Mover | Makers

  • Abbie Armbrecht, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, began dancing at the age of 3. After dancing competitively growing up, she attended the Ohio State University to achieve both her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. During her time at OSU, she was fortunate to work with choreographers such as Susan Hadley, Sofie Ann Clemmenson, Daniel Roberts, Crystal Perkins, and Eddie Taketa. Since graduating in 2021, Abbie has enjoyed teaching dance around Columbus and having the privilege to be a part of WhirlWind’s growth in its first year being based in Columbus. Abbie is looking forward to being a Mover | Maker in WhirlWind’s upcoming 23-24 season!

  • Abby Jones is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher originally from Greenwood, Indiana. She began her training at The Dance Company of Indianapolis where she continues to teach and choreograph when available. She recently graduated from Indiana University with a BFA in Contemporary Dance, a BA in Psychology, and is certified in mat pilates. Abby has had additional training experience and opportunities in a vast number of cities including Lucca, Italy, Chicago, New York City, and Salt Lake City. Abby is currently a company member for WhirlWind Dance Company in Columbus, Ohio. During her time at IU, Abby was cast in several main stage production performances and has worked with several choreographers such as Beatrice Capote, Elizabeth Shea, Evelyn Wang, Cameron McKinney, Lalah Hazelwood, Braeden Barnes, Erik Abbott Main, and Stafford C. Berry Jr. Abby has also had opportunities to choreograph a diverse range of pieces at IU. Other training and performance opportunities have allowed her to work closely under the guidance of Maya Orchin, Andy Noble, Andrea Ward, Omari Wiles, Julian Barnett, and Stefanie Nelson (Dance Italia), Brandon and Hannah Welch, Lindsey Matheis, Azuki Umeda, and Connie Sweeney. In 2022, Abby also performed in New York City for the FETNA conference under the guidance of Dr. Prathiba Natesan Batley.

  • Abigail Jane Wood was born in Laramie, Wyoming, where she studied with Laramie Dance Studio, Dance Studio B, and the University of Wyoming until moving to Texas to attend the Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program. She received her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2021 and her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Point Park University in the Spring of 2023. During her BFA training, Abigail worked with faculty such as Jason McDole, Kiki Lucas, Kiesha Lalama, Jesse Factor, Slowdanger, and Jae Man Joo. Recently, Abigail has worked with Joshua Manculich, Nicole Von Arx, Christian Denice, Flockworks, Peter Chu, Joseph Hernandez, Ursula Payne, Olivier Wevers, Yin-Yue, and Sarah Cerneaux. Abigail takes inspiration from her family, communities, and the beauty of the outdoors. Dance has taken her all over the world, and she hopes to continue traveling to new places as often as possible. Abigail is eager to join the Columbus arts community as a professional dancer with the WhirlWind Dance Company.

  • Abby Schafer was exposed to both competitive and professional dance while growing up in Aurora, Illinois. She developed her movement at Steps Dance Center, eventually transitioning to Extensions Dance Company’s pre-professional training under Lizzie Mackenzie. As a young dancer, Abby performed in Ron De Jesus’ Chicago production of The Osiris Legend and as a guest with Dance in the Parks. Abby received a BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University; honing her passion through a vigorous combination of technical training, choreography, pedagogy, and nationwide performances. She has performed in festivals at the Alvin Ailey theater as well as other acclaimed events in New York City, Chicago, Houston, Salt Lake City, and Palm Desert. She has participated in works by esteemed choreographers such as Alice Klock, Shen Wei, Gabrielle Lamb, and Lauren Edson. Abby has performed as a founding company member with Whirlwind Dance, as well as a company Dancer with NobleMotion Dance and Salt 2. Grateful for the tutelage and guidance of her mentors, she is eager to continue sharing her passion with the WhirlWind community.

  • Alizé Raptou grew up in Columbus, OH. In 2019, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Throughout her time at OSU, she had the opportunity to work with the phenomenal faculty, including extensive training with Eddie Taketa, Daniel Roberts, Karen Elliott, and Susan Hadley. It was during her time at OSU that Alizé met Artistic Director of WhirlWind Dance, Joshua Manculich. During her college career, Alizé was given the opportunity to perform in pieces by Eddie Taketa, Columbus choreographer Martine Clark, and various student works. She also was honored to perform in the Ohio State Dance & BalletMet joint production of Batsheva Dance Company’s Minus 16. In 2023, Alizé graduated with her Master’s of Science in Anatomy and is now pursuing her PhD in the same, with research interests involving the integration of dance and anatomy. Continuing on with WhirlWind Dance as a Mover | Maker for the 2nd official season, Alizé is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to pursue all of her passions simultaneously. She is thrilled that the WhirlWind swirled through town and picked her up, and she hopes that its breeze lifts you up as well!

