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CHRISTOPHER PAGE-SANDERS
Christopher Page-Sanders, originally from St. Louis, MO, and based in New York City, is the Founding Co-Artistic Director of NU-World Contemporary Danse Theatre. He received his formal education from the Center of Creative Arts and the University of Missouri - Kansas City. With a background in both theatre and dance, his journey as a performing artist has taken him across the globe, gracing stages with renowned dance companies such as the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dianne McIntyre Group, Hannah Kahn Dance Company, and the Owen/Cox Dance Group, among others. Working as a choreographer for concert dance companies and as director/choreographer for theatre companies, he has had the privilege of working on theatrical works such as Once Upon A Mattress (Arvada Center), Dreamgirls (Lone Tree Arts Center), Sophisticated Ladies, R&H Cinderella, Five Guys Named Moe (Vintage Theatre Productions), Raisin - The Musical (Town Hall Arts Center), The Last Stop On Market Street (Metro Theatre Company). His choreography has been shown on national stages at prestigious festivals like the Battery Dance Festival, the Dumbo Dance Festival, and the International Association of Blacks In Dance. Notably, Christopher’s choreography for The Scottsboro Boys (Vintage Theatre Productions) earned him the esteemed Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Award. “On the shoulders of my ancestors, I dance!” |
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SAM MCREYNOLDS
Sam McReynolds is an LA-based dance artist originally from St. Louis, MO, where he received his BFA in Dance at Lindenwood University and trained closely under hip hop choreographer/instructor Anthony “REDD” Williams. He expanded his understanding of dance greatly through his experience exploring the movement language known as “Gaga” here in the U.S. and in Tel Aviv, Israel. Since moving to LA in 2016, he has danced for several notable choreographers and dance companies, such as Sarah Elgart / Arrogant Elbow, Brian Friedman, Marguerite Derricks, No)one. Art House, Ate9 Dance Company, WHYTEBERG, Fabe Dance, The TL Collective, and many more. Sam also has a great passion for choreographing and has presented live works in LA at CONGRESS: Legalize Dance, Club Jete, LAVENDER, and Stage & Screen Show. In May of 2021, he won the Best New Filmmaker Award at the Dare to Dance in Public Film Festival for his dance short film Proclamation, which he conceptualized, directed, co-choreographed, and edited. He occasionally holds "GREYaRea" sessions at Stomping Ground LA, which serve as a space to workshop movement with dancers of all levels and backgrounds. He also hosts occasional improv jams with live accompaniment and lighting installation, also at Stomping Ground LA. Sam finds much of his inspiration and passion for dance through improvisation both as a mover and an observer. In the summer of 2021, Sam had the honor of performing a new work by choreographer Sidra Bell with Owen/Cox Dance Group in Kansas City, MO. He has since developed a close working relationship with the company, and continues to perform with Owen/Cox any chance he gets. While Sam continues to dance and make dance in LA as his main focus, he deeply cherishes the privilege to travel and make magic wherever the dance journey takes him. He is thrilled to be working with Owen/Cox Dance Group on yet another new and exciting project! |
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MARLAYNA LOCKLEAR
Marlayna Locklear hails from Milwaukee,WI. She began her training at the age of 12 at City Ballet Theatre and went on to graduate from Milwaukee High School of the Arts and University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, with a BFA in Bal- let and Jazz. Marlayna was one of the founding members of The Milwaukee Dance Connection and has gone on to dance with Eleone Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, Owen/Cox Dance group, NuWorld Contemporary Dance Theatre, Robert Moses KIN, Garrett Moulton & Productions, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company where she served as the company Jazz and Contemporary instructor as well as resident choreographer for DCDC II. She has performed works by Christopher Huggins, Dwight Rhoden, Ron Brown, Donald Byrd, Ronen Koresh, Donald McKayle, Diane McIntyre, and Ray Mercer to name a few. Marlayna is a freelance artist and teaches and choreographs at universities around the nation. She is currently dancing with the San Francisco Opera and is a guest lecturer at San Francisco State University. |
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LAURA JONES WALLNER
