Monica Ordoñez
Founding Artistic Director
Monica Ordoñez is a Big Easy Award-winning choreographer based in New Orleans. Originally from Miami, Florida, she discovered her passion for choreography at a young age, rooted in a harmonious connection between movement, music, and cohesive narrative. Shortly graduating from Tulane University with a double major in Dance and Paralegal studies, she was selected by the Paul Taylor Dance Company as one of six choreographers to present work at the Marigny Opera House’s 2012 New Dance Festival, catapulting her into the dance scene in New Orleans. In 2014, Monica conceived Mélange’s mission and cofounded the company with Alexa Erck. Monica pours enormous thought and meticulous research into her works to fulfill a vision that is purposeful, truthful, theatrical, and dynamic. She has choreographed numerous big easy award nominated productions that each uniquely integrate storytelling, history, and themes of humanity that inspire, educate, and entertain, often bringing little known stories to the forefront. Monica is grateful to have worked with so many talented dancers, musicians, collaborators, and artists that help achieve a rich vision and is excited to continue growing and inspiring positive change in the world through dance.
Alexa Erck
Founding Executive Director
Alexa Erck Lambert is originally from Wilmette, Illinois. Alexa began taking ballet class at the age of 12 and studied at the Center of Creative Dance and Ballet Chicago. She performed with Ballet Entre Nous and Kinesis Dance Company before heading to Tulane University where she studied Cellular Biology, ballet and modern dance and performed with Newcomb Dance Company. In New Orleans, Alexa performed with Tsunami Dance Company, New Orleans Dance and Alternative Collaborations. Alexa also had the opportunity to work with teenagers at New Orleans Hope Stone to facilitate the choreography of a ‘public health’ dance. In 2014, Alexa co-founded Mélange with Monica Ordoñez.
Adrienne Simmons
Adrienne Simmons is a New Orleans-based dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer, dedicated to inclusive representation that widens perspectives for diverse audiences. Beginning their formal ballet training at Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, Adrienne has developed a versatile stylistic range with Footnote New Zealand Dance, DanceWorks Chicago, University of the Arts, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Peridance Center, Brenau University, Dallas Ballet Company, The Washington Ballet, and Nashville Ballet. She is a dance instructor at the Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts. Adrienne holds bachelor's degrees in management and theatre and a master’s in business administration from the University of New Orleans.
Arden McKee
Arden McKee is a classically trained dancer based in New Orleans. She holds a Bachelors of Science in exercise science. She is a Pilates instructor and is working on becoming a physical therapist. In the past, Arden has trained with the Houston Ballet and Nashville Ballet, as well as numerous New Orleans companies and instructors. This is her first experience with Mélange Dance Theater, and is excited to add more to her performance catalogue. Previous works include You Have No Idea How Far I’ll Go (Calvin Rowe), Making Space Vol. VI (Calvin Rowe and Maya Taylor), People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix), Leverage: Redemption (Amazon Prime), Komenka Dance Ensemble’s European Tour, Marigny Opera Ballet, and featured roles in several independent short dance films. Arden plans to continue dancing wherever the opportunity takes her.
Cade Garafola
Cade Garafola, 22, is a performer from New Orleans, LA. In the past, Cade studied Musical Theatre, including tap, jazz, ballet, vocal, and acting training, at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, with additional dance training from the Metropolitan Dance Theater of New Orleans. Following his time in New Orleans, he studied Film and Television production at the University of Colorado, where he took on executive creative roles in a number of short films, including "Dependent" and "The Coldest Night of the Year" (2022). Today, he is a student at Tulane University, studying Environmental Studies and Public Health. Recent theatre and dance credits include 42nd Street (Tulane Summer Lyric), Something Rotten! (Rivertown), Speak(Easy), and Upstairs Lounge (Mélange Dance Theatre).
Claudia Derryberry
Claudia Derryberry grew up dancing in Vermont, training in ballet, contemporary, and many other styles. She competed throughout the northeast before moving to New Orleans, where she recently graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Throughout her time at Tulane, Claudia continued training, performing, and creating, and is now extremely grateful to be working with Mélange Dance Theatre. Aside from dancing, Claudia works full time as a paralegal in New Orleans. She is very excited to be continuing her passion for the arts!