  • Allie Rodriguez is a dancer and choreographer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Sam Houston State University. As a performer, Allie was an original member of WhirlWind Dance Company for its debut in 2021, as well as collaborating and performing works by Sidra Bell, Shen Wei, Joshua Manculich, Evelyn Toh, and Andy and Dionne Noble during her time at SHSU. She has performed in Houston's “Barnstorm Dance Festival” in 2019 doing Rasika Borses’ Garba: A Circle of Celebration, and again in 2022 performing Morgan Sandlin’s spare me. Most recently she performed in WhirlWind’s “Me, You, Us” showcase in February 2023 where she performed and collaborated in Morgan Sandlin's tastes like grapes, feels like velvet. As a choreographer, she has showcased her works No.36, May I?, and *freudian slip respectfully during her time in undergrad. She is excited to be back with the WhirlWind family for the 23-24 season!

  • Auriana Carrington from Pittsburgh, PA received her BFA in Dance from Slippery Rock University (SRU) with dual concentrations in Performance and Choreography and Studio Ownership and Entrepreneurship. She was honored to receive the 2023 Outstanding BFA Award and Scholarship for her success and achievements. She recently had the opportunity to choreograph and produce IN STAGES, an independent concert in Stoner West Theater. At SRU, she has performed in many student, faculty, and guest works, and has taken advantage of all opportunities to choreograph. Her self-choreographed solo, I Can Find My Way, has been selected to perform in SRU Dance Department’s accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Dance, Dancewave Through College and Beyond Screening, Koresh Artist Showcase, Cleveland Dance Fest, and the Emerging Artists Concert. Carrington also has television experience competing on NBC’s World of Dance in Los Angeles, CA and the Universal Dance Association National Competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. She will be attending the 2023 American Dance Festival Summer Intensive on scholarship and looks forward to joining WhirlWind Dance in Columbus, OH as a Mover | Maker for the 2023-2024 season.

  • Austin Shaffer, an Ohio native, recently received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Slippery Rock University with a concentration in Performance and Choreography. During his time at Slippery Rock, Austin worked closely with Jesse Factor, Jennifer Keller, Ursula Payne, Melissa Teodoro, and Lindsay Viatori. He has performed works by Bill T. Jones, Brian Brooks, Helen Simoneau, Joshua Manculich, Cameron McKinney, Ursula Payne, Bill Evans and many student works. While receiving his BFA, Austin was a member of the Palenque Colombian Dance Ensemble, Student Dance Advisory Board, National Honor Society of Dance Arts, and SRU Dance Theater. His latest work “At Fault” was recently selected to be performed in the gala at the American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic North Conference. He has performed and presented works at the Koresh Artist Showcase, American College Dance Association Conference, and Cleveland Dance Festival. In the fall, Austin will be dancing with WhirlWind Dance, a professional contemporary dance company in Columbus, Ohio, under the direction of Joshua Manculich.

  • Currently based in Columbus, OH, Justin Curry (he/him) is an emerging dancer, choreographer, film-maker, and educator with a BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University. Justin’s professional performance career includes WhirlWind Dance Company, NobleMotion Dance Company, Houston Fringe Festival, Barnstorm Dance Festival, Sam Houston State University Department of Dance, and five years performing for Drum Corps International & Winter Guard International. Justin has presented his choreographic works internationally with highly esteemed organizations such as Eisenhower Dance Detroit, SALT Dance Company, Big Muddy Dance Company, NobleMotion Dance Company, Dance Film Association in NYC, Austin Dance Festival, Auro Apaar Dance Film Festival in India, Dance Source Houston, Vision Dance Company, Jacksonville Dance Film Festival, and Sam Houston State University. Justin has danced for many brilliant choreographers such as Joshua Manculich, Norbet De La Cruz III, Travis Lake, Gregory Dolbashian, Francisco Graciano, Takehiro Ueyama, Andy Noble, Evelyn Toh, Alyssa Edwards, and more. Outside of dancing, Justin is also a certified group fitness instructor with AKT (Anna Kaiser Technique).

