COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET

JULY 13, 2025

LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

FULL PROGRAM

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FOUNDING CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

Dwight Rhoden & Desmond Richardson

THE COMPANY
Bilgude Ariunbold, Jaymee Boyd, Aeron Buchanan, Christian Burse*, Michael Cherry, Jillian Davis, Angelo De Serra, Chloe Duryea, Joe González, Marissa Mattingly, Laura Perich, Miguel Solano, Lucy Stewart, Manuel Vaccaro, April Watson

Apprentice: Aristotle Luna

*Leave of Absence

PROGRAM

This Time, With Feeling

2024

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden
Music: David Rozenblatt (original score) Divertimento

Lighting Design: Michael Korsch

Costume Design: Christine Darch

Performed by: April Watson & Bilgude Ariunbold, Lucy Stewart & Michael Cherry, Chloe Duryea & Miguel Solano, Laura Perich & Angelo De Serra, Manuel Vaccaro, Aeron Buchanan & Marissa Mattingly

PROGRAM NOTE: Beethoven Concerto and This Time With Feeling are 2 pieces with identical choreography, composed to 2 different pieces of music. This exploration is a process-oriented tool that bolsters the concept of movement as language and places the artist in the driver’s seat to interpret the choreography in different ways according to the music, and the story to be told.

First Comes Love

2025

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden

Original Soundscape: Dwight Rhoden

Sound Engineer: Corey Folta

Lighting Design: Michael Korsch

Costume Design: Christine Darch

Performed by: Jillian Davis and Joe González

Bolero

2024

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden
Music: Maurice Ravel

Lighting Design: Michael Korsch

Costume Design: Christine Darch

Performed by: The Company

Bolero was made possible in part by the generous support of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Fund.

Special thanks to Tom Mossbruker & Jean Philippe Malaty

*Boléro, M.81 by Maurice Ravel. John Wilson and Sinfonia of London. 2022 Chandos Records Ltd

– INTERMISSION –

For Crying Out Loud

2023

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden

Music: U2*

Lighting Design: Michael Korsch

Costume Design: Christine Darch

Performed by: The Company

1. Where The Streets Have No Name
2. I Will Follow
3. Every Breaking Wave
4. Vertigo
5. With Or Without You
6. Pride

* Where The Streets Have No Name, Every Breaking Wave, Vertigo, I Will Follow, Pride (In the Name of Love). Performed by U2, Written by Adam Clayton, Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Complexions Contemporary Ballet transcends dance tradition through a groundbreaking approach to the art. Founded in 1994 by master choreographer Dwight Rhoden and the legendary Desmond Richardson, Complexions’ foremost innovation is to remove boundaries, not reinforce them. The company blends methods, styles, and cultures from across the globe, and the result is a continually evolving form of dance that reflects the movement of our world — and all its cultures — as an interrelated whole.

Complexions’ artistic directors and company members teach master classes around the world to dancers of all levels, bringing the company’s inventive vision of human movement to five continents, over 20 countries, and over 20 million television viewers. The company has also performed at major dance festivals throughout Europe. These include Italy’s Festival of Dance; France’s Isle De Dance Festival and Maison De La Dance Festival; the Holland Dance Festival; Switzerland’s Steps International Dance Festival; Poland’s kódźBiennale, Warsaw Ballet Festival and Kraków Spring Ballet Festival; and Spain’s Dance Festival of Canary Islands. Complexions has toured extensively throughout the Baltic Regions, Korea, Brazil, Japan, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Israel, Russia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Serbia, Jamaica, and Australia.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet has received The New York Times Critics’ Choice Award, among numerous other awards. It has appeared in theaters across the U.S., including The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New Victory Theater (New York City), the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts (New Orleans), Paramount Theatre (Seattle), The Music Center (Los Angeles), Winspear Opera House (Dallas), Cutler Majestic Theatre (Boston), the Music Hall (Detroit), and the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) as part of the 2017 Ballet Across America. Prominent theaters abroad that have hosted Complexions include the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kremlin Theatre (Moscow), The Mikhailovsky Theater (St. Petersburg), and the Melbourne Arts Center. Over the past three decades, the company has witnessed a world becoming more fluid, more changeable and more culturally interconnected than ever before. Today, Complexions Contemporary Ballet represents one of the most recognized and respected performing arts brands worldwide.

WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY

DWIGHT RHODEN (Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director, Principal Choreographer) has established a remarkably wide-ranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.” Rhoden began dancing at age seventeen, and performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal, and as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

In 1994, alongside Desmond Richardson, he founded COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet, bringing their unique brand of contemporary ballet to the world, forging a center for innovation and cutting-edge programming. Rhoden’s choreography has been the lynchpin of the company’s repertory development. In three decades, he has created over 100 ballets for COMPLEXIONS, as well as for numerous other companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Arizona Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BalletMet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, PHILADANCO!, Mariinsky Ballet, Zenon Dance Company, The Washington Ballet, The Houston Ballet and The San Francisco Ballet, among many others.

Rhoden has also choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance, E! Entertainment’s Tribute to Style, AMICI, Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity, Mozart Her Story, and collaborated with artists including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Paul Simon, Nina Simone, and many more. A recipient of The New York Foundation for the Arts Award, The Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, and The Ailey School’s Apex Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Boston Conservatory in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of dance. Currently he is Adjunct Professor at Howard University, and Artistic Professor of Dance at Chapman University.

DESMOND RICHARDSON (Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director) HON Doctorate UNCSA recipient. An iconic American Dance Professional, Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet celebrating its 30th year anniversary, Broadway Tony Award Nominee, Critics Choice Award, LA Ovation Award, TedTalk Guest artist & speaker, and So You Think You Can Dance & AMICI (Italy) Guest performer & Choreographer.

Richardson is a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and has graced the covers of various publications; he was the first African American Principal dancer of American Ballet Theater, a principal dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Frankfurt Ballet and has been a featured guest performer nationally and internationally.

He has received the Capezio, Rosey Roosevelt Thompson, Bessie and Dance Magazine awards. Richardson and his collaborator Dwight Rhoden recently choreographed the musical “Mozart Her Story” that received its debut at Carnegie Hall and on the West End in London, UK. Richardson’s character Ted appeared on the HBO Max hit series “The Other Two” Season 3.

He continues to teach nationally and internationally.

JAE MAN JOO (Resident Choreographer) is an internationally acclaimed choreographer and the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Princess Grace Choreographer Award. Hailing from Korea, he brought his unique artistic vision to the US, where he served as the Associate Artistic Director of Complexions. A former dancer at Ballet Hispanico and Complexions, Joo has worked and performed with a diverse range of choreographers, including Dwight Rhoden, William Forsythe, Shen Wei, Igal Perry, and Jessica Lang. Joo was invited to create works for Jacob’s Pillow in 2017 and 2019. Joo’s artistic prowess has been recognized globally. He received the Artist Award from the Bagnolet International Dance Festival in Paris, France, The Korea Dance Critics Choice Awards in 2021 and 2023, and his full-length ballet VITA Received the Historical Korea E-daily Cultural Grand Prize in 2022. In 2023, His Ballet DIVINE for Gwangju City Ballet received The Best Korea Dance Art Work of the Year. These accolades are a testament to his profound influence on the dance world. He has created many ballets for Complexions, all premiered at the Joyce Theater. He is currently a Full-time ballet professor at Point Park University. In 2024, Joo premiered his ballet When Time Stands Still for The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and the New Full Evening Ballet for the Korea Metropolitan Ballet Company for his rendition of  A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

AARON DWORKIN (Resident Poetjournalist) named a 2005 MacArthur Fellow, President Obama’s first appointment to the National Council on the Arts and member of President Biden’s Arts Policy Committee, Aaron P. Dworkin is a best-selling author, Emmy award-winning filmmaker and poetjournalist. As a social entrepreneur, Aaron founded the Sphinx Organization (dedicated to promoting diversity in the arts) and the Institute for Poetjournalism. He is the former dean and current Professor of Arts Leadership & Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan and hosts the nationally-broadcast show “Arts Engines,” reaching 100,000 viewers weekly. Aaron is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of numerous honors including the National Governors Association Distinguished Service, BET’s History Makers in the Making and Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Lifetime Achievement Awards and named the National Black MBA’s Entrepreneur of the Year. As a poetjournalist, Aaron’s performances include Carnegie Hall, Harvard University, Chautauqua, NJPAC, Orchestra Hall in Detroit and the Winfield House in London among others. He has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, and named one of Newsweek’s “15 People Who Make America Great.” Aaron welcomes everyone to join his community at Patreon.com/Poetjournalist to shape the narrative of tomorrow, one verse at a time.

