NEW DANCE COMPANY - Key Persons

Antione Miller born and raised in Stockton, California has been dancing since the age of 14. As a young student he performed liturgical dance at his church and participated in youth musicals through Summer Youth Employment Program. Soon after he began to study Modern dance under Penelope McCauley followed by Afro-Haitian with Linda Tregle and ballet technique with Dorothy Percival. He furthered his study of Modern and Jazz with the Alice Arts Center in Oakland and then toured with World Caribbean Cruises for one year. Upon his return to Stockton he joined New Dance Company and both taught and assisted Franklin High School Dance program under the direction of Ana Frenes. He has also studied Horton technique at Delta College under Valerie Gnassounou-Bynoe. He has appeared in San Francisco's "Vision Series" dance festival and in the improvisational jazz project "In the Moment" under the direction of Lisa Rie. He has choreographed for numerous dance departments and organizations including; Delta College, Consumnes River College, Franklin High School and New Dance Company. His work has also presented work in Stockton's Valley dance Festivals. Presently he studies Argentine Tango to add to his arsenal of studied dance genres.To quote Antione: "Dance is my heart and soul!"

Fernando Lopez began dancing in Jr. High in the Stockton Magnet Arts Programs. He has performed Ballet Folklorico since elementary school. He has studied a variety of dance formjs throughout California. He performed with the Sacramento Mandarins for six years and toured throughout the United States. Fernando is also an award winning a visual artist in the mediums of painting and photography. He feels deeply involved in the arts as both a visual and performing artist. He plans to continue exploring a variety of dance forms.

Jessica Roybal has been dancing since the age of 12 as she attended Stockton Unified Magnet Arts programs. She continued studying dance while performing with the Sacramento Manderins since 2002. She has performed throughout the United States while on tour with world class Drum Corps. She has competed in six Drum Corps International shows as a dancer and color guard member. She also performed in over 100 drum corps shows in more than 15 states. She has danced with Ana Frenes for over 10 years and with New Dance Company since 2006. She has instructed dance and color guard for Tokay High School and presently at Lincoln High School in Stockton.

Job Titles:

• Artistic Director
• Co - Director
• Founding Member

Lisa Rie is a founding member, choreographer and Co-Director for New Dance Company. Born and raised in Berkeley, she began her early dance training withthe East Bay Ballet Theatre. She attended the University of the Pacific where she studied with the Pacific Dance Ensemble and earned a BA in International Studies and Spanish. She has a Multiple Subjects Credential from CSU Stanislaus, was a Teacher-Leader for the Valley Sierra California Arts Project, and has taught for the Columbia and Amador Fine Arts Camps and ArtworksYES! Lisa has performed and choreographed for numerous organizations including the Stockton Symphony, Stockton Chorale, Haggin Museum, Arts Expressions of San Joaquin, Reynolds Gallery, Downtown Art Walk, Stockton Showcase of Culture, Linden High School, San Francisco's Dance and Music Collaboration, Vision Series and Dancing Poetry Festivals, and Changing Faces Theater Company in Lodi. She is passionate about collaboration with other artists and presents new works regularly. Lisa is equally passionate and committed to her work as a teacher in elementary education. She was a presenter at the 2007 National Dance Educators Association in Mobile, Alabama. Lisa is a 2010 recipient of the Stockton Arts Commission Outstanding Achievement in Dance award.

Marissa Roybal has been dancing for 13 years. She began dancing in Stockton Unified School District Magnets arts programs and competed in dance and colorguard since Jr. High School. She later performed with the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps for three years. She later performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard and placed in the top five in the world. Marissa has danced with New Dance Company since 2005.

Robyn Michelle Jackson was born in Westchester Pennsylvania and at 6 years old moved to Stockton, California. While growing up Jackson knew she wanted to entertain whether it was singing, dancing, or acting. In elementary school she was in a variety of plays and learned the violin and piano. Her mother, Kimberlee Jackson, then put her in a performing arts middle school where she learned ballet and modern dance from her childhood mentor Ana Frenes. Jackson participated in color guard with the school marching band as a majorette, throwing flag and twirling rifles. She continued her love of performing throughout high school and upon graduation from Franklin High School decided to move to southern California to pursue a career in dance and performing arts. She soon realized that her passion was within songwriting, singing and choreography. Since 2006 she has done back up vocals for such artists as Alicia Keys and Solange Knowles as well as various theater productions. At 23 years old her most recent accomplishments will be performing with the Cabrillo Music Theater's production of Little Shop Of Horrors, as well as receiving her certificate to become a dance instructor from Orange Coast Community College. She now looks forward to a 6 month performance residency in China and will continue teaching dance, singing, and performing.