FESTIVAL OF DANCE 2017, BIOS

Gregory Robinson began his classical studies in the Vaganova method with Stevan Grebel and Melanie Mihalic at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) where, as a member of Ballet UAB, he had the opportunity to perform repertory of mixed programs including many full length , most notably The Nutcracker, Giselle, Coppellia, Ben Stevenson's Cinderella, Raymonda Pas de Dix, George Balanchine's Serenade, La Sonambula, and Michel Fokine's Petrushka.

He joined in 1980 under artistic director Stuart Sebastian and performed with the Company as a principal dancer in repertory that spanned from the classical canon to neoclassical and contemporary works. Further studies continued in New York City with Maggie Black and Marjorie Mussman. In the late '80's, he was named Ballet Master and in 1993 he was appointed Artistic Associate for the company by Dermot Burke where his duties expanded to include co-directorship of Dayton Ballet II. As a resident choreographer for Dayton Ballet, Mr. Robinson created many original works for the Company as well as other performing arts organizations including; Dayton Ballet II, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, The Human Race Theatre Company, The Muse Machine, Dayton Opera, Miami University, Marygrove College, Victoria Theatre, Ohio Ballet and The Fraze Pavillion. His premiere works for Dayton Ballet through the years including Prokofiev Piano Concerto #2, Light, Paganini Variations, Mozartiana, Carmina Burana, Hot Riffs & Blue Notes, Luna, New Night, Corazon and new choreography for productions of Christmas Carol, the Ballet, An American Cinderella, and America's Robin Hood all received critical and artistic acclaim.

Mr. Robinson was the first to be awarded the Virginia Sebastian Award for Choreography, in 1986. In 1996, he received the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District Bicentennial Impact Grant for his premiere work …A Time to Dance to join in the celebration of Dayton's 200 years. He was also a recipient for the Culture Works Artist Fellowship for the year 2000. He was honored with the 2002 Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography from the Choo-San Goh & H. Robert Magee Foundation for his work on America's Robin Hood. In 2008 his ballet Corazon earned a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Mr. Robinson taught at BalletMet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Ohio Ballet, Wright State University, Miami University, Marygrove College and University of Idaho. His participation in the Miami Valley Muse Machine's "in school" lecture demonstration series and his host/narration for Dayton Ballet's annual Young Audience Programs enlightened and entertained Miami Valley high school and elementary students for many years. He received a citation from State Senator Rhine D. McLin and was named a "Dayton Gem" by the Dayton Daily News for his work in the community as a performer and educator.

Brian hare graduated with honors from Columbia College with a degree in Arts Entertainment Media Management and Dance. As a performer Brian spent four years as a company member with Chicago Dance Crash and five seasons with Thodos Dance Chicago. He has been a part of original processes by Melissa Thodos, Anne Reinking, Ron De Jesus, Brian Enos, Harrison McEldowney, and KT Nelson as well as being an original cast member of never before seen Bob Fosse archival work. As a choreographer he has presented work in Dance Chicago, set multiple works on Chicago Dance Crash, and has work in the rep of Thodos Dance Chicago. He teaches students of all ages and disciplines at several Chicago dance studios, winning multiple choreography awards as well as being a master teacher for several conventions including Chicago Dance Connection.

Jonathon Cash trained competitively for 9 years in all disciplines with American Dance Academy (A.D.A.) in Garden City, Commerce Township and South Lyon, MI. A graduate of Marygrove College, Detroit he attained a BFA in Dance Performance. Within the Dance Department at Marygrove, he was awarded the Outstanding Dance Student (2011), for overall excellence in academic and artistic pursuits. He has studied with Mia Michaels, Kevin Iega Jeff, Ray Mercer, Frank Hatchett, Roger Jeffrey, Ricardo Moyano, Monique Haley, Paul McRae, and Jordeen Ivanov-Ericson. Mr. Cash has performed professionally with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Celebrity Cruise Lines, and Hardrive Productions in Orlando, Florida. His awards have included the titles of Mr. Dance of Michigan (Dance Masters of Michigan) and Mr. KAR (Kids Artistic Review). Additionally, his choreography has won accolades regionally and national. Currently, he serves as a Co-Director and teacher/choreographer at American Dance Academy. Mr. Cash is also the Artistic Director, Dance Recruitment Counselor and the Company Manager for the Marygrove College Dance Company and Company2.

Susan panek received her M.A. in Education from the University of Michigan, Dearborn and a B.F.A. in dance from Marygrove College. Her teaching credits include The University of Michigan, Juliana’s Academy of Dance, Lascu School of Ballet, The Pointe Academy of Dance, Geiger Ballet Academy, Premiere Music & Dance, Cre8tive Fine Arts Academy and many others. Ms. Panek has choreographed for and performed as a back-up dancer with the Fabulous Fakes, a Las Vegas revue of renowned impersonators and has appeared in concert with Dance Nonce, Dance Detroit and Writhm Dance Company, as well as in the Nutcracker with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra serving as its Ballet Mistress, Children’s Rehearsal Director and Executive Managing Director. She is a former co-owner and co-director of the Premiere Plus Youth Dance Program in cooperation with various local recreation departments. Ms. Panek’s choreographic works can be seen at Marygrove College, Orchestra Hall, The Hillberry Theatre, Actor’s Alliance and various community and high school productions. Ms. Panek has recently earned certification to teach Pilates Mat through the National Exercise Trainer’s Association (NETA) and also holds certification to teach Zumba as an active member of the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN).

Taylor jones is a native Detroiter who trained extensively at Marygrove College along with numerous additional workshops. She can be found teaching, performing, and choreographing throughout Michigan. Teaching credits include: Institute of Music & Dance at Marygrove College, The Considine Center, 3D Dance Academy, Northwestern High School, and Ecorse Public Schools. Ms. Jones has been the opening act for Big Sean, Tank & Bobby Valentino as well as dancing back up for Martha Reeves and Q Harper. Other performance venues include: Blaze the Stage in New York, Chicago Pride, Pistons Half Time Show, American College Dance Festival, Marygrove College, Wayne State University, and Davenport University. Her choreography has been performed by local artists including Detroit Dance Battle, Hair Wars Hair Shows and Studio Recitals. Ms. Jones is the founder of Dance Crew, LADYLIIKE.