Welcome to A Shared Stage Volume 2: A Murmuration of Movement

Fallon Voorheis-Mathews, In the Wings Founder & Artistic Director

Fallon is a proud Colorado native and has been involved in gymnastics and dance since early childhood. After injuries prevented her from pursuing her gymnastics career, she studied dance under Tony Coppola at Mesa State College. Fallon was introduced to aerial dance in 2010 and instantly fell in love with the art form. She started her training at Frequent Flyers as a member of the apprentice company and spent 6 years with Iluminar Aerial where she wore many hats including Assistant Director. Over the years, Fallon has studied with many different companies and artists including Tanya Burka, Annabelle D’Artois, Daniel Sullivan, Ukoiya Mastin, Elsie Smith, TSNY-LA and the Imperial Flyers High Flying Trapeze Club. She has also enjoyed collaborating with her old friends at Frequent Flyers during ADF and with new friend, Susan Murphy of the Marsh Studio. Outside of dance, Fallon is a dedicated GI nurse who enjoys sneaking away to Paris whenever possible, cleaning up French and American Bulldog drool, and murder mystery nights with friends. She is grateful for all the support from her friends, family, and colleagues (Hey G-Rockers!), and appreciates her husband for helping her pursue her dreams. She’s forever grateful and blown away by the dedication and talent that The Wingettes and guest artists have displayed for this collaborative show!

Ashley Sonnier, In the Wings Asst. Artistic Director

Ashley is loving this third season with In The Wings Aerial as Assistant Artistic Director. She started dancing at the age 3 in tap, ballet, and jazz at Dance Stop Centre in Louisiana. While attending McNeese University to pursue a degree in Accounting, she joined Lake Charles Civic Ballet and became principal dancer. After college, Ashley moved to Houston, Texas for an accounting job and had her first taste of the aerial arts. In 2016, she moved to Colorado and started pursuing dance and aerial arts more passionately. She has trained and performed with Gravity Aerial Arts, Iluminar Aerial, and MOTH. Ashley is also a performing member of Thrive Ballet and Davis Contemporary Dance Company.

Maggie Chapman, In the Wings

Maggie was born and raised in Denver, CO. She began her training at the age of 6 at Hill Academy of Dance and Dramatics, where she trained through high school. Maggie then attended Stephens College and earned her B.F.A. in Dance, graduating Cum Laude. Throughout her childhood and her college training program, Maggie trained extensively in the styles of: ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern & music theater, and received more limited training in the styles of: Russian character, flamenco, African, East Indian and ballroom. Following her college training program, Maggie moved to New York City, where she danced and choreographed with such companies as The Movement Collective, Malleable Dance Theater and The A.H. Dance Company. She has also worked as an assistant to choreographers Tricia Brouk and Jacqueline Bird. Maggie relocated back to her beloved home state of Colorado in 2010 and began work as a freelance dance instructor, performer and choreographer. In 2014, she was appointed as Artistic Director of Aurora Dance Arts, the dance program of the Cultural Services Division of the City of Aurora, and is now in her 7th year directing & coordinating this program. Maggie has also been a member of the Denver-based Davis Contemporary Dance Company since their re-launch in 2014 and is currently in her 7th season with this fabulous company. She also danced for many years starting in 2010 with the Denver-based Avatar Movement Dance Company and was one of the Co-Artistic Directors from 2013-2017. Maggie has also performed and choreographed for different dance and theater companies such as Inspire Creative, Ascential Dance Theatre and Not Literally Productions. Maggie is so excited to be in her second, official season with In The Wings because it allows her the opportunity to be pushed to new levels of strength, artistry, passion and humanity with artists that stir her soul, and she is eager to combine her experience in dance with the incredible aerial and circus-based artists of the company. She feels honored to be amongst such beautiful beings and cannot wait to see what gorgeous artistry develops.

Megan Hall, In the Wings

Megan started dancing at 9 years old, studying ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern. She minored in Dance at Knox College and won awards for choreography, including the New Voices award at Dance Chicago in 2008. After college Megan obtained a Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling now practicing as a dance/movement therapist for children and adolescents with trauma and developmental disorders. Megan started her aerial journey in 2016, gradually conquering her fear of heights in sling, fabric and dance trapeze. She is a Professional Company Member with Iluminar Aerial. Megan treasures the opportunity for creativity, collaboration and storytelling through aerial dance. This is her second season with In the Wings.

Kat Kalamaras, In the Wings

Kat, originally from the suburbs of Chicago, moved to Denver to pursue her career of dancing. She is currently a dance company member of Life/ Art Dance Ensemble, In The Wings Aerial Company, Thrive Ballet Company, and Evolving Doors Modern Dance Company; and has had the pleasure to perform and choreograph in several other projects/ entertainment events. 

