Below is a list of where dance students have gone upon graduating from Belhaven University. While it is not an exhaustive list of graduates, it provides examples of dance department alumni who have gained employment as dance company members, instructors, choreographers, administrators, and scholars.

2024

2024 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Emma Boyle BFA Company Dancer with Open Sky Arts Collective, Dance Teacher at Lake County Christian School
Calista Cano BFA Ballet 5:8 Second Company in Chicagoland, IL
Goldie Mims BFA Dancer with Enoch Contemporary Ballet

2023

2023 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Megan Kruthoff BFA Company Member with Open Sky Dance Collective in Dallas, TX
Susanna Sims BA Dance Faculty at Ballet Mississippi in Jackson, MS
Grace Neff BFA Instructor at Yazoo City School of Dance and Administrator at Mission First
Sarah Lunceford BFA Pursuing MFA in Dance at Hollins University
Kathleen Flaccomio BFA Company Member with Störling Dance Theater in Kansas City, KS
Savannah Stach BFA Ballet 5:8 Second Company in Chicagoland, IL

2022

2022 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Alexandra Hall BA Dance Teacher at The Dance Center in Auburn, ME
Katherine Claxton BFA Company Dancer with Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans, Louisiana
Hannah Mucha BFA Company Dancer with Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre
Shalyn McFarling BA Dance Instructor and Office Manager with Lindsey Claire Dance Company
McKenna Brooks BFA Dancer with Zion Dance Project in Dallas, TX
Grace Ragland BA minors in Biblical Studies and Global Studies Ministry Training with Fellows and Dance Instructor in Chattanooga, TN
Cammy Useldinger BFA Company Member with Hannah Khan Dance Company in Denver, CO
David Cummings BFA Company member with Ballet Arkansas in Little Rock, AR
Isabella Hunter BFA Dancer with Zion Dance Project in Dallas, TX
Kaitlyn Blake BFA Teacher with Ballet Center of Houston and Artist in Residence with Houston Repertoire Ballet

2021

2021 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Katrina Peterson Clarke BFA Ballet 5:8 in Chicagoland, IL and Storling Dance Theatre in Olathe, KS
Ally DesJardins BFA & BS 6 o’clock in Dallas, TX
Christa Essley BFA Performing Artist/Field Worker in Central Asia
Taijah Lamar BA Company Member with Kinetic Etchings in Jackson, MS
Sophie Paczak BFA Dancer at Universal Studios, Seaworld, and Walt Disney World
Adriana Popa BA pursuing M.A. at the University of Denver
Natalya Watson BFA Company Member with Kinetic Etchings in Jackson, MS

2020

2020 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Alex Brown BFA Bruce Wood Dance Company in Dallas, TX
Jenae Drum BFA Creative Global Engagement Facilitator
Sarah L. Freeman BFA Executive Administrative Associate and Stage Manager for Ballet 5:8. Freelance dancer in Chicago, IL.
Audrey Hammitt BFA Glorify Dance Theatre in West Chester, PA
Barbara B. Nix BFA Missionary with United World Missions.

2019

2019 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Sara Berry-Lee BFA Finance and Operations Director for the USA International Ballet Competition; Instructor at Ballet Mississippi; Company Artist with Kinetic Etchings in Jackson, MS
Jonathan Bostelman BA Solo Artist with Ballet 5:8
Abriana Effland BFA Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX
Emma Eltzroth MFA Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX
Andie Knudson BFA Company Dancer with Staib Dance and EXCAVATE Body, Contemporary Director and Faculty for Rise City Dance, Jacobs Pillow Video Documentation Intern
Lydia Mathis BA Hope Partners International; Contributing Author Dancing Across Borders, Perspectives on Dance, Young People, and Change.(Routledge)
Alisa Nipp BFA Principal Dancer at Ballet Hartford
Anna Rhodes BFA Inlet Dance Theatre in Cleveland, OH
Joshua Schaeffer BFA Inlet Dance Theatre in Cleveland, OH
Hetty (Layton) Thompson BFA Owner and Instructor at Dance Divine in Starkville, MS
Torianna Turnbow BA Masters degree candidate in Musical Theatre from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, UK
Kailey Watson BA Director of Fine Arts at Trinity Christian Academy in West Palm Beach, FL
Jenna Werner BFA Modern/Contemporary Instructor at Roswell Dance Theatre, North Atlanta Dance Academy, and Georgia Dance Conservatory in Atlanta, GA

