About the Company

John Malashock, Artistic Director
Michael Mizerany, Associate Artistic Director

"...one of the most moving, most profoundly beautiful dance performances I've ever experienced..."

Founded by Emmy-winning choreographer John Malashock in 1988 after years of touring with top companies such as Twyla Tharp Dance, Malashock Dance’s repertoire includes over 60 original works that thrill, amaze and delight. Audiences are mesmerized by Malashock Dance’s epic oeuvres that interpret human struggles, and are charmed by more intimate and often playful pieces that convey the intricacies of relationships. Dynamic, emotionally charged choreography is Malashock Dance’s signature. The magnificently trained dancers never cease to amaze with their leaps, lifts, powerful sustained movement and artistry.

Impressively disciplined, focused and controlled, the company is also known for its sumptuous collaborative projects with composers, playwrights, artists and other arts organizations, including:

• KPBS-TV
• San Diego Opera
• San Diego Symphony
• La Jolla Music Society
• Old Globe Theatre
• San Diego Museum of Art
• Shahrokh Yadegari
• Tara Knight
• Yale Strom

Company Members

Michael Mizerany • Blythe Barton • Lara Binder • Bradley R. Lundberg • Christine Marshall • Jessica Reed • Nicholas Strasburg

Michael Mizerany is the Associate Artistic Director for the San Diego-based MALASHOCK DANCE and teaches advanced modern dance at THE MALASHOCK DANCE SCHOOL. Michael studied dance at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and then joined The Modern America Dance Company (MAD/CO) in 1986. After three seasons with MAD/CO, Michael relocated to Los Angeles to join Loretta Livingston & Dancers and, in 1996; Michael joined the internationally renowned Bella Lewitzky Dance Company for their final season of touring. He has also served as a guest artist with such companies as Yorke Dance Project, Francisco Martinez Dance Theater, and Los Angeles Chamber Ballet. Michael has been nominated a record seven times for the Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance, winning the prestigious award in 1995 and 1996 for his solos TIN SOLDIER and BUMP IN THE ROAD, respectively. Additionally, Michael was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award for his portrayal of the misogynistic antagonist in John Malashock’s dance film THE SOUL OF SATURDAY NIGHT. He has danced in venues across the nation, including Orange County Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center in New York City and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  Michael has choreographed extensively, and his works are in the repertory of such companies as MAD/CO, San Diego Civic Dance Company, Michigan Dance Collective and Malashock Dance.  Most recently, his male duet, FAR FROM EDEN, premiered at Diversionary Theater’s DANCE/THEATER event to much critical acclaim.

 

Blythe Barton (Dancer), after receiving her BFA in Dance from Chapman University, she continued her dance education to achieve her MFA in Dance from Florida State University. She returned to California to pursue of her professional dance career. Blythe has performed throughout California, Florida, New York, and other states with incredible choreographerssuch as; Sean Green, Rudy Perez, Gerri Houlihan, Lynda Davis, Wallie Wolfgruber, Katie Stevenson-Nollet, and Alan Danielson. She has wonawards for outstanding performance and choreography and also earned the opportunity to present her choreographic work and perform atseveral American College Dance Festivals. She is in her first year as company member with Malashock Dance and also performs with Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater. She presently teaches for San Diego Dance Theater School and the Academy of Performing Arts.

 

Lara Binder (Dancer) has trained and performed with Faith Jensen-Ismay, Patricia Sandback, Kathryn Irey, Allyson Green, and California Ballet. She has had the opportunity to perform at events such as Bravo San Diego, Celebrate Dance Festival and Trolley Dances. Lara was named the 2005 Outstanding Graduate in Dance for San Diego State University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Lara has been performing and is currently teaching at the Academy of Performing Arts. She has danced with Heatwave Productions, Patricia Rincon Dance Collective, Collette Harding Contemporary Dance, Malashock Dance and the Mojalet Dance Collective.

 

Bradley R. Lundberg (Dancer) received his B.A. in Communications from UCSB. While in Santa Barbara, he danced three seasons with Santa Barbara Dance Theater. After a move to New York, he became a member of Jennifer Muller/The Works, Steeledance, Creach/Company, and performed in works by Young Soon Kim, Ben Munisteri, Leda Meredith, and Michael Foley as well as having a number of his own works performed at Hatch and Danspace. Following a brief stint ‘dancing’ on Celebrity Cruise Lines, Bradley returned to the West coast and has danced with Keith Johnson/Dancers, Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater, McCaleb Dance, and MALASHOCK.

