TU Dance

Join us tonight for the opening of The Spring Student Showcase + CULTIVATE a Trainee Program at The Barbara Barker Center for Dance! For more information & to purchase tickets visit: /tudc-2026-student-spring-showcase-cultivate-a-trainee-program-may-15-17/

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Sa’Nah Britt!! ''Dance and the arts feel essential right now because they help people connect in a more human way. They build empathy by letting us experience someone else’s perspective without needing words. In a time where it’s easy to feel disconnected or stuck in our own viewpoints, art creates space to listen, feel, and understand each other more deeply.'' Sa’Nah Britt (CULTIVATE Trainee) a Twin Cities native, began her journey at The School at TU Dance Center as a student in 2014. Throughout her tenure, Sa’Nah has been part of several works amongst other choreographers. She has also danced the solo “Witness,” choreographed by Alvin Ailey, “New Second Line” by Camille A. Brown, “Four Corners” by Ronald K. Brown, and a trio entitled “This World Anew,” choreographed by Yusha-Marie Sorzano. Notably, “This World Anew” was originally commissioned for the Edges of Ailey exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York, a tribute to the life and legacy of Mr. Ailey. As a CULTIVATE Trainee, teaching artist, and choreographer for the school, she continues to pursue and shape her passion at TU Dance, and strives to inspire and encourage others in and outside the world of dance. Photo by Kari Mosel Photography. @karimoselphotography Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands @tudance Mural: "The Magic Hour", , Chroma Zone 2023 by Max Sansing @maxsansing . You can see Sa’Nah perform this coming May 15-17th at The School at TU Dance Center Student Spring Showcase featuring students from The School at TU Dance Center and dancers from CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. For more information & to purchase tickets visit: /tudc-2026-student-spring-showcase-cultivate-a-trainee-program-may-15-17/

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Rayven Cherry! "...such a God-given blessing that embodies a song of worship and calling, in the body, mind and soul as one. It moves individually and collectively as one drum, in ways that words cannot articulate. It's used to express, unify, celebrate, call, minister and to spread a message. This embedded essence can fruitfully produce mental, emotional, medical, physical, spiritually and social healing, accountability, elevation, knowledge, wisdom and power. It's quite the awakening tool that helps us to remember to love and be grounded in the collective and individual shell, body, that contains our soul and spirit, reflecting Him in which we are made." Rayven Cherry (CULTIVATE Trainee) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Apple Valley, MN. She started self training at the age 9 up until high school where she then began taking dance classes from Kristin Blatzheim. She trained and competed on a dance team at Headline Dance Studio under Enrico Rodriguez. She attended Minnesota State University of Mankato and The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, earning her Bachelors in Fine Arts, where she studied under artists like Darrius Strong, Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson, Carl Flink, to name a few. She also performed in works choreographed by Brother(Hood) Dance, Shakia “The Key”, Shapiro and Smith, and Elayna Waxse, to name a few. Her work “In-teriority,” was also selected to perform at the American College Dance Association in Wisconsin by The University of Minnesota’s Dance Department. Through Christ's Spirit, her artistry explores and exhorts the necessity of internal & external healing, awakenings, breakthroughs, interconnectedness, empowerment and alignment from and within the scarred heart of the world. “God's parables reveal the soil that many are sought out for, but only a few will discover....I guess I have discovered it.” Currently, she is a 1st year CULTIVATE Trainee at the TU Dance Center where she is deepening more within her explorations and artistry. Photo by @karimoselphotography , Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands @tudance , Mural "WE (3)", Chroma Zone @cezmsp , 2021 by @peyton_scott_russell

