Annual Conference
Annual Dance Conference 2024.
Thank you to everyone who attended the WDC’s annual conference 2024!
This years conference was a historic and thrilling experience for our state and the communities that WDC touches.
We can not wait to continue the momentum that will lead us to our next series of events and state conference.
We hope to see everyone very soon!
– The WDC Team
Middle School & High School Teaching Artists
Richard Ashworth is an educator, choreographer, and performer whose interest in technical foundation and corresponding social cultures have made him a resource in the social and percussive African Diaspora dance communities. Rich performed aboard with the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas and upon returning to the States, danced in several crews for live performances and industrials including for artists such as Flo Rida and The Goo Goo Dolls. Rich has performed, choreographed, and toured with several internationally celebrated dance companies including Lehrerdance (dir. Jon Lehrer), Chicago Dance Crash (dir. Jessica Deahr), Be The Groove (dir. Stephanie Paul) serving as educational director, and Chicago Tap Theatre (dir. Mark Yonally), where he served as a choreographer and rehearsal director. As an educator Rich has been on the faculty of several dance based organizations including Dance Masters of America, Flow 40 Dance, Beyond the Stars dance convention, and Interdanza of Mexico. Rich received his MFA in Dance from UW-Milwaukee and is currently an active teaching artist within their dance department. He also teaches courses at Carthage College, Danceworks Milwaukee, and guest lectures around the country.
Allison Lauber de Garza has been enjoying Latin dance for over 20 years. She grew up taking gymnastics and a variety of other dances like jazz and tap, but fell in love with the beauty and technique of Ballet. It wasn’t until she studied abroad in central Mexico that she was exposed to genres like Salsa, Cumbia and Bachata and was instantly hooked. Since that time she has been a part of several professional dance companies, performing in Chicago, Milwaukee and New York, and has given numerous dance and music workshops on Latin Dance and Music, utilizing her degrees in both Music and Spanish. She loves sharing her passion for Ethnomusicology with others and continues to dance socially in the Milwaukee area. She currently resides in Appleton with her husband and their four children.
Sonya Thompson is an accomplished dancer and the Artistic Director of Ko-Thi Dance Company. Born and raised in Jamaica, Sonya’s love for dance is deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of African people throughout the Caribbean Diaspora. In terms of education, Sonya holds an Associate’s degree in Administrative Professional Applied Science from MATC and completed her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Purdue University. Sonya has studied under the guidance of Ferne Caulker Bronson, a renowned master teacher and founder of Ko-Thi Dance Company.
Sonya has made significant contributions to the dance community through her work with Ko-Thi and First Stages. In 2023, Sonya choreographed for First Stage
in “Three Little Birds”, further demonstrating her ability to bring stories to life through dance. In 2024, she worked with Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, where she taught African Dance to PPP Students. She teaches African dance, Afro-Soca, and Caribbean dance to individuals around the world, spreading the joy and cultural significance of these art forms.
Workshops for Professional Artists and Educators
Lauri Ann Lumby has over twenty-five years of experience as a human development educator, mentor, and guide. She has supported hundreds in their journey toward self-actualization through her one-on-one guidance, books, workshops, retreats, and online courses. In her one-on-one mentoring she has supported individuals who have suffered with trauma and provided them with effective tools for managing its effects.
Lauri earned her master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia/ITP University, is a trained Spiritual Director in the Ignatian tradition with additional certificates in Adult Education specializing in Psycho-Spiritual Development.
Lauri is the author of eleven books including Authentic Freedom – Claiming a Life of Contentment and Joy. Learn more about Lauri and her offerings at www.lauriannlumby.com.
Chell Parkins is the inaugural Arnhold director of dance education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she writes, implements, and directs dance education curricula while developing programs with community partners to advocate for the re-emergence of dance education in Wisconsin. She is a dance advocate, choreographer, educator, performer, and scholar whose research explores the experiences of Latinx communities engaged in culturally responsive-sustaining dance programs. Parkins’ documentary, WanderlustDance: Puerto Rico, invites audiences to look at the culture, politics, and people of post-Maria Puerto Rico through interviews set against footage of solo dance performances at picturesque and historical sites across the archipelago. She previously served as a scholar in residence and consultant at Ballet Hispánico and director of dance programs at Manor High.
Dan Schuchart is an interdisciplinary artist and teacher. Since 2002, he has worked with Wild Space Dance Company as a company member and choreographer and is now Artistic Director. Schuchart earned BFA degrees in Dance and Painting/Drawing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an MFA in Experimental Choreography from the University of California-Riverside, and a Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis at Columbia College Chicago. He has choreographed over 40 dances for professional companies and universities across the US. Schuchart is currently Teaching Faculty at UW-Milwaukee Department of Dance, and outside of dance, has worked as a scenic painter for the movie Public Enemies, and scenic charge for the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Florentine Opera, and Skylight Music Theatre.
Highlights 2023
Annual Dance Conference
Annual Dance Conference 2024.