Kat grew up a bun head in Crystal Lake, Illinois and attended Alma college in Michigan on scholarship where she received her B.A in Dance Performance. Throughout her career she has studied ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, character, jazz, hip hop, and yoga. During college, she had the opportunity to study and perform at ACDA two years in a row, and choreographed her own full length show as her senior thesis. Kat also attended American Dance Festival’s summer intensive in 2016 where she studied with renowned artists such as Nia Love, Paul Matteson, and Otto “aquaboogie” where she mainly focused on modern, improv, and hip hop. She also was casted and performed at the international choreographer’s showcase. 

After moving to Colorado, Kat has had the pleasure to dance and perform with several other companies including Kim Robards Modern Dance Company, Ethereum Modern Dance Company, Nosilla Modern Dance Company, and Dream Project Dance Company. 

Along with dancing, she has a passion for teaching dance. Kat has been teaching for the past ten years throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and is currently teaching all over the Colorado area. She also has had the pleasure of coming on as a guest teacher/ choreographer for various studios, and has also been creating series of film work with herself and her students. 

Kat also models professionally outside of dance and has a background in painting and art. She has participated in several art shows here in Denver and sells to a couple local boutique/ coffee shops. 

Colorado has given Kat many opportunities and she couldn’t be more excited for her future as an artist. 

Nicole Londraville, In the Wings

Nicole was working as a scientist in the Boston area when she took her first aerial class in 2011. She was instantly hooked and began dreaming of running away and joining the circus. In July 2015 Nicole was admitted into Esh Circus Art’s Professional Preparatory Program. She spent two and a half years in the program training at night and working by day. In 2017 her hard work paid off when she was accepted into the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) Protrack Program. Without hesitation she quit her “real” job and moved herself, her husband, dog, and two cats to Brattleboro Vermont. There she spent the next two fabulous years training under the tutelage of NECCA’s world class coaches. Nicole graduated from the second year of the program in June 2019 with a major in aerial rope and minor in cyr wheel. After graduation Nicole moved to the Denver area. She currently teaches aerial and cyr at several studios and has performed with a number of local circus company’s, such as MOTH Poetic Circus and Rainbow Militia. This is Nicole’s second season with In the Wings and she is excited for the creative potential of mixing dance with her traditional circus background.

Erica Martin, In the Wings

Erica was born in raised in Boulder, Colorado. She began dancing at the age of 7 at Boulder Ballet (formerly Ballet Arts). Throughout the years, she carried her love of dance forward through college, performing at the University of Northern Colorado. She received her bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design and a minor in Visual Arts. A few months after graduation, she was hired as the Wardrobe Assistant at BDT Stage (formerly Boulder’s Dinner Theatre) and worked there for 18 years. She has also worked with a number of companies in the Denver and Boulder area including Fractal Tribe, Ballet Nouveau, Frequent Flyers, and most recently as the Costume Designer for Boulder Ballet, where her love of dance began. Throughout the years, she has continued to explore different dance forms and found aerial dance in 2013 when she started taking classes at Aircat Aerial Arts. She has performed with a variety of dance companies over the years including Art as Action, Fractal Tribe, and most recently In the Wings. She is grateful to contribute both her dancing and sewing skills to the company and is looking forward to the opportunity to perform live after a very strange and challenging year.

Megan Stern, In the Wings

Megan began life as a particularly uncoordinated child, so growing up she never participated in dance or sports. Instead, her love of science and adventure compelled her to study and travel the globe. After earning a degree in Biology from the University of Colorado at Denver, Megan set off to discover the world. Upon completion of a contract working at a scientific research base in McMurdo, Antarctica she returned to Denver looking for a new conquest. It was then, in the summer of 2010, that she encountered a flier for an aerial fabrics class and her life was forever changed. Since that fateful day Megan has trained, performed and taught with several Colorado based aerial groups including Aerial Fabric Acrobatics, Relevé Aerial Dance. She is currently a Professional Company Member with Iluminar Aerial. Megan particularly loves that the practice of aerial fabric allows her to explore different ways to express herself through movement. She is elated to have the opportunity to perform with In the Wings for their third season!

Anastasia Timina

Anastasia Timina is celebrating her 10th year as an aerialist this year. Born in Ukraine, she now coaches and performs in the greater Denver-Boulder area. Anastasia loves all aerial apparatuses including rope, silks, sling, trapeze and even lyra. In her spare time she can be found making costumes, drawing, building, or snuggling her cats.

Leah Grandstaff, In the Wings and Leah & Friends

Leah (aka LeahTard Wedgie) began pushing her boundaries and exploring strength and grace through aerial acrobatics training & performances in 2013. Discovering herself through this modality inspired her to share this movement art with others. Leah completed her first teacher training through Aircats in Boulder, CO in 2016 & has been enjoying coaching immensely ever since. Her teaching philosophy is founded upon the conceptual understanding of aerial movement as well as encouraging her students to honor their authentic selves by identifying strengths, accepting limitations, and exploring areas to cultivate growth. She teaches aerial classes at Aerial Cirque over Denver, Aircats in Boulder & offers private lessons at LeahTard’s Creative Sanctuary in RiNo. She has been a cast member of the Phantom Circus since 2016 & is thrilled to join In the Wings this year for their third season! Leah specializes in fabric, but enjoys exploring sling, lyra, dance trapeze & has most recently developed a deep love for duo-trapeze. Leah spends her free time training in various circus arts, spending time with her son & daughter, & enjoying palate-pleasing food!

Bayard Wenzel, Leah & Friends

Bayard has been hanging upside-down since the dawn of time and more recently studying partner acrobatics as a way of taking it up a notch. A few notches later, he's now wearing makeup & tights upside down juggling Leah while trying to emote! Life is grand. Bayard has studied single & partner trapeze as a hobby & profession for 9 years, and has high hopes for another 9.

Sarah Dawn, Leah & Friends

Sarah discovered the wonderful world of movement arts 16 years ago, when a good friend made her her first hula-hoop, starting a lovely journey down a rabbit hole of circus arts that has culminated in her aerial career today. Though Sarah adores the stage, bringing dynamic creativity to her performances, her main passion lies in teaching. She loves to share her aerial knowledge and commitment to health and wellness, inspiring others to lead healthier lives through circus. Sarah began her teaching career seven years ago, starting with her own studio in West Oakland, Such Great Heights Aerial Arts, and continuing to teach at studios around the Bay Area and Denver, including Kinetic Arts, Trapeze Arts, The Circus Collective, Live Beyond Limit, and others. She also loves traveling and guest teaching, and has shared her aerial passion at circus schools, retreats, and festivals around the country. Sarah is a 2017 graduate of the Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Professional Training Program in Boulder, Colorado, specializing in corde lisse and fabric. With a Master’s Degree in Nursing and 14 years of experience as an ER Nurse, Sarah also has a deep understanding of health and wellness, injury assessment and prevention, and advanced first aid, and aims to combine art and science to explore the unique mental and physical effects circus has on the body.

Karlyn Griswold, In the Wings & Park Hill Dance Collective

Karlyn is a Colorado native. She began her dance training at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Karlyn left Colorado at age 15 to attend Interlochen Arts Academy as a dance major. After graduating, she went on to dance professionally for the San Diego City Ballet and the Charleston Ballet Theatre. She performed in many classical and contemporary ballets including Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Coppelia, and Rite of Spring to name a few. She founded Park Hill Dance Academy in 2014 where she trains dancers of all ages in ballet, modern, and jazz. She co-founded the dance company Park Hill Dance Collective in 2015. PHDC is an outlet for dancers from different dance backgrounds to come together and inspire new ways of moving. Karlyn discovered aerial arts in 2017 and fell in love with a new challenge. She loves to incorporate aerial arts into her ballet training and spin for days. When Karlyn is not dancing, she is hanging out with her husband Kevin and two kids Finnley and Maeve. She loves to travel, surf, and drink lots and lots of coffee. This is Karlyn’s second season with In the Wings.

Casey Pottle, In the Wings & Park Hill Dance Collective

Casey has over a decade of dance training and experience in ballet and contemporary dance. After graduating from college having studied dance abroad in London, Casey discovered aerial arts and fell in love. Her current passion is choreographing and combining her love of aerial dance with ballet technique. Casey teaches at several studios in Denver, and performs in multiple aerial and dance shows throughout the city, including the Clocktower Cabaret and the Oriental Theater. She is very excited for her second season with In The Wings!

Madison Oleson, Park Hill Dance Collective

Madison grew up in Denver and went to Mattie Springfields Dance School in Park Hill. She stayed through the change in ownership to Brian Bender's The Dancers Advantage. Madi started her professional career in Nashville, TN with the Dance Theater of Tennessee. Next Madi moved back to Denver and started teaching for Park Hill Dance Academy after Karlyn Griswold took over The Dancers Advantage. She has danced with Ballet Ariel, Ballet 5280, and Park Hill Dance Collective after moving back.

