JOSH ALEXANDER - Principal, SCCDC
Appears courtesy of Columbia City Ballet
Josh Alexander began his study of dance at the age of eleven in Greenville, SC. He continued his training with the Fine Arts Center and Greenville Ballet Company until the age of 16, when he was offered a scholarship to attend a summer program at Virginia School of the Arts. Mr. Alexander studied at Juilliard and School of American Ballet until beginning his professional career. Mr. Alexander has performed as a guest artist at VII Serge Lifar Dance Competition in Ukraine, Carolina Ballet Theatre in Greenville, International Ballet Academy, Greenville Ballet Company, California State University, and NHSDF in Tennessee and North Carolina. He began dancing for South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Miriam Barbosa in 2008. He has performed principal roles in original choreographies by Ms. Barbosa including a recent new work inspired by a site-specific installation by Beth Melton, entitled Story Lines, performed to music by Dmitri Shostakovich. In addition to working with SCCDC as a Principal Dancer, he has been invited to join Columbia City Ballet as a Soloist for their upcoming 2009-2010 Season.
SERGUEI CHTYRKOV – Principal, SCCDC
Mr. Chtyrkov holds a Masters in Art from Moscow Humanitarian University. He received his professional ballet training from Bolshoi Ballet Theatre, Russia and graduated from Bolshoi School of ballet in 1990. He has performed with the Kremlin Ballet (Moscow), Kinetic Theatre (Moscow), Oak Ridge Tennessee Civic Ballet and Akron Ohio Chamber Ballet. He was a Principal Dancer for the Columbia City Ballet. He also participated in the Moscow, Berlin and Baltoscandal Festivals in 1996. Mr. Chtyrkov served on the dance faculty at the University of South Carolina for eight years, as well as Director of Carolina Ballet Ensemble and Principal Dancer. Mr. Chtyrkov has been performing original principal roles composed by Ms. Barbosa since 2002.
STEVEN FERGUSON – Soloist, SCCDC
Steven is an eclectic artist from Charlotte, NC. As a singer-songwriter, musician, and dancer Steven has achieved much success by fusing his craftsmanship to create his work. He began his dance training while earning a Bachelor of Music at the University of South Carolina. He studied various styles of dance under Miriam Barbosa, Stacey Calvert, Terrence Henderson and Cindy Flach. Steven has performed as a guest artist with the USC Dance Company, Vibrations Dance Company, UNBOUND Dance Company and Columbia Classical Ballet. The Columbia Music Festival Association featured Steven in a pas de trois for the George Balanchine work, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, in their production featuring New York City Ballet principal dancers. Steven began dancing with South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of Artistic Director Miriam Barbosa in 2007. His presence in the studio inspired Ms. Barbosa and guest artist Brenda Nieto to create his solo role as Virgin in The Divine Comedy. He is also a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® instructor at Gyrotonic Vista and teaches workshops throughout Southeast.
JOULIA MOISSEEVA – Soloist, SCCDC
In 1987 Ms. Moisseeva graduated from Voroneg School of Ballet from class of Professor Valitova. After graduation, Ms. Moisseeva performed with Musical Theater of Karelia, where she had honor to work with ballet masters of Kirov Theater: Mr. Baltacheev and Ms. Vasilieva. Since 1988 Ms. Moisseeva performing with Moscow Festival Ballet, in 1990 she was invited to Kremlin Ballet Company where she performed on stage with Ekaterina Maximova, Vladimir Vasiliev, Ms. Timofeeva and Natalia Semenaka. From 1995-96 Ms. Moisseeva danced with Modern Theater in Usti-nad-Labom, Czech Republic. As a ballet instructor Ms. Moisseeva taught in Akron University, Oak Ridge, Kingston Ballet studios, Studio Arts for Dancers in Tennessee, Lexington Ballet and Spartanburg Ballet, University of South Carolina, and the Center for Dance Education in Columbia. Ms. Moisseeva participated in international ballet tours to France, Italy, Norway, Austria, China, Mexico, Taiwan and USA. Ms. Moisseeva has worked with Miriam Barbosa since 2006. She has performed original roles created by Ms. Barbosa for Pandora’s Box and Visions of the Amazon.
CHRISTIN ANNE ARTHUR – Ensemble
Born into a military family at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Christin Arthur was raised on the Presidio of San Francisco, California and Fort Douglas, Utah. She began her ballet training at the age of five in Salt Lake City, Utah and embarked upon her path toward a dance career with the Ballet West Academy at the University of Utah at age 10. Christin also participated in summer programs at the New Zealand School of Dance, the Hong Kong International Summer School, Jacob’s Pillow and the Berlin National Ballet. Christin continued her studies at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from the Kirov Academy in 2002 she joined Universal Ballet in Seoul, Korea. Early in 2008, she performed a guest principle role in an original contemporary piece created by Rick McCullough of Florida State University, and staged by the Columbia Classical Ballet, Columbia, South Carolina under Radenko Pavlovich. Most recently Christin has performed with the Grand Ballet Canadian and with the Baltimore Ballet as a guest principal. Miriam Barbosa invited Christin to join South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company in 2009.
