Bruno Augusto (sound composition, poetry, mentorship)

*See bio above 

 

Kate Jordan Augusto (co-curation, co-choreography, performance, mentorship)

*See bio above

 

Ava Tooke (Performer)

Ava Tooke is a missoula born, determined, passionate, and creative performer that values individuality among the artistic community. With experience in performing, choreographing, and general creation, she has been involved in a plethora of genres and projects ranging from on-stage time to behind the scenes work. Reflecting on all the work seen and done there is one thing that really sticks out: technique certainly makes a dancer great, but drive makes them powerful. In the 17 years spent training, dance has taught her to live by that motto. 

 

Liana Dillon (Choreographer, Performer)

Liana Dillon is a performing artist from Missoula, MT who is involved in many local projects from dancing with Kinetic Convergence Dance and guesting with Bare Bait Dance to teaching in festivals and pop-up classes. She is thrilled to be working with Arts and Above and is so grateful to be part of the growing abundance of dance in the Missoula community! Instagram:  @lianasdancegram

 

Maeve Fahey (Performer, Collaborator)

Maeve Fahey was raised in Missoula, and in her youth trained in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz techniques at Ballet Arts Academy.  While still in high school, she had the privilege of apprenticing with Bare Bait Dance for two of their seasons. After graduating, Maeve moved to San Francisco to train with the world-renowned contemporary ballet company, Alonzo King LINES Ballet. After spending two years there and receiving her certificate of completion, she moved back to Missoula in 2020 and graduated with a BA in dance and anthropology from the University of Montana in 2022.  Maeve also worked with the local nonprofit Arts&Above as a freelance dancer and facilitator, performed as a guest artist with Kinetic Convergence Dance, taught at dance studios in town (Ballet Arts Academy and Show Tyme Academy), and was a company member for four consecutive seasons with BBD.  

 

Maeve spent this past year in Ireland pursuing a master’s degree in Contemporary Dance Performance from the University of Limerick.  There she had the privilege of performing "Bridging", a work by Amir Sabra, in What Next Dance Festival and Take-Off Dance Festival.  She also worked with notable choreographers and companies like Luail, Mufutau Yusuf, and Jack Philip.  Maeve additionally taught some of the BA contemporary dancers at the University's Irish World Academy, and worked for the non-profit Dance Limerick as a facilitator and educator.  She returned to Missoula this fall and is settling back into Missoula's vibrant dance scene and dancing with BBD for her 5th year as a company member. Socials: @groovyyinvestigation 

 

Olivia Farnes (Choreographer)

Olivia Farnes is currently a sophomore at Pace University in New York City, pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in commercial dance. She was born and raised in Missoula Montana, where she discovered her love for dance at the age of three. She trained at Show Tyme Academy as a company member for 10 years before she moved on to expand her versatility as a dancer and deepen her understanding of the professional dance industry. Olivia is so grateful for the opportunity to share her work set on Teddy, and would love to thank everyone who was able to make this production happen Instagram: @_oliviafarnes_

 

Neave Fleming (Performer)

Neave Fleming is a dance artist based in Missoula, MT who grew up in Colorado where she trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, Gaga and hip hop. At Whitman College she studied Environmental Humanities, Biology and Dance. Neave is thrilled to be a part of Arts and Above this year and work with Liana Dillon on field lines! Instagram: @movementwithneave (and @neavejflemi

 

Ruby Jenni (Choreographer, Performer)

Ruby Jenni, now 22, is a dancer, choreographer, writer, and performer who grew up in Missoula, MT. Since the age of ten, she has traveled internationally for performance and training opportunities, soaking up diverse cultural experiences. She is a passionate storyteller and performer and is compelled to create in the name of connection. Through in-studio, onstage, and online mediums she is seeking to explore the relationship between audience, performer and creator in a mission to generate empathy, curiosity, discovery, and mutual awe. Instagram: @rrraaaaaaaj

 

Alex Kowalchik (Photographer, Marketing, Production Assistance)

Alex Kowalchik is a multi-hyphenate creative based in Missoula, Montana who absolutely fell in love with the performing arts when his grandmother first played Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" for him. After receiving his BA in Acting & Performance from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville, Alex embarked on a 4-year adventure as a Tour Actor/Director with the Missoula Children's Theatre, during which he taught, acted alongside, and directed nearly 10,000 total children in more than 5 countries; including Canada, Germany, England, and India. He runs Vladi Media, an internationally published photography & videography company, and founded ZDK Arts due to his unending passion for enriching his community & intense desire to help make the world a better, more positive place for all. He recently directed the world premiere of Shaun Gant’s full-length play “Sports of Nature” and enjoys collaborating on artistic projects of all sorts, ranging from still images to motion pictures and stage works to site-specific projects. When not brainstorming ZDK events, he can be found chasing his 2-year-old son, Zander.

