About the Company

"...one of the most moving, most profoundly beautiful dance performances I've ever experienced..."

John Malashock, Artistic Director

Founded by Emmy-winning choreographer John Malashock in 1988 after years of touring with top companies such as Twyla Tharp Dance, Malashock Dance’s repertoire includes over 60 original works that thrill, amaze and delight. Audiences are mesmerized by Malashock Dance’s epic oeuvres that interpret human struggles, and are charmed by more intimate and often playful pieces that convey the intricacies of relationships. Dynamic, emotionally charged choreography is Malashock Dance’s signature. The magnificently trained dancers never cease to amaze with their leaps, lifts, powerful sustained movement and artistry.

Impressively disciplined, focused and controlled, the company is also known for its sumptuous collaborative projects with composers, playwrights, artists and other arts organizations, including:

KPBS-TV
San Diego Opera
San Diego Symphony
La Jolla Music Society
Old Globe Theatre
San Diego Museum of Art
Shahrokh Yadegari
Tara Knight
Yale Strom

Michael Mizerany, Associate Artistic Director

BlogShot Michael Mizerany is the Associate Artistic Director for the San Diego-based MALASHOCK DANCE and teaches advanced modern dance at THE MALASHOCK DANCE SCHOOL. Michael studied dance at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and then joined The Modern America Dance Company (MAD/CO) in 1986. After three seasons with MAD/CO, Michael relocated to Los Angeles to join Loretta Livingston & Dancers and, in 1996; Michael joined the internationally renowned Bella Lewitzky Dance Company for their final season of touring. He has also served as a guest artist with such companies as Yorke Dance Project, Francisco Martinez Dance Theater, and Los Angeles Chamber Ballet. Michael has been nominated a record seven times for the Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance, winning the prestigious award in 1995 and 1996 for his solos TIN SOLDIER and BUMP IN THE ROAD, respectively. Additionally, Michael was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award for his portrayal of the misogynistic antagonist in John Malashock’s dance film THE SOUL OF SATURDAY NIGHT. He has danced in venues across the nation, including Orange County Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center in New York City and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Michael has choreographed extensively, and his works are in the repertory of such companies as MAD/CO, San Diego Civic Dance Company, Michigan Dance Collective and Malashock Dance. Most recently, his male duets, FAR FROM EDEN & LET ME INTO YOUR SKIN, premiered at Diversionary Theater’s DANCE/THEATER event to much critical acclaim.

Company Members

• Blythe Barton • Lara Binder • Kiona Brown • Christine Marshall • Courtney Meadows • Erica Nordin • Justin Viernes • Nicholas Strasburg

Blythe Barton (Dancer), after receiving her BFA in Dance from Chapman University, she continued her dance education to achieve her MFA in Dance from Florida State University. She returned to California to pursue of her professional dance career. Blythe has performed throughout California, Florida, New York, and other states with incredible choreographerssuch as; Sean Green, Rudy Perez, Gerri Houlihan, Lynda Davis, Wallie Wolfgruber, Katie Stevenson-Nollet, and Alan Danielson. She has wonawards for outstanding performance and choreography and also earned the opportunity to present her choreographic work and perform atseveral American College Dance Festivals. She is in her first year as company member with Malashock Dance and also performs with Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater. She presently teaches for San Diego Dance Theater School and the Academy of Performing Arts.

Lara Binder (Dancer) is artistic director of B-Dance. Lara graduated in 2005 with a BFA in Dance andwas named the Outstanding Graduate in Dance for San Diego State University. Since then, she has performed nationally and abroad with Malashock Dance Company and Mojalet Dance Collective. Lara is also the co-founder and producer for IGNITE, an annual choreography showcase in San Diego. Recently her choreography has been showcased in the ThisThat Show in Boston. Lara relocated to Jacksonville Beach, Florida where she is working with Jacksonville Dance Theater, James Morrow The Movement, the Braided Light Dance Project and teaching at The Ballet Arts Center.

Christine Marshall (Dancer) graduated with a BA in Dance from California State University, Fullerton under the tutelage of Gladys Kares. Since then she has studied with and performed for various artists in Los Angeles, New York, and San Diego, where she currently works with Malashock Dance. In addition to dance, Christine enjoys practicing martial arts and is a graduate student at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

Courtney Meadows (Dancer) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from California State University Long Beach in 2006. Courtney was introduced to modern dance in college, and has worked and performed with several notable choreographers, including Janis Brenner, Andy Vaca, Susan McLain, and Ron Brown. She was selected to be a part of a restaging of Martha Graham's Helios: Acts of Light and performed in Paul Taylor's highly acclaimed Aureole. In Los Angeles she has worked with Ptero Dance Theater, Vox Dance Theater, and Keith Johnson/Dancers. Courtney relocated to San Diego in 2009 where she became a company member of Joe Alter Dance Group.

Erica Ruse (Dancer) grew up dancing in the Central Valley of California and moved to San Diego in 2001 to attend the University of California, San Diego. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Dance, she joined Jean Isaacs' San Diego Dance Theater during their 2005-2007 seasons and also participated in independent projects with Yolande Snaith and Malashock Dance. After moving to Silicon Valley she participated in San Francisco Trolley Dances with Kim Epifano. Now living back in San Diego she is excited to be dancing and working with Malashock Dance once again.

