Under the guidance of Artistic Director At-Large Angelica Stiskin, who returns as Artistic Director in Fall 2026, our Year 3 Jazz & Contemporary Trainees are asked to meet the work with honesty, focus, and intention in her angelicastiskin contemporary class. Each phrase is approached with care, encouraging dancers to hold themselves to a high standard while staying deeply present in the movement. There is a strong emphasis on raising the stakes, both physically and emotionally. Dancers are pushed to go beyond the steps, to fully invest in what they are expressing, and to allow the movement to come from a place that feels personal and lived in. As a mentor, Angelica creates a space where dancers feel both supported and challenged, guiding them to grow with clarity and confidence. Within this environment, discipline and vulnerability exist side by side. It becomes not only about refining technique, but about developing the ability to commit, connect, and carry a deeper sense of purpose...