COMPLEXIONS
CONTEMPORARY BALLET

FOUNDING CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS 
Dwight Rhoden & Desmond Richardson 

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS 
Jillian Davis & Joe González 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 
Muadi B. Dibinga 

PRINCIPAL CHOREOGRAPHER 
Dwight Rhoden 

ARTISTIC ADVISOR 
Sarita Allen 

THE COMPANY
Jordan Beasley, John Chappell, Jillian Davis, Angelo De Serra, Chloe Duryea, Cameron Fikes, Joe González, Aristotle Luna, Marissa Mattingly, Laura Perich Villasmil, Damaris Ruiz, Lucy Stewart, Manuel Vaccaro, Drazen Wilmers
Apprentice: Carmina Ballesteros

IMAGINE JOY 
2025 

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden 
Music: Beethoven, Samuel Barber with additional sound design by Patrick Doran-Sheeran and Cory Folta 

Lighting Design: Michael Korsch 
Costume Design: Christine Darch 
Performed by: The Company 

Was it all just a dream? 

Imagine Joy was made possible through the support of 

HONESTLY 
2025 

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden 
Music: Donny Hathaway 
Lighting Design: Michael Korsch 
Costume Design: Christine Darch 
Performed by: Joe Gonzalez 

TESTAMENT 

Amazing Grace (Excerpt) 
2011 

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden 
Music: Traditional 
Lighting Design: Michael Korsch 
Costume Design: Jae Man Joo 
Performed by: Lucy Stewart and Jordan Beasley 

TESTAMENT was commissioned through the generous support of TITAS/Dallas, TX. 

SNATCHED BACK FROM THE EDGES 
(Excerpt) 
2021 

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden
Music: “Pimpf” by Depeche Mode
Lighting Design: Michael Korsch
Costume Design: Christine Darch
Performed by: The Company 

– INTERMISSION – 

LOVE ROCKS 
2020 

Choreography: Dwight Rhoden 
Music: Lenny Kravitz 
Lighting Design: Michael Korsch 
Costume Design: Christine Darch 
Sound Design: Corey Folta 
Performed by: The Company 

MUSIC CREDITS 
“Raised Vibrations”, “We Can Get It All Together", "I Belong to You", "Take Time", “Fly Away”, “It’s Enough”, “Here to Love” 
All written by Leonard A. Kravitz with permission of BMG Gold Songs. 
“Are You Gonna Go My Way” 
Written by Leonard A. Kravitz and Craig David Ross with permission of BMG Gold Songs and Wigged Music 
Rights/Clearances: BZ/Rights & Permissions, Inc. 

PROGRAM NOTES 
"We've got to dance and be in love." - Lenny Kravitz 
Special thanks to Lenny Kravitz. 

Hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Complexions Contemporary Ballet transcends dance tradition through a groundbreaking approach to the art. Founded in 1994 by master choreographer Dwight Rhoden and the legendary Desmond Richardson, Complexions’ foremost innovation is to remove boundaries, not reinforce them. The company blends methods, styles, and cultures from across the globe, and the result is a continually evolving form of dance that reflects the movement of our world — and all its cultures — as an interrelated whole. 

Complexions’ artistic directors and company members teach master classes around the world to dancers of all levels, bringing the company's inventive vision of human movement to five continents, over 20 countries, and over 20 million television viewers. The company has also performed at major dance festivals throughout Europe. These include Italy’s Festival of Dance; France’s Isle De Dance Festival and Maison De La Dance Festival; the Holland Dance Festival; Switzerland’s Steps International Dance Festival; Poland’s kódźBiennale, Warsaw Ballet Festival and Kraków Spring Ballet Festival; and Spain’s Dance Festival of Canary Islands. Complexions has toured extensively throughout the Baltic Regions, Korea, Brazil, Japan, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Israel, Russia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Serbia, Jamaica, and Australia. 