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Remi Blakesley! ''Dance and the arts feel essential right now because they help people connect in a more human way. They build empathy by letting us experience someone else’s perspective without needing words. In a time where it’s easy to feel disconnected or stuck in our own viewpoints, art creates space to listen, feel, and understand each other more deeply.'' Remi Blakesley (CULTIVATE Trainee) is an Asian American dancer and choreographer based in Minneapolis. She began her dance training at age 6, growing up dancing at various studios in the Twin Cities. In 2022, she was a corps member in Crash Dance Productions 2. In 2023 and 2024, she had the opportunity to dance at Detroit Music Hall and the Joyce Theater, performing choreography by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson with Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s Pre-professional Program. She is a recent graduate from the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Training Program in San Francisco where she collaborated with renowned artists including Maurya Kerr, Moscelyne Parke Harrison, Brett Conway, Alejandro Perez, and Natasha Adorlee. During her time in San Francisco, Remi danced with Decentered Arts, blending improvisational movement with spoken word poetry. Remi also had the opportunity to choreograph in Mark Foehringer’s emerging choreographers forum. Her work was featured at Joe Goode Annex and Dancing in the Park SF. Remi is currently a first year CULTIVATE trainee at TU Dance. Photo by Kari Mosel Photography. @karimoselphotography Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands @tudance Mural: "Ask Why", Chroma Zone, 2019 by Artcorp @christinavang @teekoism @oskarlyart . Photos made possible by TU Dance's CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program with support from The Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation and MSAB Arts Education Grant. The mural is a part of The Creative Enterprise Zone @cezmsp which is a city-recognized non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere. CEZ is committed to enhancing public spaces to advance community, cultural, and economic development through collaboration and connectivity.

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Claudia d’Auria! "Dance and the arts are deeply human forms of expression and ways to build community. Today’s world is increasingly fast-paced and consumerism focused, with disparities and injustices world-wide. Now more than ever it is important to create and share art and dance to elevate different voices and bring people together." -Claudia d'Auria Claudia d’Auria (CULTIVATE Trainee) originally from Pasadena, CA, graduated in 2024 with a double major in dance (with distinction) and psychology from Carleton College, where she received the Sigrid and Erling Larson Award in Creative and Performing Arts and the Ann Goodson Weiner Prize in Theater and Dance. While at Carleton, Claudia danced as a member of both the Jazz and Contemporary and Semaphore Repertory dance companies, performing works by Shapiro and Smith Dance, Elayna Waxse, and Mathew Janczewski; she also choreographed various pieces of her own, one of which was presented at the ACDA North Central Conference. After graduating she joined the CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program at TU Dance Center. At TU she performed works by various choreographers including Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Gregory Dolbashian, and Ronald K. Brown. She is currently in her second year at TU Dance, where she is choreographing, teaching, and working towards upcoming performances! Photo by Kari Mosel Photography @karimoselphotography , Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands, @tudance , Mural "Spirit of Misi-zibi", Chroma Zone, 2021 by Rock Cyfi Martinez @cyfione . Photos made possible by TU Dance's CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program with support from The Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation and MSAB Arts Education Grant. THe Mural is a part of The Creative Enterprose Zone @cezmsp which is a city recognized district and non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere. CEZ is committed to enhancing public spaces to advance community, cultural, and economic development through collaboration and connectivity.

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Charles Rosario! "First, the arts give form to what we can’t easily say. The arts build empathy in a time that desperately needs it. When you watch someone move, struggle, breathe onstage, your nervous system responds. Today’s world's fast, fractured, hyper-digital dance that becomes a place to return to the body, to each other, and to meaning." -Charles Rosario Charles Rosario (CULTIVATE Trainee) is a Dominican American storyteller and multifaceted creative from Washington Heights, New York. He began his dance training at age six on scholarship at Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance and continued his studies at LaGuardia High School for the Arts, ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, and MOVE|NYC|. A 2021 YoungArts Winner in Modern Dance, Charles has performed internationally in Panama, Mexico, and Cuba, and has appeared on Sesame Street. In 2022, he made his professional debut with New York Theatre Ballet, touring nationally and performing works by Merce Cunningham, Agnes de Mille, José Limón, Jerome Robbins, and others, alongside world premieres by Marco Pelle, Gabrielle Lamb, and Arthur Avilés. His artistry and journey have been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine and on the cover of Listín Diario. He is currently in his second year as a member of TU Dance’s CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. Photo by Kari Mosel Photography @karimoselphotography , Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands @tudance , Mural by Kada Creative @kada_creative , Photos made possible by TU Dance’s CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program with support from The Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation and MSAB Arts Education Grant. You can see Charles perform this coming May 15-17th at The School at TU Dance Center Student Spring Showcase featuring students from The School at TU Dance Center and dancers from CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. For more information & to purchase tickets visit: /tudc-2026-student-spring-showcase-cultivate-a-trainee-program-may-15-17/

