DIVINE MYTHOLOGIES
Sat & Sun, April 25 & 26, 2026 at 7pm
MMAC Theater
248 W 60th St
New York, NY 10023
Kanopy Dance
Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble
Miye Bishop began her dance journey in her hometown of Hiroshima, Japan, and continued her training in the United States under the guidance of her father, John Bishop, at Northwest Ballet Academy. She furthered her studies at Ballet Bellevue with Victoria Titova, International Ballet Academy under Vera Altunina, summers at American Ballet Theatre, and Dance Open in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Now in her sixth season with Kanopy Dance Company, Bishop has performed leading roles in a wide range of contemporary and classical works. Her repertoire includes Moonlight in Views of the Fleeting World by Pascal Rioult, the Bride in Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring, and Weather in the Room by Colin Connor. She has also been featured as a soloist in several premieres, including Lloyd Knight’s Commune, Blakely White-McGuire’s These Worlds in Us, Daniel Fetecua’s Rejoice, and Tadej Brdnik’s The Moment.
Her performance career also includes work with Northwest Ballet Theatre, Ballet Bellevue, Bellingham Repertory Dance, and appearances with Pacific Northwest Opera, Seattle Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Madison Opera, Dance Wisconsin, and Dance at Delafield.
Carolyn Fitzgibbons (Ozark, Missouri) fell in love with dance growing up backstage at the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes®. At the age of three, she began training at Ozark Dance Academy under Julia Alderman. She performed alongside the Russian Moscow Ballet, appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and was recognized as an All-American by the Universal Dance Association. Carolyn continued her training at Kansas State University, earning degrees in Theatre and Kinesiology.
After completing a master’s degree in Eastern Medicine, Carolyn joined Kanopy Dance in 2021. She has performed with Madison Opera, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and been featured as the Pioneer Woman in Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring Suite. Outside the studio, she has worked as a Color Guard Instructor and Visual Effects Specialist, presenting at the Wisconsin Music Educators Association Conference. Currently, Carolyn owns a medical practice specializing in acupuncture, bodywork, and herbal medicine.
Stormy Gaylord began her dance training at Laguna Dance Theatre in Mission Viejo, California. She graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Fullerton with a B.A. in Dance in 2018. While at CSUF, she studied Ballet, Horton, Graham, and Limón techniques. As a dancer in CSUF’s repertory company, Stormy worked with guest choreographers Bryn Cohn, Jessica Kondrath, and Colin Connor. Post-graduation, Stormy danced in Southern California as a freelance artist, company member in Re:borN Dance Interactive and FUSE Dance Company, cast member in numerous Disneyland parades, and performer in the Teatro Martini Dinner Theatre.
In 2021, she had the honor of joining the dance faculty at California State University, Fullerton teaching ballet. Continuing her education, Stormy earned her 200-Hour Power Yoga Certification, a Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication, and certificate in Web Design from University of Florida. In 2022, Stormy became a company dancer with Kanopy Dance Company.
Hannah King is originally from Seattle, WA, where she started her early dance training under the guidance of Anne Green Gilbert with Kaleidoscope Dance Company and Marie Chong with Arc School of Ballet. In 2015, she received her B.F.A. in Dance from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. After college, she taught dance for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and performed with the Metropolitan Ballet Ensemble. When she is not dancing, Hannah works as the Senior Program Manager of Risk Adjustment at Quartz Health Benefits. She enjoys cooking, playing card games, and being out and about in Madison. Hannah has been performing with Kanopy Dance Company since 2017.
Edward Salas (Covina, CA) 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). He trained in classical ballet and modern techniques such as Horton, Graham, and Limón under Muriel Joyce, Alvin Rangel-Alvarado, Lisa D. Long, and Debra Noble. He was part of CSUF’s Repertory Company and performed works by Mike Esperanza, Bryn Cohn, and Daniel Jaber. 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 and FUSE Dance Company in Southern California. 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.
Alex Trofka graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Professional Communication in 2021. At UWSP, Alex trained with Joan Karlen, Michael Estanich, Jeannie Hill, Pamela Luedtke, and Sarah Olson. Alex studied abroad at the University of Limerick in Ireland training at the Irish World Academy. In addition, Alex has worked with esteemed choreographers such as Nick Pupillo, Pascal Rioult, Lloyd Knight, Tadej Brdnik, Colin Connor, and much more. Prior to joining Kanopy Dance Company, Alex performed for Madison Contemporary Dance. While at Kanopy, Alex has had the wonderful opportunity to dance in Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring Suite, perform with Madison Opera, and train at the Martha Graham Summer Intensive in New York City among others. Recently, Alex has had the privilege of dancing the role of “Drosselmeyer” with Madison Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker. When he isn’t dancing, you can Alex serving at RED Sushi in Madison, WI.
Jakari Walker, a Minneapolis, MN native, began his dance journey at the age of 16 at North Community High School under the mentorship of Tamiko French. Following the pandemic, he deepened his understanding of movement and technique through informal training at Zenon Dance School and self-guided study at the “University of YouTube.” Jakari has performed with KLJ Movement for one season and is excited to join Kanopy 2 for his first season with the company.