Complexions Contemporary Ballet has received The New York Times Critics’ Choice Award, among numerous other awards. It has appeared in theaters across the U.S., including The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New Victory Theater (New York City), the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts (New Orleans), Paramount Theatre (Seattle), The Music Center (Los Angeles), Winspear Opera House (Dallas), Cutler Majestic Theatre (Boston), the Music Hall (Detroit), and the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) as part of the 2017 Ballet Across America. Prominent theaters abroad that have hosted Complexions include the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kremlin Theatre (Moscow), The Mikhailovsky Theater (St. Petersburg), and the Melbourne Arts Center. Over the past three decades, the company has witnessed a world becoming more fluid, more changeable and more culturally interconnected than ever before. Today, Complexions Contemporary Ballet represents one of the most recognized and respected performing arts brands worldwide. 

DWIGHT RHODEN (Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director, Principal Choreographer) has established a remarkably wide-ranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.” Rhoden began dancing at age seventeen, and performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal, and as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1994, alongside Desmond Richardson, he founded COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet, bringing their unique brand of contemporary ballet to the world, forging a center for innovation and cutting-edge programming. Rhoden’s choreography has been the lynchpin of the company's repertory development. In three decades, he has created over 100 ballets for COMPLEXIONS, as well as for numerous other companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Arizona Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BalletMet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, PHILADANCO!, Mariinsky Ballet, Zenon Dance Company, The Washington Ballet, The Houston Ballet and The San Francisco Ballet, among many others. Rhoden has also choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance, E! Entertainment’s Tribute to Style, AMICI, Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity, Mozart Her Story, and collaborated with artists including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Paul Simon, Nina Simone, and many more. A recipient of The New York Foundation for the Arts Award, The Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, and The Ailey School’s Apex Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Boston Conservatory in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of dance. Currently he is Adjunct Professor at Howard University, and Artistic Professor of Dance at Chapman University. 

DESMOND RICHARDSON (Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director) An iconic American Dance Professional, Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet celebrating its 30th year anniversary, Broadway Tony Award Nominee, TedTalk Guest artist & speaker, and So You Think You Can Dance & AMICI (Italy) Guest Choreographer. Richardson is a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and has graced the covers of various publications; he was the first African American Principal dancer of American Ballet Theater, a principal dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Frankfurt Ballet and a featured guest performer nationally and internationally. He has received the Capezio, Rosey Roosevelt Thompson, Bessie and Dance Magazine awards. He is an honorary Doctorate Recipient from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Currently, Richardson and his collaborator Dwight Rhoden are working on the Broadway bound “Mozart Her Story" with producers Tegan Summer, Patricia Klausner and Christopher Sepulveda. Richardson's character Ted appeared on the HBO Max hit series "The Other Two” Season 3. 

JILLIAN DAVIS (Associate Artistic Director, Dance Artist) is from Pennsylvania in the United States and began her ballet training at the age of 3. She studied extensively with Risa Kaplowitz and Susan Jaffe at Princeton Dance and Theater Studio in Princeton, NJ. She has been a Company Artist with Complexions since 2014 and has been a part of several Dwight Rhoden world premieres. Jillian is also a Choreographer Assistant for Jae Man Joo and Dwight Rhoden and pursues personal choreographic opportunities. Jillian is a Master Faculty member for Complexions Academy, teaching at the Winter and Summer Intensives, as well as Master Classes around the U.S. In August 2025, Jillian, alongside Joe González, was appointed Co-Associate Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. IG @jillange93 

JOE GONZÁLEZ (Associate Artistic Director, Dance Artist) is from Boston Massachusetts, where he trained at Roxbury Center Performing Arts and the Boston Arts Academy. Joe has participated in Boston Conservatory's summer intensive, American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival and twice at Springboard Danse Montreal. He received his BFA from Boston Conservatory. Gonzalez has commissioned works for a few universities, educational institutions, and dance companies. Joe toured nationally and internationally as a performing artist with Philadanco, Anna Myer & Dancers, Prometheus Dance, #DBdanceProject, WaheedWorks and was the 2020/21 DanceVisions Artist in Resident at Performance Garage. He is currently founder and Artistic Director of Jo-Mé Dance and was on faculty at Temple University, Georgian Court University and Boston Arts Academy. He joined COMPLEXIONS in 2022. @j.gonzalez.dance 

