Eli Motley

Elijah, or Eli, Motley (Greensboro, NC) is a choreographer, dancer, teacher, and MFA in Dance and Choreography recipient from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Eli also holds a BFA in Dance and Theatre and a BS in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Old Dominion University. His performing resume includes Chicago Dance Crash, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Caroline Calouche & Co, and others. His choreography has been presented in Virginia, New York City, Chicago, Wisconsin, Texas, and Edinburgh (UK). He is currently a Visiting Professor at Elon University in North Carolina. You can check out more of Eli at elimotley.com/.

Forrest Hershey

Forrest Hershey is a Dance Artist, Educator, Choreographer and Mentor. They hold three degrees in dance from The Ohio State University (MFA), Florida State University (BFA) and Valencia College (AA). Forrest has been on faculty at Elon University, The Ohio State University, The American Dance Festival’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios, The West Virginia Dance Festival, Hillsborough Cheer Dance and Gymnastics, and Starpath Dance Academy. Teaching a variety of movement classes in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Dance Composition, Movement Analysis, Stretch and Conditioning. Forrest has been awarded the Graduate Associate Teaching Award (OSU 2022), led a curation team for the international dance film festival DANCE@30FPS, appeared on So You Think You Can Dance, and has received choreography awards from various dance competitions. See more at www.ForrestHershey.com

Whitney Goodman

Whitney Goodman is a dancer, choreographer, and educator who is passionate about tap dance and it’s unique place in American history and culture. Whitney trained under the mentorship of Gene Medler, performing nationally and abroad with the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble. She performed with Footnotes Tap Ensemble for many years and served as Artistic Director from 2013-2017. She currently directs the Triangle Tap Collective, a collaborative space for advanced tap dance teachers and choreographers to expand their art form. Whitney teaches at Elon University and loves sharing her passion for rhythm tap with developing performers. She is also a practicing physical therapist and founder of Sage Physical Therapy, a specialty clinic serving women with pelvic floor dysfunction. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from NC State and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from MUSC. Find out more at whitney-goodman.com

Zoia Cisneros

Zoia Cisneros is a Venezuelan-born dance artist, educator, registered nurse, and mother of three whose creative work is informed by the intersections of memory, identity, community and stories carried within the body. Raised in Caracas, Venezuela, she trained in Jazz, traditional Venezuelan dance, Flamenco, and Ballet before expanding her practice to include Afro-Cuban, West African, Hip Hop, Samba, Capoeira and Contemporary forms. She holds a BA in Anthropology and French from Bates College and an MFA in Choreography from UNC Greensboro. Zoia teaches at Elon University, UNC Greensboro, and UNC Chapel Hill, cultivating spaces where rigor, joy, storytelling, and human connection meet.

Kelley Calvillo

Kelley Calvillo is a junior at Elon University with a major in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She is originally from Raleigh, NC, and grew up training with the Rainbow Dance Company, Enloe Dance Ensemble, and at the North Carolina Dance Institute. More recently, she has trained at the American Dance Festival, Gagalab NYC, and the One Body One Career Countertechnique Intensive. While at Elon, she has been involved in Dancing in The Landscape, Fall Dance, and Spring Dance. She is so excited to continue to grow in her time at Elon.

Winell Henriquez

Winell Henriquez is a senior pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a Master of Science in Accounting at Elon University. Originally from Clayton, North Carolina, she has attended intensives with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Charlotte Ballet, and the American Dance Festival. She has performed in numerous Elon dance productions and is excited to present her original choreography in the Fall Dance Concert for the second consecutive year. This fall, she will also perform choreography by Dwight Rhoden at New York City’s Joyce Theater, opening for Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Winell looks forward to her senior year and future opportunities in dance.

Myah Shepherd

Myah Shepherd is an artist originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She’s a senior studying to get her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and BA Arts Administration. Since being at Elon she’s performed in their Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Black History Month Dance Concert, and Spring Dance Concert. She most recently had the opportunity to study Dance in Florence, Italy! She presented choreography in 2025 Dancing in the Landscape and is so excited to showcase a new piece “1 & the same” in this Fall Dance Concert. She’s so grateful for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show!

