Dancers — Bellingham Repertory Dance

Cecelia Hanford - she/her

Cecelia is a movement and visual artist based in Bellingham, Washington. Architecture, space, and art history inform the dreaming up and designing of her dances and dance films- as do the environmental sciences, 60s/70s European horror films, her beloved partner Bo Stewart, economic podcasts, science fiction, and a healthy wandering into and across the wild and urban landscapes of the planet. Cecelia currently works at Old Town Cafe, where she is empowered by it’s environment and people centered business model and delighted by the freedom to collaborate and enrich the space and nature of the restaurant. She also works, creates and performs with the wonderful Bellingham Repertory Dance.

Elizabeth Belyea - she/her

Elizabeth started dancing as a child at the community center in her hometown of Holland Landing, Ontario, Canada. Over the years she trained and performed at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, BalletMet Columbus, Ballet Idaho, Eugene Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, and Ashani Dances. Elizabeth works with technical media in the non-profit research sector, and spends her spare time exploring and traveling with her husband and dog. She holds a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts and an MA in Communications and Leadership from Gonzaga University. This is Elizabeth’s sixth season with BRD, and she continues to be inspired by the creative, kind, and supportive community that she has found there.

Erin Keeney - she/her

Erin began dancing in Vermont, where she grew up, experimenting in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, hip hop and contemporary. She has earned her BFA in Dance from Western Washington University with a minor in Arts Enterprise and Cultural Innovation with the hopes of creating a life-long career in the dance industry. She creates works inspired by characters or archetypes, stories and powerful music. Erin looks forward to her time dancing, creating, and expanding relationships in Bellingham Repertory Dance.

Gabby Malagreca - she/her

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Gabby received her BFA in Dance from Ohio State University with a focus in Kinesiology. She made the move to Bellingham a couple years later, after being drawn to the collaborative nature of BRD. Currently, she is enjoying living and working in a community full of passionate, friendly people who inspire and support growth in all aspects of life. As an artist, Gabby values the potential that exists within movement to build and strengthen community bonds, and prioritizes it in her creative work. She has been overjoyed by the opportunities provided by BRD to work with artists of all disciplines, both within the Bellingham community and beyond. She looks forward to more time spent dancing and existing with these wonderfully creative people.

Juliette Machado - she/her

This is Juliette's 10th season with Bellingham Repertory Dance. She is so grateful for the past decade of movement and play with such wonderful people. Juliette received her BFA in Dance from Western Washington University, and was adjunct dance faculty at Whatcom Community College from 2019-2023. These days, you can find her running the annual 7-Day Dance Festival or writing emails, building spreadsheets, and dreaming big in her role as Executive Director of BAAY — Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth.

Makenna Johansen - she/her

Makenna was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she attended North Star Ballet School for 15 years. She moved to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Dance in 2017. After graduation, she took a hiatus from dance to indulge in her passion of working with animals. Four years working as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator ignited a deep love for wildlife and veterinary medicine, and she now works as a licensed veterinary technician. Life in the absence of dance did not prove sustainable for her, and she is tremendously grateful to be able to welcome dance back into her life with wide open arms.

Marísa Fernandez - she/her

Marísa grew up in Monterey, California, where she trained in ballet and contemporary dance at SpectorDance studio for ten years. She earned her BS in Kinesiology and a minor in Dance from Western Washington University in 2017, and her MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2021. She conducted research on dancers' post-injury psychological experiences, and hopes to continue her line of research and applied practice on sport athletes’ and dancers’ injury experiences. Marísa is now pursuing an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She looks forward to continuing her passion as a movement artist, and finding ways to merge science, athleticism, artistry, and expression.

Paige Pimmel - she/her

Paige is originally from Denver, Colorado. She has been dancing since she was 9, and moved to Bellingham in 2018 to graduate with a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Psychology at Western Washington University in 2022. Paige enjoys exploring the different textures of the natural world around her through movement studies, investigating the textures of mold, fungi, barnacles, eroded rocks, etc. This is her first year with BRD, and she is so excited to dance and connect with them.

Sam Brigham - they/them

Sam grew up in Michigan, dancing and romping around in the woods and moving their body in any way possible. They grew up studying mostly ballet, and spent summers at Carolina Ballet and BalletMet. While at the University of Oregon and since moving to Bellingham, Sam has found a lot of freedom in contemporary dance, and is excited about having more opportunities to wiggle since joining BRD. They currently work at the Max Higbee Center, and are passionate about finding ways for people of all ages and abilities to move and express themselves in whatever ways feel best. When they’re not dancing, Sam can be found making art, playing cards, riling up other people’s dogs, and working on their circus skills.

Soleil Chappelle - they/them

Soleil is a transdisciplinary dancer, philosopher, and bodyworker. Their work is interwoven by a curiosity for felt-sense, bodily experience as primary to how we perceive and engage with the world. Originally from Seattle, Soleil grew up dancing at The Creative Dance Center. They received a BFA in Performance from Naropa University in 2011. Soleil was co-artistic director of the dance theater company, Language of Fish from 2010-2014 in Boulder, CO. They then received an MA in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2016. Soleil joined BRD in 2019 when they moved back to the PNW with their husband and cat. Soleil teaches dance as philosophy in action, and they practice craniosacral and massage therapy out of their office in Fairhaven.

Talia Sheinkopf - she/her

Talia was born in Bellingham and just can't seem to stay away. Naturally a lifelong BRD fan, she is ever so grateful to be part of this company of wonderful dancers for the first time this year. Briefly not in Bellingham, Talia studied history at Vassar College and was a member of Vassar Repertory Dance Theater for four years. She had the opportunity to study at Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, a short time which was instrumental to the development of her movement style and creative outlook. These days she can often be found playing piano or baking bagels. Talia is so excited to be dancing again on home turf, and this time alongside the people she has learned from and admired for so long.

Tatyana Stahler - she/her

Tatyana is a mover, educator, dancer, and artist originally from central Washington, now a proud Bellingham community member. She is a graduate of WWU with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, with a focus in Health and Fitness Specialization, as well as a recent graduate of the Adult and Higher Ed, Master of Education Program. And she is looking forward to continuing to grow as an educator, and bring new knowledge and training to her administrative role in BRD. Currently, Tatyana is an adjunct faculty for Western teaching Pilates as well as a Program Coordinator for the Computer Science Department advising students. When Tatyana is not working at WWU or dancing with BRD, she spends quality time with her fiancé Lewis and their two energetic pups, Hero and Raya. Throughout her time in BRD, Tatyana has appreciated working with amazing choreographers and dancing alongside many talented movers. The thoughtful work BRD brings to the Bellingham community is why Tatyana is honored to continue her time as a member of BRD.