PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTO GALLERY
MARY SIGWARD
COLLABORATORS: PAST + PRESENT
CHARLES RUDIG often composes for limited sonic and material resources, pairing new music ensembles with obsolete consumer technologies such as the Game Boy and the SK-1 sampler. He has written for new music powerhouses such as the Mivos Quartet, Hypercube, Contemporaneous, and the JACK Quartet.
MS+A is thrilled to work with Charles on two collaborations: In Translation (2024), a pensive duet set to Charles' "Speaker for the Dead"; and an arrangement in a system to pointing (2024), a tender work with new music composed by Charles.
photo: Renata Dabdoub
photo: Jim Coleman
DESHAWN MORTON’s dance journey began at the age of 16 at Tacoma’s School of The Arts, where he delved into the world of modern dance. He attained a BFA in dance from the University of Arizona, where he specialized in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz disciplines. From teaching at his alma mater, Tacoma’s School of The Arts, and Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.), to leading Master Classes across the country, his influence knows no bounds. Deshawn's performance resume includes dancing notable works by choreographers such as Kabby Mitchell III, Donald Byrd, Tammy Dyke-Compton and Cyrus Khambatta.
Past MS+A performances include Spectacle (2023).
EMILY WALTER is a versatile dancer specializing in modern and contemporary dance. She was born in Olympia, WA, where she trained with Ballet Northwest and Johansen Olympia Dance Center. She received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance from Point Park University where she performed works by Yin Yue, Kyle Abraham, Pearlann Porter and Martha Graham. Emily is starting her second season with international touring company, Khambatta Dance Company. Off the stage you can find Emily teaching, creating, and adventuring.
Past MS+A performances include Nebeneffekt (2024).
photo: Collete Mruk Photography
photo: Rowan Wernham
photo: Jean-Paul Builes
“Jarring, compelling” (Washington Post) HYPERCUBE embraces the boundaries of chamber music, featuring cutting-edge works for saxophone, guitar, piano/accordion and percussion, while spanning electric and acoustic worlds. The NYC-based quartet has appeared as featured guest performer on The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (Washington DC), LPR presents (NYC), Ritornello Chamber Music Festival (Saskatoon) and the 40th International Festival of New Music “Manuel Enríquez” (Mexico City).
MS+A is thrilled to work with Hypercube on In Translation (2024), a pensive work set to "Speaker for the Dead" by Charles Rudig.
KAITLYN NGUYEN trained at The Ailey School and received a BFA at the University of California, Irvine in Dance Performance and a minor in Business Management, where she worked with the late Donald McKayle. She danced with NYC-area companies Nimbus Dance Works, iKada Contemporary Dance, Armitage Gone! Dance, and in Southern California, with Re:borN Dance Interactive. Kaitlyn became a mother to Lucile in 2018, and moved to Seattle to dance with Spectrum Dance Theater and Seattle Opera under Donald Byrd, joining Khambatta Dance Company in 2023.
Past MS+A performances include In Translation (2024), Nebeneffekt (2024), and Spectacle (2023).
LAEL BATTISTE, originally from New Orleans, grew up in Dallas, Texas. She moved to Seattle in 2020 to attend Cornish College of the Arts, from which she graduated in December 2023. Lael has co-produced, choreographed, and performed in two evening-length performances in 2023 and 2024, alongside Margaux Gex. Lael has worked with renowned choreographers such as Madison Hicks, Alicia Mullikin, Alfonso Cervera, and Hannah Victoria. Past MS+A performances include
Past MS+A performances include an arrangement in a system to pointing (2024), and Nebeneffekt (2024).
photo: Jennifer James-Long
NATHAN COOK is originally from Tacoma, WA, and received his training from Washington Contemporary Ballet, Spectrum Dance Theater, & Pacific Northwest Ballet. He has had the pleasure of working with esteemed choreographers such as Adam Miller, Julie Tobiason, Jennifer Porter, Sayoko Knode, Jessie Jeanne Stinnett, and Cyrus Khambatta. Nathan currently dances with Khambatta Dance Company and serves as the School Principal of Evergreen City Ballet.
Past MS+A performances include Spectacle (2023).
photo: Jim Coleman
photo: Eric Hovermale
RHEA KELLER is an independent dance artist in Seattle, Washington. Since moving to Seattle, she has worked with Beth Terwilleger, Alana Rogers, Kyrin Grey, Cameo Lethem, Bennyroyce Royon, Nikki Cardona, Emily Schoen Branch, and Mary Sigward. She has previously danced for Newport Contemporary Ballet, Central Illinois Ballet, and Rochester City Ballet. Her work created in collaboration with Leah Russell has been performed at the Seattle International Dance Festival and Newport Dance Festival. Her own work has been featured at the Rhode Island Women’s Choreography Project, Sunset Hill Walking Arts Fair, and Fuselage Dance Film Festival.
Past MS+A performances include an arrangement in a system to pointing (2024) and Spectacle (2023).