GLADC Staff
Brayden began his training at age 10 and through the years has studied genres including ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, hip hop, acro, modern and ballroom. He has a well rounded background which makes him versatile as a choreographer and teacher.
Active in his career, Brayden currently dances professionally for the Greater Lansing Ballet Company where he continues to gain experience performing and training. He looks forward to passing down what he has learned to the next generation.
Brayden grew up receiving scholarships and certificates from big conventions and intensives such as Blue Lake Fine Arts, National Choreographers Intensive, JUMP, NUVO, Radix, Tremaine and Titans of Dance. While he has experience in the competitive dance industry, he has also performed at concert based events such as Regional Dance America and original concerts by the ballet company. He hopes to find a middle ground in his work where artistry meets entertainment.
Olivia has studied contemporary, ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and tap for over 15 years. She has developed her understanding of dance through numerous dance conventions, weekly classes, competitions, intensives, online programs and dance films.
Olivia is known for her cutting edge choreography, having received multiple top scoring adjudications, judges pick awards, musicality awards, a choreography award, and an invitation to a contemporary dance showcase in Chicago. Olivia has also completed CLI’s certification for Choreography and Composition as well as Strength Training & Injury Prevention. She actively pursues any opportunity she can to expand on her knowledge of dance as a choreographer and instructor.
Dance motivates Olivia to think outside the box and to help dancers push their versatility and musicality. She elevates dancers by pushing them outside their comfort zone in order to reach their greatest potential.
Samantha started dancing at Rochester School of Dance at age three. She went on to join their competition team entering in a variety of styles such as contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and ballet. She won many titles attending different competitions and conventions. Samantha has received scholarships to Broadway Dance Center, Charlotte Ballet, and Sarasota Ballet.
She went on to join A&A Ballet in Chicago before becoming a trainee with Charlotte Ballet. Most recently, she was a corps de ballet member with Fort Wayne Ballet. She had opportunities to choreograph on the company’s principal dancers. She created original works for company tours and showcases.
Samantha is so excited to dance professionally for the Greater Lansing Ballet Company and coach for GLAD Competitive! She is looking forward to helping dancers push their technique while developing artistry that makes them unique performers.
Lucy began dancing at a young age, training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern and musical theater. She now dances professionally for the Greater Lansing Ballet Company. She is excited to be able to share her knowledge of dance, choreography and technical design with the dancers of GLADC.
Lucy frequently performs professionally under Broadway alums at The Encore Musical Theatre Company. She recently performed in their showing of Mamma Mia where she showed off her expertise in singing, tap and jazz.
Lucy has received much praise for her work with dancers young and old. Her enthusiastic and passionate character makes her an inspiring teacher for her students. Her choreography has also been selected multiple times to be showed at Regional Dance America festivals. She can’t wait for an amazing season with GLADC!
Graduating from Wayne State University in 2019 with a BFA in Dance, Lena Granger is a freelance movement artist who focuses on highly physical, modern contemporary styles. While attending Wayne State, Lena had the opportunity to perform works choreographed by Twyla Tharp, Pilobolus, Laurie Eisenhower, Ronald K Brown, Jenn Freeman, Molly Shanahan, Trey McIntyre, Meg Paul, Biba Bell, and more.
In addition to performing, Lena has also choreographed and presented various solo and group works. Her most recent work, I Never Wanted You to Leave, which premiered at the Bonstelle Theatre in March of 2019 was also selected as a finalist for the Maggie Allesee Choreography Awards that same year.
Lena aims to cultivate a collaborative working environment as she leans into pedestrian gestures and satisfies her desire to be fully present in the body through technical athleticism. Her choreographic practice has been inspired greatly by her work with Christopher Rudd, Kara Brody, and Dance Exchange.