E-BOARD

KATERINA PETROSKY

Co-President

Year: Senior

Major: Biological Sciences

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Dorie is so excited for her fourth year on Rise and her first year on Eboard. Before coming to Cornell, Dorie danced for 15 years at the Metropolitan Dance Theater of New Orleans where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop. Now, Dorie frequently spends her breaks from school with her MDTNO family as both a member of their auxiliary team and recently as a dance instructor! In addition to being on Rise, Dorie is also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, Cornell's community service fraternity, and can often be found playing piano, drinking coffee, or finding new movies to discuss. Dorie is so grateful to Rise for giving her a space to be creative as a dancer and a choreographer, as well as being one of the best parts of her college experience.

ANNA ROSE MARION

Diversity and Inclusion Chair

Year: Junior
Major: Environment and Sustainability

Hometown: Rye, NH

Anna Rose has been dancing for 17 years, training in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical. She trained with the Portsmouth School of Ballet School until high school when she began training at Phillips Exeter Academy. With the Phillips Exeter Dance Program, Anna Rose was lucky enough to participate with intensives with the Giordano Dance Company and the American Dance Festival. She has worked with numerous choreographers including Gregory Dolbashian of the DASH Ensemble. Additionally, Anna Rose was a dance captain for the Phillips Exeter Dance company numerous times and a frequent choreographer. Throughout her four years of high school, she choreographed seven pieces for the dance company and another six for various dance clubs in ballet and contemporary styles. At Cornell, she is studying ballet and modern under Byron Suber and Miles Yeung-Tieu respectively. She is currently apart of a modern choreography project directed by Miles Yeung-Tieu called Mapping the Moving Body for PMA's Locally Grown Dance Festival. Anna Rose is looking forward to continuing to learn and grow as a member of the Rise family!

Year: Senior

Major: Biology & Society

Hometown: Westchester, NY

Sia has been dancing for 16 years and was a dance teacher for 4 years. She attended and taught at Rising Stars Dance Studio, now known as All That Jazz Dance Studio, where she learned ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary. With her studio, she was also a competition dancer for 8 years. One of her favorite activities was performing with the Jets cheerleaders for cheer and dance night at Citifield. For high school, she attended Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, where she focused on ballet and modern for 4 years. During her time at this school, she performed at the Metropolitan Opera House with American Ballet Theatre. When Sia is not dancing or studying, she loves venturing in New York City and trying out new cuisines.

Year: Senior

Major: Biology & Society

Hometown: Stonington, CT

Kat has been dancing for 20 years, training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. She danced with the Junior Company of Mystic Ballet in Mystic, Connecticut starting at age 10 and performed with their professional company in shows such as the Nutcracker and the Little Mermaid while receiving her dance training. Kat also danced and choreographed in the Arts Department at The Williams School in New London, Connecticut and is very grateful to be able to continue these traditions throughout college while on Rise. At Cornell, Kat is pursuing minors in both dance and Spanish, and when she is outside of the studio, you can find her exploring Ithaca and spending time with family and friends. Kat could not be more excited to go into her fourth year on Rise!

SIA JAGNATNARAIN

Co-President

Vice President

DORIE LE

JOIE MENTRY

Treasurer

Year: Senior

Major: Industrial and Labor Relations

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Joie is so excited for her fourth year with Rise! She has been dancing for seventeen years, six of which were spent at Armstrong School of Dance here in Ithaca. There, she trained in a variety of styles including tap, jazz, contemporary, and ballet, and also taught as an assistant teacher for three years; she'll be returning to teach her own classes this year! While on the studio’s competitive team, Joie attended numerous competitions and conventions across New York State and qualified for awards and scholarships with both group and individual dances. In 2016, she had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Spirit of America Productions, and has also attended a summer intensive with the Radio City Rockettes. Here at Cornell, she’s currently dancing under the direction of Nic Ceynowa and Byron Suber through the PMA department. When she's not in the design or dance studio, she's probably baking, watching Netflix, or finding pets to hang out with!