Elena Kramda, Park Hill Dance Collective

Elena started her dance training with Christina Noel at the Arvada Center. She later earned a BFA in dance from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at UMKC. There she studied under and performed in pieces by Jennifer Medina, DeeAnna Hiett, Rodni Williams, Sabrina Madison-Cannon, Paula Weber, and Mary Pat Henry, among others. She attended programs at The Ailey School, Jennifer Medina’s Common Thread Contemporary Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson, and Kim Robards, performing in showcases and attending some of these on scholarship. Elena then went on to study Graham with the esteemed Franca Telesio. Elena currently works as a performer/choreographer with Front Range Contemporary Ballet Company, Park Hill Dance Collective, Amanda V’s ​Material Girl​, and the ladies’ shines salsa performance teams at Colorado New Style: ​Divinas​, and ​Anita’s Ladies​, of the renowned World Champion Anita Santos Rubin, performing and competing around the Denver area, nationally, and in international competition throughout the US. Elena has also previously performed and choreographed for other dance ensembles and notable performing artists such as DAM Entertainment, Legacy Dance Ensemble as a soloist, Blue Moon Dance Company, Emmy award-winning Melissa Ivey’s ​Speed of Life​, international artist Nick Cave’s ​Heard*DAM​, Flash Mob America as a dance lead, and Ten Honies, in addition to other choreographers and clients. Elena believes in the value of the performing arts from both an artistic and educational standpoint. She earned an elementary teaching license from the State of Colorado through the University of Colorado Denver. As such, Elena believes dance education should be accessible, shared, and enjoyed by all. She hopes to use dance and choreography as a tool to build self-esteem and create a positive self-image for growing dancers, especially those who come from difficult backgrounds. Elena has taught in a variety of dance programs in the US, and abroad in Abu Dhabi (UAE). She currently teaches at Airborne Gymnastics and Dance, additionally directing the Tour Ensemble; the Dance Academy at The Arvada Center; and Colorado New Style.

Christian Hee, Uro

Christian has been practicing movement, primarily in the form of pole dancing, for the past seven years. Throughout the pandemic and being confined to her Boulder studio apartment, training contortion became her go-to activity. Christian is excited for this opportunity to dance in spaces larger than 400 square feet and to debut her first contortion-inspired performance with the powerful women of Uro. You can catch Christian performing again at Summit Denver on Saturday, August 28th with the Hard Candy Dancers burlesque company.

Kim Freedman, Uro

Kim Freedman, DBA Kim Berley, is a Philadelphia Native movement artist. While primarily an aerialist specializing in silks, rope and trapeze; Kim will dance on any apparatus in the air or on the ground. She began professionally training aerials in 2014. Since then, she has picked up fire and flow arts, modern and contemporary dance and her newest avenue of contortion. Kim enjoys complex choreography incorporating multiple apparatus theories and movement disciplines.

Elena Parthemer, Uro

Elena loved to twirl and tumble around as early as 2 years old. She grew up competing in rhythmic gymnastics in Oregon until her early teenage years, and many years later, found aerial arts and partner acrobatics in Boulder, CO. Elena quickly fell in love with both forms of movement as well as the local circus community. Elena has produced, choreographed and performed at events, festivals and shows with various groups, including Fractal Society and Girl Circus. Most recently, Elena has enjoyed delving into contortion and looks forward to bringing more bendy skills and choreography to the stage. When not training or performing circus arts, you will find Elena teaching math, playing marimba, traveling the globe, or spending time with her beloved partner and pup.

Katya Peepin, Uro

Katya started her performance journey when she took her first belly dance class while attending Truman State University in Missouri. Several years later, a fellow dancer from Truman put her in touch with a friend who was starting a circus in Denver, and Katya has been dancing as a part of Phantom Tribal in the Phantom Circus ever since. In 2017 she also started her own burlesque production company and school, Badass Burlesque. Now Katya is very excited to be starting her professional contortion career.

Lorraine Carter-Larocque

Lorraine has been acting for over 20 years and studied at the North School of the Arts and Western Carolina University. During the day Lorraine works as a Human Resources Manager at the greatest biotech startup, Inscripta. Her favorite past roles include Sarah in Trying, Slippy Helen in The Cripple of Inishmaan, and Dorine in Tarfuffe. (But the best role she has ever had by far is partner to Aaron Carter-Larocque.)

Lenny Scovel

Lenny hails from Fort Collins and has been working in theatre since the age of 12. In over 40 years of performing he has appeared in nearly 70 shows. Notable past roles include Willy Wonka, George Banks in Mary Poppins, and the enigmatic Russian mystic Rasputin. Lenny is a professional woodworker by trade, and when not in the shop or on stage he can found on his bike riding through the Colorado Front Range and Foothills, or sitting at his signature homemade boardgaming table.