Jeraldyne Blunden Fellows

Emily Bryan (Lima, Ohio) is a recent graduate of the University of Dayton with dual-degree in Pre-medicine and Dance and a minor in Neuroscience. She was in Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s second company for their 55th season. Over the summer she participated as a fellow in the H.A.T.C.H. Program led by Sidra Bell at The Ohio State University and was in Whirlwind Dance Company’s (Columbus, OH) summer residency led by Josh Manculich. Emily was a dance artist with University of Dayton Dance Ensemble from 2020 – 2023. She served as guest artist with Onyx Contemporary Dance Company (OCDC) as a performer and guest choreographer in which her work “When A Heart Opens” was presented at OCDC’s fall (2022) and spring (2023) repertory concert and Regional Dance America Festival. Her most recent work "How Do You Find The Light" was performed at OCDC's spring repertory concert in February 2024. Emily has taught at Dance Expressions by Lori, Miami Valley Dance Company, and The Arts Center.

Donovan McFadden, hails from Germantown, Maryland, is an Alabama State University graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. His formal dance journey commenced at the age of 16 at Northwest High School under the tutelage of Alvin Ailey Award-winning choreographer Shawn Cosby. During this time, he served as the dance captain of the Northwest High School Drama Department, showcasing his leadership and artistic capabilities.
With a rich performance history, Donovan has graced prestigious stages, including the Kennedy Center for various shows for the DC College Access Program and Christmas at the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Museum, and a notable appearance on the television show, Turn It Up.
At 17, Donovan began his ballet training at Berrend Dance Centre under the guidance of former American Ballet Theatre dancer, Runqiao Du. His quest for excellence also led him to train at the Dance Theatre of Harlem summer intensive with Yinet Fernandez, Robert Garland, Sanford Placide, and Amanda Smith and at Brenau University summer intensive with Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, Xavier Lewis, Jessica Lynch, Bala Sarasvati, Jock Soto and John Streit.
Throughout his time at Alabama State University, Donovan has had the privilege of working with a distinguished array of choreographers, including James R. Atkinson, Jr., Sidra Bell, Lindsay R. Benton, Ronald K. Brown, Lenard Foust, Noibis Licea, Kara Mack, Lauren C. Smith, Jerome Stigler, Eddie Stockon, Jamal Story, Kevin Thomas, Rodni Williams, and Obediah Wright. He performed Trepak in Laquangela Littleton’s first annual Nutcracker with her company, Symphony Q Academy of Dance, and Zaria Smith and Tey’Vion Powell’s 2023 senior capstones. His dedication to the craft extends beyond performing, as he has garnered recognition for his choreographic work. He has choreographed numerous student pieces, choreographed to the Alabama State University College of Visual and Performing Arts production of Dreamgirls, curated showcases for two high schools, and presented his piece, "I Go To Prepare A Place For You," at the Alabama Dance Festival in Birmingham, Alabama in January 2023.
One of Donovan's notable accomplishments includes a performance at the 2022 World Games alongside renowned artists such as Yolanda Adams, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Sheila E., Sara Evans, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Yung Bleu, Nelly, Ruben Studdard and Lionel Richie. Furthermore, Donovan performed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in the musical productions of "Blues in the Night" and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” This is Donovan’s first professional season with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) as a Jeraldyn Blunden Fellow (JB Fellow) and is excited to work with the company.

Sean Ferguson (Bellbrook, Ohio) graduated with his BFA in Dance Performance from Wright State University in 2023. While at WSU, he worked with guest choreographers DCDC resident choreographer, Elizabeth Ramsey, Stewart/Owen Dance and Kiki Lewis. Sean was rehearsal assistant for Teressa McWilliams work “Exits”. His dance studies include Water Street Dance Festival in 2021. In 2020, he was a member of Dayton Contemporary’s Second Company, DCDC2. During his tenure in DCDC2, he performed in mainstage performances “Exposure” “Crossroads” and “In Freedom”. He performed as a guest artist with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in Tally Beatty’s “Stack Up.” at the Victoria Theatre in 2024.

Allyia Nelloms is a Dayton native whose training includes the University of the Arts (where she 

obtained a BFA in Dance Performance), Eleone Dance Theatre, and Stivers School for the Arts. She has danced original casted and/or restaged works by Sidra Bell, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Gary Jeter, Bill T. Jones, and Bobbi Jene Smith to name a few. Aside from her role as a performer, Allyia has felt most passionate about serving her community through teaching and choreography, which both allow her to cultivate spaces not only for learning - but healing and community. She’s enjoyed exploring these same passions through her own dialogue-based platform as well as facilitating her own learning programs and “Healing” movement workshops. She has had the opportunity to teach and have her choreography showcased at various dance programs throughout Ohio and beyond, including The International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference. Allyia is excited to further explore her artistic voice as a first year JB Fellow with the company this season.