Christina Gonzalez-Gillett
Assistant Director and Performer
Christina Gonzalez-Gillett graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BFA in Dance. During her time as an undergraduate she also spent time studying at the Alvin Ailey School of American Dance in NYC and at the Laban Centre in London, England. She returned to London and received an MA in Dance Studies from Laban.
During her time in London, Christina enjoyed working professionally with several choreographers including Melanie Clarke, Artistic Director of BlueWhite Dance Company, and also taught at several colleges in London.
She is currently faculty at the Dance Center of Columbia College where she teaches contemporary technique and is certified in Laban Movement Analysis. Christina is also a certified Pilates instructor.
Paige Cunningham
Performer
Paige Cunningham trained under Sheila Cohen at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts. From there, she went on to receive her B.F.A. from the Juilliard School.
Upon graduation, Ms. Cunningham joined the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, touring throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. She holds an M.F.A. in dance, performance and choreography from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Her choreographic work has been seen at Links Hall in Chicago, the Dance Center of Columbia College, the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati and at SummerStages in Concord, Massachusetts.
Currently, Paige is a full-time faculty member at the Dance Center of Columbia College teaching modern and contemporary ballet technique as well as serving as the technique coordinator.
Philip Elson
Performer
Philip Elson is new to Chicago and is currently pursuing a BFA from The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
He has performed as a guest artist with Muscle Memory Dance Theatre, Collin County Ballet Theatre, performed choreography of Debbie Allen, and taught for New York Los Angeles Dance Conventions and Competitions.
Philip's choreography has been seen in New York City and Dallas. This is his second season with The Seldoms.
Damon Demarcus Green
Performer
Damon Demarcus Green started his professional dance training at the age of 15, in his hometown Champaign-Urbana. He came to Chicago to study at The Dance Center of Columbia College. Damon has been formally trained in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and African, and he has also immersed himself in the voguing community, performing in choreographer Darrell Jones' Third Swan from the End.
His training has been influenced by instructors such as Darrell Jones, Carrie Hanson, Allen Desterhaft, Natalie Rast, Kirby Reed, and Malik Camara.
Damon is in his third season with The Seldoms.
Amanda McAlister
Performer
Amanda is originally from Nashville, where she was a true "bun head" and danced extensively with the Nashville Ballet and Epiphany Dance Company.
Upon moving to Chicago, she received a BA in Dance from Columbia College, where she was relieved to find her love for modern dance.
Upon graduating, Amanda moved to NYC where she studied and performed works by David Parsons, Labor Force Dances, and worked with the Dance Films Association.
She currently teaches Pilates, while choreographing and exploring her love for dance films. She returns to The Seldoms after a year away; this is her third season with the company.
Bruce Ortiz
Performer
Bruce Ortiz has performed with companies such as Luna Negra Dance Theater, Mordine and Company Dance Theater, Thodos Dance, Estradanza, and Impetus Dance Theater. Beginning his education at the Conservatory of Webster University, he continued his training at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and has had the pleasure of working with Lar Lubovich, Pedro Ruiz, Gustavo Sansano Ramirez, Ron De Jesus, Kirby Reed, Valerie Alpert, and Emily Stein.
When not dancing, Bruce serves as an Account Manager for the Chicago-based marketing agency All Terrain. He returns to The Seldoms for the 2009 season after a year hiatus and has been dancing with the company since 2005.
Cara Sabin
Performer
Cara received a BFA from The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. An athlete all her life, she discovered dance while in her senior year of high school. She has had the opportunity to perform works at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., at Lincoln Center's Out of Doors Festival and at Solar1's Solar-Powered Dance Festival in New York as well as locally as a guest with Lucky Plush and Margaret Morris. She continues to work with Chicago political organizations and in arts administration in the city.
She is with The Seldoms for her third season.
Trevor Szuba-Schneider
Performer
A Chicago area native and recent graduate from the University of Iowa, Trevor is the newest member to join The Seldoms.
After receiving his B.F.A. in Dance in May 2009, he returned to his hometown to begin his career in the Chicago dance scene.
Dancing since the age of 3, Trevor has worked with renowned choreographers such as David Dorfman and Donald McKayle and has performed in works choreographed by Louis Falco.
This is his first season with The Seldoms.
