Jon Lehrer Dance Company actively promotes and values equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism on an institutional and individual level. All those working within JLDC are committed to creating an environment free of prejudice, discrimination, and marginalization throughout all of our work. This includes, but is not limited to, the company’s hiring practices, choreography and performance, education and outreach initiatives, community interaction, and governance. The professional dance artists of JLDC work collaboratively towards a common creative goal, while maintaining and developing their own artistic and individual voice. JLDC operates with integrity at all levels, respecting and honoring ideas, opinions, feedback, and dialogue from all.
The Dancers
Photos by Kiesha Stephens
Mahalia Brookes (Social Media Manager) is originally from the US Virgin Islands where she started her training at Caribbean Dance School. After moving to Florida, she continued her training at All American Dance Factory and All American Classical Ballet School. She has competed in the NAACP ACT-SO national convention where she worked closely with choreographer Anthony Burrell. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Marymount Manhattan College. She has performed works by Earl Mosley, Jessica Lang, Anthony Morigerato, John Heginbotham, Sidra Bell, and Pascal Rioult. This is Mahalia's fifth season with JLDC.
Cristiana Cavallo (Associate Director) is from Utica, NY and began dancing at the age of 3. She received her training at the Dancenter and at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute School of Dance. Cristiana graduated in 2014 from the University at Buffalo with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Sociology. As a UB student, she was a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company, performed in several musicals, choreographed for many student productions and acted as Director of Dancer’s Workshop. She attended numerous summer programs, including NYSSSA, Thodos Dance Chicago Intensive, and Steps Summer Study. During her senior year, Cristiana was chosen for the Jon Lehrer Dance Observership, allowing her to train with the company and gain valuable insight into the professional world of dance. In 2019, Cristiana was invited to choreograph as part of the Barn Dance Project at the Theater at Woodshill, curated by Caitlyn Schrader. She is also the interim Executive Director of JUNTOS Collective. Cristiana has been with JLDC for 13 years, becoming an integral part of the company's success both on and off the stage.
Jennifer M. Gerken began her dance training at age six. Her love for dance began at the dance studio called Dance Du Coeur where she performed and competed at various dance competitions. In 2016, she was accepted into Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In 2019, Ms. Gerken received the Mary Martha Lappe Dance Scholarship, and performed in an excerpt of Appalachian Spring by Martha Graham in the roles of the Bride and Follower. She was a student in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program where she graduated in 2023. In May 2023, she joined Ailey II as an apprentice and was promoted to an official company member. Ms. Gerken has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Jose Limón, William Forsythe, Baye and Asa, Houston Thomas, Rena Butler, Ethan Colangelo, and Chavlar Monteiro.
This is Jennifer’s first season with the company.
This is Jennifer’s first season with the company.
Kristen Hedberg was born and raised in Richmond, VA. She graduated with a BFA in Contemporary Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she was dual-enrolled with The Martha Graham School during her senior year. Additional performance credits include Susie McHugh + Dancers, Bo Pressly, and Faustine Lavie Dance Project, among others. Kristen is also the Development Coordinator with Queensboro Dance Festival and a Grant Writer with Fran Kirmser, LLC. Kristen is thrilled to be in her fifth season with JLDC.
Michael Miller (Rehearsal Director) is from Long Island, New York, and began dancing at the age of eight. He trained at Peconic Ballet Theatre primarily in Modern and Ballet before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from James Madison University. During his studies, he danced in both student- and faculty-choreographed works and was a member of the Virginia Repertory Dance Company. In his senior year, he received the Excellence in Performance Award. He has performed works by Kyle Abraham, Omàr Román De Jesús, Rubèn Graciani, Ryan Corriston, Ricky Ruiz and Xiang Xu. This is Michael’s fifth season with JLDC.
Riccardo Passera is an Italian-born dancer based in New York City whose artistic identity is deeply influenced by a heritage that bridges Italy and the Caribbean. He began his dance journey at the age of 10 with Caribbean styles, before expanding into ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques at renowned institutions including The Ballet School, AreaDance Nuova, and New Style Dance. As a young performer in Italy, Riccardo danced in works by Lino Villa with the New Style Project Dance Company and joined MAADE Ensemble as an apprentice, performing choreography by Mattia Cuda. At 18, he moved to New York to train at The Ailey School, where he was a member of the Ailey Student Performance Group from 2022 to 2024 under the direction of Freddie Moore. At The Ailey School, Riccardo performed Bird Lives and Memoria, by Alvin Ailey, as well as an excerpt from Mauro Bigonzetti’s Festa Barocca. These works were featured during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2021-2023 seasons at New York City Center and 2024 season at BAM. Riccardo currently dances with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, and serves as a Teaching Artist with Notes In Motion’s Education Ensemble. His cross- continental career has led him to work with celebrated choreographers such as Clifton Brown, Amy Hall Garner, Ronald K. Brown, Darell Moultrie, Brice Mousset. Norbert De La Cruz III, Branndi Lewis, and Johan King Silverhult. This is Riccardo’s third season with JLDC.
