FACULTY AND STAFF
Studio Coordinator, Faculty Member, Dancer
Veda Manly (she/her) grew up in Madison, WI and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance and an additional degree in Economics. She previously worked as the communications and special projects coordinator at Li Chiao-Ping Dance in Madison, WI. As a teacher, she has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts project, teaching elementary kids dance and movement skills as well as ballet classes. She received early training in Martha Graham Technique with Lisa Thurrell at Kanopy Dance, who she studied with for eight years. She performed with Kanopy Dance Company II for three years, and while attending UW-Madison, performed in works choreographed by Kimi Evelyn, Li Chiao-Ping, Duane Lee Holland, Liz Sexe, Kia Smith, and Christian vonHoward. Veda is excited to now be in Brooklyn and working with Alden Moves!
Veda Manly (she/her) grew up in Madison, WI and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance and an additional degree in Economics. She previously worked as the communications and special projects coordinator at Li Chiao-Ping Dance in Madison, WI. As a teacher, she has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts project, teaching elementary kids dance and movement skills as well as ballet classes. She received early training in Martha Graham Technique with Lisa Thurrell at Kanopy Dance, who she studied with for eight years. She performed with Kanopy Dance Company II for three years, and while attending UW-Madison, performed in works choreographed by Kimi Evelyn, Li Chiao-Ping, Duane Lee Holland, Liz Sexe, Kia Smith, and Christian vonHoward. Veda is excited to now be in Brooklyn and working with Alden Moves!
Faculty Member, Studio Administrator
Chloe Crenshaw (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Los Angeles, California. Most recently, she danced with GALLIM under Andrea Miller for their 2023 season at the Joyce. Previously, Chloe danced with Ballet BC as an Emerging Artist under the direction of Medhi Walerski. Performance credits include work by Danielle Agami, Trisha Brown, Peter Chu, Andrea Miller, Crystal Pite, David Raymond and Tiffany Tregarthen, Spenser Theberge, and Medhi Walerski, among others. Chloe holds a BFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts and has also trained at programs including Springboard Danse Montreal, GagaLab TLV, BODYTRAFFIC, Boston Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. As a choreographer, Chloe’s work has been presented in Los Angeles and Vancouver. She was named a finalist for the annual MashUp Choreographic Residency in the fall of 2022, and she looks forward to creating on Houston Contemporary 2 this fall. Chloe also teaches ballet and contemporary to students of all ages and has served on the faculties of Burbank Dance Academy and Orange County Performing Arts Academy. Currently based in New York, she is very excited to be joining the Alden Moves team.
Chloe Crenshaw (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Los Angeles, California. Most recently, she danced with GALLIM under Andrea Miller for their 2023 season at the Joyce. Previously, Chloe danced with Ballet BC as an Emerging Artist under the direction of Medhi Walerski. Performance credits include work by Danielle Agami, Trisha Brown, Peter Chu, Andrea Miller, Crystal Pite, David Raymond and Tiffany Tregarthen, Spenser Theberge, and Medhi Walerski, among others. Chloe holds a BFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts and has also trained at programs including Springboard Danse Montreal, GagaLab TLV, BODYTRAFFIC, Boston Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. As a choreographer, Chloe’s work has been presented in Los Angeles and Vancouver. She was named a finalist for the annual MashUp Choreographic Residency in the fall of 2022, and she looks forward to creating on Houston Contemporary 2 this fall. Chloe also teaches ballet and contemporary to students of all ages and has served on the faculties of Burbank Dance Academy and Orange County Performing Arts Academy. Currently based in New York, she is very excited to be joining the Alden Moves team.
Studio Administrator
Ara Vazquez (she/her) is a Mexican entrepreneur and educator. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Universidad Autonoma de la Laguna in Torreon, Mexico, and is currently attending the Infant and Toddler Teaching Program at West Side Montessori School in Manhattan.
Ara is the owner of Toc Toc Spanish, a language school in New York City specializing in Early Childhood and After School programs. Her professional experience includes administrative roles in Sales, Marketing, Billing, Purchasing, and Logistics in both small businesses and large corporations.
Growing up and into her early years, Ara was an independent theatre actress. Favorite credits include The Crucible, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Broadway medleys. Through theater and dance, she enjoyed finding ways to express herself, be confident, and overcome her fears. She loves now being a part of the Alden Moves community, bringing her admin experience to studio operations as well as the opportunity to be part of a discipline and art she believes in.
Ara Vazquez (she/her) is a Mexican entrepreneur and educator. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Universidad Autonoma de la Laguna in Torreon, Mexico, and is currently attending the Infant and Toddler Teaching Program at West Side Montessori School in Manhattan.
