LEAP 2022 Graduates
Congratulations to the Saint Mary's College of California's LEAP class of 2022!
Lauren Alzamora
LEAP reminded me of where I came from and opened my mind to all the possible places I can go.
LEAP Cohort : New York
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Being very pregnant (two separate times!) when I was still able to attend LEAP classes in person in NYC. I gave birth to my first child before finishing my required math course and somehow still made an A!
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
My senior project involved taking a stab at memoir writing under the incredible guidance of Professor De Matteo. I was pregnant with my third child, during the first half of the pandemic, so the whole process was incredibly challenging yet somehow fortifying. I gained valuable skills for unlocking creativity, began unlearning self-censorship and acknowledged my true feelings on several difficult and very personal topics. The experience was healing and cathartic - and I will be forever grateful to Professor De Matteo for pushing me towards honesty and unlocking potential I didn’t know was there.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I’m contemplating a career in Speech Language Pathology or Occupational Therapy, which will require prerequisites courses and a Master’s Degree. I look forward to the next year of exploring those possibilities as I celebrate this huge accomplishment!
Performance Career Highlights: I am particularly grateful for the international touring opportunities I had with Battery Dance Company, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Ballet Hispanico - I got to visit and perform in places I never dreamed I would go. While dancing with Ballet Hispanico I had the opportunity to originate and perform a principal duet by one of my favorite choreographers (“Sortijas” by Cayetano Soto). I also appeared in Gustavo Ramirez Sansano’s “Carmen.Maquia” which was filmed as part of Lincoln Center at the Movies in 2015 just before I retired. The incredible artists I collaborated with and danced alongside throughout my career (many of them forever friends) have impacted my life in immeasurable ways. Those experiences will never leave me.
J. Anderson
LEAP Cohort : Online
Selected Credits: Tony Awards
Tonia Lynn Barber
"You can do anything in life, sex, drugs, adventures but ONLY in moderation. Success comes when you live your life in moderation. Also, take care of your feet!!" – my Great Aunt Viola
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles/Online
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
The day I signed up for LEAP, with Annie Colbeck was my favorite moment. It was a spontaneous decision and I never looked back. Annie Colbeck was such a wonderful mentor helping me keep the ball rolling along with work and three children.
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
Christian De Matteo guided me through my senior project which included writing a novel. Writing has now become a very big unexpected part of my career.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Completing my BA degree was a longtime goal. Future career interest might include an MBA.
Performance Career Highlights: Joffrey Ballet Scholarship; Broadway Credits: "42nd Street" and an original in "The Will Roger's Follies"
Samantha Bristow
LEAP Cohort : San Francisco
Selected Credits: San Francisco Ballet
Anya Burak
For me LEAP became a “Leap of Faith “ :)
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles/Online
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Yes, all lessons with Christian De Mateo.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Open my own Pilates studio.
Selected Credits: Metropolitan Opera
Marianne Bassing
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." – Samuel Beckett
LEAP Cohort : San Francisco
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
My favorite memory from LEAP is when I figured out what I wanted to do next, and Stephanie pulled out all the stops to find a connection for me to reach out to that has turned into and internship and mentorship. Just seeing the spread of LEAP and who it can connect you with has been fascinating.
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
I worked with Kimmy and wrote about childhood development in a small village in Uganda that my Mom and I work in vs. childhood development here in the US, and compared the "happiness" of children. Kimmy really allowed me to just explore and write about what I witnessed instead of something solid and specific. This project definitely confirmed my desire to pursue the study of psychology and what "human success" means.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
My next steps are looking into PhD and PsyD programs for Clinical Psychology. I'm leaning towards working with high-level athletes on career transition, or during career "lull's" due to injury. But I am also interested in studying how humans function on either end of the success spectrum, and why.
Selected Credits: Oakland Ballet; Dresden SemperOper Ballet
Gillmer J Duran
"The art of life is a constant re-adjustment to our surroundings..." – Kakuzo Okakaura
LEAP Cohort : New York/Online
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Yes! A few actually. One of my favorite memories was eating pizza at the end of our Critical Perspectives class with Professor Christian De Mateo. For a good part of the program I had to travel on train from Reston, Virginia to Washington, DC then ride on the Bus to Manhattan to take class at the Alvin Ailey studios.
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
For my senior project I wrote an essay about the ups and downs of becoming an Artistic Director. At that time, I was hired to direct a mid-size school in Washington state and Mark Baird suggested to document my learning experience on this position. Successfully managing a board of directors in the non-for-profit sector is a tremendous challenge. It takes a strong vision and a true functional partnership anchored in the guidelines of the always changing non-profit model. My current job experience has taught me that - with great leadership - it is absolutely possible. After writing my senior project I appreciate even more the professionalism and legitimacy of my actual experience.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I am a full time Faculty at The School of Ballet Arizona and teach as part of the ballet program at the Arizona School for the Arts. I would like to continue to be involved in dance, teaching and continue to explore choreography at a professional level.
Performance Career Highlights: I trained in Venezuela and danced professionally with National Ballet of Caracas, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, and Eugene Ballet among other companies. During this time, I created choreography and some highlights include several ground-breaking collaborations. Working with these companies inspired me to think outside the box and allowed me to grow as an artist and as an individual. After my retirement from dancing I was appointed as Alaska Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director and resident choreographer, repositioning its company and school through a unique repertoire, including a company participation in the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival. In 2011 I received the Fermin Toro University Award for my career and created choreography for Ballet Des Moines and Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre. I am now a full-time faculty at the School of Ballet Arizona and enjoy teaching at the Arizona School for the Arts.
