Meet the dancers...
Kathleen Marleneanu (Artistic Director, Dancer, Teacher) is from Jasper, AR and currently lives in Maumelle, AR with her husband and children. 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, the Central Arkansas Library System, Superior Success Learning Academy, Arkansas A Plus, and the Museum of Discovery. She also enjoys performing with the New Life Church Dance 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 twelfth 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 twelfth season with the company.
Saige Anderson (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 taught dance at Sonshine Academy, French at Conway Christian and LISA Academy, and is currently teaching French at Little Rock Christian. Saige is so excited to be in her eighth 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 taught dance at Sonshine Academy, French at Conway Christian and LISA Academy, and is currently teaching French at Little Rock Christian. Saige is so excited to be in her eighth season with New Creation Dance Company and looks forward to what God has in store for her future as a dancer.
Kayla Derrick (Dancer, 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 from UALR, Kayla completed five seasons as a performer/choreographer for New Creation Dance Company, continued as an instructor for the New Creation Dance Kids, and has currently returned to performing. 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. 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 from UALR, Kayla completed five seasons as a performer/choreographer for New Creation Dance Company, continued as an instructor for the New Creation Dance Kids, and has currently returned to performing. 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. 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.
Sarah Hopkins (Dancer, Teacher) is a follower of Jesus, wife, mother of 2, home educator, and general chaos coordinator. They moved to Arkansas in June 2020 (along with their 2 cats) and have since added goats, chickens, and ducks to their household. Sarah was born and raised in Manassas, VA. She began dancing at the age of 3 at Spotlight Dance Company. She danced with them in varying roles; student, company member, assistant, and dance teacher in ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe until graduating from college. As a company member and teacher, she was able to perform in various festivals, parades, competitions, and the Outback Bowl Halftime show.
Sarah received her B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Mary Washington in 2010. As an undergrad student, she took classes in ballroom dance, modern dance, and dance improv. She also was part of UMW’s swing dance club and participated in a few special performances. In 2015 she completed her M.A. in Christian Ministry from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. Out of her love for dance, Sarah continued to take adult tap classes and was able to introduce her own kids to dance. Her family is loving living in Arkansas and she looks forward to using her love of dance to glorify the Lord this season through the New Creation Dance family.
Sarah received her B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Mary Washington in 2010. As an undergrad student, she took classes in ballroom dance, modern dance, and dance improv. She also was part of UMW’s swing dance club and participated in a few special performances. In 2015 she completed her M.A. in Christian Ministry from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. Out of her love for dance, Sarah continued to take adult tap classes and was able to introduce her own kids to dance. Her family is loving living in Arkansas and she looks forward to using her love of dance to glorify the Lord this season through the New Creation Dance family.
If interested in learning about being a part of New Creation Dance Company, please contact us!
