Current Roster of Dance Artists
Emily Compaan
Emily Compaan is a California-born, Twin Cities-based dancer. She studied primarily ballet from the age of 3 up until high school where she discovered tap, jazz, and modern dance. In 2022, Emily graduated from University of Northwestern - St. Paul where she studied both mechanical engineering and dance. During her time at Northwestern, she was a member of their first student dance company (directed by Jolene Konkel) and was also involved in theatre productions, her favorite roles being a newsie in Newsies! and Tinkerbell in Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure. This is her first season with DanceCo and, as a dance teacher herself, she is very excited to be able to share the joys of professional dance with the next generation of dancers.
Jennifer Mack
Jennifer’s 20+ year career in dance includes receiving several notable roles, awards & grants for her work as a dancer/performer, choreographer, instructor, and adjudicator internationally in dance, theater, opera, music, and film. Favorites include: Alternative Motion Project (founding dancer), Collide Theatrical Dance Co., Continental Ballet, Curio Dance, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, James Sewell Ballet, Kim Robards Dance Co., Live Action Set, MN Opera, Offleash Area, St. Paul Ballet, Szeged National Ballet, Vox Medusa Dance Co., Deborah Thayer, Dwight Rhoden, Jodi Melnick, Rosy Simas, Vanessa Voskuil, and Aby Wolf. She holds a certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), a BFA in Dance, BS in Arts Management & International Studies with minors in Art, Music & Biology (Magna Cum Laude) from UW-Stevens Point under a Bukolt Scholarship.
She resides in North Minneapolis with her fiancé and 7-year-old daughter, who greatly inspire her. She believes dance can be a very transformative and powerful tool for individuals/communities to participate in and enjoys watching where it takes those who do.
Leeah Schuhwerck
Leeah Schuhwerck has enjoyed dancing since elementary school. She took that passion for dance to the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and graduated in 2018 with a BA in Dance and a Fashion Studies minor. College expanded her excitement and knowledge of dance with training from Berit Ahlgren, Michel Kouakou, Carl Flink, Toni Pierce-Sands, Karla Grotting, Penelope Freeh, and Tina Wallum. Leeah choreographed and performed in her senior seminar showcase life as well as Sarah Howes’ Doctorate Vocal Performance Recital. Between 2017-2022 Leeah taught jazz, ballet, creative movement, tap, tumbling, Pilates, and HIIT at multiple locations. She joined the Christopher Watson Dance Company in 2022 where she performed in multiple pieces and helped with costumes for their concert ‘Resurgence’. Leeah is excited to be starting a new adventure with DanceCo for their summer 2023 season.
Maria Vitelli
Maria Vitelli grew up dancing in the Twin Cities, training primarily at The Dance Center and Project 52 Dance Company. She is now pursuing a BA in Dance at Webster University. She has had the privilege of working with Maggi Dueker, Beckah Reed, Michael Uthoff, Dawn Karlovsky, Ashley Tate, Xi Zhao, and Jennifer Cudnik. Maria has performed in the Twin Cities with Dance Co, Pacific Midwest Ballet, Legacy Musical Theatre, Minnsky Theatre, and Minnesota Dance Collaborative. She recently spent the summer in Chicago at the Gus Giordano College/Pro Intensive, where she trained under Lauren Giordano, Saying Eugene Peabody, Jimmy Locust, and Kim Morgan Greene. Maria also has a passion for creating work, and her choreography has been featured at 9X22 Dance Lab and in Webster University’s Creations Concerts in 2022 and 2023.
