Members
Dominique Alessi, '16
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Mathematical and Computational Science
Dominique is a sophomore at Stanford and is majoring in MCS. She is from Los Angeles, CA and began her dance training at the age of 7. After realizing a love for ballet, she began rigorous training under the Vaganova method. She has competed in Youth America Grand Prix, where she qualified for the Final Round in New York City and was awarded the Mary Day Award for Artistry. When not in the classroom or studio, she enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Mathematical and Computational Science
Dominique is a sophomore at Stanford and is majoring in MCS. She is from Los Angeles, CA and began her dance training at the age of 7. After realizing a love for ballet, she began rigorous training under the Vaganova method. She has competed in Youth America Grand Prix, where she qualified for the Final Round in New York City and was awarded the Mary Day Award for Artistry. When not in the classroom or studio, she enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking.
Janet An, '16
Hometown: North Potomac, MD
Major: Computer Science
Other Affiliations: CS106A Section Leader
Janet An is currently a sophomore at Stanford. She began dancing at the age of 6 at the American Dance Institute in Rockville, Maryland, and continued her ballet training there for 12 years. She has also attended summer intensives at the American Academy of Ballet in New York, the Kirov Academy of Ballet in D.C., Ballet Chicago, Kaatsbaan, and Joffrey Ballet. She is serving as Social Chair and Website Manager of Cardinal Ballet this year.
Hometown: North Potomac, MD
Major: Computer Science
Other Affiliations: CS106A Section Leader
Janet An is currently a sophomore at Stanford. She began dancing at the age of 6 at the American Dance Institute in Rockville, Maryland, and continued her ballet training there for 12 years. She has also attended summer intensives at the American Academy of Ballet in New York, the Kirov Academy of Ballet in D.C., Ballet Chicago, Kaatsbaan, and Joffrey Ballet. She is serving as Social Chair and Website Manager of Cardinal Ballet this year.
Andrew Beckman, '17
Dru Brenner, '17
Hometown: Bloomfield, MI
Major: Human Biology
Other Affiliations: Urban Styles, Frosh Council
Dru is a freshman at Stanford majoring in Human Biology. She began her ballet training at the age of three at Mt. Zion School of Dance in Clarkston, MI. At the age of nine, she began studying under the instruction of Carmen Wade. In high school, she also trained in various other styles including jazz and contemporary at L.A. Dance in Lake Orion, MI. She also attended summer intensives at Ballet Met. She has performed in the Nutcracker with Joffrey Ballet and Romeo and Juliet with the American Ballet Theatre.
Hometown: Bloomfield, MI
Major: Human Biology
Other Affiliations: Urban Styles, Frosh Council
Dru is a freshman at Stanford majoring in Human Biology. She began her ballet training at the age of three at Mt. Zion School of Dance in Clarkston, MI. At the age of nine, she began studying under the instruction of Carmen Wade. In high school, she also trained in various other styles including jazz and contemporary at L.A. Dance in Lake Orion, MI. She also attended summer intensives at Ballet Met. She has performed in the Nutcracker with Joffrey Ballet and Romeo and Juliet with the American Ballet Theatre.
Amy Chen, '17
Hometown: Herndon, VA
Major: Biology
Amy Chen is a freshman at Stanford intending to major in Biology. Originally from Northern Virginia, she began dancing at the age of 5 at the Russell School of Ballet in Chantilly, Virginia, training in classical ballet as well as jazz, modern, and lyrical dance. She has attended summer intensives at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and American Ballet Theatre New York, and is excited to continue dancing at Stanford.
Hometown: Herndon, VA
Major: Biology
Amy Chen is a freshman at Stanford intending to major in Biology. Originally from Northern Virginia, she began dancing at the age of 5 at the Russell School of Ballet in Chantilly, Virginia, training in classical ballet as well as jazz, modern, and lyrical dance. She has attended summer intensives at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and American Ballet Theatre New York, and is excited to continue dancing at Stanford.
Martha Collins, '17
Hometown: South Salem, NY
Major: Undecided
Martha Collins is a freshman at Stanford University and has been dancing since she was ten years old. She began her training at School of American Ballet in NYC and then attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts, a performing arts boarding school. She has attended ballet summer intensives at The Rock School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Juilliard.
