Marin Elizabeth Leggat
Artistic Director
Marin Elizabeth Leggat is a dance educator, choreographer, dancer, and founder of M.E.L.D. Danceworks in New York City, committed to "dissolving religious and cultural barriers through the art of dance." Since its inception in 2006, M.E.L.D. Danceworks has performed in various NYC venues and festivals, including 14th St. Y, Bronfman Center (NYU), Cunningham Studio Theatre, DUMBO Dance Festival, Uptown Arts Festival, FAR Space, Waxworks, Cool NY Dance Festival, and showings at Movement Research, Dance New Amsterdam and City Center. M.E.L.D. Danceworks has enjoyed support from Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, 92nd Street Y, and the U.S. State Department's Cultural Envoy program, which named Ms. Leggat a Cultural Envoy to set a new work , Light Traces, on the Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company of Mumbai, India in 2008.
Ms. Leggat moved to New York City in 2005 from Salt Lake City, where she taught at Brigham Young University (BYU) and served as Assistant Director of the internationally touring BYU Dancers’ Company. She completed a BA in Dance Education/Sociology at BYU, and an MFA in Dance at the University of Utah. Thesis work examined the relationship between spiritual and artistic practices, a topic that remains at the heart of Marin’s creative agenda. In 2003-04, she taught Performing Arts at Asian International School in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and returned in 2005 to teach dance to youth in several tsunami-affected villages. Other workshops and master classes have been presented in Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Morocco, and South Africa. As an active musical theater choreographer, she was awarded an "Observership" through the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC) for Godspell at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. Marin is a former high school dance educator and currently serves as Associate Lecturer of Dance at Brigham Young University.
Artistic Director
Marin Elizabeth Leggat is a dance educator, choreographer, dancer, and founder of M.E.L.D. Danceworks in New York City, committed to "dissolving religious and cultural barriers through the art of dance." Since its inception in 2006, M.E.L.D. Danceworks has performed in various NYC venues and festivals, including 14th St. Y, Bronfman Center (NYU), Cunningham Studio Theatre, DUMBO Dance Festival, Uptown Arts Festival, FAR Space, Waxworks, Cool NY Dance Festival, and showings at Movement Research, Dance New Amsterdam and City Center. M.E.L.D. Danceworks has enjoyed support from Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, 92nd Street Y, and the U.S. State Department's Cultural Envoy program, which named Ms. Leggat a Cultural Envoy to set a new work , Light Traces, on the Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company of Mumbai, India in 2008.
Ms. Leggat moved to New York City in 2005 from Salt Lake City, where she taught at Brigham Young University (BYU) and served as Assistant Director of the internationally touring BYU Dancers’ Company. She completed a BA in Dance Education/Sociology at BYU, and an MFA in Dance at the University of Utah. Thesis work examined the relationship between spiritual and artistic practices, a topic that remains at the heart of Marin’s creative agenda. In 2003-04, she taught Performing Arts at Asian International School in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and returned in 2005 to teach dance to youth in several tsunami-affected villages. Other workshops and master classes have been presented in Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Morocco, and South Africa. As an active musical theater choreographer, she was awarded an "Observership" through the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC) for Godspell at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. Marin is a former high school dance educator and currently serves as Associate Lecturer of Dance at Brigham Young University.
PAST COLLABORATORS
Liz Bastian - Dancer
Began dancing at age 3 and received a degree from the University of Utah, having participated in works created by many different dance artists from around the U.S. and the world. Since moving to New York in 2005, Liz has participated in various workshops, festivals, and performances. Current activities of note include personal research on a broad range of topics, full-time nonprofit work, and becoming more familiar with the diverse neighborhoods of New York City.
Began dancing at age 3 and received a degree from the University of Utah, having participated in works created by many different dance artists from around the U.S. and the world. Since moving to New York in 2005, Liz has participated in various workshops, festivals, and performances. Current activities of note include personal research on a broad range of topics, full-time nonprofit work, and becoming more familiar with the diverse neighborhoods of New York City.
