Ariana Hetland-Purna grew up dancing jazz, tap, lyrical and ballet/en pointe, with most time spent training in ballet. As a working adult, she shifted to learning various street dance styles and heels as a creative outlet/mental health support. She has enjoyed experiencing the freedom and joy that street styles can bring!

Viv Ncaus Dance Troupe (VNDT) was founded in 2007 by dancers of Ntsais Plia in Madison, WI. The program uses a youth, gender, and queer justice framework to end cycles of gender-based violence. Youth choreograph, design/make traditional outfits, and build community through performances.

Madison Circus Space is a largely volunteer-driven non-profit organization which prides itself as being a hub for circus and movement arts in Wisconsin. Their mission of inclusivity and accessibility means that they love to support artists, athletes, and performers from all walks of life and at all stages of their creative journeys. MCS is thrilled to participate in the Shifting Gears Bike Path Festival, showcasing 15 different aerialists in the disciplines of aerial anchor, hoop, dance trapeze, silks, sling, and aerial harness & wheelchair dance.

Emily Shelton trained at Cincinnati Ballet and received her BA in modern dance from Case Western Reserve University, where she performed works by Larry Keigwin, Mark Morris, and Pascal Rioult. She performed with Verb Ballets and Ohio Dance Theatre in their production of “The Nutcracker” in December 2015. Since moving to Madison in 2016, Emily has danced with Erica Pinigis’s Scratch Dance, as well as Kanopy Dance, where she had the opportunity to perform Martha Graham’s “Heretic” and “Celebration”. Emily is a founding member of Isthmus Dance Collective, as well as an aerial member at Madison Circus Space.

is an open-style dance company located in Madison, Wisconsin. Established in January 2015, we welcome adults of all experience levels and backgrounds, and we do not hold auditions. The company's goal is to help its members develop as dancers, grow as choreographers, and connect with the community through performances and other events. Learn more about Breakthrough at breakthroughdance.weebly.com or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/breakthroughdancecompany or Instagram instagram.com/breakthrough_dance_company

Abby Frank Taylor (she/her) is a dancer, performer, potter, and arts administrator based in Madison, Wisconsin. She has previously performed with Liz Sexe Dance, Shapiro & Smith Dance, SLO Dance, ARENA DANCES, and work by choreographers Leila Awadallah, Gerald Casel, Leyya Mona Tawil, Martha Graham and Garth Fagan. She also has an ongoing collaboration with musician and partner, Matt Blair, called These Trees are Clocks. Abby was a resident company member for two seasons at Timber Lake Playhouse and spent a summer at Jacob's Pillow as a part of the Company Management team.

Sarah Breckenridge, Member: Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance, Life Member: British Association of Teachers of Dancing.

Sarah has been teaching competitive Scottish Highland dancing for over 25 years, both in the US and the UK. She competed for 15 years, and performance highlights include dancing in the New Jersey Opera’s production of Lucia di Lammemore and in Rockefeller Plaza for Tartan Day. She is the founder of the Breckenridge School of Highland Dance, based in Madison and teaches ages three on up (including an adults’ class) Her students have won regional and national titles (including a five-time US Champion) and compete around the US, Canada, and Scotland and performed on the main stage at the Overture Center and at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee.

Sojourner Croom is a second year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a degree in dance and data science. Sojourner trained at Tap n Arts Dance studio in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for 16 years. While she was there, she studied Tap, Jazz, HipHop, Ballet, Contemporary and Lyrical dance. Additionally, Sojourner has choreographed multiple works for solo performances, contributed choreography to group pieces performed in the Tap n Arts dance studio end of year recital. She has also performed in multiple of the UW-Madison Dance Department concerts.