Austin Shaffer, an Ohio native, received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Slippery Rock University with a concentration in Performance and Choreography. He has performed works by Bill T. Jones, Brian Brooks, Helen Simoneau, Joshua Manculich, Hanna Brictson, Cameron McKinney, Ursula Payne, and Bill Evans. He has performed and presented his works at the Koresh Artist Showcase, American College Dance Association Conference Gala, Cleveland Dance Festival, Whirlwind Dance Company, El Colegio del Cuerpo (Cartagena, Colombia), and Columbus Arts Festival. Austin just finished his second season as a main company dancer for Whirlwind Dance, a contemporary dance company in Columbus, Ohio. This is Austin’s second season with JLDC.
Mitchell Takeda was born in Taiwan and raised in Sacramento, CA.
.He graduated from Ball State University in May 2024 with a BFA in
Musical Theatre and was part of the Honors College. Mitchell was
introduced to JLDC during the Fall Semester of 2022 when the
company visited Ball State for a three-day masterclass series. Since then,
he has always dreamed to dance with the company and perform with
them one day. He participated in the JLDC Winter Intensive in January 2024, and joined the company as an apprentice in June 2024. Mitchell is excited to now be in his third season as a full company member with JLDC.
.He graduated from Ball State University in May 2024 with a BFA in
Musical Theatre and was part of the Honors College. Mitchell was
introduced to JLDC during the Fall Semester of 2022 when the
company visited Ball State for a three-day masterclass series. Since then,
he has always dreamed to dance with the company and perform with
them one day. He participated in the JLDC Winter Intensive in January 2024, and joined the company as an apprentice in June 2024. Mitchell is excited to now be in his third season as a full company member with JLDC.
Apprentices
Bella Crews graduated from The Boston Conservatory May 2025, with her B.F.A. in commercialdance. She first found her passion for dance at the young age of three years old with her first ballet and tap class at her local dance studio in Orlando, Florida. Crews has performed at Universal Studios, Disney Springs, and other events in Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. Since attending the Conservatory, Crews has participated in multiple music videos, Berklee ensemble performances, and extracurricular activities within the community. Crews has trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Heels, Contemporary, etc. With a strong need to constantly learn more and grow, Crews is always looking for opportunities that are outside her comfort zone. From Broadway, to an artist tour, to a modern company. She wants to do it all. Bella Crews is eager to get started on this new journey of the industry and can't wait to see ya out there!
Kaitlyn Hennings recently graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance Program under the direction of Melanie Person, earning her degrees in Dance and Humanitarian Studies. She is originally from Dallas, TX, where she trained and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA) under the direction of Kate Walker. During her studies, Kaitlyn
has performed works by Aszure Barton, Ronald K. Brown, Peter Chu, Christopher Huggins, Take Ueyama, and many others, as well as the repertory of choreographers such as Robert Battle, José Limón, and Paul Taylor. Throughout her summers, Kaitlyn has attended programs at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance,
The Ailey School, and with companies such as Doug Varone and Dancers, Parsons Dance, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and Bruce Wood Dance. Kaitlyn is excited to be joining JLDC as an apprentice!
has performed works by Aszure Barton, Ronald K. Brown, Peter Chu, Christopher Huggins, Take Ueyama, and many others, as well as the repertory of choreographers such as Robert Battle, José Limón, and Paul Taylor. Throughout her summers, Kaitlyn has attended programs at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance,
The Ailey School, and with companies such as Doug Varone and Dancers, Parsons Dance, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and Bruce Wood Dance. Kaitlyn is excited to be joining JLDC as an apprentice!
Maddie McKnight is an alumni of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from Montclair State University with a Minor in Business. At Montclair State University, she performed in works by Camille A. Brown, Leslie Kraus, Cameron McKinney, Christian von Howard, among others, and received the Dance Scholar and Choreographic Excellence Award in 2025. McKnight is currently in the process of developing choreographic repertoire, honing her voice as an emerging creator. McKnight has shown choreographic work at the Koresh Dance Company Artist Showcase, Eisenhower Dance Detroit NewDanceFest, Montclair State University Dancemakers, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and Montclair Dance Festival. This is Maddie's second season as a JLDC Apprentice.
Caroline Murray was born in New Albany, Indiana, and later relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, to attend Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she majored in dance. She began her professional dance training at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Sports Nutrition in May 2025. During her time at the University, she was honored with the Outstanding Performer Award. She performed works by choreographers Kyle Abraham, Stephanie Martinez, Leslie Kraus, Andre Tyson, Brice Mousset, Cameron McKinney, Christian von Howard, and Jessie DiMauro Marks. In addition to concert performances, Murray has participated in various other performances such as the JLDC Spring Gala 2026, Koresh Artistic Showcase, Steffi Nesson Choreography Showcase, Dancing Beyond, Montclair Dance Festival, and Brickhouse. This is Caroline’s second season as an apprentice.
