Andrea Hashim

Andrea is a native of Bakersfield, CA, where she trained under the Royal Academy of Dance method. She received her BA in Dance, with a concentration in Teaching/Choreography, minor in Political Science from Mercyhurst College, and her MFA at the U of A in Choreography. Andrea has performed with many ballet and modern dance companies, including Lake Erie Ballet (PA), Ballet Concerto (TX), and 32 Flavors Dance (AZ). In addition to her dance training, Andrea has been an arts researcher, presenter, board member, and Capitol Hill lobbyist. Andrea currently works as the Dance Program Director at Glendale Community College. Andrea joined Scorpius in 2008.

Sam Duran

Sam graduated from the Metro Arts where he first met Lisa Starry. He continued his education and training at California Institute for the Arts where he received his BFA in dance. Upon graduating, he became a soloist for Pasadena Dance Theater. He has also participated in workshops and trained with Limon Dance Company, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. He currently teaches dance at Metro Arts, Arizona School for the Arts and Sam performed as guest artist with Scorpius through the years; however, he officially joined the company in 2007.

David Starry

Cofounder

David discovered dance (and his wife) in high school and majored in Dance at the University of Arizona. He is a true product of the 1980s dance craze. David commits his energy and talents as an extreme performer, digital artist, and makeup designer. Away from the company he is the building manager for Metropolitan Arts Institute, loving husband to Lisa, and proud father to their boys, Christian (14) and Leo (4).

Nicole Olson

Associate Director

Nicole received her BFA in Dance from the University of WI-Stevens Point after attending Milwaukee Ballet School. She has worked with numerous dance companies throughout Milwaukee and Chicago, and has received recognition for her choreographic endeavors. Currently, she directs the dance department at Metropolitan Arts Institute. Nicole joined Scorpius in 2000.

Nancy Lynn Miller

Associate Director

Nancy earned a Professional Certificate in Dance from MIAET as one of six initiate dancers with Instinct Dancecorps. She lived in New York City for 2.5 years, dancing with independent choreographers, performing in various exciting locations such as City Center in Manhattan and Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn. Nancy holds a BA in English and is now a freelance graphic designer and photographer [poshcreative.com]. She serves as Scorpius’ resident designer. She has trained in aerial dance for the past 2 years and loves to perform on the silks and lyra! Nancy first joined Scorpius in 1999 as one if its original company members.

Maggie Cortez

Maggie received her Associates in Fine Arts from GCC and graduated in May 2007 with her BFA in Dance with an emphasis in Performance from ASU. Maggie is trained in various dance techniques. She enjoys running, swimming, hiking, and loves taking pictures. Maggie joined Scorpius in 2003 and has loved every minute of it!

James Marinaro

James began dancing at the age of 15 at Tempe High School. He continued his dance education at Turning Pointe Dance Academy and Studio One Performing Arts Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the recent winner of an AriZoni Award for his cheorgraphy in the production of “Twlight’s Quest” at Phoenix Children’s Youth Theatre. He currently coaches Junior Varsity cheer at Peoria High School. James joined Scorpius in 2004.

Kalli Schmuecker

Kalli grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in May 2006 with a B.A. in dance and a minor in psychology. After graduation, Kalli spent the fall of 2006 dancing and living in NYC. Upon returning to Minneapolis, she has enjoyed dancing throughout the city in various projects – including the Minnesota Fringe Festival, University of Minnesota Opera Theatre, a reconstruction of Trisha Brown’s Planes at the Walker Art Museum, Rainy Day Cabaret, and spent 2006-2008 as an apprentice and performer with Carl Flink’s Black Label Movement. This summer she completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the U of MN and recently relocated to Phoenix. Kalli joined Scorpius in 2009.

Christina Sheldon

Christina grew up dancing in Milwaukee, WI, where she trained and performed with the Milwaukee Dance Connection. She graduated from the U of A with a BFA in Dance and a BS in Business Administration/Accounting. Christina spent her last semester of college in New Zealand where she worked with the Auckland City Ballet. Upon moving to Phoenix in January ‘08, she had the opportunity to dance with the Arizona Opera for two seasons. She’s now employed as an auditor, simultaneously working on a CPA license…and DANCING! Christina joined Scorpius in 2008.

