Dancers

CURRENT Company Members

Brandy Factory (2021)

  • Dance Artist | Choreographer | Educator

    Brandy Factory is a Southern California-based dance artist, choreographer, and teacher. She began her training at Compton Dance Theatre Foundation, focusing on ballet and the Horton technique, and continued her development at Renaissance High School for the Arts, where she was introduced to Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre by her teachers—many of whom were company dancers themselves.

    Brandy earned her B.A. in Dance from California State University, Fullerton in 2020, after transferring from Long Beach City College. Her collegiate training included ballet, Graham, Limón, and Horton techniques. Shortly after graduating, she became a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga instructor.

    Before joining NBDT in 2021, Brandy performed at venues including the Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out Stage, and worked with acclaimed artists such as Keith Johnson, Bernard Gaddis, Jessica Kondrath, and Doug Varone. In 2022, she performed in the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. As a choreographer, she explores modern and contemporary styles, blending diverse movement vocabularies in her creative work.

    Brandy currently directs the Saint Anthony High School Dance Team and serves as assistant coach for the Long Beach Jordan High School dance program. She also teaches at Melodie’s Dance Theatre and En Pointe Dance & Fitness. Her artistic reach extends to theater and photography—having acted in musical productions and collaborated with artists like Rufus Bonds Jr., as well as working as a freelance dance and portrait photographer.

Erica Villalpando (1997)

  • Dancer | Choreographer | Educator | Rehearsal Director

    Erica Villalpando is a highly accomplished choreographer, educator, and performer with a diverse background in dance and movement. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Dance from Chapman University, earned an A.A. in Dance and Humanities from Mt. San Jacinto College, and holds certifications in Pilates (Aline Conditioning) and Barworks (YogaWorks).

    As an educator, Erica has served as adjunct dance faculty at Golden West College and Orange Coast College, and has been a guest teacher at Chapman University and Cal State Long Beach. In 2003, she helped develop a California state model creative dance program through Arts Orange County and taught two master classes at the American College Dance Festival in Modesto.

    Erica’s choreography has been presented in venues across the United States—including New York City, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Hollywood—as well as internationally in Helsinki, Finland. She has performed with Wasted Talent Dance, Sustaita Dance, Moving Arts Dance, and as a guest artist with Metropolitan Ballet.

    Erica joined Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre in the early 2000s and has toured with the company throughout California, Nevada, New York, Utah, Mexico, and Europe. Her original works for NBDT include Faith, Hope & Love..., Polymorphic, Mambo, and Journey of Change. She currently serves as NBDT's Rehearsal Director.

    Erica is deeply grateful to God for all her opportunities and to her husband Alex, and children Elijah and Isabella, for their continued love and support.

Ismael Murillo

  • Dancer | Choreographer | Teaching Artist

    Ismael Murillo is a versatile dance artist whose roots in traditional Mexican folk dance have evolved into a vibrant career spanning multiple genres and continents. Raised in Mexico, he developed an early passion for movement, poetry, and painting. After relocating to the United States in the early 1990s, he began his formal training in dance and theater at College of the Desert, where he also started touring with Latin music celebrities and choreographing for Los Angeles venues and nightclubs.

    Seeking to deepen his technical foundation, Ismael expanded his training to include Modern, Ballet, Jazz, African, and Ballroom, studying with professional artists across California, Utah, and Nevada. He earned his A.A. in Fine Arts Dance from Golden West College in 2010.

    Ismael’s performance credits include work with a wide range of companies, including Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet, Pacífico Dance Company, Club Guadalajara Folk Ballet, Caron Eule Dance, Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, and Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre. He has toured extensively throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Europe.

    As an educator, Ismael teaches dance and choreographs across both public and private institutions, including recent work teaching Ballroom dance to children through the Santa Monica College Dance Academy.

    He holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Dance and completed his Master’s degree in Spanish at California State University, Northridge.

Jennie Sustaita (2001)

  • Dancer | Choreographer | Pilates Instructor

    Jennie Sustaita is a dynamic dance artist with a passion for performance, choreography, and education. She earned her BFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach in 2001 and is a BASI-certified Pilates instructor. Throughout her career, Jennie has taught dance across Los Angeles and Orange County, contributing to the growth of dance education in Southern California.