Ara is the owner of Toc Toc Spanish, a language school in New York City specializing in Early Childhood and After School programs. Her professional experience includes administrative roles in Sales, Marketing, Billing, Purchasing, and Logistics in both small businesses and large corporations.
Growing up and into her early years, Ara was an independent theatre actress. Favorite credits include The Crucible, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Broadway medleys. Through theater and dance, she enjoyed finding ways to express herself, be confident, and overcome her fears. She loves now being a part of the Alden Moves community, bringing her admin experience to studio operations as well as the opportunity to be part of a discipline and art she believes in.
Faculty Member, Dancer, Studio Admistrator
Kathleen Bostleman (she/her) began her dance training at the Toledo Ballet and the Toledo School for the Arts, and she later attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City on scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a BFA in Ballet. While completing her degree, she studied ballet and modern dance at the Beijing Dance Academy and graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Training Program under the direction of Karah Abiog. In addition, she spent summers studying at the Joffrey Ballet School, Colorado Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet. She has performed and choreographed new work as a freelance artist in San Francisco and New York City and taught classes and workshops for Toledo Ballet, the Teens@LINES program at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, and UCLA Ballet Company. She is an RYT-200 certified yoga instructor and a Licensed Massage Therapist. Embodimentessentials.com
Kathleen Bostleman (she/her) began her dance training at the Toledo Ballet and the Toledo School for the Arts, and she later attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City on scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a BFA in Ballet. While completing her degree, she studied ballet and modern dance at the Beijing Dance Academy and graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Training Program under the direction of Karah Abiog. In addition, she spent summers studying at the Joffrey Ballet School, Colorado Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet. She has performed and choreographed new work as a freelance artist in San Francisco and New York City and taught classes and workshops for Toledo Ballet, the Teens@LINES program at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, and UCLA Ballet Company. She is an RYT-200 certified yoga instructor and a Licensed Massage Therapist. Embodimentessentials.com
Faculty Member
Jalyn Gill (she/her) recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Dance. Jalyn has performed in works by Earl Mosley, Martha Graham, Christian vonHoward, and Ohad Naharin. She’s been dancing since the age of five and trained in dance schools such as Edge School of the Arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Mark Morris Dance Group. Jalyn also had the opportunity to travel abroad to Stockholm, Sweden to participate in an intensive with DOCH University and Balletakadimen.
Jalyn Gill (she/her) recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Dance. Jalyn has performed in works by Earl Mosley, Martha Graham, Christian vonHoward, and Ohad Naharin. She’s been dancing since the age of five and trained in dance schools such as Edge School of the Arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Mark Morris Dance Group. Jalyn also had the opportunity to travel abroad to Stockholm, Sweden to participate in an intensive with DOCH University and Balletakadimen.
Faculty Member
Javier Rochel (he/him) was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. He received a Bachelor's in Dance from Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo, graduating with honors. Inspired by his sister, Rochel started to dance Mexican Folklorico when he was 11 with different local groups, and at the same time, he did Musical Theatre productions in Mexico City and his hometown, including a national tour leading “The Lion King”. He was an apprentice with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández and a figurant with Mexico's Compañía Nacional de Danza in the Swan Lake 2018 season. He had done summer intensives with Joffrey Ballet School NY and Texas, Complexions Dance Academy, and ChoreoLab with Ballet Hispánico SoD. Rochel trained in classical, modern, contemporary and jazz dance with JBS TX under the direction of Thelma Flores and Kailli Bright from 2019-2021 (where he also worked as Resident Administrator of Housing and Program Coordinator for the Mexico Summer Intensive) and BH Pa'lante Scholars Professional Studies directed by Rodney Hamilton from 2021-2022. He also has taught in different public and private dance schools within the United States and Mexico. This year he started his first season with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Rochel is very proud to be a new faculty addition in Alden Moves Dance Theater.
Javier Rochel (he/him) was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. He received a Bachelor's in Dance from Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo, graduating with honors. Inspired by his sister, Rochel started to dance Mexican Folklorico when he was 11 with different local groups, and at the same time, he did Musical Theatre productions in Mexico City and his hometown, including a national tour leading “The Lion King”. He was an apprentice with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández and a figurant with Mexico's Compañía Nacional de Danza in the Swan Lake 2018 season. He had done summer intensives with Joffrey Ballet School NY and Texas, Complexions Dance Academy, and ChoreoLab with Ballet Hispánico SoD. Rochel trained in classical, modern, contemporary and jazz dance with JBS TX under the direction of Thelma Flores and Kailli Bright from 2019-2021 (where he also worked as Resident Administrator of Housing and Program Coordinator for the Mexico Summer Intensive) and BH Pa'lante Scholars Professional Studies directed by Rodney Hamilton from 2021-2022. He also has taught in different public and private dance schools within the United States and Mexico. This year he started his first season with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Rochel is very proud to be a new faculty addition in Alden Moves Dance Theater.
