Peninsula Dance Theatre 2015-2016
Dancer Biographies Below
2015 - 2016 PDT Company Dancers
Dancer Biographies
Principal Dancers
Michelle Ascencio
Michelle Asencio has lived in Bremerton her whole life, and is currently a senior in high school. She has been dancing for twelve years, and is beginning her sixth year as a member of Peninsula Dance Theatre. Michelle has performed in many PDT productions including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and her favorite, the annual Choreography Showcase. This past summer, Michelle attended Cornish College of the Arts three week College Dance Prep Intensive on scholarship. Outside of dance, Michelle enjoys photography, travel, maintaining high grades, and playing her flute and piccolo her school’s marching and concert bands.
Lydia Caldwell
Lydia Caldwell is a senior in high school and feels honored to be a Principal Company Member. She is excited for her fifteenth year dancing and her seventh season with Peninsula Dance Theatre. Over past summers, Lydia has attended intensives at Columbia Dance Center, Mid-Columbia Ballet, and Bremerton Dance Center with scholarships from PDT. Some of her favorite past performance experiences include "Rossini Overture," Dancing Doll and Arabian Princess in The Nutcracker, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, and Kitri's Friend in Don Quixote. Outside of dance, Lydia is fond of volunteering, reading, and listening to music. Lydia is grateful for the countless opportunities and wonderful dance family she has been given through PDT. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for their endless support and love.
Hayley Maddox
Hayley Maddox started dancing in 1997 at Bremerton Dance Center. She joined Peninsula Dance Theater in 2003. She has participated in countless productions with PDT and has traveled with them to multiple Festivals (RDA) in the US. Some of her favorite rolls she has danced include Snow Queen and Spanish Pas from The Nutcracker, Rosilne in Romeo and Juliet, Pigtail girl in Graduation Ball, and Giselle in Giselle. Outside of the company, Hayley is also a dance instructor for Bremerton Dance Center, and a pre-school teacher/ day care lady for the YMCA.
Ryan Marshall
Ryan Marshall has been performing off and on with PDT since 1996. Ryan is a Sheet Metal Mechanic at PSNS, having graduated from his apprenticeship in 2008. A few of his favorite past roles include Cavalier, Snow King, and Herr Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. As well as, Hungarian Prince in Swan Lake, Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty, and Albrecht in Giselle.
Ryan Posey
Ryan Posey started dancing in Port Orchard in 1999, and joined Peninsula Dance Theatre in 2007. He has traveled with PDT to RDA/P festivals in Provo, UT and Las Vegas, NV, and also to New York City. Some of his favorite roles with PDT have been the Dancing Bear and Spanish Chocolate in The Nutcracker, the Dance Master and Master of Ceremonies in Cinderella and The Jester in Romeo and Juliet. While not dancing with PDT he also teaches Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop at Bremerton Dance Center.
Hailey Somerday
Hailey Somerday is extremely excited for her second year as a Principal dancer with PDT. Hailey is a senior in high school and has been dancing at BDC since she was three years old. Some of her favorite roles she has had so far is Clara and Spanish Chocolate in The Nutcracker. Hailey has attended Mid-Columbia Ballet summer intensive along with BDC's summer intensive, which have been extremely enjoyable and beneficial. While not dancing, Hailey enjoys spending time with her friends and summers at Lake Roosevelt. Hailey would like to thank all of her teachers and her mom and dad for their continued love and support.
Performing Members
Delanie Jones
Delanie Jones is a 2015 High School Graduate from Port Orchard. She is now a college freshman with the future goal of becoming a chiropractor. Delanie has been dancing from 9 years old and recently changed studios to Bremerton and is excited to be a member of the company. At her pervious studio she enjoyed her roles as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Spanish, Arabian and The Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Snow White in Snow White. Outside of dance Delanie is a member for FFA where she raises market lambs and shows her horse Dyna.
Phoebe Russell
Phoebe Russell is a currently a junior in high school and has been dancing at BDC for thirteen years. During her time in the company she has enjoyed playing roles such as Snow and Waltz in The Nutcracker, a Willi in Giselle, and a Spanish lady in Don Quixote.
Elise Schroeder
Elise Schroeder lives in Bremerton and has started her freshman year in high school. She has been dancing for ten years and is excited for her first year as a Performing company member. Some of her favorite roles so far include Chinese Tea in The Nutcracker, and Spanish Lady in Don Quixote. This past summer Elise got the chance to attend Evergreen City Ballet's three week summer intensive, and BDC's summer intensive. When she has free time she enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and being with her friends.
Mackenzie Zurbrugg
Mackenzie Zurbrugg is a 15 year old sophomore in high school. She has been dancing with BDC since she was 4 years old and is excited to start her year as a Performing Member with PDT. Her favorite parts she’s danced so far are Mirliton from The Nutcracker and a Spanish Lady from Don Quixote. On Mackenzie’s free time she likes to hang out with friends, bake, and watch movies with her family.
