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TDC's season runs from September through June. During this time the Company rehearses regularly, dancers participate in minimum of 15 hours of weekly technique classes (ballet, modern, Pointe, lyrical jazz, hip hop, contemporary and tap), monthly master classes with prominent guest artists, community and regional performance venues, symposiums, opportunities for creating dance choreography, annual concert series, and the experience to work with nationally acclaimed choreographers.

During the summer months, in July and August, intensive study and a variety of additional performance opportunities are offered.

Since the inception of Teen Dance Company, members have been awarded many dance scholarships and choreography awards at both regional and national levels; students have been accepted into prestigious dance programs offered by Juilliard, San Francisco Ballet, Alonzo King's Lines Ballet, and Jacob's Pillow; alumnae are currently pursuing dance studies at UCLA, SUNY Purchase, Boston Conservatory, UC Irvine, Loyola Marymount, and Chapman University.

Both Company members and alumnae have made professional appearances with companies such as Take Dance Company (New York) and Bluglisi-Forman, Celine Dion's Las Vegas-based A New Day show, MKF Altered Modalities, and in national commercials, television and film.

TDC DANCERS
All photos by Paige Day Photography

Andrée Beals, Age 17

Andrée is a senior and honor student at the Harker School. Although she always had a passion for rhythm and movement, she began dancing seriously at age 11. This is her fourth and final year at TDC and hopes to continue the progress she has made while in the program at college. Last year she participated in TDC’s student choreography workshop and hopes that her piece this year is just as successful as the last. She attended Arkadi Zaides’ dance and improvisation workshop over the summer as well as the ODC Teen Performance Lab, where her passion for choreography grew. Andrée hopes to pursue her passion for dance performance and composition as well as academics throughout her last year of high school, into college, and afterwards.

Ariana Bird, Age 15

Ariana is a sophomore in the advanced dance program at San Mateo High under Robin Tribuzi. She has been dancing since the age of three and trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop and fusion jazz. Growing up in Los Angeles she acted, sang and danced in numerous stage productions and musicals including The Wiz, Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie while also working as a model. Ariana feels blessed to have had an opportunity to dance on CDC’s national competition team and House of Mayhem’s Mighty Minions hip-hop crew, as well as train with a number of choreographers and dance teachers: Karen and Natalie Willis, Lynn Givens, Hope Boykin of Alvin Ailey, Disiree Robins, Derrick Schrader, Laurie Johnson, Jeff Ansden, Mark Kanemura, Keri LaGrand, Leslie Scott, and Sheryl Murakami. Ariana has found a home at TDC where she can continue studying to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional dancer and choreographer.

Kelyn Cooper, Age 15

Kelyn Cooper began dancing as a toddler in her mother's dance school, Adage School of Performing Arts. She studied ballet, and did her best to copy the "big dancers". At age ten, Kelyn joined Company A at TDC, a young training company with a mission to prepare young dancers for the TDC Company. Following Company A, Kelyn danced at Rachel's Ballet, a ballet school focused on the RAD training system. Through the RAD exams, Kelyn passed level six and began Inter-Foundation and pointe work. She performed in the yearly concerts at The Jackson Theater, Ohlone College. Last summer, Kelyn trained in the summer intensive at Ballet San Jose. She also began taking class at TDC, and participated in the TDC Summer Intensive. She is very excited to be a member of TDC. She is looking forward to all the wonderful opportunities, and to train with Mark Foehringer, Brian Fisher, and (of course) her mom. She is grateful to all the company members for being so welcoming and inspiring.

Melissa Gomez, Age 16

Melissa is a junior in high school and is involved in Key Club and Peer Counseling. She has been dancing for 13 years. This is her third year at TDC, and she is enjoying the training provided by the outstanding faculty. This year TDC afforded Melissa the opportunity to perform in the sjDANCEco production of José Limón's masterpiece, “Missa Brevis.” Melissa is thrilled to be a part of the TDC family.