Ella Stewart

Ella Stewart is a Senior at Elon University pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography and BA in English with a Creative Writing concentration. She is from Columbia, South Carolina. Ella has attended American Dance Festival’s professional summer intensive twice, and in 2025, she performed in a Cunningham MinEvent in ADF’s Repertory Showcase and presented her choreography in ADF’s Student Choreography Showcase. Ella also studied abroad in Florence, Italy this past spring, where she performed with Florence Dance Center and Kinesis Contemporary Dance Company. Ella is excited to perform in this year’s Fall Dance Concert and present her original piece, Collision.

Alana Abraham

Alana Abraham is a dancer originally from Clarksville, Maryland, and she trained at Studio Dans for 14 years prior to college. She is a junior studying at Elon University, NC to get her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Alana has trained in jazz, contemporary, modern, ballet, tap, hip-hop, and improvisation as well as attending summer intensives at CLI Studios, Peridance Center, and Giordano Dance Chicago. Since being at Elon, she has had the opportunity to perform in Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert, and Elons Finest Hip-Hop Dance Teams fall and spring showcases.

Trudie Arling

Trudie is originally from Arcanum, Ohio and is a junior dance science major with minors in biology, chemistry,exercise science, and neuroscience. She is on a pre-med track. At Elon, she has performed in [Dancing in the Landscape] (2024), Spring Dance Concert (2025), and Fall Dance Concert (2025). She performed with Dayton Ballet’s pre-professional company from 2016-2024 and danced alongside Dayton Ballet students, the Dayton Ballet Company, and the Dayton Philharmonic. Some of her favorite productions she has performed in include The Nutcracker, Sleepy Hollow, The Great Gatsby, and Septime Weber’s Swan Lake.

Blakely Boles

Blakely Boles is a junior pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography and a BA in Arts Administration. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, she trained at the Academy of Dance Arts for 15 years. In her time at Elon, she has performed in Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert, and the Dance Composition Concert. She most recently choreographed for this year’s Dancing in the Landscape and she is so excited to perform in this year’s Fall Dance Concert.

Lucy Burk

Lucy Burk is a Senior at Elon University where she is perusing a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography and B.A. in Arts Administration. Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Lucy attended Culver Academies, where she received honors in dance. She has performed in numerous shows at Elon University where she has worked with faculty and students, along with guest choreographers like Wesley Williams and Maurice Watson. She has showcased her original choreography at the Emerging Choreographers Showcase in Naples, Florida. She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy for a semester attending classes at the Florence Dance Center and performing choreography by Angelo Egarese and Marga Nativo. Lucy is very excited to perform in the 2026 Fall Dance Concert!

Kelley Calvillo

Kelley Calvillo is a junior at Elon University with a major in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She is originally from Raleigh, NC, and grew up training with the Rainbow Dance Company, Enloe Dance Ensemble, and at the North Carolina Dance Institute. More recently, she has trained at the American Dance Festival, Gagalab NYC, and the One Body One Career Countertechnique Intensive. While at Elon, she has been involved in Dancing in The Landscape, Fall Dance, and Spring Dance. She is so excited to continue to grow in her time at Elon.

Izzy Carl

Isabella (Izzy) Carl is a sophomore from Douglassville, Pennsylvania, working on her double major in BFA Dance Performance and Choreography and BA Political Science. She studied at The Center for Performing and Fine Arts and Visions Dance Studio. Izzy has had her choreography displayed on stages across Eastern Pennsylvania. Her recent performance credits at Elon include Dancing in the Landscape 2025, Spring Dance: Roots and Horizons, and Dancing in the Landscape 2026. She is so excited for everyone to enjoy this amazing show!

Laila Cottman

Laila Cottman is a junior majoring in Strategic Communications with a minor in Dance. Prior to Elon, she trained at DANCE4LIFE School of the Arts and Training Institute. Cottman had the opportunity to study this summer and the last at PHILADANCO! and previously trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem School Summer Intensive. She has had the honor of performing in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, and annual concerts at Elon University. Cottman has proven to be an impactful performer and hopes to touch every audience she meets.

Noelle Drummonds

Noelle is a senior Dance & International Studies (German) dual-degree from Northwest Arkansas. She’s attended programs with Broadway Artists Alliance and American Academy of Ballet, training with Erika Henningson, Will Roland, Debbie Roshe, and Sarah Meahl. Noelle has performed in the off-broadway Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in NYC and with Carnival Cruise Lines in their summer cabaret series. Previous Elon Dance Credits: Spring Dance Concert (’24, ’25), Fall Dance Concert (’24, ‘25). Elon Renegade: Pippin (Ensemble), The Drowsy Chaperone (Co-choreographer). Arkansas Public Theatre: The Music Man (Zanetta), Something Rotten! (Ensemble), Almost, Maine (Ginette). Other: In Concert (Tobacco Roads Productions).

