LEAP Class of 2026
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Congratulations to the LEAP Class of 2026!
Claudia Alfieri
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
My favorite memory from the LEAP program is logging onto some different courses on ZOOM and seeing some of my former ballet colleagues who I haven't seen in many years. Connecting up with past friends and sharing in this educational journey together has been a very special experience for me.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
It has always been a personal goal of mine to finish my college degree and maybe more. I've been raising two kids on my own and working a full time job, so fitting in college courses has been difficult. It's taken me a very long time to accomplish. But I'm proud of the work I've put in. Being in this program has inspired me to start writing again and I recently finished my first book. I'm not sure where I will go from here but am excited about the possibilities. Thank You, Saint Mary's College!
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I've been a professional ballerina since the age of sixteen years old. I was blessed with dancing for some of the top ballet companies of the world at a very young age. When I was with American Ballet Theatre as a soloist, some of my dancing highlights included: "In The Upper Room" by Twyla Tharp (Bombsquad), "Manon" by Sir Kenneth MacMillan (The Mistress) and "Coppelia" by Author Saint Leon (Swanhilda) In Boston Ballet: "Giselle" based on Petipa (Title Role of Giselle), "Onegin" by Kranko (Tatiana) and "Abdallah" by Bournonville (Irma) In San Fransisco Ballet: "The Cage" by Jerome Robbins (The Novice), and "Othello" by Lar Lubovitch (Desdemona) along side Desmond Richardson as Othello. I finished up my career dancing at Smuin Ballet, SF and performed in "Zorro" as (Rosa) the lead female as my retirement performances. I've had a very long successful career in ballet, and the roles I have been given to dance have been such a gift and honor. I am truly grateful. But I retired from ballet many years ago and my focus is on who I can or will become today. Saint Mary's has given me the opportunity to become more than my past.
Lisa Aronowitz
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
My favorite memory would be class with Professor De Matteo. I not only was able to learn so much but he always had an epic story to tell!
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I will be attending NYU for a Master's in Performing Arts Administration!
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
My favorite highlights in my performance career would be when I was battling. I entered in the kings of NY (3v3) poppin’ battle in a male dominated battle and we made it to semifinals. The love and adrenaline was unlike anything I ever felt. My other favorites would be with my dance teams, Dreams In Motion & OT3. We were able to perform on some of the biggest stages like world of dance: Prelude, City Hall, and more, and collect winning banners with memories I will never forget!
Robin Bangert
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
There have been so many great moments and incredible conversations over the course of my time with LEAP. All of the professors have been wonderful, but it was my two classes with Christian De Matteo that have had the most profound impact on me, my writing and the way I look at the world. Another memory of profound resilience was when my acting class partner Yuka, lost her home in the Eaton fire and still managed to keep up with her course work with the sunniest, most resilient disposition I have ever encountered. She taught me so much! Dancers can do ANYTHING we put our minds to!
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I have be working toward this degree at a glacial pace since my first community college class back in 2006 - twenty years in the making! I look forward to not juggling so much for a few minutes and just celebrating myself for sticking with it all that time. Once I start to get the itch to fill my plate to capacity again, I plan to start learning Spanish and start taking some dance classes again to get out from behind the computer and back in the studio! I will use my degree as a storyteller, currently as the National Brand Ambassador for La Pulga Spirits, as I get to teach about the wonderful history and culture of Mexican spirits. I look forward to seeing what the future holds and what doors will open after that!
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I had the honor to dance in Ben Stevenson's incredible ballets for 14 years. My favorite highlights include Carabosse in "Sleeping Beauty", Cygnets, Pas de Trois and Spanish in "Swan Lake", Ingrid in "Peer Gynt" and Harlots in "Romeo and Juliet". Beyond Ben's wonderful work, I loved dancing the 6th pas de deux in Jiri Kylian's "Petit Mort", Ohad Naharin's "Minus 16" and Russian Girls in George Balanchine's "Serenade". The part I miss the most is the everyday grind in the studio, creating and collaborating with beautiful artists!
Mia Hjelte
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Discussing and exchanging ideas and experiences with dancers of different ages.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Still figuring out what my next step will be. Maybe I'll continue to pursue a master's degree.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
This program has reminded me of everything from performing lead roles to the amazing friendships.
William L. Miller, Jr.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
~ Writing a research paper that analyzed Lady Gaga's live chronology including 'ArtRave: The Artpop Ball', 'The Monsters Ball', 'Born This Way Ball' and 'The Chromatica Ball' for the "Dance and Performance Studies" class. It was a cool experience to merge my love for pop culture, dance, performance, and analysis. Watching all the concerts and forming my ideas for the paper was enjoyable!
~ Creating a presentation (paper + powerpoint) on Jazz dance for "Dance History" class. This project really allowed me to dive deep into movement lineage, methodologies, reflect on my own personal historical context as a Jazz dancer, and other markers of significance within Jazz not only as a style, but as a practice and form of expression/resistance.
~ "World Cultures" class was a highlight because I was able to learn about and explore diversity and global traditions that utilize dance in ways that differ from Western culture. Reading about the Japanese art form "Butoh" was fascinating to me because it prioritizes raw outward expression of the inner world as opposed to the conventional, aesthetic focus of beauty in Western traditions.
