Artist bio:
Paula Higa is a Brazilian-born American choreographer with a robust career spanning over 40 years in dance. Renowned for her innovative choreography and dynamic performances, Paula has made significant contributions to the field through her work as a producer and director of dance films, as well as through her performances as a soloist and with her own company, PH Dance, on national and international stages.
Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor and Resident Choreographer in the Dance Program at the University of Vermont, where she continues to inspire and educate the next generation of dancers. Paula's educational background includes a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Brazil, showcasing her diverse intellectual pursuits.
Her artistic achievements have been recognized with prestigious grants and awards, including the New England Dance Fund Grant and the Vermont Community Foundation, among others. Her creative work won multiple awards from dance festivals in Europe, North America, and South America. One of her recent notable works, the film "The Migrant Body," has garnered critical acclaim, winning the Best Choreography award at the Canadian Experimental, Dance, & Music Film Festival, Jury Special Mention at Spain's Festival Girona en Moviment, and the Audience Award at ARFF Berlin in Germany.
During the academic year 2025-206, Paula is set to take on an exciting role as a Visiting Professor at the Center of Brazilian Studies at the University of Salamanca in Spain, furthering her engagement with the global dance community.
Artistic statement:
As a dance maker, I approach choreography as a valuable form of research. My artistic focus is on exploring the dynamic intersection of dance and visual arts. Anchored in feminist principles, my works aim to address and highlight persistent discriminatory issues within our society. Through my art, I strive to elevate the voices of underrepresented groups and invite my audience to consider the power of inequalities, gender hierarchies, and patriarchal structures that influence our lives. In my creative process, I examine the relationship among body, movement, and narrative, drawing on these insights to develop sophisticated, thought-provoking dances. I have a strong commitment to the transformative potential of the arts.
Paula Higa
Paula Higa is a Brazilian-born American choreographer with a robust career spanning over 40 years in dance. Renowned for her innovative choreography and dynamic performances, Paula has made significant contributions to the field through her work as a producer and director of dance films, as well as through her performances as a soloist and with her own company, PH Dance, on national and international stages.
Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor and Resident Choreographer in the Dance Program at the University of Vermont, where she continues to inspire and educate the next generation of dancers. Paula's educational background includes a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Brazil, showcasing her diverse intellectual pursuits.
Her artistic achievements have been recognized with prestigious grants and awards, including the New England Dance Fund Grant and the Vermont Community Foundation, among others. Her creative work won multiple awards from dance festivals in Europe, North America, and South America. One of her recent notable works, the film "The Migrant Body," has garnered critical acclaim, winning the Best Choreography award at the Canadian Experimental, Dance, & Music Film Festival, Jury Special Mention at Spain's Festival Girona en Moviment, and the Audience Award at ARFF Berlin in Germany.
During the academic year 2025-206, Paula is set to take on an exciting role as a Visiting Professor at the Center of Brazilian Studies at the University of Salamanca in Spain, furthering her engagement with the global dance community.
Artistic statement:
As a dance maker, I approach choreography as a valuable form of research. My artistic focus is on exploring the dynamic intersection of dance and visual arts. Anchored in feminist principles, my works aim to address and highlight persistent discriminatory issues within our society. Through my art, I strive to elevate the voices of underrepresented groups and invite my audience to consider the power of inequalities, gender hierarchies, and patriarchal structures that influence our lives. In my creative process, I examine the relationship among body, movement, and narrative, drawing on these insights to develop sophisticated, thought-provoking dances. I have a strong commitment to the transformative potential of the arts.
Paula Higa
Collaborators
Owen Belton - Composer
Owen Belton lives in Vancouver, Canada and graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Fine and Performing Art. His studies included acoustic, electroacoustic and computer music composition, film sound and dance. He has been writing music for dance for the last 25 years and been working with many different choreographers including Crystal Pite, Matjash Mrozewski, Goyo Montero and Edgar Zendejas. Dance companies he has created scores for include The Stuttgart Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Nederlands Dans Theatre, Ballet Nuremberg, The Royal Ballet, The Paris Opera and Kidd Pivot. Owen also creates sound design and composition for theatre and has scored several short films, tv movies and documentaries, as well as Uninterrupted, a large outdoor projection installation that was presented throughout the summer of 2017 in Vancouver. In 2009, Owen won a Dora Mavor Moore award for best original score for Emergence, which was created with Crystal Pite for the National Ballet of Canada.
