MADISON ARAIZA, who goes by her last name “Araiza” was born in Houston, Texas where she grew up dancing. Araiza is a movement artist, performer and choreographer. She first started her training in Sugar Land, TX with her first dance teacher Jana Brown during her childhood. Ages 12-18 Araiza received her training at Vitacca Dance Project as a soloist under the direction of Kelly Ann Vitacca and former Royal Ballet principal dancer Phillip Broomhead. After Araiza graduated high school, she attended the dance program at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee where she trained in many styles including Gaga with Mario Zambrano, Counter Technique with Joy Davis, and Limon with Kurt Douglas. Araiza also performed and worked with different choreographers such as Zoe Scofiled, Stephanie Martinez, Uri Sands, & Jon Olestad. Araiza graduated from The Boston Conservatory in May of 2020. Over the years Araiza extended her training working with different programs in the U.S. and internationaly that include the following. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago learning Nacho Duato and Glenn Edgerton repertoire. Henry Juriens in Amsterdam learning Kidd Pivot, Hofesh Shecter, Jiri Kylian, & Ohad Naharin repertoire. Salt Lake City, Utah through SALT Dance’s program “LINK”. Here she performed original creations from Princess Grace Award Winner Omar Roman De Jesus and SALT company member Amy Gunter. As well as North West Dance Project (NWDP) professional program in Portland where she got to work intimately with Ihsan Rustem.  Araiza got to learn his new work Linger, from Rustem personally while attending NWDP. In 2022 Araiza moved to Vancouver B.C. to dance with professional contemporary company Lamondance as a company member during Lamondance’s 14th season under the direction of Davi Rodrigues. During her time with the company she has been able to perform and work with Vancouver artist such as Nicolas Ventura (rehearsal director for Ballet BC), Cristina Bucci, Jera Wolf, Margarida Maciera, as well as Brazilian choreographer Alex Neoral. Araiza now resides in Houston Texas as a trainee with Houston Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of Marlana Doyle, a dance artist with Aufheben Dance Ensemble, & teacher/mentor in the Houston Texas area

JOY CRISSMON is a University Scholar, who earned dual degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University: A Bachelor’s of Science, with a focus in Dance Performance and Choreography, and A Bachelor’s of Arts, with a focus in Acting and Directing. Post graduation, Joy has worked on a variety of projects in the Houston area. She is currently continuing her dance education as a trainee with Houston Contemporary Dance Company, and is a company member with Deeper Than Dance. Within her dance journey, Joy enjoys exploring the intersections of biblical principles and life experiences.

JESSIE FERGUSON, born and raised in Houston, Texas, began her dance training at Move Dance Family under the direction of Mallorie Marion. Jessie recently graduated from George Mason University, under the direction of Karen Reedy, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She also attended Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts under the direction of Janie Carothers and Courtney D. Jones and graduated in 2020 as a Dance major. Throughout her years, she has performed works by Martha Graham, Sidra Bell, Amy Miller, Janie Carothers, Gage Self, Courtney D. Jones, Peter Chu, among others. Jessie is so excited to join Houston Contemporary for her first season as a trainee! Choreographically, Jessie has taken advantage of every opportunity to create on her peers and continues developing her choreographic voice. In 2022, Jessie was selected for the Aimed Dance Emerging Choreographer Fellowship during the Young Artists Program, where she created a work entitled “Telephone”. Most recently, Jessie was selected to present her work, “When the Owl Came to Me”, at the 2023 Barnstorm Dance Fest in Houston, TX.

REN HALL, is a versatile professional dancer, choreographer, and composer hailing from San Antonio, Texas. Ren's journey in dance began with liturgical dance at his church, later transitioning to classical ballet and other disciplines in high school. His dedication to the craft led him to join the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet for two seasons while still in college. Following this, Ren performed as a guest artist with Ballet San Antonio and the San Antonio Youth Ballet, where he brought to life beloved classics such as Snow White, Cinderella,  Blanca Flor, The Firebird, The Nutcracker, and Scheherazade.  After college, Ren embarked on an exciting chapter performing on cruise ships, where he entertained audiences across the Caribbean under three separate contracts with various cruise lines. During breaks, Ren was the lead choreographer for the Carver Performing Arts Schools summer musical theatre program. In 2023, Ren received a scholarship to attend Houston Contemporary Dance Company's summer workshop. His talents earned him a spot as a trainee, and he is now thriving in his second season with the company, and excited about what the future has in store.