Tania Tandias has studied flamenco and Spanish classical dance with top dancers in the United States and Spain, including Pablo Rodarte, Eva Enciñias-Sandoval, Rosa Montoya, Juana Amaya and numerous other Spanish artists. Ms. Tandias has performed with Alma Flamenca in Albuquerque and with Maria Benitez’s Nuevo Flamenco in Santa Fe. She has also recently choreographed and performed in pieces for the Madison Opera, Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Milwaukee Ballet, Kanopy Dance Company, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. In 2016, Ms. Tandias was honored to receive the “Performance/Choreography Award” from the Wisconsin Dance Council. Tania Tandias now lives in her hometown of Madison, WI where she teaches, performs and directs her company Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance.

www.flamencodance.net

Odissi (O-ri-see) dance is an exquisite representation of the Hindustani traditions of art and tantric practice of balancing Shiva and Shakti and play with Kundalini. Evidence of its origins dates back to the second century BC, yet the form also benefits from a cultural revitalization in this last century that brings its spiritual ancestry and soul to life in a sophisticated and classical quality on the world stage for all to enjoy.

Artistic director Raka Bandyo began her study of the classical Indian art form Odissi Dance at 4 years of age in the parampara of Padma Vibushan Guru Kelucharun Mohapatra. She continued to study and dance while completing a Bachelors and Master's degree. In 2003, she began teaching Odissi dance and continue to do so today from her home in Madison, WI, USA.

Pa Ying Gia Thao (Pa Ying - Bgirl Ujin) is a dancer, choreographer, and breaker. She was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, and started as a self-taught dancer/breaker for 6 years before coming to UW-Madison to study dance. In 2023, Thao was placed top four at the Shoreham Jam for the Toprock Battle. Her work has been featured in the Bike Path Festival 2025, the UW-Madison Kloepper Concert 2024, and H’Doubler 2026. She is currently working with the Isthmus Dance Collective for the performance D.E.L.V.E., taking place in May 2026. Her determination to learn other styles besides being a breaker has allowed her to discover new ways to move the body. Thao teaches breaking, Hip Hop, and creative movement to elementary school and middle school students through UW Dance Exchange. Thao is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a Pilates Certificate at UW-Madison and hopes to combine the methods of Pilates with the art of breaking. Thao has worked with choreographers Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, Omari Carter, Holly Johnston, Li-Chiao Ping, Kate Corby, Clyde Mayberry, and Collette Stewart. Thao's passion and determination aim to help her achieve her goal of becoming a professional choreographer and competitive dancer/breaker, inspire others along the way, and continue helping others!

Evan is a dancer, choreographer, and nonprofit professional working in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. They are an apprentice contemporary dancer and choreographer with DanceWorks Performance Company under Christal Wagner. He is also a member of Isthmus Dance Collective with contemporary and hip hop performance in DELVE ‘23, ‘24, and ‘25 under José Antonio Cruz Arzón, Raka Bandyo, and Katrina Atkin. Recently, he has performed with Danceworks in The 8th House, with Scratch Dance under Erica Pinigis, and with UW-Milwaukee’s Graduate Dance program under Tiffany Kadani and Miranda Nichols Braseth.

His choreography has been presented in Get It Out There (A Ferry That Will Never Move Again), Shifting Gears 2025 (Unnamed piece), and various pieces through Kinesis Dance Theater. In 2021, he earned his MA in Rhetoric, Professional Writing, and Community Engagement from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Natalia Armacanqui: Integrating three universal elements of dance, Ang (grace), Taal (rhythm), and Abhinaya (emotion), Natalia creates her own original aesthetics by weaving the multiple global dance styles she has loved and learned in depth, including Kathak dance, Peruvian, Middle Eastern and others, into one tapestry which connects her and others to spirit, culture and ancestral wisdom. Guided by her Indigenous Andean roots and having lived within  multiple communities throughout her life, Natalia now shares her art with audiences internationally, inspired by art’s ability to transcend binaries and borders and as a medium through which we can thrive despite historical trauma. As a life-long professional exponent  of Kathak dance -  the uniqueness in Natalia's movement, rhythm and storytelling practices are defined by her femme subtleness and sensitivity, as well as, by a traditional attention to detail, which are  unconventional in an environment of superficiality, flashiness and violence. Blessed by her dance mentors Mekhala Devi Natavar, Smt. Sandhya Desai and others, in 2008, she was awarded a prestigious fellowship award as Senior Performing artist by the American Institute of Indian Studies and has performed solos at renowned international venues such as Kamani Theater in Delhi, India (2010) , Sadler's Wells in London UK (2013) and Edinburgh festival, Scotland (2016).  As an M.A. graduate in dance from Roehampton University, Natalia now continues to perform, teach and choreograph in her hometown of Madison, Wisconsin and abroad.

