Current Roster of Dance Artists
Hannah Benditt
Hannah Benditt graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance earning her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with a dual emphasis in Ballet and Modern. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hannah began formal training at Minnesota Dance Theatre (formerly Ballet Arts Minnesota). Upon graduating from UMKC, Hannah began dancing professionally with Common Thread Contemporary Dance Company, later joining Consuming Kinetics Dance Company in St. Louis, MO. Hannah returned to the Twin Cities in 2015 to join St. Paul Ballet and is currently a freelance artist working with various independent choreographers and companies in the community. Hannah has enjoyed performing works by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Antony Tudor, Jessica Lang, Uri Sands, Sally Rousse and more. In addition to dancing, Hannah enjoys spreading her love of movement as a teacher and choreographer in the metro and surrounding areas. This is Hannah's fourth project with DanceCo and she is so excited to be back working with Brittany and Matthew on such a fun, interactive show.
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.
Kendall Kramer
Kendall Kramer loves peanut butter and is almost 5’3.
She is so grateful to be “All-Aboard!” with DanceCo this Summer, especially since Kendall grew up taking ballet lessons from the incredible Matthew and Brittany Keefe!
Kendall graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA in Spanish Language from Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX), where she studied with Danny Buraczeski.
Since returning to Minneapolis in 2019, she has choreographed and performed works for REM5 VR, Zenon Zone, Future Interstates, “The Heathers” with Barret Music Studio, performed in AU by Hatchdance and Honeyworks, Toward Utopia by Paula Mann, Paradise by Jon Ferguson and Helen Hatch, among other projects. She currently creates #betchesnburlesque: a monthly show at the Bryant Lake Bowl, and co-produces Crude Tuesday, a monthly community program that aims to give movement artists an accessible platform to perform and engage with an audience.
Anna Novak
Anna is thrilled to be joining DanceCo this summer! Dance: The Daughter of the Regiment (Minnesota Opera), Seven Deadly Sins (Collide Theatrical). Regional Theatre: Phantom (Fireside Theatre), Sense and Sensibility (Guthrie Theater), Guys and Dolls (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Will Rogers Follies (Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre), Escape to Margaritaville (Old Log Theatre), Once Upon a Mattress (Old Log Theatre). Off Broadway: Angelina Ballerina the Musical (Vital Theatre Company). TV: “I Was There” (History Channel). Training: Anna grew up dancing with Minnesota Dance Theatre as well as performing with their company. Upcoming: The Reluctant Dragon (Old Log Theatre). www.anna-novak.com. IG: @anna_nova2
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.
Cameron Varner
Cameron Varner, originally from Colorado, has found his way to Minneapolis through Chicago. Being his first production with DanceCo, he greatly looks forward to creating, engaging, and empowering with this team. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a BFA, emphasis in performance, Cameron continued his education, receiving a MA in Classical and Contemporary Text from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow.
Having just completed a multistate tour with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Cameron has performed in numerous classical productions but is happy to return to theatre for young (and young at heart) audiences. Cameron believes art that is accessible and interactive can truly invigorate communities and strengthen the creativity and confidence of every individual involved.
