Co-Founder/Executive Director

Krissie Odegard Geye is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Expand Community Arts Alliance, a group of nationally recognized arts organizations committed to sparking community dialogue through the lens of art. Within this alliance, Krissie oversees four organizations: The Dance and Music Academy, The Trifecta Dance Collective, the Metamorphosis; Fearless Evolution experience, and Phosphorescent Theatrical Productions.

Her accomplishments include being chosen as a Conference Presenter and Master Clinical at the International Dance Pedagogy Conference and Performance Festival, Peridance in NYC, the Big River Dance Festival in West Virginia, the CRU Dance Nationals, and the United States Tournament of Dance National Finals in Atlantic City.

Krissie's choreography has been recognized and featured at various esteemed events and festivals, including the Spring Choreography Showcase at Peridance in NYC, Jennifer Mueller's "Hatch" series in NYC, the Detroit Dance Festival, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Big River Dance Festival, and the Exchange Choreography Festival in Tulsa, OK. She has conceptualized and produced three full-length works in Anita's Way in Times Square and was honored as one of three winners of the National Choreography Competition sponsored by Ovation TV.

Krissie is a five-time recipient of a space in the "Choreographer's Showcase" performance at Dance Chicago. She served as the co-director of three National Youth Companies, providing valuable opportunities for hundreds of students each summer: The CRU Dance Heart and Soul National Company, the United States Tournament of Dance National Contemporary Team, and the Metamorphosis Performance Ensemble.

Krissie's contributions extend beyond performance and choreography, as she has also lent her expertise to institutions such as Goliard Concerts in New York City, the Ethnic Dance Theatre in St. Paul, MN, the ATDI “Spirit of Tap” conference, and as a faculty member for the New York City Public School System.

Co-Founder/Artistic Director

Carrie Patterson, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, began her training with the Atlanta Ballet, and continued training in the summers with Houston Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Luna Negra Dance Theater. In 2011, Carrie graduated cum laude from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Psychology. After graduation, Carrie spent the 2011-2012 season dancing as a trainee with the Louisville Ballet.. In the summer of 2012, Carrie moved to Chicago where she spent 2012-2013 season as a trainee with Thodos Dance Chicago. Carrie has also danced in Chicago with Rephrase Dance Collective and Project606 Dance. She choreographed works for the Louisville Ballet in their New Works show of 2012, Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances, and Nomi Dance Company’s Instrumental. She has also assistant directed the Heart and Soul and Elite Petite National Dance Companies at Cathy Roe Ultimate Dance.  Along with being the co-artistic director of Trifecta, Carrie is currently is also a dancer with Nomi Dance Company and Co-Company Director with Dance and Music Academy.

Rehearsal Director

Originally from the Chicago area, Meghann began her early dance training at the Evanston School of Ballet, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts and the Lou Conte Dance Studio. Meghann continued her dance education at Texas Christian University where she had the opportunity to perform works by TCU faculty members, as well as by several guest artists including TCU Choreographer in Residence Fernando Bujones. She graduated from TCU, magna cum laude, with a BFA in Dance and a BA in History and returned to Chicago. In 2008, Meghann founded Project606 Dance, which has since been active in the Chicago arts community, including several collaborations with Trifecta Dance Collective. In addition to taking on the role of Rehearsal Director for TDC, Meghann also teaches aspiring dancers throughout the Chicago area and is on faculty at the Evanston School of Ballet and the Joffrey Academy of Dance.

Bridget Donovan (Principal Dancer/Choreogrpaher) grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois. She started her dance training with the Des Plaines School of Dance and later competed with the Artistry in Motion Competition Team. Alongside competing with her home studio, Bridget also trained and competed in Latin Ballroom dance with Interclub Academy of Dance. To expand her understanding and passion for dance, she attended Ball State University. During her time at Ball State she participated in the Student Dance Association and the Ball State Dance Company where she trained in various styles and performed in productions, musicals, and student works. Bridget was the Presidential Scholarship recipient of the BSU Class of 2021. In May of 2021, Bridget graduated Magna Cum Laude with her BFA in Dance. After graduating, Bridget returned back to the Chicagoland area and has worked as a freelance dance artist. Getting to teach and choreograph dances and musicals has been a great joy for Bridget as she now gets to share her knowledge and passion with her students. Bridget is thrilled to be with Trifecta Dance Collective for her second season as a dancer and choreographer.