Laura Bradley - Dancer
Laura Bradley graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in Modern dance. As a member of Performing Dance Company, she performed in works of Abby Fiat, Pamela Geber, Satu Hummasti, Sara Pearson/Patrik Widrig, Kaye Richards and Donna White. Laura received funding for performances at UC Long Beach, White Wave Dance Festival, Scottsdale College and University of Nevada at Reno. Prior to her studies at the Universityy of Utah, she was a full scholarship recipient to the Dance Program at the Alabama Gonernor's School for the Arts and Technology. Additional training includes workshops with Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, and at the American Dance Festival. She currently lives in New York, performing and studying to become a certified pilates instructor through the Body Arts and Sciences International Teacher Training Program.
Laura Bradley graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in Modern dance. As a member of Performing Dance Company, she performed in works of Abby Fiat, Pamela Geber, Satu Hummasti, Sara Pearson/Patrik Widrig, Kaye Richards and Donna White. Laura received funding for performances at UC Long Beach, White Wave Dance Festival, Scottsdale College and University of Nevada at Reno. Prior to her studies at the Universityy of Utah, she was a full scholarship recipient to the Dance Program at the Alabama Gonernor's School for the Arts and Technology. Additional training includes workshops with Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, and at the American Dance Festival. She currently lives in New York, performing and studying to become a certified pilates instructor through the Body Arts and Sciences International Teacher Training Program.
Corinne Curtis - Dancer
From Spokane, Washington, has always valued the gift of dance and performance. She holds a BFA in Modern Dance Performance and Music/Dance/Theater from Brigham Young University, and was the first person to complete the two intensive programs simultaneously. While at BYU, Corinne completed three national tours with The Dancers’ Company, performing in works by Nana Shineflug, Jenny Backhaus and others. Her training includes working with Risa Steinberg of Jose Limon, Keith Johnson of Keith Johnson/Dancers, and Heidi Henderson of Elephant Jane. Corinne is a gifted choreographer and has plans of someday starting and directing her own company. She currently resides with her husband Allan in southwestern Connecticut and is pursuing her goals of dancing in concert works and performing on Broadway.
From Spokane, Washington, has always valued the gift of dance and performance. She holds a BFA in Modern Dance Performance and Music/Dance/Theater from Brigham Young University, and was the first person to complete the two intensive programs simultaneously. While at BYU, Corinne completed three national tours with The Dancers’ Company, performing in works by Nana Shineflug, Jenny Backhaus and others. Her training includes working with Risa Steinberg of Jose Limon, Keith Johnson of Keith Johnson/Dancers, and Heidi Henderson of Elephant Jane. Corinne is a gifted choreographer and has plans of someday starting and directing her own company. She currently resides with her husband Allan in southwestern Connecticut and is pursuing her goals of dancing in concert works and performing on Broadway.
Andrea Homer-Macdonald - Dancer
Andrea Homer-Macdonald is a dancer, movement educator, choreographer and Certified Movement Analyst (Laban-Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies). She holds a degree in Dance Performance and Choreography from Utah State University, where she performed and toured internationally with Danceworks. She recently danced with M.E.L.D. Danceworks, choreographed several theater projects for Handcart Ensemble (Alcestis, Burial at Thebes and Two Yeats Plays) and worked as a guest artist with Valley Dance Ensemble in Logan, Utah. She has performed choreography by Carolyn Dorfman, Carlos Ortiz, Sue Bernhard and others. She currently loves working as a guest artist in Pelham elementary schools, helping kids create their own dances!
Rebecca Stahr Jennejohn - Dancer
Holds an MFA in modern dance from the University of Utah, where she performed with Performing Dance Company, taught non-major's modern dance technique, and was an ArtsBridge scholar in dance choreography. She received her BA in dance from Brigham Young University where she performed with Dancers' Company and Dancensemble. She has toured internationally with the Dancers' Company and Contemporary Dance Theater to India, Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific. Rebecca has performed in works by Abby Fiat, Stephen Koester, Sara Rudner, Bill Evans, and Natosha Washington, among others. Rebecca is a certified Stott Pilates™ instructor where she currently teaches at Columbia University. She has also taught at the North London Performing Arts Center in London, England and at the Body College in Washington D.C. She currently resides in NYC with her husband and two year old daughter.
