2022-2023 Alumni
Kadie Cooper
ImmerseATL taught me that I have to be the one to push. The barriers I create in my mind, the worlds of fear can be broken. When I was at ImmerseATL, everyday was about moving forward and feeling out what was next.
Happenings around town: Most recently I have become a member of the Noyes School of Rhythm - a 103 year old somatic practice that uses natural imagery, mythology and community to reconnect to one’s own identity in art. I was also just called to be a guest artist for an opera in Hattiesburg Mississippi. However that show is in November.
LEARN MORE: @Kadiecooper_
photo by Jess Ortega
Rachel Love
ImmerseATL taught me how to confidently navigate dance spaces •to savor movement •that you already have everything you need/want inside of you•to begin before you’re ready! •how to approach choreography in a way that is authentic to myself as a mover •to stay curious •that less is more •that if you are engaged in your movement other people will see that •what’s important to you as an artist is the most important thing
Happenings around town: Nadya Zeitlin’s Site-Specific Dance Hub •VIAUNI Company Member
LEARN MORE: @rachel.love14
photo by Synapse Photography
McKenzie Nguyen
ImmerseATL taught me:
I've gained a heightened sense of body awareness through the program. Understanding how my body moves, the nuances of different muscle groups, and the connection between movement and emotions has been enlightening. ImmerseATL has encouraged me to think outside the box and explore my creative boundaries. I've learned to embrace experimentation and take risks, which has not only improved my dancing but also spilled over into other aspects of my life. The program has enriched my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. It's taught me skills that extend far beyond my expectations and has fostered personal growth and development that will stay with me for years to come.
Happenings around town: I am performing a show called IMAGE NATION with Xcel Talent Agency featuring choreographic works from some of the top dance industries choreographers: Kiki Ely, Jeremy Green, Chris Lucky, Marc Innis, Bubba Carr, and Brady Michael, and more on August 17th. I was recently accepted into a dance company called VIAUNI for Szn 2 Directed by Xavier Lewis Update on my life. I would say after a year of being a part of multiple training/mentorship programs, my vision of what I want to strive for is starting to become clear and has opened up new paths for me.
LEARN MORE: @mckenzie.nguyen
photo by Bubba Carr
Haley Wall
ImmerseATL taught me how to be an artist! I feel as though I have a voice and a clear viewpoint. It helped me sharped my processing skills and how I can show up in a space as myself with the ability to contribute in meaningful ways. It allowed me to build lifelong connections that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It truly is like no other!
Happenings around town: After Immerse, I've traveled to Dothan, AL to premier a work by a former Immerse Alum, Emily Davis entitled 'plight myth' presented by Alabama Dance Works. Most recently I attended the staibdance summer in Italy program, a two week intensive located in Sorrento, Italy working with artists from Batsheva, J. Wilton Dance, and more. I'm continuing to develop a personal work of my own, and loving being in the studio with new friends!
LEARN MORE: @lovelanguage
photo by SJR Photography
2021-2022 Alumni
Charlotte Angermeier
ImmerseATL taught me the incredible power of saying "yes AND". Immerse showed me how to invest in myself and what I want to explore, dig deeper into movement research, uncover what I want as an artist, and gave me an incredible platform for mentorship and connections in the ATL dance community.
Beyond ImmerseATL: I was recently a resident artist for the Meli Kaye Artist Residency at Decatur School of Ballet where I created and presented my work "no phones at the dinner table", which was inspired by food and our unique and often complex relationship with it. Currently, I am thrilled to be working with fellow ImmerseATL alum Jacqui Hinkson and Excavate Body to present their work "AVALANCHE" which will be shown late August! I have my sights set on creating more work to share with my Atlanta dance community throughout the upcoming season, as well as plan on teaching pop up classes on a month to month bases. Stay tuned!
LEARN MORE: @charlotteangermeier & charlotteangermeierdance.com
photo by Art Davison
Emily Davis
ImmerseATL taught me to let go of what it all looks like, and instead embrace the intuition and the feeling. How powerful connection to each other and our environment can be. To maintain and follow through with an intention or goal.
Beyond ImmerseATL: I have been in process, training, and performing with Nadya Zeitlin of Bautanzt Here, The City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs for the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, Xavier Lewis and Mary Beth Stinson as a company member with VIAUNI, Atarius Armstrong as a company member of ALA Dance, and most recently dancing/working administratively for Frankie Freeman’s new movement collective living at the Windmill Arts Center and supported by Fly on a Wall called MSquared. I have been apart of 2 productions Directed by Asia Meana (Fly On A Wall Summer Resident 2022) and choreographed by Sarah Wildman “Navigators” at RoleCall Theater and “On - Six Short Plays by Samuel Beckett” out of Push Push Theater. I participated in the 2023 Decatur School of Ballet’s Meli Kaye Artist Residency dancing in the works of Charlotte Angermeier and Meaghan Novoa. I have been teaching and training with EC Fajardo and Perlizbeth De Leon’s - Uprising Dance Company, as well as assisting/collaborating with Danni Heverin at Xcel Studios + Dance Masters of America. In August of ‘23, I presented the first iteration of my work with 6 dancers - titled Plight Myth at The Impact Project of Alabama Dance Works- a community arts event held at the Dothan Civic Center. I am a dance educator at The Neighborhood Ballet where I am honored to teach all styles of dance to ages 3-adult. I am passionate about teaching to share the lifeline that movement can be. To give the next generation a platform to find physical liberation and honesty.
