2026 Festival Faculty
NIEYA AMEZQUITA
Adjudicator
Nieya Amezquita is a Minnesota-based artist currently working as a company member with Arena Dances and Corpus Dance Works. She has also performed with Black Label Movement, Threads Dance Project, Rhythmically Speaking, Elayna Waxse Movement Projects, Concerto Dance, Off-Leash Area, and Doma Dance Theater. In 2019, Nieya earned a Bachelors in Dance and Psychology from the University of Georgia. During undergrad she had the opportunity to perform nationally and internationally with founding company CADE:NCE before studying in Portugal with the Addo Platform where her passion for choreography was ignited. She discovered the perfect merge of her two fields of interest: using dance as an artistic medium to explore, understand and discuss human psychological concepts. Now Nieya's work has been presented in the Blackness Is Arts festival produced by the Guthrie Theater, the CandyBox festival produced by Arena Dances, commissioned by Threads Dance Project, Rhythmically Speaking, Alternative Motion Project and Ballet Co'Laboratory. In 2023, Nieya furthered her professional development by founding and leading Amez Dance, a project-based dance company committed to cultivating reflective and reparative experiences through movement. Nieya strives to participate in works that not only create a space where authenticity is celebrated but deeply understood.
ALEX ARCE
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Alex Arce an Ecuadorian American artist born and raised in Minnesota who has been dancing since he was 5 years old, from the living room to the studio. He’s on a journey of relearning and remembering the love that first called him to movement and music as a child. He started with breaking at a competitive studio, then trained in all styles the studio had to offer building technique, curiosity, and the reality of the rigorous training working as a full-time artist with a team. In high school at SPCPA he deepened his concert dance training while also returning to his breaking roots. After graduation he trained at The CLI Conservatory with world renowned choreographers pushing his discipline, creativity, and versatility while getting closer to his why and establishing his voice and dreams of being a professional movement artist. Alex competed on NBC’s World of Dance with The Trilogy, and now continues as a full-time company member and teacher with ARENA DANCES and collaborator with Meridians Movement. His practice centers health, growth, and the mental and spiritual work that shapes performance and expression, with the hope of building longevity, community, and generational support with dance.
ALISON BARTELS
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Alison Bartels is a New York City-based dancer and performer. She holds a BFA in ballet performance from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, where she performed notable roles such as Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote, Shade 2 in La Bayadère, and was featured in José Limón's A Choreographic Offering.
After graduating, Alison joined the Bowen McCauley Dance Company in Washington D.C., where she performed both soloist and ensemble roles at The Kennedy Center. She then joined Virginia National Ballet for their 2021-2022 season. She has guested with various companies performing roles such as Sugar Plum, Cinderella and numerous contemporary works. She has toured with Ballet of Lights in their production of Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and Cinderella. Alison currently dances with Collide Theatrical Dance Company performing roles such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Mina in Dracula and Meg in Little Women.
KAITLIN (SETZKE) BELL
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Kaitlin (Setzke) Bell, a Wisconsin native, began her dance training at Lake Shore Dance, North Shore Dance Studio, and Danceworks Milwaukee. She earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2014, studying under renowned artists Toni Pierce-Sands, Ananya Chatterjea, Linda Talcott Lee, Carl Flink, and Joanie Smith. During her final semester, she had the honor of performing in TU Dance’s 10th Anniversary concert. She danced with the company from 2014-2020. Throughout her time with TU Dance, Kaitlin toured nationally and internationally, performing and re-staging the company’s repertory. Her performance experience includes works by acclaimed choreographers such as Uri Sands, Donald Byrd, Bill T. Jones, Larry Keigwin, Dwight Rhoden, Katrin Hall, Gregory Dolbashian, Gioconda Barbuto, Kyle Abraham, Francesca Harper, Ronald K. Brown, Stefanie Batten Bland, Marcus Willis, and Alvin Ailey. Most recently, Kaitlin performed in TU Dance's collaboration with indie folk artist Justin Vernon of Bon Iver entitled “Come Through” at the Hollywood Bowl and the Kennedy Center. She currently serves as a Teaching Artist with Concept Pavielle and Momentum Dance Project, where she also directs the Competition Company.
JAROD BOLTJES
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Jarod Boltjes (He/Him) is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in the Twin Cities who currently dances with Collide Theatrical Dance, and former company James Sewell Ballet. With over 15 years of experience in the performing arts field, Jarod started his training at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN and has performed across the United States and Europe in a variety of productions, from concert dance, musical theatre, and commercials. Jarod’s performance style and choreographic inspiration draws on a blend of ballet, modern, and jazz and is inspired by his experiences performing with numerous dance companies throughout the Twin Cities including the companies listed above, as well as Minnesota Dance Theatre, A Dancer’s Place, Saint Paul Ballet, Contempo Physical Dance, Threads, and Twin Cities Ballet. In addition to performing, Jarod is committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of performers as he currently assists and directs dance productions and teaches at Circus Juventas- a circus arts youth program.