Laura Drohan, '14
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Human Biology and French
Honors Thesis in French
Other Affiliations: DLCL Honors Program, Stanford Psychophysiology Lab
Laura Drohan is a senior at Stanford from Colorado Springs, Colorado where she received her primary ballet training at the Peak Ballet Theater and Zamuel Ballet School under German and Valentina Zamuel. She has also attended summer programs at the International Ballet School in Denver and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. At Stanford, she studies Human Biology and French and is writing an honors thesis on 19th and 20th century art communities in Paris.
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Human Biology and French
Honors Thesis in French
Other Affiliations: DLCL Honors Program, Stanford Psychophysiology Lab
Laura Drohan is a senior at Stanford from Colorado Springs, Colorado where she received her primary ballet training at the Peak Ballet Theater and Zamuel Ballet School under German and Valentina Zamuel. She has also attended summer programs at the International Ballet School in Denver and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. At Stanford, she studies Human Biology and French and is writing an honors thesis on 19th and 20th century art communities in Paris.
Tessa Eckley, '17
Hometown: Normal, IL
Major: Undecided
Other Affiliations: Counterpoint A Cappella
Tessa Eckley is currently a freshman at Stanford University. Originally from central Illinois, she received her ballet training at Twin Cities School of Dance, studying under Ekaterine Bezirgani for eight years. Roles she has performed include Snow Queen in the Nutcracker and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Although still undecided on what she will study at Stanford, Tessa is currently considering a major in biology and a minor in music.
Hometown: Normal, IL
Major: Undecided
Other Affiliations: Counterpoint A Cappella
Tessa Eckley is currently a freshman at Stanford University. Originally from central Illinois, she received her ballet training at Twin Cities School of Dance, studying under Ekaterine Bezirgani for eight years. Roles she has performed include Snow Queen in the Nutcracker and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Although still undecided on what she will study at Stanford, Tessa is currently considering a major in biology and a minor in music.
Makiko Fujimoto, '14
Hometown: Osaka, Japan
Major: Symbolic Systems
Honors
Other Affiliations: Dance Marathon
Makiko is a senior majoring in Symsys and also coterming in Computer Science. Ballet has always been a part of her life as an international student, studying in various ballet schools in Pasadena, Japan, and Thailand. Her most recent performance before coming to Stanford was as the Lilac Fairy in Bangkok City Ballet's production of The Sleeping Beauty. Besides CBC, Makiko is also involved in Dance Marathon, channeling her passion towards dance to raise funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS. This is her fourth year dancing with CBC.
Hometown: Osaka, Japan
Major: Symbolic Systems
Honors
Other Affiliations: Dance Marathon
Makiko is a senior majoring in Symsys and also coterming in Computer Science. Ballet has always been a part of her life as an international student, studying in various ballet schools in Pasadena, Japan, and Thailand. Her most recent performance before coming to Stanford was as the Lilac Fairy in Bangkok City Ballet's production of The Sleeping Beauty. Besides CBC, Makiko is also involved in Dance Marathon, channeling her passion towards dance to raise funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS. This is her fourth year dancing with CBC.
Caroline Grueskin, '14
Hometown: New York, NY
Major: Philosophy
Ethics in Society Honors, German Studies Minor
Other Affiliations: Pi Beta Phi, The Dualist
Caroline Grueskin is a senior majoring in Philosophy with Honors in Ethics in Society. Originally from New York City, she graduated from Riverdale Country School in 2010. Before coming to Stanford, she trained for ten years at the J-CC Mid-Westchester Dance School and performed with the Westchester Theater of Dance. She also attended a summer dance intensive at Alvin Ailey. She has been an active member of Cardinal Ballet since her freshman year and is currently serving as Director of the company.
Hometown: New York, NY
Major: Philosophy
Ethics in Society Honors, German Studies Minor
Other Affiliations: Pi Beta Phi, The Dualist
Caroline Grueskin is a senior majoring in Philosophy with Honors in Ethics in Society. Originally from New York City, she graduated from Riverdale Country School in 2010. Before coming to Stanford, she trained for ten years at the J-CC Mid-Westchester Dance School and performed with the Westchester Theater of Dance. She also attended a summer dance intensive at Alvin Ailey. She has been an active member of Cardinal Ballet since her freshman year and is currently serving as Director of the company.
Stephanie Hsiang, '16
Hometown: Destin, FL
Major: Human Biology
Other Affiliations: Chi Omega Sorority, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Pacific Free Clinic, Stanford Alumni Association
Stephanie is currently a sophomore pursuing a major in Human Biology. She hails from the tiny town of Niceville, FL (yes it's real) and misses her sweet tea fondly in this big foreign land called California. She began ballet at the age of three with Florida Ballet Conservatory and trained with the Dance Theatre of Northwest Florida, where she has had many principal roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Stephanie currently serves as Social Chair for Cardinal Ballet Company.