 

Paul Lenihan (Musician, Film, Sound Engineer)

Studio owner and Music engineer at Pyrymyd Studios in Missoula, Montana. Artist name Angel of Discord on Spotify and elsewhere. Favorite place on earth is Symes Hotsprings.

 

Angel of Discord is a musical project born from the creative vision of an artist based in Missoula, Montana. Beginning at age 14, the project explores a wide range of genres, from classical compositions to pop and alternative experimental rock. With an overarching theme of finding angelic light within chaos, the music reflects the divine plan—one that is often too complex for human understanding—and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.Through intricate soundscapes and emotive storytelling, Angel of Discord invites listeners to navigate the tension between light and darkness in the world. #AngelofDiscord @AngelofDiscord

 

Ashley (Zhinin) Griffith (Costuming)

Ashley (Zhinin) Griffith is a Montana-born multidisciplinary designer with 20 years of professional dance experience. She brings a deep understanding of movement, flow, and balance to her interior and costume design work. Known for her warm and approachable nature, she values the personal connections that shape each project, creating designs that feel both functional and authentic. 

website: www.ohgoodiedesignstudio.com, 

instagram: @oh_goodie_design

 

Kasperthesaint (Film) 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasperthesaint/

​

Gillian Kessler (Performer)

Gillian Kessler has been a dancer her whole life and an educator for 30 years. She delights in teaching adolescents to trust their voices as writers and their spirit as performers. When not caught up in the worlds of self-expression, Gillian loves exploring outside and hanging out with her children, husband and doggies.

 

Joe Landini (Curator, Choreographer, Performer, Mentor, Production)

*see above

 

Teddy Olson (Choreographer, Performer)

Teddy Olson a dancer from Missoula, MT, currently training and competing with Showtyme Academy during a gap year. Passionate about honing skills and pushing creative boundaries, Teddy is dedicated to intensive dance training. This year is focused on growth and preparation for future artistic endeavors.

 

Markus Paminger (Lighting Designer, Set, Production Assistance)

Markus is a production designer for stage, galleries, and arts spaces, based in Missoula since 2020. Previously from New York City, he has worked as a Production Manager for MetLiveArts at the Metropolitan Museum, HERE Arts Center, Prototype Festival, The Rubin Museum, TRANSFER Gallery, The Bushwick Starr, and others. He is delighted to be able to help artists make art again in Montana. pamingerproduction.com

 

Adrienne Vittoria Prashar (Performer)

I have been dancing for 9 years. I love the freedom of expression through movement.

 

Toree Wilson (Choreographer, Performer)

Toree Wilson (she/her) was raised in Iowa where she grew up at her mothers dance

studio. She then moved to Chicago, IL and completed her BFA in Dance at Columbia

College Chicago in 2020. During her time there she studied performance, pedagogue,

and choreography. Toree is a second year company memebr with Bare Bait Dance, Missoula, MT.

 

Wilson has performed in many works and spaces including Hang Onto Me during

WestFEST in Missoula, MT (Francesca Romo + Michaela Ellingson 2025). Is This It?

Bare Bait Dance (Joy French 2025). Hansel and Gretel Helena Symphony in (Heather

Adams 2024). Scores From a Friend at OK… GO! (Toree Wilson 2023). Worked in

partnership with Dance Initiative Inc. in Carbondale, CO (Megan Janssen 2023).

Participated and performed in LINK a dance festival in Salt Lake City, UT (2022).

Worked with colleague Nicholas Cooper through the Marshall County Arts + Culture

Alliance to create a five part dance film series in (2020). 

You can also find Toree teaching across Montana from Butte to Missoula. She is so

thrilled to be living in Missoula and absorbing all it has to offer with her husband and

their two pups! Instagram : @toreewilson

 

Quinn Wyland (Choreographer)

A Montana-born dancer, Quinn Wyland trained at Show Tyme Academy under the direction of Christine Kowalchik. He is currently performing and researching movement with Arts Umbrella Dance Company, based in Vancouver, BC. Quinn has also performed with Ballet BC as a guest artist in 2025 as well as attended the Ballet BC and Juilliard Summer Intensives. Instagram: @quinn.wyland

 

UPCOMING 

 

Contemporary Dance Practices

Friday’s 11:15-12:45

March 6, 13, 20, 27

April 3, 10,17, 24

ShowTyme, Missoula

​

Summer Residency + WestFEST Performances

May - August 

*reach out for audition details

West Side Theater, Missoula

 

Advanced/Professional Intensive

January 2027

Missoulal

 

​

FUNDING SUPPORT

Susan Scott Heyneman Foundation

Montana Arts Council  

Joan and Irwin Singer

Missoula Community Access Television (M.C.A.T.)

Additional Private Donors

Minuteman Press Missoula

​

A special note of gratitude to :

Joe Landini, Curator & much more 

Margaret Kingsland, Advisor

Letitia Hays, Board Member

Victoria Lenihan, Advisor 

Christine & Alex Kowalchik 

and the many others who shared patience, talents, and time as this project developed, often when spontaneously asked!