Calvin James Rowe
A native of Muscatine, IA, Calvin is honored to be the 2026 Summer Artist in Residence at the Marigny Opera House. Calvin has toured nationally and internationally with Lightwire Theater and Flock Dance, and has danced original works by award winning choreographers Netta Yurushalmi, Pallo Sutziak, Stephen Wynne, and many others. He was the 2023 Of Moving Colors Prism Award recipient. Highlights with Of Moving Colors include portraying Prospero in their production of The Tempest (2017), and Iago in Othello (2023). He has premiered five original works for the New Orleans choreography showcase Making Space, and in 2025 he was also awarded a dance residency with The Marigny Opera House culminating in the fever dance show FLUID.
Clinton Parfait
Clinton received his dance training from LSU and the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre in modern, ballet, and jazz. He danced with Mélange from 2015-2019 and performed in Once Upon a Dream, Herstory, Journey of Dreamers, La Résistance, and his first lead role with the company Love Letters of WWII. After a little break, Clinton was honored to return to perform with the company as a lead dancer of “The Upstairs Lounge” show. This company has been one of the reasons why he keeps moving, he keeps showing up, and be a part of something special!
Cullen Barrilleaux
Cullen Barrilleaux is a dancer and performer from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana and received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Minor in Dance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While at Northwestern State University, Barrilleaux has performed works by several choreographers and found a strong interest in tap and contemporary, as well as choreography and composition, having multiple works produced and performed in the university’s spaces. He now resides in Mandeville, Louisiana, regularly commuting to New Orleans for performances, rehearsals and classes as well as touring nationally.
Cynthia Jickling
A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in Mathematics and a proud Dance Major alumna of Philadelphia’s Creative & Performing Arts High School, Cynthia blends her passion for movement and mentorship as a high school teacher and dance coach in New Orleans. She is grateful for every opportunity to dance, grow, and inspire within her New Orleans community and especially honored to dance with Mélange Dance Theatre!
Edward Spots
New Orleans native Mr. Spots, began his dance training with Baderinwa Rolland “Mama” at the very first New Orleans Charter Middle School in New Orleans. After taking his first ballet class under Diane Carney and Harvey Hysell, he began his formal ballet training at the Schrammel Conservatory of Dance. He then attended the Walnut Hill School for the Fine Arts as a Ballet Major on a full scholarship in Boston MA, graduating in 2009. Mr. Spots also trained at Joffrey Midwest in Michigan, The Joffrey Ballet School in NYC and The Washington School for Ballet in DC. In 2010 he entered The Ailey School as a scholarship student in NYC. Then he was giving the apprenticeship for the Ailey II company. His professional touring career began with Ailey II, where he performed and taught internationally in more than 8 countries and toured domestically. He has danced with Urban Ballet Theatre, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, Civic Scranton Ballet, Delaware Dance Company, and Marigny Opera Ballet. He has worked with many choreographers including Daniel Catanach, Camille A. Brown, George Faison, Jennifer Archibald, Francesca Harper, Troy Powell, Judith Jamison, Earl Mosley, Thang Dao, , Jennifer Muller, Sonia Dawkins, Willy Laury, Benoit-Swan, and Robert Battle. He has been seen on FOX's hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance, and Bulgaria’s Dancing with The Stars. Mr. Spots has modeled for Dance Magazine, Essence Magazine, and the New York Times, and appears in the recent Omni bus film; “American Rhapsody" directed by Garret Bradley. He was recently featured in an International Walmart commercial directed by Seth Rogan and choreographed by Tricia Miranda, which aired during the 2017 Academy Awards.
Elijah Krieger
Elijah since birth has been surrounded by art; he discovered his deep appreciation for storytelling doing community theatre with his oldest sister. He then studied dance under Tara Brewer for 10 years in the styles of ballet, contemporary, and jazz. He’s constantly humbled and grateful to be a part of a community and company that knows the weight and importance of being an artist. He promises to continue to push himself to further his passion and further his skill in storytelling.