Laura Jones Wallner, originally from Hamilton, Montana, started dancing at the age of 6. She began attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ School of Dance when she was 14, where she later graduated from their high school Classical Ballet program. During this time, Laura also studied with Boston Ballet and Houston Ballet. After high school, Laura danced professionally with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet II and with the Missouri Contemporary Ballet. Since moving to Kansas City, she has danced extensively with Quixotic and with Owen/Cox Dance Group. |
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KYLE MARTIN
Kyle H. Martin, originally from Montclair, NJ, began his dance training at Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts. He continued his training at The Ailey School where he graduated with honors from the certificate program. Mr. Martin then went on to dance with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s second company, Ailey II, from 2017 to 2020. From there, Mr. Martin went on to perform works by Willam Forsythe, Twyla Tharp, Alvin Ailey, Ohad Naharin, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Rena Butler, Jae Man Joo, Andrea Miller, Pascal Rioult, Matthew Rushing, Robert Battle, and many more. He has also been featured in Dance Magazine, Out Magazine, and a Tommy Hilfiger Campaign. |
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JM. RODRIGUEZ
An LA native, JM. Rodriguez graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts where he trained in Ballet, Horton (under the mentorship of legendary Horton Master Don Martin), and Luigi Jazz. JM. since has been working both commercially, as well in the concert dance scene. After being signed with agents at 19, JM. began working as a professional dancer for tv shows, commercials and touring shows. He’s worked with artists such as Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, The Maria’s; has danced in shows such as Disney’s Shake It Up, Apple TV’s ROAR, Disney Plus’ Mysterious Benedict Society, Netflix’s Dear White People; has worked with choreographers such as Nina McNeely, Fatima Robinson, Marguerite Derricks, Ryan Heffington; has shot commercials for Forever 21, CA Lottery, American Airlines, Microsoft and Xbox, and many more. For over 10 years, JM. performed and toured as a company member with the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company and had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Christian Denice, Roderick George, Alice Clock, and Whytberg (founders of GroundGrooves) to name a few. During his final year with LACDC, JM. had the opportunity to both produce and choreograph for the company, which received great reviews in the LA Times. With over 13 years of experience in both working commercially and in the dance company world, JM. has begun to fuse together his own mix of contemporary dance, that incorporates much of his Horton roots, with a mix of commercial-esque musicality, and contemporary flow. His aim is to create the kind of environment where everyone in the space can discover fulfillment in the process of learning through movement and music. |
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EMARA NEYMOUR JACKSON
Emara Neymour-Jackson, a St. Louis native, is a multifaceted artist whose career spans national and international stages and platforms. A dancer, vocalist, actress, and movement director, Emara’s work includes her portrayal of Josephine Baker in the film Bright Hours and featured performances in works like Treemonisha with Opera Theater STL. Notable collaborations include projects with Owen/Cox Dance Group, Solange Knowles, and Gerard Kelly, as well as a recent collaboration with PGA alum Marcella Lewis in Spectacle of Ritual. Emara was a finalist in the Seoul International Dance Competition, starred as Celie in The Color Purple, and is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award Honoraria 2024. Through Our Arch Temple, she continues to explore diverse artistic expressions and cultural dialogue through movement and aerial practices. |
MARIAN FAUSTINO
Marian began her career in the Philippines with the country’s two premiere dance organizations, Ballet Manila and Ballet Philippines. Upon moving to Denver, Colorado in 2011 Marian became a founding member of the contemporary ballet company, Wonderbound where she danced for 5 seasons. As a freelance artist Marian has performed with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Owen Cox Dance Group, and Dance Aspen. Her repertoire includes work by Rena Butler, Caili Quan, Penny Saunders, Danielle Rowe, Sidra Bell, Alvin Ailey, Ma Cong, Maurya Kerr, and Philippine National Artist for Dance, Agnes Locsin.