MIGUEL SOLANO (Artistic Associate & Repetiteur), originally from Medellín, Colombia, completed his training at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City. After performing professionally with several companies, he joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet in 2018 and was appointed Artistic Associate and Repetiteur in 2025. He has collaborated with choreographers including Dwight Rhoden, Christopher Rudd, Ricardo Amarante, Francesca Harper, Darrell Moultrie, and Jenn Freeman, and has staged works by Rhoden and Rudd for universities and professional companies. In addition to his work with Complexions, Miguel serves as a dance coach for the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics program at North Stars Gymnastics Academy in New Jersey. In 2026, eight gymnasts under his coaching qualified for national championships, with one earning a National Champion title. He has also coached dancers to the finals of Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). 

NATIYA KEZEVADZE (Rehearsal Director) started her training in Classical Ballet at V. Chabukiani State Ballet School in Tbilisi, Georgia. At age thirteen, she was accepted to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet on full scholarship in St-Petersburg, Russia. While at the Academy, Natiya studied with professor T. Udalenkova, performed extensively on the celebrated Mariinsky Stage, and received her BFA. She joined Boris Eifman Dance Company, and then was a soloist with Ballet Classic. Natiya moved to NYC in 2004 to further pursue her performing career, and a year later joined Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company, under the direction of Abdel Salaam. In 2007 she joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet, touring worldwide performing works by Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Igal Perry and Jae Man Joo. In 2012, Ms. Kezevadze left touring life to focus on motherhood, and to embrace her love for teaching. She has taught at the Joffrey Experience in NYC, Broadway Dance Center, was assistant choreographer with the New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and for Dwight Rhoden’s original international production of the Great Gatsby Ballet. Today, Natiya continues performing with Complexions as Rehearsal Director, teaching as Master faculty at the Complexions Academy, and collaborates in various dance projects. 

NATALIA ALONSO (Rehearsal Director) began her career in dance when joining Ballet Hispanico in 2001, for which she received accolades in Dance Magazine’s cover story for her work with the company. Shortly thereafter, she joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet where she danced for 5 seasons. Natalia then performed the role of Maria Tallchief in the Lincoln Center Theater play, Nikkolai and the Others. She can also be seen in commercial publications such as Discount Dance and Baltogs, as well as several TV shows including “Law and Order: SVU”. Ms. Alonso is currently performing with the Metropolitan Opera and has appeared in productions of Die Rosenkavalier, Carmen, La Nozze de Figaro, Die Fleidermaus, Rigoletto and Turandot. Before beginning her career as a professional dancer, Ms. Alonso, received a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University, where she also performed and co-directed a student run dance company. Ms. Alonso has taught master classes at institutions such as The Juilliard School, The Joffrey Ballet School, Barnard, Broadway Dance Center, Perry Mansfield , and is also a certified GYROTONIC® instructor. 

TERK LEWIS (Rehearsal Director) is from Mansfield, OH and earned his BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University performing in works by Antony Tudor, Frank Chaves and Ron DeJesus. Lewis then went on to join Complexions Contemporary Ballet performing works by Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Jae Man Joo, William Forsyth and Marcelo Gomes. Lewis later danced in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” on NBC (Choreographed by Camille Brown) and performed in “Peter Pan” and “Rock of Ages” at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, as well as the music video “Cross Me” by Ed Sheeran. He has done industrial work for Hanes, Hyundai, FujiFilm, and V magazine. Lewis danced in the Lin Manuel Miranda Feature Film “In The Heights” (Choreographed by Chris Scott), at the Met Gala (Choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler), in the Musical Series “Up Here” on Hulu (Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh), and at Radio City Music Hall for NBC (Choreographed by Shannon Lewis). Most recently Lewis performed on Saturday Night Live (Choreographed by Chris Bailey). Lewis is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Lewis’ choreography highlights include: The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, Bryant Park NYC, Steps Professional Performance Showcase, The Steps Conservatory, The Joffrey Ballet School, Black Boys Dance Too, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Academy, Western Michigan University, The Kalamazoo Civic Theater, Nickelodeon, and Gayletter magazine. Teaching highlights include: Western Michigan University (visiting assistant professor), Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, The Alvin Ailey Extension Program and New York City Dance Alliance. Lewis will complete his MFA in dance from Montclair State University in May of 2026. 

