Fall 2023 SDP Concert Video | Sedona Dance Project

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SDP 2023 Fall Concert Program

Thank you for your support enjoy our fall concert here. We are so happy to share the magical evening with you. We apologize for the video quality. We are raising funds to hire a videographer for our next event and more lighting. Consider making a donation so we can continue creating art in Sedona.

Be sure to come to our Spring Show! We had two packed shows! Thank you Sedona for your support! We are GRATEFUL :)

Sedona Dance Project Fall Concert 2023

Sedona Dance Project Fall Concert 2023

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Sedona Dance Project

Evening Concert

November 2nd & 3rd, 2023

7:00 Performance begins (To respect dancers, entry will only be permitted between performances)

1st Half

Violin Performance

Music/composer: Tyler Carson

Performed by: Tyler Carson

"Thread That Binds Souls"

Choreographer: Danielle McNeal Strabala

Music/Composer: Dhalem/Emel, Ya Laure Hobouki/Rosemary Standley

Performed by: Varshana Davis, Maneesha McClure, Danielle McNeal, Joey Philo

(Students of Sedona Dance Academy) Anisa Joffe, Sofia Wolf, Lincoln Burke, Chloe Manley, Aster Lawrence

*Movement inspired by Isadora Duncan

"Mirage"

Choreographer: Danielle McNeal Strabala

Music/Composer: Mirage/Lindsay Sterling

Performed by: Shayna Da Cruz

""Rising Phoenix""

Choreographer: Danielle McNeal Strabala

Music/Composer: Run boy Run/Woodkid

Performed by: Phoebe Jones (Student of Sedona Dance Academy)

"Here as One"

Choreographer: Varshana Davis

Music/Composer: Here with Me/Darun & Hugo

Performed by: Cheye Bollmann, Varshana Davis, Sabina Malinalli, Danielle McNeal Strabala, Tikisha Nelson

*Intermission*(10 Minutes)

2nd Half

"Cage Unnamed"

Choreographer/Performer: Vo Vera

Music/Composer: Caged/Forest Swords

"Pretty?"

Choreographer: Danielle McNeal Strabala

Music/Composer: I Feel Pretty/Hayley Westenra

Performed by: Melle Glatt, Anisa Jaffe, Phoebe Jones, Sofia Wolf (students of Sedona Dance Academy)

"House of the Rising Sun"

Choreographer/Performer: Eric Lindemer

Music/Composer: House of the Rising Sun

"Through the Veil"

Choreographer : Sabina Malinalli

Music/Composer: Original work/Nic Leo

Performers: Chey Bollman, Laura Eller, Keelan Mercer

"Enough"

Choreographer/Performer: Carolin Hauser

Spoken Word: Carolin Hauser

Q & A with choreographers

Acknowledgements

So much gratitude to those who have believed in the project.

Board of Directors

Danielle McNeal Strabala (Artistic Director)

Laura Eller (associate director)

Keveda Aud (associate director)

Marianne Langridge (Secretary)

Brandon Strabala (Treasurer)

Rachel Grant ( Board Member)

Keelan Mercer (Board Member)

Sabina Malinalli (Board Member)

Gregory Schadt (Board Member)

Thank you to our Sponsors and Donors! Without their support this performance and future performances would not be possible.

Sponsors

Village Yoga

Sun Moon Studio

High Vibe Collective

Varshana and Nimbus

Sedona Dances

Desert Dance Theatre (Fiscal Sponsor)

Donors

Langston Family Foundation

Marianne Thomas

Karen Marzullo

Suzy Uhlmann

Damiyr Shuford

Winnie Muench (Sedona Ballet)

Cast

Choreographers

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Varshana Davis

Varshana’s love of dance started at the age of five and has never stopped. Trained in Balltet, Jazz, Modern, and Classical Indian dance, Varshana’s unique blending of all these dance styles brings a sacred sensual flavor to the way she moves. Varshans’s love of movement creates a deep richness in her life that is expressed in all her daily activities.

Varshana has studied the Sacred Mystic Arts of a classical Indian dance form, called Odissi. After learning, deep devotion through this sacred way of movement for ten years, She now creates dance pieces infused with everything she has learned through the art of movement!

Creating visual imagery of gods and goddesses at play in the joy of life and sacred mystery!

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Carolin Isabelle Hauser

Carolin’s mission is to help the masculine and feminine powerfully dance and co-create together in life.

In her own journey dance has been one of the greatest medicines and tools for self exploration and creating connection with self and others.

Originally from Germany she came to Sedona via Tulum Mexico in 2019, excited to find Sedona to be one of the ecstatic dance meccas in the world and loving being part of this vibrant dance community.

Eric Lindemer

Eric Lindemer, LMT, had his early training with Anna-Mariie and David Holmes, and with the Boston Ballet and New York City Ballet schools. He danced professionally in both classical and contemporary works with American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Modern choreographers he has worked with include Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, and Bill T Jones. Mr Lindemer is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and teaches dance, yoga, and energy healing. His website is www.theawakeninglight.com

Sabina Malinalli (Board Member)

Sabina Malinalli is trained by the Dancing Freedom living lineage. She is a certified Embodied dance teacher and a Psycho-spiritual Integration Guide.

