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DANCE COMPANIES

Jeraldyne Blunden Fellows

A fellowship program for emerging dance artists

Developing accomplished professionals

This fellowship program provides the foundation for emerging dance artists to undertake extensive professional and artistic development to emerge as accomplished professionals.  Aligned with DCDC’s artistic standards, the JB Fellows operates as its own entity within the organization that supports the mission and vision of DCDC. JB Fellows has its own independent choreographic repertoire and performance-based engagements. The ensemble also serves as apprentices to the main company, gaining in-depth knowledge and a higher learning experience.

These budding artists are the cultural ambassadors of the organization by way of collaborative projects, K-12 arts education and university initiatives, and community engagement throughout the Ohio region.​

The JB Fellows merges the vision and the legacy of Founder Jeraldyne Blunden and the forward-thinking of the Chief Artistic & Producing Director, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, that cultivates the next wave of contemporary dance artists to grace the stage.

Wilhelmina Marks

Mansfield, Ohio

Wilhelmina Marks trained at the Richland Academy of the Arts in primarily ballet, modern, jazz, and tap under Marden Ramos and Sarah Horrigan-Ramos. In 2016 she attended the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive in the professional division. She holds a BFA in Dance from Wright State University. As an undergraduate, she was able to be a part of Dayton Ballet’s Second Company and had the opportunity to perform in their version of the Great Gatsby and the Nutcracker in her first year of college. Her Sophomore and Junior year she was a part of DCDC2 and was able to dance in a collaborative concert with the University of Dayton Dance Ensemble, perform with the first company in "The Littlest Angel" and "In the Spirit of Abundant Blessings", along with numerous school/church performances in the community. Wilhelmina is looking forward to gaining experience and excited to continue dancing with DCDC as a JB Fellow!

Thaliyah Cools-Lartigue

Fairborn, OH

Thaliyah joins the company as JB Fellow for the 2022-'23 season. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022 with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Fashion and Retail Studies. She has trained in horton technique, hip hop, ballet, Cunningham technique,West African (Sabar, Lambanm Sinte, Makru) as well as Doug Varone contemporary technique. One highlight of her years of experience was performing in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Thaliyah is looking forward to growing her artistry within the company.