DIRECTOR: rosenblk@miamioh.edu
PRESIDENT: gunninkj@miamioh.edu
MEET THE COMPANY
2024-2025
Executive Board
Kylie Gunning
President
​
Liv Warner
Vice President
Anabelle Hess
Treasurer
Kelsey Cook
Secretary
Cary Wolff
Publicity Chair
Allyson Skuderin
Associate
Publicity Chair
Keira Kirkpatrick
Executive Liaison
2024-2025
Apprentices
Ava (Dani) Cuskaden
Ella
Denker
Lucy
Smith
Sydney
Slakis
Isabella
Wolfe
Sydney Bair is a junior from Pittsburgh, PA, majoring in Biochemistry and Pre-Medical Studies. Dancing for 15 years, she has trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and gymnastics at Thomas Dance Studio in Pittsburgh. She has loved going to various competitions and conventions as well as studying with guest choreographers from a variety of backgrounds. Sydney was unsure if she would continue to dance in college but when she found Dance Theatre, she knew right away she wanted to keep performing. She is beyond grateful to have a chance to keep doing what she loves, and even more excited to make lots of memories and friendships with the company. Sydney is currently serving as treasurer on Dance Theatre's Executive Board.
Kelsey Cook is a junior Individualized Studies major with an Arts Management co-major. From Powell, OH, she trained at Cutting Edge Dance studying ballet, musical theater, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and tap, and competed in various styles. Her passion for dance is large and she loves to pass that excitement on to younger generations through teaching and assisting classes. Kelsey is so excited to continue her love for dance throughout the next four years with Dance Theatre! Kelsey is currently serving as secretary on Dance Theatre's Executive Board.
Ava Cuskaden, a freshman studying Diplomacy and Global Politics, is from Indianapolis, IN. Trained in many dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern, she danced at Stage One Dance Academy for thirteen years. Ava was also part of Center Grove’s national award-winning show choir, The Debtones. serving as their dance captain. She is so excited for the opportunity to be a part of Dance Theatre!
Ella Denker is a freshman from Brunswick, OH, majoring in Environmental Earth Science. Dancing for 15 years and competing for 8, she has trained in styles including: ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and musical theater at Dance Dimensions by Jen Naso. Ella is grateful for the opportunity to keep dancing in college and excited to dance with Dance Theatre and make memories with the other dancers.
Chloe Dickson, a junior from Gahanna, OH, is majoring in Strategic
Communications with a co-major in Fashion Merchandising. She began dancing at 3 and has loved it ever since. Dancing competitively for 13 years at her home studio, Pinnell Dance Centre, she has trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, and musical theatre. Chloe is so excited to start this new chapter of her life at Miami University and continue doing what she loves with the Dancer Theatre company!
Erin Duguay, a sophomore from Aurora, OH, is a Kinesiology major with a Pre-Med co-major. Dancing for sixteen years, and competitively for 10, she is trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballroom. She was a member of Center Stage Dance Studios pre-professional company located in Northfield, OH. Over the years, she has participated in multiple conventions, competitions, and dance intensives across the country. Erin is very grateful and excited to continue dancing in college and cannot wait to create friendships and memories over the next few years with DanceTheatre!
Lily Gillespie, a second-year Zoology major from Carroll, OH, has trained in dance styles such as contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, hip hop, and musical theatre. Beginning her dance journey at age 3 at The Movement Center School of Dance in Canal Winchester, OH, she has danced for over 15 years and competed for over 8. Lily has always loved being on stage and sharing her love for dance with others and cannot wait to grow alongside the other members of the Miami University Dance Theatre Company!
Jillian Green is a third-year Primary Education major from Westerville, OH. Dancing since the age of four, she has studied ballet, contemporary, pointe, jazz, modern, and hip hop. She started dancing competitively at 14 with Generations Performing Arts Center in Westerville, OH. Her favorite styles are ballet and contemporary and she has won various scholarships and awards for performing in these styles. Along with teaching elementary students, Jillian also plans to teach dance to youth dancers after college. She is beyond excited and cannot wait to grow in knowledge and love for dance the next four years with Dance Theatre.