Her love and passion for dance come from her devotion to connecting with spirit and embodying herself unapologetically.

She is committed to serving the Muse of Dance by offering herself as a vessel that invites healing art in motion.

She is also a proud member of the Sedona Dance Project board of directors.

You can find her curating altars or weaving rituals as soulful artistic expressions.

Www.healingsoulrituals.com

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Danielle McNeal Strabala (Artistic Director)

Has a well-established background in dance, beginning with her training in New York where she was the recipient of scholarships to study at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance and Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theater. While in New York, Danielle had the honor to train under Jazz dance master Luigi. Danielle also received a scholarship to study dance at ASU and received her BA in dance.

Danielle's works have been showcased in New York, Arizona, Las Vegas, and New Mexico. Using various genres of dance, modern, jazz, contemporary, and musical theater, Danielle enjoys creating works that evoke emotion, thought, as well as entertain.

Danielle's vision for Sedona Dance Project is to create a resident dance company in Sedona, using "movers" from the community to create quality concert dance.

Vo Vera

Vo Vera has spent the last two decades identifying as a street dancer and multidisciplinary movement artist, having been self-trained on the streets of Arizona and rural Germany. A resident of Sedona and graduate of Red Rock HS, he has since traveled the country speaking at conferences, instructing at events and festivals, and competing and performing. With his street arts collective, The Sacred G’s, he has received over a dozen grants in the past 3 years, and produced several cross-community performances, competitions, and social events. As an educator, he has served as Faculty Associate at ASU, and as Faculty Adjunct at Maricopa Community Colleges. As of 2023, Vo Vera is a 3rd year graduate student at ASU, wrapping up an Masters of Fine Arts in Dance. His primary research is in the development and codification of a novel street dance technique he calls Framing.

Musicians

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Tyler Carson

Growing up trained as a classical violinist (solo artist with the Victoria Symphony age 13) and a folk 'fiddler' simultaneously (CBS Jerry Lewis Telethon, festival mainstages, Thailand, Japan, Cayman Island, ZDF Germany), Tyler was always headed in a unique direction. Today he redefines expectation of what the violin and indeed what music itself can do. "I've never felt that music came from me; it always felt like music came through me." In Tyler's hands a solo violin is a full band. After losing the ability to sing and even speak normally, a major turning point came from his first ever solo performance given by special invitation in Auroville, India. Since then Tyler has expanded to integrate spiritual music inside original adaptation of cover songs that are at once familiar and immediately new. As always, he creates and performs in a trademark combustible style that compels his audience heart first, into the music. You can learn more about his story by watching the international multi-award winning documentary “Living Music” by BluPrint Films LA. The film is available at patreon.com/fiddlerontherock .

Nic Leo

Nic Leo, founder of Sedona’s premier recording studio, Le Fay Studios, is an award winning composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and music educator. He has devoted himself completely to music. Along with music being a lifelong personal journey for Nic, it is his life’s purpose to bring people together and help people to connect to some of the deepest parts of themselves through music.

He facilitates people stepping into their creativity by producing their music/audio creations in his studio, helping them to write and complete their own original songs, teaching them to play instruments, sing, and open their voice along with so much more. Nic is passionate about creating a more musical society, and he would be honored to work with your and/or your loved ones to help deepen your relationships with music.

Nic’s personal music projects include his band Rivers Run Wild, his solo act that performs as Nic Leo, and numerous musicals and performance art pieces he has written.

Nic is grateful to be a part of such a powerful work of art, and he looks forward to collaborating with SDP more in the future.

Reach out to Nic any time by calling or texting him at 928-228-5775 or emailing him at Lefaystudios@gmail.com. You can visit his websites to learn more about him and his offerings.

Lefaystudios.com

Nicleomusic.com

Riversrunwild.com

Dancers

Cheye Bollmann

Cheye Bollmann is a dance enthusiast who enjoyed tasking classes of all kinds growing up including ballet, modern, jazz, bellydance and ballroom. Since then, movement has become a source of meditation and healing for her and coming full circle, she is now excited to return to performing feeling grounded. She has a background in psychology and is currently completing her masters thesis in anthropology on The Embodiment of Home Birth while assisting a midwife and becoming a doula. In her free time she enjoys dancing, creating and appreciating art, being in nature and spending quality time with friends and family.

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Lincoln Burke (Sedona Dance Academy)

Lincoln Burke loves to dance! She also enjoys painting, pottery, and martial arts. She is homeschooled with her younger brother Isaac, and lives in Cornville Arizona.

