Choreographers
Meredith Ventura
Meredith Ventura is a multi-creative artist based out of southern California. She graduated with honors from UC Santa Barbara, with a B.F.A. in Dance in 2013, received her M.F.A. in dance at Hollins University in 2018, and is currently a Ph.D. student in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. As the founder and artistic director of Selah Dance Collective, Ms. Ventura has produced and performed in full evening-length performances and presented works throughout the United States. She has performed with Nebula Dance Lab and Janusphere Dance Company and travels nationally and internationally as a dance educator and advocate for the arts.
Jenna Turner
Jenna is a fourth year Dance BFA as well as a member of UCSB Dance Company. She grew up in Maryland before moving to Philadelphia to attend the Rock School of Philadelphia. Before attending college she danced professionally for Huntsville Ballet Company and City Ballet of San Diego. In this performance, she has choreographed a heels piece, a pas de deux, and a pointe duet, and will also be showing a solo exploration work she created for her MFA auditions. Jenna is passionate about self-expression and breaking down the walls between styles of dance and their connection to music.
Corinne Dummel
Corinne is a fourth year Dance BFA as well as a member of UCSB Dance Company. She grew up in San Francisco studying at the School of the Arts, Dance Training Center, and ODC. She enjoys choreographing and plans to continue after she graduates. Her piece in the show is a part of a larger honors project which will culminate into a film about nostalgia.
Milana Beck
Milana is a fourth year Dance BFA as well as a member of UCSB Dance Company. Milana grew up in Santa Cruz, California and trained at Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre. She enjoys creating whimsical ballet pieces inspired by her favorite movies and shows. In this performance, she has collaborated with Jenna Turner to make a pointe piece that tests the boundaries of what we view as “classical ballet".
Avery Trask
Avery Trask is a second-year dance BFA and is a company member with Selah Dance Collective in Santa Barbara. She grew up training under the direction of Kirsten Oakley and Laurin Boland at Oakley Ballet Center in Ventura, California and graduated from the school in 2023. Her piece titled “glimmer” is about the beauty found in the synchronicity of experiences and the comfort found in camaraderie.
Jillian Silva
Jillian Silva is a second year BFA Dance major at UCSB, who is also pursuing a minor in Educational Studies. Growing up in California, she trained at The Dance Studio of Fresno under the direction of artistic director Sue Sampson Dalena. Jillian’s piece explores intricate musicality, dynamic levels, and dramatic expression to exemplify themes of control within the modern day.