Cherylyn Lavagnino earned an MFA in Dance under the mentorship of Lawrence Rhodes from New York University’s (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts, as well as a BA in Philosophy from the University of Southern California. Lavagnino’s professional dance career spanned worldwide as a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet, a principal dancer with Arizona Ballet Theatre, as well as a principal dancer with Ballet del Espacio in Mexico City under the direction of Michel Descombey. She has performed a range of classical repertoire and contemporary work by choreographers including George Balanchine, Jerome Robins, Jose Limon, John Butler, Hans Van Manen, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Margo Sappington, John Butler, and Tere O’Connor. The diversity of these experiences has informed the dialogue between classical and contemporary in her work with Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance. Ms. Lavagnino is an Alpert Award nominee for choreography. Lavagnino has had successful commissions at Princeton University, Intermezzo Dance, Indianapolis City Ballet, Southern Methodist University, University of Utah, and Repertory Dance Theatre, as well as recipient of a space grant residency from the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Lavagnino served as Chair of the Dance Department at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts from 2006–2014 and as a full-time faculty member from 1987-2022. In recognition of her superior work, Lavagnino won NYU’s prestigious David Payne Carter Award for Excellence in Teaching (2003). Lavagnino served as Visiting Professor of Dance at the University of Utah for the 2021-2022 academic year. She teaches professional ballet locally in NYC and internationally, instructs summer residency programming and company class for Abraham.In.Motion, and masterclasses in Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, and Prague. She continues to develop a creative exchange with the Beijing Dance Academy and the Conservatory and Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Lavagnino received NYU's prestigious Global Research Institute grant for travel and research in Prague (2018).

A New Jersey native, Alexis Branagan trained at New Jersey School of Ballet and spent summers at The Juilliard School, American Ballet Theatre, Kaatsbaan, and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. She received her degree in English with an emphasis on theater studies and dance from Princeton University, where she also founded Princeton University Ballet. She danced with New York Theatre Ballet from 2012-2022. She has also performed with Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, Armitage GONE! Dance, and New Jersey Ballet and in Battery Dance and Westfest Dance Festivals to perform work by choreographer Amanda Treiber. She has performed works by Sir Richard Alston, Merce Cunningham, Susan Marshall, Agnes de Mille, Clove Galilee, Liza Genaro, Robert LaFosse, José Límon, Donald Mahler, Keith Michael, Jerome Robbins, Pam Tanowitz, Antony Tudor, and William Whitener. She has also danced in opera productions, in productions of Shakespeare in the Park by the Public Theater, at Carnegie Hall with the NY Pops for Holiday and Broadway hits concerts, and for television. Alongside her freelance dancing, Alexis works in communications for Princeton University Concerts and manages the Ballet Connoisseurship seminar program for School of American Ballet.

Arianna Tsivkin is a performing artist from New York City. She received her early dance training at the School of American Ballet where she performed with New York City Ballet in productions of "The Nutcracker" and "Firebird". She then studied at the JKO School of American Ballet Theatre where she performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s "The Nutcracker". Arianna has also trained at French Académie of Ballet, received scholarships to dance at Belvoir Terrace Performing Arts Camp, and has studied under Mignon Furman, Merle Sepel, and her mother Rebecca Tsivkin. She graduated from Laguardia High School of Performing Arts as a dance major, and has studied Fosse technique and theatre jazz with the Verdon Fosse Legacy. Arianna was honored to be part of the inaugural class of Pa’lante Scholars in the Professional Studies Program at Ballet Hispánico (BH) under the direction of Rodney Hamilton. While there she helped originate roles in works by Norbert De La Cruz III, Tsai Hsi Hung, and Juan Rodriguez, performed in works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michelle Manzanales, Pedro Ruiz, Gerald Arpino, Gustavo Ramirez, Alberto Alonzo, and more, and was a representative student for BH in Canada's National Ballet School's Assemblée Internationale '23. Arianna is delighted and grateful for the opportunity to perform with Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance.

Claire Westby is originally from Minnesota and now resides in Philadelphia, PA. She holds a BFA in Dance from Tisch School of the Arts NYU and also studied at Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD). Mrs. Westby has been a part of the Liz Gerring Dance Company for 13 years where she is also the Executive Director. She played the role of Red Queen in Third Rail’s production of Then She Fell. Additionally, Claire has performed in, and helped create original roles in works by John Jasperse, Brandon Collwes, Gwen Welliver, Benjamin Kimitch, Gerald Casel, Cherylyn Lavagnino, Helen Simoneau, and RoseAnne Spradlin. Claire Westby has also had the pleasure of teaching at New York University, Columbia College Chicago, Gibney Dance, Mark Morris Dance Center, St. Paul Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Western Washington University and Jacob's Pillow.