NATIYA KEZEVADZE (Rehearsal Director) started her training in Classical Ballet at V. Chabukiani State Ballet School in Tbilisi, Georgia. At age thirteen, she was accepted to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet on full scholarship in St-Petersburg, Russia. While at the Academy, Natiya studied with professor T. Udalenkova, performed extensively on the celebrated Mariinsky Stage, and received her BFA. She joined Boris Eifman Dance Company, and then was a soloist with Ballet Classic. Natiya moved to NYC in 2004 to further pursue her performing career, and a year later joined Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company, under the direction of Abdel Salaam. In 2007 she joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet, touring worldwide performing works by Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Igal Perry and Jae Man Joo. In 2012, Ms. Kezevadze left touring life to focus on motherhood, and to embrace her love for teaching. She has taught at the Joffrey Experience in NYC, Broadway Dance Center, was assistant choreographer with the New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and for Dwight Rhoden’s original international production of the Great Gatsby Ballet. Today, Natiya continues performing with Complexions as Rehearsal Director, teaching as Master faculty at the Complexions Academy, and  collaborates in various dance projects.

NATALIA ALONSO (Rehearsal Director) began her career in dance when joining Ballet Hispanico in 2001, for which she received accolades in Dance Magazine’s cover story for her work with the company.  Shortly thereafter, she joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet where she danced for 5 seasons. Natalia then performed the role of Maria Tallchief in the Lincoln Center Theater play, Nikkolai and the Others.  She can also be seen in commercial publications such as Discount Dance and Baltogs, as well as several TV shows including “Law and Order: SVU”. Ms. Alonso is currently performing with the Metropolitan Opera and has appeared in productions of Die Rosenkavalier, Carmen, La Nozze de Figaro, Die Fleidermaus, Rigoletto and Turandot.  Before beginning her career as a professional dancer, Ms. Alonso, received a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University, where she also performed and co-directed a student run dance company. Ms. Alonso has taught master classes at institutions such as The Juilliard School, The Joffrey Ballet School, Barnard, Broadway Dance Center, Perry Mansfield , and is also a certified GYROTONIC® instructor.  

CHRISTINA DOOLING (Rehearsal Director) began her career performing with Complexions Contemporary Ballet after working with Dwight Rhoden at NYU Tisch. After several exhilarating years with the company, Christina parted ways to pursue additional opportunities. Credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Flesh & Bone, and performances with Artists Pharrell and Camilla Cabello to name a few. Christina is honored to support Complexions in its 30th Season. Represented by Lakey Wolff & Company. 

MICHAEL KORSCH (Resident Lighting Designer) is a lighting, projection and scenic designer based in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned his BA in theatre from Temple University.  He has worked with numerous directors and choreographers, creating hundreds of visual designs for dance, theatre and other live performances throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, as well as New Zealand.  Michael has been the resident lighting designer for Complexions Contemporary Ballet since 1998, and Ballet Arizona since 2001.  In addition, Michael has created designs for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Backhausdance, BalletMet, Ballet Nice Méditerranée, Ballet West, BalletX, Carolina Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Cleveland Play House, Czech National Ballet, DanceBrazil, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Disney Creative Entertainment, English National Ballet, FELA! The Concert, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, MOMIX, Oakland Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, and Washington Ballet among others.

CHRISTINE DARCH (Resident Costume Designer) has designed for COMPLEXIONS since 2006. She designs and builds costumes for many choreographers including Julia Adam, Natasha Adorlee, Jennifer Archibald, Val Caniparoli, Rena Butler, Jorma Elo, Nicolo Fonte, Jen Freeman, Adam Hougland, Jae Man Joo, James Kudelka, Gabrielle Lamb, Edward Liang, Matthew Neenan, David Parsons, Caili Quan, Amy Seiwert, Merián Soto, Septime Webre, and Yin Yue. Ms. Darch has been commissioned by Alvin Ailey, Astana Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Hawaii, Ballet Memphis, Ballet Met, Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Gibney Dance, Gwangju City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Madco, Marin Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Le Ballet Nice Méditerranée, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Parsons Dance, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Post: ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, Singapore Ballet,Tulsa Ballet, Washington Ballet, and BalletX. Her full length works include four Nutcrackers, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Dwight Rhoden’s Othello. She builds costumes from her studio in East Northport, New York.