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Aleigha Mayo! “Dance is inherently political. It’s an archival art form that can and should be used to highlight the intellectual, social, and moral culture of an era. It allows for people’s stories and spirits to be cemented in time.” -Aleigha Mayo Aleigha Mayo (CULTIVATE Trainee) is a Chicago Native who began their dance journey at Mayfair Academy of Fine Arts. Aleigha graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in dance where they studied Graham technique and Ballet. After college, Aleigha continued their dance education at Alonzo King Lines Ballet Training Program where they deepened their understanding and love of contemporary movement, improvisation, and ballet. Throughout those two years they had the privilege of performing works by Roderick George, Maurya Kerr, and Sidra Bell. Aleigha later joined Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore! under the direction of Nycole Ray. In their two seasons with DBDT: Encore Aleigha has worked with Christopher Huggins, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, Levi Marsman, and more. In their time with CULTIVATE Aleigha has had the opportunity to perform works by Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Camille A. Brown, and Ronald K. Brown. Photo by Kari Mosel Photography @karimoselphotography , Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands @tudance , Mural: "Untitled", Chroma Zone 2019 by Ewok @ewokmskhm , Photos made possible by TU Dance's CUTIVATE, A Trainee Program with support from The Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation and MSAB Arts Education Grant. The mural is a part of The Creative Enterprise Zone @cezmsp which is a city-recognized district and non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses to #MakeitHere. CEZ is committed to enhancing public spaces to advance community, cultural, and economic development through collaboration and connectivity.

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Lola Lafond! “We are constantly surrounded by multiple mediums of art; it provides us the opportunity to connect with one another in ways we wouldn’t have thought possible. I believe that people wouldn’t be who they are without some sort of love for or connection to the arts.” -Lola Lafond Lola LaFond (CULTIVATE Apprentice) is a dancer based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She began her earlier training at a local studio in her former hometown and officially began her training in modern and contemporary dance at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. While there she had the opportunity to learn from Erinn Liebhard, Pramila Vasudevan, Susana Di Palma, and Leslie Parker. She recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BFA in Dance. During her time at the U she was able to train under many inspiring local artists, such as: Erin Thompson, Laura Selle Virtucio, Hassan Ingraham, and jess pretty and perform in works created/restaged by Elayna Waxse, the Limón Dance Company, Jordan Demetrius Lloyd, Carlo Antonio Villanueva, Shakia “The Key” Barron, and Laja Field. This past summer they also had the opportunity to perform Continuous Replay with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company at the Bates Dance Festival. She is incredibly excited to venture into this apprenticeship with TU Dance as a part of their CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. You can see Lola perform at The School at TU Dance Center Student Spring Showcase this coming May 15-17th! Link in comments. Photo by Kari Mosel Photography. @karimoselphotography Movement Direction & Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands @tudance Mural: Untitled, Chroma Zone, 2021 & 2022 by Alex Gaiter Smith Photos made possible by TU Dance’s CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program with support from The Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation and MSAB Arts Education Grant. The Mural is part of The Creative Enterprise Zone @cezmsp , a city-recognized district and non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere. CEZ is committed to enhancing public spaces to advance community, cultural, and economic development through collaboration and connectivity.