Hometown: Destin, FL
Major: Human Biology
Other Affiliations: Chi Omega Sorority, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Pacific Free Clinic, Stanford Alumni Association
Stephanie is currently a sophomore pursuing a major in Human Biology. She hails from the tiny town of Niceville, FL (yes it's real) and misses her sweet tea fondly in this big foreign land called California. She began ballet at the age of three with Florida Ballet Conservatory and trained with the Dance Theatre of Northwest Florida, where she has had many principal roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Stephanie currently serves as Social Chair for Cardinal Ballet Company.
Jackson Jirard, '17
Hometown: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Major: Philosophy, African and African American Studies
Psychology Minor
Jackson Jirard lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for eight years, attending the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet during every one. After graduating from the Carlisle High School, he took two years of deferment from Stanford University to dance professionally with Ballet Austin in Austin, Texas and the Sacramento Ballet in Sacramento, California. He has performed in such productions as Peter Pan, Hansel and Gretel, The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where he played the role of Puck. The experience of these and many other repertoires have allowed Jackson to become the new artistic director of the Cardinal Ballet Company at Stanford University. He hopes to make both a resounding impact in the dance community as well as further his more studious ambitions, which include Philosophy, African and African-American Studies, and Psychology, over the course of his coming sophomore year.
Hometown: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Major: Philosophy, African and African American Studies
Psychology Minor
Jackson Jirard lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for eight years, attending the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet during every one. After graduating from the Carlisle High School, he took two years of deferment from Stanford University to dance professionally with Ballet Austin in Austin, Texas and the Sacramento Ballet in Sacramento, California. He has performed in such productions as Peter Pan, Hansel and Gretel, The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where he played the role of Puck. The experience of these and many other repertoires have allowed Jackson to become the new artistic director of the Cardinal Ballet Company at Stanford University. He hopes to make both a resounding impact in the dance community as well as further his more studious ambitions, which include Philosophy, African and African-American Studies, and Psychology, over the course of his coming sophomore year.
Julia Neidert, M.S. '14
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
Major: Symbolic Systems
Julia Neidert received her B.S. in Computer Science at Stanford University last year and is currently working towards a coterminal Masters degree in Symbolic Systems, focusing on Natural Language Processing. Julia was born in Soltau, Germany and began dancing there at the age of three. Once she moved to the United States, she trained mainly at Carroll County Dance Center in Sykesville, Maryland and DanceWorks Performing Arts Center in Lakeville, Minnesota. She also attended the Milwaukee Ballet School Summer Intensive Program and spent several months taking dance classes at various schools around Paris. Julia performed with Lakeville City Ballet from 2002 to 2009. In 2012, she had the opportunity to perform Diane Frank's work "Twilight Composite" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for the ACDFA National Festival. Julia has also taught ballet classes and choreographed several pieces. She has been a member of Cardinal Ballet Company since 2009 and served as Executive Director from 2012 to 2013.
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
Major: Symbolic Systems
Julia Neidert received her B.S. in Computer Science at Stanford University last year and is currently working towards a coterminal Masters degree in Symbolic Systems, focusing on Natural Language Processing. Julia was born in Soltau, Germany and began dancing there at the age of three. Once she moved to the United States, she trained mainly at Carroll County Dance Center in Sykesville, Maryland and DanceWorks Performing Arts Center in Lakeville, Minnesota. She also attended the Milwaukee Ballet School Summer Intensive Program and spent several months taking dance classes at various schools around Paris. Julia performed with Lakeville City Ballet from 2002 to 2009. In 2012, she had the opportunity to perform Diane Frank's work "Twilight Composite" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for the ACDFA National Festival. Julia has also taught ballet classes and choreographed several pieces. She has been a member of Cardinal Ballet Company since 2009 and served as Executive Director from 2012 to 2013.
Michelle Ramseier, '17
Hometown: San Rafael, CA
Major: Bioengineering
Other Affiliations: Stanford SWE (Society of Women Engineers)
Michelle Ramseier is a freshman at Stanford from Marin County, California. She trained for 13 years at Marin Dance Theater under the direction of Margaret Swarthout and Lynn Cox, and has additionally worked with Joanna Berman, Sofiane Sylve, Ilona McHugh, and Wes Chapman. While at Marin Dance Theater, she performed solos in various classical works including Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Copelia, La Bayadere, and Paquita. At Stanford, Michelle continues to take ballet classes with Alex Ketley as she pursues her studies in Bioengineering.