Kanopy Company Apprentices
Madison Dabalos has been immersed in dance and various performing arts since she was age 8. She has trained in commercial dance styles, competition dance, high school and community musical theatre, and modern dance. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Kinesiology in 2024, where she worked with guest choreographers Yoshito Sarkuraba, Jamila Glass, Bradley Beakes, Sadie Weinberg, and Boroka Nagy. Post-graduation, she achieved her Comprehensive Pilates and Mat Pilates Instructor certificates at Orange Coast College, where she was granted the Pilates Student Award. With her knowledge, she hopes to work with athletes and the public to elevate the importance of movement and fitness and its association to health and happiness.
Lena Komar has danced with Kanopy for 18 years, and having been introduced to the Academy at the age of three. In 2016, she joined Kanopy 2, performing in significant works such as Rooms and The Unanswered Question by Anna Sokolow, along with Heretic by Martha Graham. In 2022, she became an apprentice with the main company. Through Kanopy’s Guest Artist Workshops, Lena has had the opportunity to train with many esteemed artists including Miki Orihara, Jim May, Virginie Mécène, and Martin Løfsnes. She has also attended intensives in New York City with the Martha Graham Dance Company and the Limón Dance Company. Lena is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and Psychology. She is additionally obtaining certificates in Dance, Dance Studies, and Legal Studies.
Madeleine Lindbeck (Santa Ana, California) found her passion at age 8 when she began her dance training at The Wooden Floor where she studied Modern and Ballet for 10 years. She concurrently studied Standard and Latin Ballroom dance at Orange County School of the Arts. She then went on to study at California State University, Fullerton where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a minor in Spanish. Madeleine has had the opportunity to work with a variety of choreographers including Yoshito Sakuraba, David Dorfman, Daniel Fetecua-Soto, and Blakeley White-McGuire, and has attended intensives with Backhausdance, David Dorfman Dance, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and Kanopy Dance. Madeleine is thrilled for her second season with Kanopy Dance Company as an apprentice.
Nathan J. Castro Llanos is a dedicated student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is pursuing a degree in dance as the Buff Brennan Impact Scholars in Dance award recipient. He is also an apprentice with Kanopy Dance, as part of a preprofessional development program. Beyond dance, Nathan holds a degree in Microbiology and Medical Technology and actively contributes as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. His different interests and professional achievements demonstrate a multifaceted approach to education and personal growth.
Margherita Tisato started studying dance in Italy at the age of 8. Her background is in Humphrey-Limón, contemporary, and dance-therapy. She counts in her roster of practices a variety of movement techniques including dance and yoga, Butoh, somatic movement, and recently the exploration of body suspension. Margherita moved to New York in 2006, and also works with Dances We Dance, and others. Margherita was a principal dancer with the Vangeline Theater from 2008 until 2017, and has presented her own work in New York and abroad. She is a teacher for the New York Butoh Institute and teaches Butoh workshops internationally. Margherita lives in Brooklyn, teaching yoga and mindful movement in studios, jails, and substance abuse recovery facilities, and coaching individuals in finding embodiment and recovering from PTSD. Margherita has danced with Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble since 2008.
Brad Orego hails from Buffalo, NY. He comes from a diverse background in sport, martial art, and dance. His formal dance training began at the University of Rochester, where he earned the University’s first Minor in Dance, along with degrees in Computer Science and Psychology. In 2011, he moved to Madison, WI, where he has danced with Kanopy Dance Company since 2013. Brad moved to NYC in 2017 and continues his training at the Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance. He has performed classic works by Anna Sokolow, Charles Weidman, and Martha Graham as well as contemporary work by Lisa Thurrell, Robert Cleary, Corrine Soum & Steven Wasson, Pascal Rioult, Martin Lofsnes, Lonny Gordon, and Stanley Love among others. Brad joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2017.
Ilana Ruth Cohen is from Portland, Oregon, where she grew up dancing in the rain. She graduated from Pomona College with a BA in Modern Dance and Chemistry and is currently a PhD student at the City University of New York where she investigates how aquatic plants and microbes can help to clean our water resources. Ilana’s dance training included study at the Limón Institute and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. Ilana has performed in works by Anna Sokolow, Doris Humphrey, Jose Limón, Isadora Duncan, Matthew Nelson and John Pennington. Additionally, she has performed with New York Baroque Dance Co. and with Shadow Box Theatre. In 2021, Ilana assisted in setting Anna Sokolow’s Rooms, working both virtually and in person, and has taught modern dance to children at Bay Ridge Ballet and through the Limon4Kids program. Ilana has been a member of the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble since 2018.
Samuel Humphreys received his initial training from Brynar Mehl, and then from Larry Ensign, Lori Belilove, the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet conservatory, and the Martha Graham School. He has performed in New York City with Anabella Lenzu, Ballet for Young Audiences, and Shadow Box Theatre and is a member of the Isadora Duncan Dance Company and NY Baroque Dance Company. A long-time student of Jim May, Sam performed with Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2007 and 2008 and rejoined the company in 2019.