Nova Persio is a dance artist currently pursuing freelance work based in
New York City. This will be her first season as an apprentice for JLDC. Nova graduated with her BFA in dance from Marymount Manhattan College in 2026. Throughout her time at Marymount, she performed works by Omar Román De Jesús, Stephanie Troyak, Raja Feather Kelly, Dylan Pearce, Tamisha Guy, Dolly Sfeir, and Jamal White. She has deepened her training and artistry through workshops with Gibney Company, Gallim, Pina Bausch Lab, Parsons Dance, and The Graham School. She also travelled abroad to train in dance theater and contemporary floorwork at Henny Jurriens Studio in Amsterdam and b12 Festival in Berlin. Nova also creates her own work and has had the opportunity to present her choreography at Arts on Site, NYC. Prior to relocating to New York City in 2022, Nova began her professional training in the pre-professional dance company at The Grier School, under the direction of Jocelyn Hrzic and Danielle Bower.
New York City. This will be her first season as an apprentice for JLDC. Nova graduated with her BFA in dance from Marymount Manhattan College in 2026. Throughout her time at Marymount, she performed works by Omar Román De Jesús, Stephanie Troyak, Raja Feather Kelly, Dylan Pearce, Tamisha Guy, Dolly Sfeir, and Jamal White. She has deepened her training and artistry through workshops with Gibney Company, Gallim, Pina Bausch Lab, Parsons Dance, and The Graham School. She also travelled abroad to train in dance theater and contemporary floorwork at Henny Jurriens Studio in Amsterdam and b12 Festival in Berlin. Nova also creates her own work and has had the opportunity to present her choreography at Arts on Site, NYC. Prior to relocating to New York City in 2022, Nova began her professional training in the pre-professional dance company at The Grier School, under the direction of Jocelyn Hrzic and Danielle Bower.
Tobi Twombley is originally from Los Angeles, CA. She began dancing at the
age of 7 at Pacific Dance Center Redondo Beach. There, she received intensive training in classical ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and acro. She danced principal roles in The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty as well as competing at Youth America Grand Prix in 2019, 2021, and 2022. After graduating high school, Tobi moved to New York City to attend The Ailey School’s Certificate Program class of 2026 where she completed two seasons as a member of the Ailey Student Performance Group under the direction of Freddie Moore. During her time at Ailey Tobi had the privilege of performing works by Alvin Ailey, Earl Mosley, Darrell Moultrie, Freddie Moore, Jennifer Archibald,
Brice Mousset, Branndi Lewis, Avree Walker, and Pedro Ruiz. This is Tobi’s first season as an apprentice with Jon Lehrer Dance Company.
age of 7 at Pacific Dance Center Redondo Beach. There, she received intensive training in classical ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and acro. She danced principal roles in The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty as well as competing at Youth America Grand Prix in 2019, 2021, and 2022. After graduating high school, Tobi moved to New York City to attend The Ailey School’s Certificate Program class of 2026 where she completed two seasons as a member of the Ailey Student Performance Group under the direction of Freddie Moore. During her time at Ailey Tobi had the privilege of performing works by Alvin Ailey, Earl Mosley, Darrell Moultrie, Freddie Moore, Jennifer Archibald,
Brice Mousset, Branndi Lewis, Avree Walker, and Pedro Ruiz. This is Tobi’s first season as an apprentice with Jon Lehrer Dance Company.
Louie Williams was born in Austin, Texas and received his training at the Dance Institute Performance Academy under Linda Holland. His training focused on Vaganova Ballet technique, Contemporary dance, and a personal study of Improvisation. Complemented by a strong musical background that nurtured his interest in interdisciplinary connections between mediums, this led Louis to the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, of which he graduated in 2024. During his university studies, Louie trained extensively under Moncell Durden, Tiffany Bong, Patrick Corbin, and Saleemah Knight. He performed works by acclaimed choreographers including Kyle Abraham, Christopher Wheeldon, Hope Boykin, Dwight Rhoden, Doug Varone, Micaela Taylor, Amy O’Neal, and Saleemah Knight. Louie has also honed his improvisational skills in House, Locking, and Waaking, valuing the emotional elements of social dance as a cultural pillar. Louie is thrilled to be in his first year as a JLDC Apprentice.
Samantha Zgombic is from Charlotte, North Carolina and trained at No Limits Dance Company and Central Academy of Technology and Arts, and has completed her BFA in Dance from Montclair State University. While at MSU, she has been awarded several scholarships, including Cento Amici and the CART Advisory Board Talent. She has performed in works by Stefanie Batten Bland, Roderick George, Omar Román De Jesús, and Maleek Washington, among others. Samantha has attended programs hosted by BODYTRAFFIC, Doug Varone and Dancers, Ririe-Woodbury, and Whim W’him. She is frequently invited to share her knowledge as a guest teacher at studios and intensives across the country. Samantha is excited to be joining JLDC as an apprentice.