2018

2018 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Patricia Morena Atkinson BFA Pursuing M.S. in Counseling at Mississippi College with intent of of obtaining a certificate in Dance Therapy upon graduation in Jackson, MS
Alia Calrberg BFA Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX
Caryn Camacho BFA Ad Deum II Dance Company in Houston, TX
Elizabeth Cush BA Sarasota Cuban Ballet School
Catherine Hampton BFA Faculty Member at Hunsville Ballet; Licensed Massage Therapist in Huntsville, AL
Mariah Henry BFA Genesis Church Creative Arts Director and Administrator
Katherine Koon Smith BFA Juris Doctor Degree from George Mason University
Regine Pieters BFA Director's Assistant at Dishman + Co. in Brooklyn, NY
Carlie Price BA Ad Deum II Dance Company in Houston, TX
Grace Ramazzini BFA Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX
Elizabeth Stevens BFA Verb Ballets in Cleveland, OH; Ballet Hartford in Hartford, CT

2017

2017 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Sarah Allen BFA Freelance choreographer based in New Orleans, LA
Angela Mia Belmonte BFA Vivid Ballet in CT
Katie Buchholz BFA Go 2 Talent Agency; LA Follies in Los Angeles, CA
Kathryn Lee BFA Corps Bara Dance Theatre and EnCorps Dance Collective in Calgary, AB
Grace Miller BFA Executive Administrator for Open Sky Arts Collective
Lauren Ashlee Small MFA Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans, LA
Lisa Renee Wissing MFA Founder/Owner of Lisa Renee’s Dance- Enrichment Studios in Bainbridge, OH

2016

2016 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Joshua Bell BA Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans, LA
Edward DeShane BFA Uptown Dance Company in Houston, TX
Emily Davis BA MFA in Dance at Sam Houston State University; Professor of Dance and English at Hengyang Normal University in Hengyang, China
Abigail Hardy BFA Co-director of Zion Dance Project; Ballet Director for the Epicenter for the Arts in Southlake, TX
Emilee Jones BFA Störling’s Artist Development Program in Olathe, KS
Arianna Marcell BFA Adjunct Instructor at Belhaven University; Instructor at City Dance (USA International Ballet Competition) in Jackson, MS
Abby Maharaj BA Marketing Intern for Texas Ballet Theater in Dallas, TX and USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS
Lauren Ashlees (Small) Messina MFA Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans, LA
Stephanie Morales BA Artistic Director/Founder of Cavod Ballet Theatre
Sophia (Williams) Murphy BA Owner and Practitioner at Imperium Stretch and Recovery in Nashville, TN
Kaleb Reilly BFA Vivid Ballet in Hartford, CT; Neos Dance Theatre in Akron, OH; Freelance Dance Artist in Orange County, CA
Miriam Smith BFA Ballet Theatre of Indiana; Costume Designer for Kids Acting Studio in Austin, TX
Melody Stowe BFA Dancer with The Limelight Collective (a dance ministry) in Berlin, Germany

2015

2015 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
John Bozeman BFA Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans, LA
Alayna Brenchley BFA Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet in Killingworth, CT
Marian Bayer BFA Artistic Administrative Associate at Houston Ballet in Houston, TX
Elle Ciccarone BFA Founder and Director of ELLEvate Dance Company, Company Dancer with Artivism Dance Theater, Melange Dance Company, and The Marigny Opera Ballet, Chair of Dance at Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts
Nina Chong BFA Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company International Dance Journey program in Ga’aton, Israel
Elle Ciccarone BFA Founder and Director of ELLEvate Dance Company, Company Dancer with Artivism Dance Theater, Melange Dance Company, and The Marigny Opera Ballet, Chair of Dance at Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts
Taylor Ellen BFA Artistic Director Statesboro Youth Ballet in Statesboro, GA; Ballet Instructor The Habersham School in Savannah, GA
Allie Sahli BA African Bible College in Lilongwe, Malawi; Anastasis Ballet In Dublin, CA; New Dance Company in Stockton, CA
Adrienne (Joransen) Schrag BA MFA in Dance candidate at Texas Woman's University in Dallas, TX

