ARTISTS
ERICA ISAKOWER
Artistic Director / Choreographer / Dancer
Erica Isakower is a 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 is currently an MFA in Dance candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and earning her Certificate in Nonprofit Management after earning her BFA 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”. 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 danced with Hanna Q Dance Company, Allegory Dance Theatre, Laura Ardner, 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. She currently teaches at 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. www.chutzpahdance.com | @chutzpahdance
Sarah Blake
Social Media Administrator
Sarah Blake is a dance artist located in the New York City area. She is a May 2022 graduate of Manhattanville College where she received her BA in Dance & Theatre (DTH) Concentration in Dance and Psychology and minored in Business Management. From the DTH department, she was awarded the Michael Posnick Award for Academic Excellence in Dance (2020) and the Greta Levart Award for Continued Artistic Excellence in Dance (2022). During her college years she had the opportunity to perform works by Shawn Bible, Brad Beakes, Sarah Housepian, Michaela McGowan, Michael Trusnovec as well as many others. Beginning in July 2022, she has been presenting her choreography around NYC as well teaching dance to all ages, at studios and schools across Northern New Jersey. She graduated from Baruch College with her MA in Arts Administration in May 2024. She served as a budgeting/financial consultant for the small company Garet&Co, located in CT and was nominated for the Marlow Prize for Arts Leadership from Baruch College. She began dancing with Chutzpah Dance in January 2023 and although ending her performing career with the company in May 2024, she completes administrative tasks and manages the company’s social media. She is so proud of how far this company has come since she first joined 2 seasons ago.
Dancer
Laura Ardner is from York, PA, and she recently earned a BFA in dance and a minor in writing from Slippery Rock University in 2021. After graduating, she continued her training through Broadway Dance Center’s Independent Training Program in the fall of 2022. Laura has performed in various student works at Slippery Rock University in addition to works by Pearl Primus, Cameron McKinney, Ursula Payne, Samantha Baker, Jennifer Meckley, and Francine Ott. Laura’s choreography has recently been featured at Broadway Dance Center, Adrienne Theater, Sprout Your Awareness, Artistry Unfolded, and Koresh Artist Showcase. Her short dance film was also featured in the Quarantine Screen Selection of the 2020 92Y Mobile Dance Film Festival. Additionally, Laura has presented her undergraduate research project, "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences Applied to Choreography" at the 2021 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and at the Slippery Rock University Student Research Symposium in 2021. Presently, Laura is in rehearsals with Chutzpah Dance and DanceKerr & Dancers, and she is also a faculty member at Alternative Synergy the Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Laura is thrilled for her third season with Chutzpah Dance!
Laura Ardner
Natalie Long
Dancer
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
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, Jiří 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 join the upcoming season with Chutzpah Dance.
Melanie Molina
Dancer
Melanie Molina received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Montclair State University. She is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and was a scholarship student at The Ailey School. She has also completed the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center and has attended training programs at Steps on Broadway, Peridance, and The Joffrey Ballet School. Over the years she has performed works by Alwin Nikolais, Stacey Tookey, Earl Mosley, Max Stone and various others. Some of her regional credits include The Music Man, Gypsy, and The King and I. She has also performed with WellBeing Dance and Velvet City Dance. She is currently an instructor at Elements Barre Fit. She is happy to be in her second season with Chutzpah Dance this season!
Hannah McGrew
Dancer
Hannah McGrew, a dance artist based in NYC, discovered her passion for dance with the Berrien County Dancers under Theresa Graziano in southwest Michigan. With BCD, she performed works by Cesar Celinas, Stephanie Martinez, and Ron de Jesus. During this time, she also developed a passion for choreography, earning the Excellence in Dance and Choreography Award upon graduation. McGrew continued her journey at Hope College in Holland, MI, where she pursued a degree in dance and psychology and trained with Matthew Farmer, Sharon Wong, Heather Cornell, and others. Her performances reached audiences across the Midwest and Europe. Throughout her academic career, she created numerous group pieces for showcases and festivals, further nurturing her love for performance and choreography. Now, she is excited to embark on her first season with Chutzpah Dance!
Kim Hancock
Dancer
Kim is an emerging movement artist based in New York City, originally from Connecticut. They grew up doing competitive Irish step dance, but reconnected to dance as an adult while living in New Delhi and working with Artist League India. While they work full time in cybersecurity, Kim hopes to expand their artistic career in New York City and pursue movement professionally. Since moving to New York, they have completed the Peridance Independent Study Program, consistently trained in contemporary as well as street styles, performed their own choreography, and worked with various companies in numerous festivals and showcases. They are excited to continue their own choreographic work as well as collaborate with other artists. Kim is thrilled to be in their first season with Chutzpah and can't wait to see how this opportunity helps them grow as an artist!
Libby McKenzie
Dancer
Libby (she/they) graduated as Presidential Scholar from Western Michigan University's dance department in 2023. During her time there, she performed works by Tsai Hsi Hung, George Balanchine, Seyong Kim, Kelsey Paschich, Carolyn Pavlik, Katy Copeland, and Kim Cooper. Post-graduation, she has danced professionally with CPR Dance: Inhale Movement, Querencia Dance, Steam Dance NYC. This past December, she had the privilege of presenting work with her partner Mikayla Bunn at NYC's Dancewave. She is currently in process with Joyce King Dance Company, Matty Mahoski, Payge Lecakes, and Chutzpah Dance.