HARLEY BRUNSON – Ensemble
Harley Brunson began dancing at Calvert-Brodie under the direction of Anne Brodie and Debbie Spivey. There she performed excerpts from “Giselle” and “Tarantella.” Harley also danced with the Gifted and Talented Program for the Arts in Richland One. While with the program, she performed principal roles in “Rodeo,” “The Buried Moon” and “The Emperor and the Nightingale”. She also performed with the University of South Carolina Junior Company, with roles in “Peter Pan,” “Pinocchio”. While attending USC, Harley performed with the USC Dance Company in ballet and contemporary works. She also danced original roles in Hunab k’bu and Vision of the Amazon by Miriam Barbosa. Harley’s choreography was also selected for the modern competition American College Dance Festival in Alabama. Harley is also a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® instructor at Gyrotonic Vista.
AMANDA HARRING – Ensemble
Amanda Harring received her technical ballet training at the Milwaukee Ballet School and performed in company’s annual Nutcracker and the Nutcracker festival. She continued her training with the Boston Ballet School. While there she performed in their annual spring showcase as a demi-soloist. She spent her summers dancing with both Boston Ballet and Long Beach Ballet. Amanda attended the University of South Carolina as a dance major. While there she trained with Miriam Barbosa, former member of Martha Graham Dance Company and Stacey Calvert, former New York City Ballet soloist. In 2007, Amanda transferred to Indiana University where she worked with members of the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange as well as a former member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. She performed in a number of original works done by Elizabeth Shea and Gwen Hamm. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology/Dance. She joined South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company in 2009.
KEITH MEARNS – Ensemble
A native of Columbia, Keith began his training at Calvert-Brodie School of Dance under Naomi Calvert and Ann Brodie. After graduating from the inaugural class of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts, he was invited to train year round at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. He went on to train for one year at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Keith was hired into Pennsylvania Ballet II and then into the main company, working in Philadelphia for four years. He is currently a sophomore dance major at the University of South Carolina. While teaching for the Center for Dance Education, he both dances and choreographs for Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet. Miriam Barbosa invited him into South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company in 2009..
ENGLISH NYE – Ensemble
English Nye has been dancing the majority of her life. Originally trained in tap and jazz, English expanded her horizons and passion for dance by performing in a competition studio where she trained in tap, jazz and ballet. In 2005, English entered the University of South Carolina in order to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in dance performance and choreography. English received ballet training from Stacey Calvert and Kyra Strausberg and also learned Graham technique from Miriam Barbosa. She performed in many original works by Miriam Barbosa as well as Martha Graham masterpieces such as "Sketches from Chronicle" and "Diversion of Angels." English performed these Graham works at collegiate dance conventions such as the American Collegiate Dance Festival Association and the Hunter College Dance Festival. In December 2008 English was awarded a scholarship by Ms. Barbosa to participate in the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance’s winter intensive in New York City. English graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor of arts in Dance and Anthropology. She joined Unbound Dance Company where she performed in “Les Femmes.” Ms. Barbosa recently invited English to be a member of the South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company.
MEGHANN PADGETT – Ensemble
Meghann began dancing at the age of six in Aiken, South Carolina. She attended Columbia College as a dance major and studied both contemporary and ballet. She graduated from Columbia College in May of 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in dance a minor in art. She now works and studies dance in Columbia.In the spring of 2007, she studied and performed at the American College Dance Festival in Mississippi. Meghann has also taken master classes from choreographers such as Dan Wagner, Christian Vontlouard, and Darah Bella. In 2009, Meghann was invited to join the South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company.
BRIAN RICHARDSON – Ensemble
C. Brian Richardson received his Bachelors of Art in Dance with Emphasis in performance and choreography from the University of South Carolina. His performance experience includes dancer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line International, the Columbia Contemporary Performance Group, USC Dance Company, and the Vibrations Dance Company, where he has been a member for the past eight years, and the last six of which he has spent as a principal dancer. He has trained intensively at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. Brian has performed on stage with Roberta Flack and Jennifer Holliday. His Color Guard performance experience includes the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (nine time DCI world champion) 2003 and the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps 2000. Presently Brian teaches dance, color guard and choreography at various dance studios and high schools in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. He has also dance in original pieces by Miriam Barbosa, such as Catharsis in 2006. He joined SCCDC in 2009.
JESSICA STROUPE – Ensemble
Originally from North Carolina, Jessica began her training at Gaston Dance Theatre under the direction of Patricia Wall, Tawny Rose Wall and Ed Campbell. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance/Choreography and Psychology. While at USC, she was a member of the USC Dance Company where she danced a range of classical and contemporary works including choreography by George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Twyla Tharp and Alan Hineline. In addition to performing the role of Yellow Girl in Graham’s Diversion of Angels, Jessica was showcased in the recent ETV Documentary of the restaging of Graham’s “Sketches from Chronicle”. In 2007, she was awarded a scholarship by Miriam Barbosa to attend the winter intensive of the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. She was awarded the USC Dance Program Director’s Award in 2009 for dedication to the art of dance. She currently teaches at the Center for Dance Education, is an Artistic Staff member and guest artist for Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet and is dancing with the South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company.
