Meet the company
Company Dancers
(Headshots In Order Top Left to Right)
First Row: Andrea Moses, Kaetlyn Jeffries, Kristen Whalen, Nell Ritchey
Second Row: Ryan Dick, Sasha Yakovenko and Lauryn Crowell.
First Row: Andrea Moses, Kaetlyn Jeffries, Kristen Whalen, Nell Ritchey
Second Row: Ryan Dick, Sasha Yakovenko and Lauryn Crowell.
Andrea Moses is originally from Toledo, OH. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a BFA in dance with distinction and honors. She has been pursuing her dance career in Chicago since 2022 and has danced with Alluvion Dance, Simantikos Dance, Chicago Movement Collective and Hiplet Ballerinas. Andrea is also a Pilates instructor.
Kaetlyn Jeffries is a Chicago-based dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Kaetlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Journalism from Western Kentucky University. Since moving to Chicago in 2022, Kaetlyn has worked with many artists through Alluvion and has also had the opportunity to perform in freelance projects throughout the city. Along with dance, Kaetlyn teaches in-school dance programs through @musichousechicago, and is a certified Pure Barre instructor at @purebarrechicagoedgewater.
Kristen Whalen is a Chicago-based artist who began her dance training at the age of three in the suburbs of Chicago. Whalen is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received her BA in Dance and BS in Industrial Engineering. During her time in college, she was fortunate to perform in works by Cynthia Oliver, Tere O’Connor, Roxane D’Orleans Juste, and Sara Hook among many others. In her last year of college, Whalen was selected as the recipient of the Lisa Carducci Memorial Scholarship. Whalen is currently in her second season with Alluvion Dance Chicago, her first season with Echo Modern Dance Collective, and continues to work on freelance projects with Chicago artists including KT Williams.
Nell Ritchey was born and raised in Walworth, Wisconsin. She earned her BFA in contemporary dance from Indiana University in 2024. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of working with notable artists such as Cameron McKinney, Alysia Johnson, and Lindsey Matheis. This is Nell's first season with Alluvion Dance Chicago.
Ryan Dick (they/he) is a Dancer and Choreographer based in Chicago, IL. This is Ryan’s second season with Alluvion and is also apart of Noumenon Dance Ensemble and Concert Dance Inc. Ryan has had the opportunity to work with many choreographers such as Paula Sousa, Imani English, Osnel Delgado, and Eduardo Zambrana to name a few.
Sasha Yakovenko is a dance and multimodal artist raised in Metro Detroit, where they went on to receive a BFA in Dance and a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. They have worked with the choreographers Jennifer Harge, Carlos Pons Guerra, Sandra Torijano, and Shannon Gillen, and performed as a guest artist with Houying Dance Theater. Additionally, they have performed works by Doris Humphrey under the direction of Gail Corbin and Jillian Hopper, and staged a residency at The Croft. Currently, in addition to Alluvion Dance Chicago, they dance with Winifred Haun & Dancers.
Lauryn Crowell, originally from Birmingham, Alabama is an explorative driven artist. She started at Robinson’s School of Dance, whilst exploring visual and performing arts at Dunbar Magnet School of The Creative and Performing Arts. In high school, she continued training at Alabama School of Fine Arts. Lauryn graduated from George Mason University receiving a BFA in Dance and an Excellence in Choreography Academic Award. She has performed and been a part of works by Doug Varone, Jennifer Archibald, Robert Battle, Rafael Bonachela, Stephanie Martinez, Mark Morris, was Susan Shields choreographer’s assistant, and more. She is currently in her first season with South Chicago Dance Theatre and is excited to join Alluvion for Static season 11!
Kaetlyn Jeffries is a Chicago-based dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Kaetlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Journalism from Western Kentucky University. Since moving to Chicago in 2022, Kaetlyn has worked with many artists through Alluvion and has also had the opportunity to perform in freelance projects throughout the city. Along with dance, Kaetlyn teaches in-school dance programs through @musichousechicago, and is a certified Pure Barre instructor at @purebarrechicagoedgewater.
Kristen Whalen is a Chicago-based artist who began her dance training at the age of three in the suburbs of Chicago. Whalen is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received her BA in Dance and BS in Industrial Engineering. During her time in college, she was fortunate to perform in works by Cynthia Oliver, Tere O’Connor, Roxane D’Orleans Juste, and Sara Hook among many others. In her last year of college, Whalen was selected as the recipient of the Lisa Carducci Memorial Scholarship. Whalen is currently in her second season with Alluvion Dance Chicago, her first season with Echo Modern Dance Collective, and continues to work on freelance projects with Chicago artists including KT Williams.
