about – Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance

Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance is a New York-based contemporary dance company committed to creating, supporting, and performing dance works that are grounded in classical techniques intertwined with inventive, quirky, and rigorous movement. A focal point on collaborative approaches that intermingle with other artists and forms, and thoughtful in studio practice that translate from stage to audience.

Founded in 2017, their work has been recently produced at Arts On Site in collaboration with Lucier&Rose – a musical theatre writing duo who strive to break the boundaries of the medium in the name of genuinely queer, invitingly innovative storytelling. They are currently working on the development of a new queer musical, Atalanta in collaboration with Lucier&Rose set to go into workshop this Fall 2024.

They premiered their latest work, DANCEBATH at Triskelion Arts with the support of Kaastbaan International Dance Center in collaboration with five dance artists and musical improvisers Megan Rose and Ashley Baier.

Recent festivals and performances include: Dumbo Dance Festival, Richmond Dance Festival, Gold Coast Dance Festival, Detroit Dance Festival, Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Space, London Contemporary Arts Gallery, Dixon Place, The EVAC, and Gibney Dance Center.

Suzzanne has been a Dancer and Artistic Assistant to Richard Move/MoveOpolis! on projects including Martha @…The 1963 Interview at the Singapore International Festival of Arts and NYLA, “The Show (Achilles Heel)” featuring Debbie Harry and the Martha Graham Dance Company at The Joyce Theater, 20 Dancers for the XX Century at MoMa, Martha @The Gardner Museum in a re-staging and performance of Martha Graham’s once lost solo from 1928, Immigrant, Herstory of the Universe #1@Parrish Art Museum, and most recently, Herstory of the Universe@Dartmouth.

She has served as performer and rehearsal director for Catapult Entertainment Inc. for multiple international and national tours, performed the works of Yvonne Rainer as part of MoMA’s exhibit: Judson Dance Theater: The Work Is Never Done and Performa NYC, the Stanley Love Performance Group, and Buglisi Dance Theater where she participated in the creation of the Table of Silence Project, performed every 9/11 at Lincoln Center.

Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance has co-produced multiple projects including the Senior Care Project produced by Spaceworks, NYC, A Chance To Dance in collaboration with Go Guatemala! and A Broader View, The Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief with Heather Robles at Gibney Dance Center, and Exodus Road with Fooju Dance Company.

Suzzanne Ponomarenko (artistic director/choreographer; she/they) is a choreographer and dance artist based in NYC. They established Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance in 2017. They received their BFA from Marymount Manhattan College and studied extensively at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. Suzzanne has been a Dancer and Artistic Assistant to Richard Move/MoveOpolis! on projects including Martha @…The 1963 Interview at the Singapore International Festival of Arts and NYLA, “The Show (Achilles Heel)” featuring Debbie Harry and the Martha Graham Dance Company at The Joyce Theater, 20 Dancers for the XX Century at MoMa, Martha @The Gardner Museum in a re-staging and performance of Martha Graham’s once lost solo from 1928, Immigrant, Herstory of the Universe #1@Parrish Art Museum, and most recently, Herstory of the Universe@Dartmouth. She has served as rehearsal director for Catapult Entertainment Inc. for multiple international and national tours, performed the works of Yvonne Rainer as part of MoMA’s exhibit: Judson Dance Theater: The Work Is Never Done and Performa NYC, the Stanley Love Performance Group, and Buglisi Dance Theater where she participated in the creation of the Table of Silence Project, performed every 9/11 at Lincoln Center. They currently serve on the selection committee of the Clive Barnes Foundation and The Bessies NY Dance and Performance Awards.

“As choreographer, my interest is in exploring intentional physicality. I create dance pieces that blend contemporary, pedestrian, and queer cultural aesthetics with classical modern and balletic influences. I push boundaries non-aggressively and prioritize showing scenes that depict deep care, joy, friendship, and love. I allow greater themes of social issues, emotional disturbances, mental obscurations, and abstract concepts to emerge. I aim to eliminate the need for storytelling by drawing the viewer into an atmosphere over ideology. I work intimately with dance artists to bring out their unique qualities, personalities, and strengths through humor and meticulous attention. I look to create lasting community through the shared experience of dance with my audience and collaborators.”

