Eclectic Edge Ensemble

The Artists

Karis Sloss (Artistic Director)
Karis graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Dance and Theatre Arts. She has been studying dance for over 20 years. Ms. Sloss, whose choreography has been described as bold and inspiring, founded The Eclectic Edge Ensemble and has been producing work since 2002. In that time, EEE has reached multiple venues across Minneapolis including Intermedia Arts, Illusion Theatre, Hopkins Center for Performing Arts, five Minnesota Fringe Festivals and seven consecutive runs at the Ritz Theatre. Her choreography credits include work at Stepping Stone Theatre, Children's Theatre, Loring Playhouse, Illusion Theatre, University of MN and College of St. Catherine. Aside from her work with EEE, Karis choreographs for different dance companies and shows around the city, teaches master classes in the metropolitan area as well as University of WI and is a full-time dance instructor at Ballareteatro. She is determined to keep jazz dance alive in Minneapolis!

Irving Amigon was born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in Mexico and moved to Minnesota in 2003. He received his BA in Dance from the University of MN. Irving has performed works by Uri Sands, Karis Sloss, Zoe Sealy, Marciano Silva Dos Santos, Mathew Janczewski, Jeffery Peterson and Judith James Ries. Irving has been dancing with Eclectic Edge Ensemble since 2010 and he also is in his first season with new company Contempo Physical Dance.

Heather Annis graduated from the University of MN with a BFA in dance and had the privilege to perform works by Louis Falco, Linda Talcott-Lee, and Paula Mann. She currently teaches dance and assists with administrative work at Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center. Heather has been dancing with EEE since 2008 and has loved every minute! She would like to thank her wonderful husband, family, friends, and cat for all their love and support.

 Mackenzie Beck-Esmay graduated from the University of MN's BFA Dance Program. Currently, she is dancing with Threads Dance Project and Alternative Motion Project, teaching dance to enthusiastic students at Ballareteatro, Tonka DanceWorks, The Children's Theater, and Zenon Dance School and is working as a program counselor in a group home for vulnerable adults. She is honored and thrilled to be dancing with EE for her secod season!

 Sarah Beck-Esmay studied at the University of MN where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008 with a BFA in dance and in 2011 with a K-8 MN teaching license. When Sarah is not teaching dance or rehearsing with EEE, Ananya Dance Theater or Aniccha Arts, she is a reserve teacher for Minneapolis Public Schools and District 196. She is thrilled to be in her third season with EEE.

Jeremy Bensussan has been a performer in the Twin Cities since 2001. He is proud to be a part of Out on a Limb Dance Company, Flying Foot Forum, Minnesota Dance Theater and, of course, Eclectic Edge Ensemble. Jeremy has earned six certificates of recognition as a tap dance teacher from Dance Magazine. While recovering from a foot fracture, Jeremy choreographed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for the Adath Jeshurun Congregation's Youth Program as well as Rocky Horror Picture Show for Minneapolis Community and Technical College. He is thrilled to be working alongside the ridiculously talented dancers of EEE. Love you Mom!

Emily Broeker is pursuing her BA in Dance at the University of MN. She has been lucky enough to perform with EEE for nearly seven years! A jazz and tap dancer at heart, she has performed works by Karla Grotting, Kaleena Miller, Judith James Ries and Erinn Liebhard. She also appeared as a choreographer in Rhythmically Speaking's 2011 show: Groovers and Makers. She would like to thank Karis for her steadfast worka nd dedication to the company.

Allison Doughty Marquesen is in her sixth season with EEE. She holds a BFA in Dance from the University of MN and is working toward an MA in Holistic Health Studies. Allison has been a company member with Saint Paul City Ballet since 2007 and has also performed in works choreographed by Uri Sands, Anna Sokolow, Joe Chvala and Zoe Sealy. When not dancing, Allison can be found on her yoga mat, reading or sharing a good laugh with her amazing husband.

 Mallory Dykema graduated from the University of MN with a BFA in dance and is in her fifth season with EEE. She teaches and choreographs in theMinneapolis area, has her own freelance makeup business and is the proud mama of Harlow Emery (who loves being at EEE rehearsals!) Love to TND.

Nina Ebbighausen graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in architecture, which she currently practices and teaches at the University of MN. In addition to dancing with EEE, she has had hte opportunity to perform choreography by Cathy Wright, Jeffrey Peterson, John Munger, Jesse Neumann-Peterson Kuchta and Dustin Haug. Nina is excited to be performing in her seventh season with EEE.

 Vanessa Barger Fischer has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology fromHamline University, and recently graduated from Creighton University with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  A dancer for 20+ years, she teaches ballet, choreographs, and performs with The Dance Center in W. St Paul.  This is her first season with EEE and has enjoyed meeting and working with a great group of dancers! 

Susanne Grochett moved from Houston, TX, to Minneapolis, MN, to complete a BA in Dance from the University of MN; from Minneapolis to NYC in hot pursuit of a dance career; and now, currently, back to Minneapolis. Her love of dance remains intact. Susanne has performed with the national tour of Copacabana, Joe Chvala’s Flying Foot Forum, Jeffrey Peterson, Red Dive, Edisa Weeks and Zoe Sealy. Susanne appreciates, more than ever, the joy which dancing inevitably offers her.

 Kristin Grohs Blatzheim holds a BA in Dance and a K-12 teaching license in dance. She has worked with EEE since moving to Minneapolis in 2003. Kristin teaches dance at two studios in teh metro area and is the dance teacher at FAIR School Downtown. She loves the opportunity to dance with the lovely people in EEE.

Erinn Liebhard is a coordinator, choreographer, performer and teacher passionate about developing her creative interest in and community support for jazz and rhythm-driven dance. She holds a BFA in Dance from the University of MN and is the Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director of Rhythmically Speaking. She is proud to be in her seventh year as an EEE company member and also enjoys performing with Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Off-Leash Area Contemporary Performance Works, Karla Grotting, jolene Konkel and Jeffrey Peterson. 

Megan Mohr started dancing at studios in her hometown of Inver Grove Heights, MN. She received her BA in dance and psycchology from the University of MN and has been performing with EEE since 2007. Megan currently teaches dance and musical theater to students of all ages.

Becky Olson has been dancing since 1988 and has been performing in Minneapolis since 2003. She has worked with many great choreographers during her time in Minneapolis including, Roxanne Wallace, Galen Treuer, Olive Bieringa, Justin Jones, and Laura Holway. She has been a company member of EEE since 2006 and currently serves on the board.  She has loved working with Karis over the past few years. In addition to performing with EEE, you can also see her tap dancing around town in the Como Avenue Jug Band on a regular basis.

 Crystal Pelletier is a 2008 graduate of the University of MN where she received her BA in dance. Crystal also completed a BS in kinesiology from the University of WI, Eau Claire. She currently teaches tap, jazz and ballet at the studio where she grew up dancing. She has been an EEE Company Member since 2009. 

Katrina Schleisman grew up in Minneapolis dancing at Lake Harriet dance studio. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2002 with a B.A. in philosophy & psychology, and was part of the dance major program in 2003-04. She has performed in works of various local choreographers in addition to creating her own work, including a piece created for EEE that premiered in 2008. She’s had the pleasure of dancing with EEE since 2006 and is also a board member. Katrina is currently working toward her Ph.D in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, and can also be seen out and about playing washboard for the Como Ave Jug Band. Future plans include dancing until she keels over.