Mareck Dance

🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟

Day 5: Dara Schlesinger

Dara Schlesinger is native from Dayton, Ohio. She began her dance training at age of three at South Dayton School of Dance. Her studies started with her mother Gigi Gardner formally with Dayton Ballet and Elizabeth Karns formally with American Ballet Theatre and her aunt Gina Walther formally with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Obviously dance runs in the family. She is a third-generation dancer. At the age of seven she was invited to perform with DCDC for a charity arts benefit hosted by Oprah Winfrey. In 2008 she joined the South Dayton Dance Theatre. SDDT is a pre-professional dance company and honor member of Regional Dance America Northeast.

She has been recognized with many scholarships and awards. Her studies have been with Cincinnati Ballet, Pennsylvania Regional Ballet (scholarship), National Choreography Intensive (scholarship), Point Park University summer intensive (scholarship), Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Boston Ballet.

Dara continued to pursue her dream of dance by attending Point Park University under the direction of Garfield Lemonious and has trained with Susan Stowe, Jason McDole, Kiesha Lalama, Juila Erickson, Dana Arey, Kiki Lucas, Rocker Verastique and Daniel Karasik. While at Point Park, she worked with choreographers including Adam Hougland, Christopher Huggins, Matthew Powell, Edwaard Liang, Amy Hall Garner and Blakeley White McGuire. Dara graduated with honors and received her B.F.A. in Dance in Spring 2021. Her mission is to use her art to lift low spirits and to create something beautiful. She aspires to leave her mark on the world both personally and professionally through unexpected endeavors.This is Dara’s fourth season with Mareck Dance.

See Dara in upcoming 🌟Kinetic Visions, November 15 & 16 2024🌟
Tickets Available Soon!

📸: & .muohio

💃 Get ready for a BALLET SOIRÉE! 💃

🥂 YOU are invited to an evening of fun benefitting Mareck Dance!

Hosted at a Girard Luxury Home in Old Hawthorne, the evening promises a delightful atmosphere with hors d’oeuvres provided by Eclipse Catering, drinks, games, and prizes.

📣 Join us for a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT as we reveal the 2025 Dancing With Missouri Stars 🌟CELEBRITIES!🌟

When: Thursday, October 3rd from 6:30-9:30pm

Where: Location provided with ticket purchase

What to wear: Your best reds! ❤️

Why: To support Mareck Dance, Columbia’s only professional dance company, as we kick off our 18th season!

How: Purchase tickets through the link in our bio. Get your tickets in advance to save!

🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟

Day 4: Victoria VanderPlas

Victoria VanderPlas began her training in Howell, MI at Glenn’s School of Dance, where she primarily studied the Cecchetti Method, under the direction of past Cecchetti Council president Sandra Glenn.

Victoria graduated from Grand Valley State University. She completed both a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. While at GVSU she performed alongside The Francesca Harper Project in their performance of "Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus Ballet”. Victoria attended the Grand Rapids Ballet Contemporary Summer Intensive on scholarship and was recognized for her studies as a recipient of the Upper Division Dance Scholarship at GVSU and a recipient of the Student Leadership Scholarship through the Association of Mexican Professionals in Michigan. Victoria has had the opportunity to work with and perform principal, soloist, and corps roles by choreographers including Autumn Eckman, Kristopher Este-Brown, Colby Damon, Melissa Hale Coyle, Stephanie Martinez, Fernando Rodriguez, Roger Van Fleteren, Samantha Shelton, and Susan Brooker.

Along with dance and movement, Victoria has a passion for exercise science and youth education. She has worked as residential staff for the American Ballet Theater at the University of Texas summer program. Victoria been a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer since 2019. Victoria enjoys learning all styles of dance from ballroom to aerial and flow arts; she loves spending time in nature, playing games with her many siblings, and finds enjoyment in learning new skills and trying new things.

See Victoria in upcoming 🌟Kinetic Visions, November 15 & 16 2024🌟
Tickets Available Soon!

🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟

Day 3: Nathan Crewe-Kluge

Nathan Crewe-Kluge grew up in La Grange IL. He trained in Chicago under Claire Bataille in Lou Conte Dance Studio’s Scholarship Program, and in programs with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, DanceWorks Chicago, and River North Dance Chicago. While training, he also performed as an apprentice with Chicago Repertory Ballet, and Winifred Haun & Dancers. In 2019, Nathan had the privilege of studying classical ballet abroad at Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. In 2022, he graduated summa cm laude from SUNY Purchase College with a BFA in Dance Performance, concentrating in Composition. Nathan is excited to continue creating and exploring in his 4th season with Mareck Dance!
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🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟
Day 2: Kendall Lademann

Follow the link in our bio to sponsor Kendall this season!

Kendall began her ballet training as a young girl at the Columbia Dance Academy to rehabilitate a broken leg and fell in love with the art. She continued her ballet training under the instruction of Andrea Hill at City Ballet of Wilmington (North Carolina) where she performed in The Nutcracker, Phantom of the Opera, Coppelia, the Snow Queen, and Sleeping Beauty. In high school, Kendall joined the School of Mareck Center for Dance where she was a part of the Youth Ensemble for four years. During her time with the Mareck Center for Dance, Kendall also enjoyed volunteering with the DanceAbility program. After high school, she spent a year training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, under the instruction of David Justin, DeeAnna Hiett, Gary Abbott, Michael Blake, and Ronald Tice.

See Kendall in upcoming 🌟Kinetic Visions, November 15 & 16 2024🌟
Tickets Available Soon!

🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟

Day 1: Elise Heitkamp

Follow the link in our bio to sponsor Elise this season!

Elise has danced professionally with Mareck Dance since 2010. She has worked with many well-known choreographers from all over the nation including Joshua Blake Carter, Autumn Eckman, Kameron Saunders, Penny Saunders, Bryn Cohn, John Mark Owen, Christian Denice, Tiger Martina, Lindsey Matheis, and Thang Dao.

She has performed many lead roles in new works as well as featured roles in Mareck Dance repertoire including her re-occurring role as Queen of Hearts in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She has toured nationally and internationally with the company and has been fortunate enough to travel to New York City, Newport RI, Oklahoma, and South Korea on tour while participating and performing in many national dance festivals including Spring to Dance, Dance St. Louis, and Island Moving Company’s Summer Dance Festival. Elise has performed as a guest artist with Dance Grosse Ile, Springfield Ballet. and The Schaumburg Ballet in Chicago. Elise is also a certified Pilates instructor and teaches various classes in mat and reformer Pilates around the central Missouri area. Elise was voted Columbia’s Silver Best Pilates Instructor for “Inside Columbia” in 2019. Elise is very excited to be entering her 15th season with Mareck Center for Dance.

See Elise in upcoming 🌟Kinetic Visions, November 15 & 16 2024🌟
Tickets Available Soon!

🚨MALE CONTRACT AVAILABLE NOW FOR 2024-2025 SEASON 🚨

Mareck Dance is seeking male dancers for the 2024-2025 season beginning in late August!! Dancers should have strong ballet and contemporary technique, as well as high level partnering skills.

🌟 Join Mareck Dance, a small contemporary ballet company, and experience unparalleled opportunities:

💥 Perform diverse works by various choreographers, including world premieres

💥 Dance in 3-5 pieces per performance, with 2-4+ performance opportunities each season

💥 Shine not only as a partner but also as a solo dancer

💥 Push your physical, creative, and artistic boundaries in a supportive and encouraging environment

💥 Choreography and teaching opportunities available

Contracts are 30-34 weeks, with an open December schedule for Nutcracker guest appearances.

Auditions are by invitation only; virtual auditions available. Please click the link below to fill out an audition application today!

https://mareckcenterfordance.org/company/auditions/

📸 Photos by: LG Patterson





Karen Mareck Grundy Samuel Johnson Victoria VanderPlas Dara N. Schlesinger Kendall Lademann Nathan Crewe-Kluge Sarah Murphy Elise Mosbacher LG Patterson

🏌️‍♂️✨ Join us on July 28th at A.L Gustin Golf Course for the Mareck Center for Dance Golf Fundraiser!

