Renée Austin (she/her), a Chicago native, began dancing in 2004 at Mayfair Dance Academy under direction of Peggy Sutton, receiving further training with Diverse Elements Dance Studio, Arizona School for the Arts, Velocity Dance Center, and Spectrum Dance Theater’s Academy Program. Graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a BA in Dance and minor in Psychology (2023), Renée explores connecting dance with other art forms, merging various dance styles, and how human experiences inform her movement. A multifaceted performing artist, she has learned from and worked with many artists and organizations, including Donald Byrd, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Anthony “Redd” Williams, Cecil Slaughter, David Marchant, Dr. Joanna Dee Das, Christina Morrison, Kyla Kikkawa, Tiala Taylor, MJ Imani, Aaliyah Weston, Ashley Tate, Melanie George, Eva Stone, Keyes Wiley, Erin Morris, Maria Majors, Caroline Gonsalves Bertho, Ryadah Heiskell, Elinor Harrison, Kendra Key, Heather Beal, COCA, Keshon Campbell Films, STL Rhythm Collaborative, Anheuser-Busch, Pack Dance, Utopia Experiences, The Black Rep, and St. Louis Artist’s Guild. She performs and choreographs for RnB artist KBtheSinger, and has worked with music artists Jasmin Savoy, Keshon Campbell, Hana Canhasi, and Faith Miller. Recently, Renée performed at the triennial ELCA Youth Gathering for over 16,000 people at Smoothie King Stadium in New Orleans. This is her second season with RESILIENCE.

Hayley Barker is a St. Louis-based freelance artist specializing in release-based contemporary dance and floorwork. Her performance credits span St. Louis, Chicago, and Melbourne, including work with MADCO and independent artists. A dedicated choreographer and movement researcher, Hayley will be performing in the upcoming St. Louis event "Dancers Making Moves." Beyond performance, she's a Life Time personal trainer, COCA teaching artist, and guest teacher with Resilience Dance Company. Grateful for the transformative power of movement, she acknowledges her family, friends, ancestors, and teachers for their contributions to her artistic journey.

Samantha Beasely is an accomplished dancer with nearly 14 years of experience, beginning her journey at the age of seven. She initially trained in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, and honed her skills at esteemed institutions such as the Alexandra School of Ballet and COCA, where she expanded her repertoire to include Contemporary and Hip-Hop. During her time at COCA, Samantha also joined the Hip-Hop crew, further enhancing her versatility as a dancer. Following her graduation, she continued her training at Kode Redd, where she has become a member of the company. Since joining Kode Redd in 2023, Samantha has had the opportunity to perform and showcase her talent in various productions and external engagements.

Zoe DeYoung (She/her) is a native of St. Louis and began her dance journey at Briscuso Dance Studio in 2005. She will graduate in May with dual degrees in Dance and Journalism from Webster University. During her time at Webster she has had the privilege of working with artists such as Xi Zhao, Michael Uthoff, Tayler Kinner, Maggi Dueker, Betsy Brandt, Kirven Douthit-Boyd and Eve Mason, and performing works by Prince Lyons and Abby Z and the New Utility. Her piece “Why aren’t you clapping too?” was selected to perform at the American College Dance Association informal concert. Zoe’s movement practice and philosophy have been deeply influenced by her exploration of subtle energy with Beckah Reed, as well as the opportunity to study and perform Isadora Duncan’s work with Dawn Karlovsky and Alice Bloch. Zoe values collaborative investigation and recently performed in “say la V,” an evening length work created in collaboration with local artists through Chew & Spit, an exploration of movement, text and visual art produced by Space Station Dance Residency and Marlee Doniff. Zoe also enjoys writing, sometimes about dance—most recently as a contributing writer for St. Louis Dance HQ. She is incredibly grateful and excited to share the work of Collective Realities.

Josiah Gundersen (he/him) began his dance training at Studio West Dance Academy in Olympia, Washington when he was 15, though he's been dancing his entire life. In 2015 he relocated to St. Louis to attend Webster University where he graduated with a BFA in Modern Dance (2019). Since graduating, Josiah became a founding member of Resilience Dance Company and has collaborated extensively with independent choreographers Emily Duggins and Jacob Henss. Josiah is an active choreographer, most recently creating a work for Webster University which was chosen to be performed at the ACDA Gala. He is also a contributing dance writer for St. Louis Dance HQ. When he is not dancing, you can find Josiah exploring different neighborhoods of St. Louis and giving walking history tours for the Missouri History Museum.