Born and raised in Chicago, Greer Hutchison (Principal Dancer/Choreographer) studied the majority of her pre-highschool years at Dance and Music Academy under the mentorship and teachings of Krissie Odegard-Geye. In 2011, Greer attended the Chicago High School for the Performing Arts, where she trained and performed works by former director Sarah Ford Thompson, Lizzie MacKenzie, Reginald Harris, and Brian McGinnis; along with guests from Gus Giordano and Hubbard Street. Greer studied summers at Peridance Capezio Center and the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago intensive, with a full tuition scholarship provided by the Anthony Quinn Foundation. Greer graduated with her BFA from UNC School of the Arts in 2019 where she had also served as Student Body President during her senior year. There she had worked with faculty members such as Brenda Daniels, Sean Sullivan, Abigail Yager, Ming Lung-Yang, and Kira Blazek-Ziaii. There she also studied the repertoire of Natalie Desche, Charles Zarney, Martha Graham, Kelly Maxner and Aszure Barton. Greer has had the honor of performing professionally with UNCSA at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in NYC as well as with Mandala South Asian Performing Arts in Chicago. Post University, she has worked as a teacher and choreographer for Greensboro Performing Arts as well as UNCSA’s Acting Out program in North Carolina. This season, Greer is excited to join her second season with Trifecta Dance Collective as a Principal Dancer and return to perform and choreograph with Mandala South Asian Arts. Greer is also honored to be teaching at Dance and Music Academy and The Chicago High School for the Arts.

Born and raised in Papillion Nebraska, Annalee Larsen (Principal dancer) grew up dancing and competing at Bellevue Dance Academy. She furthered her training as a teenager when she was invited to dance with American Midwest Ballet’s second company, giving her the opportunity to take class and perform alongside professional ballet dancers. To broaden her versatility, she spent the summers and winters training at a variety of intensives and festivals including Dance West, American Dance Festival, Next Generation Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Chicago as well as Ballet Nebraska and Oklahoma City Ballet on scholarship. In 2021 she had the opportunity to perform with the Live Entertainment Company at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. In May of 2022 Annalee Graduated with honors from The University of Kansas with a BFA in Dance performance and pre-physical therapy. At KU she was a member of the University Dance Company, performed and choreographed in student showcases, and took part in University Theatre productions. She received the dance and theatre program’s jump start award, Loren Kennedy scholarship, and Lee Family scholarship. Aside from her own dancing, she also has developed a love for teaching from her work at numerous studios in Kansas and Nebraska as well as a passion for choreography from work in studios, competition teams, and live theatre. Her fascination of the human body led her to receive her certification in personal training from NASM in 2021. She is ecstatic to continue her dance career in Chicago with Trifecta Dance Collective as a principal dancer and a DMA faculty member.

Andi Learman (Principal Dancer/Choreographer) was born and raised in Woodstock, Illinois. She later went on to earn a degree in Dance Business at Anderson University. While there, she worked with artists such as Earl Mosley, Eddy Ocampo and Gregory Hancock. Following her time at Anderson, Andi went off to train with Hubbard Street's Professional Program under the direction of Alexandra Wells. Andi has had the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Festival's National Gala, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 2018 winter series and New Dance's 2020 Virtual Performance. Since then, she has worked with Tapestry Contemporary Dance Company as well as various projects within the Chicago dance community. Andi is excited to begin work with Trifecta Dance Collective this upcoming season.

Sarah O'Keeffe (Principal Dancer )is originally from Boulder, Colorado where she began her dance training with Reverence Academy of Dance. Sarah continued her dance training at the University of Kansas where she earned her BFA degree in Dance. While at KU Sarah was honored to perform works by Melissa Thodos, Regina Klenjoski, Lane Gifford, David Justin, Talia Beck, James Moreno, and Autumn Eckman. During her time at KU Sarah was appointed president of the University Dance Company as well as being honored with the Lee Family scholarship, the Kick-start award, and the Elizabeth Sherbon Award for Dance.

Since moving to Chicago Sarah has worked with Inaside Dance Chicago, Purus Motus, and other free-lance performing opportunities around the city. Currently, Sarah is a principal company dancer with the Trifecta Dance Collective and a Guest Artist with Solarium Dance Company. Sarah has performed at various Chicago and Chicagoland based dance festivals as well as traveling opportunities to perform at Detroit Dance City Festival, Iowa Dance Festival, and Charlotte Dance Festival. When not dancing herself Sarah is sharing her passion for dance with her students around the Chicagoland area. Sarah is thrilled to be dancing with Trifecta Dance Collective this season.