DOMINICK BURKHARDT
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Twin Cities–based dancer and choreographer, Dominick Burkhardt, discovered his passion for the arts early in life, growing up in his mother’s dance studio. Immersed in a creative environment from a young age, he trained extensively in all styles of dance—including ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary, modern, and acro—building a versatile and dynamic foundation. He honed his technical and performance skills at both Larkin Dance Studio and the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, graduating in 2018 with a strong focus on both commercial and concert dance. During his time at SPCPA, he also received training in musical theater, further enriching his performance range while maintaining a strong dance core. His diverse training has allowed him to move seamlessly across genres, whether on stage, on screen, or in the studio. Dominick has worked with top artists and global brands, performing and modeling for the NFL, Best Buy and several other Fortune 500 companies in a range of commercial campaigns. He is a current company member with Black Label Movement, where he performed at the 2024 American Dance Festival, and has worked with companies and artists including Rachel Lieberman in the Red Eye's NW4W Festival, Cheng Xiong in the Candy Box Dance Festival presented by ARENA DANCES, and Eduardo Navarro in Cloud Museum, performed at the Walker Art Center. In 2025, he was selected as a choreographer for Black Label Movement’s Movers Make 2.0, and appeared on Arena Dances Studio Stories podcast. In addition to performing and choreographing, Dominick is a dedicated educator who currently teaches all styles of dance at various Twin Cities dance schools. With a deep appreciation for both technique and artistry, he’s passionate about helping dancers of all levels grow in confidence, versatility, and discipline. Outside of the dance world, Dominick holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Upper Iowa University and works in the IT sector. He also serves as a Staff Sergeant in the Iowa Air National Guard. Whether on stage, in the studio, or in uniform, Dominick is committed to excellence, mentorship, and empowering others through discipline, creativity, and purpose in every area of life.
HELEN HATCH
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Helen Hatch is a Minneapolis-based performer, choreographer, director, and teacher. Recognized as one of MN Monthly’s 10 Artists to Watch in 2012, Helen began her career with Minnesota Dance Theatre, where she performed a diverse range of repertory and created her own choreographic works. In 2018, she formed Hatch Dance, which, under her direction, has produced critically acclaimed performances that combine dance, music, and theater, developed through innovative collaborative processes. Helen is a graduate of the Ailey/ Fordham University BFA program. Throughout her career, Helen has danced repertory by renowned choreographers including Christopher Bruce, Danny Buraczewski, Eliot Feld, Loyce Houlton, José Limón, and Glen Tetley. She has originated roles in works by Adam Barruch, Stefanie Batten Bland, Jon Ferguson, Penelope Freeh, Francesca Harper, Lise Houlton, Helen Pickett, Dominique Serrand, and many others. In addition to working extensively on freelance projects in MN and nationally, she has performed with The Moving Company and The Minnesota Opera. Her choreography has been presented at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, the 2011 Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Festival, The Southern Theater, throughout Mexico and Guatemala by the Juntos Collective, and commissioned by Minnesota Dance Theatre, Saint Paul Ballet, Aveda, Mareck Dance, and The Cowles Center. In 2022, Helen was selected for the Choreographic Institute Residency at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The following year, she served as an Artist in Residence at Moulin/Belle in Mareuil en Périgord, France. Since 2013, Helen has taught ballet throughout the Twin Cities and is currently a teaching artist at Saint Paul Ballet and Minnesota Dance Theatre.
EMMY MENDEZ
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Emmy Mendez brings a dynamic dance background rooted in studio training, dance team leadership, and professional concert dance. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has earned recognition for her choreography, instruction, and artistic vision at the national level. Emmy has served as a guest instructor for high school dance teams including Eden Prairie, Chaska, Chanhassen, and Hopkins, and is frequently sought out by competitive studios to provide choreography and adjudication-style feedback that elevates performance quality and artistic impact. Trained at The Dance Warehouse and under Crash Dance Productions, Emmy specializes in contemporary dance and is passionate about creating meaningful, performance-driven choreography that challenges dancers artistically, builds confidence, and fosters authentic connection through movement.
KELLY OLSON
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Kelly brings a rich and diverse dance background, spanning studio training, dance team leadership, and professional experience. As a member of the Eden Prairie Pom Squad and the University of St. Thomas Dance Team, she contributed to eight UDA National Dance Championships, developing a deep understanding of excellence, teamwork, and high-level performance. Kelly has choreographed state and national-level routines for programs across the country, including Clemson University, the University of Northern Iowa, and Fargo North High School. She has continued her training at places like Broadway Dance Center in New York, Crash Dance Productions, and Hot House Minneapolis. Kelly is passionate about encouraging students to work hard, express themselves both artistically and athletically, and enjoy the process along the way.
EVE SCHULTE
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Eve Schulte is a dance artist and arts administrator based in Minneapolis, MN. Her preferred job title is Collaborator, and she believes engagement with the performing arts is the key to world peace. Eve has performed or taught internationally in five countries, nationally in 17 states, and locally in 30+ Minnesota communities. Her choreography has been featured alongside the National Lutheran Choir, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, Minnesota Opera, and Minnesota Orchestra. She is currently Managing Director at Ananya Dance Theatre.
Headshot by GAddison Visuals.
Linda Talcott Lee
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator
Linda Talcott Lee currently is on faculty at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.She is an Emmy award winning choreographer and Broadway veteran. On Broadway, Linda was an original cast member in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Goodbye Girl, Beauty and the Beast, and joined Seussical before it closed. Recently, Linda has performed at the Guthrie (My Fair Lady, She Loves Me, Roman Holiday), Ordway (A Christmas Story, Cinderella), Chanhassen DT (White Christmas, The Prom,WSS, Mary Poppins, Swing andCats), and the Fitzgerald (Wild Party). Most notably, Linda earned an Emmy award for her work in The Comedy Hall of Fame with Jason Alexander. Some of her theatrical choreographic credits include: Guys and Dolls at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway; Romeo and Juliet at the Guthrie; Matilda,Cinderella, Mulan and How the Grinch Stole Christmas at CTC; Baker’s Wife,Thoroughly Modern Millie, Next to Normal and City of Angels at Artistry; A Servants’ Christmas and Hormel Girls at the History Theatre.