 

Christine Marshall (Dancer) graduated with a BA in Dance from California State University, Fullerton under the tutelage of Gladys Kares. Since then she has studied with and performed for various artists in Los Angeles, New York, and San Diego, where she currently works with Malashock Dance. In addition to dance, Christine enjoys practicing martial arts and is a graduate student at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

 

Jessica Reed (Dancer) grew up moving.  She danced across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Dubai, Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio, back to Massachusetts, & finally California.  Jessica holds a BFA in Creative Writing & a BS in Dance from Bowling Green State University. In 1994, Jessica attended the Boston Conservatory to work for her MFA in Dance Performance. In Boston, she performed with several different choreographers ranging from, Nicole Pierce & EgoArt Inc. to the Patric La Criox Haitian-American Dance Theatre.  From 1996-2006, Jessica performed with the Nicola Hawkins Dance Company throughout the Boston area & NYC.  For six years, she was also rehearsal director & assistant to the director.  In 2002, Jessica moved to San Diego to get married. Since then, Jessica has had the pleasure to dance with Betzi Roe, Bradley Lundberg, Sadie Weinberg, Butterworth Dance, Malashock Dance, & San Diego Dance Theater. When she’s not dancing, Jessica is either teaching dance, pilates or most often chasing after her toddler.

 

Nicholas Strasburg (Dancer) began his dance career training at Cornish College of the Arts. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to perform great works by Martha Graham, Bebe Miller and Bill Evans. At the same time, he performed as a principal dancer with Seattle Jazz Dance Co., and was also a resident member of Interweave Dance Theater in Boulder, CO. With much support and guidance from his professors (which included Pat Hon, Lodi McClellan, and Michele Miller), Nicholas received his BFA in Dance with Summa Cum Laude honors and then relocated to San Diego. Here, he has performed with Jean Isaacs Dance Theater and is currently with Malashock Dance.

 

 

Guest Artists

Leslie Armstrong (Guest Artist) began her movement training as a cometitive gymnast, and discovered dance in college under the UCSD faculty of Jean Issacs and Allyson Green, among others. Having earned her B.S. in Psychology, and graduating Cum Laude, Leslie now runs the UCSD Recreation Department's gymnastics and dance programs, as well as teaching in both.  She dances locally and has had the opportunity to perform in the Trolley Dances, Celebrate Dance Festival, and San Diego Dances.

Maria Juan (Guest Artist) recently transplanted to San Diego, Maria is a graduate of the University of South Florida's Department of Theatre and Dance. During this time, she worked with Michael Foley, Darla Stanley, Danny Buraczeski, Lynne Wimmer, among others. Upon graduation, she joined several performing groups including Moving Current Dance Collective and Maria Capitano's "BellaDanza". She also co-founded, MusInc., an artists' collective that has performed throughout the state of Florida. Maria is currently the administrative assistant for The PGK Project and has founded her own graphics and web design company, mjuanstudo.com.

Stephanie Smith (Guest Artist) is from Dallas, Texas where she earned her BFA in Dance at the University of North Texas. She has danced in festivals in New York City, Atlanta and Norfolk on the East coast but has fallen in love with being on the West coast. Stephanie likes to keep busy and has taken as many opportunities as possible while in San Diego. She has performed in Celebrate Dance Festival, Trolley Dances and in Malashock Dance’s New Works Program. She is very excited to add THIS IS NOT AN EXIT to her resume.

Khamla Somphanh (Guest Artist) has been dancing professionally for over 20 years in the realm of concert dance.  Recently moved from the Bay Area, she dances with ODC in San Francisco and Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley.  Khamla’s passion for modern dance has guided her to work with numerous companies as Wylliams/Henry Danse Ensemble, Dance Esaias Theater Company, Na-Ni Chen Dance Company, Rod Rodgers Dance Company and East/West Repertory Ensemble among others.  Khamla has also performed as the lead dancer “Eliza” in the Broadway Revival of “The King and I” with Lou Diamond Phillips.  She was then cast I the 1^st national tour where she performed Eliza in addition to being Asst. Dance Captain.

Cara Steen (Guest Artist) received her BFA in Modern Dance from The University of Michigan.  After college, she moved to NYC to continue her dance training, while also becoming a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor.  She has had the honor to perform works by Lar Lubovitch, Paul Taylor, Doug Varone, and Peter Sparling.  Cara spent two seasons performing and choreographing for the Michigan Dance Collective, as well as two seasons performing at United Way events.

Malashock Dance Company Alumni

Jodi Allen
Jennifer Binford
Bill Doolin
Amber Bosin
Matt Carney
Jeffrey Crawford
Tammy Dunsizer
Ali Fisher
Francis Floro
James Healy
Gwen Hunter-Richie
Karen Ivy
Edward Johnson
Brooke Gessay
Eun Jung Gonzalez
Katie Griffin
Peter Kalivas
Heidi Kershaw
Kelley Lace
Greg Lane
Trystan Loucado
Nina Malashock
Chris Morgan
Stephanie Nugent
Loni Palladino
Jennie Pasheh-Tala
Amy Patton
Ashley Peth Porter
Troy Sellers
Keturah Stickann
Bernadette Torres
Debi Toth
Tonya M. Valdez
Maj Xander