Michelina Piazza-McGrady
Michelina is the Artistic Director of Dance Envoy with which she has premiered several of her own works in Italy and Pennsylvania. Most recently, her collaborative work with Full Circle Studios has premiered "Mother" and several other new works at the Harrisburg Fringe Festival and MamboJaz Adult Dance Show "Dance with Me" performance in 2024.
Mia Vera
Mia has been collaborating through her organization Full Circle Studios, since 2024. Together, she and Michelina premiered their first full length dance show "Mother" at the Harrisburg Fringe Festival. They were also part of the MamboJaz collaborative "Dance with Me" performance in Lancaster, December 2024.
Derek Martin
|
Derek has been a mover and shaker from a young age. Starting with gymnastics at age three, then moving into competitive cheer at age 17 and then classical dance training starting at age 20, he has an explosive and athletic quality to his movement. He received his dance training throughout his 20’s as well as doing professional work with PRiMA theatre, The Fulton Theatre and Light of Life Performing Arts. Derek is currently a student and instructor at Hypnotic Pole Fitness. Pole dance feels like a new frontier for him and gives him the same amount of excitement, in his adult life, that gymnastics did as a child. Derek is excited to be working with Dance Envoy now after having worked with them on Dance with Me with mambojaz studio.
|
Jaime Thompson
|
Jaime Thompson is a native of Central Pennsylvania. She is an alumnus of Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, formerly Cumberland Dance Company. As a student Ms. Thompson attended summer intensives at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Boston Ballet. She spent two years at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and then finished her college education receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Boston Conservatory in 2003. Upon moving to New York Ms. Thompson joined Laura Ward/ Octavia Cup Dance Theatre. She performed many original works choreographed by Ms. Ward at venues in and around NYC as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. In 2008 Ms. Thompson joined Ballet for Young Audiences/Ballet Repertory NYC under the direction of Harriet Kinter and Ned Kinter. While with the company she performed principal roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cinderella.
|
Bryanna Urban
|
Bryanna premiered in the Harrisburg Fringe Festival in July of 2024. She is a dance instructor, mom and beautiful dancer friend performer who adds strength and fluidity with her emotive dance style. |
Past Guest Artists
Benedetta Chiesi
Benedetta performed with Dance Envoy in its premiere year in Florence, Italy. She is a professional student studying towards her Masters. She studies dance at Alambrado Danza under Liliana Candotti's mentorship.
Camilla Giani
Camilla is a free spirit dancer, flowing anywhere the wind takes her. She has recently performed her own works throughout Tuscany and toured to Germany. She performed with Dance Envoy during its premiere year in Florence, Italy.
Natalia Hill
In 2008, Natalia graduated with her B.F.A from The University of the Arts in Modern Dance Education. Soon after she joined Dance Envoy located in Florence,Italy. Performance credits include works by Donald Lunsford, Curt Haworth, Silvana Cardell, Christine Cox, Manfred Fischbeck, and Scott Jovovich. Other credits include "Will Rogers Follies" and "Peter Pan" at "Mount Gretna Playhouse" in PA, 80th Anniversary Tour of the Martha Graham Company (guest ensemble work), and choreographing and performing for "Dance Your Ass Off" promotion in Times Square, NY. Natalia is currently dancing with Estensiona Dance Company in NY.
Jacqui Kilgore
Jacqui graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA for Dance. She performs, choreographs and teaches dance throughout PA. Jackie premiered with Dance Envoy in June of 2010 in Lancaster, PA.
Rose Piazza
Rose is Michelina's youngest sister and shares the same heart for the arts. She currently resides in Florence, Italy, where she is ministering through ceramic arts. Rose graduated magnum cum laud from MICA with a BFA in Ceramics. She grew up in PA studying dance with Judy Williams Henry at Movement Laboratory. There, she was a featured dancer in the Youth Ensemble and performed at the UN and in other venues spreading the message of "Good Will Thru Dance."
Simone Rovida
Simone studies drama and Shakespeare at The University of Florence. He is an accomplished and aspiring actor with wonderful performance skills in modern dance. Simone performed with Dance Envoy during its premiere year in Florence, Italy.
