FACULTY AND STAFF
Studio Coordinator
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!
Dancer and Faculty Member
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
Dancer and 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.
Dancer and Faculty Member
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.
DANCERS
Dancer
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.