(SDCE Dancer and rehearsal assistant) has extensive experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Dancing has been Sabine’s passion since the age of three. Born in Riga, Latvia, she graduated with a BA in Contemporary Dance and Choreography from the Latvian Academy of Culture, followed by her post-graduate teaching certificate from the Latvian Academy of Music with credits towards a master’s in teaching from the Art Academy of Latvia. While performing with the modern dance company “Dzirnas”, she taught folk, ballet basic, jazz, and contemporary dance in the Vidzeme school district for 8 years. Her student groups won regional and national awards. Sabine’s original choreography has been commissioned by EU projects and other dance collectives. She developed and delivered her unique “Total Body Workout” program, combining dance, yoga, and pilates for resorts and fitness clubs. She moved to Sarasota with her husband and son in 2013. Sabine is excited about the opportunity to continue growing as a performer with SCD Ensemble. This is her fifth year as an SCDE dancer and her fourth year as Rehearsal Assistant.

Raya took her first ballet and modern dance class to fulfill a physical education requirement at college she fell in love with dance. After college she discovered Lindy Hop and West Coast swing dancing.. and continued to fall deeper. 
Music is also a love, and dance becomes an emotional, physical and a creative outlet. Raya dabbled in choreography creation in Troy NY and loves to tell stories with movement and music. Raya is thrilled to be part of SCDE.

Susannah received early training at three dance schools in Dunnellon and Ocala Florida. She has performed at venues across The Southeast, was a featured soloist with The Secret River Ballet Company for three seasons, and served as ambassador for Fusion, Expressions, and Embody dance competitions. Susannah has choreographed pieces for both competition and community performances. She has taken classes from renowned guest artists and faculty at college and university workshops across Florida, and at intensives at Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Susannah is grateful  for the opportunity to expand her training and grow as an artist with SCDE for the 2025-2026 season.

This is Lilia Pearson’s second season with SCDE and this marks her 17th year dancing with a background of competition dance and was in the Booker High School VPA dance program for all four years. She has trained with world renowned choreographers such as Keri LaGrand, Megan Sannet and Derrick Schrader, as well as master classes around Florida from many other artists.You may see Lilia substituting some classes at SCD including hip hop, tap and jazz where she adds her own flavor to each style. Lilia is very excited to perform with her SCDE family this season and show her passion and creativity through her movement.

Remi is a freshman at the University of South Florida studying exercise science and kinesiology along with a minor in dance. She has been dancing for 13 years studying many styles from hip-hop to ballet. During high school, she danced at the top level of the North Port High School VPA dance program where she successfully completed the level 4B ABT National Training Curriculum with Merit. In addition to performing, Remi was the youngest choreographer at the 2019 “So You Think You Can Choreograph Junior” competition. Remi is excited to perform with the ensemble as this season will mark Remi’s second year performing with SCDE!

She began her dance training in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance at ReFlex Studios in Sarasota. She relished Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Program, where her training included hip hop, African, jazz, and modern dance. Post-graduation, Amaris performed with the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in their production of Black Nativity, and in the Young Artist Showcase of Derric Gobourne, Jr. In addition to freelance opportunities with local artists, she  has taught dance to elementary school students in charter school and summer camp environments. Amaris is currently completing undergraduate studies with a focus on early childhood education.

Her love for dance began in preschool in Miami, and she has continued her training ever since. She danced competitively with Universal Dance Academy from middle school through graduation and, in her senior year, joined her school’s dance program, performing in original works and productions such as Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland while studying ballet, modern, African, and contemporary dance. Aside from dance, she is also a trained vocalist and has performed the national anthem many times for school and county events before graduating high school. She returned to Universal as a teacher, working with pre-K through 8th grade for four years. Gabrielle now runs an independent choreography business with her long-time dance partner, creating pieces for birthdays and other celebrations. After falling in love with the energy of the 2024 summer intensive, she joined SCDE; this season will mark her second year with the company, and she couldn’t be more excited to perform with her dance family.

Julia is 24 years old, born in Sarasota, and graduated from Riverview High School in 2020. She began her training at Gulf Coast Ballet, studying classical ballet and later jazz and contemporary from ages five to fourteen. When life took her away from dance, she eventually found her way back with deeper intention and appreciation. She is currently training with Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble (SCDE) and assisting in their Homeschool Dance Program while pursuing her Child Development Associate credential. With over five years of experience in early childhood education, including time as a Pre-K teacher, Julia aims to become a dance teacher for children, creating welcoming, empowering spaces where young dancers feel confident, creative, and seen. She is grateful to share movement with her community.

Caroline was born in San Diego, CA, and began dancing at age two. She later received her pre-professional training at Next Generation Ballet and the Patel Conservatory under the direction of Peter Stark and Philip Neal, before pursuing post-graduate training with Kansas City Ballet, KC Contemporary Dance, Ballet West, and Millennium Dance Complex. Caroline has attended numerous summer intensives, including The Hartt School, BAA, Peridance, Steps, ABT, The Broadway Collective, IAMT, Joffrey Musical Theater, and Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary. She is grateful to have built a strong technical foundation through training and performing with generous artistic mentors, including Jon Lehrer, Carol Anglin, Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, Desmond Richardson, Christopher Huggins, Maria Konrad, Allison Burke, Justin Streeter, Stephani Sosa, Matthew Prescott, Maximilien Baud, and Ben Cook. In addition to pursuing her passion for dance, Caroline has appeared in notable film and television projects and is an active presence at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. She is thrilled to join SCDE as a first-year member, drawn to the company’s strong sense of community. Caroline is honored to be interning with SCD for the 2025-26 season and looks forward to further developing her artistic voice, inspired by the company’s talented artists and its collaborative, vibrant environment.

She has been dancing for the past eleven years at Art & Soul and JUMP has shaped me into the performer I am today. I’ve grown to love expressing myself through movement, inspired by the music that drives every step. When I’m not in the studio, you can usually find me curled up with a good book. I’m incredibly grateful for all the support that has helped me along the way. She is looking forward to continuing to learn and grow under SCDE’s direction.  A huge thank-you to my boyfriend and my family for always believing in me. 

Riley began dancing at a very young age at a dance program held at LCC day school. She joined Jeanne Lynn dance studio in Saint Petersburg, FL in 7th grade and fell in love with competition dance. She competed and performed from then until her senior year of high school. In her final year at JLDS she won 1st overall for her solo at Shake the Ground. After graduating high school she took a year off from dancing to attend cosmetology school and is currently practicing behind the chair at Shear Art Salon South. After taking a short hiatus Riley followed her favorite dance teacher from JLDS to SCD and fell in love with the community. After taking a few classes with SCD educators she joined SCDE and is now in her second year. Riley loves all the friends she has made in her time here and loves learning from so many talented people.