Owen Belton lives in Vancouver, Canada and graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Fine and Performing Art. His studies included acoustic, electroacoustic and computer music composition, film sound and dance. He has been writing music for dance for the last 25 years and been working with many different choreographers including Crystal Pite, Matjash Mrozewski, Goyo Montero and Edgar Zendejas. Dance companies he has created scores for include The Stuttgart Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Nederlands Dans Theatre, Ballet Nuremberg, The Royal Ballet, The Paris Opera and Kidd Pivot. Owen also creates sound design and composition for theatre and has scored several short films, tv movies and documentaries, as well as Uninterrupted, a large outdoor projection installation that was presented throughout the summer of 2017 in Vancouver. In 2009, Owen won a Dora Mavor Moore award for best original score for Emergence, which was created with Crystal Pite for the National Ballet of Canada.
Debra Weisberg - Sculptor/Installation Artist
Weisberg was recently awarded a Golden Foundation Residency award and a Denbo Fellowship at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center where she explored papermaking and printmaking. She has been the recipient of several Somerville Arts Council Artist Fellowships as well as a Mass Cultural Council award in Drawing. A 22’ long installation was commissioned by Facebook’s Cambridge Office. She has attended artist residencies at the MacDowell Colony, Blue Mountain Art Center and CanSerrat, outside Barcelona.
She has shown at Paper Biennial in the Netherlands; Art in General; East Hampton Center for Contemporary Art; Danforth Art Museum; DeCordova Museum; Gallery Kayafas; Westbeth Gallery; Mills Gallery; Five Points Gallery; Boston Center for the Arts; Rose Art Museum; VanDernoot Gallery; Catamount Arts. Her works have been collected by the Sonesta Hotel, General Hardware Manufacturing, Simmons College and Meditech Corporation.
Weisberg is presently on the faculty of Boston College. She has lectured internationally on the preservations of the senses in the digital age and its educational implications in the digital age. Iterations of her talk, Material Drawing:Exploration and Connectivity, was presented at MIT, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, University College in London and the Broad Institute.
Weisberg was recently awarded a Golden Foundation Residency award and a Denbo Fellowship at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center where she explored papermaking and printmaking. She has been the recipient of several Somerville Arts Council Artist Fellowships as well as a Mass Cultural Council award in Drawing. A 22’ long installation was commissioned by Facebook’s Cambridge Office. She has attended artist residencies at the MacDowell Colony, Blue Mountain Art Center and CanSerrat, outside Barcelona.
She has shown at Paper Biennial in the Netherlands; Art in General; East Hampton Center for Contemporary Art; Danforth Art Museum; DeCordova Museum; Gallery Kayafas; Westbeth Gallery; Mills Gallery; Five Points Gallery; Boston Center for the Arts; Rose Art Museum; VanDernoot Gallery; Catamount Arts. Her works have been collected by the Sonesta Hotel, General Hardware Manufacturing, Simmons College and Meditech Corporation.
Weisberg is presently on the faculty of Boston College. She has lectured internationally on the preservations of the senses in the digital age and its educational implications in the digital age. Iterations of her talk, Material Drawing:Exploration and Connectivity, was presented at MIT, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, University College in London and the Broad Institute.
Haley Bradstreet - Production Manager, Dancer
Haley began her dance training in her home state of New Jersey with a focus in ballet since age four. She continued her training attending summer intensives with The Rock School, Saratoga Summer Dance, and The Mercyhurst Dance Experience. Haley graduated from Mercyhurst University cum laude with a BA in Dance and a minor in Arts Administration. While at Mercyhurst she taught open ballet classes, performed with the Lake Erie Ballet Company, and played Carmen in Sweet Charity. A versatile artist, Haley has also performed as an actress at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Black Tie (Elsie) and The Fantasticks (The Mute).
In 2013, Haley moved to Philadelphia where she taught the members of Penn Ballet at the University of Pennsylvania, and within both the ballet and theatre departments at the Philadelphia Dance Academy. She has performed with Beyond Dance Company, Reverie Dance Theatre, and Rock en Pointe. Haley was the Programing Manager of the Koresh Dance Company from 2013-2016, after managing the inaugural Come Together Dance Festival that has since become a staple program for emerging and established dance companies in Philadelphia. She spent a year working and teaching at The Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2023. Having moved to Springfield, MO she now lends her administrative skills to PH Dance as the Production Manager while teaching ballet at Missouri State University and Springfield Ballet. She joined the company in 2016.