    In 2003, she helped develop a California state model program with Arts Orange County that focused on creative dance for children. That same year, she was invited to teach a master class at the American College Dance Festival in Modesto, California.

    Jennie has been a valued member of Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre (NBDT) since 2001, touring nationally and internationally to locations including California, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Utah, Arizona, and Europe. In 2006, she choreographed El Mundo de las Mujeres on NBDT, which was later featured at a benefit event honoring Hispanic women in Long Beach.

    Her performance credits include Indigo Dance Theater, Moving Arts Dance Company, Nickerson/Rossi Dance, and Bobby Avalos and Dancers. In 2007, Jennie founded Sustaita Dance Company, making its international debut at the Dance Grand Prix Festival in Barcelona, Spain, where her choreography In the Fold earned an award. That same piece also received recognition at The Mad Bad Festival in Concord, California.

    Jennie’s training includes mentorship from esteemed artists such as Nannette Brodie, Andy Vaca, Susan McLain, Keith Johnson, Sharon Kinney, Alaine Haubert, Doug Nielson, Murray Louis, Alberto Del Saz, Risa Steinberg, Amanda Turner, and Peter Kalivas.

Marin Asano (2021)

  • Dance Artist | Performer | Movement Storyteller

    Marin Asano is a passionate dance artist whose journey began at age six in Japan, where she trained extensively in classical ballet. Born with an innate love for performance, she has built a career around her devotion to the art of movement, and continues to pursue her craft with unwavering dedication.

    At 17, Marin moved to the United States to further her training, enrolling in the Dance Department at Long Beach City College. After earning her AA, she transferred to California State University, Fullerton, where she completed her BA in Dance Performance. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Marin has had the opportunity to perform in notable productions such as The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and to work with respected choreographers including Erin Landry, Stephanie Powell, Martha Pamintuan, Paula Vreulink, and Jeff Hendrix.

    Her stage experience spans an array of styles, from ballet and modern to jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, improvisation, and African American dance. She thrives on the energy of live performance and is committed to expressing powerful narratives through movement.

    Marin currently performs with Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, marking the launch of her professional career. She has also danced for audiences at Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios, sharing her artistry in both theatrical and entertainment settings.

    Driven by creativity and a desire to connect, Marin brings emotion, purpose, and vision to every performance—leaving a lasting impression through her artistry and presence.

Matthew Reiner (2012)

  • Dance Artist | Jazz Educator | Performer

    Originally from the small rural town of Springfield, Minnesota, Matthew Reiner credits his early artistic roots to the creative freedom and community spirit of his hometown. Although he took his first dance class at age five, it wasn’t until later in life that his passion for movement truly took hold.

    Growing up, Matt immersed himself in speech, theater, and athletics—becoming a varsity athlete in three sports. After high school, he relocated to California to attend the University of California, Irvine, where he discovered his love for dance at age 18. He quickly immersed himself in diverse styles, training in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and breakdancing.

    In 2012, Matt earned a dual BA in Film and Media Studies and Criminology, Law, and Society from UCI. He continued refining his dance technique as a scholarship student at the Jimmie DeFore Dance Center, later joining the faculty in 2015 as a jazz instructor.

    Matt joined Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre in 2013 and has since toured, performed, and brought his dynamic energy to both mainstage and educational outreach productions. He has also performed in Camelia La Tejana and Hydrogen Jukebox with Long Beach Opera, and danced with Inked Dance Company under the direction of Brian Moe.

    Beyond the stage, Matt has appeared in commercial and film projects, including a role in the independent musical feature Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting. His work reflects a balance of discipline, theatricality, and a deep love for storytelling through movement.

Priscilla Gonzalez (2005)

  • Coming Soon!

Aurore Stalder

  • Coming Soon!

Stephanie Maxim (2005)

  • Dance Artist | Choreographer | Educator

    Stephanie Maxim discovered her passion for dance at the age of 18 and has since built a dynamic and inspiring career. Her foundational training began at Cypress College and continued through numerous studios across Los Angeles and Orange County. She has studied under esteemed artists including Marie Hoffman, Robert Salas, Erin Landry, Andy Vaca, Peter Kalivas, Nickerson Rossi Dance, The Assembly, and Helios Dance Theater’s Laura Gorenstein Miller.

