Sarah Balda (Artistic Director, Dancer) holds a B.A. in Dance Studies and a minor in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and, is certified to teach mat Pilates from the PhysicalMind Institute in NYC. She is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting higher standards of dance education. Ms. Balda has trained with some of the country's top dance educators and choreographers. Madame Gabriella Darvash, Gretchen Ward Warren (Penn. Ballet Theater & ABT), Gerri Houlihan, Michael Foley (Sean Curran), Alexandra Beller (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company), John Parks (Alvin Ailey) and Lynn Wimmer are a few of Ms. Balda's past instructors. Ms. Balda has also had the privilege of taking master classes from company members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Urban Bush Women, Parson Dance Company, and during the summer of 2006 assisted Mr. Peter G. Kalivas (P.G.K. Project, San Diego) with the dance residency at the Maxwell King Center in Melbourne, FL. During the Fall of 2006, Ms. Balda's choreography "Streams" was commisioned by the U.S. Embassy for its international debut in Kazakhstan for the Splash Gala. During the summer of 2008, Ms. Balda worked with the Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) teaching dance at various summer programs throughout Brevard County and during the 08/09 school year represented the BCA as an "Artist in Residency" at Sunrise Elementary School in Palm Bay, FL. In the spring of 2009 Ms. Balda worked with the Mosaic Dance Company based in Tampa, FL, to produce Brevard County's first all modern dance concert at the King Center on January 24, 2009. This concert featured DAC Company members, instructors, alumni and the professional dancers from Mosaic. In June 2009 brought Peter Kalivas to Melbourne for a dance residency for 20 dancers statewide. Ms. Balda has a strong desire to educate others on the art of dance, and is thrilled to be carrying on the many traditions of Dance Arts Centre.
Ashley Hilton (Artistic Director, Dancer) Performance and a minor in Business from the South Florida. While at USF, she received a summer talent grant to study at the Parson’s Dance and Merce Cunningham Summer Intensives. She had the privilege of working with such choreographers as Michael Foley, Sandra Robinson, Jeanne Travers, Gretchen Ward Warren, and Nina Watt. After graduation, Ms. Hilton was asked to be the graduate assistant to Sandra Robinson for the Fundamentals of Ballet course at the University of South Florida. Hilton has performed with MusInc. – An Artist Collective, as well as produced, choreographed, and performed in Mosaic Dance Concerts in 2008 and 2009 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts (formally the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center). Her choreography has been seen in Moving Current Dance Collective’s 2008 NewGrounds performances and Hillsborough Community College’s Four Days of Dance in 2008 and 2009. Ms. Hilton teaches Adult Modern Dance I: Introduction at the Patel Conservatory; Creative Movement 1, Primary and Preparatory for the Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet in partnership with the Orlando Ballet School, and ballet at Metropolitan Ministries Partnership School, a Hillsborough County School opened to meet the educational needs of homeless and at risk students in the Tampa Bay area. Ms. Hilton is a Dance Arts Centre Alumni.
Amanda Oost Bradberry (Dancer) is originally from Tampa, Florida, where she graduated with a BFA in modern dance from the University of South Florida. After gradution she has performed with a few Florida dance companies including Moving Current, and Voci. Her recent works in Orlando include Happenstance, Macabre Vignettes and Fringe. She is honored to be performing with Versa.
Brittany Evans (Dancer) has enjoyed sharing her passion for dance since the age of three. She trained in ballet, jazz and modern dance at Dance Arts Centre in Melbourne, Florida. While earning her B.S. in Marketing and Management at the University of South Florida, Ms. Evans choreographed and performed in dance concerts with Mosaic Dance, HCC's Four Days of Dance, Moving Current Dance Collective's New Grounds, and the USF Dance Department. She is excited to collaborate with Versa Dance to share the art of modern dance.
Chelsea Evans (Dancer) is currently a Sophomore at the University of South Florida, majoring in Social Work. She has been dancing for 15 years in various dance styles such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary. Ms. Evans is a Dance Arts Centre Alumni and was a member of Mosaic Dance in Tampa. She has performed in venues around Florida including Melbourne, St. Augustine, Daytona, and Tampa.
Macaulay Heldreth (Dancer) To dance is to be out of yourself….larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power- it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking." -Agnes De Mille. As Agnes De Mille voices, dance has allowed Ms. Heldreth to express herself through its individualized silent language and captivating power since the age of five. Her training in classical ballet, jazz, tap and modern began at Dance Arts Centre in Melbourne, Florida and she I later became a teacher for beginner students. To further her education, Ms. Heldreth benefited from the instruction at Dussich Dance Studio in Merritt Island, Florida. She also had the opportunity to participate in various intensive workshops in Asheville, St. Augustine, Daytona, and Tampa as well as the privilege to study under acclaimed directors such as Peter Kalivas-Artistic Director of the PKG Project in 2006 and Gretchen Ward Warren at the University of South Florida in 2008. Ms. Heldreth has choreographed and performed at numerous pre-professional and professional locations around the state of Florida. As a recent graduate from the University of South Florida with a degree in Criminology, she is eager and excited to be a member of Versa where I can continue to share my devotion to the art of dance with the community.