MEGAN COWART

Public Relations Chair

Year: Junior

Major: Computer Science

Hometown: Ft Lauderdale, FL

Megan is a junior in the college of engineering with a passion for all styles of dance. She began dancing at the age of 2 and started competing at age 6. She trained and competed in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater and tap with her studio in Cooper City, Florida. As a soloist, Megan won several competitions, titles and scholarships. She transitioned from student to teacher, instructing both younger dancers and the most advanced Tap students at her studio. She performed in Massachusetts as a member of American Tap Company and in Florida as part of the South Florida Youth Tap Ensemble. Most recently she was a remote member of Speaking in Taps, under the direction of Aaron Tolson. At Cornell, Megan is also on the Cornell University Dance Team, and is Co-President of On Tap Dance Troupe. She absolutely loves being a part of the Rise family and is excited for her third year!

MIA BATTISTELLA

Show Coordinator

Year: Sophomore

Major: Government and History

Hometown: Summit, NJ

Mia is so glad she joined the Rise family last year! She began dancing at Dance Innovations when she was 2 years old, and spent 16 years there training in modern, jazz, lyrical, and ballet. She joined the Dance Innovations Performance Company in 2020 and began working as a student teacher the same year. Her favorite performances include Carnegie Hall, the Martha Graham Studio Theater, and the Waterside Stage in Disney World. Outside of Rise, Mia is a member of Best Buddies, Cornell Chorale, and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity.

KAYLA SIMONE

Social Chair

Year: Senior

Major: Industrial and Labor Relations

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Kayla is so excited for her fourth year on Rise! She trained in all styles of dance growing up and danced competitively for 8 years before coming to Cornell. She also had the opportunity to be a backup dancer for The Voice on Tour, which was one of her most exciting dance experiences! In addition to being on Rise, Kayla is also a member of the Cornell Dance Team.

FRANCESCA MARINO

Secretary

Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hometown: Rochester, NY

Francesca has been dancing for 14 years with a majority of her training at Deborah Mackay School of Dance in Webster, New York. Her favorite styles are jazz and contemporary, and she has also trained in ballet, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre. She is a Biological Sciences major, and outside of Rise she is a member of Cornell Red Cross.

LEILANI BLAKEMAN

Year: Grad

Major: Industrial and Labor Relations

Hometown: East Meadow, NY

Leilani has been dancing for about 20 years, with 6 of those years spent dancing competitively. She received the majority of her training from Alexa’s Dance Academy in East Meadow, NY. She has primarily trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and contemporary (her favorite!). As a transfer, she also spent her freshman year on the Binghamton University Dance Team. Rise is like a family to her and she is so grateful to have this amazing group be a part of her Cornell experience!

MAYA BARBIERI

LAUREN DOUGLASS

Year: Senior

Major: Information Science

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

Lauren is so excited for her first (and last) year in Rise! Lauren started dancing at age 5 at All About Dance AZ and competed in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, tap, and hip-hop through 8th grade. Lauren continued dancing at Desert Mountain High School, where she was a member of the varsity pom team for four years and choreographed with friends in the DMHS dance program for 3 years. Outside of Rise, she is on the Cornell Dance Team and has been a team co-captain for the last 2 years.

CHARLOTTE HEE

Year: Senior

Major: Hotel Administration

Hometown: Kentfield, CA

Charlotte is very excited to be a junior on Rise! She started her dance training when she was 2 years old, the majority of which has been with Marin Ballet. During her time at Marin Ballet, Charlotte performed every year in Julia Adam's Nutcracker, including the roles of Arabian and Chinese Soloist. She also had the opportunity to perform in two of Balanchine’s ballets, set by Sandra Jennings: Diamonds and Serenade. In 2018 and 2019, Charlotte had the experience of performing and taking master classes at The Ballet Alliance Festival in Spokane, Washington. In addition, she was also a member of the Marin Academy Dance Company where she choreographed and performed multiple pieces.

CLAIRE STEIN

Year: Senior

Major: Human Development

Hometown: Greenwich, CT

Claire is a senior on Rise and is so excited to be part of the Rise family! Claire began her dance training in her hometown under Rose Moye and continued training at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City. Claire has trained in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and hip hop with a large focus on jazz. She was also the Captain of the Riverdale Country School Dance Team in 2019 and 2020, where she co-choreographed all of their pieces. Claire loves working with all of the amazing dancers on Rise!