MICHAEL KORSCH (Resident Lighting Designer) is a lighting, projection and scenic designer based in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned his BA in theatre from Temple University. He has worked with numerous directors and choreographers, creating hundreds of visual designs for dance, theatre and other live performances throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, as well as New Zealand. Michael has been the resident lighting designer for Complexions Contemporary Ballet since 1998, and Ballet Arizona since 2001. In addition, Michael has created designs for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Backhausdance, BalletMet, Ballet Nice Méditerranée, Ballet West, BalletX, Carolina Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Cleveland Play House, Czech National Ballet, DanceBrazil, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Disney Creative Entertainment, English National Ballet, FELA! The Concert, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, MOMIX, Oakland Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, and Washington Ballet among others. 

CHRISTINE DARCH (Resident Costume Designer) has designed for COMPLEXIONS since 2006. She designs and builds costumes for many choreographers including Julia Adam, Natasha Adorlee, Jennifer Archibald, Val Caniparoli, Rena Butler, Jorma Elo, Nicolo Fonte, Jen Freeman, Adam Hougland, Jae Man Joo, James Kudelka, Gabrielle Lamb, Edward Liang, Matthew Neenan, David Parsons, Caili Quan, Amy Seiwert, Merián Soto, Septime Webre, and Yin Yue. Ms. Darch has been commissioned by Alvin Ailey, Astana Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Hawaii, Ballet Memphis, Ballet Met, Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Gibney Dance, Gwangju City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Madco, Marin Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Le Ballet Nice Méditerranée, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Parsons Dance, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Post: ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, Singapore Ballet,Tulsa Ballet, Washington Ballet, and BalletX. Her full length works include four Nutcrackers, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Dwight Rhoden’s Othello. She builds costumes from her studio in East Northport, New York. 

JORDAN BEASLEY (Dance Artist) began his training in competitive dance and classical ballet in Los Angeles before continuing his studies at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Miami City Ballet on full scholarships. He launched his professional career with IAF Company, performing in a range of on-camera commercial projects and creating work as both a dancer and choreographer for music videos and live productions. Jordan has appeared as a guest artist with American Contemporary Ballet and Pacific Festival Ballet, and was a featured soloist in an immersive cabaret performance at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Now pursuing his career in New York, he is dedicated to further expanding his artistry and exploring new performance opportunities. He joined COMPLEXIONS in 2025. 

JOHN CHAPPELL (Dance Artists) is from Chesapeake, Virginia, where he began training in dance at age 13 after starting out in gymnastics. He completed his pre-college training under the mentorship of Denise Wall before moving to New York to attend The Juilliard School, graduating in 2026 with a BFA in Dance. John has had the opportunity to perform works by various choreographers including William Forsythe, Sir Wayne McGregor, Alvin Ailey, Pam Tanowitz, Shen Wei, José Limón, and Merce Cunningham. He has also trained at summer programs such as Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet BC, and American Ballet Theatre. John finds immense joy in nature and many forms of creation, always eager to continually grow as an artist. John joined COMPLEXIONS in 2026. @j0hnchappell 

ANGELO DE SERRA (Dance Artist) grew up in Sassari, Sardinia, Italy. He began his professional training at the age of 14 with Sharon Podesva, his private ABT ballet teacher. He attended summer intensives at The Royal Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre and Academie Princesse Grace. At the age of 17 he was awarded Senior Male Classical Top Six at Youth America Grand Prix Italy, and a year later won first place in Classical Soloist the Expression International Dance Competition in Florence were he received a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey School. He then moved to Cannes, France, graduated from PNSD-Rosella Hightower and joined Cannes Jeune Ballet. After moving to New York City to attend The Ailey School, he attended intensives at the Complexions Academy and joined COMPLEXIONS as an apprentice in 2022 and was promoted to company member in 2024. 