Paulina Menses
(administrator)

Paulina Meneses (she/they) is a Fil-Am freelance artist originally from Las Vegas, NV. In 2018, she graduated with a BFA in Dance and Arts Management minor from SUNY Purchase. During her time in college, she performed works by Shannon Gillen, Kimberly Bartosik, Xan Burley, Alexandra Beller, and Trisha Brown. After moving to New York City upon graduation, Paulina had the pleasure of working with Doug Varone, Dylan Crossman, and Hannah Garner among others. She also assisted Kyle Abraham on his New York City Ballet piece “The Runaway”. In addition to Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, Paulina is currently working with Johnnie Cruise Mercer, MeenMoves, Peter Stathas Dance, Marie Paspe, and Julia Antinozzi.

Pilar Mellon-Reyes
(dancer)

Pilar Mellon-Reyes (they/them) is a New York City based dancer originally from San Jose,California. They graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in dance performance and a concentration in choreography from Marymount Manhattan College, where they had the pleasure of performing works by Andrea Miller, Netta Yerushalmy, Nancy Lushington, Rodney Hamilton, Davalois Fearon, Katy Pyle, and many others. Currently, they are a company member with Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance.

Meghan Rose
(composer)

Meghan Rose (she/her) is composer and musician based in NYC for the past 8 years, originally from Madison, Wisconsin. She is one half of the musical theatre writing team Lucier&Rose who released their first project Xena: Warrior Musical last year and currently writing a new work Atalanta: The Long Shot based on the mythology of the greek heroine. She also plays bass and guitar for several original and tribute bands: Monte, Damsel Trash, Tony & The Kiki, NotNorth, Pompeii Floyd, and Macwood Fleet. Instagram: @meghanrose.biteme @xenawarriormusical @damseltrash @monte.music

Anna Zekan
(dancer)

Anna Zekan is from Newport, OR, where she grew up performing in local dance and theater productions. She continued her dance training at Colorado College under the mentorship of Patrizia Herminjard, Tsui-shuang Lai, Yunyu Wang, and Debra Mercer. After graduating with a B.A. in both Dance and Creative Writing, she relocated to NYC to immerse herself in the arts community and to attend the Martha Graham School Professional Training Program. Since then, she has performed professionally with Maher Benham, Rachel Thorne Germond, Alice Klugherz, Amanda Selwyn Dance Theater, Fooju Dance Collaborative, and Brunch Theater. She currently dances for SPDance and as part of indie pop band Reliant Tom. Outside of dancing, Anna is probably teaching fitness classes, writing poems, or hiking in the woods.
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Kate Reyes
(dancer)

Kate Reyes (she/her) is an alumni of Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS and Marymount Manhattan College where she was a magna cum laude graduate with a BFA in Dance. Additionally, Ms. Reyes has trained at The Martha Graham School, The Taylor School, MOVE(NYC), and Manhattan Youth Ballet. Upon graduating college, Ms. Reyes joined the Graham 2 company and in the Fall of 2021 joined the Martha Graham Dance Company and Buglisi Dance Theatre. She has performed works choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie, Elizabeth Roxas Dobrish, Trey McIntyre, Ron K Brown, Larry Keigwin, Yin Yue and Sonya Tayeh. Ms. Reyes is currently on faculty at LaGuardia HS and teaches at Lincoln Center pipeline, Covenant Ballet Theatre, Steps on Broadway and Nimbus Dance.

Alexzander Larson
(dancer)

Alexzander Larson (he/him) is originally from Portland, Oregon. He currently holds a BFA in Dance from The Hartt School under the direction of Stephen Pier. Alex has had the privilege of performing work by Gabrielle Lamb, Lar Lubovitch, Jaclyn Buglisi, Jose Limon, Sir Richard Alston, Cindy Brandle, and Merce Cunningham to name a few. He is also one of the Inaugural Merce Cunningham Trust, Barbara Ensley Award Winners for the year 2022. Alex has a passion for community outreach, dance education, as well as incorporating mindfulness through his practice. When Alex is not in the studio dancing he enjoys peaceful hikes, a good book, and a solid Indie Pop Playlist.