~ Having the opportunity to engage in Independent Study throughout the program was both a highlight and extremely motivating. For my Senior Capstone, I was paired with Kendra Barnes (<3) as my mentor and together we explored "Arts Administration", "Dance Company Management", and the "Business of Dance" in order to plant seeds for my future aspirations. My final course in the program was "Design Methodologies" with Andrew Merrell (<3) where we discuss elements of Design and how they can support and be utilized within movement and/or dance practices (as well as Fine Art contexts). Shoutout to Kendra and Andrew M for being excellent, insightful, and encouraging mentors during Independent Study (and Andrew P + Shaunna for the exceptional advising and direction throughout the process!!)
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
~ Earn an MFA in Dance or Choreography
~ Continue to develop my personal practice (as an Artist, Dancer, Choreographer, Director, and Educator)
~ Explore new avenues for Creativity + Collaboration + Service
~ Expand
~ Enjoy
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
~ Joining "Culture Shock: Los Angeles" - performing at VIBE Dance Competition, in our Immersive Show entitled "The Walled City" (and serving as Assistant Artistic Director)
~ "ICONS Choreographic Institute at the Atlas in Washington DC"
~ "Having my film be an Official Selection: Pro Division for 'The International ScreenDance Festival in Mexico City and shown at 'The 4th Annual Inland Empire Dance Festival'
~ "VOICES: Latinx/Indigenous Artists Showcase and Urban Nut Holiday Show @ Stomping Ground LA"
~ "The 16th Annual Mixmatch Dance Festival" @ Highways Performance Space
~ "Choreographer's Collection: Los Angeles" @ LADP
~ Rosanna Gamson Worldwide: DIY Decameron @ Pieter Performance Space
~ Mentoring and coaching my amazing students as Lead Choreographer at The School of Arts + Enterprise (and producing a choreography showcase for them!)
~ Movement Directing for "AfterGlow" a film by Shreya Jha (USC School of Cinematic Arts Graduate Thesis; NY Film Academy)
~ Creating a passion/collab project called "SYNERGY!"
~ "Black Choreographers Festival" in SF @ Dance Mission Theatre
~ "Bodies In Play: Dance Is Pleasure" @ LGBT Center Hollywood
Image Credit
@CultureShockLA
@30itm.studio
Marisa Paden
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
I loved learning alongside other performers. I appreciate the shared experiences, shared love for dance and learning, and shared excitement and grief over career transition.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I'm currently enrolled in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Program through the College of William and Mary. I hope to provide care to high performing athletes to support them through their training, professional career, and retirement.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I am grateful for many aspects of my performance career. I enjoyed performing in many premiers choreographed by Durante Verzola and Carter Alexander, and working closely with friends on work that was meaningful to us. Most of my favorite memories come from guesting in Nutcracker performances with dance studios and pre-professional programs. I love the joy and laughter students bring to a performance!
Alyssa Juliette Redwillow Shije
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Having class discussion and everyone being so welcoming to share different perspectives.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Get a master's degree.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
Being able to continue traditional native values daily and passing that knowledge onto the next generation.
Christian Tworzyanski
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
It’s hard to choose just one favorite memory from my time in the program—there are so many. But if I had to, it would be those Sunday evenings when my colleagues and I would head to the Pennsylvania Hotel after long, grueling weeks of rehearsals and performances with the New York City Ballet. We were always exhausted, but there was something special about pushing through together, sharing that sense of dedication and purpose. Those moments of camaraderie made the experience unforgettable—and looking back now, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve all come as graduates.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Now that I have completed my BA degree, I feel excited—and honestly a little proud—to start thinking about what’s next. I’ve been drawn to the idea of becoming a dance professor at a university, because I would like to give back the knowledge and experiences that have shaped me throughout my journey. Dance has given me so much, both personally and professionally, and it feels important to pass that on. Even if it’s not in a university setting, I know I want to be in a space where I can help guide and support the next generation of artists.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
There are so many incredible moments, but some of my favorite highlights from my performance career include dancing any Balanchine or Robbins ballet with the New York City Ballet—they were true geniuses, and performing their work was always inspiring. During my time with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, having the ballet Presque Rien created specifically for me and my dear friend and partner was an unforgettable experience. Another memory I will always cherish is performing an all-Kylián program for Jiří Kylián himself in The Hague, where many of his masterpieces originated. These experiences shaped me as a dancer and remain some of the most meaningful highlights of my career.
Michael Wells
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Acting class was a blast, I got to cuss out Grace Morton, who is an angel. We had a lot of fun rehearsing that scene and it made me want to do more acting.
What are some of your future career/academic/personal goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I'd love to work at a bigger arts institution in San Francisco, such as the ballet or symphony. I think I could be very effective working in stewardship and donor relations.
What are some of your favorite credits/highlights from your performance career?
I've gotten to dance on some of America's most prestigious stages and work with formative choreographers. I went on two national tours, and most recently, an international one to Taiwan for three weeks with ODC Dance.