Meet the dancers...
Erin Sanders (Director, Dancer, Teacher) is from North Little Rock, AR. She began taking dance at a young age until she was 16 years old at Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio. She has experience in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. She went on after high school to obtain degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas. She joined the New Life Church Creative Company while attending graduate school, and has been a member for 8 years dancing jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and pointe for various events.
After college, Erin was blessed with the opportunity to become a part of New Creation Dance Company. Since joining New Creation, she has attended workshops from Ballet Emmanuel in Rogers, AR, and DanceMakers Inc. in Branson, MO. She participated in master classes with Petra Ballet Company in Springfield, MO, and performed at Project Dance in Houston, TX hosted by Ad Deum Dance Company. She also performed in Artists in Resonance, a local dance concert in Little Rock. Although Erin has danced for many years, she feels like she has a lot to learn about the presence of God’s Spirit and using the art of dance to minister to others. This is Erin’s ninth season with the company.
After college, Erin was blessed with the opportunity to become a part of New Creation Dance Company. Since joining New Creation, she has attended workshops from Ballet Emmanuel in Rogers, AR, and DanceMakers Inc. in Branson, MO. She participated in master classes with Petra Ballet Company in Springfield, MO, and performed at Project Dance in Houston, TX hosted by Ad Deum Dance Company. She also performed in Artists in Resonance, a local dance concert in Little Rock. Although Erin has danced for many years, she feels like she has a lot to learn about the presence of God’s Spirit and using the art of dance to minister to others. This is Erin’s ninth season with the company.
Kathleen Marleneanu (Dancer, Teacher) is from Jasper, AR and currently lives in Maumelle, AR with her husband and son. She started dancing at the age of 10 with Deborah Moore Academy of Dance, and continued training at Henderson State University. Kathleen performed with the HSU Dance Company for 4 years and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in Dance. She did not know exactly how dance would remain a part of her life, but God has continued to grow her passion and open doors that only He can. Kathleen danced briefly in a show in Branson, MO before taking the position of dance teacher at the Benton County School of the Arts in Rogers, AR where she taught and directed the middle school dance program for 3 years. In 2014, Kathleen received her Master of Education in Learning Systems Technology from UALR. Since then, she has been teaching dance residencies in schools around the state as a member of the Arkansas Arts Council's Arts in Education Roster. As a teaching artist, she has had the privilege to work for Arkansas Learning Through the Arts, Wildwood Park for the Arts, and the Museum of Discovery. She also enjoys performing with the New Life Church Creative Company.
Over the years, Kathleen has been blessed with opportunities to attend dance intensives in Chicago, Boulder, Wichita, Austin, Monroe, St. Louis, Laramie, and Houston, as well as to take classes in New York City and Los Angeles. She is trained in jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. Kathleen is beyond blessed to have the opportunity to share her faith through dance with New Creation, and hopes to express the true joy and peace that she has found through God. This is Kathleen's eighth season with the company.
Over the years, Kathleen has been blessed with opportunities to attend dance intensives in Chicago, Boulder, Wichita, Austin, Monroe, St. Louis, Laramie, and Houston, as well as to take classes in New York City and Los Angeles. She is trained in jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. Kathleen is beyond blessed to have the opportunity to share her faith through dance with New Creation, and hopes to express the true joy and peace that she has found through God. This is Kathleen's eighth season with the company.
Saige Wood (Dancer, Teacher) is from Conway, AR. She began taking dance when she was 6 years old at Sonshine Academy of Dance. She has experience in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, tap, and jazz. In 2014, she participated in the Thea Performing Arts scholarship competition and won a scholarship based on her contemporary solo. In the summer of 2016, she had the opportunity to attend the Ballet Magnificat Summer Dance Intensive in Jackson, Mississippi, where she received intense ballet training. Saige did not anticipate following a career in dance after high school, but God has graciously opened doors for her in the last few years that have allowed her to pursue dance and worship Him through that gift.
Saige graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a double major in political science and French. She is currently teaching French at Conway Christian, and also works at Sonshine Academy teaching dance. Saige is so excited to be in her fourth season with New Creation Dance Company, and looks forward to what God has in store for her future as a dancer.
Saige graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a double major in political science and French. She is currently teaching French at Conway Christian, and also works at Sonshine Academy teaching dance. Saige is so excited to be in her fourth season with New Creation Dance Company, and looks forward to what God has in store for her future as a dancer.
Kayla Derrick (Teacher) lives in Maumelle, Arkansas with her husband, Ben. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance and a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Kayla’s passion for dance began in her hometown of Heber Springs, Arkansas, where she performed and taught at local studios, and participated in liturgical dance at her church. During her years at UALR, she displayed her talent and fostered her love for dance through participation in multiple dance concerts, in which she was featured as a performer and choreographer, and attended American College Dance Festival conferences. She has also danced, acted, and sang in two of UALR’s theatre productions. Kayla combined her knowledge of dance and sign language to fulfill her duties as a dance instructor at the Arkansas School for the Deaf.
After graduating UALR, Kayla completed five seasons as a performer/choreographer for New Creation Dance Company and is currently an instructor for the New Creation Dance Kids. The company has given her great opportunity to grow in her love for teaching, while learning how to create a positive environment in showing students how to use dance to glorify God. Recently, in 2015, Kayla found her passion for fitness. Through her experience and years of teaching, she has found joy encouraging and empowering people of all ages to live an active and healthy life. Kayla is a certified Indoor Cycling Instructor through the Schwinn Training Program and holds a teaching license as a Pound Pro Instructor.
After graduating UALR, Kayla completed five seasons as a performer/choreographer for New Creation Dance Company and is currently an instructor for the New Creation Dance Kids. The company has given her great opportunity to grow in her love for teaching, while learning how to create a positive environment in showing students how to use dance to glorify God. Recently, in 2015, Kayla found her passion for fitness. Through her experience and years of teaching, she has found joy encouraging and empowering people of all ages to live an active and healthy life. Kayla is a certified Indoor Cycling Instructor through the Schwinn Training Program and holds a teaching license as a Pound Pro Instructor.
Darby Schmidt (Teacher), an Open Championship Level Irish Dancer, has been dancing Irish Dance for nine years. She has trained with the Dwyer School of Irish Dance in Dayton, Ohio, competing in the North American Championships and the Regional Championships as both a soloist and ceili team member. She was an assistant teacher at the Dwyer School of Irish Dance and has taught workshops and an Irish Dance camp to students in Central Arkansas. This is Darby's first year to teach for the New Creation Dance Kids!
If interested in learning about being a part of New Creation Dance Company, please contact us!