Melissa Lopata - Dancer
Grew up dancing just outside Pittsburgh, PA. She came to the big apple to study dance and psychology at NYU’s Gallatin School, where she graduated cum laude. There she was a member of Kaleidoscope Dancers for Children and performed works by Renata Celichowska, Kim Gibilisco, Carl Paris, and Douglas Dunn. She has since worked with Stephan Koplowitz, Henning Rübsam’s sensedance, Sue Bernhard/Danceworks and Andrea Homer-MacDonald. Along with M.E.L.D. Danceworks, Melissa can be seen dancing about town with Deliquescent Designs and Connie Procopio.
Ellie Mayer - Dancer
From Dallas, T.X., where she began her dance training at The Ballet Conservatory. She later attended Booker T. Washington High School for the performing and Visual Arts, and continued her studies at The Boston Conservatory where she recieved her B.F.A for both Ballet and Modern dance. Here in New York she dances regularly with Young and Company.
From Dallas, T.X., where she began her dance training at The Ballet Conservatory. She later attended Booker T. Washington High School for the performing and Visual Arts, and continued her studies at The Boston Conservatory where she recieved her B.F.A for both Ballet and Modern dance. Here in New York she dances regularly with Young and Company.
Anne Moore - Dancer
Anne Moore is a BFA graduate of the University of Utah. She is currently living in New York City and dancing with CG Dance and Productions and M.E.L.D. Danceworks. She recently had her own choreography shown at the Mulberry Street Theatre as part of the Newsteps series. Anne is an adjunct faculty member of Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska and serves on the "Artist in Schools and Communities Directory” for the state of Nebraska
Anne Moore is a BFA graduate of the University of Utah. She is currently living in New York City and dancing with CG Dance and Productions and M.E.L.D. Danceworks. She recently had her own choreography shown at the Mulberry Street Theatre as part of the Newsteps series. Anne is an adjunct faculty member of Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska and serves on the "Artist in Schools and Communities Directory” for the state of Nebraska
Reghan Sybrowsky - Dancer
Reghan is a dance educator, performer, choreographer, and enthusiast. She holds a BFA in modern dance from the University of Utah, and a Master’s in dance education from New York University. She has taught ballet, modern, and creative movement in various private and public settings, and currently works as programs manager for a non-profit dance organization in Brooklyn. She resides in an 8’x10’, non air-conditioned East Village apartment on the 6th floor of a walk-up building and enjoys shopping, banana cream pie, and cartwheels. She is thrilled to be a part of M.E.L.D. Danceworks!
Valerie has lived and worked as an artist in New York City for ten years. She has shown her work at New York City venues such as: Artist Space, Queens Museum, Bronx Museum, and Chelsea Galleries. She has received the prestigious Rema Hort-Mann Foundation Grant and BRIO Grant from the Bronx Council on the Arts. Also through the Bronx Council of the Arts she won a cyber-residency which opened the world of digital and web based work to her. Her work has been acknowledged by New York art critics and been reviewed in publications such as The New York Times. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts with her Master of Fine Arts in 1998. Valerie enjoys mentoring art students. She taught art for eight years part-time at Grace Church School in New York City and most recently at a University level. She has collaborated on a number of commercial enterprises with composers, designers, writers, photographers, and dancers. She uses a variety of media in her contemporary work such as painting, installation, and sculpture. Valerie maintains a studio loft space in the South Bronx.
Nathan Bowen - Composer
Nathan Bowen is currently pursuing a doctorate in music composition at the CUNY Graduate Center, studying primarily with Amnon Wolman and Tania León. Having composed for chamber ensembles, short films, orchestra, choir, theater, commercial projects, and computer music, Nathan has diverse interests. His work in the Ensemble's Two Yeats Plays last spring garnered a nomination for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for best original music. His most recent projects involve improvisation and are geared toward audiences helping to make compositional decisions during performance. As a co-founding member of the Intermedia Arts Group, Nathan has performed computer laptop improvisations using signal-processing and 3D graphics. His work in this area has been funded by a position at the Graduate Center's New Media Lab. Nathan currently teaches music at CUNY Hunter College, as well as private guitar lessons.