Wisconsin Dance Council’s Thanks all of the participants, guest artists, students, professionals, vendors, and CAL Arts Center for making this years conference a historic one!
We can wait to see everyone at next years conference!
– The WDC Team
Middle School & High School Teaching Artists
Richard Ashworth is an educator, choreographer, and performer whose interest in technical foundation and corresponding social cultures have made him a resource in the social and percussive African Diaspora dance communities. Rich performed aboard with the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas and upon returning to the States, danced in several crews for live performances and industrials including for artists such as Flo Rida and The Goo Goo Dolls. Rich has performed, choreographed, and toured with several internationally celebrated dance companies including Lehrerdance (dir. Jon Lehrer), Chicago Dance Crash (dir. Jessica Deahr), Be The Groove (dir. Stephanie Paul) serving as educational director, and Chicago Tap Theatre (dir. Mark Yonally), where he served as a choreographer and rehearsal director. As an educator Rich has been on the faculty of several dance based organizations including Dance Masters of America, Flow 40 Dance, Beyond the Stars dance convention, and Interdanza of Mexico. Rich received his MFA in Dance from UW-Milwaukee and is currently an active teaching artist within their dance department. He also teaches courses at Carthage College, Danceworks Milwaukee, and guest lectures around the country.
Allison Lauber de Garza has been enjoying Latin dance for over 20 years. She grew up taking gymnastics and a variety of other dances like jazz and tap, but fell in love with the beauty and technique of Ballet. It wasn’t until she studied abroad in central Mexico that she was exposed to genres like Salsa, Cumbia and Bachata and was instantly hooked. Since that time she has been a part of several professional dance companies, performing in Chicago, Milwaukee and New York, and has given numerous dance and music workshops on Latin Dance and Music, utilizing her degrees in both Music and Spanish. She loves sharing her passion for Ethnomusicology with others and continues to dance socially in the Milwaukee area. She currently resides in Appleton with her husband and their four children.
Sonya Thompson is an accomplished dancer and the Artistic Director of Ko-Thi Dance Company. Born and raised in Jamaica, Sonya’s love for dance is deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of African people throughout the Caribbean Diaspora. In terms of education, Sonya holds an Associate’s degree in Administrative Professional Applied Science from MATC and completed her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Purdue University. Sonya has studied under the guidance of Ferne Caulker Bronson, a renowned master teacher and founder of Ko-Thi Dance Company.
Sonya has made significant contributions to the dance community through her work with Ko-Thi and First Stages. In 2023, Sonya choreographed for First Stage
Sonya has made significant contributions to the dance community through her work with Ko-Thi and First Stages. In 2023, Sonya choreographed for First Stage
in “Three Little Birds”, further demonstrating her ability to bring stories to life through dance. In 2024, she worked with Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, where she taught African Dance to PPP Students. She teaches African dance, Afro-Soca, and Caribbean dance to individuals around the world, spreading the joy and cultural significance of these art forms.
Workshops for Professional Artists and Educators
Lauri Ann Lumby has over twenty-five years of experience as a human development educator, mentor, and guide. She has supported hundreds in their journey toward self-actualization through her one-on-one guidance, books, workshops, retreats, and online courses. In her one-on-one mentoring she has supported individuals who have suffered with trauma and provided them with effective tools for managing its effects.
Lauri earned her master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia/ITP University, is a trained Spiritual Director in the Ignatian tradition with additional certificates in Adult Education specializing in Psycho-Spiritual Development.
Lauri earned her master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia/ITP University, is a trained Spiritual Director in the Ignatian tradition with additional certificates in Adult Education specializing in Psycho-Spiritual Development.
Lauri is the author of eleven books including Authentic Freedom – Claiming a Life of Contentment and Joy. Learn more about Lauri and her offerings at www.lauriannlumby.com.
Chell Parkins is the inaugural Arnhold director of dance education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she writes, implements, and directs dance education curricula while developing programs with community partners to advocate for the re-emergence of dance education in Wisconsin. She is a dance advocate, choreographer, educator, performer, and scholar whose research explores the experiences of Latinx communities engaged in culturally responsive-sustaining dance programs. Parkins’ documentary, WanderlustDance: Puerto Rico, invites audiences to look at the culture, politics, and people of post-Maria Puerto Rico through interviews set against footage of solo dance performances at picturesque and historical sites across the archipelago. She previously served as a scholar in residence and consultant at Ballet Hispánico and director of dance programs at Manor High.
Dan Schuchart is an interdisciplinary artist and teacher. Since 2002, he has worked with Wild Space Dance Company as a company member and choreographer and is now Artistic Director. Schuchart earned BFA degrees in Dance and Painting/Drawing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an MFA in Experimental Choreography from the University of California-Riverside, and a Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis at Columbia College Chicago. He has choreographed over 40 dances for professional companies and universities across the US. Schuchart is currently Teaching Faculty at UW-Milwaukee Department of Dance, and outside of dance, has worked as a scenic painter for the movie Public Enemies, and scenic charge for the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Florentine Opera, and Skylight Music Theatre.
Highlights 2023
