As we prepare to launch our
2019-20 performance season
in just a few weeks at The Lab Theater, we shine a light on the heart of Minnesota Dance Theatre: the dancers themselves.
This year, we have nine company members, two apprentices, and six trainees. While all of these dancers have a strong technique in ballet and contemporary dance, they also each bring something different to the stage, a special energy and approach to movement that’s all their own.
A few of these dancers grew up right here in Minnesota, and some trained at MDT, but most came from other places from around the country, and one from Europe.
For about thirty weeks of the year, they train five days a week with a morning ballet class and then have about five hours of rehearsal after that. Yes, MDT is their full-time job. Through sharing the stage and all the behind-the-scenes preparation, they grow close like a family.
Today we’re taking a look at the dancers then and now, from their earliest days dancing to some of their more recent moments in action. We hope you enjoy this glimpse of how the company dancers and apprentices have changed over time, and we hope that the young dancers in the MDT school will see these images and get inspired by the possibilities.
ELISSA FONSECA – THEN & NOW
Now in her second season with MDT, Elissa came to Minnesota from Utah, where she grew up and trained with Utah Regional Ballet. After graduating with her BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah in 2014, she danced with SALT Contemporary Dance for four seasons. Elissa dances with remarkable fullness and fluidity, and she’s just as at home being light and airy on pointe as she is grounded and idiosyncratic in bare feet.
BRENNAN BENSON – THEN & NOW
Brennan actually started dancing when he was 15, so his earliest dance photos don’t look so different than he does now. Originally from South Dakota, he went on to train with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet on full scholarship. After dancing with Saint Paul Ballet and Minnesota Ballet, he’s the newest member of Minnesota Dance Theatre, having just joined this season. You can’t miss his buoyant jumps and princely presence.
CARLIE CLEMMERSON – THEN & NOW
Carlie is a Minnesota original. Born and raised here, she even got her start training at Minnesota Dance Theatre, where she’s danced the full gamut of Nutcracker Fantasy roles, from Littlest Mouse to Sugarplum Fairy. This is her fourth season with MDT, and she brings a classical purity and lightness of spirit to her dancing that makes her radiant on stage.
ADRIÁN PASTÉN – THEN & NOW
Adrián started ballet when he was just five with the Connecticut Ballet. He went on to study at some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the country: School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Now he brings his virtuosity to MDT, where he’s in his second season. His jumps and turns cannot be missed, but he’s also a fantastic mover in contemporary works, able to throw his weight around with stunning abandon.
VANESSA SPITERI – THEN & NOW
Vanessa is our European transplant, having moved to Minnesota from Germany last year for the 2018-19 season. Vanessa received her early training at the Tanz Akademie Zurich in Switzerland and at the Elmhurst School of Ballet in Birmingham, United Kingdom. She danced as a trainee with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and later as a company member of Ballet du Capitole in Toulouse. Vanessa’s gorgeous lines can be spotted from a mile away, and she brings a gracious energy with her both on stage and off.
ZION RIVERA – THEN & NOW
Originally from Miami, Florida, Zion got his training at the Miami City Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and Boston Ballet School. This is Zion’s second season with Minnesota Dance Theatre, where he lights up the stage in classical and contemporary movement and impresses as a strong and sensitive partner.
ZACHARY TUAZON – THEN & NOW
Like Brennan, Zachary got a later start training as a dancer, first in his hometown of Tinley Park, Illinois, and later at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. He received his BA in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University and is now in his fifth season with MDT, where he has also served as lead instructor for the
Boys Classes. Zachary is a dynamic mover, weaving together a beautiful, gentle spirit with a fierce, grounded energy.
SOLANA TEMPLE – THEN & NOW
Has Solana Temple really changed that much? She’s still blonde, and she still jumps like there’s no tomorrow. Now in her fifth season with MDT, Solana is originally from Tucson, Arizona, where she trained at the Tucson Regional Ballet and Ballet Arts. Later, she trained at The Juilliard School, where she earned her BFA along with the Martha Hill Prize. Aside from her jumping prowess, she stands out with her long lines and impressive strength, whether tackling the classical Raymonda
or the more jagged and earthy contemporary works.
SAM FEIPEL – THEN & NOW
Sam trained at Central Illinois Ballet and the School of Ballet Chicago before coming to Minnesota Dance Theatre in 2003. Since then, he has danced more than 60 works in the repertory, originating 35 of them. In 2009, he received McKnight Artist Fellowship for Dancers. Sam is known for his goofiness on stage and off, but he is an exemplary partner, dependable and assured. Little known fact: When Sam was just 15 he was such an expert tapper that he was invited to join TAP DOGS. Then they realized he was only 15 and too young to join.
KAITLYN DEYO – THEN & NOW
Kaitlyn is now in her second season as an apprentice with MDT. She started her training at Northland School of Dance and moved to MDT&S when she was ten. Her summer intensive studies have included the Kirov Academy, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Charlottesville Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. Though Kaitlyn can be reserved in the studio, she is a passionate performer, bringing captivating energy to the stage.
KATELYN BOCHE – THEN & NOW
Katelyn Boche has been dancing since age three, and at fourteen she enrolled in the Performing Arts Division at MDT. Her summer intensive studies include Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet, Colorado Ballet Academy, American Ballet Theatre, and the School of Pennsylvania Ballet. Her solid technique is undeniable, and as she matures she shows more and more range in her style and capacity to take on soloist roles in the MDT repertory.
Our returning trainees for the 2019-20 Season include Amelia Bednar, Maia Nguyen, Gates Northrup, Gabrielle Williams, and Isabelle Williams, and new this year is Lillian Gausmann. Look forward to learning more about our Pre-Professional Trainee Program in an upcoming blog post.
And look forward to seeing all of these versatile dancers in action at the Fall Season at The Lab Theater, October 11-20. The program features a range of works from cutting-edge contemporary to transcendent classical.
Tickets for the MDT Fall Season are on sale now and can be reserved online
or by phone at 612-333-7977.