Tobin Eason
LEAP Cohort : New York
Selected Performance Credits: Metropolitan Opera Ballet; American Ballet Theatre
Amanda LaCount
It was worth it!
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles/Online
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Probably my senior capstone project I got to create. Pushed me as an artist and human and I loved the end result.
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
I made a dance film from start to finish. I mainly wanted to learn how to edit videos and since finishing that project I have started making my own concept videos.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I want to get more into choreography and learning more about the history of dance. I enjoyed learning where some dance comes from and I want to continue to further learn about the history of the art form.
Performance Career Highlights: Some of my favorite career highlights are performing with Rihanna in her Savage X Fenty Show, dancing in Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love” music video, and being in Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish” music video.
Sarah Mitchell
You get out what you put in.
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Meeting all of the dancers and former dancers from different walks of life!
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
A documentary treatment.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
More confidence to go into whatever career I end up in now and excitement for the possibilities.
Selected Credits: Britney Spears Las Vegas; Burlesque (feature film)
Kassy Akasi Elizabeth Mortiga Awogny Francis Mora
"Love Your Passion, Live Your Purpose" – LuVpEaCeNsOuL MoVeMeNt
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles/Online
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
One of my favorite memories was that first day of class when LEAP LA was still a hybrid program. Just walking into that building, meeting classmates, and knowing I was back in school after almost 7 years away from institutional education was a rush! So crazy to know that since then I've had the pleasure of meeting even more fellow peers and professors that have impacted my journey, and online at that! So many great memories while in the LEAP program and it all started with that first class :)
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
My senior project was centered around creating/developing a website that would be a testimony to who I am now, what I have to offer, and insight if you will, of LuVpEaCeNsOuL MoVeMeNt- my artrepeneurship as a Healing artist and medicine woman. This project provided the opportunity to hone my creative business mindset while sharpening tools in my toolbox such as creative writing, communication, delegation to my website development team, organization, etc. I can say that I successfully completed my website and have continued to use those skills/knowledge as I navigate the wonderful world of being a Business woman, passionate artist, and Healer. The beautiful thing about it, is that I am able to confidently share who I am, what I am skilled in, what I have to offer, and how I can be of service to future clients/organizations that align with my intentions.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
With my BA degree I plan to relish in the successful completion of a goal once dreamed about as a young First Generation Black American girl. I will continue to pursue that which lights my soul on fire - traveling the world, teaching, performing, growing a family with my loving husband, never ceasing to be a student of this life, learning all that I can about the cultures and family history that has shaped me and continues to impact my existence, and I will continue loving the life that I am blessed to experience....all that and more! What I do know, is that I will do it all, one step, one dream, one breath at a time.
Performance Career Highlights: Nike; Major Lazer; The Real; Broadway at the Gardens; BlaktinX LA; The Voyage LA
Raquel Osborne
“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” – H. Jackson Brown
Having the opportunity to be a part of LEAP has been an amazing experience. I would love to give a special shout-out to all my wonderful instructors and my Advisor Andrew, and say thank you!! I’ve gained so much more insight as to what direction I want to take next after graduation. I’m excited to put my focus towards this new transition in my career, and discover new opportunities.
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles/Online
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
During my first semester with LEAP (Pre Covid) my classmates surprised me with my favorite ice cream and cake for my birthday in class. It was so sweet of them to do that!
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Going to explore some of my other interests and pursue Law Enforcement as a HSI Special Agent. It was always something I was interested in way before I chose to dance at a professional level.
Jasmine Perry
LEAP Cohort : Los Angeles
Selected Credits: Los Angeles Ballet
Katelyn Prominski Baud
You are special and you have a wonderful gift to share!
LEAP Cohort : New York
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Wow - such great memories! Learning French in my private independent study was one of my favorite scholarly experiences, ever. A favorite memory in French class was saying goodbye to my French teacher at the end of the fall semester and then introducing her to my new son at the start of the spring semester!
The craziest memory is when I was in Las Vegas for the summer, working on east coast time, doing my senior Capstone and taking two other courses, was without childcare for my 3 year old, AND I was pregnant in my second trimester.
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
My senior project was memoir writing with Christian. I definitely use the writing skills we worked on and it also helped me have more thoughtful exchanges in my life.
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
Law school!
Performance Career Highlights: Professional ballet dancer with Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Broadway national tours: Flashdance the Musical, Dirty Dancing. Highlights were touring the world, working with incredible dancers, and all of the experiences that shaped me into the person I am today.
Jordan Nicole Tilton
LEAP Cohort : San Francisco
What was your senior project? How have you used these new skills or knowledge?
For my Senior Project I did an internship with the San Francisco Ballet Marketing Department. It was an incredible experience to see the organization from a marketing perspective as opposed to my perspective as a dancer. I was able to help organize and run the company's first ever Sensorium event in 2015!
What are some of your future goals now that you've completed your BA Degree?
I hope to continue producing more episodes on my podcast, Ballet to Business.
Performance Career Highlights: A highlight from my career would definitely be having the honor of performing a principal role created on Muriel Maffre in Mark Morris's Maelstrom when San Francisco Ballet toured to Paris in 2014. A real dream come true!