Meet the Dancers Performing August 23 and 24!

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Claire Christie is an ever-growing dance educator, performer, and third-year graduate student in the Department of Dance at Case Western Reserve, currently pursuing her MFA in contemporary dance. Originally from Park Ridge, IL, she earned her BS in digital marketing communications with a minor in dance education from Elmhurst University in 2022. At Elmhurst University, under the mentorship of Amy Lyn McDonald, Christie developed a versatile dance foundation encompassing ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, modern, and tap. Her undergraduate tenure was marked by numerous scholarships recognizing her leadership and exceptional training. Christie was heavily involved in dance and musical productions within Elmhurst University’s Department of Theatre & Dance. She also held the role of president of Elmhurst’s dance team for three years and served in leadership positions as both president and vice president of her sorority, Alpha Phi. Christie’s choreographic journey spans various styles including contemporary, tap, pom, modern, and jazz. She received honors for her choreography at Elmhurst University’s annual research & performance showcase in May 2019, and her work was showcased at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, in 2017. At CWRU, Christie has had the privilege of performing in works by Janice Rosario, Joel Linebach, Lauren Robinson, Chengyao Zhou, and notably performed The Chorus in Martha Graham’s Cave of the Heart. Additionally, Christie has debuted two original works at CWRU: Sonder (December 2023) and 333 (April 2024). In May 2024, Christie was awarded the Kathryn Karipides Scholarship in Modern Dance through CWRU’s School of Graduate Studies and a half scholarship from the Martha Graham School. These awards supported her summer studies at the Martha Graham School Summer Intensive in New York City (June 2024). 

In her work, Christie is strongly passionate about dance education and sharing her love for the art form with others. She is committed to embodying a teaching philosophy that fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, allowing every student to explore their unique artistic identities and experience the enriching benefits of dance. In addition to teaching, Christie is dedicated to her own professional and artistic growth. She actively seeks continuing education and enjoys exploring new ways to refine her choreographic process. With her experience, on-going achievements, and forward-thinking goals, Christie is poised to make a significant impact in the dance community. 

Megan Gregory is a second-year graduate student in CWRU’s Department of Dance intending to pursue an MFA in contemporary dance. She grew up in Maumee, OH and attended Perrysburg Dance Academy for training in several Western dance forms including ballet, contemporary, modern, and musical theater. Gregory went on to receive BAs in both biology and dance from CWRU in May 2023. She also had the honor of receiving the Lily Dreyfuss Award for Excellence in Dance in 2023. While in graduate school, she is continuing her undergraduate research on calvarial development and disease under Dr. Radhika Atit, a professor in CWRU’s Biology Department. Gregory has had the honor of performing in pieces by Martha Graham, Karen Potter, El-drick Aboagye, Haiyan Chen, Joel Linebach, Christian Mintah, Katie Nabors, and Chengyao Zhou during her time at CWRU. She was also fortunate enough to study at the Martha Graham School in New York City over the past two summers. Gregory deeply enjoys the craft of choreography and debuted her first original ensemble work in November 2022, Until Tomorrow. She looks forward to presenting her newest work in progress, a duet for Joel Linebach and herself. 

Joel K. Linebach is a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio working on his PhD in macromolecular science & engineering. He graduated in May 2024 with his MFA in contemporary dance, studying under Karen Potter and Gary Galbraith, and in May 2022 with his MS in macromolecular science & engineering. In May 2021, he graduated with a BA in dance and BS in polymer science & engineering. He has received the 2021 Lily Dreyfuss Memorial Award for Excellence in Dance, the 2022 Kathryn Karipedes Scholarship for Modern Dance, and the 2023 Kathryn Karipedes Scholarship for Modern Dance. In the spring of 2023, Linebach was awarded a Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities Graduate Research Grant to investigate the relationship between movement, through contemporary dance, and sound using wearable technology for his new work Kinetic Echoes.

At Case Western Reserve, he performed in works choreographed by multiple graduate students and prominent choreographers Larry Keigwin, Janice Rosario, Pam Tanowitz, and Pascal Rioult. Outside of the department, Linebach has performed excerpts of works by Martha Graham, Mark Morris, Jose Limon, Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Ronald K. Brown, and Omar de Roman de Jesus in addition to attending various intensives hosted by the Paul Taylor Dance Company (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), Limon Company (2023), Mark Morris Dance Group (2023), Jon Lehrer Dance Company (2024), Yin Yue Dance Company (2024), and Inlet Dance Theatre (2024).  Linebach has also performed in New York City with the Professional Division at the Taylor School under the direction of Carolyn Adams.

Linebach has assisted in presenting locally and internationally on using Microsoft HoloLens 2 and HoloAnatomy as an aid to human anatomy/kinesiology in dance education. He has also investigated cartilage-related injury within dancers and researched design criteria for custom prosthetic devices for disabled contemporary dance artists with lower extremity amputations. Due to his interests in kinesiology and biomechanics, he provides a foundational anatomical and biomechanical basis in his classes. He has also taught various levels of modern and contemporary technique (Graham, Taylor, Cunningham, Horton, Limon) and composition across Northeast Ohio.

Choreographically, Linebach holds interests in combining the realms of technology and dance, exploring the kinesthetic impulses of worn textiles and costuming, and using the body/movement to communicate human experiences. He aims to highlight athleticism and technical complexities within his choreography, favoring movement that paints the performance space and encourages interactions between the dancers. Linebach is actively involved in his creative process, often heavily participating in lighting design, costume design and construction, projection and video design and programming, sound design, and choreographic processes. Currently, Linebach is an emerging freelance artist based in Northeast Ohio. He often returns to New York City to continue his technical training and spend time with his partner. Most recently, Linebach recently joined Inlet Dance Theatre, under the direction of Bill Wade, as an apprentice for the 2024-2025 season.