Melanie Guan, Age 14

Melanie is an eighth grader at Jordan Middle School in Palo Alto. She started dancing at age 4 and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop and tap. Melanie has won several scholarships and awards at competitions and conventions. She has also participated in two film shootings. This is Melanie's second year at TDC she is excited for a new year.

Adryanna Gutierrez, Age 16

Adryanna is currently a junior at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose, CA. She’s been dancing for three years and this is her first year at TDC. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She’s danced at Studio 10, Western Ballet, and is a part of the dance department at her school. She’s very excited to be a part of TDC and is looking forward to another year of training with the company.

Rishi Iyer, Age 15

Rishi is a sophomore at Henry M. Gunn High School, Palo Alto. He has been dancing since he was five years old. He started dancing Bollywood with the Mona Khan Dance Company. This is his second year at TDC. Rishi's dance experience includes the Top 48 at America's Got Talent, the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Golden State Warriors half-time show and numerous local shows and events. He dances hip-hop, modern, jazz, ballet, and contemporary. His all-time dance idol is Michael Jackson.

Katie Jensen, Age 17

Katie is a senior at The King’s Academy. Starting at the age of 5, she has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Tap, Pointe, and other various styles at several different studios in the Bay Area. This is her first year at TDC and feels so blessed to have this wonderful opportunity given to her. She loves being a part of the company because of the incredible training provided, allowing her to develop a greater passion for dance. She looks forward to see the rest of the year unfold as she continues to learn and grow.

Sonia Juarez, Age 13

Sonia is an 8th grader at Terman Middle School. She has been dancing for 5 years and this is her first year at TDC. She enjoys all forms of dance but trains in contemporary the most. Outside of dance she enjoys to paint and volunteer at animal shelters all around the Bay Area. She looks forward to a great year of training with the incredible TDC staff and company members.

Nadia Khayrallah, Age 16

Nadia is a junior at Mountain View High School. She has been dancing for eleven years and has attended summer programs and workshops at San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Lines Ballet, The Rock School, and Broadway Dance Center. She is also a member of her high school’s dance company. This is her second year at TDC, and is looking forward to another inspiring year.

Shivani Parikh, Age 13

Shivani is an honor student in 8th grade at JLS Middle School in Palo Alto and this is her second year at TDC. She has been dancing for 10 years and enjoys all different styles of dance. Being at TDC is a great experience for her because she loves being challenged and trained by the faculty and different choreographers. She wouldn’t trade dance in for anything and loves it so much. Being with the TDC family just makes being a dancer more enjoyable and exciting for her and she’s looking forward to another great year with them.

Rachel Rowzee, Age 15

Rachel is a sophomore at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto. She has been dancing for twelve years, and enjoys all types of dance. This is her third year at TDC, along with previous training from various studios around the Bay Area. She looks forward to another great year with the amazingly talented staff and members at Teen Dance Company.

Madeline Smith, Age 16

Madeline is currently a junior at Homestead High School. She has been dancing since age three with tap as her favorite style. At age six, she began dancing competitively, and has won numerous awards and scholarships. This is Madeline's 7th year at TDC. She looks forward to another great year working along side all the TDC dancers, new and old, and she enjoys taking classes from the wonderful faculty. She is excited to be back with TDC for the entire season, after taking a year off to dance with her high school dance team and looks forward to her final two years at TDC before heading off to college.

Dakota Tweardy, Age 15

Dakota Rose Tweardy is a student at Monta Vista High School. Her dance experience began with Irish Dancing, and her passion for dance began at The Camarillo Academy of Performing Arts. She enjoys all types of dancing, but her favorites are Contemporary and Ballet. Dakota is enjoying her first year at TDC and eventually hopes to attend The Juilliard School.