Krista Jansen is a dancer and choreographer born, raised, and based in New York City. She is one half of the duet company Jansen & Holm, where she performs and choreographs alongside CJ Holm. Her own choreography has been performed at Dixon Place, Triskelion Arts, the Flea, STUFFED! at Movement Research, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, the 92nd street Y, and for an award-winning film with director Bat-Sheva Guez. She was an original cast member and Assistant Rehearsal Director for the critically acclaimed “Doug Elkins & Friends’ Fraulein Maria,” and for seven years performed and toured with that production around the United States and Canada. Krista is also a teaching assistant with Ellen Robbins, and choreographs for the Theater program at Beacon high school. Krista joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2022.
Margaret Mighty Oak Brackey is an NYC-based dancer/choreographer/artist. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, she grew up studying Graham Technique, Ballet, and Dance Composition at Kanopy Dance Company. In 2022, Margaret graduated with a BFA in Dance from Adelphi University. Her honors thesis, “Birds Into Bodies: Synthesizing Research and Dance”, which mitigated bird/window collisions on campus, was awarded the Levermore Prize for Best Senior Thesis. A collaborative choreographer, Margaret’s works have been shown around NYC and nationally, including as part of the Governors Island Eco-Arts festival and Colorado Fringe Festival. Besides dancing, Margaret runs the Instagram page and publicity for ST/DE. She was introduced to the work of Anna Sokolow in 2017 by Jim May and Samantha Géracht and joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2022.
Mikey Comito is from Long Island, New York. He attended SUNY Brockport in the fall of 2021 with a dance scholarship and trained under James Hansen. He has worked with and is influenced by Kathryn Alter and Jim May, and was a member of the second company of the Limón Dance Foundation. Mikey joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2024.
Edu Hernandez is from Morelos, México. He graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BFA in Dance. He has performed the works of Kathryn Alter, Rebecca Lemme, José Limón, Ohad Naharin, Omar Román De Jesús, Anouk Van Dijk, Anna Sokolow, and Charles Weidman. As an artist, his work has been selected for the APAP New York City Center, 92Y Harkness Center, the Palm Springs Dance Festival, Triskelion Arts, and recently the BAAD! By Arthur Aviles. He is a Movement Research Artist In Residence for 2025-2026. Edu joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2024.
Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble Guest Dancers
MARY KARL is an artist based in Brooklyn. Originally from St. Louis, Mary started her modern dance training under Deborah Carr at Stephen’s College. She holds a degree in architecture from The University of Missouri-Columbia. She has performed works by Doris Humphrey, Anna Sokolow, Charles Weidman, and Jennifer Conley. Mary has collaborated and made dance for film with Jessica Ray, and continues to explore choreographic work of her own. She is grateful to be a part of the Humphrey-Weidman and Sokolow lineages and places high value in keeping historical dance alive. She also acts professionally and studies under the mentorship of Michael Beckett at HB Studio.
CARA MARGUERITE is originally from Los Angeles, CA. She holds a Bachelor in Dance from Cal State Fullerton. Most recently she has performed with the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, as a trainee with the Jose Limón Institute at the Joyce Theater and 92NY, at Judson Church with Natalia Fernandez, and with Kanopy Dance in Madison, WI. She has also performed pieces by Dante Puleio, Brad Beaks, Tadej Brdnk, Yoshito Sakuraba, Stephanie Liapis, and Joshua Estrada-Romero, among others. Cara’s own choreography has been performed in festivals in California and New York.
AMELIA DAWE SANDERS (zie/zir) has presented zir choreography at New York Live Arts, 92Y, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Mary Anthony’s Studio, Norte Maar’s Dance at Socrates, and Montclair State University. Zie has performed works by Isadora Duncan with Catherine Gallant, Loretta Thomas, and Lori Belilove at venues including Jacob’s Pillow and St. Mark’s Church. Amelia graduated summa cum laude with a Dance BFA from Montclair State University, where zie performed work by Emmanuèle Phuon, Maxine Steinman, Kathleen Kelley, Jody Sperling, Abby Zbikowski, and Jessica DiMauro. Zie has worked with Emmanuèle Phuon on We, performing at Kaatsbaan among other venues. Amelia was a founding member of the Paul Taylor Teen Ensemble under the direction of Raegan Wood, performing at venues including The Joyce Theater and Symphony Space.
BRANDY BROWN (she/her) is a trans NYC-based dancer, choreographer, and activist. Brandy received her B.A. at UNC Charlotte in Dance and Women’s and Gender Studies and is a graduate of the Martha Graham School in the Advanced Studies Program for Performance. She is currently a company member with the Isadora Duncan Dance Company and has danced for singer/song-wrtier Rachel Platten in the Macy’s Day Parade, performed with Graham 2, modeled Batsheva Hay’s fashion in Vogue Runway magazine, understudied for Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, and has performed at notable venues in NYC such as The Joyce Theatre.