2014

2014 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Leyna (Woods) Doran BFA Artistic Director of Ballet Hartford in Hartford, CT
Gabriel Speiller BFA Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company in New York, NY; Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX; Bruce Wood Dance Company in Dallas, TX
Dara Oda BFA Soloist with Texas Ballet Theater
Matthew Palfenier BFA Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater in Las Vegas, NV
Chisako Suzuki BFA Dramatic Truth Ballet Theater in Kansas City, MO
Patience Lay BA Instructor at KW Dance Studio in Federal Way, WA
Mercy Lay BA Instructor at KW Dance Studio in Federal Way, WA
Jana Shivers BFA Ballet Instructor for Statesboro Youth Ballet in Statesboro, GA
Kathryn (Gurtler) Wilson BFA Director of Dance Production at Belhaven University; Artistic Director of Kinetic Etchings in Jackson, MS

2013

2013 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Hope Berghuis BFA Assistant to the Artistic Director at Sangre de Cristo Ballet in Pueblo, CO
Rhiannon Crosier BFA Storling Dance Theatre in Olathe, Kansas
Olivia Hamilton BA Artistic Director of To The Pointe Dance Productions, Company Dancer with Kenneth Walker Dance Project, Senior Coach at Solidcore Pilates
Elisabeth Kurashige BFA Convergence Dance Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii
Sarah Osterhus BFA 5th Digit Dance; Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre in Volusia County, FL
Meggie Pinones BFA Apprentice with Roxey Ballet in Lambertville, NJ
Donald Sayre BFA Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Hope Stone Dance, LMT in Houston, TX
Emily Roy-Sayre BFA Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Transitory Sound and Movement Collective in Houston, TX
Carina Stern BA Master of Science in Athletic Training with a Performing Arts focus at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA; Athletic Trainer at Physical Therapy Solutions

2012

2012 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Erik Sampson BFA Dance Uptown Dance Company in Houston, TX
Rachel Kurtz BFA Dance Ad Deum II Dance Company in Houston, TX
Rebecca (Seelhorst) Spencer BFA Dance Apprentice at Petra Ballet Company in Springfield, MO; Dance Faculty at The Redeemer’s School in Jackson, MS
Amanda Bravo BA Dance Director of modern dance program at Lake Arrowhead School of Dance in Lake Arrowhead, CA
Melissa Wenhold BFA Dance Instructor at The Link School of the Arts in Troy, MI
Whitney Dufrene BFA Doug Varone and Dancers in New York City; Ad Deum Dance in Houston, TX
Hannah Johnson BFA Dance MFA candidate at Belhaven University; Intersect Dance Collective in Jackson, MS
Marah King BFA Dance Winston Salem Festival Ballet in Winston-Salem, N

2011

2011 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
DeMarcus Suggs BFA Dance Dayton Contemporary Dance Theatre in Dayton, OH; Education and Engagement Coordinator at Victoria Theatre Association
Michael Bishop BFA Dance International Tour of West Side Story; Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
Scarlett Wynne BFA Dance Georgia Ballet
Michelle Sipes BFA Dance Inlet Dance Theatre in Cleveland, OH
Lindsey Carson BFA Dance Anastasis Christian Ballet Company, CA
Sarah Miller BA Dance Intersect Dance Collective in Jackson, MS
Michelle Boutros BA Dance Artistic Director of the School of Dance at Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, CO
Amy Morrow BFA Dance Instructor at University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre & Dance; Teachers’ Certification for Gaga technique, earned in Tel Aviv, Israel
Joanna Tan BA Dance Ad Deum II Dance Company in Houston, TX

2010

2010 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Jamie Thompson BFA Dance Dallas Black Dance Theatre in Dallas, TX
Lauren Small BFA Dance MFA candidate at Belhaven University; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Fellowship Program in New York, NY
Tiffany Schrepherfman BFA Dance Touring Lighting Designer and Production Stage Manager based in Houston, TX. Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX; Production Manager for American Dance Festival in Durham, NC
Leah Martin BFA Dance Front Porch Dance Company in Jackson, MS
Michelle Boutros BA Dance Adjunct Instructor in Hinds Community College Dance Department
Benji Tompkins BA Dance Dance instructor at Kennedy Dance Theatre in Webster, TX
Amy Morrow BFA Dance Pursuing teachers certification for Gaga technique in Tel Aviv, Israel
Michal Christian BA Dance Fulltime Faculty at The School of Nashville Ballet in Nashville, TN
Shawn Rawls BFA Dance Founder of Emotions Physical Theatre in New York City; Performer with Pilobolus and Roxey Ballet in Lambertville, NJ
Briana Christian BFA Dance Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN

2009

2009 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Nan Hannum Dance Minor Doctorate of Physical Therapy; Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI
Audrey Lowry BFA Dance Administrative work for American Dance Festival, Meredith Monk, and Dancewave
Joanna Mizesk BFA Dance Artistic Director at NOVA Dance and Wellness, Project based dancer with Three Hearts Dance
Brittany Nunes BFA Dance Performer with TALK Dance Company; Adjunct Instructor in Hinds Community College Dance Dept.
Kathleen Norberg BFA Dance Director of Storling's Artist Development Program at The Culture House School of Dance in Kansas City, KS
Julia (Start) Fletcher BA Dance MA in Worship Arts from Calvin Theological Seminary; Adjunct Instructor at Calvin College and Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, MI
Elissa Srulevich BFA Dance Braided Light Dance Project and East Coast Ballet Company in Jacksonville, FL
Naomi (Talbot) Hanvey BFA Dance Instructor at Ballet Academy of Moses Lake and Today's Generation Dance Studio in Moses Lake, WA
Ginger Wachter BFA Dance Instructor at To The Pointe Performing Arts in Hartland, WI

2008

2008 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Elizabeth (Deder) Gordon Sweatt BFA Ballet Performer with Ballet San Antonio and TALK Dance Company; Specialty Instructor of Dance at Belhaven University
Mary Grace Phillips BFA Dance Dance instructor at Georgia Academy of Dance; Founding board member for Katy Hagelin Dance Project
Amelia Pullen BA Dance Teacher, choreographer, and performer with The Dance Center and Adroscoggin Dance Company
Sarah Carey BFA Dance Adjunct Professor of Dance at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, OH; Co- founder/coordinator of Cleveland Dance Network
Amanda Parsons Browning BFA Dance Ad Deum Dance Company; Kim Robards Dance; The Dance Center of Colorado Springs and Ormao Dance Company
Katy Hagelin BFA Dance Artistic Director and founder of Katy Hagelin Dance Project in Seattle, WA
Ashly Hanson Braden BA Dance Instructor at La Grande School of Ballet in La Grande, Oregon
Kathleen Fenn BFA Dance Neos Dance Theatre in Masfield, OH
Victoria McConnell BFA Dance Dance Curator and Teaching Artist at Fremont Abbey Arts Center in Seattle, Washington; Performer with Katy Hagelin Dance Project
Chelsea Pirtle BFA Dance Adjunct Dance Faculty at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK

2007

2007 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Courtney Dressner BFA Ballet Georgia Ballet; Montgomery Ballet; Ballet San Antonio
Alli Beams Leatherman Dance Minor Performer with MegLouise Dance; Adjunct Dance Faculty at Cuyahoga Community College
Michael Morris BFA Dance Pursuing PhD in Dance Studies at Ohio State University
Andy Leatherman BFA Dance Inlet Dance Theatre in Cleveland, OH; adjunct instructor of dance at Belhaven University; co-founder of Intersect Dance Collective
Rachael Hellmuth-Watson BFA Dance Performer with Bosma Dance, Next Reflex Dance Collective and Crossroads Dance Project in VA
Jamie Scott Dance Minor Performer and choreographer for Project:Motion Dance Collective in Memphis, TN

2006

2006 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Krista Bower BFA Dance Chair of Belhaven University Dance Department; MFA from Jacksonville University
Beth Ingram Bilyeu BA Dance Kim Robards Dance, Denver, CO
Susie Poythress Long Dance Minor Front Porch Dance; Sanspointe Dance Company; instructor at the Briarwood Ballet and the Children's Dance Foundation in Birmingham, AL
Lauren Garey BFA Dance Performer with Groundwork Dance Company in Chicago, IL
Carly Detweiler Dance Minor Mission to the World in Codlea, Romania; dance instructor at Many But ONE Christian Performing Arts in Boca Raton, FL.
Kyrie Oda BFA Dance Austrian Ballet Company in Tokyo, Japan; freelance performer and choreographer; Pilates instructor