  • Morgan Sandlin is a choreographer, dancer, and teacher with a BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University. She is currently based out of Austin, Texas, working as a sports massage therapist, chiropractic assistant, and dance teacher alongside producing her own choreography both locally and nationally. Morgan has presented work across the U.S., including Barnstrom Dance Festival (HTX), Houston Fringe Festival (HTX), 5x7 Dance Festival (ATX), Big Muddy ScreenDance 2021, and Dance Work Chicago’s DanceChance. She was a 2022 recipient of Aimed Dance Company’s Emerging Choreographer Fellowship, resulting in her piece, i beg your PARdon?, premiering at the company’s Summer Fest in 2022, as well as being commissioned by Bellingham Repertory Dance to reset her stage work, spare me, for the company’s fall 2022 season. As a performer, Sandlin was one of the original members of Joshua Manculich’s WhirlWind Dance Company (HTX 2021), as well as working with Andrew and Dionne Noble, Adele Nickel, and Donald Shorter Jr. during her time at SHSU. She is rejoining Columbus based dance company WhirlWind Dance for their 23-24 season this fall, and continues to perform her own work as well as collaborating with fellow artists locally.

  • Kiley Tiller is a dancer, choreographer, and educator originally from Kalamazoo, MI and holds a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University. During her undergraduate studies, Kiley worked with artists such as Tsai Hsi Hung, Yin Yue, Penny Saunders, Monique Haley, and Katy Copeland. She also performed with Western Dance Project, a touring dance ensemble with WMU Dance under the direction of Kelsey Paschich, and was Rehearsal Director for their 2022-2023 season. Kiley most recently performed with South Chicago Dance Theatre in Kia Smith's Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley, at the company's Auditorium Theatre debut. Kiley is now based in Columbus, OH and is excited to be a part of WhirlWind Dance Company as a Mover | Maker under the direction of Joshua Manculich.

  • Originally from Houston, Texas, Reagan Crandall is a dancer, performer, teacher, and choreographer. In May of 2022, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Sam Houston State University with a minor in Mass Communication. Prior to college, Reagan was a member of the METtoo Youth Company where she studied under Marlana Doyle and Genene Wallis-McGrath. She is a founding member of WhirlWind Dance Company and has had the opportunity to be a guest artist with Houston Contemporary and NobleMotion Dance. Reagan has been fortunate enough to work with choreographers such as Sidra Bell, Brandon Coleman, Gregory Dolbashian, Joshua Manculich, Lindsey Matheis, Andy Noble, Evelyn Toh, Shen Wei and many more!

  • From Grand Rapids, MI, Zach Bussert is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with his BBA in Dance & Marketing. Zach is a proud recipient of the Upper Division Dance Scholarship and Dance Program Scholarship. During his college career, he had the opportunity to work with several guest artists from around the country, including Yoshito Sakuraba, Wallie Wolgfruber, Paul Singh, Brian Enos, and Helanius Wilkins, to name a few. Post graduation, Zach danced with ConteXture Dance Detroit under the direction of Tracy Halloran. Most recently, Zach finished his first season as a Trainee with The Big Muddy Dance Company where he was able to perform works by notable choreographers such as Norbert de la Cruz III, Joshua L. Peugh, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and more. In his free time, Zach enjoys working with young dancers and choreographing for competitive dance studios. His work has been showcased across the country and receives many top placements and awards. Zach is excited to be joining WhirlWind as a Mover | Maker.

  • Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Evan Warner is a multifaceted dancer, educator, and choreographer with a BFA in dance from Sam Houston State University. Before his recent move to Columbus, Ohio to pursue his new role as a Mover | Maker with WhirlWind Dance Company, Evan spent seven years in Houston, Texas, where he performed two series of Austin McCormick’s production of “La Travita” with the Houston Grand Opera. Other notable dance organizations and choreographers that Evan has worked with include NobleMotion DanceCompany, Charlotte Bydwell, Gregory Dolbashian, Adele Nickel, Jim Moore, Evelyn Toh and Justin Curry. After completing his first year of graduate school studying dance at Sam Houston State University, Evan decided to pause his studies in order to diversify his educational experiences. Since 2016, Evan has served as a faculty member for many dance education programs such as Tompkins High School, Boni’s Performing Arts studio, Woodlands Ballet Theater, and has started a promising new relationship with Dublin Dance Center and Gymnastics. In addition to his dance career, Evan has an expansive background in music and the marching arts. With professional performances ranging from Palm Desert, California to New York City, New York, Evan looks forward to continuing to travel the world and making new connections through his love of dance.

  • Sophie Tiede is a dancer newly based in Columbus, Ohio. She grew up dancing in Plano, Texas, and has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Sam Houston State University. Her favorite part of dancing is taking part in the creative process and being in the room while a world is created for the stage. She has had the great fortune of working with choreographers such as Brian Stevens, Justin Giles, Joshua Manculich, Andy Noble, Evelyn Toh, Takehiro Ueyama, and more. Sophie is a Mover | Maker with WhirlWind Dance for her first season with the company.