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(She/Her, Springfield, MO) began her formal dance training at Dance Canvas Performing Arts Center in her hometown at the age of fourteen. Soon after, she moved to Lancaster, PA where she trained at Willow Street Dance Steps, Morton’s Dance Center, Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet Academy, and the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive. Her senior year, she also trained at Center for Performing and Fine Arts with a distinction of membership in the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. Eibhlin has performed with Les Etoiles Dance Company, Catalyst Dance Company, and is now a second year trainee with The Big Muddy Dance Company. She has performed works most notably by Norbert De La Cruz III, Joshua Peugh, John Michael Fiumara, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and Elijah Morton. Eibhlin now works as a teacher and choreographer at Joyful Arts Movement and DK Dance Productions.

(She/Her, Cincinnati, OH) spent the last two decades studying classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance, as well as composition. Ms. Bailey attended The School for Creative and Performing Arts in downtown Cincinnati and was an integral part of their Dance Ensemble from 7th to 12th grade. During this time, Ms. Bailey studied with Cincinnati Ballet in their training Academy, where she choreographed a piece for their Spring Performance her senior year. Ms. Bailey has fallen in love with both the performing and creating aspects of dance and has taken an extensive interest in choreography for her career. Ms. Bailey has created multiple pieces that have been performed in festivals, student shows, film projects, live street performances, and more. Ms. Bailey also had the opportunity to choreograph for an entrepreneur company, The Center for Creative Economy’s, 10-year anniversary. Ms. Bailey received her degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2020, majoring in contemporary dance with a minor in composition and choreography. Since graduating, Ms. Bailey has returned to campus to teach current students and work with fellow alumni on professional opportunities and independent projects. Ms. Bailey had the pleasure of performing classic modern works by Merce Cunningham and José Limón, and contemporary works by Anouk Van Dijk, Shannon Gillen, and more. Now Ms. Bailey will continue her career with The Big Muddy Dance Company’s Trainee Program for their 2023/2024 season. Ms. Bailey looks forward to further developing her skills by incorporating her passion for authenticity and challenging herself in her movement quality and creative process.

(She/Her, Ames, IA) began dancing at age 3 training in ballet, jazz, acrobatics, pointe, tap, and modern/ contemporary dance. Upon graduating high school, Sidney decided to attend The University of Iowa to pursue a B.F.A in Dance and graduated in spring of 2023. While attending, she had the opportunity to learn with George de la Peña, Armando Duarte, Eloy Barragán, Stephanie Miracle, Kristin Marrs, Tony Orrico, Melinda Jean Meyers, Jennifer Kayle, Todd Rhoades, Danielle Russo, along with guest artists who visited the department. Sidney performed in works by Shannon Alvis, Armando Duarte, Eloy Barragán, Christopher-Rasheem McMillian, and Todd Rhoades. She also had the privilege of performing in Hancher Illuminated (2021), University of Iowa Dance Gala (2020-2022), and the Iowa Dance Festival (2022). Sidney is thrilled to be continuing her education at the Big Muddy Dance Company and performing in the St. Louis area!

(She/Her, St. Louis, MO) began her formative dance training at Laurie Stream Dance in 2002 and continued her dance education at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) from 2015-2018. In 2022 she earned a B.F.A in Dance and a Minor in Education from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. She has had the privilege to work alongside many notable choreographers such as Tristian Griffin, Michelle Heffner Hayes, Christine Colby Jacques and Nejla Yatki among others. Jennifer is currently on the teaching staff at Gateway Center of Performing Arts (GCPA).

(She/Her, Melbourne, Australia) has loved to dance ever since she could walk, and started her first dance class at three years old. In 2015, Jolene began training at Melbourne Academy of the Arts (MAARTS) under Jasmina Stefkovski and started dancing Full- Time in 2018 when she was thirteen. At MAARTS, Jolene mainly studied classical ballet, training in both the Royal Academy of Dance and Vaganova styles, but was also introduced to jazz, contemporary, modern, and character dance. During her time at MAARTS, Jolene performed in several large-scale ballet productions such as The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty, dancing main roles in both productions and gaining essential performing experience. Jolene trained with MAARTS until 2021, when she left for London to begin a three-year Diploma course at the English National Ballet School (ENBS). While training mostly in ballet at ENBS, Jolene was also exposed to more modern dance and trained briefly in styles such as Cunningham, Graham, and Release-based technique. She also took classes in choreography and was chosen along with a few other students to perform her own solo in a collaborative event with the Wallace Collection Museum in London. Unfortunately, due to injury, Jolene was only able to complete two years at ENBS, and therefore did not obtain her Diploma degree. From London, Jolene was accepted into the Big Muddy Dance Company’s Trainee Program via video audition and is excited to improve and learn from the people here at Big Muddy and hopes to continue growing as an adaptable, well-rounded dancer in the professional industry.