2005

2005 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Cheryl Newman Barnard Dance Minor Associate Producer of Impact Productions in Tulsa, OK
Olivia Mullins Hansford BA Dance Director of Dance Program at First Presbyterian Church in Kosciusko, MS
Rebecca (Cumberlidge) McNeill BA Dance Music and movement instructor to special needs preschool children at the Little Light House in Jackson, MS
Danielle Horochowski BA Dance Director of The City Ballet School in Hagerstown, MD
Keith Williamson BA Dance Production Manager at Mataleap Creative in Atlanta, GA

2004

2004 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Shannon Brege BFA Ballet Storling Dance Theatre Apprentice in Kansas City
Debra Cross BFA Ballet Polarity Dance Theatre in Jackson, MS
Stephanie Miracle BA Dance Fulbright Fellowship to Germany for 2014-2015; MFA in Dance from University of Maryland; Ella Ben-Aharon/YelleB Dance, Laura Peterson Choreography, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange
Elizabeth Stratton BFA Dance Inlet Dance Theatre Intern in Cleveland, OH
Jessica (Tracy) Jacob BA Dance Creative Arts ministry in La Coruía, Spain; Aslan Performing Arts Center in Madrid, Spain; performer with Luminarium Dance Company
Megan Manuel Dance Minor Trainee with Ballet Magnificat! In Jackson, MS
Noelle Williamson BFA Ballet Refuge Dance Company; Instructor at the Atlanta Ballet

2003

2003 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Kandia S. Allen Dance Minor Director of Creative and Performing Arts with Youth with a Mission; leading international art outreach programs
Jill (Kille) Weaver BFA Ballet Polarity Dance Theatre, instructor at Yoko's Dance & Performing Arts Academy and Lana's Dance Studio in CA
Valerie Pope Nicholson Dance Minor Tulsa Contemporary Dance Theatre, OK; Front Porch Dance Company in Jackson, MS
Michele Painter BFA Dance MFA in Dance from University of Hawaii
Vanessa Steverding Van Wormer Dance Minor Ballet Spokane; MFA in Choreography and Performance from State University of New York at Brockport
Catherine Gordon Gunawan BA Dance Director of dance company and outreach ministry in Japan

2002

2002 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Andrea Brubaker BFA Ballet Polarity Dance Theatre in Jackson, MS
Naphtali Gunther Dance Minor Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX
Emily Henderson Wright BFA Dance Co-founder of Front Porch Dance; Associate Professor of Dance and Director of MFA Program at Belhaven University; MFA in Dance from Arizona State University and PhD from Texas Woman’s University
Lauren Morris Goodman BFA Dance MA in Dance Education from UNC Greensboro; Kinetic Dance Works; Administrative Assistant to the Arts at Belhaven University
Tapley Seaford BA Dance Dance Ad Deum II, TX
Maranda VanStraten BA Dance Tulsa Contemporary Dance Theatre, OK

2001

2001 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Courtney Gurley Hogue BA Dance Polarity Dance Theatre, Dance Instructor at Mississippi Ballet Theatre, Xpress Dance Company, Ballet Magnificat, Applause Dance Factory
Katherine Krepper Savage BA Dance Jeanne Ruddy Dance, PA, At Marah Dance Theatre, PA
Suzanne Niess Sanders BA Dance Ballet Magnificat School of the Arts Upper and Lower School Teacher (2012-2018); Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center
Sarah Niewola Kitterman BFA Ballet Former company member with Ad Deum and Psophonia Dance Companies

2000

2000 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Karen Hamm Castleman BA Dance Hubbard Street Dance Company, MOMIX, At Marah Dance Theatre, Dance Ad Deum
Yvette Koonce Dance Minor Polarity Dance Theatre, MS, Instructor of Dance at Belhaven University, MS, taught for Ballet Magnificat, MS
Susan Olivo BA Dance At Marah Dance Theatre, PA
Cheri Gossman-Orr BA Dance Artistic Director and Co-founder of Jubilee Arts Collective, Company Dancer with Ormao Dance Company, Dance For Parkinsons outreach teacher
Shawn Sparlin Dance Minor At Marah Dance Theatre, Trainee Program, PA

1999

1999 Belhaven University Dance Alumni
Jill Pelhan Day BA Dance Former Ad Deum Dance Company member, founder and owner of Laurel Ballet Academy
Shannon M. Smith BA Dance Project Dance, NY

Verse of the Year

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 100:5