“Dance is essential because it is evidence of unique individuals, objectives, places and times. Not only does dance reflect a specific place in our world, in our time, but it also has the capacity to change our reality. Dance uses our body, intellect, heart, and soul to create a physical art balanced between desire and structure, heaven and earth. At the most fruitful times in our world, art is supported, respected, and abundant.” - Edie Stubblefield Edie Stubblefield (CULTIVATE Apprentice) is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She began her dance training with Minnesota Dance Theater under the direction of Lise Houlton. She later attended The School at TU Dance Center under the direction of Toni-Pierce Sands. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Alonzo King LINES Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Dominican University of California. During her training, she worked with choreographers including Maurya Kerr, Mike Tyus and Luca Francesco, Gianna Burright, Gregory Dawson, and Brett Conway. She spent summers attending programs such as Henny Jurriëns Studio intensives (LA)HORDE Repertoire led by Elena Valls and Pina Bausch Repertoire - Utopina Repertory Lab led by Azusa Seyama-Prioville, Orsolina28 with Jacob Jonas, Whim W'him with Olivier Wevers and Maurya Kerr, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. This is Edie's first year as an apprentice with the CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. You can see Edie perform this coming May 15-17th at The School at TU Dance Center Student Spring Showcase featuring students from The School at TU Dance Center and dancers from CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. For more information & to purchase tickets visit: /tudc-2026-student-spring-showcase-cultivate-a-trainee-program-may-15-17/ Photos by Kari Mosel Photography, Movement Direction and Styling by Toni Pierce-Sands, Mural by Biafra Inc, Rock Cyfi Martinez, and WUNDR. Photos made possible by TU Dance’s CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program with support from The Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation and MSAB Arts Education Grant

CULTIVATE Featured Artist: Madeleine Hall! "Dance connects us to each other, the earth, and those who came before us. It is full of magic, and we need all the magic we can get these days." -Madeleine Hall Madeleine Hall (CULTIVATE Apprentice) is a queer movement artist and filmmaker from Orlando, FL. They received their BFA in Dance Performance and Psychology from Butler University, where they performed classical ballets and contemporary works by Jennifer Archibald and Susan McGuire, and created interdisciplinary projects supported by three consecutive JCA Collaboration Grants. In addition to their stage work, she has produced more than 30 short dance films, with selections featured in local and international festivals. Madeleine performed with Ballet Co.Laboratory last year before joining TU Dance this season. They also serve as a teaching artist with Ballet Co.Laboratory and Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center, supporting the next generation of dancers. Madeleine is grateful to continue performing, creating, and teaching throughout the Twin Cities arts community! You can see Maddy perform this coming May 15-17th at The School at TU Dance Center Student Spring Showcase, featuring students from The School at TU Dance Center and dancers from CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. For more information & to purchase tickets visit: /tudc-2026-student-spring-showcase-cultivate-a-trainee-program-may-15-17/.

CULTIVATE Featured Artist Cam Wang! “Art is appreciated through various forms in our everyday lives. It often expresses feelings or thoughts that words cannot.” -Cam Wang Cam Wang (CULTIVATE Apprentice) graduated from Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA) in 2024. He is a second year apprentice with TU Dance’s CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. He has been dancing for 18 years and is in his 6th year with TU Dance as a student and apprentice. In addition to his training at TU Dance Center, he has also performed with Darrius Strong’s STRONGmovement, Classical Ballet Academy, Ballet Co.Laboratory, and Saint Paul Ballet. Cam enjoys broadening his horizons in various styles and is excited to continue his dance journey with CULTIVATE this year. You can see him perform this coming May 15-17th at The School at TU Dance Center Student Spring Showcase featuring students from The School at TU Dance Center and dancers from CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program. (link in comments)

For those of you who were able to join us this past weekend, thank you for joining us for "Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Toni Pierce-Sands" at The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University for an unforgettable evening of movement, memory, and community featuring works by Alvin Ailey, Ronald K. Brown, and Loyce Houlton. Together we celebrated the energy, grace, and passion that defined Toni's enduring spirit--and the boundless ripples she has created in the dance world that will continue to inspire generations to come. In case you missed it...We would also like to announce "The Toni Pierce-Sands Legacy Fund"! The Toni Pierce-Sands Legacy Fund sustains and strengthens TU Dance’s artistic work by supporting the full range of production expenses that bring performances to life. Established in honor of Founder and Artistic Director Toni Pierce-Sands, the fund invites donors to carry forward her vision of excellence, generosity, and community-centered creation. Rooted in Toni’s lifelong commitment to artistry, mentorship, and opportunity, the Toni Pierce-Sands Legacy Fund ensures that her spirit continues to guide TU Dance’s work and inspire future generations of dancers and creators. For more information, please visit: /toni-pierce-sands-legacy-fund/