Lauren Marie Jaeger
(rehearsal director/dancer)

Lauren Marie Jaeger (she/her) is a magna cum laude graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance Performance and a concentration in Ballet. She has performed extensively both nationally and internationally as a member of MOMIX, Buglisi Dance Theatre, Michael Mao Dance, SPDance, and Catapult. Lauren first performed with SPDance in 2017, and in the summer of 2021, began working with Suzzanne to create two sequential solo dance films: Descent and Emerge. After falling in love with Emerge, Lauren is grateful to have had the privilege to perform Emerge live in both NYC, and London. Lauren is a Rehearsal Director for Buglisi’s Table of Silence Project, which is performed each year on September 11th at Lincoln Center. She has been a guest artist and master teacher for Buglisi Dance Theatre, MOMIX, the Festival Della Danza, Citta` Di Adelfia, and the Fini Dance Festival in Southern Italy. Lauren also teaches for several schools in the tri-state area.

Aoi Sato
(dancer)

Aoi Sato (she/her) is originally from Chiba, Japan. She trained in ballet and contemporary dance at Liscombe International Ballet School in Japan before moving to New York as a scholarship student to study at Alvin Ailey School. She performed “Memoria” with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She performed with Graham2 and Martha Graham Dance Company and is certified to teach the Martha Graham Technique. She has been performing with Buglisi Dance Theatre including the DUMBO Dance Festival, Battery Dance Festival, and annual Table of Silence at Lincoln Center. In 2022, she was invited to perform at “BALLET GALA in TOKYO” directed by Tamiyo Kusakari to support Kiev Ballet, where she performed Martha Graham’s “Deep Song”. She has also worked as a demonstrator for Martha Graham Dance Technique DVD directed by Miki Orihara and Suzan Kikuchi. In addition to teaching at Martha Graham School and the University of Hartford.

Larissa Asebedo
(dancer)

Larissa Asebedo (she/her) grew up in Colorado until attending & graduating summa cum laude from the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase. There she completed her BFA in dance & minor in psychology while also studying abroad in Perth, Australia. Larissa misses the nature & lifestyle of Colorado but can’t stay away from the community & dance opportunities in NYC. She has had the pleasure of working professionally with Nicole Fuentes, Elizabeth Dishman, Rachel Germond, Daniel Gwirtzman, Kyle Abraham, & the Merce Cunningham Trust. Currently, Larissa also performs with Stephen Petronio Company, has begun choreographing her own work again, & cherishes her other vocation teaching dance to kids & teens.

Ashley Baier
(composer)

Ashley Baier (she/her) has performed on Broadway with Six and The Lightning Thief, appeared at La Jolla Playhouse with Hundred Days, and toured nationally with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. A proponent of new musical theater, she originated the drum book for several musicals including Interstate, Hound Dog, and American Morning. Baier has performed with a variety of orchestras and artists including Brass Queens, PitchBlak Brass Band, John Hodgman, The Bengsons, and Kermit the Frog. She has appeared at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Blue Note, and Joe’s Pub. Baier has a BM from the University of Maryland and a MM from The New School. In 2017, Allegany High School—her alma mater—dedicated an award in her name: the Ashley Baier Award In Percussion Excellence is given to a graduating senior who demonstrates outstanding leadership and dedication to the highest level of musical performance. www.ashleybaier.com

Carolina Rivera
(dancer)

Carolina Rivera (she/her) was born in Santiago (Chile), where she began training at Teatro Municipal de Santiago Ballet School.In Chile, Carolina has performed as a Soloist and Ensemble in various operas at the renowned Teatro Municipal de Santiago. In NYC, she joined Graham II, performing the major pieces of Graham’s repertory.Her work has been presented in Chile, Mexico, and New York, receiving commissions from Harlem Stage and NY City Artist Corps. She acted as Rehearsal Assistant for “Table of Silence” 2022 at Lincoln Center, and her image was projected in Times Square.Coming from a family of folklore artists in Chile, she founded SUR Dance in 2023 to explore and share her roots while continuing to express her love for Modern Dance. She’s part of the Joffrey Ballet School, Misty Copeland Foundation, Harlem School of Arts staff and has been a youth mentor for the DYCD’s Step It Up NYC initiative.