ARTISTS
Main Company
ERICA ISAKOWER
Artistic Director, Choreographer, and 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.
Outside of Chutzpah Dance and overseeing the training company, Erica was recently 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 and Adminstrator
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.
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, 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 jcontinue dancing with 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.
Sydney Rosenberg
Dancer
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. Sydney was a trainee with Chutzpah Dance before joining the main company.
Skylar Matos
Dancer
Skylar Matos (she/they) is a New York–based artist. Trained in multiple styles, Skylar brings versatility, musicality, and a strong performance presence to every project they take on. They have performed in a variety of works throughout their undergraduate studies by guest artists and faculty. More recently, they have performed works by New York–based artists in both dance and film projects, as well as in company settings. Skylar is a multifaceted artist who brings passion and creativity to every project they are a part of. They are excited to join Chutzpah Dance!
Training Company
Brooke Moody
Trainee
Brooke Moody (Richmond, Virginia) began her dance training at Richmond Dance Center and Henrico High School’s Center for the Arts. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Business from Montclair State University. At Montclair State, Brooke performed in works by Stefanie Martinez, Cat Cogliandro, Andre Tyson, Christian von Howard, Kathleen Kelley, and Cameron McKinney. She has presented two adjudicated works in Montclair State University’s Dancemakers concerts (2023, 2024) in addition to presenting work in the Spring Senior Project showcase in 2025. Brooke performed in David Dorfman's choreographic work at the American Dance Festival's Footprints concert in 2024. Currently she is dancing with Trainor Dance Company directed by Caitlin Trainor.
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!