Ethan Huffman is from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he began dancing competitively at the age of seven, working in all styles of dance. In 2019, Ethan was invited to train at The School of American Ballet under the direction of Kay Mazzo and Jonathan Stafford. Upon completion in 2022, Ethan joined New York Theatre Ballet at age eighteen, and has performed historic works in the company's repertoire including “Dark Elegies,” and “Little Improvisations” by Antony Tudor, “Septet” by Jerome Robbins, and “Scramble,” by Merce Cunningham. Ethan was also a part of Jacob’s Pillow’s Summer Season, premiering a new work by Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa for the opening of the festival. Ethan has had the pleasure of training intensely under Tim Fox, Arch Higgins, Paul Gibson, Susan Pillare, Nancy Bielski, Allen Pieffer, Diana Byer, Gonzalo Garcia, Anthony Huxley, and many others who have helped shape his artistic and technical approach. Ethan is passionate about maintaining the integrity of dance history and recreation, and loves to read, play games, and teach any type of dance in his free time.

Based between Denver & New York City, Gwendolyn Gussman is dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director. She is the Founder & Artistic Director of interdisciplinary performance company, HOLDTIGHT (HT). Most notably, Gussman’s work has been presented nationally at The Newman Center for the Performing Arts (CO), The Arts Complex with Denver Arts & Venues (CO), The Cell Theatre (NYC), National Sawdust (NYC), The Gallery Players (NYC), The Olympic Auditorium Complex (CO), Carroll Hall (NYC), and others. Gussman’s performance career has spanned contracts and collaborations with artists/companies including Shen Wei Dance Arts, Sean Curran, Cherylyn Lavagnino, dir. Daniel Fish, comedian Amy Sedaris, Vanessa Walters, Heidi Latsky, Control Group Productions, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, and others. She is currently choreographing a 90-min Eco-Dance/Chamber-Jazz Orchestra piece, From the Ashes, in collaboration with composer Daniel Weidlein, to be premiered in 2025. Gussman graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with her BFA in Dance. Gussman has danced with CLD since 2016 and is honored to be part of the 25th Anniversary Season!   

Michael Miles was born and raised in St. Mary’s County, MD. He started dancing at the age of 9 at Bunny Bailey Studio of Dance where he studied tap, jazz, and show dance. Michael continued his dance training at Abigail Francisco School of Classical Ballet where he studied ballet, character, jazz, and tap and went on to receive a BFA in Dance from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Since graduating, Michael has had the pleasure of dancing with Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre and Lydia Johnson Dance. He is grateful for the opportunity to perform with Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance.

Ramona Kelley is from Berkeley, CA where she began her training at Berkeley Ballet Theater. She went on to earn a BFA in dance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Ramona danced the principal role of ‘Betsy’ in the touring production of Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away and went on to dance with the Tharp company creating new roles in addition to performing repertory works. She is a principal guest artist with Oakland Ballet and has also performed with Minnesota Dance Theatre, Claudia Schreier and Co, Post:Ballet, Sidra Bell, and Phantom of the Opera (25th Anniversary Tour) among others. Ramona has taught master classes in Tharp technique across the country and is a guest teacher at NYU’s Tisch Dance. She began dancing for Cherylyn in 2006 and is thrilled to be performing with CLD this season.

Christine McMillan is currently an Associate Professor, Lecturer at the University of Utah.  She danced professionally with The Metropolitan Opera for 19 years performing in over 45 productions in addition to dancing with Richmond Ballet, Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, Ben Munisteri Dance Projects, Trebien Pollard, Poppo & the GoGo Boys, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, and White Wave Dance.  Christine was awarded a Bessie for Performance in 2004, and her performance of Lavagnino’s work was singled out by the NY critic Eva Yaa Asantewaa in her list of “most memorable arts experiences of 2014.”  Her choreography has been presented at CPR in Brooklyn, artÉmotion, Dancemakers, ACDA, The University of Utah, Sugar Space Arts Warehouse, and the Somatic Dance Conference.  Christine received a B.S. from Indiana University in Ballet & Psychology and an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Certified in yoga, the Ellové Technique, and in FA®ME, she continues to research somatic practices focusing on their application to dance technique and as a means to promote wellness in dance and in life. Christine first danced with CLD in 2000 and is thrilled to be part of this 25th anniversary season.