Marian began her career in the Philippines with the country’s two premiere dance organizations, Ballet Manila and Ballet Philippines. Upon moving to Denver, Colorado in 2011 Marian became a founding member of the contemporary ballet company, Wonderbound where she danced for 5 seasons. As a freelance artist Marian has performed with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Owen Cox Dance Group, and Dance Aspen. Her repertoire includes work by Rena Butler, Caili Quan, Penny Saunders, Danielle Rowe, Sidra Bell, Alvin Ailey, Ma Cong, Maurya Kerr, and Philippine National Artist for Dance, Agnes Locsin.
HENRY STEELE
Henry Steele was born and raised in Wollongong, NSW, Australia. He was an elite gymnast for 8 years, a national gold medalist 3 years in a row, and during his final years in gymnastics he began to make the transition to dance. Henry graduated with honors from Point Park University with a BFA in Modern and Jazz dance in 2016. While at Point Park he worked with choreographers: Lar Lubovitch, Mark Morris, Madboots Dance, Ronin Koresh, Jessica Hendricks, and many others. After graduating, Henry danced professionally with Owen/Cox Dance Group, Texture Contemporary Ballet, and toured internationally with The Bad Boys of Ballet. Most recently, Henry spent five years a company member with Parsons Dance, where he notably performed the iconic solo “Caught” for several years and also acted as the company’s rehearsal director. Instagram: @henrymsteele
Henry Steele was born and raised in Wollongong, NSW, Australia. He was an elite gymnast for 8 years, a national gold medalist 3 years in a row, and during his final years in gymnastics he began to make the transition to dance. Henry graduated with honors from Point Park University with a BFA in Modern and Jazz dance in 2016. While at Point Park he worked with choreographers: Lar Lubovitch, Mark Morris, Madboots Dance, Ronin Koresh, Jessica Hendricks, and many others. After graduating, Henry danced professionally with Owen/Cox Dance Group, Texture Contemporary Ballet, and toured internationally with The Bad Boys of Ballet. Most recently, Henry spent five years a company member with Parsons Dance, where he notably performed the iconic solo “Caught” for several years and also acted as the company’s rehearsal director. Instagram: @henrymsteele
MIA STEEDLE
Mia Steedle is from Boston, MA where she trained at Boston Ballet School before joining Boston Ballet II. She has since danced with both Kansas City Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. This past summer she performed as a member of Moving Arts in works by Stephanie Martinez, Gabriel Lorena, and Christian Denise. Mia is an alumni of the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ballet Program where she was choreographed on by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Jennifer Archibald for the 90th Anniversary Gala. She has spent many summers at Chautauqua Institution working with Patricia McBride where she performed in George Balanchine’s “Rubies” and “Raymonda Variations.” Some of her other repertoire includes Christopher Wheeldon’s “The Bitter Earth," Michael Pink’s “Dracula,” Septime Webre’s “The Wizard of Oz” and Gerald Arpino’s “Confetti.” Mia is very excited to return to Kansas City and dance with Owen/Cox Dance Group this fall!
Mia Steedle is from Boston, MA where she trained at Boston Ballet School before joining Boston Ballet II. She has since danced with both Kansas City Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. This past summer she performed as a member of Moving Arts in works by Stephanie Martinez, Gabriel Lorena, and Christian Denise. Mia is an alumni of the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ballet Program where she was choreographed on by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Jennifer Archibald for the 90th Anniversary Gala. She has spent many summers at Chautauqua Institution working with Patricia McBride where she performed in George Balanchine’s “Rubies” and “Raymonda Variations.” Some of her other repertoire includes Christopher Wheeldon’s “The Bitter Earth," Michael Pink’s “Dracula,” Septime Webre’s “The Wizard of Oz” and Gerald Arpino’s “Confetti.” Mia is very excited to return to Kansas City and dance with Owen/Cox Dance Group this fall!