Shayna De Cruz

Shayna da Cruz moved to Show Low, Arizona in 2015. She was an educator for 4 years and now works as the Children’s Ministry Director at White Mountain Bible

Church. Shayna has been teaching at The Dance Academy and Company in Lakeside, AZ since 2015 and teaches different styles of dance. She has performed with DMJ over the years in Sedona, Phoenix, Prescott, and Las Vegas. Apart from dancing Shayna enjoys figure skating and hiking with friends. She is excited to be a part of the Sedona Dance Project Fall Project.

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Laura Eller (Associate Director)

Laura has spent most of her adult life as a supporter of the arts and as a dance mom to two amazingly talented daughters Keelan and Makenna. Joining Sedona Dance Project as an Associate Director has allowed her to fulfill a lifelong dream of performing on the stage while continuing to support the arts from behind the scenes. Laura is the founder of the Upcycled Candle Company, a Sedona based sustainability company dedicated to keeping glass out of landfills and protecting the water of the Verde Valley and Sedona. She is also and accomplished glass and mixed media artist who enjoys spending her free time running on trails or with her family, including her grandson Zona.

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Melle Glatt (Sedona Dance Academy)

Hi I’m Melle! I’ve been dancing for 8 years! My favorite style of dance is jazz and contemporary! I’m excited for this year full of performances!

Anisa Jaffe (Sedona Dance Academy)

Hi my name’s Anisa, I’m seventeen years old and have been dancing since I was nine. I grew up in California and moved to Sedona last year. I love all forms of dance and plan to continue as a dancer into my adult life.

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Phoebe Jones (Sedona Dance Academy)

Hi my name is Phoebe Jones, I am 12 years old and I have lived in Sedona my whole life. I started dancing when I was 3 years old in ballet. When my ballet instructor moved and I started school I fell in love with hiphop, Contemporary, and other styles as well. I still do ballet recently got on pointe, someday I am hoping to be a professional dancer. I am so excited to be dancing in the SDP show with my friends and dance teachers who I love so much, I can’t wait!

Aster Lawrence (Sedona Dance Academy)

Meet Aster Lawrence, a spirited 9-year-old dance enthusiast who has gracefully twirled her way into the Sedona Dance Academy's Company Team after a year of dancing joyously. With a heart full of passion, Aster not only embraces the art of dance but also finds delight in singing. Join her on this enchanting journey where every step is a celebration of the joy she finds in the world of dance!

Keelan Mercer (Board Member)

Keelan Mercer is a classically trained dancer with over 20 years of experience in various dance styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, and hip hop. She has worked with choreographers and professional dance companies from around the world. Keelan was a 3 year member of the dance team at Grand Canyon University. Beyond her impressive resume as a dancer, Keelan has also been a varsity pom coach in the Phoenix area, sharing her knowledge and expertise with young dancers and helping them develop their own skills and passion for dance. Keelan is now a mother and local business owner in the Sedona community and runs a design firm called Vortex Visions which specializes in merchandise and design! With her diverse background and dedication to her craft, Keelan continues to be an inspiration and leader in the dance community as an active board member of Sedona Dance Project.

Chloe Manley (Sedona Dance Academy)

I am from Sedona and have lived here pretty much my whole life. I have done dance for the past four years. Things I like to do are dance, violin and art.

Maneesha McClure

Maneesha McClure has been working as a Dance therapist and teacher since 1986. She developed Dance Alchemy, a body based therapy with a life affirmative attitude of celebration and love. It is a unique way of using dance and the alchemy in our own bodies to transform negative emotions, find self-love and acceptance, understand and connect more deeply with one’s true nature, and enter meditation.

Since 1988 she has taught courses, groups and trainings in Dance Alchemy, in India, Europe and the U.S. She is the director of the Osho Institute for Dancing, and lives in Sedona, Arizona, where she offers Dance Alchemy classes, and individual sessions in Trauma healing/Somatic Experiencing, Couples Work, Resolving the Past, and Emotional Transformation.

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Tikisha Nelson

My love for dance started when I was 10 years old when I received my first Karaoke machine. The singing quickly was accompanied by dancing and those moments sparked up the fire for my desire to perform. I self taught myself all the way to college where I finally started to attend professional classes. Graduated from University of Texas Pan American in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Dance and set off to Las Vegas Nevada to begin my dance career. I have been blessed enough to book some amazing shows and work with exquisite artists.

It has been a great honor to share the stage which such talented people, Dance has brought me together with so many unforgettable beings and tonight it brings me together with you.

Joey Philo

Joey Philo has a love for dance that goes back to her childhood. Movement in all forms has always been a part of her life. She has taught yoga and pilates here in Sedona, and has participated in local dance performances throughout her 30 years living here. Dancing is a genuine source of joy and connection with community and friends.

It is an honor to be dancing for Danielle and this opportunity to support Sedona Dance Project.

Sofia Wolf (Sedona Dance Academy)

My name is Sofia Wolf, I am 14 years old and have been dancing since I could walk. I have lived in Sedona for my entire life and have recently found my passion to want to become a professional dancer. I love doing dance with all my heart and hope to make the most out of it!

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