Ensemble of Ressl Dance!
Sonia Singh Bawa, Dancer — My arts career started 5 1/2 years ago at the age of 13 when I found that my true passion in life was performing and visual art. I have received training in theater, dance, vocal and visual arts from Renaissance High School for the Arts, Long Beach City College and CSUDH. I have had the privilege of appearing in numerous musicals, dance concerts, plays, and community shows. I will be a sophomore at Cal State Dominguez Hills in the fall and I am studying to become a theater arts teacher.
Marco Carreon, dancer, received his AA for Visual & Performing Arts from San Diego City College and is currently in his last year at CSUDH where he will be receiving his BA in Dance. Marco has danced with such companies as the José Costas Dance Company, Louise Reichlin and Dancers, and OUI Geometer Dance Ensemble. Currently he is directing and choreographing for Campus Dances at CSUDH, which will be presented on October 31, 2009. This fall he will begin working on the Lynwood city dance project, focusing on helping inner-city youth reach their artistic goals.
Phoenix Cole, dancer, received his initial dance education at the Juline School of Dance under the direction of Gretchen Vogelzang. He was a dance scholarship recipient of ABT, Joffrey Ballet, Marine Ballet and many other renounced schools in the US. He went on to receive his B.A. in Psychology from CSU Stanislaus, and his MFA in Dance Choreography and Digital Technology from U.C. Irvine. While creatively driven in the arts, Phoenix has also successfully pursued a second career as a US Licensed Customs Broker He currently teaches Latin Social dance at Cerritos College and El Camino College, and is full time employed by RF International in Long Beach.
Michelle A. Funderburk, dancer, began her dance studies in Southern California, continued her training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Summer Intensive Program, and received a full scholarship to the U of Florida/ New World School for the Arts Conservatory where she received her BFA in dance. While in Miami, Michelle danced with the acclaimed Momentum Dance Company and toured through out Florida and internationally. Michelle taught as an adjunct faculty at George Mason University where she received her MFA in Dance. Michelle has danced for such well-known choreographers as Donald McKayle, Daniel Lewis, Jane Goldberg, Helmutt Gottschild, Mark Haim, Lila York, and others. Upon returning to LA, Michelle was instrumental in developing the dance curriculum for the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet at Compton High School. Her teaching and choreography has been presented throughout the U.S. She currently teaches at CSUDH, El Camino Community College, and Cerritos College.
Dana Maue is a graduate of State University of New York at Brockport (BA Dance). While at SUNY Brockport, she studied with James Payton and Garth Fagan (Lion King Choreographer). She was a performer in Sankofa - The African Dance and Drum Ensemble, under the direction of Clyde Morgan. She was also the choreographer for the Golden Eagles Dance Team for 2 years. After teaching in private studios in Western NY, she received a fellowship for the MA in Dance program at American University in Washington DC. There, she studied with Naima Prevots and taught various levels of Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Modern as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. In December 2002, she was chosen to dance in the Kennedy Center Honors Television Show for the tribute to Chita Rivera. She currently teaches at CSUDH, El Camino Community College, and Cerritos College.
Jeannette Nailor, dancer, graduated with a BS in Physical Education: Dance Concentration Major in 2009. Her goal is to teach high school dance. She began her dance training as a sophomore at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1999. Jeannette was a member of the Long Beach City College Dance Team and joined the CSUDH Dance Team upon transferring. This past season she was the CSUDH Dance Team Assistant Coach.
Tazanna Neal, dancer, developed her passion for dance when she joined Drill Team at Palms Elementary School in third grade performing military, dance, and step routine. Between elementary and high school she taught herself various styles such as hip-hop, modern and contemporary from movies and television shows. Her study for dance did not start until she enrolled in Cal State Dominguez where she studies modern, ballet, African, hip-hop, and jazz. Her dream has always been to dance professionally for a company, and hopefully, she can achieve that.
Jessie Parmelee, dancer, was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona where she received her classical training at Ballet Etudes under the direction of Sharon Seder Meko. After graduating early from high school, Jessie moved to Kentucky where she danced with the Louisville Ballet for two seasons in ballets including Dance Sport and Balanchine’s Serenade and Who Cares?. After leaving Louisville, Jessie worked in the cruise ship industry with Disney Cruise Line and later returned to ballet when she was offered a contract with American National Ballet. She performed many contemporary roles created for her by Armando Maldonado before leaving to pursue a more classical company. In the fall of 2006, Jessie toured with Albany Berkshire Ballet performing Dew Drop and Arabian in The Nutcracker. The following spring, she performed as a guest artist with Inland Pacific Ballet in Cinderella and was invited to join the company as a soloist for the fall season. Since then, she's made Inland Pacific Ballet her home appearing in ballets such as The Nutcracker, The Little Mermaid and Dracula. Jessie is excited to be performing with Ressl Dance for the first time and thanks Doris for this opportunity.
Doris Ressl, artistic director, received a BA from Columbia College and danced for the Chicago Dance Medium and other Chicago choreographers. Upon receiving a MFA at Smith College, she taught for college and professional dance programs including Ball State University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, Radford University, and the Minnesota Ballet. Throughout her career, she performed in works by Charles Weidman, June Finch, Maria Cheng, Christopher Watson, Nancy Hauser, and Robert Gardner. Her dance company, Ressl Dance!, was formed in Minnesota and has been produced throughout the U.S. At CSUDH Doris is the dance program coordinator and teaches ballet, modern, choreography, and related courses.
Micki Selander, Dancer — It all started with the SongSmiths in1971, Maryland Youth Ballet 1977, Joffrey Ballet School 1978, LA Hair and Make-up Show in which I was the comb 1982, and finally Hubbard Street Dance Company 1985. That was then…now I work a full time job in the Pathology Lab at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. It fulfills the scientist in me. I’m thrilled to be in the studio again! Thank you to Doris for inviting me back on stage.
Leanne Vecchione, dancer, a Southern California native, attended Chapman University and graduated with a BFA in Communications with a Dance Emphasis. She received the “Grey Key” which means excellence in her major. She danced principle roles for Minnesota Ballet in such classics as Nutcracker, Giselle, and Don Quixote and was Assistant Director and principle dancer for the American National Ballet. During her years in Minnesota, she had the privilege to dance for Ressl Dance!.