Nell Ritchey was born and raised in Walworth, Wisconsin. She earned her BFA in contemporary dance from Indiana University in 2024. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of working with notable artists such as Cameron McKinney, Alysia Johnson, and Lindsey Matheis. This is Nell's first season with Alluvion Dance Chicago.
Ryan Dick (they/he) is a Dancer and Choreographer based in Chicago, IL. This is Ryan’s second season with Alluvion and is also apart of Noumenon Dance Ensemble and Concert Dance Inc. Ryan has had the opportunity to work with many choreographers such as Paula Sousa, Imani English, Osnel Delgado, and Eduardo Zambrana to name a few.
Sasha Yakovenko is a dance and multimodal artist raised in Metro Detroit, where they went on to receive a BFA in Dance and a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. They have worked with the choreographers Jennifer Harge, Carlos Pons Guerra, Sandra Torijano, and Shannon Gillen, and performed as a guest artist with Houying Dance Theater. Additionally, they have performed works by Doris Humphrey under the direction of Gail Corbin and Jillian Hopper, and staged a residency at The Croft. Currently, in addition to Alluvion Dance Chicago, they dance with Winifred Haun & Dancers.
Lauryn Crowell, originally from Birmingham, Alabama is an explorative driven artist. She started at Robinson’s School of Dance, whilst exploring visual and performing arts at Dunbar Magnet School of The Creative and Performing Arts. In high school, she continued training at Alabama School of Fine Arts. Lauryn graduated from George Mason University receiving a BFA in Dance and an Excellence in Choreography Academic Award. She has performed and been a part of works by Doug Varone, Jennifer Archibald, Robert Battle, Rafael Bonachela, Stephanie Martinez, Mark Morris, was Susan Shields choreographer’s assistant, and more. She is currently in her first season with South Chicago Dance Theatre and is excited to join Alluvion for Static season 11!
Apprentices
(Headshots In Order Top Left to Right)
First Row: Abigail Meronek, Blake Campbell & Claire Marzolf
Second Row: Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan, Rae Beck and Sabrina Santoro.
First Row: Abigail Meronek, Blake Campbell & Claire Marzolf
Second Row: Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan, Rae Beck and Sabrina Santoro.
Abigail Meronek is a recent college graduate with a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University. During her time at WMU, Abigail has had the opportunity to perform works by faculty members Jeremy Blair and Monique Haley. She had also performed various creations by other acclaimed choreographers like Jae Man Joo, Jared Baker, and Kimberly Cooper. Alongside dancing, Abigail is a certified personal trainer and fitness coach at RC Training & Fitness located in Oak Park, IL. In the future, Abigail aspires to continue to learn and grow in both areas of dance performance and fitness.
Blake Campbell was born in Elkhart, Indiana. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and moved to Chicago to pursue contemporary dance training at COMMON Conservatory, under the direction of Terence Marling. Prior to joining COMMON, Blake attended summer intensives with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Ballet Chicago. When not dancing, Blake teaches art classes for children. In her spare time, Blake enjoys writing poetry and has won a few poetry competitions.
Claire Marzolf (she/her) is a Chicago-based mover. She prioritizes improvisation in her work, with a focus on juicy, somatic connections, and encourages individuals to tune into their bodies to express what comes forward. She has studied under Laura Gates at Arlington Dance, Endalyn Taylor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in repertory workshops with MODAS Dance, and at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She has performed works by Nick Pupillo, Robert Moses, Monique Haley, Monica Wilner, Ricky Ruiz, and Eddy Ocampo. She is excited to contribute to the diverse creative processes of Alluvion Dance Chicago.
Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan is a Chicago based dancer with a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University, and training from Chicago Ballet Arts, and the Chicago High School for the Arts. While at WMU she was a member of Ebony Vision Dance Ensemble, and Western Dance Project under the direction of Kelsey Paschich. She performed works by Seyong Kim, Kelsey Paschich, Jonathan Jackson, Kiki Lucas, Jared Baker, and other students. Ji Hae has also worked with Chicago DanceMakers Forum, Ballet Kalamazoo, Music House Chicago, Ginger Farley, Shawn Lent, and artist Marie Watt. She is currently a member of the inaugural Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater II, and Alluvion Dance Chicago, as well as a staff member with Center for Native Futures.