Mari Uyeda, Age 17

Mari is a senior in high school and is president of her school dance company. This is her 6th and final year with TDC and is grateful to be able to work with TDC's outstanding teachers and choreographers. In October 2011, she had the wonderful experience of performing with sjDANCEco in "Missa Brevis". Another highlight of her time with TDC was performing at the "Dance Under The Stars" choreography festival in Palm Desert in 2009. This is her second year participating in TDC's student choreography program. She loves being at TDC and is looking forward to another great year. She will miss everyone next year as she pursues new dance opportunities in college and beyond.

Jacqueline Vaughan, Age 14

Jacqueline is an 8th grader at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos. She has been dancing since she was 2, often choosing to stay after class to watch the “big girls” dance. Before her acceptance into TDC she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. She is very excited to be a member of this Company and looks forward to developing her talents to their potential with the fabulous teachers, dancers and choreographers of TDC

Gracie Winston, Age 17

Gracie is 17 years old and is completing her final year as a senior at Stevenson High School and at Teen Dance Company. She decided to pursue more professional training at TDC three years ago, and has loved it ever since. After TDC, she hopes to continue her training in contemporary and modern at a college or conservatory program. It’s so hard to believe that her time here is coming to an end. Teen Dance Company has been life changing to Gracie, and she’ll miss the community and faculty here so much. She’s confident that she’ll flourish and grow so much more as a dancer thanks to the amazing training TDC has provided, but she can’t wait to take all she’s learned to leap into the next stage of her dance life. Thank you so much to the entire faculty and everyone who made my time here beyond all expectations! Much love!

Alex Wood, Age 17

Alex is a senior at Leland High School and has been dancing since she started walking. She is trained in all styles of dance, but lights up the stage with her passion for Contemporary, Modern and Hip-Hop. This is her third year at TDC and she loves dancing with such a talented group of pre-professional dancers. She has won many solo and competition team awards including the Senior Regional Outstanding Dancer at NYCDA 2011. She attributes her dance technique to wonderful instructors: Mark Foehringer who inspired her initial love of Ballet; Brian Fisher who developed her signature strength movement; Gregory Dawson who rejuvenated her love of Contemporary Ballet; Keith Banks; Michelle Crivello; the faculty at CSSSA, ADF and Bates Dance Festival; but the primary source of her inspiration and influence has been her sister, Danielle.

Deanna Woodman, Age 17

Deanna, a senior in high school, has been trained in ballet, tap, and jazz for eleven years. She has worked with choreographers such as Gregory Dawson, Yanis Adoniou, Lizz Roman, and Stacy Printz. She has also studied with the world-renowned tap dancer, Sam Weber. She performed in Aida with the Children’s Musical Theater San Jose in the summer of 2011. She was also cast as the Key Witness in Criminal Apps, a TV pilot. She is looking forward to her first year of performing with Mark Foehringer Dance Project/SF Nutcracker in the winter of 2011. This is her second year at TDC, and she is excited about continuing her training with the staff and choreographers at TDC.

Julianna Woodman, Age 20

Julianna has trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, and jazz. She is interested in becoming a professional contemporary dancer. She was excited to be given the opportunity to perform in the original piece ‘Missa Brevis’ with sjDANCEco in 2011. She attended Lines Ballet Summer Intensive in 2010 where she had the privilege of working with world-renowned instructors and choreographers, such as Tammy Cheney, Gregory Dawson, Arturo Fernandez, Stacey Printz and Kara Davis. This is her second year at TDC, and she is thrilled to be a member of the dance company.

Thomas Woodman, Age 15

Thomas, a sophomore in high school, has been trained in ballet, tap, and jazz for eight years. He has been offered scholarships to intensives at Boston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. He was thrilled to be given the opportunity to perform in the original piece ‘Missa Brevis’ with sjDANCEco in 2011. He is looking forward to his second year of performing with Mark Foehringer Dance Project/SF Nutcracker. He has studied with the world-renowned tap dancer, Sam Weber. At the age of eight, he won the title of Mini Mr. Dance with Dance Masters of California. His favorite styles of dance are contemporary and modern. This is his second year with TDC, and he is excited to be continuing his training in the many styles of dance offered by TDC