ARTISTS
Main Company
ERICA ISAKOWER
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer
Erica Isakower is a neurodivergent choreographer, educator, and dancer based in New Jersey. Erica aims to push the boundaries of dance through layering movement, creating work that reflects life’s dynamic and complex experience. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Dance and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Hofstra University.
Erica is the artistic director, choreographer, and dancer for Chutzpah Dance, presenting her work in prominent cities throughout the United States such as New York City, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Detroit, various cities throughout New Jersey, and made her international choreographic/producing debut in Edinburgh, Scotland in a show she curated called “Vibrance” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, following her mission to create opportunities for marginalized artists and break barriers of accessibility. She was nominated for an award through the Neurodiverse Review (UK) for her outstanding leadership for the standout show “Vibrance”. She also choreographed and performed in International engagements in Mumbai, India with the Mood Indigo festival and Seoul, South Korea in an international, interdisciplinary collaboration residency with artsinTANK festival.
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Outside of Chutzpah Dance and overseeing the training company, Erica is currently a full-time adjunct professor at Stephen F. Austin University teaching Tap, Modern 1, Jazz 1, World Dance, Dance Production, and Dance Appreciation courses. Erica was a guest artist at Bucks County Community College (PA) and in residence at Broward College (FL) in 2022. She also taught and presented work at Nazareth University's MAD Festival (NY) in 2023. Erica has multiple dance studios in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She also taught workshops abroad in Panama as part of the Movement Exchange Organization in 2019. In 2021, Erica was awarded the South Jersey Artist & History Professional COVID Relief Grant award, recognizing her commitment to the dance community in South Jersey.
Erica danced with Hanna Q Dance Company, Allegory Dance Theatre, and at Dorney Park, contributing to the rehearsal processes. During her time at Hofstra University, she had the privilege of performing in works by Larry Keigwin, Anita Feldman, Luiza Karnas, and José Limón.
Lana Fuqua
Dancer
Lana Fuqua (she/her) is an arts manager and dancer currently located in New York City. She is a summa cum laude graduate of The University of Alabama where she received a B.A. in Dance and Communication Studies with Honors. During her tenure at UA, she received various awards for her academic and artistic accomplishments including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Premiere Award, Lou Wall Award, and Artistic Achievement Award. Lana has performed with Alabama Dance Works, Southeast Alabama Community Theatre, Yonder Contemporary Dance Company, Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre, and Dance Alabama!. She has toured regionally in the Southeast U.S. Prior to moving to New York, Lana worked with BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance and Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education to develop and coordinate various dance programming. She is dedicated to providing equitable and accessible dance opportunities to diverse populations and continues her work in DEI initiatives within the arts.
Natalie Long
Rehearsal Director, Dancer, Social Media Admin
Natalie Long grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina and received a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of South Carolina. She has danced professionally with Yuhas & Dancers, Moving Body Dance Company, STEME DANCE NYC, Laura Ardner Choreography and mmmChoreo. Currently based in NYC, Natalie is dancing with crystalandthomas in addition to Chutzpah Dance and is the director of ERELONG. Created in 2022 to house Natalie’s choreographic works, ERELONG has participated in 20+ performances in NYC and beyond. Highlights include Edinburgh Fringe, unKEMpT and 7MPR’s Midnight Performances. Natalie is also a co-founder of 5$Movement, a community-centric improvisational dance collective.
Claudia Logi
Training Company Rehearsal Director and Dancer
Claudia Logi is a New York City-based dancer and choreographer, originally from Paris, France. She began her formal dance training in classical ballet at The American Academy of Dance of Paris and furthered her studies in the pre-professional ballet program at L'Académie de Danse de Paris. She relocated to New York City to train at The Ailey School, where she graduated with a Certificate in Dance in the spring of 2024. She has also trained during the summer with companies such as Paul Taylor Dance Company, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Hofesh Shechter Company, Jacob Jonas The Company, and Batsheva Dance Company. She has performed repertoire by Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, Paul Taylor, Jacob Jonas, Johan Inger, JiÅ™í Kylián, and Alvin Ailey. As a choreographer, Claudia has showcased her original works in notable institutions and festivals across New Jersey, New York City, and Paris. She currently performs as a Soloist with American Liberty Ballet and is thrilled to jcontinue dancing with Chutzpah Dance.
Jasmine Rivers
Dancer
Jasmine Rivers is a dancer, choreographer, and non-profit administrator from San Francisco, now based in Brooklyn. She grew up training with ODC/Dance and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, before attending Princeton University where she majored in medical anthropology and pursued a certificate in dance. At Princeton, Jasmine trained under the mentorship of Rebecca Lazier, Tina Fehlandt, Davalois Fearon, Rashaun Mitchell, and Silas Riener, and performed in repertory works by Urban Bush Women and Ronald K. Brown’s EVIDENCE. Her interdisciplinary anthropology and dance senior thesis, which culminated in a 30-minute choreographic work integrating spoken word, live musicians, and projections to explore the complexity of multiracial identities, won the 2024 Princeton Lewis Center for the Arts Action Based Community Engagement Award. Jasmine currently works in non-profit administration – supporting organizations that uplift underserved communities through mental health services and free dance workshops – and is continuing to dance and choreograph in the NYC area. She is thrilled to be joining Chutzpah Dance!
