Kate Ashworth (Stage Manager)

Gina Bolles (Dancer)

After graduating from UCLA with degrees in Mass Media Communication Studies and Political Science, Gina danced with modern dance companies in New York and San Francisco, including Stephan Koplowitz's The Grand Step Project, Kirstin E. Williams' Strong Current Dance Company and the collaborative High Release Dance. She has taught at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, and at the 2007 Northwest Region American College Dance Festival in Montana. She was recently awarded a Gary E. Smith Summer Research Grant and a Center for Study of Women in Society Research Grant to study the classical Indian dance Bharatanatyam in Bangalore, India. As a Graduate Teaching Fellow at the University of Oregon, Gina teaches Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop. Her MFA research is related to identifying target learners for imagery cues in dance classrooms, and developing strategies for non-narrative concert design. Gina is currently serving as the President of the ASUO student group Dance Oregon.

Jessica Goodburn (Dancer)

Jessica began her dance training in Missoula, MT, where she performed with On Center Dance and choreographed for her high school drama department. She came to the university to study writing, but gradually became more involved in the dance department when she realized she couldn’t stay away. Now majoring in both dance and humanities, she is planning an honors college thesis comparing the creative processes of choreographing dance and writing poetry. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing, and eventually, to found a modern dance company that works in collaboration with writers and musicians in the community. Jessica is currently completing a Pilates instructor certification program so she can teach mat and reformer classes at the Midtown Pilates Center in Eugene.

Carrie Goodnight (Dancer)

Carrie Goodnight began dancing in pink tights and pink shoes, but by high school had branched out into modern, jazz, and tap technique with the Tacoma Performing Dance Company. At Carleton College, in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, she masqueraded as an English major while dancing in Semaphore Repertory Company and directing the all-student amateur dance ensemble on campus. After graduation, she spent time in New York dancing with Sapphire Moon Dance Company, forming a small artist collaborative known as Spoon & Fork, and getting her Pilates certification. She remains interested in creative collaborations, especially with musicians, and supports teaching techniques which incorporate injury prevention awareness.

David Johnson (Apprentice/Production Assistant)

Karta Purkh Khalsa (Dancer)

Karta Purkh Khalsa, a native of Tennessee, a lover of New York and a student of India, is currently a junior in the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance.  This is her first year performing with the University of Oregon Repertory Dance Company, and she is highly grateful for the opportunity to bring her passion for dance into the wider community. Karta Purkh has been dancing since she was walking, and with every step finds that it becomes an ever-greater part of her life.  She has a background mostly in modern, as well as ballet and jazz.  She was trained in classical Indian dance, while studying abroad in Amritsar, India.  She has performed many times in UO faculty, graduate student, and undergraduate student works.  Karta Purkh recently performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, while attending the American College Dance Festival. Her enthusiasm and integrity for movement has led her to seek out further opportunities in the professional dance arena, and she is looking forward to attending the Bates College Dance Festival this July.

Marcie Mamura (Assistant Tour Coordinator)

Marcie Mamura graduated from Kansas State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Dance.  While at KSU, she danced with the Kansas State Repertory Dance Company-performing and leading educational outreach.  To further her interests in connecting with the community, she taught and choreographed for the Washington Dance Studio in KS as well as for the Community Theatre in her Iowa hometown. She attended the Summer Intensive Program at the Alvin Ailey Dance Center in NY.  Following graduation, she moved to Chicago to continue studies in dance in conjunction with her volunteer involvement in AmeriCorps.  She studied with Jump Rhythm Jazz Project and at the Joel Hall Dance Center while in Chicago.   She welcomes the excitement of her newest adventure as a Graduate Teaching Fellow in Dance at the University of Oregon!

Sara Beth Parker (Dancer)

Sara Beth Parker was born and raised in Salem, Oregon, where as a child she regularly choreographed to Paula Abdul with neighborhood kids and family friends. Growing up, Sara participated in activities such as piano lessons, clarinet lessons, drama class, choir, volleyball, track and cheerleading.  After three years as a South Salem HS varsity cheerleader (including a stint as captain), she began her formal dance training in March of 2005 at the University of Oregon.  In addition to the University of Oregon Dance Department, her training includes dance studies in hip hop and jazz with Lorena Aranda and Damon Keller, and ballet with Zoe Lisa Banton at City Dance Theatre. Currently, Sara studies under the direction of Donna Marisa Bontrager at Ballet Fantastique.  Recent local performance appearances include those both with the UO Dance Department and Ballet Fantastique.  Sara also channels her passion for teaching and choreography--usually minus Paula these days--via teaching internships in modern dance and pre-ballet (respectively) with City Dance Theatre and Ballet Fantastique.  Her senior project researched and created an original and developmentally-appropriate pre-ballet syllabus for children.

Rebecca Stiehl (Dancer)

Rebecca Stiehl is currently a third year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in dance, and a minor in Art. After beginning her competitive dance training in high school, she continued to study at Western Oregon University, and the University of Oregon . In addition to the UO Faculty Dance Concert, professional performance experience includes summer tours with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (KY) and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps(OH). She works as a color guard technician for the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as a dance teacher at several local middle schools. As a first year member of the UO Reparatory Dance Company, Rebecca is excited to be representing Dance Oregon across the state.