Kylie Gunning is from Lebanon, OH, majoring in Social Work. She started dancing when she was four years old, has trained in contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and ballet, and has attended numerous dance competitions and conventions over the years. Kylie has performed in showcases and productions in the Cincinnati area. Kylie currently serves on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Publicity Chair. She loves the stage and is so grateful to be a part of Dance Theatre!
Anabelle Hess is a second-year student from Newark, OH, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Dance. Dancing for 15 years, she has trained in jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, musical theatre, modern, and lyrical at Avante Dance and Gymnastics in Heath, OH. Competing for 10 years, she has attended various intensives and competitions across the country. Anabelle is so thankful to have the opportunity to pursue growth within dance alongside my new Dance Theatre family.
Paige Hiles, a sophomore from Gurnee, IL majoring in Kinesiology, has been dancing for 16 years, 8 of them in competitive dance. Trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, modern, tap, hip hop, and jazz at DancEd Dance Centre in Northbrook, IL, she attended summer dance intensives at both Milwaukee Ballet and Hubbard Street (Chicago). Paige is so thankful to be a part of Dance Theatre and to be able to grow and make memories these next few years.
Franklin Jacobs, who goes by the name Dani, is from Columbus, OH, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Music degree, with minors in Entrepreneurship and Arts Entrepreneurship. Dani has been dancing since the age of 7 and has always enjoyed performing on stage. In their free time, Dani enjoys video editing and spending time with friends.
Olivia (Liv) Kakabeeke, a sophomore from Kalamazoo, MI, who is majoring in Finance, has been dancing since the age of 3, and has competed around the country for fifteen years. Liv trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and tap at West Michigan Dance Center where she taught many classes and developed a passion for inspiring others. Liv is beyond excited to grow alongside the Dance Theatre company!
Keira Kirkpatrick, a sophomore Business Analytics major, is from Cleveland, OH, and began her dance studies when she was 3-years-old. She trained in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, musical theater, and lyrical and competed on Elite Dance Academy’s company team for 10 years in Brunswick, OH. Keira is so grateful to be part of this company and excited to begin this new chapter with the Dance Theatre!
Rose Kurutz, a senior from Des Plaines, IL, started dancing at the age of 3 with the Des Plaines School of Dance and joined the competitive company, Artistry in Motion, at 7. She has trained in jazz, ballet, musical theater, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop and performed in many places including Disney World and New Orleans. She joined her high school’s Orchesis group and served as co-president during her 4th year. Working at a dance and arts summer camp, Rose also helped choreograph and produce shows for younger children. Outside of dance, she does theater, sings, and
plays the saxophone. Rose is incredibly excited for the coming years in Dance Theatre and the opportunities it will bring!
Jillian La Voy, a sophomore Political Science major from Raleigh, NC, studied contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, ballet, and musical theater at Carolina Dance Center. She was a member of their pre-professional companies for 11 years and competed with them for 9. Jillian is so excited to have this opportunity to share her love for dance and be back on stage and she is looking forward to learning and growing as a dancer and a person over the next few years with Dance Theatre.
Audrey Nunley is a senior Architecture major from West Chester, OH. Dancing since she was 3 years old, she trained competitively with West Chester Academy and had the opportunity to perform on a Carnival Cruise ship alongside her fellow teammates. Trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, and tap, Audrey has taken classes in NYC with company members in Broadway shows and a workshop with a current Rockette. She is currently serving as Vice President on Dance Theatre's Executive Board. Audrey can’t wait to make many new memories with the Dance Theatre Company!
Annabella Papson, a senior from Ashville, OH, is an Arts Management major and Dance minor. Dancing for sixteen years, and competitively for 13, she trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and musical theatre at Pinnell Dance Centre. She has participated in multiple conventions, competitions, and intensives over the years as well as in shows to help raise money for a Children's Hospital and local food pantries. Bella has previously served as Dance Theatre's Company Liasion and is now, President. She is very thankful and excited to continue dancing in college and cannot wait to create friendships and memories over the next few years with Dance Theatre!