(She/Her, Brussels, Belgium) began her dance journey in Belgium. She fell in love with dancing as a kid and started thinking about dance as a professional career only from 2020, a pivotal year for so many. After a full day of regular school, she would dance at Choreart in Brussels where she followed ballet, pointe, jazz and contemporary classes. Through the pandemic she continued to work hard and that allowed her to enter the Ballet&Modern Junior Compagnie in France (Biarritz) directed by Manon Bastardie. There she trained for two years and gained significant stage experience dancing alongside the professional company, the Ballet&Modern Compagnie. She performed all over France in multiple contemporary shows, classical ballets and in festivals such as “Le temps d’aimer la danse”. In addition to her yearly training, she danced in many workshops (working on NDT, Mats Ek and Forsythe répertoire) and summer intensives. She had the privilege to attend Orsolina28, learning from Juliano Nunes, Flocks Works and the artistic director of Ballet BC, Mehdi Walerski.

After getting accepted in multiple programs in Europe, she very happily chose to join the Big Muddy Dance Company as a trainee for the 2023-2024 season and is ready to improve her artistry and grow as an artist with this new american challenge.

(She/Her, Plainfield, IL) started training in 2005 at a local studio in the Chicago Area. Growing up she trained in various techniques including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary. Continuing her training at Northern Illinois University she studied under Paula Frasz, Marc Macaranas, Judy Chitwood, And Rich Grund. Under their Leadership she performed in numerous lead roles, such as The Moon in Paula Frasz’s rendition of Carmina Burana. While training at Northern she was nominated by her peers to be the Vice President of The Northern Dance Theatre. Abigail also choreographed and directed two main stage productions which were showcased at NIU.

(He/Him, Ann Arbor, MI) began dancing competitive ballroom at the age of 18 with the Michigan State Ballroom Dance Team. After transferring to Eastern Michigan University and joining the Ann Arbor Ballet Theater, Jaiden found his calling in modern dance and ballet. Under the guidance of Molly Paberzs, Jaiden discovered a profound connection with choreography and improvisation. During his time at Eastern, Jaiden performed works by Carol Radovich, Molly Paberzs, Sherry Wilkinson, and David Curwen. After graduating with a BA in Dance, Jaiden joined Detroit Dance Collective under the direction of Barbara Selinger for their 43rd season.

(He/Him, St. Louis, MO) began his performance training in 2015 with Lafayette High School's Winter Guard. He developed his skills in the marching arts with La Voûte Performance Ensemble from St. Louis, MO (2020-2022, 2024). He was a member of the Music City Drum and Bugle corps from 2018 to 2019. Sammy began his dance training in the Spring of 2020, graduating from Southeast Missouri State University with a BSE in Secondary Education and minors in Dance and Music. During his time at SEMO, Sammy performed works by Alyssa Alger, Philip Edgecombe, Hilary Peterson, and Fernando Bujoñes while training in ballet, modern, aerial, and partnering. He has been a guest company member with Ballet 314 (2022-2024) and is a current member of La Voûte Performance Ensemble.

