2023/2024 Company Members

 

Hunter Batterson 

Hunter Batterson (she/her) is a dancer, performance artist, and arts administrator originally from Chicago, IL. She began her multidisciplinary movement training with the Dance and Music Academy before transitioning into a pre-professional program at The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), also receiving additional instruction through the Kansas City Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago summer intensives at this time. She then went on to pursue her BFA in Dance and minor in History from the University of Minnesota, graduating with high distinction in 2021. Here, she had the opportunity to perform in works by Andrea Miller, Vie Boheme, Chris Schlichting, Annie Hanauer, Carl Flink, Joe Chvala (Pippin), and Rahila Coats (North Central ACDA 2020 selection). In her professional endeavors, Hunter has worked closely with Borealis Dance Theatre, Corpus Callosum Dance (Lily Conforti), Javan Mngrezzo, and Mary Willmeng (Willmeng Dances), appearing in the Zenon Zone Showcase, CANDY BOX Dance Festival, and the MN Fringe Festival and their annual Five Fifths Fundraiser. Since 2022, Hunter has been a featured performer in a recurring cabaret at the Bryant Lake Bowl, produced by Kendall Kramer. Along with performing, Hunter has also worked administratively within numerous dance-based organizations, previously with institutions like Zenon Dance School, ARENA DANCES, Northrop, and Trifecta Dance Collective, now serving as the Marketing Coordinator for Platinum Dance. This is Hunter’s second season with Concerto Dance, and her first as a full company member.

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Malia Craft 

Malia Craft is originally from Hartwell, Georgia and is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, where she received a B.A. in dance, a minor in exercise and sports science, and a certificate in K-12 dance education. She has a strong passion for teaching as well as performing. Malia is a current company member with Threads Dance Project and made her first appearance with Concerto Dance in cast of Girls in the Band. She has been a guest performer with Concerto since 2022 and is excited to be returning as a full company member!

 

Doug Hooker

Doug Hooker is a Minneapolis based dance artist, originally from Keizer, Oregon. Having graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Dance, he is very thankful to have had a wide variety of professional performing opportunities including dancing with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, touring with the Broadway show Blast!, as well as independent projects throughout the Twin Cities. Doug has previously danced with: Dancing People Company in Ashland, Oregon under the direction of Robin Stiehm, Mathew Janczewski's ARENA DANCES, Threads Dance Project, Paula Mann, Erinn Liebhard's Rhythmically Speaking, Shapiro & Smith, Collide Theatrical, and the MN Opera. Doug was a guest artist in Concerto's LookingBack/MovingForward and is excited to be entering his first full season as a company member. 

 

Lydia Kantor

Lydia Kantor received her dance training from Ballet Arts Minnesota, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and St. Olaf College. She has had the honor of performing with Jolene Konkel since 2016 and is a founding member of Concerto Dance. Additionally Lydia has performed locally with several other dance companies including Alternative Motion Project, Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Curio Dance, and Eclectic Edge Ensemble. Her performance experience expands into the theatre having performed in a production of Bye Bye Birdie as well as the Guthrie Theater's A Christmas Carol. In addition to her role as a company member, Lydia also serves as Assistant Rehearsal Director.  For her, dance is joy.

 

Sara Karimi 

Sara Karimi is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Iowa (BFA in Dance Performance, BA in English). She performed and toured with 10,000 Feet Dance Company, The Architects, and Kayle + Co. before relocating to Minneapolis. Performance credits include Borealis Dance Theatre, Dance & Other Behaviors, Alexandra Bodnarchuk, Leila Awadallah, RJDT and 43X94 Movement Research. She is a current company member with Threads Dance Project and Rhythmically Speaking. She is a founding company member of Concerto Dance.

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Helena Magalhães 

Helena Magalhães has been a dancer for 21 years and is trained in a variety of techniques including ballet, modern, improvisation, jazz, and more. Since graduating from the University of Iowa with a BFA in Dance, she has worked with groups such as Flying Foot Forum and See-Saw Theatre Lab, and has been working with Jolene Konkel as a founding company member of Concerto Dance for the past four years.

 

Shannon Mulcahy 

Shannon Mulcahy holds a BFA of Dance from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. During her undergrad, she trained under Toni Pierce-Sands, Carl Flink, Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson and Joanie Smith. Her professional credits include Rhythmically Speaking, Contempo Physical Dance, and Erin Coyne Choreography. Shannon teaches at Ballare Teatro and Prairie School of Dance as well as youth master classes throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. Shannon is in her third season with Concerto Dance.

 

Betsy G. Nelson

Betsy (Gaasedelen) Nelson earned her BA in Dance and Exercise Science from St. Olaf College and is proud to be a founding member of Concerto Dance. Her performance credits also include Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Minnesota Opera, Curio Dance, Rhythmically Speaking, and more. Outside of performing, Betsy has enjoyed a decade as a dance teacher and is currently on staff at CREO Arts & Dance. She is also thoroughly enjoying a new adventure as a mom to an almost-1-year-old daughter! Whether teaching or performing, Betsy particularly enjoys jazz dance and the musical and expressive richness it offers.

