CHOREOGRAPHERS
Maribel Parman
Founder Co-Director and Choreographer
Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. Maribel's first formal dance training was with the dance company “Danza Jazz Stage” in Chihuahua, Mexico, She was voted as one of the Best Dancer in the adult division at AMTC international talent and model competition in Orlando, Florida. Maribel participated in many dance competitions earning first places and awards in the hip hop and contemporary categories as well as best choreographer awards. Maribel is certified in different styles of Latin dance.She loves to teach and choreograph many different styles of dance.
Maribel continues her training through a variety of intense classes with professional choreographers like Misha Gabriel, Mia Michaels, Marty Dew, Brian, Doug, Robert Prescott Lee, Joelle Martinec, Jeff "PHI" Nguyen, Napoleon and Tabatha, Brian Freedman, Wes Veldik, Julie Bour, Jeff Amsden, Michele Assaf, Tyce Diorio, and many more. During summers she continues her intensive training at the Broadway Center, Steps of Broadway in New York, several Dance workshops around the country, and Betty Loose.
Maribel enjoys working as a director and choreographer for flashmobs. She has created these projects to advertise non profit organizations as, Special Olympics and Venture Theater.
Maribel’s has worked with AMTC International talent and model Competition, Danza Jazz Stage , Outlaws dance team (award as the Best IFL National team ), Rimrock opera performances, Patron G, comedian Hannibal, Eric Bellinger and many more. Maribel danced and choreographed for Terpsichore dance company for six years. Maribel owns a business Administration and marketing degree and a master in Curriculum and Instruction with an endorsement in Spanish and business. She is currently enjoying the love for education as Spanish Teacher at West High School and as a dance teacher for Diversity Dance Studio, School of Classical Ballet and Montana Dance Center. Maribel is currently part of ARC a Montana Dance Collective and she is co-directing El's Clay and Madco Dance Co.
Maribel now is excited to collaborate with the dance community to bring dancers the opportunity to expand their horizons in dance competition and other performances. As a director of RaizEtna, Maribel wants to create a place where all dancers at some point can be united. She is excited to contribute into the dance community of Billings, Montana.
Carly Mann
Codirector and Choreographer
Carly was born and raised in California. She started her dance training in the East Bay and began her teaching career at dance studios in the Bay Area. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance from San Jose State University with the following honors: Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s Scholar, and Outstanding Graduating Senior. As a student at SJSU she trained in ballet, modern, and jazz. Carly has extended her training at locations in San Francisco, Colorado and Montana. As a dancer in Billings she has performed in two Rimrock Opera performances, other independent projects, and is currently in her fifth season with Terpsichore Dance Company.
Carly teaches various levels of modern, jazz, tap and ballet at several studio locations in Billings. She is Co-Director and Choreographer for Motion Arts Dance Company (MADCo), a junior modern dance company housed at Montana Dance Center. Her education in Early Childhood Development from SJSU continues to aid her in her passion for teaching dance to the youth. She is excited to continue exposing dance to the Billings community as a teacher and performer.
Ade Obayomi Season 2021-2022
Ode began dancing when he was young, excelling not only at training and competition, but also as an accomplished gymnast, earning Arizona’s State Champion title at just ten years old. While attending Chapman University, Ade auditioned for Season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance and became one of the top 3 boy finalists. His dance credits include working and performing in a nationwide tour with SYTYCD, a Grammys performance with Beyonce, appearance in Rihanna’s “Hard” music video, and touring with Alicia Keys as part of the Element of Freedom World Tour. He has also worked with numerous other well-known artists, such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, JLo, Kelly Rowland, and the cast of American Idol. Ade also became a SYTYCD All Star and completed a 40 city national tour. Ade is excited to bring his high-energy style to Velocity’s tour
Morgan Dake
Hometown: Vacaville, CA; Charlo, MT
Education: BFA Dance – The Ohio State University; Juris Doctor – University of Montana School of Law.
Dance Background: Morgan danced professionally in Seattle for several years before heading to law school. She began dancing with the Arc dancers here in Billings in 2014.
Favorite Dance Experience: A series of house party performances with her dance crew in Seattle
Kristen Cooper 2021-2022
Cooper trained in Los Angeles with many teachers, assisting Rhonda Miller and Jeff Amsden. She danced in various stage, film, and video productions. She was a principal dancer for Costa Cruise Lines. She now runs a pre-professional jazz company in the Seattle area. She is also teaching for the 7th year at Pacific Northwest Ballet Summer School and for the Dance This Intensive with Seattle Theatre Group. Her choreography has been seen at Bumbershoot Arts Festival (Seattle), Tanzommer Dance Festival (Austria), Sign of the Times (Westlake Productions), PONCHO Gala (Seattle) and at Theatre Ballet of Spokane. Many of her students have gone on to careers in the professional world of dance, performing and teaching. Her former dancers have performed with Backstreet Boys, Fiona Apple, Black Eyed Peas, Paul McCartney, and Celine Dion, as well as the Broadway tour of "Wicked", LA based Hysterica Dance Co., Evolutions, and Soul Escape.
We are happy to announce season 2021-2022 additional choreographers!
Kirsten Cooper
Ade Obayomi
Morgan Dake
Tippy Drignman
Mady Mracheck
Guest choreographers past seasons
Katie Kitzemberg
Jessica Kratochvil
Morgan Dake
Ricky Feeley
Nicolle Ament
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