CHLOE DURYEA (Dance Artist) received her early dance training near her hometown of Haslett, Michigan. She attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive as a National Training Scholar on full scholarship. Chloe graduated from Indiana University’s Jacob School of Music with Highest Distinction, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ballet with an Outside Field of Kinesiology. At Indiana University, she was featured in works by Twyla Tharp, Dwight Rhoden, and as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. Chloe has guested with the Ruth Page Civic Ballet and the Indianapolis School of Ballet, where she performed George Balanchine’s Nutcracker Pas de Deux. Chloe has danced professionally with Elements Contemporary Ballet, James Sewell Ballet, and performed at the Cannes Dance Festival. With Complexions, Chloe has danced works by Dwight Rhoden, Justin Peck, Ricardo Amarante, Jae Man Joo, Houston Thomas, Joe Gonzáles, and has performed at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Chloe joined COMPLEXIONS in 2023. 

CAMERON FIKES (Dance Artist) is a dancer from Los Angeles, California. He trained at renowned institutions including the School of American Ballet, the Colburn School, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. His training has spanned ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and hip hop, learning from mentors who have challenged him to move from honesty rather than habit. For Cameron, dance is rooted in truth, curiosity, and human connection, a place where the body can speak beyond words. His journey through dance has been one of rediscovery, shedding perfection and finding freedom in vulnerability. Through movement, he continues to explore the infinite process of becoming. Cameron joined COMPLEXIONS in 2026. 

ARISTOTLE LUNA (Dance Artist) began as a trainee with Complexions Contemporary Ballet in the Spring of 2022 while in college. He grew up on Salt Spring and Orcas Islands in the Salish Sea and began dancing full-time at age 10 under the direction of Anthony the Dancer. He was a member of The Island Inspiration All Stars, studied ballet, contemporary, tap, hiphop, salsa, jazz and aerial acrobatics, and performed in many shows, including Billy in Billy Elliot. He also trained with Ariel Serrano at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, Homer Bryant of the Chicago MultiCultural Dance Center and did an apprentice-residency with Dance Now! Miami. Summer intensives include Jacob's Pillow, Orsolina28, Hubbard Street, Houston Ballet and Interlochen. Aristotle completed his BFA in dance and graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, in May 2024. In his spare time, Aristotle is an avid capoerista and Charles Mingus devotee. He became an apprentice with COMPLEXIONS in 2024 and was promoted to company member in 2025. 

MARISSA MATTINGLY (Dance Artist) grew up in Tampa, Florida where she was trained in several different styles of dance since the age of three. She started to take ballet and contemporary more seriously at the age of 13 when she began training at All American Dance Factory and Classical Ballet School under the direction of Terri Howell and Julio Montano. With this training she took part in many ballet competitions. She is a 4 time YAGP finalist, and performed in the UBC 2022 finals gala as a Legacy Award winner. She attended her first Complexions summer intensive in 2021, and was invited to take part in their two week Trainee Program in the spring of 2022. She then joined COMPLEXIONS in August of 2022 at the age of 17. Since then, she has performed in numerous ballets by Dwight Rhoden, including four world premiers at the Joyce Theater of “Endgame”, “For Crying Out Loud”, “Bolero”, and “Deeply”. @marissa_mattingly_ 

LAURA PERICH VILLASMIL (Dance Artist) was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela where she began training at the age of 3. She then moved to Houston, Texas where she continued her training with Catriona Steel and completed The Royal Academy of Dance Ballet exams under Steel's direction. After graduating, Laura then joined Texas Ballet Theater's Studio Training Company completing two full years in the program. In 2021, Laura moved to New York City and joined Ballet Hispanico's Professional Studies Program as part of the inaugural cohort on full scholarship where she had the opportunity to tour and be a guest artist for the main company. Laura then joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet as an Apprentice. Laura has had the opportunity to work with and perform works by Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, Gustavo Ramirez-Sansano, Pedro Ruiz, Eduardo Vilaro, Norbert De La Cruz III, Tsai-Hsi Hung, Morgan McEwen, Ben Stevenson and more. She joined COMPLEXIONS as a full time dancer in 2025. 