Lulna Ghirmai

Lulna Ghirmai is a second-year student at Elon University from Fulton, Maryland, double majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography and Public Health Studies. She is a well-trained dancer with a background in all styles. Some of her highlights at Elon include performing in Dancing in the Landscape, Roots and Horizons, and Rhythms of Resilience. She also enjoyed her countless years dancing competitively with her home studio. Lulna is beyond excited to share her love for dance at Elon. 

Simone Goldenberg

From Vienna, Virginia, Simone Goldenberg has trained in Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, and Modern. She is pursuing a BFA in dance performance choreography at Elon University with a Balanced Body Pilates Certification. She has performed in productions of Elon University’s Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Student Composition Showing: Salon, Elon Cares Benefit Cabaret, Spring Dance Concert, and Finest Hip Hop Dance Team’s Fall (and) Spring showcases. Including debuting her own choreography in Salon 2025. Simone’s lens of “expression through creation” as art guides her in exploring the experience and aesthetics of feeling in choreography and performance.

Sage Grimpe

Sage Grimpe, a native of Fishers, Indiana, was a faculty member and pre-professional dancer at En Pointe Indiana Ballet. She has trained with the New York City Rockettes, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Orlando Ballet, and Complexions Academy, and received a scholarship to Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Sage’s performance credits include the award-winning film Nobel Vision and the award-winning piece Suits, where she appeared as a lead soloist and interview panelist. Most recently, she performed in Elon University’s productions of An American in Paris and Spring Dance Concert. She looks forward to continuing her artistic journey at Elon University.

Jessica Guidice

Winell Henriquez

Winell Henriquez is a senior pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a Master of Science in Accounting at Elon University. Originally from Clayton, North Carolina, she has attended intensives with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Charlotte Ballet, and the American Dance Festival. She has performed in numerous Elon dance productions and is excited to present her original choreography in the Fall Dance Concert for the second consecutive year. This fall, she will also perform choreography by Dwight Rhoden at New York City’s Joyce Theater, opening for Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Winell looks forward to her senior year and future opportunities in dance.

Jonas Hinsdale

Jonas Hinsdale is a sophomore Music Theater major at Elon University and is extremely pumped to be making his Elon dance concert debut! In February, he was part of the ensemble of [Rent] at Elon, and spent his summer performing as Elmer in [Newsies] at Vanguard Theatre Company in his home state of New Jersey. Endless love and thanks to his family (love you mama), friends, and teachers who have supported him in his journey.

Analiese Jacobson

Analiese Jacobson grew up in Wilmington, Delaware training at Anna Marie Dance Studio. Analiese currently attends Elon University double majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography and English Creative Writing. Her recent performances include Elon’s Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert: Echoes and Currents and the Spring Dance Concerts: Emanation and Roots & Horizons. She also had the opportunity of performing as part of the Fifth Footprints Dance Festival at Amanda Selwyn’s Dance Studio in New York City.

Aubrey Kocsis

Aubrey’s love for theater began when she performed as a Billy Elliot Ballet Girl. At Elon, she’s known for her roles as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Charleene the Wrestler’s Sister, a ballbusting acrobat, in As You Like It. This summer, she performed at Cedar Point hosting the Peanut’s show Happiness is a Celebration and leading Boardwalk Nights as Boardwalk Betty. She’s a get-it-done-girl, usually all in the same day. She trains in dance, voice, cello, acrobatics, aerial arts, Pilates, and stilts. She loves cats, wishes she could eat gluten, and can’t wait to get your feet tapping!

Hannah Louis

Hannah Louis is a sophomore pursuing dual degrees in the Dance Performance and Choreography BFA and in Psychology at Elon University. Hannah is from Northern Virginia. She has performed and showcased choreography in local shows, regional and national dance conventions, and in showings as part of the National Choreography Intensive in 2024. Hannah has performed in several shows at Elon, including Dancing in the Landscape (2025, 2026), the Dance Composition Concert (2025), and the Spring Dance Concert (2026). Hannah is beyond grateful to be able to work and perform with the wonderful students and faculty at Elon!