 

Guest Artists and Apprentices

 

Adeline Beck - Apprentice

Adeline Beck has trained as a dancer at Creo Arts and Dance Conservatory for eight years in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop, and has been involved in numerous performances, including holding lead roles in several original productions. She is currently spending a gap year apprenticing with STRONGmovement and Concerto Dance and will be attending Chapman University this fall to pursue her BFA in dance with a minor in nutrition.

 

Rush Benson

Rush started his training with Ballet Arts & MDT, Ballet of the Dolls, and tapping with Keane Sense of rhythm. He then moved from SPCPA high school to Gustavus Adolphus College to major in theatre and dance. He has performed with Flying Foot Forum and Collide Theatrical, and has been seen on the Guthrie and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre stages, and as Le Fou in Ordway’s Beauty & The Beast. Most recently Rush served as choreographer for Blended Harmony now playing at the History Theater. Coming up he will be back on stage at the BCA performing with Artistry in their upcoming production of Newsies.  This is his second performance with Concerto Dance. 

 

Peter Hoffman - Apprentice

Peter Hoffman is a Minnesota native who loves writing/producing music, singing, dancing and all-around performing. He began his dance training with Curio Dance & School in 2021. Peter has been trained in a variety of dance including African, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and tap. He particularly enjoys both jazz and contemporary. He performed in Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy (2022) and Carmina Burana (2023). He has performed original works by Loyce Houlton, Lise Houlton, Kaitlyn Gilliland, Dario Mejia, and Giselle Mejia. Additionally he performed in the Broadway production of School of Rock with the Zephyr Theatre in 2022 and with Aspire Music Academy, Open Door Community Theatre, and Merrill Community Arts Center. Peter is a high school senior pursuing his Music Degree through PSEO classes at IHCC. Peter is excited for his first season as a Guest Apprentice with Concerto Dance.

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Brenda Nepsund  - Founding Company Member and Returning Guest Artist

Brenda Nepsund graduated from MSU, Mankato with bachelor degrees in both dance and mass media in 2014. Since then, Brenda has performed with a variety of talented companies and artists including Concerto Dance, Zorongo Flamenco, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, Borealis Dance, and LiRa Dance. When Brenda isn't performing, you can catch her teaching at Creo Arts & Dance Conservatory or spending time with her son, Emmett Leroy.

 

Jake Nehrbass - Guest Artist

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Jake has been studying and performing dance since the age of three and teaching since age 12. He received his BFA in Dance and  Kinesiology with expertise in tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, international and ballroom styles. He has an interest in physical therapy and yoga and works as a performing  artist, choreographer, and dance teacher in the Twin Cities area.  Currently, Jake is a company member of Black Label Movement, Ruby Josephine  Dance Theatre, and Rhythmically Speaking and has been (or continues to be) a guest artist for local projects with Concerto Dance, Contempo Physical Dance,  Arena Dances, Mixtape, Threads Dance Project, Flying Foot Forum, Katha Dance  Theatre, Eau Claire Dance, STRONGmovement, and performed in Stephan  Koplowitz’s Northfield Experience.  Jake also performed in Au, a Live at the Shed work created by Hatch Dance and  Honey Works.  In addition,  Jake is an instructor at Prairie School of Dance as well as Ballare Teatro Performing  Arts Center. 

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Sarah Pieper - Founding Company Member and Returning Guest Artist

Sarah Pieper, holds a B.A. in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as well as Pilates Mat certification from Balanced Body. Her performance credits include Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Artistry Theater, and Alternative Motion Project. Sarah’s choreographic work has been performed by the University of Northwestern, North Central University, numerous high schools, Project Dance, and the YWAM School of Dance.  Additionally, she has performed and taught dance in Mexico, Costa Rica, India, and China. Currently, Sarah is the Artistic Director at Celebrate Dance Academy where she has served since 2012, and she currently performs with Concerto Dance and Vivid Artistry Dance Co. Sarah would like to thank her husband for his constant support, and her son for filling life with constant wonder. 

 

Sarah Steichen Stiles - Founding Company Member and Returning Guest Artist

Sarah Steichen Stiles is a performer, educator, and creator. She danced with Zenon Dance Company until 2019, working with nearly twenty national and international choreographers. She has performed across the country, and in Russia, France, and Cuba. Locally, she has also performed with Mathew Janczewski’s ARENA DANCES, Slo Dance, The Minnesota Opera, Luke Olson-Elm, and the Eclectic Edge Ensemble. Currently, she is the owner and director of Prairie School of Dance, inspiring the next generation of artists to experience the joy of dancing! As a founding member of Concerto Dance, she is honored to be back sharing the stage with this generous cast of dancers. Um ya ya!

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Brandyn Tapio - Returning Guest Artist

Brandyn Tapio is a 2014 graduate of the University of Northwestern, St. Paul where he studied theatre and dance and served as dance captain under the direction of Jolene Konkel. Post-graduation Brandyn has performed in several community theatre productions and professionally with the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and Flying Foot Forum, and has served as an assistant choreographer to Ms. Konkel in educational music theatre. In addition to his performance career, Brandyn works in the physical therapy field. Brandyn made his debut with Concerto Dance in Looking Back/Moving Forward and is excited to be returning as a guest in the Ode to Opus Jazz cast this fall. 

 

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