COMPANY SUCCESS
Katie Hazard
Company Member in 2010 & 2011
Performed in "Praying For Abbey" & "Speaking A Dead Language"
Katie is a native Ohioan where she trained in dance & gymnastics since the age of 4. She is versatile in Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Tap. She currently resides in Los Angeles where she is the principal dancer and choreographer of MUSE Dance Company under the direction of Jessica Starr. Her recent Credits include: Industrials for REEBOK, VANS, & NINTENDO
Music Videos including: The Fairchilds, & upcoming artist DeLon.
Katie also has trained & performed alongside Gina Starbuck, recently performing in her new music video “Meets the I” and also assisting her in the filming of Abby Lee’s Ultimate Dance Competition.
Stage shows include: The Divine Direction-Muse Dance Company’s premiere show which displays a combination of dance styles ranging from hip hop to contemporary. MUSE dancers aspire to face real world issues, while entertaining and inspiring audiences simultaneously. MUSE will be touring nationally in 2014.
Katie recently returned from NYC, where she performed with Muse Dance Company and Azure Antoinette on the Look at Me Campaign: Nationwide message to spread support and encourage healing towards a healthy body through the vehicles of dance & spoken word. Katie is represented by GO 2 Talent.
Updates on past Company Members who have gone on to pursue a dance career.
Jenna Smith
Company Member in 2010 & 2011
Performed in "Praying For Abbey" & "Speaking A Dead Language"
Having been dancing since the age of two, there is not a time in Jenna Smith's life where she does not recall dance playing a huge part in it, and she would not have it any other way. Jenna received most of her early training at The Performing Arts Center in McDonald, OH. Prior to entering Point Park University to earn her degree and further her professional training, Jenna danced with Versatile Dance Company - a non profit dance company which raises money for charity, under the artistic direction of Mitchel Federan. Still maintaining her versatility in dance, while at Point Park Jenna has studied and performed many different styles including Modern, Contemporary, Tap and Hip-Hop and learned repertoire by choreographers such as Kassandra Taylor, Justin Myles, Judith Leifer-Bentz, and Ohad Naharin. Most recently, Jenna had the amazing opportunity to perform "Heretic" by Martha Graham at the Joyce Theater as a part of the Graham Company's Inner Landscape program. In addition to her performance at the Joyce, Jenna has also performed works by choreographer Kiesha Lalama at the national convention TEDx Pittsburgh and as a part of Jazz Dance World Congress at the Byham Theater. Jenna has taught and choreographed at several local dance studios in her hometown area, as well as some in the Pittsburgh area.
Darren McArhur
Company Member in 2011
Starred in "Speaking A Dead Language"
Hailing from Niles, OH, Darren began his early dance training at The Performing Arts Center in McDonald, OH. He furthered his training at Point Park University where he received a BFA in Dance. While at Point Park, he had the privilege of performing works by prestigious choreographers such as Gerald Arpino, George Balanchine, Trey McIntyre, Kiesha Lalama, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Alan Obruzor, and Ohad Naharin. Darren has also had the opportunity to train at several intensive programs outside of school such as American Academy of Ballet, Movement Invention Project, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Darren has also worked with Texture Contemporary Ballet and Versatile Dance Company and currently FireWALL Dance Theater.
Makenzie Dascenzo
Company Member in 2010 & 2011
Performed in "Praying For Abbey" & Starred in "Speaking A Dead Language"
Makenzie is originally from Ohio, where she received most of her early dance training. She later moved to New York City to be an Intern at The Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester. While in New York she trained from numerous teachers including: Sheila Barker, Cat Cogliandro, Sheryl Murakami, David Howard, Neil Schwartz and many more. Makenzie has danced on Good Morning America, and was featured in a music video by new upcoming artist, Sonia.
In 2013, Makenzie had the privilege of being a member in a contemporary company called, “Catastrophy Dance” under the direction of Cat Cogliandro. Makenzie performed works by Cat in Sirens After Dark (under direction of Rhapsody James), Broadway Underground, and the NU Dance Festival in New York City. She also assists Cat Cogliandro at Broadway Dance Center.
Most recently, Makenzie will be joining Disney Cruise Lines as a mainstage performer. She will be aboard the Disney Wonder for 9 months entertaining people from around the world! She could not be more excited about this new adventure!
Chloe Gruber
Company Member in 2013
Performed in "Richard Walters in Concert"
Chloé started dancing at the age of three in Michigan. For the next 15 years, she trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, musical theatre, and Latin ballroom in Warren, OH. She became online-schooled in high school to allow more time to travel and take her dancing to the next level. She graduated a year early and trained at Center Stage Dance Studio in Akron, OH her senior year. Chloe started teaching and assisting at local dance studios and began choreographing at the age of 15. Along with training and competing, she toured with Tremaine Dance Conventions as an assistant. She also had the privilege to dance along side, Dancing with the Stars professional, and singer-song writer, Mark Ballas. Chloé booked her first professional job at the age of 17 for the upcoming artists, Michael & Marisa, music video. To further her professional career, she had the opportunity to dance with Versatile Dance Company, a non-profit organization which raises money for charity, under the artistic direction of Mitchel Federan. The company performed two shows with singer-song writer, Richard Walters, in Cleveland and Philadelphia. After her senior year, Chloé signed with Movement Talent Agency, and then decided to move to Los Angeles, CA in the fall of 2013. Since living in LA, she has danced in Keke Palmer’s new music video, and is a part of Ricky Palomino’s professional company. Chloé also teaches at DB dance studio located in Glendale, CA.
Alex Williamson
Company Member in 2011
Performed in "Speaking A Dead Language"
Former Company Member Alex Williamson, age 20, has been working as a performer at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida for a little over 2 years now. She has had the prestigious opportunity of performing in many shows and parades and a few special events. Performances at the Magic Kingom include, "Festival of Fantasy Parade", "Move it Shake it Celebrate It Street Party", "Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade", and "Disney's Electrical Parade". Hollywood Studios performances include "Countdown to Fun Parade", "Disney Channel Rocks", a hip hop show on the streets of Hollywood Blvd, and the most popular show on property, "Fantasmic". She was also selected to perform in the seasonal, "Monsters University" show as a Monsters U Fearleader, at Hollywood Studios. Alex was also chosen to be a part of the Halloween parade, "Mickey's Boo to You Parade" in 2013, and "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime parade in 2012 and 2013 as a candy cane girl which aired on abc Christmas Day. She was lucky enough to work along side the well known, Neil Patrick Harris, performing in the opening musical number that kicked off the event. Alex continues taking classes all over the Orlando area and has landed a few gigs a part from performing at Disney.