DAMARIS RUIZ (Dance Artist) is a Spanish dancer trained in classical and contemporary disciplines. She received her foundational training in Madrid under Carmina Ocaña and Pablo Savoye before expanding her expertise internationally in cities like Paris, where she studied with renowned teachers such as Wayne Byars. Her professional stage career includes five years in the principal ensemble of The Lion King in Madrid, later transitioning to the Paris production where she served as a swing for two years. In 2016, she performed at the Brit Awards in London under the direction of visionary choreographer Wayne McGregor. Most recently, for the 2025–2026 season, she was awarded a scholarship to the Peridance Center professional training program, supported by Nikki Holck. Damaris joined COMPLEXIONS in 2026. 

LUCY STEWART (Dance Artist) grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, dancing at Colorado Ballet and Kinetic Arts Dance Studio. She spent her summers training with American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Complexions, and Colorado Ballet. Lucy attended numerous Complexions summer intensives from the years 2017 to 2021, in addition to its pre professional program in New York in 2019 and 2020. Prior to joining COMPLEXIONS in 2022, Lucy studied at The Juilliard School in the dance division. She has had the opportunity to study with various leading artists in the dance world, including Ohad Naharin, Francesca Harper, Houston Thomas, Tiler Peck, Rena Butler, James Whiteside, Karole Armitage, Matthew Neenan, Jae Man Joo, Jenn Freeman, and Ricardo Amarante, as well as the opportunity to perform Set and Reset by Trisha Brown. In addition to dancing with Complexions, she has had various teaching opportunities, is a Bloch Influencer, and is attending Fordham University’s Professional and Continuing Studies program part-time. 

MANUEL VACCARO (Dance Artist) was born in Modica, a small Sicilian city in Italy. His passion for dance has lived since he learned how to walk. He began his dance studies at the age of six at a private school in Sicily. When he turned ten, Manuel was admitted to the Rome Opera House dance school where he studied for four years. In September 2018, he started studying at the Rosella Hightower dance school in France. After sending a video audition to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia in 2019, he was admitted and studied for three years. In June 2022, Manuel received his diploma in professional dance and ballet teaching from the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Manuel joined COMPLEXIONS in 2023. @manuel_vaccaro_ 

DRAZEN WILMERS (Apprentice) is a dancer who is grounded in curiosity, discipline, and a genuine love for movement. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Drazen received his BFA in Dance from Point Park University, where he trained in a range of techniques that shaped his versatility. Drazen’s expansive skill set is exemplified through his performances of works by some of the most influential choreographers in the field. His repertoire includes Sweet Fields by Twyla Tharp, Cry Me by Jae Man Joo, Serenade by George Balanchine, Boots on the Ground by Mike Tyus and Luca Renzi, Cloudline by Robyn Mineko, and Steel City by Houston Thomas—each piece contributing to his rich and diverse dance experience. These works have deepened his understanding of movement, storytelling, and collaboration. With a strong educational foundation and a steadily growing professional career, Drazen Wilmers continues to establish himself as a remarkable and evolving talent within the dance community. He joined COMPLEXIONS in 2025 

STAGE MANAGER: Madison Ellis 
LIGHTING SUPERVISOR: Jenni Propst

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
Everick Brown, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Carl Nelson, Sarah Picot, Felicia Swoope 

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD 
Debbie Allen, Angela Bassett, Wren T. Brown, Susan Jaffe, Lisa Niemi Swayze, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington 

COLLABORATORS
Publicist: Richard Kornberg & Associates
Photographers: Rachel Neville, Steve Vaccariello Company, Taylor Craft, PhotosbyDrizzy 
The Gingerb3ardman Photography 
Accompanists: Ai Isshiki, Dan Meinhardt, Alice Hargrove 
Videographer: Jacob Hiss 

REPRESENTATION 
MARGARET SELBY SELBY/ARTISTS MGMT 262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701 New York, NY 10018 Office: 212-382-3260 | mselby@selbyartistsmgmt.com 

COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET FOUNDATION, INC. 
244 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2875 

New York, NY 10001 
www.complexionscontemporaryballet.org
complexionsacademy.com 

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