The Company

Jonathan Ciccarelli has been making quite a satisfactory living in NYC by hustling as a server, performing for killer companies, and choreographing for the stage! He has had the pleasure to dance for Abby Bender Schmantze Theatre, Catlin Cobb, From the desk of Sarah Seely, Elojes Dance Theater, and white road Dance Media. He has choreographed for theater director, Roger Benington, on productions at Bard College and the University of Rochester. Jonathan also began showing his own modern dance work last year, and has been a participating choreographer at several festivals in Brooklyn. In March 2009, he joined Jessica Gaynor Dance, and has been ecstatic ever since!

Ashlie Kittleson is originally from Davis, California where she studied ballet from a young age under the instruction of Hanneke Lohse. Ashlie holds a BFA in Dance from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned high honors and Distinguished Dance Student. While in New York, Ashlie has performed with Pam Tanowitz Dance, Nicholas Andre Dance Theater and Lux Dance. She has had the pleasure of dancing with Jessica Gaynor Dance since 2005. Ashlie is currently on faculty at Pierrepont School in Westport, CT. and is earning her pilates certification from the Kane School.

Jake Laub has danced with Ballet Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater and various New York-based choreographers such as Wallie Wolfgruber, Julia Gleich and Yung-li Chen, among others. He received a degree in journalism from Northwestern University and leads a secret double-life as a marketing consultant. This is his first season with Jessica Gaynor Dance.

Jordan Risdon, born in Toronto, Canada received her early training at the National Ballet School of Canada and the Quinte Ballet School. During her high school years, she received intensive training at the Virginia School of the Arts. She holds a BFA in dance from the University of Michigan, where she had the privilege of touring to the Republic of Columbia and Montreal, Canada with the Umigada Dance Company. Since moving to New York, she has had the pleasure of working with Sarah Council Dance Projects, Ilana Weber Dance and the Sycamore Group, among others. Jordan is thrilled about joining Jessica Gaynor Dance in 2009.

Julia Sabangan was born and raised in New York City. She has studied at the Harkness Dance Center at the 92nd Street Y, the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, and Vassar College, where she earned her BA in Classics. Julia has worked most recently with Vencl Dance Group, Jeanette Stoner, MELD Danceworks, Kimberly Portis, June Finch, Janis Brenner and Dancers, Susan Hefner, and Coastline Dance Company. Julia has performed in works by such choreographers as Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Randy James, Sean Curran, Maia Claire-Garrison, Joanna Mendl-Shaw, Elio Pomare, Steve Rooks, Kathy Wildberger, Jill Echo, and Paul Mosley. Julia co-founded VaBang! Dance Company in 2007, a bi-coastal modern dance company born out of New York and San Francisco with her longtime friend Jessie Feller. This is her second season with Jessica Gaynor Dance.

Angel Vasquez, from Denver, CO, began her training with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and continued at the Denver School of the Arts. Angel moved to California to pursue a BFA in dance at California Institute of the Arts. She Co-Directed the Crash/Fall collective, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In Los Angeles she had the pleasure of working with Method Dance and Ledges and Bones. Angel is a registered yoga instructor and is excited to have moved to New York and work with such innovative refreshing choreographers. This is her fourth season with Jessica Gaynor Dance.


Past Company Members