Audra Hofacker was first introduced to modern dance by Maureen Glennon as a high school student and she is so excited to be performing as a company member with moe-tion! Audra graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University with a BFA in Dance, where she was on the College of the Arts Student Council and received both the Danceaturgy and Department of Theatre & Dance Service Award. While at Montclair, Audra performed in works by Tyler Gilstrap, Martha Graham, Pat Graney, Larry Keigwin, Jose Limon, and Frederick Earl Mosley. Professionally, Audra has worked with Sidra Bell, Freddie DeJesus, Amy Marshall, and Alana Marie Urda, and has been an entertainment cast member at Walt Disney World and Six Flags Great Adventure. Aside from performing, Audra has a passion for teaching and choreographing. She just received her M.Ed in Dance Education from Rutgers University with National Dance Honors Society induction and Graduation Honors, and plans to pursue a career in K-12 public school dance teaching. Audra's choreography has been presented throughout NY and NJ, including the Teen Arts Festival, New Jersey High School Dance Festival, Amalgamate Artist Series 10, and Equilibrium Showcase, among others. Audra has also had a hand in arts administration, having worked at Peridance Capezio Center, The Ailey School, Dance Wave, and with Jessica Taylor/ DAMAGEDANCE.
Kyra Livingston is a founding member of moe-tion dance theater. She performed extensively with the company throughout NJ and NY before relocating to Florida in 2010. In Florida, Kyra was a founding member of contemporary dance company, Impulsik, was named one of Broward County's top 100 dancer's before taking a shift in her career and becoming a commercial dancer. She has been seen dancing on ESPN, Monday Night Football halftime show, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and MTV Tres. Kyra has also been seen dancing in a Sears, Toyota and Zumba commercial to name a few. As well as performing across the U.S., Mexico and Carribean. In 2017 Kyra was asked to perform the duet, Me2 with Moe-tion Dance Theater's Director, Maureen for the 10-year anniversary. Just 5 years later, Kyra is incredibly grateful to be sharing the stage again with her amazingly talented dance family.
Elly Mandarakas is a founding member of moe-tion dance theater. Elly holds a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University, Level III certification with Dance Educators of America and is certified with Pilates Association International. Elly has performed with the NJ Ballet Company, Albano Ballet, Montclair State University Repertory, Freespace Dance, Giada Ferrone, Maxine Steinman, Mare Nostrum Elements and continues her performing career with NYC based companies Alternative Arts Association and Salma Allam. Elly continues to study and demonstrates weekly for NYC's great Ballet Teacher, Graciela Kozak. Some memorable performances include Hannah Rolfes’s PottyTime, Giada Ferron’s A Contemporary Nutcracker, Drawing Democracies at Pratt University Brooklyn, NY and Salma Allam's Lost Goddesses at Studio 80 Sculpture Grounds Lyme, Conn.
Sabrina Olivieri started her formal dance training in high school, graduating from Somerset County Votech’s Gifted and Talented Dance Honors Program in 2016. Post high school graduation, Sabrina was the recipient of the Governor's Award in Artistic Excellence in Dance. Following high school, she graduated from County College of Morris, with her AS in Dance. While at CCM, she was a scholarship student at the Paul Taylor School for two years, as well as a scholarship student training with Carolyn Dorfman for many summers. Her choreography has been selected and performed in numerous Dance New Jersey Events, Jennifer Muller’s Hatch Presenting Series, and ACDA Northeastern Adjudicated Concerts (2017 & 2018). After graduation from CCM, Sabrina was a scholarship student in the Limón institutes trainee program in spring 2020. Later that year, Sabrina was selected as one of the Dance Training + Arts Management interns for the 2020 - 2021 season. Here, she worked in the administrative offices of The Limón Foundation and danced as a trainee in the institute's programs. Sabrina was asked to be a founding member of the foundation's second company, Limón2, for their 2021-2022 season. Since, she has been a guest artist performing with the Limón Dance Company in their 2021 Bryant Park Summer Series performance of The Winged, and in their 2022 Joyce Theater season performing in Psalm. Over the years, she has worked with Carolyn Dorfman, Maureen Glennon, Gregory Dolbashian, Nina Watt, Risa Steinburg, Ruth Andrien, and Mike Esperanza to name a few. While dancing with the Limón Dance Company, Sabrina graduated cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Montclair State University. Recently, Sabrina was a guest choreographer for Somerset County Votech’s Gifted and Talented Dance Honors Program Repertory Company. Her piece, Falling Leaves, was adjudicated at Somerset County Teen Arts this past May and was then selected to be presented at NJ State Teen Arts. Sabrina is also an adjunct dance professor at Centenary University and is teaching and choreographing in the tri-state area. She is thrilled to be dancing with moe-tion this season!