Marilu Heldreth (Dancer) has been dancing since the age of five. She studied ballet, modern, jazz and tap at Dance Arts Centre in Melbourne, Florida and the Dussich Dance Studio in Merritt Island, Florida. In 2006, Ms. Heldreth attended the summer intensive of the PGK Project - A Contemporary Dance Company and studied under Artistic Director, Peter Kalivas. She also studied under Gretchen Ward Warren at the University of South Florida dance department in 2008. She has choreographed and performed pieces in venues around Florida including Melbourne, St. Augustine, Rockledge, Daytona, and Tampa. Ms. Heldreth was a member of Mosaic Dance in Tampa and now furthers her passion for dance as member of Versa Dance. She is also pursuing a degree in Speech Pathology at USF and hopes to enter the graduate program in 2010.
Victoria Heldreth (Dancer) began dancing at the age of four. She trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap at the Dance Arts Centre in Melbourne, Florida until the age of eighteen. When she was just thirteen years old she became interested in and started choreographing. In 2006, Victoria studied under Peter Kalivas, the Artistic Director of the PGK Project - A Contemporary Dance Company. As a result, her focus turned to modern dance and choreography. In 2009, she was invited to be Mr. Kalivas's assistant for the modern dance summer intensive. As a student at the University of South Florida, Ms. Heldreth recently dedicated an entire year to studying dance at the University’s dance department under noted artists Gretchen Warren (author of the book Classical Ballet Technique), Jeanne Travers, John Parks, Sasha Yapparov and Lynne Wimmer. She is currently in pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science at USF. Ms. Heldreth has danced at many venues throughout Florida including Tampa, St. Augustine, Orlando, Daytona and Vero Beach.
Leah Marke (Dancer) holds her BFA in Dance from the University of South Florida. Her most recent works in Orlando include the Macabre Vignettes and Heather Henson’s Panther and Crane. After dancing alongside Voci in last year’s Happenstance, Ms. Marke is performing in her first season with Voci Dance.
Samantha "Sam" Scott (Dancer) has been dancing in Brevard County nearly 15 years. Ms. Scott has performed in two major local productions, Dracula and Young Frankenstein, with Precision Contemporary Dance, as well as performed at various local community events such as: Boo at the Zoo, Christmas at the Zoo, McNair Magnet School and Celebration of Dance. In addition to her dancing, Ms. Scott loves to play the piano and sing. In the spring of 2008, Ms. Scott graduated from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy and she is currently attending Brevard Community College. After graduating from BCC, she plans on attending Florida State University to double major in Business and Physical Therapy. Ms. Scott is an instructor at Dance Arts Centre.
Kristen Sholes (Dancer) recently received her MFA in dance Florida State University where she presented her thesis concert, Upside Out. She received her BFA in dance from University of Nevada Las Vegas graduating magna cum laude. She is currently a member of Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre located in Daytona Beach under the direction of Rachael Leonard and Kristin Bender-Polizzi. Ms. Sholes had the opportunity to take part in the FSU in NYC program where she interned with Movement Research. Ms. Sholes was also a member of Dance Repertory Theatre of Florida State where she performed the repertory of Nancy Smith Fichter and Arthur Mitchell set by Anjali Austin. Also while a member of DRT, she was chosen to perform at the Ringling Museum also participating in lecture demonstrations at local schools. She had the opportunity to perform the Human Show choreographed by Kari Margolis in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland as well as at the Kennedy Center. She performed in Madrid and Barcelona Spain with the American Choreographers Showcase under Dr. Carol Rae and in Kiel Germany in the International Dance and Gymnastics festival under Richard Havey. Kristen has performed with Collage Dance Theatre of Los Angeles, Red Desert Dance Ensemble, Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase, Dance in the Desert Festival, Holiday Ethnic Festival, and the 23rd Annual Choreographers Showcase. She has worked with Gail Gilbert, Douglas Dunn, Dan Wagoner, Eva Gholson, John Beasant III, Jack Mitchell, and others. She has trained under Louis Kavouras, Cathy Allen, Victoria Dale, Richard Havey, Margot Mink Colbert, Gerri Houlihan, Jawole Zollar, Wallie Wolfgruber, Anthony Morgan, Patty Phillips, Sheila Humphreys, Mark Swanhart, Suzanne Farrell, Ronn Stewart, and Anjali Austin. She has taught Jazz and Contemporary Dance through a teaching assistantship at Florida State University. She is currently working on her Pilates certification with Power Pilates. Ms. Sholes is an instructor at Dance Arts Centre. is originally from Gainesville, Georgia where she began dancing at the age of 3.