ANNIKA DEUTSCH

Year: Senior
Major: Physics
Hometown: New York, NY

Annika only began dancing about 9 years ago, but spent the first several years of dance career at Ballet Hispanico, a school and company on the upper west side of Manhattan, where she studied primarily ballet, modern, and flamenco. Being at a school that emphasized training all of their students in flamenco/Spanish dance really influenced my entire outlook as a dancer, just because of how complex and steeped in history (and beautiful) it is. Some of her favorite places to perform were the Apollo Theater, the United Palace, the Hispanic Day Parade in New York City, and on Good Day New York. By her last few years at Ballet Hispanico she was also assistant teaching classes and interning in the company's wardrobe department. Annika is so happy to have been able to join Rise in 2020, as it was the one way she got to keep dancing through this pandemic, and also got to meet so many wonderful people! She's excited (and nervous) to choreograph this year, and other than dancing she enjoys going for long walks around Ithaca, biking, stargazing, and studying languages.

CRISTINA PINES

Year: Junior
Major: Communication
Hometown: Vero Beach, FL

There is nothing Cristina loves more than her Rise family! She has been dancing for the past 14 years in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, and musical theatre. Although she rotates between identifying herself as "dancer first" and "strong mover,” Cristina has had her fair share of stage-time through her local theater, performing in over 50 children's productions and three professional musicals. She also enjoys choreographing and has won awards at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, GA for "Excellence in Student Choreography and Direction" and "Excellence in Dance." Additionally, Cristina is involved in other on-campus groups, including serving as the choreographer for Hearsay A Cappella, vice president of Big Red Ambassadors, and president of the A Cappella Advisory Council. She is constantly inspired by those around her, especially when she sees the insane talent within this dance group - and she is more than aware that her stretching routine should be put into practice more than once a month... Much love to Rise!! <3

ANNIKA CURRIE

Year: Junior

Major: Music

Hometown: Saratoga, NY

Annika is so glad she joined Rise last year! She started dancing at Class Act Dance when she was 4, and started competing with them when she was 8. She hasn’t had the opportunity to choreograph until college, but is ready to pounce on it! At Cornell, she also dances and choreographs for On Tap, as well as being in Mapping the Moving Body with Miles Yeung-Tieu in the PMA department. Outside of dance, Annika enjoys playing piano and bass.

LISSETTE SILVA

Year: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Newark, NJ

This is Lissette's third year on Rise, and she is so excited to be dancing with the group! She's been dancing for 14 years and trained in many styles including lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, ballet, and acro. She participated in both regional and national competitions with her dance team. In her free time, she also loves playing the piano, baking, and doing anything outdoorsy!

SARAH VAFIADIS

Year: Sophomore

Major: Chemical Engineering

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Sarah has been dancing for 16 years. She began her dance training at Beyond Dance and Bay Ridge Ballet, where she trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and tap. She was also a member of the Staten Island Tech Dance Team and had the opportunity to choreograph for a student-created musical her senior year. In 2019, she had the opportunity to spend her summer training at the Joffrey Ballet Dance Intensive. At Cornell, she is also a member of Shadows Dance Troupe. Sarah is so excited for her second year on Rise and the opportunity to become a part of the Rise family! <3

NICOLE CIOFFI

Year: Sophomore

Major: Government

Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Nicole was a competitive dancer at Dance Factory for 16 years before coming to Cornell. She trained in the styles of lyrical, contemporary, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. She joined her high school's competitive dance team her freshman year, and followed through until graduating. As a soloist, Nicole has won scholarships, titles, and competitions from the young age of 6 years old with her first solo ever. Her major is Government, and she is hoping to follow a Pre-Law track and attend law school in the future. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with friends, trying new foods, watching hockey, and exploring Ithaca! Apart from Rise, she also dances on campus with the Cornell University Dance Team, and also Shadows Dance Troupe. She enjoys learning new choreography and has choreographed pieces of her own in the styles of lyrical, contemporary, and jazz. This is her first year being a part of the Rise family, and she is more than excited to start this new journey!

