Officers:
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President- Emily Ball
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Vice-President- Sarah Schwandt
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Chaplain- Alyssa Mitchell
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Treasurer- Alisha Hagel
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Public Relations- Megan Dortch
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Social- Anne Purgason
Company Members:
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Kara Fenton
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Courtney Freeman
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Grace Hawkins
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Brittany Rioth
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Blair Rogers
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Emily Stewart
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Natalie Tamburello
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Kristen Weigers
Company Biographies:
Emily Ball
Management Informational Systems major; class of 2010
Emily is a 4-year member of Chara and is joyously serving her second year as President. Emily has 16 years of dance experience in lyrical, modern, jazz, and ballet. She has been involved in her church's dance ministry and was trained at various studios as well as being captain of her dance team in high school. During her time with Chara, Emily has choreographed multiple lyrical, jazz, modern, and contemporary dances, including "Come to Me" by Aaron Shust, "Courage" by Superchick, "Oh My Lord" by Mandisa, "The Light" by Brandon Heath, "Mirror" by BarlowGirl, "Wherever We Go" by Newsboys, and "Slow Me Down" by Emmy Rossum. Among Emily's favorite Bible verses are Psalm 149:3 -- "Praise His name with dancing" -- and Ephesians 3:20 -- "Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."
Megan Dortch
Communications major, Business and Spanish minor; 2011
Megan is a 3-year member of Chara and is currently serving as the Public Relations officer. She has been dancing for 15 years, primarily in lyrical and ballet. She danced at varous studios, was captain of her high school dance team, and led a dance ministry at her church. In Chara, Megan has choreographed a pointe piece to "Hallowed" by Jennifer Knapp and a lyrical to "Testify to Love" by Avalon. Megan is encouraged by the passage Psalm 131:1-3 -- "O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me."
Kara Fenton- General Studies; 2013
Kara is excited about her first year on Chara! She has taken ballet for 9 years, and has also taught ballet classes and participated in school musicals. Her favorite verse is Romans 8:28 -- "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Courtney Freeman
Business major, Dance minor; 2013
Courtney has been dancing for 13 years in ballet, pointe, modern, tap, and hip-hop. In high school she was involved with a dance ministry in which she travelled internationally to witness through dance. This is Courtney's first year on Chara. She loves John 8:1-11, the passage where Jesus forgives an adulterous woman in the presence of many wanting to condemn her.
Alisha Hagel
Psychology; 2012
This is Alisha's second year on Chara, and she is serving as Treasurer. She has 16 years of dance experience, both in ballet and drill team training. Out of lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, and modern, her favorite styles are lyrical and modern. This year, Alisha plans to choreograph a modern/interpretive piece to "Tears of the Saints" by Leeland. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:6 -- "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Grace Hawkins
Biology; 2012
Dancing since she was 4 years old, Grace was trained in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and pointe. In high school she joined the drill team where she learned even more styles such as hip-hop, pom, kick, and novelty. Grace is a first-year member of Chara. She is encouraged by the verse Jeremiah 29:11 -- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Alyssa Mitchell
English major, Religous Studies minor; 2011
This is Alyssa's third year on Chara, and she is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chaplain. She has been dancing for 13 years in ballet, and last year she choreographed a ballet/lyrical piece to "Call My Name" by Third Day. Among her favorite Bible passages are Philippians 2:1-11, a description of Christ's example of humilty, and Psalm 130:3-6 -- "If you, O Lord, should mark my iniquities, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning, more than the watchmen for the morning."
Anne Purgason
Biology; 2012
Anne is a 2-year member of Chara and is serving as the Social officer this year. She has 14 years of dance experience in jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, and drill team. This year, Anne choreographed a lyrical/modern dance to "Move Forward" by Bethany Dillon. She is encouraged by Philippians 4:6-7, which instructs us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Brittany Rioth
Biomedical Science; 2011
Brittany is serving as a 3-year member of Chara. Prior to college, she danced for 3 years on drill team and was captain her senior year. She has been trained in lyrical, jazz, kick, hip-hop, and modern. Last year, Brittany choreographed a jazz section to "Wherever We Go" by Newsboys. She loves the verse Joshua 1:9 which says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Blair Rogers
Biomedical Science; 2013
Blair has been dancing for 15 years, and has enjoyed being a dance teacher for girls ages 2 and up. The styles of dance she's taken include ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, and poitne. Blair is excited about her first year on Chara. Her favorite verses include Philippians 4:13 -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and Proverbs 16:3 -- "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Sarah Schwandt
Biomedical Science; 2011
This is Sarah's 3rd year on Chara, and she loves serving as Vice-President! Sarah has been dancing for 18 years in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and modern. Growing up, she was blessed to dance at church with her mom. Sarah's favorite Bible passage is Psalm 18:30-36, which rejoices in the perfect way of the Lord, a shield and stronghold for all who take refuge in Him.
Emily Stewart
Early Childhood Education; 201
Emily started dancing 17 years ago at a professional dance shchool, and God blessed her all those years. Most of her training was an emphasis in ballet for 14 years, jazz for 10 years, modern and pointe for 8 years, and tap for 4 years. Jazz and modern are her two favorite dance styles. This is Emily's second year in Chara, and she has cherished every minute of it. She is encouraged by Joshua 1:9 -- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Natalie Tamburello
Educational Psychology; 2013
Natalie started dancing in a studio when she was 4, taking classes in ballet, jazz, and tap. In high school, Natalie was on the drill team her sophomore through senior years, and this is her first year to serve on Chara. Natalie loves the verse Jeremiah 29:11 -- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Kristen Weigers
Biomedical Science; 2011
Kristen has taken 13 years of tap, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop, and this is her first year to dance with Chara. She loves the verses in Isaih 43 that comfort us by saying, "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Isreal: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."