LEARN MORE: @emilyaadavis
photo by Neely Townes
Liv Bryant
ImmerseATL taught me: Among many other gems, Immerse taught me that there is always space for me, and to push pass my limits and then at least two inches more.
LEARN MORE: @livbrynt
photo by Synapse Photography
Simona Lucchi
ImmerseATL taught me that there are a million and one ways to be a dancer, and that there's nothing wrong with following your own path. ImmerseATL truly gave me the confidence to trust in my own unique dance journey, and I couldn't be more grateful for having participated in the program.
LEARN MORE: @simona_099
photo by Synapse Photography
Zoë Carter
ImmerseATL taught me how to take ownership of the choreography given to me and to value my embodied knowledge as an artist. ImmerseATL taught me to give myself to possibility and to always be ready to shift an idea as needed.
Beyond ImmerseATL: Recently I've been focusing on my passion for the intersection of film, movement, and interactive media. Last October I finished my concept video, " Young, Gifted &Black" which I directed and choreographed. I worked as an intern for The National Black Arts Festival and I just finished my summer internship with One Story Up Productions, an Emmy-winning documentary production company. I'm currently in pre-production for my thesis film, which will be an Afro-surrealist horror focused on an extraordinary dancer. My work as a choreographer and dancer influences everything I do, and I'm excited to showcase my choreography in my thesis.
LEARN MORE: @zoebcarter
photo by Ari Skin
Mercy Matthews
ImmerseATL taught me perseverance in the unknown, and to push past limits/barriers. It's all in your mind, and what others tell you or make you think about yourself are false, the only person you have to prove wrong is yourself. Sarah instilled that in me, and showed me that I was capable of so much more than I ever would've thought. I left the program feeling so confident with what I had to bring to the table in the Arts community. Knowing who you are, and your capabilities is so key in any art form, and Immerse was just the beginning of that journey for me.
Beyond ImmerseATL: Company member with Xavier Lewis's company VIA UNI - José Limón Reconstruction project with Movement Arts Atlanta - Teacher at Neighborhood Ballet
LEARN MORE @mercy.taylor
photo by shotsbynauds
2020-2021 Alumni
MAILE GRIFFETH
ImmerseATL taught me to always explore my movement and continuously work on who I am as an artist. ImmerseATL gave me a space to discover who I am as an artist and grow fully into myself as a person.
LEARN MORE: @maile_mg
photo by Daylilies Photography
JACQUELINE HINKSON
ImmerseATL taught me to seek expansion in many directions, follow my curiosity and intuition, and to let ideas live: to continue digging into them even when it may seem that the light is going out. ImmerseATL fostered a space for me to connect more deeply to myself, crack open any and all ideas, and push past what I thought was possible physically, mentally, and spiritually.
LEARN MORE: @excavatebody & excavatebody.com
photo by Lyndsey Mcdevitt
ANDIE KNUDSON
ImmerseATL taught me to jump off the cliff and take the risk. It taught me to get comfortable with the unknown and explore what's possible beyond the comfort of my control. It nourished my curiosity, cultivated my voice, and emboldened my spirit.
Beyond ImmerseATL: I am currently working as a freelance performer in ATL, and have performed works of José Limón, Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane, George Staib, Excavate Body, and others. The past two summers I've spent abroad studying with programs such as Oriantheatre’s Paris Summer Academy (2022 Paris, France) and staibdance's Summer Intensive (2023 Sorrento, Italy). I've also choreographed works for Fly On A Wall’s 2023 production of Excuse The Art, Fall for Fall Dance Festival, AM Collab, and Rise City Dance. Apart from performing, I Co-Direct Rise City Dance’s contemporary training company, Unbound, develop curriculum as the Program Director at Neighborhood Ballet, work as ImmerseATL’s Administrative Director, and run my own media company!
LEARN MORE: @andieknudson & @andiek.media
photo by Jacquelyn Kay Photography
DEVIN LATHAM
ImmerseATL taught me to challenge the path I believed was for me and find my own personal voice. The importance of connecting with every dancer I meet.
LEARN MORE: @jennvious
photo by Jose Gutierrez
CHRISTAL ROSS
ImmerseATL taught me to remain true to who I am as a mover, but be open to developing a deeper understanding and connection with movement, and letting it transform into something bigger.