Haley began her dance training in her home state of New Jersey with a focus in ballet since age four. She continued her training attending summer intensives with The Rock School, Saratoga Summer Dance, and The Mercyhurst Dance Experience. Haley graduated from Mercyhurst University cum laude with a BA in Dance and a minor in Arts Administration. While at Mercyhurst she taught open ballet classes, performed with the Lake Erie Ballet Company, and played Carmen in Sweet Charity. A versatile artist, Haley has also performed as an actress at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Black Tie (Elsie) and The Fantasticks (The Mute).
In 2013, Haley moved to Philadelphia where she taught the members of Penn Ballet at the University of Pennsylvania, and within both the ballet and theatre departments at the Philadelphia Dance Academy. She has performed with Beyond Dance Company, Reverie Dance Theatre, and Rock en Pointe. Haley was the Programing Manager of the Koresh Dance Company from 2013-2016, after managing the inaugural Come Together Dance Festival that has since become a staple program for emerging and established dance companies in Philadelphia. She spent a year working and teaching at The Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2023. Having moved to Springfield, MO she now lends her administrative skills to PH Dance as the Production Manager while teaching ballet at Missouri State University and Springfield Ballet. She joined the company in 2016.
Cal Hopwood - Cinematography Director
Cal Hopwood is a life-long Vermont based Film/Video Director & Cinematographer. From television/online advertising & commercials, to feature and short films, documentary and event highlight/recap videos; He has experience on a wide range of projects in scope and subject matter. In addition to freelancing as a media professional for the past decade, he obtained a Masters in Fine Arts with a focus in entertainment education which helps inform the intention and design outcomes when producing media, as well as the curriculum for the classes he teaches as an adjunct faculty at Champlain College. When he isn't in the classroom or collaborating on a variety of media projects, you can find him meditating, practicing yoga, getting his hands dirty in the garden, playing with his dogs, herding chickens around the yard, and continuing to develop a homestead in Monkton, VT.
Cal Hopwood is a life-long Vermont based Film/Video Director & Cinematographer. From television/online advertising & commercials, to feature and short films, documentary and event highlight/recap videos; He has experience on a wide range of projects in scope and subject matter. In addition to freelancing as a media professional for the past decade, he obtained a Masters in Fine Arts with a focus in entertainment education which helps inform the intention and design outcomes when producing media, as well as the curriculum for the classes he teaches as an adjunct faculty at Champlain College. When he isn't in the classroom or collaborating on a variety of media projects, you can find him meditating, practicing yoga, getting his hands dirty in the garden, playing with his dogs, herding chickens around the yard, and continuing to develop a homestead in Monkton, VT.
Matthew Binginot - Visual Design Director
I am a designer, producer, and lover of all forms of media creativity. I am especially drawn towards photography, music, film, and graphic design, although I am always seeking new forms of creative expression and form. Even though I can't make up my mind about a specific path to pursue as an artist, every day I am filled with new inspirations, ideas, and creative energy that I devote myself to fulfilling. I'm learning more about my crafts of creativity every day, and will document some of my creations each step of the journey!
When I'm not producing my own media art, I'm teaching a program called Digital Media Arts program at the Central Vermont Career Center. It is one of the most rewarding jobs I could ever ask for; each day, I get to inspire young artists to be creative and show them new ways to practice their passions!
Visit Matt's Website
I am a designer, producer, and lover of all forms of media creativity. I am especially drawn towards photography, music, film, and graphic design, although I am always seeking new forms of creative expression and form. Even though I can't make up my mind about a specific path to pursue as an artist, every day I am filled with new inspirations, ideas, and creative energy that I devote myself to fulfilling. I'm learning more about my crafts of creativity every day, and will document some of my creations each step of the journey!
When I'm not producing my own media art, I'm teaching a program called Digital Media Arts program at the Central Vermont Career Center. It is one of the most rewarding jobs I could ever ask for; each day, I get to inspire young artists to be creative and show them new ways to practice their passions!