VINCENZO DI PRIMO (Artist in Residence) grew up in Adrano, Sicily, Italy and graduated from the Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy.  Vincenzo performed with some of the world’s most reputable dance companies including The Royal Ballet of London and danced works from choreographers including Kenneth MacMillan, Crystal Pite, Marius Petipa, Peter Wright, Frederick Ashton, Morgann Runacre-Temple, Nacho Duato, Natalia Horecna, Dwight Rhoden, Justin Peck, Jae Man Joo, Ricardo Amarante, and Jenn Freeman. Vincenzo received several awards including Prize winner and Contemporary Prize at The Prix de Lausanne, Gold Medal and Nureyev prize at Grand Prix de Paris, Outstanding Artistry Prize at Youth America Grand Prix New York, and Bronze Medal at the Beijing International Ballet Competition. In 2019, he was a contestant and finalist on the Italian TV show Amici after which he joined COMPLEXIONS. In 2021 Vincenzo was included in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”. Vincenzo has been a company artist since 2019.

DANCE ARTISTS

BILGUDE ARIUNBOLD (Dance Artist) originally from Mongolia, trained as a ballet dancer at the Mongolian Conservatory from 2005 to 2012. In 2009, while still a student, he was chosen to join the State Academic Theater of Opera and Dance, where he performed as a soloist until 2015. He then joined Wise Ballet Theatre in South Korea as a principal dancer (2015-2021). Bilgude studied Choreography for three years at Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, where he created and performed his own choreography called (Energy). He joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet in January 2024.

AERON BUCHANAN (Dance Artist) his formal training began at age ten at Maryland Youth Ballet, but Aeron’s passion for dance has been there since birth. Having a mother who was a former dancer and studio owner, Buchanan’s love of movement came naturally. He trained at The Washington Ballet and then at Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) graduating in 2017. He spent summers attending programs such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. After graduating from BSA he attended the year round programs at Boston Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet before joining Cincinnati Ballet’s second company, followed by Nashville Ballet as an Apprentice in 2020 and promoted to Company Artist in 2022. During his four seasons with the company he was featured in works by Jermaine Spivey, Jennifer Archibald, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylián and Matthew Neenan. Aeron joined COMPLEXIONS in 2024.

JAYMEE KRYSTA BOYD (Dance Artist) is from Los Angeles and started dancing competitively in California before focusing on classical ballet training at Lauridsen Ballet Centre/Ballet California. Jaymee attended educational programs at Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, and Cornish School of the Arts. After graduating she became a trainee with Ballet Idaho, performing works by Anne Mueller, FLOCK, and Josephine Nell; then Jaymee became a company member with Peninsula Ballet Theatre returning to Los Angeles to freelance classical and commercial dance. Jaymee has performed in Josie Walsh’s company Ballet Red, NBC’s A Motown Christmas, Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, Debbie Allen’s Her Story choreographed by Karen McDonald, and August Wilson’s New Voices Competition choreographed by Dr. Gregory King and directed by Sophina Brown. Jaymee joined Complexions in 2025.

CHRISTIAN BURSE (Dance Artist) was born in Austin, Texas where she began her dance journey at the age of two years old. She completed her early dance training at RISE Dance Company where she received a diverse dance education. She continued her dance training at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas, and Dance Industry Performing Arts Center. She attended multiple summer intensives at the COMPLEXIONS Academy and The Juilliard School. She has received awards from The National YoungArts Foundation and was named a 2020/2021 Texas Young Master. Christian Joined Complexions in 2021.

MICHAEL CHERRY (Dance Artist) was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia. He is a graduate of George Mason University and received a BFA in Dance as well as a minor in Arts Management. Michael has had the opportunity to dance in works created/set by Camille A Brown, Alejandro Cerrudo, Doug Varone, Manuel Vignoulle, Rafael Bonachela, Rena Butler, Fiona Jopp, Susan Shields, Shaun Boyle-Darcy, and Christopher d’Amboise. He has had the opportunity to attend the Juilliard summer dance intensive twice, Complexions Summer and Winter intensives, as well as LINES Summer dance intensive. He is beyond excited to dance with Complexions Contemporary Ballet for his first Season (2024).