Emily Haussler is the Artistic and Executive Director of RESILIENCE Dance Company (RDC), founded in 2019 in St. Louis, MO. Her work centers on building healthier, more sustainable dance communities by equipping dancers with resources for their mental health, physical wellbeing, and artistic success. Haussler creates collaboratively, leaning into play, experimentation, and partnership to explore human phenomena and connect viscerally through dance. Her full-length choreographic works for the company include Falling Forward (2024), Come With Me (2023), All Times At Once (2022), Making Room (2021), and Stanzas & Sculptures (2020). Her notable short works have been shown across the Midwest in Missouri, Michigan, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Haussler holds a B.A. in Dance and Biology from Washington University in St. Louis where she was the recipient of the Ian D. Cramer Prize for Dance (2018) and the Marcus Artist in Residence Award (2022). Emily has been invited for several workshops and talks, including a Self Production workshop at American College Dance Association Conference in 2022 and an Arts Entrepreneurship talk at SCALE, hosted by St. Louis University in 2024. She and RESILIENCE are currently part of the 2024/25 Social Impact Cohort through CIC, where she receives diverse training and networking experiences for growing businesses. Haussler previously taught Dance Management at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2024 and currently teaches Contemporary Partnering at Webster University.

Kyla Kikkawa (she/her) is a fusion dancer/choreographer who lives between street and concert worlds. She’s trained locally with AfrikyLolo, Spirit of Angela, and Karlovsky & Company Dance, and she strives to be an active uplifter of the city and a player in the explosion of a more interconnected St. Louis dance and arts community. Kyla is a proud member of the STL KRUMP community, Arch Maddnezz, Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective, and Kode Redd Dance Company. She ultimately hopes to build bridges between art, science, and community, particularly regarding accessibility and distinct forms of knowledge of the body, mind, and soul. @kylasumiko_

Ally Lamkie is a St. Louis native who began her dance training at On Your Toes Dance Studio. She is currently at Webster University earning a BFA in Dance with a modern emphasis. ​ During her time at Webster, she has had the opportunity to perform works by Maggi Dueker, Xi Zhao, Michael Uthoff, Tara Cacciatore, Dawn Karlovsky, Diedie Bachilly and Prince Lyons. She has also participated in a residency process with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Ally is also the director of Webster’s Creations Concert. She has also performed in Space Station Dance events and residences under instruction of Jacob Henss.

Caroline McNinch (she/her) is a lighting designer and undergraduate studying neuroscience and dance at Washington University. Recent lighting design credits include Stephanie Martinez’ work, World of Another, and Elinor Harrison’s new work, Dune Alpha (selected for American College Dance Association’s National Festival at the Kennedy Center), for Washington University Dance Theatre: It’s Time. Other design credits include the Performing Arts Department’s Pride and Prejudice, works in Washington University Dance Collective: Glimmers, Lunar New Year Festival: Interwoven, and Diwali: Rang and Rhythm. Caroline is excited to work with RDC for the first time on Collective Realities!

Michelle Parkhurst (she/her) is a contemporary dance artist and choreographer based in STL! Originally from Buffalo, New York, she began dancing at a young age at Donna Scott school of dance under the direction of Donna Scott and Lynn Dalfanso. She then continued on to SUNY Brockport, graduating in 2020 with a BFA in Dance. There she had the opportunity to perform works by Doug Varone, Rosylande LeBlanc, Tammy Carrasco and Cameron McKinney. She has danced with Chutzpah dance and DanceKerr and Dancers based in New York City, She has performed in festivals like New Work Series, Falling into Dance Festival, and 8 in Show to name a few. While in STL she has worked with Jakki Kalogridis for the piece I'm Thoreau Waiting SpaceStation Residency (2023) and was a guest dancer for Ballaro dance for their debut in St. Louis (2024). Outside of performing she is a certified personal trainer, stretch practitioner and Barre instructor. She is excited for her third season with Resilience Dance Company.

Emily Small (she/her) grew up in Newport, RI training at The Academy at Newport Contemporary Ballet. She holds a BFA in Dance and BS in Public Health from University of Massachusetts Amherst (2019). Emily is currently performing as company dancer with Resilience Dance Company and Ballet 314. Additionally, she has performed with the St. Louis Dance Theatre and Newport Contemporary Ballet. She’s had the pleasure of performing choreography by David Dorfman, Cassie Wang, Maria Blanco & Yariana Baralt Torres of LOUD BODIES, Mike Esperanza, Rosanna Tavarez, Miki Ohlsen, Danielle Genest, Emily Duggins Ehling, Emilia Sandoval, Thomas Vacanti, Barbie Diewald, Goeff Alexander, Paul Dennis, Betsi Graves, Jackie Nowicki, Johnnie Cruise Mercer, Staycee Pearl, and Ted Thomas & Francis Ortiz. In the spring of 2022, Emily choreographed a duet titled "Just Now" which premiered at the Chapel Venue. In February of 2024, Emily’s piece “Role Reversal” premiered on the St. Louis Dance Theatre trainees. She is also the social media coordinator at Resilience Dance Company.