Tricia Vander Woude

Tricia graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Tricia has performed with David Storey and Dancers in New York City and other independent companies in Chicago. She recently received her certification in Pilates from Long Beach Dance and Conditioning. She currently teaches and directs the dance program at New School for the Arts in Tempe, AZ. Tricia first joined Scorpius in 2000.

Victor Vela

Victor hails from Xenia, OH. He trained at the Cleo Parker Robinson School for two years in Denver, CO and went on to perform with Kim Robards Dance Company and Academy of Classical Ballet. Victor joined Scorpius in 2008.

© 2009 Scorpius Dance Theatre

Liliana Gomez

Lili has had great opportunity to work with Scorpius Dance Theatre, Desert Dance Theater, Aaron McGloin Dance, Garner-Gutierrez Dance, Instinct Dance Corps, Lizcasebolt & dancers, and Rayn Dance Theatre. She has also danced for The Phoenix Metropolitan Opera doing Aida (2008) and Carmen (2009). Liliana has set works on Conder/Dance, Scottsdale Community College’s Moving Company and Instinct Dance Corps. She is currently assistant director/choreographer of Dulce Dance Company and freelances around Phoenix. Lili is an arts advocate and helps produce art shows/benefits for the Phoenix downtown arts/dance scene. She also enjoys riding her bicycle to help the environment. Lili first joined Scorpius in 2003.

David Griswold

David Griswold started his dance training at Metropolitan Arts Institute. He has also trained and performed with Ballet Etudes and the SCC Dance Company. He has won two AriZoni Awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. In 2007, he moved to New York where he had the opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden during NBA and WNBA games. David first joined the company in 2006 and is VERY happy to be back this season!

Tawny Hyster

Level 2 Apprentice

Tawny grew up dancing in Rosemount, Minnesota. She went on to earn her B.F.A in Dance from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities in 2009. Tawny received her Yoga Teaching certification in the summer of 2009 from Core Power Yoga- Minneapolis, MN. She has worked with various choreographers in and out of the college such as Joanie Smith, Daniel Shapiro, Carl Flink, Paula Mann, Toni Pierce-sands and Uri Sands, Nathan Trice, Doug Varone and John Beasant among others. Through 2007-2010 she got involved with Shapiro and Smith Dance as an apprentice and a stage manager. She continued her work stage managing for the company and others, incuding Black Label Movement and Ananya Dance Theater. Summer of 2010, Tawny participated in a dance team for a Semi-Pro Football Team in Minnetonka, MN. She has recently relocated to Phoenix. This is Tawny’s first season with Scorpius.

Edgar Soto Garcia

Edgar (Dancer/Actor/Hairstylist) has been dancing for over 14 years. His expertise lies in hip-hop and breakdancing but he has trained in modern, jazz, and ballet as well. Edgar has also dabbled in martial arts, such as Chinese Kung-Fu and Brazilian Capoeria, which he often incorporates into his choreographic work. He is a founding member in Rulan Tangen's "Dancing Earth" Indigenous Dance Company -- a contemporary native dance and cultural art group. Edgar has been a guest artist with Scorpius Dance Theatre off and on for most of his career and he considers Lisa Starry a mentor and dear friend. This is Edgar’s first official season with the company.

Angel Castro

Angel started his career in the arts at a young age when he began to study acting and musical theater. It wasn't until his senior year in high school, at the age of 18, when he started dancing. His training started at the South Mountain High School dance magnet. Upon graduating in 2008, he auditioned and was admitted to the ASU School of Dance where he is currently pursuing his BFA in Dance. In 2009, Angel performed with Aaron McGloin Dance and Dulce Dance Company. He is currently dancing with EPIK Dance Company and Scandalesque. This is Angel's first season with Scorpius.

Jose Soto

Jose graduated from Maryvale High School where he started his dance training at the age of 17 with Ms. Elizabeth Roper in ballet. He has been a company member of Center Dance Ensemble and was a member of Epik Dance Company for 3 years. He has worked with the Mercury Hip Hop Squads for two seasons and the NBA. Jose has choreographed for The Arizona Sidewinders Dance Team (NFL) and has worked with many high schools around the valley. Jose has participated in a “My45” Commercial, Ms. Asia Arizona Pageants and Celebration of Dance. Right now, Jose teaches at 3 dance studios while performing with Scorpius and Scandalesque. Although he has been involved as a guest artist with Scorpius, this is his first official season with the company.