Allan Broadbent - Guest Performer
Raised in Sunnyvale, California, Allan has his movement roots in competitive gymnastics. While attending Brigham Young University, he stumbled across modern dance and performed with BYU's Dancensemble and Dancers' Company, touring throughout the Southwest and Northern California. Allan has danced roles in Paul Taylor's "Esplanade", and Bill Evans' "For Betty", among other well-known works. Most importantly, Allan met and married fellow Dancers' Company member Corinne Curtis in 2004. Allan currently works as a landscape designer in Connecticut, and is grateful to his gifted and ambitious wife for keeping him actively involved in modern dance performance.
Raised in Sunnyvale, California, Allan has his movement roots in competitive gymnastics. While attending Brigham Young University, he stumbled across modern dance and performed with BYU's Dancensemble and Dancers' Company, touring throughout the Southwest and Northern California. Allan has danced roles in Paul Taylor's "Esplanade", and Bill Evans' "For Betty", among other well-known works. Most importantly, Allan met and married fellow Dancers' Company member Corinne Curtis in 2004. Allan currently works as a landscape designer in Connecticut, and is grateful to his gifted and ambitious wife for keeping him actively involved in modern dance performance.
Elly Fryer - Guest Performer
Began her ballet training under Margo Marshall and Gilbert Rome in Houston, Texas, where she danced with City Ballet of Houston. She went on to attend high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts where she performed various classical and contemporary roles. Elly spent her summers studying at the School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, Hungarian National Ballet School, and American Ballet Theatre. She attended the University of Utah on scholarship where she achieved her BFA degree in ballet. While in school, she had the opportunity to dance various soloist roles with Utah Ballet, touring to Taipei, Taiwan. Elly has been privileged to dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Montgomery Ballet, Los Angeles Dance Theatre, American Contemporary Ballet, and is currently performing with Naganuma Dance.
Began her ballet training under Margo Marshall and Gilbert Rome in Houston, Texas, where she danced with City Ballet of Houston. She went on to attend high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts where she performed various classical and contemporary roles. Elly spent her summers studying at the School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, Hungarian National Ballet School, and American Ballet Theatre. She attended the University of Utah on scholarship where she achieved her BFA degree in ballet. While in school, she had the opportunity to dance various soloist roles with Utah Ballet, touring to Taipei, Taiwan. Elly has been privileged to dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Montgomery Ballet, Los Angeles Dance Theatre, American Contemporary Ballet, and is currently performing with Naganuma Dance.
Matthew Herrick - Guest Performer
Matthew thanks Marin for letting him be part of her work. Most recently, Matthew appeared as Haemon in Handcart Ensemble's The Burial at Thebes: A Version of Antigone. Since arriving in New York, he has starred in two national commercials, bell-hopped in soap-operas, and made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall. He has starred in countless regional plays and musicals. He works as a private voice teacher, music director, and acting teacher, in addition to his other 'survival' jobs, in order to support his wife and two kids. He received his MFA in Acting from The Univ. of Texas at Austin, and BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Brigham Young University.
Matthew thanks Marin for letting him be part of her work. Most recently, Matthew appeared as Haemon in Handcart Ensemble's The Burial at Thebes: A Version of Antigone. Since arriving in New York, he has starred in two national commercials, bell-hopped in soap-operas, and made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall. He has starred in countless regional plays and musicals. He works as a private voice teacher, music director, and acting teacher, in addition to his other 'survival' jobs, in order to support his wife and two kids. He received his MFA in Acting from The Univ. of Texas at Austin, and BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Brigham Young University.
Lutin Tanner - Guest Performer
Lutin Tanner hails from the mov’en & shak’en Mankato, MN. (think Little House on the Prairie). He received a BA in Dance and Theatre from Western Michigan University. A technical internship at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival introduced him to Garth Fagan Dance, with whom he performed nationally and internationally for five years. While performing in the Musical Famous Orpheus, Lutin met his wife Adrienne Hurd. Since moving to New York City in 2000, Lutin has performed with Dzul Dance, Silver/Brown Dance, Earl Mosley, Theresa Duhon, toured to China with Nai Ni Chen Dance. He has been commissioned to choreograph two pieces for Middle Collegiate Church. Lutin continues to perform as a freelance dancer and present his own choreographic work throughout NYC and abroad. Thanks and love to his wife Adrienne, for her understanding of the late nights. Big UP! to his son Lucien, Love & Peace!
