Dannika Anstead is a junior majoring in physics and minoring in dance. This is her first year both performing and choreographing in Dance Production. Throughout the years she has studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, Irish step, contemporary, and hip hop. Currently she is teaching both intermediate and advanced tap at a local dance studio and is in her second year choreographing for competition. Dannika is so happy to be able to share both her love of dance and of anime with this year's Dance Production of 2022!

Emily Booth is a senior majoring in mathematics and minoring in physics and music (general emphasis). This is their first year choreographing for dance production and second year dancing in dance production. Emily has been dancing since they were three in a variety of styles, including ballet, cheerleading, and contemporary. It has been wonderful for Emily to be able to translate dance experience into choreography. They are excited to show a culmination of their creative process with such a great team of dancers!

Eloise Esseks is a junior double majoring in history and dance. This is her third dance production and her second time choreographing! Eloise has been dancing since she was three, starting with tap and then doing ballet, modern, and contemporary. Eloise is so grateful to be able to choreograph again and for the growth that Dance Production has provided!

Valeria Robalino is an international student from Mexico at Principia College. She is a sophomore with a major in business administration and is planning on doing an individualized major in dance. She has been dancing since she was 5 years old and would love to continue her dance career throughout her life. 

Joy Adair Baker started dancing at the age of four. Her professional training was as a scholarship student at the School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet School. Joy danced professionally with the San Antonio Ballet under Vladimir Marek.  She rose to Prima Ballerina with the Saint Louis Ballet under Ludmila Dokodovski and Anthony Zawelski. Joy has danced professionally in numerous classical ballets.  Among her favorites are: Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Corsaire, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and The Nutcracker.  Her favorite lead role was Blue Girl in the ballet Les Biches, choreographed by Bronislava Nijinska—famous Russian female dancer/choreographer of the early twentieth century. Joy had the privilege of being coached by Bronislava. Joy has enjoyed teaching at three ballet schools which she owned and operated. Additionally, she taught at four other ballet schools, the last being the St. Louis Ballet for fifteen years. She taught as visiting faculty at Meramec Community College and Webster University. In 1990, Joy spent thirteen years developing the dance program at Principia College. The Dance Production, Intercollegiate Dance Performances and Dance at Davis were some of the wonderful events. Joy was the main contributor to choreography in the performances.  She choreographed well over 100 pieces in her time at the College.  Joy also enjoyed choreographing for four musicals; among them, West Side Story, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Carousel and Into The Woods.  She also collaborated with the music department and choreographed for the Jazz music ensemble. For the past few years, Joy has served as visiting faculty at Principia College, teaching both ballet and ballroom dance.  Joy is married to Robert Baker and has three sons, Clayton, Brett and Josh.

Thomas Proctor is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Thomas is in his ninth season with Ashleyliane Dance Company and his third season as the Rehearsal Director.  He recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance.  Thomas works as an Adjunct Professor at Southeast Missouri State University and an Applied Arts Instructor at Principia College.  This past year Thomas also passed the requirements to become a Level V certified instructor in the Cateran Society and is the founder of the St. Louis Broadsword Academy.

Ashley Grindstaff is a graduate of Principia College (C’20) and participated in Dance Production as a student for four years. This is their second year participating in Dance Prod as an alumni and is grateful for the continued opportunity to dance and create with the talented students and faculty at the college. Having trained primarily in ballet and modern, Ashley is always excited for the opportunity to grow their experience with new styles and choreographic methods and appreciates any opportunity to be challenged by new endeavors.

Tessa Miller is a graduate of Principia College (C’16) and is excited to choreograph and perform at Principia College again! After receiving her minor in dance from Principia, she went on to teach dance at Principia Upper School. She has taught at the St. Louis Ballet School and Ashleyliane Dance Company. Tessa has danced in shows at the Jacoby Arts Center and Dancing in the Streets.

Evan Ghislin composer, violinist, and tenor is a graduate of Principia College (C ’20) with a Bachelor’s in music and philosophy. In his youth, he studied and performed with Taka Matsunaga’s Midwest Philharmonic performing in Vienna, Salzburg, New York City (Carnegie Hall) and Chicago. He’s participated in soundSCAPE Music Festival and Walden School Creative Musician’s Retreat. Evan’s compositions and commissions have premiered in New Hampshire, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Recently, Evan has performed and toured as an improvisational violinist in the folk-rock group, Josh Grassley and Friends. Evan also plays as a professional guest musician with the SIUE Orchestra conducted by Dr. Michael Mishra. Additionally, Evan is a regular contributor to Grab Bag, a local improvisation group, at the Jacoby Arts Center with which he has performed at the annual Alton Earthtones Festival.

Erin Lane, Artistic Director, holds a BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MFA in Dance from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. She’s trained with numerous world-renowned teachers from a wide variety of classical and contemporary backgrounds including Merce Cunningham Dance Studio and Salzburg Academy of Experimental Dance. Erin’s professional performing credits include more than a decade of work with several freelance choreographers and dance companies: SYREN Modern Dance, Beth Soll and Dancers, ess/Danceworks, Common Thread Contemporary Ballet, and Leverage Dance Theater. Erin is the Assistant Professor of Dance and Dance Program Chair at Principia College where she teaches all dance courses and directs the annual Dance Production. She holds additional certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Vaganova Method teacher training, Brain-Compatible Dance Education, and is a 200HR RYT. She continues to choreograph, perform, collaborate, and guest teach in IL and MO.

Leah McFall, Costume Designer, is an Associate Professor in Principia College’s Department of Theatre and Dance, and Division Head of the Creative Arts and Communication Division. She specializes in textile and fiber arts, technical theatre, and designing sets and costumes. This is her 13th Principia Dance Production! Leah majored in studio art and art history at Principia College and later studied art education, earning an MSEd degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 2017, Leah earned her MFA in Textile Art/Theatrical Design at SIUE. Professional credits outside of Principia include Insight Theatre Co. in St. Louis, Moving Dock Studio in Chicago as well as Bankside Repertory Theatre in Alton. She is excited to have design and construction help from her Theatre Costuming class this year!

Chrissy Calkins Steele, Faculty Choreographer, has been teaching acting, voice, movement and directing productions in the Department of Theatre and Dance for 16 years. She finds great joy and satisfaction in the creative process and is very grateful to be able to collaborate with Erin, these lovely dancers, and a wonderful musician.

Tom Halsey, Lighting Designer, is finishing his third year as Technical Director for the Theatre and Dance Department. He has worked in the department and supported all theatre and dance productions for six years. Tom came to Principia with a background in carpentry and construction with an emphasis on historic restoration. He feels blessed to be able to work with students on set building, painting, and design. His favorite part of the job is watching their creative juices flow. Tom holds a BS in Biology from Principia College. He and his wife built and run the Alton Room Escape!