Faculty Member, Dancer
Hannah Schayes (she/her), originally from Syracuse, New York, became serious about her dance training at the age of thirteen. She studied at summer intensive programs with dance companies across the country including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor, and José Limón. Hannah earned her BFA in Dance and minored in Sociology at Mercyhurst University where she achieved various dance and academic scholarships. As an inductee of the National Honors Society of Dance Arts (NHSDA), she was involved in experiences on and off campus that allowed her to be engaged in the community. Additionally, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Dungarvan, Ireland, where she performed and furthered her studies. Currently, she resides in New York City where she is dancing and teaching.
Hannah Schayes (she/her), originally from Syracuse, New York, became serious about her dance training at the age of thirteen. She studied at summer intensive programs with dance companies across the country including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor, and José Limón. Hannah earned her BFA in Dance and minored in Sociology at Mercyhurst University where she achieved various dance and academic scholarships. As an inductee of the National Honors Society of Dance Arts (NHSDA), she was involved in experiences on and off campus that allowed her to be engaged in the community. Additionally, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Dungarvan, Ireland, where she performed and furthered her studies. Currently, she resides in New York City where she is dancing and teaching.
Dancer, Supplemental Administrator
Kana Takahashi (she/her) Originally from Saitama, Japan, Kana Takahashi is a NYC-based dancer/actor. Her favorite theater credits include South Pacific at Midtown Arts Center and West Virginia Public Theatre, Miss Saigon, Hair, Pippin, Oklahoma!, Unto These Hills, Six Strings Sonics (Fringe NYC), and War+Lovers (off-Broadway). As a dancer, she has performed for John Cage Centennial Festival, Buglisi Dance Theatre, Ailey Citigroup Theater, MuSE, Azul Dance Theatre, Surati Holi Hai and Vangeline Theater/ New York Butoh Institute, among others. She received her certificate of dance from the Ailey School. She also holds a Single Sword Stage Combat certification by SAFD and a Flexibility Specialist certification by IFPA. She has been dancing with ALDEN MOVES Dance Theater since 2012. kanatakahashidance.com
Kana Takahashi (she/her) Originally from Saitama, Japan, Kana Takahashi is a NYC-based dancer/actor. Her favorite theater credits include South Pacific at Midtown Arts Center and West Virginia Public Theatre, Miss Saigon, Hair, Pippin, Oklahoma!, Unto These Hills, Six Strings Sonics (Fringe NYC), and War+Lovers (off-Broadway). As a dancer, she has performed for John Cage Centennial Festival, Buglisi Dance Theatre, Ailey Citigroup Theater, MuSE, Azul Dance Theatre, Surati Holi Hai and Vangeline Theater/ New York Butoh Institute, among others. She received her certificate of dance from the Ailey School. She also holds a Single Sword Stage Combat certification by SAFD and a Flexibility Specialist certification by IFPA. She has been dancing with ALDEN MOVES Dance Theater since 2012. kanatakahashidance.com
GUEST DANCERS
Guest Dancer
Liz McKendry (she/her) hails from Buffalo, N.Y and is celebrating her fifth year with this beautiful company. Liz got her start performing in Donn Arden's Jubilee! before landing a spot in the Broadway Musical The Producers. Off-Broadway: Sleep No More (McKittrick Hotel), Comedy of Errors, Othello (The Shakespeare Lab NYC). Regional: The Red Dress (The New Phoenix Theatre), Mamma Mia (The Gateway), The Producers (Paper Mill Playhouse), A Funny Thing...Forum (Paper Mill Playhouse), Boeing (Cape May Stage). Film: The Producers. Gratitude to Alden Moves Dance Theatre and Luigi's Jazz Centre.
Liz McKendry (she/her) hails from Buffalo, N.Y and is celebrating her fifth year with this beautiful company. Liz got her start performing in Donn Arden's Jubilee! before landing a spot in the Broadway Musical The Producers. Off-Broadway: Sleep No More (McKittrick Hotel), Comedy of Errors, Othello (The Shakespeare Lab NYC). Regional: The Red Dress (The New Phoenix Theatre), Mamma Mia (The Gateway), The Producers (Paper Mill Playhouse), A Funny Thing...Forum (Paper Mill Playhouse), Boeing (Cape May Stage). Film: The Producers. Gratitude to Alden Moves Dance Theatre and Luigi's Jazz Centre.