JILLIAN DAVIS (Senior Artistic Associate, Dance Artist)is from Pennsylvania in the United States and began her ballet training at the age of 3. She studied extensively with Risa Kaplowitz and Susan Jaffe at Princeton Dance and Theater Studio in Princeton, NJ. She has been a Company Artist with Complexions since 2014 and has been a part of several Dwight Rhoden world premieres. Additionally, she is a Co-Assistant Rehearsal Director and a Production Associate with the Company. Jillian is also a Choreographer Assistant with Jae Man Joo and Dwight Rhoden. Jillian is a Master Faculty member for Complexions Academy, teaching at the Winter and Summer Intensives, as well as Master Classes around the U.S. @jillange93

ANGELO DE SERRA (Dance Artist) grew up in Sassari, Sardinia, Italy. He began his professional training at the age of 14 with Sharon Podesva, his private ABT ballet teacher. He attended summer intensives at The Royal Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre and Academie Princesse Grace. At the age of 17 he was awarded Senior Male Classical Top Six at  Youth America Grand Prix Italy,  and a year later won first place in Classical Soloist  the Expression International Dance Competition in Florence were he received a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey School. He then moved to Cannes, France, graduated from PNSD-Rosella Hightower and joined Cannes Jeune Ballet. After moving to New York City to attend The Ailey School, he attended intensives at the Complexions Academy and joined the Company as an apprentice in 2022. Angelo was promoted to company member in 2024. @angelodeserraa

CHLOE DURYEA (Dance Artist) received her early dance training near her hometown of Haslett, Michigan. While in high school she attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive as a National Training Scholar on full scholarship. Chloe graduated from Indiana University’s Jacob School of Music with Highest Distinction, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ballet with an Outside Field of Kinesiology. At Indiana University she was featured in works by Twyla Tharp, Dwight Rhoden, and as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. Chloe has guested with the Ruth Page Civic Ballet and the Indianapolis School of Ballet, performing George Balanchine’s Nutcracker Pas de Deux. Chloe has previously danced professionally with Elements Contemporary Ballet, James Sewell Ballet, and has performed at the Cannes Dance Festival. Since joining Complexions in 2023, Chloe has had the opportunity to dance works by Dwight Rhoden, Justin Peck, and Ricardo Amarante, as well as perform at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

JOE GONZÁLEZ (Senior Artistic Associate, Dance Artist)is from Boston Massachusetts, where he trained at Roxbury Center Performing Arts and the Boston Arts Academy. Joe has participated in Boston Conservatory’s summer intensive, American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival and twice at Springboard Danse Montreal. He received his BFA from Boston Conservatory. Gonzalez has commissioned works for a few universities, educational institutions, and dance companies. Joe toured nationally and internationally as performing artist with Philadanco, Anna Myer & Dancers, Prometheus Dance, #DBdanceProject, WaheedWorks and was the 2020/21 DanceVisions Artist in Resident at Performance Garage. He is currently founder and Artistic Director of Jo-Mé Dance and was on faculty at Temple University, Georgian Court University and Boston Arts Academy. He joined Complexions in 2022. @j.gonzalez.dance

MARISSA MATTINGLY (Dance Artist) grew up in Tampa, Florida where she was trained in several different styles of dance since the age of three. She started to take ballet and contemporary more seriously at the age of 13 when she began training at All American Dance Factory and Classical Ballet School under the direction of Terri Howell and Julio Montano. With this training she took part in many ballet competitions. She is a 4 time YAGP finalist, and performed in the UBC 2022 finals gala as a Legacy Award winner. She attended her first Complexions Summer Intensive in 2021, and was invited to take part in their two week Trainee Program in the spring of 2022. She then joined the company in August of 2022 at the age of 17. Since then, she has performed in numerous ballets by Dwight Rhoden, including two world premieres,“Endgame” and “For Crying Out Loud”, at the Joyce Theater. @marissa_mattingly_

LAURA PERICH (Dance Artist) was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela where she began training at the age of 3. She then moved to Houston, Texas where she continued her training with Catriona Steel and completed The Royal Academy of Dance Ballet exams under Steel’s direction. After graduating, Laura then joined Texas Ballet Theater’s Studio Training Company completing two full years in the program. In 2021, Laura moved to New York City and joined Ballet Hispanico’s Professional Studies Program as part of the inaugural cohort where she had the opportunity to tour and be a guest artist for the main company. Laura then joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet in 2023.

