the sacredness of performance, exploring the complexities of Black girlhood and womanhood, lineage, and our holistic connection to nature, which she views as a living entity offering wisdom and healing. Her choreographic works include ourwombtruth<\/em> in collaboration with Brittany Williams (Open Season; National Black Theater, Bushwick Starr, Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans), mud diggn\u2019:<\/em>(Brooklyn Arts Exchange), mud diggn\u2019: homework in progress<\/em> (Movement Research), mud diggn\u2019: she has always been here, sea<\/em> (Corridor Gallery), mud diggn\u2019: working with the blues<\/em>, (BAAD!), bridge blood breath bone<\/em>, (92nd Street Y and Gibney Dance), An Ode To Our Breath<\/em> (Raising Voices Festival), and bridge blood breath bone <\/em>(excerpt) (La Mama).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Urban Bush Woman BOLD Programming<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

BOLD<\/a> (Builders Organizers, and Leaders through Dance) is Urban Bush Women’s unique approach to facilitating a dialogue within an organization. We facilitate multiple workshop possibilities for a variety of different groups and contexts from dance studio to board retreat, using a unique blend of dialogue and movement. Leveraging dance as a catalyst for social change & consistently seeking the broadest range of engagement possible has led UBW to train rigorously in dialogue facilitation, analyzing racism and its manifestations in group dynamics, and in the field of brain compatible dance education (a holistic practice rather than dance instruction as mimicry)\u2014in addition to concert dance technique & performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about how to bring a BOLD workshop to your organization, please email us at bold@urbanbushwomen.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KALEENA MILLER<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Kaleena Miller is a sound-focused dance artist (tap dancer, choreographer, improvisor, educator, and deep listener) whose work has found form as live performance, video, sound installation, written scores and wood works. Named one of DANCE Magazine\u2019s 25 to Watch, her work has been presented in Minneapolis, New York and Chicago, including commissions from the American Tap Dance Foundation, Cowles Center for Dance and Walker Art Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born and raised in Minnesota, Miller toured internationally with Rhythmic Circus\u2019 Feet Don\u2019t Fail Me Now! for 10 years, co-directed the acclaimed Twin Cities Tap Festival from 2015-2021, and founded Kaleena Miller Dance, a forward-thinking tap dance company that produced new work and provided mentorship. She has performed in works by Roxane Butterfly, Joe Chvala, Heather Cornell, Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant, Lisa La Touche, Michael J. Love, Sandy Silva, Jumaane Taylor and Laurie Van Wieren. Honors include a Sage Award for People’s Choice, McKnight Dancer Fellow, and MacDowell Fellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now living in New York, and having recently completed a Deep Listening Certification from the Center for Deep Listening as well as an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Miller has founded LOUNDOVING<\/em> projects (a portmanteau of listening + sounding + moving), dedicated to highlighting the nuance, variation, and possibilities of percussive dance work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JAKE NEHRBASS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Jake grew up in Minneapolis and has danced since the age of three, studying and performing styles including tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, international forms, and ballroom. He holds a BA in Dance and Exercise Science from St. Olaf College, which informs his understanding of movement through both artistic and anatomical lenses.

Currently, Jake performs with Arena Dances, Black Label Movement, Ruby Josephine Dance Theatre, and Rhythmically Speaking, and has collaborated with numerous Twin Cities artists and companies. Jake has also created dance works for Black Label Movement, Rhythmically Speaking, and Crash Dance’s pre-professional company CDP2. In addition to performing and choreographing, he teaches at Prairie School of Dance and Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center, where he fosters inclusive, supportive spaces that celebrate movement, creativity and self-expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jake’s Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024-25 <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GENE LUBAS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Guest Residency: February 27-March 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tamburitzans folk ensemble from Pittsburgh brought Gene Lubas to fall in love with the stage and he basically never left.  He is fortunate to say that he has worked in show business most of his life. Following his time performing with The Tamburitzans, Gene travelled to Europe to study with directors and choreographers from the Slovak Folk Ballets, L\u00fa\u010dnica and SLUK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Lubas performed and choreographed for several folk ensembles in his hometown of Pittsburgh which featured cultures from Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Spain and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this time, Gene gained considerable experience in various aspects of show business from teaching ballet, folk, tap, and musical theatre to directing and choreographing shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a dancer and singer, Gene has performed at several regional theaters, cruise ships and various Broadway musicals, including productions of \u201cOklahoma!\u201d, \u201c42nd Street\u201d, and \u201cThe Will Rogers Follies\u201d as well as the inauguration celebration show at Kennedy Center for President Bill Clinton. Gene then began training in stage management and casting many shows.  Some of those touring shows include \u201cJoseph\u2026Dreamcoat,\u201d \u201cGrease\u201d with Frankie Avalon, and \u201cSmokey Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d with Gladys Knight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gene worked for Cirque du Soleil for 13 years, working and training more than 300 performers from all over the world. Having joined Cirque in 2000, Mr. Lubas has held the position of General Stage Manager for the show \u201cAlegria\u201d during its tour of New Zealand, Australia and Singapore.  Returning to America, he was lured to Las Vegas and began his career on the Las Vegs Strip starting as General Stage Manager for the water spectacular, \u201cO\u201d, then to share his skills as Artistic Director for the shows \u201cZumanity\u201d and \u201cViva ELVIS\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his time with Cirque, Gene created performances for the TV shows \u201cThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno,\u201d \u201cThe Miss Universe Pageant,\u201d \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent,\u201d \u201cSo You Think You Can Dance,\u201d \u201cThe Bachelor,\u201d \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d and \u201cStrictly Come Dancing\u201d (the British version of Dancing with the Stars).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Las Vegas, Gene was brought to \u201cJubilee\u201d (the showgirl spectacular) as Creative Director to upgrade the legendary show. Gene was promoted to the position of Director of Entertainment and Talent for Caesar\u2019s Entertainment where he oversaw eight Caesar Entertainment properties and 31 theatrical venues in Las Vegas including creating numbers for the production shows starring Rod Stewart, Donny and Marie Osmond and Jennifer Lopez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the recent pandemic, Gene served as Executive Creative Director for Victory Hill Exhibitions, a branch of \u201cCity Neon\u201d working with Universal Studios Creative, Lionsgate and Marvel Cinematic Universe to develop experiential shows based on the films Jurassic Park, Hunger Games and The Avengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Lubas has served as a mentor for the Production and Design students at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and served on the faculty of The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together with Jerry Nadal, his husband of 33 years, they have raised two great sons, Harrison and Wilson, who are national US Gymnastics champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