Emily Thibodeaux
Emily Thibodeaux is a Louisiana-born writer and proud Francophone of Cajun heritage. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University and teaches French locally, bringing language and storytelling into her teaching. A lifelong dancer and performer, Emily has collaborated on creative productions across Lafayette and New Orleans, performed as a backup dancer, and appeared in burlesque shows. Her stage work blends theatricality, movement and the oral traditions of her community. This is her first show with Mélange Dance Theatre, and she looks forward to contributing her voice, and storytelling to the company’s collaborative work.
Emma Jane Zaher
Emma Jane Zaher, originally from Easley, South Carolina, began dancing at age three and quickly developed a passion for the art form. She trained as a competitive dancer across the United States before shifting her focus to concert dance. Emma Jane received her formal training at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, and recently graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Emma Jane had the opportunity to attend Dance Italia, under Stefanie Nelson, where she received personalized training and helped cultivate a nonjudgmental and holistic space. She has also developed a newfound passion for rehearsal assisting and directing, and had the opportunity to assist in rehearsals for the first-ever all-female cast of The Unsung (1970), choreographed by José Limón and reconstructed by Kurt Douglas. Emma Jane is thrilled to be joining Mélange Dance Theatre for Love Letters of WWII.
Gia Martinez
Gia Martinez is a singer, dancer, choreographer and producer born and raised in Houston Texas, where she trained classically in ballet and modern dance. She received her BA in Theatre & Dance from the University of Houston and now produces events in Houston, New Orleans & New York City with a mission to uplift BIPOC performers. Gia has performed burlesque across stages in Paris, Italy and Mexico. She is the proud producer of Ficheras: Live Latin Band & Burlesque in New Orleans & Houston and Jabbas Palace: a Star Wars burlesque revue in New Orleans. Gia is based in New Orleans, Louisiana where she is excited to perform with Mélange Dance Theatre!
Gianni Reid
Gianni Reid is originally from Kenner, Louisiana. Gianni started dancing at the age of three, studying tap, ballet, jazz and lyrical dance. Gianni went on to study ballet and modern at the University of Southern Mississippi where she performed and choreographed with the USM Repertory Dance Company. Gianni founded Rhythm of Change which uses the power of the arts to inspire and uplift individuals, while providing a positive initiative to promote social change. Gianni is the Associate Director of Audacity Dance Collective and in 2014, Gianni received a scholarship to attend Urban Bush Women’s Summer Leadership Intensive. Gianni teaches Dance Enrichment at Belle Chasse Academy.
Hannah Alexis
Hannah Alexis (She/They) is a multidisciplinary artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Interlochen Arts Academy, where she trained in musical theatre, graduating with honors at both. She currently studies Theater, Dance & Media and English at Harvard University. She has performed in various productions like Pippin (Leading Player) at NOCCA, Fantômes Deux (Julie) with Mélange, Jekyll & Hyde (Emma Carew) at Harvard University, Late: A New Musical in Concert (Billie) at Berklee College of Music, and Wild(HER) (Her of The Butterflies) with ELLEvate Dance Company to name a few. She is an artist who emphasizes art as a way to “reflect the times.”
Hannah Weber
Hannah Weber is currently the creator and facilitator of the St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ Satellite Center Dance Program, where she teaches dancers ranging from 9th-12th grade dance history, technique, and the creative process. She also most recently performed in Maya Taylor’s piece “Call It Back” for Making Space Volume 6, and before that choreographed for Making Space Volume 5. Before teaching in St.Charles Parish, she was the resident choreographer and dancer of NYC’s Periapsis Music and Dance. Alongside her work with Periapsis in NYC, she also performed with Sarah Berges Dance, the Moving Architects, Sans Limites Dance, Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, and others. From 2010 until 2012 she worked with Cirque du Soleil on their show Iris in Los Angeles as a dancer and a main character, appearing on The Tonight Show and The Academy Awards. She received her BFA in contemporary dance in 2009 from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied with such choreographers as Alonzo King, Larry Keigwin, and Janis Brenner. Since then, she has also received her certification to teach Dance, Health, and PE through the Louisiana Department of Education. Hannah is a native of Norco, Louisiana and grew up dancing locally. She is excited to be a part of and share in the joy of dance with Mélange Dance Theatre.