LEARN MORE: @christalross22
photo by Natalie Chuck
GRACIE SPINA
ImmerseATL taught me many things, one of which being unapologetic in everything that I do. ImmerseATL allowed me to discover who I am as a dancer, as an artist, and as a human being. I was also provided with the tools I needed to establish myself within the professional dance industry here in Atlanta, and ImmerseATL was an amazing springboard into my professional career.
LEARN MORE: @gracie.spinaa
photo by Bubba Carr
2019-2020 Alumni
PAYTON HORTON
ImmerseATL taught me the consistency in feeling valued from instructors and finding that value in myself. ImmerseATL changed my life and dancing for the better.
LEARN MORE: @soitspayton
JACOB LAVOIE
ImmerseATL taught me:
ImmerseATL gave me permission to be my authentic self throughout all aspects of the artistic process.
photo by Liam Campbell
HAILEY ROSE WALSH
ImmerseATL taught me to not always strive for perfection. That the things that you perceive to be 'right' and 'proper' aren't always the answer.
LEARN MORE: @haileyrosey
photo by Bubba Carr
2018-2019 Alumni
LEO BRIGGS
ImmerseATL taught me:
I am grateful that ImmerseATL encouraged me and pushed me to take risks. During such a transitional period in life, it's easy to play it safe. ImmerseATL creates a rich learning environment where artists can dive in and do things that scare them.
Beyond ImmerseATL: Leo is currently in their first year of the Dance & Social Justice MFA at the University of Texas at Austin.
LEARN MORE: laurabriggsmoves.com & @lbriggsmoves
photo by Tomas Ponce
MAIA CHARANIS
ImmerseATL taught me to explore new types of movement that I was far less comfortable in at the start of the program. It also taught me that it is important to have confidence in yourself and your growth.
LEARN MORE: charanis.com/maia & @m.charanis
photo by Jim Charanis
PATSY COLLINS
ImmerseATL taught me the physical language and support I needed to pursue a fruitful career in movement and creation.
Beyond ImmerseATL: I am putting on my first-ever evening length work, "subzero" on September 10 at Callanwolde Fine Arts! I currently work as a marketing contractor for the Emory University Dance Program, DanceAtlanta & staibdance. I recently performed with staibdance at the American Dance Festival at Duke University, and will perform in their upcoming work ARARAT in October 2023.
LEARN MORE: patsycollins.com & @patsy_collins
photo by Christina Massad
MARY-EVELYN KIRKLAND
ImmerseATL taught me to make choices authentically and move from a place of honesty
LEARN MORE: @mevkirkland
photo by Julius Ahn
SARAH DIAMOND
ImmerseATL taught me that whether I am working in the studio or performing on stage, there is always space to dive deeper into the physicality of an idea. During my time with ImmerseATL I also found how to shed away layers of shyness and timidness so that I feel more confident and clear in my movement and choices. ImmerseATL taught me how to move fully and unapologetically.
LEARN MORE: @dancingdiamonds
photo by David Flores
CATHERINE MESSINA
ImmerseATL taught me:
That I am a fighter and a believer that through hard work, things will come. That I care about my cohort around me, and lifting as I climb. That I deserve to be in spaces where I feel valued and love the people in the room.That performance opportunities are out there, waiting to be grabbed.
Beyond ImmerseATL: After dancing in Atlanta for 7 wonderful years with companies such as Kit Modus, Core Dance, and a variety of independent artists, I moved to New York. There I’ve worked with Yoshito Sakuraba, Fern Katz, and Emmy Wildermuth, among others, and officially launched my own company, rogue wave. I have shown my work in Atlanta, Richmond, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin at a variety of theaters. Our evening length, bouquet, will be shown in the Fall of 2023. But, my journey with Atlanta is not over, coming down to guest perform and run my festival - The Fall for Fall/Spring for Spring Dance Festival - an outdoor, traveling dance festival where I show over 30 new community works over a weekend.
LEARN MORE: @katiekat_13 & @roguewaveroguewave & @fall4fall_spring4spring
Photo by Mike Hurwitz for KYL/D’s Inhale Performance Series
2017-2018 Alumni
ELIZA KRAKOWER
ImmerseATL taught me:
During the time when I needed it most, ImmerseATL did just that: It enabled me to fully immerse myself in the Atlanta world of dance and connect with key individuals and organizations that make Atlanta's dance and arts scene what it is. The program emphasizes the importance of training, normalizes dancers' need to continue to hone their craft long after graduating from college, and provides a supportive community within a community to enable students to develop into their own uniquely authentic artists and humans.
LEARN MORE: @eliza.krakower
PATRICK OTSUKI
ImmerseATL taught me:
ImmerseATL nurtures a strong work ethic that allows you to push the boundaries of your own artistry.
LEARN MORE: @orca.pork
BAILEY JO HARBAUGH
ImmerseATL taught me to find pleasure in nonlinear growth. Connecting to places with no generation at all. Agency to take up space as I am. I could come to our space at the exact place I was at each week and find everything or nothing, without any judgment or assessment in the process.ImmerseATL taught me to be unafraid of the fullness of my body.
LEARN MORE: @bailizzle
