EVERY CHILD IS BORN AN ARTIST,
AND EVERY EXPERIENCE SHAPES WHO THEY BECOME.
Open Space’s Community Engagement Program expands access to dance for young people across the Portland metro area. Each season, our artists visit 6–8 schools at no cost to the school, offering performances and movement workshops. We also present NOT-Cracker Kids, an immersive annual event that invites dancers into our studio for an afternoon of performance, artist engagement, and creative workshops.
EXCELLENCE IN DANCE
WITH HEART, CREATIVITY AND CARE.
We believe dance training can be positive, affirming, and of the highest quality for dancers of all ages and abilities. From inspired foundational exploration to pre-college preparation, every student’s journey is honored.
MEET THE
FOUNDERS
When you tell us you are a dancer, we believe you—and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Our founders bring decades of experience to guide the next generation with heart, rigor, and vision.
MEET THE
FACULTY
Our faculty bring both professional excellence and years of teaching experience to The School at Open Space. They are united by a deep commitment to guiding young dancers as they discover who they are and who they can become.
Elise Gonsalves is an artist originally from Portland Oregon, after she graduated high school, Elise studied dance in LA for 5 years but recently returned to Portland. Elise has been dancing with Openspace now since 2021. When she is not dancing with Openspace she dances with a company LED, performing works like“Kid Lighting” and “Over the Moon” choreographed by Lauren Edson. Elise has also worked with choreographers such as Keelan Whitemore, Elijah Labay, Noelle Kayser and recently traveled to the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the Union PDX Festival performing “Confetti Head” choreographed by Franco Nieto.
Anna Hooper (she/her) grew up and currently resides in Vancouver, WA. From a young age, Anna received dance training from numerous local dance schools and companies before studying at SUNY Purchase College & Taipei National University of the Arts. Anna graduated in 2018 with a BFA in dance performance and composition, minor in psychology, and the Outstanding Senior Award. Anna has performed works by Kyle Abraham, Sidra Bell, Sue Bernhard, Laura Cannon/ProLab Dance, Merce Cunningham, Tracey Durbin, Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, Jessica Hightower, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Shaun Keylock, Tere Mathern, Sara Parker, and Jonathan Riedel. She is proud to have assisted Kyle Abraham in rehearsals with New York City Ballet, in addition to dancing in the film Cunningham directed by Alla Kovgan.
Maranda Jory trained at the JKO School at American Ballet Theatre, and in 2015 they received a full scholarship to participate in the NSLI-Y summer program to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. They are a summa cum laude graduate of CCM-University of Cincinnati, and have danced professionally with State Street Ballet and PDX Contemporary Ballet. Maranda is a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a certified Zena Rommett Floor-Barre instructor.
Kylee is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she attended Point Park University, receiving her BFA in modern dance, as well as dancing with the company, The Pillow Projects. Post-college graduation, she relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah to dance with the contemporary dance company, SALT 2. In addition to performing, Kylee is passionate about teaching and choreographing!
She has performed in works choreographed by Nicole von Arx, Alice Klock, Noelle Kayser, Martha Graham, Penny Saunders, Norbert De La Cruz III, Courtney Mazeika, Jason Mcdole, Pearlann Porter and many others! She recently received a choreography fellowship this past season at SALT to create a new work, “The Waiting Room”, for the second company’s spring show.​
Ella Matweyou began studying classical ballet in her hometown of Akron, OH, where she trained at the Dance Institute of the University of Akron. She went on to study modern, contemporary, and jazz dance as a Dance major at Point Park University and The Ohio State University. Ella graduated summa cum laude with Distinction from OSU, attaining a BFA in Dance with a minor in English. She moved to Portland in 2014, where she began teaching youth classes through The Aspire Project. Under the guidance of her mentor Sue Darrow, Ella found a passion for teaching ballet in an outreach setting through the SUN School program within Portland Public Schools, where she also co-taught with Raven Jones, Artistic Director of WolfBird Dance. Ella served as Program Director of Education & Outreach at The Aspire Project from 2018 until the studio’s closure in June 2020.
Teacher, dancer and choreographer Claire Olberding was born and raised in Portland, OR. Her early training at Dancer's Workshop began a lifelong relationship with Tracey Durbin and a deep love of the Luigi style of Jazz Dance. She brings to OpenSpace a 16 year career teaching and leading Portland's daVinci Arts Dance Program. She received her BFA in dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Caitlin Pickens, a Midwestern native, grew up up taking classes at Lou Conte Dance Studio and Joel Hall Dance Center. She graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in Modern Dance in 2012. While there, she performed in nearly 30 works, including six with the University's Performing Dance Company, and had the pleasure to work with renowned choreographers such as Andrea Miller, Nicholas Leichter, and Sharee Lane. Upon moving to Portland, Caitlin performed in several evening length works and enjoyed collaborating with local artists on various projects.
Jessica Post holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Michigan and a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts. Her teaching experience includes Oregon Ballet Theatre School, BODYVOX, Multnomah Athletic Club, Western Oregon University, Portland Community College, Eastern Michigan University, and numerous residencies in K-12 schools. Jessica previously performed professionally in Chicago with The Dance COLEctive and Esoteric Dance Project, and presented her choreography throughout Portland, most recently as a New Expressive Works resident, as well as in Chicago and Michigan.