Visit Matt's Website
Andie Asacker - Dancer
Andie Asacker is a versatile dancer with over two decades of training and performance experience. Throughout middle and high school, she trained and competed in a wide range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap, and hip-hop.During her years at Champlain College, Andie expanded her artistic repertoire by joining the college dance team, juggling club, and developing a passion for hula hoop dancing. From 2015 to 2017, she performed with the Spielpalast Cabaret, where she explored Charleston, cabaret jazz, and burlesque. During this period, Andie began showcasing her choreographic skills, creating innovative performances that ranged from group dances inspired by Isadora Duncan to solo hula hoop and acrobatic pieces, and modern numbers exploring themes of puppetry.
Andie has a passion for musical theater and has demonstrated her choreographic versatility by working with local theater companies. Her notable choreography includes A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Essex Community Players and And the World Goes 'Round with Stowe Theater Guild.
As the co-founder and Artistic Director of Dream City Dance (2016-2020), Andie led an adult alternative dance company that pushed creative boundaries. The company's eclectic performances blended lyrical and jazz styles with dynamic elements like hula hooping, LED, and fire dancing, performing at diverse venues from music festivals and art museums.
For the past decade, Andie has been an active performer with Cirque De Fuego as a fire dancer. Currently, she continues to explore her passion by participating in various dance classes across Vermont and is a proud member of PH Dance, embodying her lifelong commitment to artistic growth and creative expression.
Andie Asacker is a versatile dancer with over two decades of training and performance experience. Throughout middle and high school, she trained and competed in a wide range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap, and hip-hop.During her years at Champlain College, Andie expanded her artistic repertoire by joining the college dance team, juggling club, and developing a passion for hula hoop dancing. From 2015 to 2017, she performed with the Spielpalast Cabaret, where she explored Charleston, cabaret jazz, and burlesque. During this period, Andie began showcasing her choreographic skills, creating innovative performances that ranged from group dances inspired by Isadora Duncan to solo hula hoop and acrobatic pieces, and modern numbers exploring themes of puppetry.
Andie has a passion for musical theater and has demonstrated her choreographic versatility by working with local theater companies. Her notable choreography includes A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Essex Community Players and And the World Goes 'Round with Stowe Theater Guild.
As the co-founder and Artistic Director of Dream City Dance (2016-2020), Andie led an adult alternative dance company that pushed creative boundaries. The company's eclectic performances blended lyrical and jazz styles with dynamic elements like hula hooping, LED, and fire dancing, performing at diverse venues from music festivals and art museums.
For the past decade, Andie has been an active performer with Cirque De Fuego as a fire dancer. Currently, she continues to explore her passion by participating in various dance classes across Vermont and is a proud member of PH Dance, embodying her lifelong commitment to artistic growth and creative expression.
Carolyn Connor - Dancer
Carolyn's love for dancing started at age five in Bethesda, Maryland and only grew when she moved up to Burlington, VT to attend school at the University of Vermont. She graduated in 2015 with a minor in Dance and proud accomplishments, such as presenting her choreography to the American College Dance Association festivals and UVM’s Dancing Uphill. She continues to dance in the Vermont area as a dance instructor at Studio 3 in Colchester, VT. Carolyn joined PH Dance in 2016.
Carolyn's love for dancing started at age five in Bethesda, Maryland and only grew when she moved up to Burlington, VT to attend school at the University of Vermont. She graduated in 2015 with a minor in Dance and proud accomplishments, such as presenting her choreography to the American College Dance Association festivals and UVM’s Dancing Uphill. She continues to dance in the Vermont area as a dance instructor at Studio 3 in Colchester, VT. Carolyn joined PH Dance in 2016.
Candace Fugazy - Dancer
Candace began dancing at the age of 3 outside of Philadelphia with her mom who was a former Radio City Rockette. In 1990 she moved to Vermont where she found dance again at Goddard College where she studied Modern and Contact Improvisation and then in 1994 she started taking classes at the Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio in Montpelier Vermont where she continued to dance and studied Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Contemporary Ballet and Fusion. Since then, she has danced with local movers including The VT Dance Collective under the direction of Maris Wolff, Bryce Dance Company and was a cast member of Dear Pina under the direction of Hannah Danison. Candace joined PH Dance in 2022 and is excited to see where this next production takes us!