Gather your squad for a four-person scramble at $440 per team. Test your skills with games like Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and Longest Putt. Check-in starts at 8 AM, with a shotgun start at 9:30.

Enjoy a swag bag, free lunch, and adult beverages while supporting a fantastic cause. Proceeds benefit our Outreach Programs, DanceReach and DanceAbility. Don't miss this chance to golf for good! ⛳️💙

Click the link below to register TODAY!

Get your team: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/4fd94539-e65d-4445-b073-efaa30e306d9

Sponsor a hole: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fb6ffaa9-58d1-4d2b-b8bd-990ccb423b3e

Mareck Center for Dance Golf Tournament Join us on July 28th at A.L Gustin Golf Course for the Mareck Center for Dance Golf Fundraiser! Grab your friends for a four-man scramble at $440 per team. Enjoy a swag bag, free lunch, and adult beverages while supporting a great cause. Games include Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and Longest P...

📢 Attention dancers! 📢

🌟 Join us this summer at Mareck Center for Dance! 🌟

Programs:

❄️ Frozen Ballet Camp: July 8-12 (Ages 3-7)
💃 Junior Intensive: July 15-19 (Ages 7-12)
🩰 Pre-Pro Intensive: July 22-26 (Ages 11+, audition required)
✨ Adult Intensive: July 29-Aug 2

📅 Sign up by June 24th to secure your spot!

🔗 Register now via the link in our bio!
📧 Questions? Email [email protected]

🩰✨

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved studio dog, Snapelle. For 13 years, she brought us joy, laughter, and constant companionship at Mareck Dance Studio. She will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. 🐾💔

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for Dancing With Missouri Stars! ✨ Our first year at Brewer Field House at the Mizzou Rec was a huge success. 🎉 A special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor: Mpix🏆, Gold Sponsor: 🥇, and Silver Sponsors: Girard Homes🥈, Fitness 🥈, StarRealty 🥈, and 🥈. We had an amazing time, and it’s all thanks to the incredible support of our community. 🙏 A big shoutout to our participating celebrities for their tireless fundraising efforts. 💪 We couldn’t have done it without you!

🌟 Stay tuned for posts featuring images from the event and the announcement of this year's champion, runner-up, and more!

🌟 Images by Caleigh Christy/Missourian 📸

⭐️ DANCING WITH MISSOURI STARS 2024: PARKING ⭐️

🅿️🚗The event is at the Brewer Fieldhouse inside the Mizzou Rec Center. There are three parking areas to choose from. You will use the main entrance on the north side of the building on Rollins St.

🚪🕟 Doors open at 5:45, and the show begins at 7pm. Be sure to arrive on time to secure your seats and any refreshments before the show begins!

🗳️ CAST YOUR VOTES NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE CELEB AT https://mareckcenterfordance.org/events/dancing-with-the-missouri-stars/meet-the-stars-24/ or by clicking the link in our bio!

😳 STILL NEED A TICKET?
🎟️ GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

⭐️ DANCING WITH MISSOURI STARS 2024: WHAT TO BRING ⭐️

🎟️🎫 Your digital or printed ticket: Don’t worry, you can still secure a general admission ticket at the door!

📱🔋A charged cell phone, so you can vote for your favorite celebrity and dancer. Just don’t forget to put it on silent.

💳💵Your wallet: Bars and concessions for general admission accept both cash and cards. And don’t forget, the celebrity with the most dollar votes wins!

🗳️ CAST YOUR VOTES NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE CELEB AT https://mareckcenterfordance.org/events/dancing-with-the-missouri-stars/meet-the-stars-24/ or by clicking the link in our bio!

😳 STILL NEED A TICKET?
🎟️ GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

⭐️ DANCING WITH MISSOURI STARS 2024: AFTERPARTY ⭐️

🐧🎹 The afterparty will be held at Penguin Piano Bar following the event. Plan to Uber or have a designated driver. Please no drinking and driving!

🎉 Let’s be safe and make it a night to remember! 🥳

🗳️ CAST YOUR VOTES NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE CELEB AT https://mareckcenterfordance.org/events/dancing-with-the-missouri-stars/meet-the-stars-24/ or by clicking the link in our bio!