Anurima Das Anurima, who who embodies grace, discipline, and cultural brilliance is the Founder & Artistic Director of Soulful Charmers . A devoted Bharatanatyam dancer since the age of just 2 and a half, her journey is deeply rooted in classical tradition and beautifully expanded into Bollywood, contemporary, and semi-classical forms. An internationally recognized, award-winning artist across India and the United States, she has been a vibrant cultural force in Madison since 2018. Over the years, she has performed and contributed to numerous multi-cultural events, bringing diverse communities together through the universal language of dance. She has actively led her students across every cultural festival and stage, transforming each performance into a celebration of heritage, unity, and expression. As a dedicated mentor, she teaches students from the age of 5 to 40 and beyond, nurturing talent across generations and building a strong artistic community. Beyond the stage, she is also a school teacher, shaping young minds with the same dedication and passion she brings to her art.

Bhavani Dinakaran: Since 2006, Bhavani has actively contributed to the Indian cultural landscape in Madison, Wisconsin. She maintains a professional career as an IT Project Manager for the State of Wisconsin while simultaneously dedicating herself to the practice and promotion of South Asian dance.A dedicated community leader, she has served as President, Secretary, and current Board Member of the Wisconsin Tamil Sangam. Her artistic skills is as diverse as it is deep, ranging from the rhythmic intensity of traditional Tamil folk and semi-classical styles to the high-energy flair of Bollywood fusion. As a core member of the Soulful Charmers, Bhavani brings a vibrant cultural heart to every performance, ensuring that both traditional and modern Indian arts continue to thrive.

Saritha D’Souza’s dance journey is driven by passion, creativity, and a commitment to balancing art with a full-time career as a scientist at UW Madison. Alongside her work in research, she has performed at a variety of events, including cultural showcases and community celebrations, using dance as a way to connect with others and tell meaningful stories. A key part of her experience is selecting costumes that reflect the theme and spirit of each performance. She enjoys bringing each piece to life through thoughtful styling, seeing costumes as an extension of the storytelling. Balancing science and dance has been both challenging and rewarding. While her career strengthens her discipline and focus, dance provides a creative outlet, allowing her to express herself and stay connected to her artistic side.

Since September of 2018, The Capitol Social has functioned as Madison’s first monthly Latin dance studio social. What’s a “studio social”? In the Latin dance context, a social is quite simply a dance party where the focus is entirely on great music, making new friends, exploring the joy that dance brings, and doing so in an environment that is welcoming to all backgrounds and skill levels. While we provide these elements at all our events, socials stand out because they almost exclusively happen at dance studios, banquet halls, ballrooms, and other venues that aren’t restaurants, nightclubs, or bars.

Essentially, socials are safe and enjoyable spaces “for dancers, by dancers.” Considerations such as having enough room and optimal floor surfaces to dance, danceable music (manageable tempos and very little to no mixing between songs), and dance partners that legitimately participate for the love of dance are the foundations of a good social. The Capitol Social has this, with added attractions like complimentary pre-dance lessons; guest DJs and professional dancers (local and international talent); dance showcases; affordability and access for all; quality event photography, and much more!

To this day, we still strive to keep diversity in the rotation of DJs, guest instructors, themes, showcases, and other special attractions.

DansuArts is dedicated to educating and encouraging students to become knowledgeable, passionate, thinking artists.

With the goal of inspiring, nurturing, and sustaining a love of dance and theatre arts in all our students, Studio Dansu provides a comprehensive performing arts education to train the next generation of performers.

Students will develop their technique, artistry, and creativity...learn the skills of self-discipline, teamwork, and confidence...and aspire to local performance opportunities, college performing arts programs, and professional careers.