Haley Stevens (Principal Dancer) began her dance training at the Edgebrook Dance and Music Academy under the direction and support of Krissie Odegard Geye. Haley then had the privilege of continuing her dance education with the Visceral Studio Company directed by Nick Pupillo. There, she was fortunate to receive training from some of the finest teaching professionals of the Chicago Dance Community. In May of 2020, Haley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Iowa along with a BA in Entrepreneurial Leadership which led to a position with a Chicago Financial Planning firm. At Iowa, she studied and performed under an accomplished Dance Faculty. She collaborated with and performed works of Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barragan, Armando Duarte, Kristin Marrs, Jennifer Kayle and noted guest choreographers Shannon Alvis and Brian Enos. Most recently in June, she was grateful to perform a duet choreographed by Tori Cartee at CDC Fest in Orlando, Florida. Haley is happy to be home in Chicago coming full circle to where it all began at DMA. Beginning her third season as a member of Trifecta Dance Collective, she is grateful to share the stage with a group of artists who embrace the TDC mission. Haley also feels fortunate to give back to a new generation of dancers as part of the DMA faculty.

Anna Wetoska (Principal Dance,/Choreographer), originally from Glenview, began her dance training at Lehman’s School of Dance under the direction of Laverne Lehman. She recently graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Arts in Human Health and Physiology-Exercise Science from the University of Iowa. Anna had the privilege to study under Melinda Jean Myers, Tony Orrico, Charlotte Adams, Stephanie Miracle, and Jennifer Kayle and performed works by Jessica Anthony, Armando Duarte, Urban Bush Women, Marc Macaranas, and Sarah Olsen among others. Additionally, Anna is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a Certified Functional Strength Coach through Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning. She is currently the head coach of the Junior Varsity dance team at Loyola Academy and is teaching and choreographing throughout the Chicagoland area. Anna is thrilled to be joining Trifecta Dance Collective this season!

Ava Wichser Foerster (Principal Dancer/Choreographer) graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Conservatory at the University of Missouri Kansas City where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and a minor in Communications.

Originally from Minnesota, Ava began her dance training at the age of 3 at St. Croix Ballet. She furthered her dance training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Classical Ballet Academy and Indiana University. Ava has studied under Gelsey Kirkland, Michael Vernon, Nilas Martins, and Victoria Schneider. Ava Wichser Foerster graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Conservatory at the University of Missouri Kansas City in 2020 where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and a minor in Communications. While at UMKC she performed works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Gregory Dawson, Cleo Parker Robinson, Gary Abbott, DeeAnna Hiett, and Paula Weber. Ava started her professional career as a member of Kansas City Ballet under the direction of Devon Carney. She also danced professionally with Wylliams Henry Contemporary Company, and Musical Theatre Heritage performing the role of Louise in their production of 'Carousel'. Ava has danced internationally in Athens, Greece at the 51st World Congress on Dance Research.

Currently Ava is dancing and choreographing professionally in Chicago. She is a company member at Trifecta Dance Collective, Still Inspired, Movementum Dance Project, and Joel Hall Dancers. Ava has choreographed for various Chicago based companies including Alluvion Dance Chicago, Movementum Dance Project and Trifecta Dance Collective. In May 2023 she will present a full-length work commissioned by Trifecta Dance Collective titled 'Tulips'. Alongside her dance career Ava has been teaching various genres and techniques for 8 years and is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique and Dance Educator Mental Wellness Training by Danscend. Ava is influenced by movement that comes naturally to a dancer's body and currates her classes to feel inspiring yet technical. Ava strives to create a welcoming space in the studio for students to grow not only as dancers but as human beings.

Sam Kedziora (Performing Apprwnticea) was born and raised in Des Plaines, Illinois, and began her dance journey in 2008 competing and training with various local dance studios. From the time that her passion for dance began until now, Sam has trained in dance styles including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip-hop, and more. In 2018, she followed that passion and chose to study dance at the University of South Florida. She graduated with her BFA in Modern Dance Studies and a minor in psychology in May 2022 and also spent the 2019-2020 season dancing on the USF Sundolls Dance Team to further expand her dance vocabulary. Over the course of her college career, Sam has participated in various dance-related events, has been in clubs and leadership positions with the dance department, has choreographed multiple small works (both live and film), has worked very closely with Tampa’s Moving Current Dance Collective, and has taught varying dance styles to all ages. In 2019, she performed with Diavolo Architecture in Motion's Veterans Project, which was her first professional gig, and stayed involved in the local Tampa dance scene. Sam also took the summer after graduating to independently travel to Paris, Berlin, and Northern Israel where she continued her dance studies. She is now a performing apprentice with Trifecta Dance Collective as well as a company member with Solarium Dance Company and is excited to expand her dance career here in Chicago.