Lutin Tanner hails from the mov’en & shak’en Mankato, MN. (think Little House on the Prairie). He received a BA in Dance and Theatre from Western Michigan University. A technical internship at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival introduced him to Garth Fagan Dance, with whom he performed nationally and internationally for five years. While performing in the Musical Famous Orpheus, Lutin met his wife Adrienne Hurd. Since moving to New York City in 2000, Lutin has performed with Dzul Dance, Silver/Brown Dance, Earl Mosley, Theresa Duhon, toured to China with Nai Ni Chen Dance. He has been commissioned to choreograph two pieces for Middle Collegiate Church. Lutin continues to perform as a freelance dancer and present his own choreographic work throughout NYC and abroad. Thanks and love to his wife Adrienne, for her understanding of the late nights. Big UP! to his son Lucien, Love & Peace!
Graceann Dorse - Costume Designer
Graceann Dorse's preferred medium is silver spandex, but is willing to work with other fabrics, provided that she's able to wear silver spandex while working.
Recent designs: : Novel and A Wive's Tale (SPF). Richard III and As You like It (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival); Chunk in 9 Pieces (Cunningham Studios); Sideshow (Ryan Mekenian Productions/ATA); The Golem (Columbia MFA Directing); 365 Days/365 Plays: Week 11 (Ars Nova/Public); and projects at The Kitchen, PS122, Symphony Space, and the Chocolate Factory. MFA – New York Unversity.
Rebecca Bone - Guest Performer
Since birth, movement is the medium by which Rebecca Bone has found the most truthful expression of herself and is continually seeking that which will color and expand her milieu. A graduate of the University of Utah Modern Dance department, Rebecca has worked with choreographers Steve Koester, Hope Clark, Faye Driscoll and Stephen Koplowitz. She was also a performing member of Movement Forum, a dance improvisation performance group. While in New York, Rebecca has danced with Carlos Cruz, Creative Time and Studio A.I.R. and is excited to be performing with M.E.L.D. Danceworks.
Erica Whitman Frankel - Dancer
A graduate with honors from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance and Linguistics, Erica has performed in New York City and in Europe in repertory by Trisha Brown, William Forsythe, and Jessica Lang, and performed while in school with the Second Avenue Dance Company. In her non-dancing life, Erica works at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU as the Avoda Arts Coordinator. There she curates a gallery, runs the New York Jewish Student Film Festival, mentors the Bronfman Artist Fellowship, and oversees cool Arts programming! She currently performs in New York City with modern dance company P.M. Dance Co. under the direction of Philip Montana, and you may have caught her in this summer's Equity production of The Music Man!
Julia Sabangan - Dancer
Julia Sabangan was born and raised in New York City. She has performed most recently with Jeanette Stoner and Dancers, Katherine Howard, Susan Vencl, Janis Brenner and Dancers, Susan Hefner, and Coastline Dance Company. Julia has danced in works by such choreographers as Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Randy James, Sean Curran, Maia Claire-Garrison, Joanna Mendl-Shaw, Elio Pomare, Steve Rooks, Kathy Wildberger, Jill Echo, and Paul Mosley. Julia co-founded VaBang! Dance in 2007, a bi-coastal modern dance company born out of New York and San Francisco, and has also choreographed for Vassar Repertory Dance Theater. She is thrilled to be working with MELD for the first time!
COLLABORATORS
Marci Rubin - Dancer
Marci Rubin was raised in Santa Fe, NM and grew up studying ballet, spending her summers at the Joffrey Ballet School and the Oregon Ballet Theatre. She has performed in works of Blythe Eden, Alwin Nikolais, David Dorfman, Abby Fiat, Faye Driskoll, Antonietta Vicario and Chia-Chi Chang (International Dance Festival, Bytom, Poland). She graduated from the University of Utah in 2004 and has since traveled to India to study yoga, moved to NYC, and become a full-time yoga teacher. She is very excited to be involved in Marin's latest project.
MELD
dissolving religious and cultural barriers through the art of dance
DANCEWORKS