Sonja Stahl
Dancer
Sonja Stahl (she/her) is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and began her formal dance training at the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) through their afterschool TWIGS (To Work in Gaining Skills) program. She then continued to study dance at BSA as a high school student. She has attended summer intensive programs at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the American Dance Festival among others. Sonja is a graduate of Towson University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Choreography with a minor in Health Sciences. She has performed in works by choreographers including Dianne McIntyre, Ephrat Asherie, Alan Danielson, José Limón, Caroline Rocher-Barnes, Laura Halzack and Dana Tai Soon Burgess among others. Sonja is also Mat Pilates certified. She looks forward to her first season with Chutzpah Dance!
Sam Siewertsen
Dancer
Sam Siewertsen (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based dancer, choreographer, and educator. Sam began her dance training in Westbrook, Maine at Drouin Dance Center. She continued her education at Connecticut College graduating with a B.A. in Dance and Holistic Health. During her time at Conn, Sam had the opportunity to perform in works by Shakia Barron, Rachel Boggia, Shani Collins, Ellie Goudie-Averill, Lauren Horn, Lisa Race, Rosemarie Roberts, Khadija Tariyan, and Nathan Trice. In the spring of 2022, Sam had the privilege of performing and presenting her work at the American College Dance Festival. Sam was a trainee with Chutzpah Dance before joining the main company.
Training Company
Ava Auffret
Trainee
Ava Auffret is a dancer, performer, and teacher based in New York City. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she trained for seven years at Menlo Park Academy of Dance before stepping away from dance. Ava rediscovered her passion in 2023 and currently trains at PMT House of Dance as part of the Professional Training Program. In addition to her work with Chutzpah Dance, she also dances with Querencia Dance. Ava has a strong passion for teaching and education. She assists with PMT’s Junior Company and supports classes at Brooklyn Dance Conservatory, where she enjoys helping young dancers grow in both confidence and technique. Ava is thrilled to be training with Chutzpah Dance this fall and looks forward to continuing her growth as a performer.
Ally Cubler
Trainee
Ally Cubler (she/her) is a dedicated dancer with over twelve years of experience, originally from Burlington, New Jersey. She began her foundational training at Core Academy of Movement and the Burlington Township Theatre Department. Her performance background includes both stage and competitive settings. She apprenticed with Reveal Movement Dance Company. Currently, Ally is pursuing graduate studies in Dance/Movement Therapy at Rider University. Her work is influenced by the legacies of movement pioneers such as Marian Chace, Imgard Bartenieff, and Judith Kestenberg, combining her passion for dance with a focus on its therapeutic potential. She looks forward to being part of Chutzpah Dance!
Jeniffer Martín Porras
Trainee
Jeniffer Martín Porras is a Colombian visual and movement artist born and raised in Bogotá, based in New York City. In 2017, she earned her BFA in Visual Arts with a graphic and plastic emphasis from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, and her MFA in Plastic and Visual Arts in 2021, from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. At the beginning of 2020, she reconnected with movement and dance, training at different academies and dance schools. Since then, she has been exploring the role of movement and dance in the creative process and expression, as well as as a tool for connecting and relating to others, ourselves, and the world. She has performed original choreography and classical adaptations in Bogotá from Lorena Cabezas, Santiago Muñoz, Lorena Morales, Laura Velázquez, and Natalia Castro. In NYC, she has performed works by Yuka Kawazu and Isabella Maria Torres, as well as the 2024 and 2025 Table of Silence Project 9/11, choreographed and conceived by Jacqulyn Buglisi. She’s excited to continue growing and connecting as part of her training with Chutzpah Dance!
Sydney Rosenberg
Trainee
Sydney Rosenberg, a Colorado native, began her training at Glenwood Dance Academy at the age of four. As a high school student, she continued her study with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where she performed with the company in their annual Nutcracker and spring performances. Currently based in NYC, she graduated from Marymount Manhattan College where she double majored and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance and psychology. While there, Sydney performed works by Annie Doss, Lauren Grant, and Megan Williams. Upon graduation, she began working with Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance where she performed Enjoy Yourself! with the company for Jacob's Pillow On the Road and the O+ Festival. She also performed work by Terk Lewis at the Bryant Park Picnic Performances. Most recently, Sydney performed with Madi Hicks at the Steps on Broadway Industry Showcase. She is excited to currently be a trainee with Chutzpah Dance.
Shaindel Tomasovitch
Trainee
Shaindel Tomasovitch is a Brooklyn-based dancer of 20+ years specializing in ballet, modern, and contemporary styles; she's also a multidisciplinary performance artist. A Michigan native, she studied Dance, English, and Gender, Sexuality, & Women's Studies at Wayne State University. Later, she earned a graduate degree in Experimental Humanities & Social Engagement at New York University. Shaindel has choreographed for a range of dancers and performance artists; she's also developed and produced immersive, multidisciplinary performances and live installation art. Guided by influences including Carolee Schneemann, Marina Abramović, and Pam Tanowitz, her practice is rooted in improvisation, partner work, and space, often examining themes of gender, complex relationships, grief, and suffering.