Native to the Chicagoland area, Macala Bartucci started her dance training at three years old with the Dance and Music Academy. During her time at DMA, Macala dedicated her summers to enriching her dance skills by attending intensive programs with Ballet Chicago and the Colorado State University Dance program. In her later years at Dance and Music Academy, Macala showcased her talents as a valuable member of the Chicago Repertoire Ballet Youth Ensemble, where she thrived under the direction of Wade Schaaf.

Currently, Macala is embarking on a new chapter in her dance career as a student of the Colorado State University Dance Program. At CSU, Macala is pursuing a BA in dance performance with a minor in Nutritional Studies. Her artistic journey at CSU is being guided by esteemed professors, including Grace Gallagher, Madeline Harvey, Chung-Fu Chang, and Emily Morgan. She can’t wait to reunite with her TDC2 family!

Originally from Aurora, Illinois, Ellie Daley discovered a passion for movement at the early age of three. In her later youth, Ellie studied at Elevations Dance Arts (Elburn, IL) and performed with their pre-professional company, Elevations Studio Company, under the direction of Catie Deitz-Griffith. As a member of the company, Ellie had the pleasure of dancing throughout the Chicagoland area, performing in works choreographed by Lindsey Bebe, Brent Caburnay, Catie Deitz-Griffith, Kimberly Fletcher Stibal, Elijah Gibson, Courtney Krachtus and more.

Ellie is currently a third-year student at the University of Iowa and is working towards a BFA in Dance. A highlight of her time at UI has been touring with the UI Dance Company under the direction of Melinda Myers and Todd Rhoades. Additionally, she has performed works by UI Faculty and guest artists including Jennifer Kayle, Kristin Marrs, Stephanie Miracle, Danielle Russo, Kieron Dwayne Sargeant, and Aaron Samuel Davis. Along with scholarship and performance, Ellie is a passionate educator and creator, currently teaching and choreographing for the University of Iowa Youth Ballet Community School. Ellie has also served two summers as the Assistant Media Lab Coordinator at Hollins University MFA Dance program in Roanoke, VA, under the direction of Jeffery Bullock.

Ellie is thrilled to begin her first season with TDC2!

Sarah Paige is currently a student at Texas State University earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance: Performance and Choreography. There, she was chosen to be one of the 12 dancers in Texas State’s pre-professional touring ensemble, Merge, for the 2022-2023 season. During her time in the company, she had the opportunity of working with international choreographer Heike Salzer, along with Torens Johnson, Ana Baer, and Michelle Nance. The company also toured the Dallas area performing works from various choreographers, teaching and assisting master classes with their director Torens Johnson.

Sarah is a two year Illusion Dance Center Faculty Member. This year she is leading the ballet program, and is working closely with the directors of the studio to continue the excellence and prestige of technique within the studio home. Sarah herself has been dancing for 17 years and is trained in styles such as Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, and Aerial Silks. She trained at the Dance and Music Academy, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp which specializes in dance and music, as well as with the Cecchetti Council of America where she is a Grade 4. Some of Sarah’s favorite performance opportunities include the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and performing at Peridance in New York with her high school company.

In 2020, she was an ambassador and assistant for Metamorphosis Fearless Evolution Dance Convention, where she helped fundraise for WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger) to bring awareness and help fight domestic violence. Sarah is an accomplished pianist and vocalist as well. Her talents were recognized at Glenbrook South High School where she was featured as a leadsinger, pianist, and dancer in various productions throughout high school and into her college career. Recently at Texas State University, Sarah has been recognized as an accomplished singer with the Aurora Voce choir, and has gone on to work closely with choreographers to compose music to inspire and help bring their vision to life.

Katie Scuderi began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Orland Park, Illinois. She studied at the American Dance Center for the majority of her childhood, where she trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. Currently, Katie is in her senior year at the University of Iowa, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. During her time there, she has had the opportunity to dance with the University of Iowa dance company, traveling all around the Iowa and Chicago areas, performing an evening-length piece under the direction of Melinda Myers and Todd Rhodes. She has also worked with profound choreographers such as Armando Duarte, Jennifer Kayle, Eloy Barragan, and guest choreographer FLOCK to perform pieces in the annual Gala Showcase. This is Katie’s first year with TDC2, and she is very excited to be a part of the journey!

Jana Zollner started dancing at the age of 2 and began competitive dance at the age of 8. She competed in many National Finals at the United States Tournament of Dance and Starbound National Talent Competition. In her last nationals in 2021, Jana was the top senior tap soloist at Starbound National Finals. She studied under MotionN Dance in Philadelphia, PA, for 11 years and was a part of their competition team while training in all genres of dance. 

Jana had the opportunity of training with the Philadelphia Ballet where she was able to work with former Pennsylvania Ballet professional (now Philadelphia Ballet), Barette Vance Widell. She also attended South Jersey Ballet Theatre in New Jersey and had the opportunity to work with many professionals from Philadelphia Ballet in their productions of the Nutcracker. After that, Jana continued her ballet training at Ballet NJ under David Gallagher where she shared the stage with current and former professionals of Andre Vytoptov, Evelyn Kocak, and others.  

Jana is very excited to continue to travel to Chicago for this season with Trifecta as a TDC2 member! goes here