Joshua Palmer is a performing artist, arts educator, and HR professional residing in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has performed domestically and internationally with NYC-based companies/choreographers including Doug Elkins, Douglas Dunn, Hilary Easton, Cherylyn Lavagnino, Ani Taj / The Dance Cartel, T. Lang, and Edisa Weeks. Though he still performs occasionally, he transitioned out of the full-time performer life to pursue a career in nonprofit arts administration about a decade ago.  He has since served on the senior leadership team of Ballet Hispanico (and as a faculty member in their pre-professional studies program), as a curriculum specialist for The Juilliard School’s Global K-12 Programs, and is currently the Director of People & Culture for Ballet Tech, New York City's Public School for Dance.

TaraMarie Perri is an interdisciplinary artist-performer and teacher. She earned her MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and a BA in Visual Arts History from College of the Holy Cross. Three decades ago, she began the lifelong study path of classical Yoga traditions which led to a vocation alongside a career in the arts and education. In 2006, TaraMarie joined the faculty of NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is also a long-time faculty member at Steps on Broadway. Past faculty engagements include American Dance Festival, Joffrey Ballet School, and Dance New Amsterdam. She has been guest artist/lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education in collaboration with Silkroad Project, University of Iowa, DeSales University, College of the Holy Cross, Goldsmiths UK, and Queen Mary University of London. Guided by the principles of improvisation and the dharma of contemplative art practices, TaraMarie makes dances, paints, draws and writes. She seeks out projects and experiential learning environments which foster introspection and communing with nature. Her art practice is open to the alchemy of the collaborative process with others in-studio, onstage and outdoors. As a classically trained dancer, TaraMarie has performed with ballet, contemporary and dance theater companies in NY, PA and MA. Having danced with CLD during several seasons including the very first in 2000, she is beyond thrilled to be returning to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Season with Cherylyn and company.

New York based pianist and composer Dr. Hayk Arsenyan has appeared in numerous recitals throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, in venues such as Carnegie Hall (New York), Salle Cortot (Paris), the Concourse (Sydney), Cadillac-Shanghai Concert Hall (China), Kumin Hall (Tokyo), Petranka Mozarteum (Prague), Auditorio Delibes (Valladolid), Dar-Al-Assad Opera House (Damascus), Sala Cervantes (Havana), MoBU (Sao Paolo), Tchaikovsky Hall (Moscow), Philippines National Museum (Bacolod), and televised recitals at the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, the Phillips Collection Series in Washington DC and at the Nixon Presidential Museum in Los Angeles.

At the age of 11 Mr. Arsenyan made his debut at the Armenian Philharmonic performing his own Requiem for the piano and orchestra. At the age of 17, he made his European debut as a soloist with the Radio France National Philharmonic Orchestra and was awarded a platinum medal by the City of Paris. In 2007, Mr. Arsenyan debuted at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall performing with Pinchas Zukerman and the Manhattan Chamber Sinfonia.

A long-time professor at NYU Tisch School, Dr. Arsenyan has presented guest lectures and masterclasses at universities and conservatories around the globe, such as University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia, the Hong Kong University, Waseda University in Tokyo, Superior Conservatory of Seville (Spain), the Manhattan School of Music in NY, University of Texas in Austin, and National Conservatory in Damascus.

Dr. Arsenyan is a scholar of Iberian 18th-century music and compiled a performance guide to Antonio Soler’s sonatas as part of his doctoral dissertation, which was translated into Spanish and published by the prestigious publishing house Boileau Editorial de Musica in Barcelona. 

Adeline DeBella is a contemporary flutist, vocalist, improviser, and chamber musician based in New York City. She is active in performing and commissioning interdisciplinary works for solo flute/voice, low flutes, and unconventional chamber ensembles. Adeline is a Trevor James Low Flutes artist. Additionally, she is a founding member of Dice Trio and Duo Bellota, both ensembles committed to experimental performance and discovery of new music.

Addy holds a Master’s of Contemporary Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a Master’s of Music Performance in flute from SUNY Purchase College, where she studied under Dr. Tara Helen O’Connor. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music Performance in flute from Columbus State University, where she studied under Dr. Andrèe Martin.