Cynthia Tom

Cynthia began her dance training in ballet, tap, and jazz at Dance World Academy in New Jersey at the age of 3.  From there she moved on to study modern dance at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She has performed for the Krannert Center for the Arts, NBC's Today Show, Tap Dance Extravaganza, and participated in one of Bob Rizzo Educational Dance videos.  Loving mother to a 2-year old boy, Cynthia enjoys all aspects of the arts including dance, painting, music, and culinary arts.

Bridgette Caron

Bridgette graduated from Arizona State University in 2007 with a BFA in Dance Choreography. While studying dance in college, she had the honor of playing Division I softball for San Diego State University and finishing her career at Arizona State University. Bridgette danced in 32 Flavors Dance Company and taught Ballroom lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studio upon graduation. Perhaps her most ambitious endeavor was establishing her own Massage Therapy Practice in Phoenix in 2009. This is Bridgette's first season with Scorpius and she is honored to be a part of the magic!

Elisa Marie Reed

Level 2 Apprentice

Elisa is a Phoenix native. She started dancing at Scottsdale Community College where she performed with SCC Moving Company and SAJE. She then finished her BFA at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA where she performed with Cornish Dance Theatre, Acorn Dance and in multiple student works. Upon graduating she moved to Chicago where she danced with Zephyr Dance Ensemble and trained with various companies in the area. She then moved to Indianapolis and trained with Dance Kaleidoscope. Elisa loves performing and choreographing.  She is very excited to be back in Phoenix and dancing with Scorpius. This is her first season with the company.

Madeline Wilcox

Level 2 Apprentice

Madeline Wilcox hails from Flagstaff, AZ where she trained in the Royal Academy of Dance method. She continued her training in dance performance at Chapman University in Orange, California for two years, and then transferred to Arizona State University to finish earning a concurrent degree in Dance Performance and Communications by spring 2011. Along with the many performances at Chapman University and ASU, Madeline has had the opportunity to work with guest artists such as Shen Wei Dance Arts, Ashleigh Leite, Larry Keigwin, Gina Gibney, and Ron Brown. She is grateful for the opportunity to dance with Scorpius. This is her first season with the company.

Alexis Peralta

Level 2 Apprentice

Alexis started dancing at the age of 14 in Honolulu, Hawai’i.  When she moved to Phoenix her freshman year she continued to train under Nicole Olson and Lisa Starry at The Metropolitan Arts Institute. During that time she performed in several Metro-Arts produced plays and dance concerts. Alexis also had the opportunity to dance in Phoenix Metropolitan Opera’s production of AIDA (2009). Upon her HS graduation in 2009, she received the “Dance Award” for being the most dedicated dancer. This is her second season apprenticing with Scorpius.

Adrian Hernandez

Level 1 Apprentice

Adrian just graduated from ASU with a double major in Business Management and Theatre. He has been dancing for four years and acting for seven years. He has done a number of shows around the Valley such as, “Cats” with Valley Youth Theatre and “Lloronas” with Teatro Bravo. He is excited to be dancing with Scorpius this, his first year as an apprentice, and he hopes to continue his passion as an actor and dancer!

Jaylene Verhaagen

Level 1 Apprentice

Jaylene started dancing at the age of three training in various styles of dance. Upon graduating high school, she received the Senior Dance Scholarship award. Currently, she is attending GCC working on an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is a dance teacher at Groove Theory Dance Project, teaching ballet and contemporary. This is Jaylene’s first season with Scorpius.

Jeremiah Jenkins

Level 1 Apprentice

Jeremiah Jenkins graduated from Metropolitan Arts Institute with his focus in dance. For the past two years he has trained with Nicole Olson and worked with Lisa Starry. He is now continuing his dance education at Scottsdale Community College and plans to transfer to Columbia University in Chicago within the next few years. This is Jeremiah’s first season with Scorpius.

Tawnya Kannarr

Level 1 Apprentice

Tawnya began dancing at the age of 2 with her mom. She has been seriously studying dance since 2006 when she started at Scottsdale Community College, under the direction of Angela Rosenkrans. Tawnya has danced with SCC Moving Company from 2007-2008 and SCC’s Instinct Dance Corps from 2008-2010, where she has had the opportunity to work with many guest artist from across the U.S. She is currently finishing her Associates in Fine Arts Dance and Dance Technology at SCC. This is her first year apprenticing with Scorpius Dance Theatre.