Candace began dancing at the age of 3 outside of Philadelphia with her mom who was a former Radio City Rockette. In 1990 she moved to Vermont where she found dance again at Goddard College where she studied Modern and Contact Improvisation and then in 1994 she started taking classes at the Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio in Montpelier Vermont where she continued to dance and studied Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Contemporary Ballet and Fusion. Since then, she has danced with local movers including The VT Dance Collective under the direction of Maris Wolff, Bryce Dance Company and was a cast member of Dear Pina under the direction of Hannah Danison. Candace joined PH Dance in 2022 and is excited to see where this next production takes us!
Kacey Gutierrez - Dancer
Kacey started dancing at the age of 3 training in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, and hip hop. She danced at Peninsula School of the Performing Arts, and Elite Dance Studio in Palos Verdes, California and performed with the pre-professional team at her studio attending competitions all over the South West. Kacey danced for The Spirit Consultants (TSC) and was a member of the University of Vermont's co-Ed hip hop crew, the Catamount Dance Crew (CDC) where her choreography has been presented at the CDC end of year showcase. Kacey loves how dance allows her to feel, process, and express her emotions. It evokes a different response from everyone who watches it or does it. She is excited to join PH Dance for her first season.
Kacey started dancing at the age of 3 training in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, and hip hop. She danced at Peninsula School of the Performing Arts, and Elite Dance Studio in Palos Verdes, California and performed with the pre-professional team at her studio attending competitions all over the South West. Kacey danced for The Spirit Consultants (TSC) and was a member of the University of Vermont's co-Ed hip hop crew, the Catamount Dance Crew (CDC) where her choreography has been presented at the CDC end of year showcase. Kacey loves how dance allows her to feel, process, and express her emotions. It evokes a different response from everyone who watches it or does it. She is excited to join PH Dance for her first season.
Er Raff - Dancer
Er has been dancing and performing since the age of 3. They are trained in various forms of dance, theater, and vocal training through Bedford Youth Performing Company and Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater. They also completed a dance minor at The University of Vermont (UVM) and performed in yearly performances and site specific work throughout their college career where they had the opportunity to work with various choreographers from throughout the country. Er has participated in and had work shown in the American College Dance Festival Association conferences. Through the UVM dance program they also performed and participated in a dance exchange in China. Er has performed with Bryce Dance Company, Spielpalast Cabaret, and Dream City Dance Company in the past, and is currently participating in a new dance troupe called merde!. Er also offers dance classes through their business Deep Dance, where they help people deconstruct and take a deeper look at pieces of life through guided improvisational movement.
Er has been dancing and performing since the age of 3. They are trained in various forms of dance, theater, and vocal training through Bedford Youth Performing Company and Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater. They also completed a dance minor at The University of Vermont (UVM) and performed in yearly performances and site specific work throughout their college career where they had the opportunity to work with various choreographers from throughout the country. Er has participated in and had work shown in the American College Dance Festival Association conferences. Through the UVM dance program they also performed and participated in a dance exchange in China. Er has performed with Bryce Dance Company, Spielpalast Cabaret, and Dream City Dance Company in the past, and is currently participating in a new dance troupe called merde!. Er also offers dance classes through their business Deep Dance, where they help people deconstruct and take a deeper look at pieces of life through guided improvisational movement.
Calvin Walker - Dancer
Calvin began dancing in his early teens under the guidance of Cheri Skurdall and the NCUHS dance program. Writer by day, breakdancer by night, he continues to train and compete in a balanced capacity with his crew/band of brothers, the Rhythm Riderz. In the past, he has performed with the Bryce Dance Company and as a variety act with the Green Mountain Cabaret. He has taught at studios all across Vermont and has a passion for all forms of movement.
Calvin began dancing in his early teens under the guidance of Cheri Skurdall and the NCUHS dance program. Writer by day, breakdancer by night, he continues to train and compete in a balanced capacity with his crew/band of brothers, the Rhythm Riderz. In the past, he has performed with the Bryce Dance Company and as a variety act with the Green Mountain Cabaret. He has taught at studios all across Vermont and has a passion for all forms of movement.
Former Dancers
Tierney Munger, Emily Brunick, Lily Brown, Hanna Katz, Anna Martone, David Mercier, Mollie Morgan, Chelsea Palin, Ally Nobile, Zoey November, Olivia Schrantz, and Ana Simpson.
Photographic images may not be used without express written permission.