Praised for his "elegant and rounded sound" (Albany Times Union) and "effortless...unmatched" technique (The Clarinet Online), Graeme Steele Johnson is an artist of uncommon imagination and versatility. His diverse artistic endeavors range from a TEDx talk comparing Mozart and Seinfeld, to his reconstruction of a forgotten 125-year-old work by Charles Martin Loeffler. Johnson’s recent appearances include the Library of Congress, Chamber Music Northwest, Ravinia, Emerald City Music, and the Bridgehampton, Rockport, Orcas Island and Phoenix Chamber Music Festivals, as well as solo recitals at The Kennedy Center and Chicago’s Dame Myra Hess series. Since 2022 he has served as the clarinetist of the award-winning quintet WindSync, one of only two American wind quintets with a full-time, international touring schedule. In 2020, Johnson discovered the unpublished manuscript to a forgotten 125-year-old Octet by Charles Martin Loeffler, one of the most performed American composers of his time. Johnson spent a year reconstructing the Octet's score, creating the first critical edition of the music and revealing a kaleidoscopic piece spanning a half-hour. Johnson’s world-premiere recording of the work will be released on Delos Productions in the spring of 2024, coinciding with the first modern performances of the piece at the Library of Congress, Morgan Library, Harvard Musical Association, Phoenix Chamber Music Festival and The Stissing Center. Interested in shedding fresh perspective on familiar music, Johnson has authored numerous chamber arrangements of repertoire ranging from Mozart to Messiaen, and performed them around the country with such artists as the Miró Quartet, Valerie Coleman and Bridget Kibbey. Johnson is the winner of the Hellam Young Artists’ Competition and the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and holds an exclusive recording contract with Delos. He earned graduate degrees from the Yale School of Music, and his major teachers include David Shifrin, Charles Neidich, Nathan Williams and Ricardo Morales.

At age 2 Miriam Liske-Doorandish requested her first cello and began lessons with her mother, Lisa Liske-Doorandish. She has since studied with Jonathan Kramer, Hans Jensen, Bartholomew LaFollette (BMus studies at the Royal College of Music), Amir Eldan (BA and AD at Oberlin Conservatory) and Paul Watkins (MM and MMA at the Yale School of Music). Raised in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Miriam is motivated by a love of collaboration which has led her into traditional chamber settings as well as traditional fiddling sessions. As cellist of the exploratory ensemble Trio Ondata, Miriam is a recipient of the gold and audience prizes at the 2023 Yellow Springs Chamber Competition. The trio also won silver medal and the Horszowski Prize at The Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (‘22), and were winners of the 2022 Yale School of Music Chamber Competition. Miriam is at home with music up to and beyond the edges of the classical canon, embracing baroque and contemporary performance throughout her studies. In recent years Miriam has appeared at festivals such as Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Avaloch Farm Music Institute, Norfolk New Music, IMS Prussia Cove, Kneisel Hall, Four Seasons, the Next Festival of Emerging Artists, Musique à Marsac, and Bowdoin International Music Festival. Recognized for her arts advocacy, Miriam has received support from The Secular Society and Oberlin’s Flint Initiative Grant for her work as a founder and co-director of the Cello Springs Festival, a cross-genre education and performance project in Yellow Springs, OH. Miriam is currently based in New Haven, CT where she plays with Trio Ondata, the Havenwood Quartet and Versicolor New Music. In counterpoint with her performing and teaching life, Miriam is invested in community-building, the culinary arts, and exploring the Great Outdoors. She plays a Rocca model cello (2019) by Maryland-based luthier Howard Needham.

Tristan Kasten-Krause is a bassist and composer living in Brooklyn, New York whose work enlarges the minutiae of close tones and subtle gestures. As a bassist he has been credited with lending his “low-end authority to vital New York institutions” (the New Yorker) and praised for his “heavenly” (the Guardian) original compositions. His work exploring duration and expanded time has led to multiple showcases on the Hudson Basilica’s 24-Hour Drone festival, performances of cathartic, hour-long compositions with experimental black metal band Scarcity, and the premiere of the marathon 6-hour opera, Stranger Love, for the LA Phil. Over the last decade Tristan has worked with forward-thinking artists such as Sigur Ros, Alvin Lucier, Caroline Shaw, LEYA, Sarah Hennies, and Steve Reich. He has served as bassist in many prominent New York ensembles including Talea Ensemble, Wet Ink, Ensemble Signal and Contemporaneous.

Brendon Randall-Myers is a Brooklyn-based composer, guitarist, and sound designer who creates intricate and visceral music at various intersections of rock, experimental, electronic, theater, and classical. His work has been described as "an unflinching testimonial on grief and endurance" (Pitchfork), “emotive and gripping” (The Quietus), “physically punishing, but also detailed with fanatical precision” (Night After Night), and "a yearning explosion” (The Wire). Brendon co-leads avant-black metal band Scarcity, and is a member of the Glenn Branca Ensemble - having conducted the group since Branca’s death in 2018 - and avant-electric guitar quartet Dither. He writes music for classical performers (pianist Miki Sawada, Friction Quartet, cellist Annie Blythe, Chicago Symphony), cross-genre/experimental groups (Bang on a Can, Dither, Warp Trio), and film scores (Docked, Swimming with Stones, We the Economy: Recession). Brendon's work has received support from the Jerome Foundation, New Music USA, New York State Council for the Arts, Chamber Music America, the Guitar Foundation of America, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, and ASCAP. He has performed in clubs, concert halls, and basements around the world, including the Barbican Theatre (London), the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), and the Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing).