Almost spontaneously, Heather Liposky moved to NYC 2 years ago at the age of 19. She had never been to the concrete jungle, but after receiving the honors through The PULSE to attend the prestigious Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center, she quickly packed her life and was off to New York without hesitation. Now a working staff member at BDC, Heather has had the privilege to work with choreographers such as Ellenore Scott, Ashlé Dawson, Cherice Barton, Brooke Wendle, Marinda Davis, Derek Mitchell-to name a few- and is the proud assistant to Emily Greenwell. Under the Choreographic direction of Jamie Jackson, Heather has danced for Brooklyn's X-Factor this past year. During her time in NYC, Heather has performed at the International Emmy Kids Awards, World of Dance, danced at the 2015 Young Choreographers Festival, casted in Estado Ingravitto, and has been apart of the ACE Awards in NY and LA, just to name a few. She has performed in venues such as Symphony Space, Alvin Ailey, Madison Theatre, etc. mastering styles across the board as in Indian Contemporary, Latin Fusion, Contemporary, Hip Hop, etc. In her time thus far, she is grateful to have danced for artists like Jay Sean, The Wanted, Juri Tiara, Sondre Lerche, Neon Trees, Kid Rock, 3oh!3, and Nickelback. In 2014, Heather had the honor to Apprentice for ELSCO Dance Company! This year, she excitingly takes position as a Company Member! Remaining forever fond and impassioned for her city, experiences, work, and all of the incredible people her journey has introduced her to, Heather looks forth the the unbounded future and all of it's possibilities.
Stephanie Panousieris grew up in Dallas, Texas training in both recreational and competitive dance. While continuing to teach and choreograph, she decided to pursue other interests during college. Her love for performance reentered her life during graduate school, where she spent time exploring dance as a universal medium for non-violent social and political protest and as a catalyst for individual and collective healing. Her research culminated in a 30-minute self-produced documentary entitled Movement as Protest: How Dance Functions as a Medium for Social Change.
After moving to Brooklyn in 2013, Stephanie began to pursue her dream of dancing professionally while continuing to explore the intersection of art and community. She became a member of The Francesca Harper Project in 2014 and has since performed in such venues as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Bryant Park, and The Joyce Theater. She has continued her training under the direction and mentorship of former Forsythe principal dancer Francesca Harper, and recently became the Administrative Director of FHP.
Dancing with ELSCO was Stephanie’s first goal upon moving to New York City, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Ellenore and the amazing ELSCO Dance artists this season.
Karina Roytman, a native of the Ukraine, received her training in Columbus, Ohio where her dance career began. She now works as a performer, teacher and choreographer traveling nationwide. Karina received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a concentration on Dance Performance at Jacksonville University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was honored on the President’s List and awarded Dean's Excellence in Dance. Upon completing her degree, she moved to New York City where she currently resides. She has had the opportunity to perform the works of renowned NYC choreographers including: David Parsons, Attila Csiki, and Jennifer Muller. As a commercial dancer, she has worked for artists such as Ne-Yo, Natasha Komis, Lady Sovereign, and Hettie Barnhill. Karina is looking forward to another great ELSCO Dance season!
Starting off as a self trained Bboy, Marcus Nobel began dancing at the age of 12. After learning a variety of different hip hop styles, and participating in competitions and battles he decided to pursue dance as career after high school. Since graduating he’s trained professionally in the Philippines at BigShift Dance Studios, back up danced in the major Indian film “Dhoom 3”, joined the Bollywood fusion dance company “AATMA Performing Arts” touring around the US and Canada, signed with Bloc NYC Talent Agency for Commercial hip hop, and eventually joining Elsco Dance Company.
Mary-Angela Granberry received her classical training from Faubourg School of Ballet in Hanover Park, IL under the direction of Watmora Casey. Continuing her training since relocating to NYC, she has had the opportunity to learn more about the commercial industry of dance through such programs as L.A.-based Elite Team Creating Opportunities and Luam’s Rock The Industry, while also continuing her technical training at Peridance Capezio Center and Broadway Dance Center. Her commerical credits include Beyonce, Oprah, Lollapalooza Music Festival, industrials for NAPA Auto Parts, Sexy Hair, HP Pavillion, and various music videos. She has had the opportunity to perform onstage for Dance Chicago, APAP, Carnival: A Choreographer’s Ball and The Boston Contemporary Festival. Ms. Granberry is signed with Clear Talent Agency and is thrilled to be in her third season with ELSCO Dance.
Originally from Raleigh, NC, Corry Ethridge graduated in 2014 from Skidmore College with a B.A. in Dance Performance/Choreography and Psychology. He has performed works by Brian Brooks, Kevin Wynn, Susan Marshall, Martha Connerton, Dušan Týnek, and Rubén Graciani among others, and was featured in the November 2013 issue of Dance Magazine. Additionally, Corry recently played a role in Theatre Raleigh’s original production of The Wolf. Since moving to New York City in March, Corry has been working with Hanna Q Dance Company and has been participating as Dance Captain for Here We Go Again: A Dance Short with NCo Dance. Now, he is beyond thrilled to join ELSCO Dance and work with all of the incredibly talented dancers!
Christie Orlikowski is a junior apprentice with ELSCO Dance Company. She recently moved from Pennsylvania after graduating high school to pursue her love of dance. Christie has danced on BET's 106 & Park and has performed in Carnival NY, Sybarite, and other shows as a member of Generation X. In addition, she has modeled for Broadway Dance Center and the Brain Muscle Workout. She has appeared on various TV shows such as Law and Order and Damages. Christie couldn't be more excited to be apart of ELSCO!
Originally from Osaka, Japan, Kaori Hiwasa is a professional dancers and choreographer. Hiwasa began her training at 15 years old and trained in diverse styles including Hip Hop, Lock, House, Pop, Ballet, Jazz, Theater. During her training, Hiwasa discovered choreography and live performance in the streets of Japan. Hiwasa moved to New York a few years ago to continue her training and proficient in multiple styles. She has trained at BalletArts, Broadway Dance Center and has been dancing with Ellenore and ELSCO Dance for 2 years.
Amelia Lowe is most famously known for her time on So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 as a member of their top 20. In addition to this she made it into the top 12, allowing her the opportunity to perform across the country with the So You Think You Can Dance tour. Since her time on the show, Amelia has appeared as a principal dancer in episodes of Boardwalk Empire. She's also been featured in multiple commercials including a nationwide commercial for Wendy's, Target, the New York Stock Exchange, and American Express. Amelia got the chance to be a featured dancer at the premiere for The Great Gatsby. She also performed for emerging choreographer, Lindsay Nelko at the Capezio Ace Awards. She is currently living in New York and dancing for fellow So You Think You Can Dance alum, Ellenore Scott in Ellenore's up and coming company, ELSCO.
Jeffrey Gugliotti is originally from Lowell, Massachusetts where he grew up dancing throughout the Boston area. He has performed with companies throughout Massachusetts including Vacanti Ballets under Thomas Vacanti and Quicksilver Dance under Mariah Steele. Jeffrey's choreography has been presented at both the Dance Complex's Winter Wonder Dance festival and Green Street Studios' Emerging Artists Program both in Cambridge, MA as well as the American College Dance Festival in Amherst, MA. He also continues to teach throughout the New England area as well as at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2013 with his Bachelors in Dance as well as in Biology, he headed to NYC to work with Ellenore Scott and ELSCO Dance. Along with performing with the company, Jeffrey is also the Rehearsal Director under Ellenore.
Photography by Umi Akiyoshi