Rae Beck is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer based in Chicago, Illinois. She earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Michigan, and previously primarily trained at Extension Dance in Chicago under the direction of Lizzie MacKenzie. While at the University of Michigan, Rae was an Artist in Residence at the Croft Residency, developing her love of intertwining nature with her art. Recently, Rae performed in Thwack Dance’s rendition of Charles Weidman’s “Christmas Oratorio,” restaged by Anne Marie Loesch. Rae teaches various styles of dance in the Chicagoland area. She continues her dance education in the Claire Bataille Legacy Program at Chicago Movement Collective. Rae is so excited to be dancing with Alluvion Dance Chicago in their 11th season: Static!
Sabrina Santoro is a dancer, choreographer and facilitator currently based in Chicago, IL. Since the age of 3, Sabrina has developed her dance career by pursuing multiple styles of dance including contemporary, modern and classical ballet, training at The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Administration, Sabrina now dances for Alluvion Dance Chicago and Echo Modern Dance Collective and teaches dance around the Chicagoland area.
Blake Campbell was born in Elkhart, Indiana. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and moved to Chicago to pursue contemporary dance training at COMMON Conservatory, under the direction of Terence Marling. Prior to joining COMMON, Blake attended summer intensives with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Ballet Chicago. When not dancing, Blake teaches art classes for children. In her spare time, Blake enjoys writing poetry and has won a few poetry competitions.
Claire Marzolf (she/her) is a Chicago-based mover. She prioritizes improvisation in her work, with a focus on juicy, somatic connections, and encourages individuals to tune into their bodies to express what comes forward. She has studied under Laura Gates at Arlington Dance, Endalyn Taylor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in repertory workshops with MODAS Dance, and at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She has performed works by Nick Pupillo, Robert Moses, Monique Haley, Monica Wilner, Ricky Ruiz, and Eddy Ocampo. She is excited to contribute to the diverse creative processes of Alluvion Dance Chicago.
Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan is a Chicago based dancer with a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University, and training from Chicago Ballet Arts, and the Chicago High School for the Arts. While at WMU she was a member of Ebony Vision Dance Ensemble, and Western Dance Project under the direction of Kelsey Paschich. She performed works by Seyong Kim, Kelsey Paschich, Jonathan Jackson, Kiki Lucas, Jared Baker, and other students. Ji Hae has also worked with Chicago DanceMakers Forum, Ballet Kalamazoo, Music House Chicago, Ginger Farley, Shawn Lent, and artist Marie Watt. She is currently a member of the inaugural Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater II, and Alluvion Dance Chicago, as well as a staff member with Center for Native Futures.
Rae Beck is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer based in Chicago, Illinois. She earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Michigan, and previously primarily trained at Extension Dance in Chicago under the direction of Lizzie MacKenzie. While at the University of Michigan, Rae was an Artist in Residence at the Croft Residency, developing her love of intertwining nature with her art. Recently, Rae performed in Thwack Dance’s rendition of Charles Weidman’s “Christmas Oratorio,” restaged by Anne Marie Loesch. Rae teaches various styles of dance in the Chicagoland area. She continues her dance education in the Claire Bataille Legacy Program at Chicago Movement Collective. Rae is so excited to be dancing with Alluvion Dance Chicago in their 11th season: Static!
Sabrina Santoro is a dancer, choreographer and facilitator currently based in Chicago, IL. Since the age of 3, Sabrina has developed her dance career by pursuing multiple styles of dance including contemporary, modern and classical ballet, training at The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Administration, Sabrina now dances for Alluvion Dance Chicago and Echo Modern Dance Collective and teaches dance around the Chicagoland area.
Guest Artist
Dani Johnson
Dani Johnson graduated from Western Michigan University in 2023 with a BFA in Dance and a certificate in Dance Studio Management. During her time at WMU, she performed works by notable choreographers including Kim Cooper, Kiki Lucas, Jeremy Blair, Monique Haley, and Katy Copeland. In 2021, she was the performer in Ten/10, the winning piece at the Maggie Allesee Choreography Competition, choreographed by Sara Kausch.
Now based in Chicago, Dani is a guest artist with Alluvion Dance Chicago and an instructor and choreographer at LoMastro Performing Arts Academy, where she shares her expertise with dancers of all ages. With a strong passion for both performing and teaching, Dani is dedicated to continuing her work in the dance community and exploring new creative opportunities.
Now based in Chicago, Dani is a guest artist with Alluvion Dance Chicago and an instructor and choreographer at LoMastro Performing Arts Academy, where she shares her expertise with dancers of all ages. With a strong passion for both performing and teaching, Dani is dedicated to continuing her work in the dance community and exploring new creative opportunities.