Ellie Thomas is a dancer, artist, teacher, and choreographer based in the Pacific Northwest and greater New York City area. Originally from Portland, Oregon, they trained at Sultanov Ballet Academy and joined Jefferson Dancers as a company member in high school. They graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance with a concentration in Composition and a minor in Arts Management. At Purchase, Ellie performed works by Eve Chan, Wallie Wolfgruber, George Balanchine, Mary Anthony, Lauren Edson, and Jenelle Figgins. Additionally, they studied abroad at London Contemporary Dance School and received professional training at San Francisco Ballet School, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Vim Vigor, Whim W’Him, and Open Space. Ellie also has a Pilates mat certification.
Sarah has been teaching children and adults in private studios, public schools, assisted living facilities and various community settings for the past twenty years. She is passionate about sharing her love of dance with students and encouraging them to find their own creative voice. In addition, Sarah loves community engagement work, removing barriers and making dance more accessible to all. She has directed the Education and Community Engagement department with Oregon Ballet Theatre and continues as a Teaching Artist in public schools.​
Beebee White was raised in San Francisco and received her early training from Dance Training Center SF and Ruth Asawa SOTA. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA in Education Sciences, bridging her two interests. She is passionate about creating accessible and inclusive dance training for movers of all backgrounds. During her time at UCI, she served on board for student-organizations dedicated to bringing dance to the community and worked as a teaching-artist intern at a local high school. Both of these experiences expanded her love for education and the arts.
BUILDING STRONG,
CONFIDENT DANCERS
AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR JOURNEY
Designed for dancers ages 2–18, our programs meet students where they are and prepare them for whatever role they wish dance to play in their lives. The School at Open Space is a place where students and families share a journey of discovery, expression, and growth.
Mini Creatives
Little Artists
Junior Artists
Young Artists
Little Artists Division
AGES // 5 - 10
// FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS
// CREATIVE PLAY
// CONFIDENCE IN A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT
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Introductory classes in ballet, jazz, or combined styles (1–2 classes/week).​
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Hip Hop classes (ages 8–14) available through our Open Track.
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Levels 1–3 gradually build musicality, coordination, expression, and technique through skill-building, improvisation, and creative exploration.
Mini Creatives Division
AGES // 2 - 5
// JOYFUL ENTRY POINT
// PARENT + CHILD CONNECTION
// READINESS FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING
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Space Tots (toddlers + grown-ups): joyful exploration through music, props, and play → builds creativity, coordination, and connection.
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Creative Movement (independent participation): playful classes that nurture confidence, rhythm, and early dance skills through imagination and musicality.
Young Artists Division
AGES // 11 - 18
Pre-Professional Track
// RIGOROUS TRAINING
// ARTISTRY
// PERFORMANCE
// PREPARATION FOR NEXT STEPS BEYOND OPEN SPACE
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Designed for dancers pursuing collegiate or professional careers while fostering a positive, rigorous, and inspiring environment.
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Levels 5 & 6: 4–5 days/week, full enrollment required for technical momentum and peer community.
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Pointe optional for all gender identities.​​
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Eligible for:
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Young Artists Company 2 (YAC 2) — rehearsal + performance focus, builds stage confidence and artistry.
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Young Artists Company (YAC) — advanced rehearsal + performance track, preparing dancers for conservatories or professional work.
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Junior Artists Division
AGES // 9 - 13
Prep for Pre-Professional Track
// STRONGER COMMITMENT
// DEEPER TECHNICAL GROWTH
// FIRST COMPANY EXPERIENCE
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Dancers train 2–3 days/week depending on goals.
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Ballet training increases (all dancers must take both ballet classes).
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Contemporary may be taken independently or with ballet.
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Hip Hop available through Open Track.
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Eligible for Junior Artists Company (JAC) rehearsals + performances (optional but encouraged).
Hip Hop
Hip Hop Open Track
AGES // 8 - 11
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Hip Hop: recreational or supplemental training for students in other divisions.
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Students may enroll in 1 class/week as standalone or add-on.
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Emphasis on rhythm, expression, confidence, and choreography.
FROM THE FIRST SHOWCASE TO THE
PROFESSIONAL STAGE
At The School at Open Space, performance is an essential part of training — bringing classroom work to life, building confidence, and connecting dancers with their community.
Students begin with in-studio showings and parent observations, progress to fully produced theater productions, and ultimately have the opportunity to perform alongside our professional Company and Open Space Too.
5
Young Artists Division & Companies
PRE-PRO, FULL THEATER
+ OPEN SPACE TOO
→
LIFE!!
4
NOT-Cracker
LEVELS 4-6,
ALONGSIDE COMPANY
3
Tech Checks
JUNIOR + YOUNG ARTISTS
2
Little & Junior Artists Division Theater Showcase
AGES 5 - 13
1
Creative Movement Showcase
AGES 3 - 5
WHERE THEIR JOURNEYS LEAD:
OPEN SPACE ALUMNI
Alumni of The School at Open Space pursue diverse paths, carrying their artistry into companies, colleges, and communities around the world — sharing the creativity and discipline nurtured here.
MAKING DANCE
POSSIBLE FOR ALL
The School at Open Space believes every child who wants to dance should have access to high-quality training, regardless of financial circumstance. No student is turned away due to lack of funds. Each year, our robust financial aid program awards more than $50,000 in need-based tuition assistance to support young dancers in our community.
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To apply, email theschool@openspace.dance.
To contribute to our scholarship fund, email charlene@openspace.dance.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Open Space’s Community Engagement Program expands access to dance for young people across the Portland metro area. Each season, our artists visit schools at no cost to the school, offering performances and movement workshops. We also present NOT-Cracker Kids, an immersive annual event that invites dancers into our studio for an afternoon of performance, artist engagement, and creative workshops.