(She/Her, Ankeny, IA) began her dance training at Ashlee’s Creative Arts Academy in 2013. Amber grew up a competitive dancer and trained primarily in the styles of Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, and Acrobatics. In 2023, she earned her BA in Dance from Missouri Valley College. Amber was named Senior Class Scholar for the MVC Dance Program. In her time at MVC she trained under professor Janie Morgan, while also learning works from Jillian Davis (Complexions Dancer), Alice Bloch (5th generation Duncan Dancer), Stephan Blood, Torey Spitzig (Broadway Bound Dance Studio), Charlique Role (Congo Square Theatre Company), and Aaron Elliot (Fred Astaire Ballroom). While also being a part of the Repertory Dance Ensemble and the College Dance Team. Throughout her college years she was an Instructor at Broadway Bound Dance Studio where she taught technique classes to students ages 3-18 in Lyrical, Acrobatics for Dancers, private lesson instruction, recital choreography and competition choreography. In 2023, she received a choreography award for her junior large group at Bravo Nationals. Upon moving to St. Louis, she began teaching at Dance Productions Unlimited and FDC. She is excited to continue her dance training and grow as an individual with all that Big Muddy has to offer.

(She/Her, Dallas, TX) Pierce Pennington is a graduate from Sam Houston State University Class of 2023 with a BFA in Dance, as well as a minor in Mass Communications. Pierce has set choreographic works for studios in GA, TX, and PA, winning choreography awards across the country. Pierce has participated in works by choreographers such as Gregory Dolbashian, Addison Ector, Jeffrey Gugliotti, Allison Gupton, Cherrise Wakeham, Adele Nickel, Andy and Dionne Noble, Joshua Manculich, Travis Lake, Arinze Okammor, Braeden Barnes, and Morgan Williams. Pierce has recently performed with NobleMotion Dance in 2022 in Andy Noble’s “Rhythm Study”, which was also selected to participate in ACDA 2022 and 2023, and then went on to perform “Tower” at ACDA Nationals. She also had the opportunity to perform professionally with NobleMotion Dance in their show “Escape Velocity.” After graduating Pierce relocated to Wisconsin, to study dance with Waterstreet Dance Milwaukee and had the opportunity to perform their shows “Illuminate,” “Water on Water,” “Solstice V,” and went on tour with them including locations such as Michigan and Minnesota. Pierce has most recently relocated to accept an opportunity to train with Big Muddy as a trainee and is now currently based out of St. Louis. Pierce loves to choreograph, teach, and is extremely passionate about her love for dance and performing.

(She/Her, Newport RI) spent her formative years training at Newport Academy of Ballet and dancing alongside Island Moving Company. In 2021, Sadie graduated from Florida Southern College with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. She has had the privilege to work alongside many notable choreographers such as Miki Ohlsen, Spencer Gavin-Herring, Michael Foley, and Carolyn Dorfman, among others. Sadie is currently on the teaching staff at The Beat School of Dance, U Dance Studio, and RJ’s Dance Studios.

(She/Her, Edwardsville, IL) has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She started dancing at Jane Mannion’s School of Dance when she was 11 where she acquired most of her training. She graduated in high school in 2019 and will graduate from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2023 with a minor in dance. She also participated in SIUE’s University Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Intensive, and Backhaus Dance Company Intensive. Now she teaches and choreographs for many studios throughout Illinois and Missouri.

(He/Him, Miami, FL) began his formal dance training when he was 15 years old at Showstopper Studio Miami and continued his dance education at New World School of the Arts/University of Florida where he received his Bachelors in Fine arts.

Isaiah developed his skills in the marching arts with the FIU Winterguard (Florida International University) where he holds a WGI World Championship Gold medal, and has had the opportunity to choreograph for them as well for multiple seasons. He has had the opportunity to professionally perform numerous times throughout his dance career with Jbalvin at the Latin awards show Premio lo Nuestro. He has also had the chance to perform works by Francesca Harper, Jennifer Archibald, Paul Taylor, Robert Battle, and Eriberto Jimenez.

Isaiah’s most recent work includes dancing with Cuban Classical ballet of Miami from 2022-2023, and he is excited to continue his journey with The Big Muddy Dance Company.

(She/They, Greenville, IL) first found her love of dance at her hometown dance studio, Fusion Dance Center, and continued her dance education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she graduated with a BA in Dance in 2022. During her time there she was able to work with many guest artists such as Alicia Guy, Nick Blaylock, Jamila Glass, Jenny Petuch, Jenny Stulberg, Geoff Alexander, artists from Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and artists from Lucky Plush Productions. Alyssa danced with The Big Muddy in the 2022-2023 season as a trainee and is honored to be a part of the company this season as a second year trainee!