Nicholas Strasburg (Dancer) began his dance career training at Cornish College of the Arts. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to perform great works by Martha Graham, Bebe Miller and Bill Evans. At the same time, he performed as a principal dancer with Seattle Jazz Dance Co., and was also a resident member of Interweave Dance Theater in Boulder, CO. With much support and guidance from his professors (which included Pat Hon, Lodi McClellan, and Michele Miller), Nicholas received his BFA in Dance with Summa Cum Laude honors and then relocated to San Diego. Here, he has performed with Jean Isaacs Dance Theater and is currently with Malashock Dance.

Justin L. Viernes (Dancer) began his dance career at the age of 16 and upon moving to San Diego he has danced for Chapman College, Sound Dance Company, dk Dance, d'Shire Dance, The Patricia Rincon Dance Collective and with The Southern California Ballet. His dancing has traveled him to Kazakhstan, San Miguel de Allende, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Buenos Aires, New York and Florida. Justin has also been a guest teacher at Chula Vista High School, La Jolla Country Day, The Academy of Performing Arts, Freespace Dance, Eveoke Dance Theater, Black Mountain Dance Center and is a resident teacher at Dance & Company. He is the rehearsal director for The PGK Project and Artistic Director of brown paper bag dance co.

Kiona Brown (Apprentice) began dancing in her hometown of Tucson, AZ where she performed with O-T-O Dance. It was there she began her career in modern dance and became a master teacher of low-flying trapeze. Kiona moved to Philadelphia where she recently received a B.F.A in Dance Education from University of the Arts. While in Philadelphia she taught creative movement, Graham technique, jazz dance, and yoga. At University of the Arts she performed under the direction of choreographers Silvana Cardell, Curt Haworth, Jennifer Binford-Johnson, and Elizabeth AuClair. Kiona is new to San Diego and excited to perform in the 2011 Trolley Dances and apprentice with Malashock Dance.

Malashock/RAW 2011 Guest Artists

Viviana Alcazar originally from El Centro, CA, and graduated from California State University Long Beach with a B.A in Dance. It was there that she studied Modern and Ballet under Keith Johnson, Susan Mc Clain, Lorin Johnson and Sophie Monet. While studying there she began choreographing various dances, and was showcased at the 07’ American College Dance Festival Association in Missoula, Montana. Since then Viviana has created original pieces shown in San Diego at Sushi 4x4, Jean Isaacs Studio Series, 2009 Celebrate Dance Festival, and 2010 Brand Library Series in Los Angeles. She was featured as a special guest choreographer for the Domino Affect Dance Company in Long Beach and is currently dancing for The PGK project.

Leslie Armstrong began her movement training as a competitive gymnast, and it was in college where she discovered dance under the UCSD faculty of Jean Isaacs, Allyson Green, and others. Having earned her B.S. in Psychology, Leslie now works at UCSD directing recreational gymnastics and dance programs as well as teaching in both departments. She dances locally and has performed in shows such as Trolley Dances, the Celebrate Dance Festival, Malashock/RAW 2010, and recently with Blythe Barton Dance. She is honored to have the chance to perform again with Malashock Dance!

Maria Juan continuously pushes boundaries in choreography, performing, teaching and the business of dance. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and has performed with several companies throughout Florida including a collective of artists which she co-founded, MusInc. Upon moving to San Diego, she dove headfirst into the performing scene where she has performed works by Elfi Schafer-Schafroth of Tanzproject, Bradley Michaud of Method Dance and Jean Isaacs, among others. She is also co-founder of youTurn- A Contemporary Arts Exhibition. Maria also owns her own multimedia company, mjuanstudio, which specializes in graphics, photography, videography, web design and branding.

Khamla Somphanh has danced professionally with ODC San Francisco, Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre, Nai-Ni Chen, Sound Dance Repertory, Rod Rogers, East/West, and New World Dance to name a few. She has also danced on Broadway in “The King and I” as lead dancer “Eliza”. Khamla began her training at Duke Ellington School of the Arts and continued her studies at UArts in Philadelphia before moving to NYC. Since arriving in San Diego in 2009, Khamla has performed as guest artist for Malashock Dance, teaches at the Academy of Performing Arts, San Diego Dance Theater, Visionary Dance Theater and continues to explore choreography.

David Wornovitzky is originally from Mexico City. Since moving to San Diego, he has had the privilege of working with different companies around San Diego. Currently, he dances with Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, The PGK Project and Colette Harding Contemporary Dance. In addition, he has worked with independent choreographers such as Yolande Snaith, Kim Epifano, Khamla Sopmphanh and Kathryn Irey.

Malashock Dance Company Alumni

Jodi Allen
Lara Binder
Jennifer Binford
Amber Bosin
Matt Carney
Jeffrey Crawford
Bill Doolin
Tammy Dunsizer
Ali Fisher
Francis Floro
Brooke Gessay
Eun Jung Gonzalez
Katie Griffin
James Healy
Gwen Hunter-Richie
Karen Ivy
Edward Johnson
Peter Kalivas
Heidi Kershaw
Kelley Lace
Greg Lane
Trystan Loucado
Bradley R. Lundberg
Nina Malashock
Chris Morgan
Stephanie Nugent
Loni Palladino
Jennie Pasheh-Tala
Amy Patton
Ashley Peth Porter
Troy Sellers
Keturah Stickann
Bernadette Torres
Debi Toth
Tonya M. Valdez
Maj Xander