Class of 2026: Dance Graduate Placements & Next Steps
August 24, 2026
For the graduating class of our Post-Secondary Dance Program, their next chapter is taking them to professional companies, post-secondary institutions, and new creative environments across Canada, the United States, and Europe. We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the next steps they are taking following years of intensive dance education, artistic exploration, and collaboration at Arts Umbrella.
Class of 2026 Graduate Placements
- Airi Takenouchi – Ballet BC Annex
- Amillya Beech – Ballet BC Annex
- Emiliano Rivera-Patton – Ballet Charlotte
- Erin Park – Harvard University
- Gaya Hagemeier – Nederlands Dans Theater 2
- Liliana Eneliko – Ballet BC Annex
- Louis Pineau – Nederlands Dans Theater 2
- Madalyn Sawa – Ballet BC Annex
- Quinn Wyland – Ballet Edmonton
- Robyn Neumann – Cas Public
- Sophia Springer-Iannantuoni – Nederlands Dans Theater 2
A Training Environment Built for the Professional Dance World
The Post-Secondary Dance Program is designed to prepare dancers for the demands and opportunities of a professional dance career. Through intensive training, mentorship, and performance experiences, students develop the technical foundation, artistic perspective, and creative confidence needed to navigate the evolving world of dance and beyond. Students work with leading dance educators from across Canada, and guest artists from around the world, gaining exposure to diverse techniques, choreographic approaches and perspectives.
Speaking about the program, Sophia Springer-Iannantuoni said:
“Arts Umbrella expanded my understanding of what dance can be: a way of seeing, discovering, and evolving. By nurturing curiosity and adaptability, it deepened my artistry and transformed the way I approach both dance and life. Beyond artistic growth, it remains a community that supports artists in pursuing professional careers in the arts.”
Reflecting on the Class of 2026 and their time in the program, Artistic Director Artemis Gordon shared:
“The time that we all spent together in the studio not only informed the dancers, but elevated everyone’s understanding of the potential of dance. By asking the question, ‘what is excellence in art?’ we pondered the eternal nature of our existence.”
Explore the Post-Secondary Dance Program and discover the training, mentorship, and opportunities that help dancers pursue their future in dance.