Noah Macam

Noah Macam is a senior BFA Dance and Arts Administration double major and is ecstatic to be dancing around in the Fall Dance Concert. Previous Elon credits: An American in Paris, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line (Mike Costa). Regional: Flat Rock Playhouse (Footloose, RENT), Surflight Theatre (Top Hat, North American Premiere), The Muny. His choreographic works include an original piece for the 2026 Muny Teens, The Drowsy Chaperone and The SpongeBob Musical (Elon Renegade), and The 25th Annual…(Studio 1). Upcoming: Jesus Christ Superstar (Asst. Choreographer). Endless gratitude to his parents, family, and friends for their endless support. @noahmacam

Carlyn Moore

Carlyn Moore, from Bainbridge Island, Washington, is a sophomore double majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography and Exercise Neuroscience. She received her training from Bainbridge Ballet, primarily in ballet, contemporary, and tap. During her time there, she enjoyed choreographing pieces for their productions as well as directing a student choreography showcase fundraiser as the student liaison for their nonprofit performance group. Last year at Elon, she performed in Dancing in the Landscape, the Dance Composition Concert, and Roots and Horizons. She is excited to be performing both tap and contemporary in her first Fall Dance Concert!

Abigail Mulvaney

Abigail Mulvaney is a senior majoring in Accounting and Economic Consulting. Throughout her time at Elon, she has performed in Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert, and other student works and club performances. Abigail is grateful for this opportunity to perform and bring this piece to life!

Madelyn Neal

Madelyn is a sophomore Dance Performance & Choreography and Exercise Science double major. She is so excited to be a part of her first Fall Dance Concert! Her previous performance credits with Elon include Dancing in the Landscape (2026), Spring Dance Concert: Roots and Horizon (2026) and the Student Composition II and III Showcase (2025). She is so excited to continue exploration of her dance passion surrounded by so many wonderful people. She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support and encouragement through her artistic journey here at Elon. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Benta Owino

Benta Owino is a sophomore from Grasonville, Maryland, double majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography and Digital Content Management. A lifelong dancer, she has trained in classical ballet, tap, contemporary, and pointe at The Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory, where she performed in professional productions. At Elon, Benta has appeared in Dancing in the Landscape, Roots and Horizons, and Rhythms of Resilience. Passionate about sharing dance beyond the stage, she choreographs and performs original works while engaging in community outreach. She is excited to bring her love of dance to Elon and connect diverse audiences through movement and purpose!

Taylor Quinn

Taylor Quinn is an emerging artist pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography and Bachelor of Science in Sport Management at Elon University. Her most recent credits include “A(spire)”, a site specific piece choreographed by Stephan Kopolwitz at American Dance Festival, as well as “subterranean h_o_l_d” choreographed by Caitlyn Schrader, and “Revival” choreographed by Angelica Kankam in Elon University’s Spring Dance Concert, Roots and Horizons. Taylor is ecstatic to be performing in Marauders Midnight and is forever inspired by the artists who came before her, carrying pieces of their passion everywhere she goes.

Niko Rinaldi

Niko is a sophomore music theatre major originally from Stamford, CT. Past performances with Elon University include the Italian premier of The Light in the Piazza (Ensemble, u/s Fabrizio Nacarelli, Signor Nacarelli) and RENT (Ensemble, u/s Collins, Benny, Mr. Jefferson & Others). He is overjoyed to be participating in his first BFA Dance concert! He would like to thank Prof. Goodman and Prof. Motley for giving him this opportunity. Enjoy the show!

Ashley Rossignol

Ashley Rossignol is a junior dance performance and choreography major. She grew up dancing at The Franklin School for The Performing Arts. She has appeared in works such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. At Elon, she has been able to perform in Fall Dance, Spring Dance, Dancing in the Landscape, and the Composition Concert. She is excited to be able to perform in her second Fall Dance Concert!

Hannah Rouse

Hannah Rouse is a sophomore double majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography, and English with a Concentration in Creative Writing. So far at Elon she’s performed in Dancing in the Landscape (2025), Roots & Horizons, and Dancing in the Landscape (2026). In addition to dancing for 18 years, Hannah is also an award-winning, published essayist and poet!