Owner & Artistic Director Jayme has been sharing her love for the performing arts with students for over 20 years. She has a Bachelor of the Arts Degree from UW-Eau Claire in Theatre Arts, Dance, and Music. During this time, she focused on arts management and continuing her dance studies. She also has a Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-Madison in Dance Theory where she concentrated on dance history and theory while continuing her technical discipline. Jayme founded Studio Dansu to bring a performing arts studio with singing, dancing and acting to the Madison area where she grew up.

Edward Salas, originally from Southern California, began dancing at the age of 19 while earning his AA in Theater Arts from Mt. San Antonio College. He later earned his B.A. in Dance from California State University, Fullerton (2018). While at university, he also danced down Main Street USA in various parades at the Disneyland Resort. Edward has worked as a company member with Re:borN Dance Interactive, FUSE Dance Company, and Contemporary West Dance Theatre. In 2022 he joined Kanopy Dance Company and has the honor of performing works by artistic directors Lisa Thurrell and Robert E. Cleary, as well as Pascal Rioult, Lloyd Knight, Tadej Brdnik, Colin Connor, Daniel Fetecua Soto, Blakeley White-McGuire, and Martha Graham. In addition to his dance training, Edward holds a black belt in taekwondo, which informs his dynamic movement style through precision, control, and grounded power. As an emerging choreographer rooted in the Limón and Graham techniques, he explores themes of cultural identity, environmental sustainability, and the romanticization of the West Coast. Since relocating to Madison, Edward has developed new works with Central Midwest Ballet Academy, Kanopy Dance Academy, the Unincorporated Dance Lab, Isthmus Dance Collective’s D.E.L.V.E. choreographic incubator, and Dance Wisconsin. In 2025 he was selected to be part of the second Wisconsin Dance Council’s Emerging Artist Mentorship Program and premiered his latest work, “Torch”, in Milwaukee in January 2026.

In recent years Ms. Pettersen has created choreography for Marie Millard, faculty at the Crooked Tree School of Ballet in Petoskey, Michigan, as well as their pre-professional students. The school held a week-long choreography workshop last year where Robin was Workshop co-director with Peter Sparling, formerly of the Martha Graham Company. In 2026 her co-director will be Richard Walters of the Madison Ballet Company.

Robin has created this new work for the Unincorporated Dance Lab group in Madison, Wisconsin. She also teaches ballet to adults and private students.

Swapna Srinivasan a Bharathanatyam dancer from Madison, WI, USA. She began dancing at age of 8 under the guidance of Smt. Charusmitha Rao. Later, she was introduced to the dancing duo Karnataka Kalashree Sri. Kiran Subramanian and Smt. Sandhya Kiran at the Rasika academy of performing arts. Currently she is getting her advanced training from Guru Vid. Radika Ramanujan and Smt. Meenakshi Ganesan.

Swapna has performed nationally and internationally. She completed her junior and senior level Bharatanatyam exam with distinction. She is a "B" grade artist of DD Chandana channel. She has been awarded the “Cadenza Srinatya Kala Shreshtha” in 2019 and received scholarship for her excellence from Karnataka Sangeetha nruthya academy and from Rasika academy. Some of her prominent performances in India are at Yuva sourabha, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ashram, IIDF, Sai Nrityotsav, Indian pavilion- Dubai. In the USA, she has performed for various associations, including the International book Tasting festival, India fest and in Midsouth international festival.

Swapna has 15 years of experience as a dance instructor. She has taught various age group of students (5 years to 40 years) at Euphoria Dance and Music Academy,

Bangalore,at Diksoochi Natyalaya, Gowribidnoor and at Dance Versify Academy in Memphis. She has guided students in dance exams such as Bharatanatyam junior exam and Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal examination. At present, Swapna is an instructor at Mukula. She has been actively training students for the Bhangiya sangeetha Parishad Bharatanatyam examination. Swapna has also served the Oxford community by introducing adults and children to Indian classical dance.

Apart from dancing career she is a budding yogini. Yoga has been an integral part of her preparation for dance and for a healthy lifestyle. Namastae!