Katherine (Kate) Moorhouse (Performing Appwentice) was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She began her dance training with the Dance and Music Academy under the direction of Krissie Odegard Geye. Kate supplemented her year-round training with summer intensives at the Cecchetti Council of America, Fort Wayne Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Orlando Ballet School, and UNCSA Professional Studies Intensive. She continued her dance education by attending The Chicago High School for the Arts as a dance major, where she worked with Kim Sagami, Ted Seymour, Sarah Ford Thompson, and Maan Almodovar. In 2018, Kate was invited to join Trifecta Dance Collective as a Student Apprentice and performed with the company across the Chicagoland area and in New York City during high school. Following graduation, Kate moved away from Chicago to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She recently obtained her BFA in Contemporary Dance and a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship in May 2023. While at UNCSA, she has trained with Brenda Daniels, Sean Sullivan, Kira Blazek Ziaii, Ming-Lung Yang, Ashley Lindsey, and Abigail Yager. Her performance highlights include works by Igal Perry, Shen Wei, José Limón, Juel Lane, Gaspard Louis, Kira Blazek-Ziaii, Wesley Williams, Mariana Oliveira, and Ashley Lindsey. Kate also had the pleasure of collaborating with Garen Scribner and Danielle Rowe in their 2021 dance parody, “Swan Lake: Cancelled” and their upcoming parody film, “Shellbreaker.” Additionally, Kate is the choreographer of the first-ever musical film from UNCSA’s School of Film, “Homer: Great Teller of Tales” in 2022. She was one of the founding members of UNCSA Live, an interdisciplinary student-led group that put on shadow cast performances for the student body, where she served as co-choreographer and dance captain. In 2021, she was invited to become a member of Trifecta Dance Collective’s second company, TDC2, for their inaugural season. She made her debut with TDC2 at the Trifecta Dance Festival in March of 2022. Following graduation from UNCSA, Kate is now residing in Chicago, where she is excited to be dancing with TDC as a performing apprentice and to be on the faculty at Dance and Music Academy.

Shannon Brodie (Guest Artist) began her dance training at age four in Downers Grove, IL. Her passion for dance took her to Northern Illinois University where she received her B.F.A. in dance performance. In 2007 she began her professional career by joining Chicago based Nomi Dance Company as a founding member. While performing with them, she received a positive review in the Chicago Tribune of her contemporary pointe solo and was honored to perform in the 2018 Dance for Life show at the Auditorium Theatre.

Shannon went on to perform with Winifred Haun and Dancers and work with Purus Motus before joining Trifecta in 2018. Shannon is excited to continue performing in Trifecta's community based and inspired works for this upcoming season.

Sawyer McNamara (Guest Artist), originally from Alpena, MI, is a dancer, choreographer, and dance educator currently based in Chicago, IL. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University, as well as a Certificate in Dance Studio Management in spring of 2023. Throughout her time at Western, Sawyer got the opportunity to perform works by Seyong Kim, Monique Haley, Jeremy Blair, Kaitlyn Pollock, Kiki Lucas, Katy Copeland, and Kimberly Cooper of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. In addition to these notable performances, Sawyer also served as a company member of Western Dance Project under the direction of Kelsey Paschich, as well as an apprentice for ConteXture Dance Detroit under the direction of Tracy Halloran.

In addition to performing and life as a company member, Sawyer has also found creative expression through choreography. Her most recent work is a duet choreographed in collaboration with Dani Johnson titled, “Ascendancy.” After premiering in the WMU’s 2022 Student Dance Concert, this work was selected to be showcased in WMU’s 2023 Winter Gala Dance Concert and as Western Dance Project repertoire.

Sawyer enjoys sharing her passion and experience through educating others. She currently teaches at numerous studios in Chicago, as well as in Michigan. Sawyer is grateful to be joining Trifecta Dance Collective as a guest artist this year!

Tori Cartee (Artist-In-Residence) graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, receiving a B.A. in Dance with a focus on Dance Performance, Choreography, and Theory. From 2019-2023, she danced with Trifecta Dance Collective, ultimately landing as a Principal Dancer and Choreographer for the company. Tori helped conceptualize TDC 2, Trifecta’s second company, and leads both TDC 2 and Trifecta Youth Ensemble as Artistic Director. Tori is the first recipient of Trifecta Dance Collective’s Choreography Residency Program and is launching a new dance company, Solarium Dance through its programming.

As a choreographer, her works have been performed across stages in the greater Chicagoland area as well as at festivals and showcases across the nation including Charlotte Dance Festival, American College Dance Association, Wake Forest Dance Festival, Loose Leaves Showcase, Trifecta Dance Festival, Peridance Spring Choreographers’ Showcase, Alluvion Dance Chicago’s Emergence, Detroit Dance City Festival, Noumenon Dance Ensemble’s “In this Neck of the Woods,” as well as at the Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival of Orlando, FL. Internationally, Tori has studied and presented work at Italian venues including the Palace of Venaria and Orsolina28. Based in Chicago, IL, she divides her time between dancing, instructing, and choreographing. Tori utilizes contemporary techniques and improvisational practices for movement generation, resulting in thoughtful, athletic, expansive, and experimental choreographic works.