2025-2026 COMPANY ARTISTS
JADA LA FAIRE ALLEN
Jada is a Jacksonville, Florida native and a recent graduate of Valdosta State University, where she earned her BFA in Dance and received the Honors Award for Creative Excellence in Dance. During her time at VSU, Jada was a scholarship recipient and a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She performed in numerous faculty, guest artist, and student works, and had the opportunity to present her own choreography at the 3rd Annual Women’s Art Exchange and the American College Dance Association.
Jada’s training includes the American Dance Festival and intensives with Doug Varone and Dancers, Staib Dance, Jacksonville Dance Theatre, and Emily Cargill and Dancers. She is excited to begin her first season with ECD.
CHLOE RIVENBARK
Chloe Rivenbark is from Southport, North Carolina, and is a 2024 graduate of East Carolina University. There she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance and choreography. Chloe was involved in numerous faculty and student works since her Freshman year at ECU. Performing works created by the names of Jessica Teague, John Dixon, Sayward Grindley, and many others. By Chloe’s senior year, she was awarded the Undergraduate of the Creative Arts grant (URCA) in which she was chosen to create a 45 minute work to be presented, and have research based on the topic of choice. ECU is where Chloe discovered her love for improv and choreography, which is something she works to expand into her everyday life.
JOY ECHOLS
Joy Echols is a Chinese American dance artist from Knoxville, TN. Joy recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) where she earned a BS in Dance with a concentration in Performance and Choreography as well as a BS in Allied Heath Science. While at school, she served as the MTSU Dance Society board president and performed in many student and faculty concerts. Her senior year, Joy had the opportunity to create a solo that was performed at the American College Dance Association and in the MTSU Spring Dance Concert. Joy has had the opportunity to work with many faculty and guest artists including Jade Treadwell, Jee Ahn, Colette Kerwick, Kia Smith and Emily Cargill.
MACKENNA JACOBS (guest artist)
Mackenna Jacobs, a Jacksonville native, is a dynamic dancer whose journey has taken her from the stages of Jacksonville University, where she graduated with a BFA, to a multitude of enriching experiences. During her time at JU, Mackenna’s dedication to her craft earned her esteemed dance scholarships and awards reflecting her growth and commitment. She was given the opportunity to expand her knowledge of her craft by working and learning alongside various choreographers and professors, as well as, showcasing her work at the JU Senior Dance Concert. Since Graduating, Mackenna has honed her skills through training intensives extending as far as Sorento, Italy. She has had the privilege of traveling to numerous cities with Emily Cargill and Dancers to present their captivating works. Mackenna worked with ECD for three seasons and she is ecstatic for another chapter of growth and artistic exploration with the company.
EMMA MAXEY
Emma Maxey, originally from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, is a recent graduate of Lindenwood University, where she earned her BFA in Dance. During her time at Lindenwood, Emma was deeply involved in the dance program, where she got the opportunity to train under the instruction of Tricia Zweier, Janet Strzelec, Mariko Kumanomido, Amy Gammon, and several others. Emma also had the opportunity of performing in numerous student and faculty works and she had the honor of performing with the university at the American College Dance Association Conferences and the Detroit Dance City Festival. In addition to performing, Emma also showcased her choreographic talents, creating original works for Lindenwood’s Winter and Spring Dance Concerts throughout her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Outside of her collegiate experience, Emma has choreographed multiple competition pieces for her home studio in Illinois and expanded her training at New Dialect Summer Intensive and now with Emily Cargill!
ANJA THORSEN (guest artist)
Anja Thorsen (they/them) is a movement artist from Jacksonville, Florida. Coming from a formal ballet training background from the Florida Ballet, they danced as a trainee in The Florida Ballet’s studio company for a year after graduating from their conservatory program. They had the opportunity to go take workshops and intensives from Pilobolus & learn from their creative process. Anja then went to train with the CLI Conservatory under artistic director Teddy Forance, which offered numerous opportunities to work with and learn from current professionals in multiple styles of dance. They have worked with Riley Watts, Ali Pfleger, Martha Nichols, Zak Ryan Schlegel, Omri Drumlevich and now Emily Cargill. They are very excited to guest with ECD!