Dancers

Alex Biegelson graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University with his BFA in 2009. He has worked with various artists such as Susan Slotnick Figures in Flight (1997-2002), Jay T. Jenkins Jette Performance Company (2005), and recently, Lauren Handleman Dance Collective and Randy James Dance Works. This is Alex’s first season with Freespace Dance, and is looking forward to future work together.

JP Ferreri previously danced with Freespace in Human Walls performed at St Marks Church in 2006. As a child he performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and recently in the movie Hairspray playing Corny Council member Joey. Other credits include performing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a Worldwide Commercial for Coca Cola choreographed by Karole Armitage.

Bryan Matland began dancing with Freespace Dance in the summer of 2002, taking part in such pieces as Chrysalis, In Shape and Space, and Images, as well as understudying Inner Current. After a couple years away, Bryan has been back with the company for close to 3 years. With a background in Tae Kwon Do and gymnastics, he enjoys the exploration of athleticism in dance that comes through in the choreography of Donna Scro. Bryan is happy to be sharing the stage with this group of wonderful people and talented dancers!

Lauren Melusky is from South Jersey, and just recently moved to Philadelphia. In 2007 she graduated as the DanceWorks Scholarship recipient from Mason Gross at Rutgers University with a BFA in Dance. She has performed with faculty members in and outside of school including Randy James, Julia Ritter, and John Evans. This is her third year teaching Modern Dance with the Arts and Education Center for Middlesex and Monmouth County and has also taught creative movement and ballet throughout New Jersey. Lauren has been a member of Freespace Dance since 2008? 2009? and also performs with VaBang! Dance in NYC.

Dan Mueller, Rehearsal Director of Freespace Dance, has been with the company for the last five years. Dan graduated Cum Laude from Montclair State University where he received a BFA in Dance. He has worked with choreographers such as Maxine Steinman, Pat Graney, Nancy Lushington and Shapiro and Smith. Dan is currently teaching throughout New Jersey as well as dancing with Noemarch Dance and project:Smith. Dan would like to thank his family for all their love and support and his wife for his health insurance so he can keep doing what he loves!

Blair Ritchie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts. In addition to dancing with Freespace Dance, she is currently a member the Von Howard Project with Christian Von Howard. Aside from Dance, Blair is currently pursuing her other passion, Anusara Yoga. She is a certified Yoga Teacher who enjoys continuing her study in both Anusara Yoga and Rajanaka Tantra Philosophy.

Stacie Shivers, a resident of Paterson, New Jersey, began dancing at the age of three. Stacie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and second major in Psychology from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. Prior to college, Stacie worked with the renowned Mary Anthony and was presented the chance to participate in numerous educational dance videos. During her studies at Mason Gross, she has had the opportunity to perform works by Rennie Harris, Stephan Petronio, Ray Leeper, and Randy James. She has also performed with Julia Ritter Performance Group, Nimbus Dance Works, John Evans and Dancers, and the Von Howard Project. Along with Freespace Dance, she currently works with Kim Gibilisco Dances. Stacie’s future plans include attending graduate school to obtain a Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology with an incorporation of dance therapy.

Nicole Smith, an active company member since 2007, has also been a scholarship apprentice with Jennifer Muller/The Works and is currently an apprentice with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. She has danced professionally with Pascal Rekoert, Darcy Naganuma, Columbine Macher, Joelle Van Sickle, and Maureen Glennon as well as in the works of Robert Battle, Alwin Nikolais, Alexandra Beller, Maxine Steinman, and Nancy Lushington. Ms. Smith graduated with a BFA in Dance,summa cum laude, in 2007 wherein she received several departmental awards for academic excellence and choreography. Nicole's recent choreographic collaboration, project:Smith, had its performance debut in September 2009. Her choreography has been presented at Dance New Amsterdam, Two River Theater, Kasser Theater, the Outlet Dance Project,White Wave Dance Festivals, American College Dance Festivals and soon to be at Merce Cunningham Studios and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Ms. Smith has served as the rehearsal director for the MSU Repertory Company reconstructions of choreography by Shapiro & Smith and Susan Marshall & Company, as well as a faculty choreographer. To share her experiences with the community, Nicole acts as professor of dance at the university level, a teaching artist in NJ public schools and arts programs, as well as a yoga instructor to children.