Jackie Russell

As a senior, Jackie is excited to be part of the fall dance show for the first time! She has really enjoyed every moment of this experience, from dancing alongside such talented performers to learning from an incredible choreographer. It has been such a special and memorable part of her senior year!

Myah Shepherd

Myah Shepherd is an artist originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She’s a senior studying to get her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and BA Arts Administration. Since being at Elon she’s performed in their Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Black History Month Dance Concert, and Spring Dance Concert. She most recently had the opportunity to study Dance in Florence, Italy! She presented choreography in 2025 Dancing in the Landscape and is so excited to showcase a new piece “1 & the same” in this Fall Dance Concert. She’s so grateful for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show!

Nika Shumilov

Max Stavnezer

Max Stavnezer is a second-year Dance Science and Dance Performance/Choreography double major from Ohio. He was trained at Tamala Taylor Academy of Dance in all styles. Max was an assistant teacher at his studio for 3 years and is now a choreographer. Furthermore, he has trained at the PPU Summer intensive for 3 years. One of his greatest dance accomplishments is winning the title of Mr. Dance of Ohio in 2024. At Elon Max has performed in DIL 2025, Choreography showcase 2025, Roots and Horizons and DIL 2026 and now Marauders Midnight. He looks forward to performing in the Choreography showcase and Spring dance.

Gianna Stedjan

Gianna Stedjan is a sophmore student pursuing a double major in Dance Performance & Choreography as well as Dance Science. She is originally from New York where she trained at Coupè Theater Studio for 13 years in all styles. This is her second Dancing in the Landscape Performance. She has also previously performed in the Dance Composition II & III Showcase and Roots and Horizons here at Elon. Gianna is so excited to be a part of this production and to share her love of dance with you.

Ella Stewart

Ella Stewart is a Senior at Elon University pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography and BA in English with a Creative Writing concentration. She is from Columbia, South Carolina. Ella has attended American Dance Festival’s professional summer intensive twice, and in 2025, she performed in a Cunningham MinEvent in ADF’s Repertory Showcase and presented her choreography in ADF’s Student Choreography Showcase. Ella also studied abroad in Florence, Italy this past spring, where she performed with Florence Dance Center and Kinesis Contemporary Dance Company. Ella is excited to perform in this year’s Fall Dance Concert and present her original piece, Collision.

Emma Vanags

Emma Vanags is a fourth-year student at Elon University. She is originally from Richmond, Virginia, where she previously trained at J’adore Dance Studio. She is pursuing her double major in the B.F .A. for Dance Performance and Choreography and B.S. for Dance Science. During her time at Elon University, she has performed in DIL (2023), Fall Dance Concert (2024, 2025), Spring Dance Concert (2024, 2025), Elon Music Ambassadors Performance, and the Elon Dance Program Composition and Choreography Showing (2023, 2024 ), where her choreography has also been presented. She also just completed her semester abroad dancing in Florence, Italy this past Spring.

Ellie Weston

Ellie Weston is a sophomore at Elon majoring in the Dance BFA and Professional Writing and Rhetoric. She has a background in all dance styles, along with musical theatre, and grew up in competitive dancing at the Dance Theatre of Jacksonville. Outside of dance, she enjoys writing, reading, and all things creative. This is her third show at Elon, and her first show in the Blackbox. She gives a big thank you to her parents for always showing up and to her professors for giving her the chance to be a part of Fall Dance.

Alydia Wheeler

Alydia Wheeler is a senior Dance Performance and Choreography major at Elon University. Since her freshman year, she has performed in Elon’s Fall Dance and Spring Dance concerts and continued her training by attending summer dance programs. Last spring, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she had the opportunity to dance with Florence Dance Center and Kinesis Contemporary Company. During her senior year, she looks forward to performing in Fall Dance, Spring Dance, and the Senior Showcase. She is excited to continue growing as a dancer and make the most of her final year at Elon.

Katie Williams

Katie is an B.A. Arts Administration major with a minor in dance and has previously been seen in Spring Dance and Dancing in The Landscape.

Janae Willock

Janae Willock is a Senior Cinema and Television Arts Major from Gainesville, GA. She is honored to be in the cast of this year’s production of Fall Dance as she has a passion for communication and collaboration in every form. Previous productions at Elon include Black History Month Dance Concert (2024), Paradise Lost (2025), and Dancing in The Landscape (2026). She would like to thank her family, her best friend, and everyone that came out to support! Peace and Love to you.