DANIELA GRAFFEO

Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Development

Hometown: Acton, MA

Daniela has been dancing for 16 years, started competing at age 7, and spent the majority of her time dancing and competing with Acton-Boxborough Dance Center. She’s trained in jazz, tap, musical theater, ballet, modern, hip hop, and (recently) pom. She has choreographed her own solos several times, along with choreographing for multiple theater productions throughout high school (including a Disney pilot musical), so she can’t wait to choreograph for Rise this semester. She was also a gymnast for 16 years! Other than Rise, she is in other dance groups on campus such as On Tap and the Cornell University Dance Team. She is also a member of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She is so happy to be a part of the Rise community!

MAYA ABROL

Year: Sophomore

Major: Fashion Design and Management

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Maya has been dancing for 16 years and is so excited for her second year in the Rise family! She started dancing at the Ballet Academy of Texas at age 4 and continued to the age of 14 where she was trained in ballet, tap, modern, and jazz. Later, she danced on her high school drill team, the Parish Rosettes, where she was a lieutenant responsible for choreography, female empowerment, and more. At Cornell, Maya is a research assistant in the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection, an archival resource on campus. She also designs for the Cornell Fashion Collective’s annual runway shows and works closely with the Cornell Fashion Industry Network. Maya is so grateful for the support and love Rise has given her so far and can’t wait for what’s to come!

ANGELINA LANDOLFI

Year: Sophomore
Major: Nutritional Science
Hometown: New Haven, CT

Angelina is thrilled to join the rise family this year! She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been trained in ballet jazz and contemporary. Aside from dancing she also enjoys going on hikes, reading, cooking unique recipes, and spending time with family. She is so excited to see what Cornell and Rise have in store these next 4 years!

LAUREN UNGER

Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
Hometown: Monroe, CT

Lauren began dancing at the age of four at The Dance Workshop in Monroe, CT, where she also competed for 10 years. There, she trained in various styles, including contemporary, tap, modern, jazz, ballet, and lyrical. At Cornell, she also dances with On Tap Dance Troupe and is a member of HEART and PATCH. She is so happy to have joined the Rise family this year!

078926DF-B11D-41E1-9539-843C964D386D_edi

LUCY NELSON

Year: Sophomore
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Hometown: Harpswell, ME

Lucy is so excited to be a part of Rise! She has been dancing for 17 years, training primarily in ballet, tap, and jazz, but with experience in modern as well. She danced with the Maine State Ballet for most of her life, and eventually as a part of their professional company. At the Maine State Ballet, Lucy was instructed in the Balanchine technique, and was fortunate to be able to perform Balanchine's choreography under the direction of Linda MacArthur Miele. Over the course of her time with the Maine State Ballet, Lucy performed in The Nutcracker, Firebird, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and many other productions. Her favorite part about dancing is performing and being able to dance with her closest friends.

VIOLETA EGAN

Year: Freshman

Major: Environmental Engineering

Hometown: Rockland, NY

Violeta is very excited for her first year on Rise! She has been dancing for 14 years in the styles of classical ballet, contemporary jazz, hip hop, and jazz at Coupé Theatre Studio in Nanuet, NY. Since the age of 10, Violeta has danced in her studio's production of The Nutcracker Ballet, with her favorite role being the Dew Drop Fairy. She has also trained for 12 years in Bulgarian folk dance at the Hristo Botev Bulgarian School in New York, NY, where she has traveled to Chicago with her dance group for the Annual Bulgarian Folk Dance Festival. Aside from Rise, Violeta is a part of the Engineers in Action Project Team at Cornell. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking!

CARLY HERMANN

Year: Freshman
Major: Arts & Sciences

Hometown: New York, NY

Carly has been dancing for eleven years. She attended Dance Workshop in New York, New York where she learned ballet, jazz, and lyrical. She also competed with Dance Workshop for four years. When Carly is not dancing or studying, she loves to draw, go for walks, watch TV/movies, and spend time with her friends and family. Carly is so excited to be a member of Rise!

GABRIELLA PECORARO

Year: Freshman

Major: Mathematics

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Gabriella is so happy to have joined the Rise family this year! She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has been trained in primarily ballet, but loves modern, jazz, and contemporary. One of Gabriella’s favorite dance experiences was the summer she spent at the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, where she got to take classes with and taught by professional dancers of all backgrounds. She knew she couldn’t give up her love for dance in college, so she is very happy to be a part of Rise!