GABOR TOTH – Ensemble
Gabor Toth began his formal dance training at the world-renowned Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Toth is trained extensively in the arts of ballet, folk dance, acrobatics, stage dance, acting, historical dance, pantomime, partnering, and contemporary dance. Upon graduation, he was awarded a scholarship to the School of Alicia Alonso in Madrid, Spain, where he received instruction in Spanish folk dance and classical ballet. Following this, Toth made his American debut as an intern with the Greensboro Ballet Company, where he perfected his knowledge of American techniques, styles, and choreography. He was invited by Miriam Barbosa to join SCCDC this season.
MISHA EADY – Guest Artist*
Appears courtesy of Columbia City Ballet
Misha Eady started her training at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance in 1990. From there she trained summer semesters at both The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, and Cleveland San Jose Ballet in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1997 she was accepted into Columbia City Ballet as an apprentice, and then promoted to full company member in 1998. From 2001-2006 she concurrently performed with USC Dance, reviving the title role of Ondine in 2003, for which the Free Times remarked “The best performer of the night was Misha Eady…With precise footwork, graceful arm movements and fluid leg extensions…she exuded a radiant stage presence. Eady has a promising career ahead of her.” In 2003, she danced an original role created by Miriam Barbosa in “Hunab k’bu”. Currently about to start her 12th season with Columbia City Ballet, this is her first contemporary performance role.
JULIA FOLTS - Guest Artist*
Appears courtesy of Columbia City Ballet
Julia Folts is originally from Hatfield, MA where she began her dance training at Pioneer Valley Ballet under the direction of Gail Giere Collins. Her summers were spent studying at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Joffrey Ballet in New York City. She attended Towson University in MD, with a focus in ballet and modern dance. While completing her BFA in Dance Performance, she had the privilege of working with such choreographers as Stephanie Powell, Juan Carlos Ricones, Mark Taylor, and Geoffrey Holder. After graduating magna cum laude in 2004, she joined the Ballet Theatre of Maryland for two seasons performing corps and soloist roles. In 2006 she moved south to join Columbia City Ballet and is about to start her fourth season with the company. She was invited to join SCCDC Season as a guest dancer.
JORDAN HAWKINS - Guest Artist*
Appears courtesy of Columbia City Ballet
Jordan Hawkins began her dance training at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance under the direction of Marieclare Miranda and William Starrett. She was a member of CCBII for 8 years, performing many children’s roles with the Columbia City Ballet. For the 2008-2009 Season she was promoted to a trainee position with Columbia City Ballet. During her high school career she competed as a senior member of the Columbia City Dance Company. She was awarded numerous platinum and top first awards for both group and solo routines including jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballet. Jordan also received full scholarships to Adrenaline Dance Convention. In 2004, she was invited to attend SC Governors School of Arts summer dance intensive and also participated in classes at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and the New York City Rockettes. She is now a full company member with the Columbia City Ballet and is a SCCDC guest dancer.
MAURICE JOHNSON - Guest Artist*
Appears courtesy of Columbia City Ballet
Born in Greenville, SC, Maurice Johnson began his training at the Fine Arts Center and the Greenville Ballet under the direction of Natasha Lazar and Andrew Kuharsky. He has received full scholarships to numerous summer intensives including Boston Ballet, The Rock School, and Dance Theater of Harlem. Graduating in 2000, Johnson joined the Nashville Ballet as a trainee. Wanting to continue with training and education, Johnson attended the North Carolina School of the Arts graduating in 2005. While a student at NCSA, he danced in Carolina Ballet's Premiere's program in the world premiere of Lynn Taylor-Corbett's Great Scott and Lost and Found. Maurice joined the Richmond Ballet in 2005 as an apprentice. There he had the privilege to dance and work with choreographers Jessica Lang, Mauricio Wainrot, Colin Conner, Val Caniparoli, and William Soleau. He originated roles in Soleau's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Currently, Johnson is entering his fourth season with the Columbia City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was recently invited to join the South Carolina Contemporary Dance company as a guest dancer.
LAUREN QUICK- Guest Apprentice*
Lauren began dancing under Ann Brodie and Debbie Spivey at Calvert-Brodie. The majority of her training was obtained at Pavlovich Dance Studio and became an apprentice in Radenko Pavlovich’s company, Columbia Classical Ballet. She also took part in the Gifted and Talented Dance Program of Richland School District 1 and was the first student to complete the full eight-credit honors program. In addition to her training in Columbia, Lauren also took part in the Joffrey Ballet’s summer intensive. She is now apprenticing for the South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company.
*Guest dancers appear courtesy of Columbia City Ballet with the support of Artistic and Executive Director, Mr. William Starrett.