😳 STILL NEED A TICKET?
🎟️ GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

⭐️ Introducing our 2024 Dancing With Missouri Stars GOLD SPONSOR: ⭐️

Eclipse Catering and Events was born of the idea that everyone deserves a caterer that cares about your event. Book a caterer that believes in affordable prices with flavors you know and love.

We’d like to offer a huge thank you to everyone at Eclipse! Taste their yummy food by coming to Dancing With Missouri Stars!

🗳️ Support your favorite local celbarity by voting at https://mareckcenterfordance.org/events/dancing-with-the-missouri-stars/

📅 Date: May 16th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:45 pm, show starts at 7 pm
📍 Location: Brewer Field House

🤝 All proceeds benefit the Mareck Center for Dance. Let’s make it a night to remember! ✨

⭐️ Introducing our 2024 Dancing With Missouri Stars PLATINUM SPONSOR: ⭐️

MPIX makes online photo printing easy, fast, and dare we say — fun. Print what matters most with MPIX.

On behalf of everyone at the Mareck Center for Dance, we’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your platinum sponsorship of our event, Dancing with Missouri Stars.

With your generous contribution, we can continue to provide exceptional dance programs and opportunities to transform our community through the joy of dance.

We are proud to have Mpix as a partner in our mission to inspire and nurture talent in the arts.

🗳️ Support your favorite local celbarity by voting at https://mareckcenterfordance.org/events/dancing-with-the-missouri-stars/

📅 Date: May 16th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:45 pm, show starts at 7 pm
📍 Location: Brewer Field House

🤝 All proceeds benefit the Mareck Center for Dance. Let’s make it a night to remember! ✨

⭐️ Introducing our 2024 Dancing With Missouri Stars SILVER SPONSORS: & Trailside Animal Hospital!⭐️

From everyone at Mareck Center for Dance- thank you to our silver sponsors! Your contributions ensure Mareck Center for Dance can continue offering high-quality education and performances! 💃🕺

🗳️ Support your favorite local celbarity by voting at https://mareckcenterfordance.org/events/dancing-with-the-missouri-stars/

📅 Date: May 16th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:45 pm, show starts at 7 pm
📍 Location: Brewer Field House

🤝 All proceeds benefit the Mareck Center for Dance. Let’s make it a night to remember! ✨

⭐️ Reserve your tables for Dancing With Missouri Stars before May 11th! 🌟 Limited tables remain, and they’re going quickly. Click the link in our bio to secure your tickets today!

Don’t miss the chance to watch this year’s local celebrities go toe to toe in our annual ballroom dance & fundraising competition. 💃🕺

📅 Date: May 16th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:45 pm, show starts at 7 pm
📍 Location: Brewer Field House

All proceeds benefit the Mareck Center for Dance. Let’s make it a night to remember! ✨

⭐️ Reserve your tables for Dancing With Missouri Stars before May 11th! 🌟 Limited tables remain, and they're going quickly. Click the link in our bio to secure your tickets today!

Don't miss the chance to watch this year's local celebrities go toe to toe in our annual ballroom dance & fundraising competition. 💃🕺

📅 Date: May 16th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:45 pm, show starts at 7 pm
📍 Location: Brewer Field House

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/659bcf77-8aec-49c3-8388-7e39b41ea14f

All proceeds benefit the Mareck Center for Dance. Let's make it a night to remember! ✨

🌟 Don’t miss out on our spectacular performance of Carmina Burana with Choral Arts Alliance this week!

🌟 Join us on April 26th and 27th at 7pm for an unforgettable evening of music and magic. Tickets are selling fast – secure yours now before they’re gone!

🌟 Get your tickets by clicking the link in our bio, the link below, or by going to mareckdance.org

🌟 Friday, April 26 at 7pm🌟
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg==

🌟 Saturday, April 27 at 7pm🌟    
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg==

🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟

Day 9/9: Victoria VanderPlas

Victoria VanderPlas began her training in Howell, MI at Glenn’s School of Dance, where she primarily studied the Cecchetti Method, under direction of past Cecchetti Council president Sandra Glenn.  