Carly Vanderheyden is a St. Louis based freelance dancer, choreographer, and educator. Originally from Green Bay, WI, Carly graduated from the University of Iowa with a BFA in Dance, BA in Health and Human Physiology, and certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship. Carly danced with Saint Louis Dance Theatre from 2017-2024 and has since performed in Germany with VIM VIGOR at B12 Berlin and with FLOCK in Schwäbisch Hall. Additionally, Carly is an ABT National Training Curriculum ballet teacher, 200-hour yoga teacher, freelance photographer, and digital designer, as well as a teaching artist and rehearsal director at the Center of Creative Arts. Carly founded St. Louis Dance HQ and is currently working on a new project, Dancers Making Moves. Throughout her creative pursuits, Carly has a passion for making the world a more thoughtfully connected place through the arts.

Ashlynn Woelbling (she/her) moved to Saint Louis in 2010 where she trained under the direction of John Rokita, Tammy Rokita and Nicole Kropatsch. After graduating high school, she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to attend Point Park University. In the spring of 2020, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and a minor in Business Management. While at Point Park, Ashlynn had the pleasure of working with faculty members Jason McDole, Garfield Lemonius, Judith Leifer-Bentz, Matthew Powell, and Colleen Hooper among many others. After graduation, she moved back to Saint Louis to pursue her career in dance by working as a trainee for The Big Muddy Dance Company as well as freelancing in the Saint Louis area. She is passionate about spreading her knowledge and love for dance to the future generation of dancers and currently teaches at three dance studios in the Saint Louis/Illinois area. Ashlynn is so excited to back for her third season at Resilience and cannot wait for the 2024-2025 season!

Alice Anders is originally from Fort Smith, AR. After completing her Bachelor’s Fine Arts in Dance and minor in Technical Theatre she came to Saint Louis. She was a trainee for Saint Louis Dance Theatre and started working as a theatre electrician for COCA, Touhill Center for the Performing Arts, and the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts. She is also the production manager for Ballet 314. This is her third season working with Resilience Dance Company and she’s looking forward to another great season.

Callie Bratsch (she/her), from St. Louis, MO, earned a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Lindenwood University while performing and choreographing professionally for Consuming Kinetics Dance Company. She then trained at The CLI Conservatory in Southampton, MA under mentors Teddy Forance and Riley Watts, refining her skills in contemporary, improvisation, hip hop, jazz, heels, musical theater, and ballet. Callie has performed in works by acclaimed choreographers like Micaela Taylor, Flockworks, Al Blackstone, Madison Hicks, Greg Chapkis, and more. She has also trained in vocal performance and starred in the short film “Paragon.” Dedicated to growth, Callie continuously pushes her artistry and versatility. @calliebratsch

Chrissy Clair (she/her) started dancing at a very young age at Ballet Arts Center in Farmington, Mo. During this time, she fell in love with dance and knew it was something she was passionate about. After graduating high school, Chrissy continued her education and dance studies at Webster University’s Department of Dance. She graduated in 2020 with a BFA in Dance, receiving departmental honors. Chrissy returned to Webster as an Alumni choreographer for their New Works Concert in fall 2020. Chrissy now dances professionally and teaches around the St. Louis area. The last four summers she has danced in Jacob Henss’ “Space Station” residency being in works by Jacob Henss, Josiah Gunderson, Nicole Kennett, and Paige Van Nest. Last February, she performed in “…and everything stays the same…”, a show by Emily Duggins Ehling. Which was later made into an excerpt duet called “please hold me” with Abbi Le Baube. Chrissy started out as an apprentice with RESILIENCE in 2021, since then becoming a company member, as well as the costume manager. Chrissy is thrilled to be in her fourth season with the company!

New to the St. Louis community, Elyzah Gasmen is a dancer from Jackson, TN. Her training began at age 6 with ballet, which soon sparked her love for performing. After several years in her local youth ballet company, she continued her education at the University of Memphis. In 2024, she received her BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Dance Science. As a student, Elyzah developed a strong interest in contemporary movement and eventually made her choreographic debut in the department’s student concert. She is grateful to be pursuing dance and looks forward to creating more work in St. Louis.

Kennedy Hayes is a performing & teaching artist from Chicago, IL. Her experience stretches across mediums: dance, film, music, and theatre. Kennedy has trained under Darryl Clark, Jon Sloven, Elise Cowin, Susan Barnes, Emjay Mendez & Ellaine Manuel, Laurie Goux, Solarium Dance Company, Resilience Dance Company, and The Puzzle League. As an instructor, she’s had the privilege to work with students in recreational & competitive programs in the Chicagoland area, fostering confidence, somatic awareness, and technique comprehension.