Cristen Pennello began her training at age 2 ½ at local dance studios in NY and NJ. Cristen went onto perform in regional and national competitions throughout the tri-state area, as well as performing in the half time shows of the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida and Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. She has also done print work for various dance costume catalogs. Cristen received a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University and her MA degree in Dance Education from New York University. She has performed with various professional dance companies, such as NYC Hip Hop Company From the Ground Up, and is a founding and current member of moe-tion dance theater, since 2006, and continues to perform professionally in NYC and NJ. With moe-tion, she has and continues to perform all over the tri state area at various venues including NJPAC, the Jennifer Muller Studio, and the legendary Merce Cunningham Dance studio in NYC, among others. Cristen spent a summer studying, creating, and performing in Montescuidao and Castiglioncello, Italy. She was a guest choreographer and has also taught as an Adjunct for a number of years at Middlesex County College. She has performed lecture demonstrations for Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts. Cristen was the Head Dance Instructor at Mercer County Performing Arts High School from 2006-2009, and was hired as the dance teacher for Union City High School in 2009, where she was fortunate to write the curriculum and with much support by her administration, build the dance program from the ground up. Cristen created and directed the UCHS Dance Company, choreographed for many of the school’s musicals, and coached the Drillettes Dance Team. In addition, she was on the Professional Develop Committee for many years, as well as a Coordinator for the Middle States Accreditation process. Cristen coordinated the very first NJHS Dance Festival on April 20th, 2013 at Union City High School, and has run the festival annually ever since. Cristen proudly held this position at Union City High School for thirteen years, and in 2022, she was promoted to District Performing Arts Supervisor of Union City as well as the Co-Supervisor of Career & Technical Education for Union City High School. Cristen is currently also responsible for promoting all events within the high school community, sending out a weekly bulletin, overseeing all clubs and organizations at the school, as well as field trips and fundraisers. She is SO excited to share the stage with her daughter Sofia for the very first time in this incredible culminating performance. So grateful to Moe for always inspiring and supporting her and her family.
Danielle Ramon holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. During her time at VCU she performed works choreographed by Daniel Gwirtzman, Scott Putman, and many of her peers as well as showcasing her own work. While studying to complete her degree, outside of VCU Ramon performed as a company member with rva dance collective under artistic directors, Jess Burgesand Danica Kalemdaroglu. Currently, Ramon is a company member with moe-tion dance theater and teaches at Dance Exposure II. Ramon is also a certified Pilates instructor.
Claudia Soga a New Jersey native holds a Masters in Dance Education from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education New Brunswick, NJ and her BFA in Dance Performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. Claudia is currently leading and creating the dance program at Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey. While at Rutgers, Claudia has performed in works of Alexandra Beller, Ani-Javian, Chien Ying-Wang, and Randy James. Outside of Rutgers Claudia had the opportunity to perform in works by Andrea Kramer, Sidra Bell, Rodrick George, Ramon Oller, Barbara Angeline, and Alex Biegleson. In building her artistry, Claudia trained internationally at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona in Sitges, Spain and Accademia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy during Summer Programs. In Spain, Claudia performed at “Bailar al Sol '' in pieces by the Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Joe Monteleone, and Nuria Serra. While in Italy Claudia worked with artists Wagner Moreira, Helena Fernandino, Dorey Sibley, Dragana Alfirevic, Dejan Srhoj, and Gregor Kamnikar. Prior to her admissions to Rutgers, Claudia studied at Raritan Valley Community College under the direction of Loretta Fois.
Alexandra Williamson (she/her) is thrilled to be back performing with moe-tion dance theater! Alexandra graduated from Montclair State University, BFA in Dance. She currently dances with General Mischief Dance Theatre, Darrah Carr Dance, DiMauro Dance, Champagne Fountain Dance Company, Emotions Physical Theatre, Jennifer Chin and Karen Gayle. Alexandra is on faculty at Hofstra University. She has toured nationally and internationally, most recently in Alaska and Ireland. @Alexandra_Dances