Jay Canova
Jay is a New Orleans native and a Northwestern State University graduate with a BS in Theatre. While the study of acting and directing was his focus, he was always excited by movement. After studying different dance styles with varying results, he landed a role in NSU’s Modern in Motion. Since graduating in 2017, Jay has performed in productions around the city, including The Polar Express, as well as the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company’s The Mutilated and Suddenly Last Summer. He is honored by both the opportunity and challenge of being cast alongside the wonderful dancers within Mélange. As a former professor of his said, “the point of performing is to move others to move others.” It is his hope that through art and community we all push for a brighter, more empathetic future.
Joanna Farley
Joanna Farley grew up in dance studios around New Orleans (shoutout to all her teachers at New Orleans Dance Academy, Ballet Hysell, and NOCCA!). She's been delighted to get to dance with Mélange starting in 2023 and has also joined other local dance projects including the Forest Dance Project, Neal Todten's House of Direction, and the Missalettes. Beyond dance, she produces youth radio with Be Loud Studios and supports community storytelling, planning & design projects throughout New Orleans.
Natalie Sunseri
Natalie Sunseri grew up dancing competitively in the Greater New Orleans area. Her training touched nearly all styles of dance. She holds a BFA in dance from the University of Southern Mississippi, with an emphasis on Performance and Choreography. While at USM, she was privileged to work with phenomenal artists such as Bill Evans, Brian Martinez, Axis Dance Company, Full Radius Dance, Karen Barbour, and many others. She currently performs with Mélange Dance Theatre and is entering her third season as a company dancer. She has also worked with the Marigny Opera Ballet, Making Space, Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, and danced professionally in pieces and dance films for prominent local choreographers, including Maya Taylor, Calvin Rowe, Victoria Pizzo, and others. She choreographs for Rivertown Theaters and has choreographed for Holy Cross Center Stage. In addition to her performance-related work, Natalie works full-time as newborn hearing screening technician and teaches dance in multiple studios across the city, fostering her passion for dance education.
Nicole Boyd-Buckels
Originally from New Orleans, Nicole Boyd-Buckels began her dance training at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. She attended UC Los Angeles as a dance major and went on to receive her B.F.A in dance from Tulane University. Nicole has been a company member with the Rod Rodgers Dance Company, New Orleans Dance Collective, Mudhoney Dance Collective, Tsunami Dance Company and has performed in the White Wave Dance Festival and Battery Park Dance Festival. She has had the privilege to study with Ron Brown, Camille Brown, Milton Myers, Lula Washington, Lula Elzy, Alton Geno, Denise Oustalet and attended the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive. Nicole has choreographed musicals such as The Rocky Horror Show, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dog Fight (Delgado Community College) under the direction of the late Timothy Baker. She also directed actor Charles Holt in Never Fight a Shark in Water, written by Laura Naughton. Nicole is the recipient of two Big Easy Classical Arts Awards in choreography for her pieces Waitin’ on That 5 o’clock Breeze (1997) and High Heels and Grits (2003). She is currently full time faculty member at The Willow School in New Orleans and an adjunct professor at Tulane University.
Sara Radka
Sara Radka began her pre-professional training at The Willow School’s Certificate of Artistry Program along with Live Oak Dance under the direction of Jarina Carvalho. She attended prestigious summer programs at American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Kansas City Ballet. In 2018, she was invited to attend the Kansas City Ballet’s Daytime Pre-Professional Training Program under the direction of Grace Holmes and Rachel Nye. After graduating from Kansas City Ballet School’s Daytime Division, she has had the opportunity to dance professionally with Ballet Taos, Ballet Hysell, The Marigny Opera Ballet and Ballet Images. She has also enjoyed venturing into the film aspect of dance by being both dancer and co-choreographer for the “Don’t like you” music video and “Motion Blur” short film. When she is away from the stage, Sara enjoys directing her Youth Ballet at the Lemoine Academy of Dance and bringing a love for ballet to the next generation of dancers.