Lexie Hoehn (she/her) is from the small town of Farmington, Missouri, where she worked and trained with The Dance Project. She continued her training with Webster University's Dance Department where she has had the opportunity to work with Maggi Dueker, Xi Zhao, Monica Newsam, Dawn Karlovsky, Tayler Kinner, Lorraine Stippec, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and Michael Uthoff through class and performances. She also has gotten the opportunity to perform works by Pilobolus, Ballet Hispánico and Abby Z and the New Utility. Lexie has recently performed a self-shoreographed solo in the Resilience Contemporary Dance Festival as well as performing in Jacob Henss’ summer residency, Space Station. Upon graduation, she will receive a BFA in Dance, with an emphasis in Modern.

Nathan Krueger (he/him) began dancing at the age of 6 at Pressor Preforming Arts Center in Mexico Missouri. As his family moved through Missouri his training continued through multiple other dance schools in the area including Premiere Dance Academy and Springfield Ballet. Before attending college he trained in Houston Texas at Uptown Dance Center further solidifying his love for dance and the creation of art. He decided to pursue Dance and attended Southeast Missouri State University and trained all four years in the BFA Dance Program led by Hilary Peterson. While attending SEMO he learned from many different teachers including Hilary Peterson, Philip Edgecombe, Alyssa Alger, Thomas Proctor, Ashley Tate and Arianna Russ. He is so excited to be able to dance, create, and grow with Resilience Dance Company this 2024-2025 season!

Abbi LeBaube (she/her), a native of St. Louis, began her dance experience in 2004 at Motion Express School of Dance. She is a graduate from Webster University with a BFA in Modern Dance where she was awarded department of dance honors. She has had the rewarding opportunity to work with many artists such as Maggi Dueker, Dawn Karlovsky, Tayler Kinner, Prince Lyons, Ashley McQueen, and Xi Zhao. Abbi has also performed works by José Limón, Ballet Hispánico, & Abby Z and the New Utility. She studied abroad in Accra, Ghana, where she indulged in Ghanaian/ African Noyam techniques. Abbi presented her thesis “Flush of a Roseate Blossom” at the American College Dance Association where she was invited to perform in the Gala. She has also performed in works by Emily Duggins Ehling and Jakki Kalogridis (Space Station Dance Residency) in 2023. Recently, she had an enlightening experience in the David Dorfman Emerging Artist Intensive. Abbi is so excited to be continuing her professional career as she enters her third season with Resilience Dance Company! She is eager to pursue her choreographic explorations, teaching of dance with a focus of aerial technique, and is always looking forward to the next collaboration.

Amber Newsom (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 Dance Program. Post graduation Amber moved to St. Louis to further her dance training and became a trainee for Big Muddy Dance Company now known as Saint Louis Dance Theatre. Along with training Amber enjoys teaching and passing her love of dance onto young students. Amber now continues to train and grow as a dancer while seeking opportunities to not only perform but connect and create new experiences/stories alongside fellow creators and movers. @amber22500

Livy Potthoff (she/her) graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a BA in Acting and Directing. Her dance experience comes from 15 years of dancing at the Performing Art Center, six years of dancing in the St. Charles Dance Company, and three years of dancing at Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Livy is very excited to be joining the Resilience Dance Company for Collective Realities for the first time! Thank you for supporting the Arts!

Reuben Thomas is a St. Louis native who began their dance training at The Studio Inc at the age of 3. While continuing to train at The Studio Inc, Thomas also trained through dance classes taught at University City High School. Upon graduating high school Reuben chose to attend Webster University. Now in their final semester at Webster University, Reuben with their graduating class, created their BFA showcase “Echoing Forward”. While training at Webster, Thomas has also trained with Dance Works Chicago, as well as dancing overseas in the first dance intensive for the Trentino Music Festival in Trentino, Italy.

Mandi Weitz is a dance performer, creator, and educator from Dayton, Ohio. She trained in Dayton Ballet's pre-professional program and earned her BFA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Mandi performed a season with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2. She traveled to Panama twice with Movement Exchange as a dance diplomat and again as a leader. She has participated in GagaLab New York, Cincinnati Ballet’s Collegiate Intensive, Attack Theater's Traction, and American Dance Festival (ADF). Mandi has choreographed for CCM, ADF, Dayton’s Art in the City, Synergy Dance Series, Dayton Live, and Springboro Community Theater. Instagram: @mandiweitzdance Website: mandiweitzdance.com

Rachel Wu (they/them) graduated from UC Irvine with a BFA in Dance Performance and BS in Mathematics with Honors. There they had the honor of working with Donald McKayle in his Etude Ensemble, along with performing repertory and new works by faculty and students. Rachel also received the Award for Excellence in Dance Performance and the ASTAIREAWARDS Scholarship. They additionally trained with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, BODYTRAFFIC, and the Limón Dance Company. Currently a Mathematics PhD student at WashU, Rachel is thrilled to be back on stage in Collective Realities with Resilience Dance Company!