MIGUEL SOLANO (Dance Artist, Assistant Rehearsal Director) originally from Medellín, Colombia, began his dance journey at the age of seventeen. He initially trained in Colombia before moving to New York City to complete his studies at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet on a full scholarship, performing with Kirkland’s studio company. Miguel has performed with Awaken Dance Theater, Thomas/Ortiz Dance, RudduR Dance, and Connecticut Ballet. He has had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed choreographers such as Earl Mosley, Christopher Rudd, Francesca Harper, Ricardo Amarante, Jenn Freeman, Darrell Moultrie, Larry Keigwin, Nadege Hottier, Larissa Calero, Eve Chan, and Ted Thomas.

In addition to his performance career, Miguel is a faculty member at Complexions Academy, where he teaches intensives and leads master classes globally. Miguel joined COMPLEXIONS in 2018, and became Assistant Rehearsal Director in 2023. @miguellsolano

LUCY STEWART (Dance Artist) grew up right outside of Denver, Colorado, dancing at Colorado Ballet and Kinetic Arts Dance Studio. She spent her summers training with American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, COMPLEXIONS, and Colorado Ballet. Lucy attended numerous Complexions summer intensives from the years 2017 to 2021, in addition to the pre professional program in New York in 2019 and 2020. She studied at The Juilliard School in the dance division from 2020-2022, before joining Complexions as a company member for the summer tour. She has had the opportunity to study with various leading artists in the dance world, including Ohad Naharin, Francesca Harper, Tiler Peck, Rena Butler, James Whiteside, Karole Armitage, Matthew Neenan, Jae Man Joo, Jenn Freeman, and Ricardo Amarante, as well as the opportunity to perform Set and Reset by Trisha Brown. She spent her 2024 summer dancing with Traverse City Dance Project. Lucy also teaches at Complexions Summer and Winter Intensives.

MANUEL VACCARO (Dance Artist) was born in Modica, a small Sicilian city in Italy. His passion for dance has lived since he learned how to walk. He began his dance studies at the age of six at a private school in Sicily. When he turned ten, Manuel was admitted to the Rome Opera House dance school where he studied for four years. In September 2018, he started studying at the Rosella Hightower dance school in France. After sending a video audition to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia in 2019, he was admitted and studied for three years. In June 2022, Manuel received his diploma in professional dance and ballet teaching from the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Manuel joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet Academy in 2023. @ manuel_vaccaro_

APRIL WATSON (Dance Artist) began her dance training at age eight at University North Carolina School of the Arts Preparatory Program, and graduated its High School Program in 2016. She spent her summers with the School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Charlotte Ballet, Indiana Ballet Conservatory, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Joffrey Academy, all on scholarship. After graduating from UNCSA, she spent two years in Los Angeles studying under the direction of Debbie Allen as an Artist in Residence. April joined COMPLEXIONS in 2019, and has recently become part of the Complexions Academy faculty. In January 2025, April was highlighted as the digital Cover Star of Pointe Magazine @wca

ARISTOTLE LUNA (Apprentice) began as a trainee with Complexions Contemporary Ballet  in the Spring of 2022 while in college. He grew up on Salt Spring and Orcas Islands in the Salish Sea and began dancing full-time at age 10 under the direction of Anthony the Dancer. He was a member of The Island Inspiration All Stars, studied ballet, contemporary, tap, hiphop, salsa, jazz and aerial acrobatics, and performed in many shows, including Billy in Billy Elliot. He also trained with Ariel Serrano at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, Homer Bryant of the Chicago MultiCultural Dance Center and did an apprentice-residency with Dance Now! Miami. Summer intensives include Jacob’s Pillow, Orsolina28, Hubbard Street, Houston Ballet and Interlochen. Aristotle completed his BFA in dance and graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, in May 2024, and is thrilled to be performing with Complexions. In his spare time, Aristotle is an avid capoerista and Charles Mingus devotee.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Everick Brown, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Carl Nelson, Sarah Picot, Felicia Swoope

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Debbie Allen, Angela Bassett, Wren T. Brown, Susan Jaffe, Carmen de Lavallade, Lisa Niemi Swayze, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington

COLLABORATORS
Publicist: Lisa Labrado
Photographers: Rachel Neville, Steve Vaccariello Company, Taylor Craft, PhotosbyDrizzy

The Gingerb3ardman Photography

Accompanists: Ai Isshiki, Dan Meinhardt, Alice Hargrove

Videographer: Jacob Hiss

REPRESENTATION

MARGARET SELBY
SELBY/ARTISTS MGMT
262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701
New York, NY 10018
Office: 212-382-3260 | [email protected]

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www.complexionscontemporaryballet.org

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