MASTER STAFF
As the Artistic/Executive Director of Mareck Center for Dance (formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballett), Karen Grundy says her goal is, “to give dancers a positive yet disciplined space to discover their center core and expand their hearts and minds, while also allowing them to explore diverse styles of dance.”
Karen’s unique experience is reflected in her fresh and innovative style, which combines her classical ballet and modern dance training with a twist from the productions of Las Vegas, resulting in work that’s accessible to all.
Born and raised in Vegas, Karen began dance training at the age of 3. By age 8, she was training in modern dance with Ronnie Greenblatt, who trained under Martha Graham.
Karen’s extensive classical ballet and jazz training was under the direction of Inez Mourning and Belinda DeBecker. Her love of contemporary ballet was discovered in working side by side with L. J. Ballard as a dancer and as an assistant choreographer.
Karen has been a member and featured dancer in various dance companies including Opus Dance Ensemble, New Works Project, and Ballard’s Cafe Dance Co. She performed in Las Vegas for 11 years as a featured and lead dancer, and also worked in television. During this time, while working with various choreographers, she was also fortunate to work closely under the direction of Ron Lewis, director and choreographer for Liza Minnelli. Grundy has taught master classes throughout the country and as an assistant for choreographer Tiger Martina.
In 2000, Karen was recruited to Columbia, Missouri to teach at Columbia Performing Arts Centre, where she taught for 9 years.
She has trained dancers who have gone on to The Juilliard School, The Lines School, Dance Kaleidoscope, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Broadway!
Her dream was always to have her own company and, before starting Mareck Center for Dance in 2006, she was the Artistic Director for Cedar Lake II.
Through Mareck Center for Dance, Karen is thrilled to be able to create her vision while collaborating with artists of all genres, and the many supporters of dance in Columbia, across the state of Missouri, and throughout the Country.
Manual "Lukky" Harvey began as a street dancer and freestyler in the styles of popping, breaking, house and krumping and now his main focus is hiphop influenced choreography. His style is very unique and based mainly off of grooving and expression. He is apart of immaBEAST the company, under the direction of WilldaBeast Adams, also signed with LA based talent agency, Clear Talent Group. He travels and trains often at Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds and Movement Life studios in LA. He has trained under industry professionals such as Nappy Tabs, Willdabeast Adams, Brian Friedman, Laura Edwards, Bobby Newberry, Janelle Ginestra, Tony Bellissimo, Jaja Vankova, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Tricia Miranda and several others.
A few of Manual's credits include iPush "theCOMMUNITY", Three Blind Saints (the movie), Blood Money (stageplay), Ginuwine, Tech N9ne, Jordan Fisher, MacKenzie Nicole, Krizz Kaliko, immaBEAST, TeRance Golden, Sauce Remix, Brisk Iced Tea, Stevie Stone and more.
Holly has been training in all styles of dance since the age of 3. Traveling and competing all around the world. At age 18, Holly made the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for 2 seasons and then went on to professionally dancing in Los Angeles. She has performed with multiple artists on awards shows, in music videos, and dance industrials. Jason Derulo, Pitbull, Ozuna and more....
Mira Hills is a dance choreographer, instructor, and a Talent Casting Coordinator for Live Entertainment for Walt Disney World. She gained these skills while studying at Arizona State University (ASU), receiving a BFA in Dance and a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation as a Barrett Honors student. She has been training, performing, and creating movement for 21 years with mentors such as Liz Lerman, Keith Thompson, and Kristin Sudeikis. Mira’s goal as an arts entrepreneur and educator is to create a supportive and educational environment that will foster creativity within each mover through art. She has performed and choreographed for the Arizona State Dancing Devils and her choreography was selected to represent ASU at the American College Dance Association Conference. Mira continues to create work that reflects her values of commitment, effective creativity, and vulnerability. Mira’s dream is to continue shaping lives of movers as an instructor, choreographer, and casting director of dance performance.
Nathan Crewe-Kluge hails from Chicago IL, where he received formal dance training from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago/Lou Conte Dance Studios, Jofferey Ballet Academy, and Dance Center of La Grange. He received additional training from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, and more. In 2019 Nathan had the privilege to study classical ballet abroad at Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. He most recently trained in college at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance on scholarship under the direction of Nelly van Bommel and will receive his BFA in Dance Performance and Composition in January. Nathan has performed works by prestigious choreographers including Jerome Robbins, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, José Limón, Helder Seabra, Rena Butler, Gregory Dawson, and Leigh Warren. Additionally, Nathan has guested with Chicago Repertory Ballet, Winifred Haun & Dancers, and Three Rivers Dance. Nathan is ecstatic to be joining Mareck Center for Dance (formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet) and is looking forward to an incredible season!
Jordan Hartman is currently a Dance Management Junior at Oklahoma City University. At OCU she trains in ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theatre. Jordan has been dancing for 16 years and competed for 12 years. Her dream job is to dance professionally and then go into stage managing for touring companies.
Jordan is a Relevé Alumna and we are so thrilled to have her back to the studio to train our dancers!
Makenna Blough, originally from Osage Beach, Missouri, is currently a Junior at
Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She is working to achieve her BFA in
Contemporary Dance. Makenna has a background in contemporary, ballet, improv, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom dance. Besides being a student, she is a choreographer for Relevé Dance Academy’s Performance Company. Makenna has had the opportunity to perform in Lindenwood University Dance Programs Fall, Winter and Spring concerts, while working with various choreographers. After receiving her BFA, Makenna plans to dance professionally and choreograph for studios and companies.