Recently graduated from Grand Valley State University, Victoria completed both a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. While at GVSU she was given the opportunity to perform alongside The Francesca Harper Project in the 2016 Fall Arts Performance of “Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus Ballet”. In 2017 she attended the Grand Rapids Ballet Contemporary Summer Intensive on scholarship, and in 2018 was recognized for her studies as recipient of the Upper Division Dance Scholarship at GVSU and the Student Leadership Scholarship provided by the Association of Mexican Professionals in Michigan. During four years in GVSU’s Dance program she also had the opportunity to work with and perform principal, soloist, and corps roles in works by faculty and guest choreographers including Melissa Hale Coyle, Roger Van Fleteren, Samantha Shelton, and Susan Brooker.

Along with dance and movement, Victoria has a passion for exercise science and youth education. She has worked as residential staff for the American Ballet Theater at University of Texas summer program and had the opportunity to become a Certified Performance Specialist through an internship program with GVSU and Englebert Training Systems. Victoria enjoys learning all styles of dance from ballroom to aerial and flow arts; she loves spending time in nature, playing games with her many siblings, and finds enjoyment in  learning new skills and trying new things.

See Victoria in upcoming 🌟CARMINA BURANA, APRIL 26 & 27 2024🌟

Purchase tickets by clicking the links below, the link in our bio, or on our website at mareckdance.org

🌟Friday, April 26 at 7pm🌟
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg== 🎟️

🌟Saturday, April 27 at 7pm🌟    
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg== 🎟️

📸: & .muohio

We are just 🌟3 days away🌟 until opening night of Carmina Burana! Have you planned your evening to Jesse Hall Auditorium? Which day are YOU coming to? Let us know below!

🌟CARMINA BURANA, APRIL 26 & 27 2024🌟

Mareck Dance and Chorale Arts Alliance of Missouri reunite after five years, bringing you an extraordinary performance of Carmina Burana with live music and dance at Jesse Hall Auditorium. This collaboration marks their triumphant return, following their initial joint production of Carmina in 2015. With original choreography by Karen Mareck Grundy and Joel Hathaway, prepare to be captivated as they intertwine the power of dance and choral artistry, breathing new life into this timeless masterpiece. Don’t miss this remarkable reunion, where the magic of Carmina Burana comes alive once again!

Purchase tickets by clicking the links below, the link in our bio, or on our website at mareckdance.org

🌟Friday, April 26, 7pm, Jesse Hall Auditorium
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg==

🌟Saturday, April 27, 7pm, Jesse Hall Auditorium
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg==

🌟DANCERS OF MARECK DANCE🌟

Day 8/9: Ashleigh Sewell

A native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Ashleigh began her dance training at Dance Arts of Bowling Green under Clifton Keefer Brown and Ashleigh Keefer. At 14, she undertook additional training as a dual-credit student at Western Kentucky University, taking ballet, pointe, partnering, jazz and performing in several productions a year. As a high school senior, Ashleigh joined the Trainee Program at Nashville Ballet. After one season, she was invited to join the Second Company, where she danced from 2017-2020 and performed original works by Paul Vasterling, Christopher Stuart, Kathryn Linsley, Robert Colby Damon, Michael Bearden, Gina Patterson, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, and Mollie Sansone.

She danced with Fort Wayne Ballet from the fall of 2020 through the spring of 2022. In addition to classical roles in The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Swan Lake, Ashleigh had the opportunity to perform several original works by artistic staff and company dancers. Ashleigh has also participated in additional training programs at a variety of companies across the US including BalletX, Fort Wayne Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Hubbard Street, Nashville Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet Academy NYC, Gelsey Kirkland Academy, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, The Rock School for Dance Education, and Atlanta Ballet.

See Ashleigh in upcoming 🌟CARMINA BURANA, APRIL 26 & 27 2024🌟

Purchase tickets by clicking the links below, the link in our bio, or on our website at mareckdance.org

🌟Friday, April 26 at 7pm🌟
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg== 🎟️

🌟Saturday, April 27 at 7pm🌟    
🎟️ https://am.ticketmaster.com/muconcerts/ism/NENKMDQyNg== 🎟️

📸: & .muohio