KYLE MARSHALL<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guest Residency Oct. 20-27<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kyle Marshall <\/strong>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

TUMELO KHUPE<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>
\"\"<\/figure><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tumelo Khupe<\/strong> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Chawrch\u0101, a next-generation choreographic lab Fellow and has performed with Emmy award-winning company, Hip Hop Nutcracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DARRIUS STRONG<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Darrius Strong <\/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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable highlights of Strong\u2019s career include being featured in the 2015 New Griots Festival and an American Standard Billboard advertisement in NYC\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JEFFREY PETERSON<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jeffery Peterson <\/strong>is the Program Director and Assistant Professor of Dance at Winona State University in Winona, MN. He holds a Certification in Laban\/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (L\/BMA) from Integrated Movement Studies, an MFA in dance from New York University\u2019s Tisch School of the Arts, and a BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driven by the personal and political, Peterson’s work is founded upon the spatial complexity and precision of drum corps, the interior world of somatics, the bending of jazz and modern dance, and an eclectic approach to composition. Peterson aims to create integrative, mind-body-spirit experiences for performers and audiences alike. Jeffrey\u2019s work has been commissioned by Dance New Amsterdam, Movement Research at Judson Church, Dixon Place, Rhythmically Speaking, and numerous dance programs in Higher Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Past Guest Artists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

2023-24<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PERSIAN DANCE GUEST ARTIST<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>Guest Residency November 6 – 11<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Cynthia Gutierrez Guest Artist Residency – Feb. 17-23
<\/b>Guest Artist <\/span>Cynthia Gutierrez<\/span><\/a> guest taught classes and created a new work that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott Stafford<\/a><\/strong> set a new work on the First Year Dance Project that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2022-23<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

John Ysursa gave a lecture titled “Basque Folk Dance and the Inherent Tension of Basque Identity”<\/span>. Oier Araolaza and Josu Garate performed Basque dance<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Berman and Joseph Tran of BRKFST Dance<\/a> guest taught classes and restaged a work that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mathew Janczewski<\/a> taught Modern 3 and created a new work that was performed in the Companydance Spring Concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-22<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Teodoro
A<\/span> guest artist setting works on members of Companydance and Veselica and bringing Afro-Colombian dance to students through a variety of residency activities.
<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018-19<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shapiro & Smith Dance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017-18<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Michael Pili Pang
Stephan Koplowitz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016-17<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Marciano Silva dos Santos
Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater
Amy Slater<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015-2016<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

HIJACK<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2014-2015<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Karla Grotting
Theatre Engine
Stephan Koplowitz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013-2014<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Alexandra Beller\/Dances<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2012-2013<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater
Ragamala<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2011-2012<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Urban Bush Women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2010-2011<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shapiro and Smith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2009-2010<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mathew Janczewski
Uri Sands<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2008-2009<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Eddie Oroyan
Peggy Paver
Robin Stiehm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2007-2008<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Brad Garner
Keith Johnson
Brent Schneider<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2006-2007<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Christian Adeti
Lorry May (Anna Sokolow)
Ellen Keane<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2005-2006<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lingo Dance Theater
Mathew Janczewski<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2004-2005<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

KT Niehoff
Walter Kennedy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2003-2004<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jan Erkert
Joe Chvala<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2002-2003<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Joe Chvala
Barbara Thatcher<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2001-2002<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

David Dorfman
Gail Corbin
Cathy Young
Chris Aiken
Wynn Fricke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000-2001<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jan Erkert & Dancers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1999-2000<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

David Dorfman
Se\u00e1n Curran<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1998-1999<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Art Bridgman\/Myrna Packer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1996-1998<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Repertory Dance Theatre
Keith Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2025-26 URBAN BUSH WOMAN URBAN BUSH WOMEN is a groundbreaking Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble. Founded in 1984 by visionary choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, UBW […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":169,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-56","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/169"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56"}],"version-history":[{"count":47,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7889,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions\/7889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}