DIRECTOR: rosenblk@miamioh.edu
PRESIDENT: cookke6@miamioh.edu
MEET THE COMPANY
2025-26 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Sydney Bair is a Senior 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 Senior 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 sophomore 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 sophomore 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 senior 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!
Jillian Green is a senior 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.
Claire Haney, a sophomore from Powell, OH, is majoring in Biology with a Pre-Health co-major. At Miami she is involved with MiamiMED and the Pre-Optometry club. She began dancing at Cutting Edge Dance in Columbus and danced competitively for 9 years in contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, and hip-hop; she is also trained in ballet. She is so excited to be a part of Dance Theatre and continue dancing with people who love dance as much as she does.
Julianna Huth, a sophomore from Solon, OH, is majoring in Business Analytics. She began her dance journey at the age of three and has been dancing competitively for over 10 years. At her home studio, On Your Toes Dance Studio, she has trained in styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap, ballroom, and acrobatics. Julianna is excited to get back on stage and share her love of dance with others. She cannot wait to see what the next few years have in store for her with Dance Theatre.
Franklin Jacobs, a senior 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.
Jillian La Voy, a junior 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.
Sofia Sapp is a second year Biology major from Gurnee, IL. She’s been dancing for 15 years, competitively for 8, with her last 3 years training at Steps Performing Arts Center. She’s thrilled to be a new member of this company and to continue doing what she loves most!
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 sophomore 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 sophomore 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 fourth-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!
Cary Wolff, is a fourth-year student from Cleveland, OH majoring in Emerging Technology 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 continue her 3rd season with Dance Theatre. Cary also serves on Dance Theatre's Executive Board as Publicity Chair.
Isabella Wolfe, a sophomore 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!