Hometown: San Rafael, CA
Major: Bioengineering
Other Affiliations: Stanford SWE (Society of Women Engineers)
Michelle Ramseier is a freshman at Stanford from Marin County, California. She trained for 13 years at Marin Dance Theater under the direction of Margaret Swarthout and Lynn Cox, and has additionally worked with Joanna Berman, Sofiane Sylve, Ilona McHugh, and Wes Chapman. While at Marin Dance Theater, she performed solos in various classical works including Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Copelia, La Bayadere, and Paquita. At Stanford, Michelle continues to take ballet classes with Alex Ketley as she pursues her studies in Bioengineering.
Tyler Rivlin, '17
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Major: Undecided
Tyler Rivlin is a Freshman at Stanford from Washington DC. She has been dancing since she was two years old and has trained in ballet and modern dance at the Washington School of Ballet, Dance Place, Joy of Motion Dance Center, American Dance Institute, and Sidwell Friends School. Since coming to Stanford, she has studied with Diane Frank, Robert Moses, and Alex Ketley. Tyler is considering a major in Earth Systems and a minor in Dance.
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Major: Undecided
Tyler Rivlin is a Freshman at Stanford from Washington DC. She has been dancing since she was two years old and has trained in ballet and modern dance at the Washington School of Ballet, Dance Place, Joy of Motion Dance Center, American Dance Institute, and Sidwell Friends School. Since coming to Stanford, she has studied with Diane Frank, Robert Moses, and Alex Ketley. Tyler is considering a major in Earth Systems and a minor in Dance.
Jessica Tam, '17
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Major: Chemical Engineering
Jessica Tam began her training at age 4 at Pacific Ballet Academy in Mountain View, California, where she danced until the age of 18. She has performed various roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, Snow Queen, and Clara in "The Nutcracker" and other solo variations from ballets such as La Bayadere, Les Sylphides, Paquita, Les Corsaire, and Swan Lake. Jessica also attended the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in Orange County, CA. She is currently dancing at Stanford University and teaches at Pacific Ballet Academy.
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Major: Chemical Engineering
Jessica Tam began her training at age 4 at Pacific Ballet Academy in Mountain View, California, where she danced until the age of 18. She has performed various roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, Snow Queen, and Clara in "The Nutcracker" and other solo variations from ballets such as La Bayadere, Les Sylphides, Paquita, Les Corsaire, and Swan Lake. Jessica also attended the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in Orange County, CA. She is currently dancing at Stanford University and teaches at Pacific Ballet Academy.
Helen Thomaides, '17
Hometown: Berkeley Heights, NJ
Major: Undecided
Helen is a freshman at Stanford who has loved dance since kindergarten. She has trained mostly at Laura's Dance Studio in her hometown, and has attended summer intensive programs and summer classes at the New Jersey School of Ballet. She is loving being a part of the SLE freshman program and is interested in pursuing a major in the humanities.
Hometown: Berkeley Heights, NJ
Major: Undecided
Helen is a freshman at Stanford who has loved dance since kindergarten. She has trained mostly at Laura's Dance Studio in her hometown, and has attended summer intensive programs and summer classes at the New Jersey School of Ballet. She is loving being a part of the SLE freshman program and is interested in pursuing a major in the humanities.
Thuy Tran, '15
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Liana Yates, '16
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Major: Biology
Liana began dancing when she was four at Juline School of Dance. She joined Central West Ballet in 2006 and was with CWB for six seasons. As a member of CWB, she has performed in the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Peter Pan, Coppelia, and many works by Rene Daveluy, artistic director of CWB. She also had the privilege to dance in Val Caniparoli's work, Songs. Liana enjoys the sciences and plans to pursue veterinarian medicine.
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Major: Biology
Liana began dancing when she was four at Juline School of Dance. She joined Central West Ballet in 2006 and was with CWB for six seasons. As a member of CWB, she has performed in the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Peter Pan, Coppelia, and many works by Rene Daveluy, artistic director of CWB. She also had the privilege to dance in Val Caniparoli's work, Songs. Liana enjoys the sciences and plans to pursue veterinarian medicine.