Allyson Skuderin, an Emerging Technology in Business and Design major from Cleveland, OH, is a junior. Prior to Miami, she danced for 16 years at Cleveland Ballet Conservatory and on the Magnificat High School Dance Team, training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and lyrical. Allyson is so excited for this new chapter in her life in Miami’s Dance Theatre Company and cannot wait to see how she can grow alongside the other members!
Sydney Slakis, a freshman from Barrington, Ill, is a Nursing major. She has been dancing for 14 years and competed for 8, attending numerous conventions and competitions across the country with Denise Sabala Dance Company. Sydney has trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hiphop, musical theater, and lyrical is so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Dance Theatre! She is so excited to do what she loves with her new dance family!
Lucy Smith is a freshman from Strongsville, OH, majoring in Biology and Pre-Medical Studies. Dancing for 15 years and competing for 11 with Above the Barre Dance Company, she has attended various conventions and competitions across the country with them. Trained in contemporary, lyrical, tap, ballet, jazz, musical theater and hip hop, Lucy is so excited and grateful to continue her dance training with Miami University’s Dance Theatre!
Sophia Stavropoulos, a third-year Secondary Science Education major from Chicago, IL., is trained in hip hop, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary mainly through Steppin' Out at Deforest Dance Academy. She also competed for 2 years with the York Community High School Competitive Dance Team in Elmhurst, IL. Outside of school and dance, she enjoys singing and watching hockey among other things. Sophia is so excited to continue her dancing career and share her passion with all the dancers in Miami Dance Theatre!
Amanda Strmac, from Cleveland, OH, is a Marketing major at Miami and danced at Elite Dance Academy in Brunswick, OH for 15 years. She was trained in many styles of dance but her favorite is contemporary. Because dancing brings Amanda so much joy and fills her heart with love, she can’t wait to dance with all the Dance Theatre company members and make lifelong friendships along the way!
Mia Stockle, a senior from Cleveland, OH majoring in Primary Education with a minor in Special Education. She’s danced for 13 years, the last 12 at Center Stage Dance Studio in Northfield, OH, where she trained in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, and modern. She began competing at 9 and her love for dance has continued to grow ever since. Mia wasn’t sure if she would continue dancing after high school but was thrilled to have auditioned for Dance Theatre. She’s super excited to continue training and doing what she loves most and eagerly anticipates the friendships she hopes to make in the years to come! Mia is currently the Company Liaison for Dance Theatre's Executive Board.
Liv Warner, is a junior studying Strategic Communication and Arts Management. Is from Marysville, OH where she trained for 15 years at In Step Dance Center. She was also a part of Marysville’s award-winning show choir. This is Liv’s second year dancing with the company and her first year on the Executive Board serving as Secretary. She is extremely grateful to learn, grow, and make memories with Dance Theatre!
Caroline Wolff, is a third-year student from Cleveland, OH majoring in EmergingTechnology in Business and Design. Dancing for sixteen years, she began competing at six and is trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, musical theatre, ballroom, and African dance at Wilhelm Dance and Magnificat High School. She is excited to start her second season with Dance Theatre. Cary also serves on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Associate Publicity Chair.
Isabella Wolfe, a freshman studying Architecture from Grand Rapids, MI, began dancing at age 8. She competed at competitions and conventions nationally with Imprint Dance Company. Isabella has trained in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet, and lyrical and is excited to keep dancing with Dance Theatre during her time at Miami!
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Livia Zuesi, a senior Accounting major and Arts Entrepreneurship minor from Columbus, OH, began dancing when she was four years old and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and lyrical. Prior to joining the Company, Livia was a student at Generations Performing Arts Center, participating in their competition program and annual performances. She has previously served on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Treasurer. Livia is so grateful for the opportunity to keep dancing throughout college and is looking forward to many more memories to come.