    Stephanie’s performance career has taken her across the United States with Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre and around the globe to Spain, France, and South Africa with Marie Hoffman, and most recently, on tour in Canada with Helios Dance Theater.

    She has been an active contributor to NBDT’s education and outreach programs, teaching and choreographing for schools in the Long Beach Unified School District. In 2004, Stephanie became a company member with NBDT and has since set her own choreography, Vigor, on the company.

    A certified Pilates instructor through Body Arts & Science International, Stephanie also taught and choreographed for nine years at Renaissance High School for the Arts, where she inspired young dancers to pursue their passion.

    Stephanie is grateful to be part of NBDT’s creative journey and deeply appreciates the love and support of her family—especially her husband, John, and their son, Jack.

Nicole Howard (2021)

  • Dance Artist | Movement Educator | Wellness Advocate

    Raised in the scenic mountains of Northern California, Nicole Howard found early inspiration in the natural rhythm and grace of the world around her. This connection to movement evolved into a lifelong dedication to the art of dance and holistic wellness.

    Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from California State University, Long Beach in 2003. Since then, she has performed with numerous acclaimed companies and studios, including Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, the Jimmie DeFore Dance Center, and Pacific Academy of Dance. In 2021, she joined Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, bringing her unique blend of artistry and athleticism to the company.

    In addition to her performance career, Nicole is the founder of Align Pilates and Yoga Studio in San Juan Capistrano. As a certified Master Trainer through Body Arts and Science and a certified Nutritional Therapist, she has empowered countless clients to build strength, balance, and body awareness through intentional movement.

    Whether performing on stage or teaching in the studio, Nicole is passionate about helping others find freedom through movement. When not dancing or leading wellness sessions, she can be found hiking the coastal hills with her husband and their beloved dog, Guapo, or cheering on her daughter in dance and music pursuits.

Katelyn Potyondy

  • Dance Artist

    Katelyn has been pursuing dance for over twenty years and has specialized in styles of ballet, contemporary, modern, and jazz. She began her training at Elite Dance Academy of Orange County where she had a high engagement with Youth American Grand Prix as well as Elite's competition teams. She currently is in her final year of pursuing her Bachelor in Fine Arts in dance performance and choreography at the University of California Irvine. During her college years she performed in many pieces including George Balanchine's ballet Serenade, Paquita, and a work by Dr. Ama Wray and Cyrian Reed (Archaea). She has studied under: Tong Wang, Vitor Luiz, Diane Diefenderfer, Lindsay Gilmour, Charlotte Griffin, Lar Lubovitch, Cyrian Reed, Molly Lynch, Janelle Burgess and Nannette Brodie. While at UCI Katelyn has also danced and collaborated with many professional dance companies in the Orange County area including Jazz Spectrum, Nannette Brodie’s Dance Theatre, and the choreographer Collection Los Angeles dance festival.

     

    In addition to Katelyn’s love for performing, she also has a passion for teaching the freedom as well as precision instilled through the art of dance. Katelyn, has taught with Elite Dance Academy of Orange County for over four years instructing in styles of ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and Elite’s young dancer program. Finally, Katelyn has worked in the Santa School District with Backhaus Dance to help provide an accessible environment for underprivileged youth to learn the concepts and technique of modern dance. Overall, Katelyn desires to facilitate a classroom that affords the opportunity for each student to develop in their own personal practice of dance as well as developing students to be strong individuals of character and faith. 

Curtis Johnson

  • Coming Soon!

Madelyn Downs

  • Dance Artist | Educator | Performer

    Madelyn Downs is a dancer based in Southern California. Born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles  dancing has been an integral part of Madelyn's life for as long as she can remember. She first began dancing at her local ballet studio, Academy En L’Air, at 4 years old and continued training there until the age of 17. This training was supplemented by summer intensives held by institutions such as Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, American Ballet Theatre, and Los Angeles Ballet. After graduating high school, she decided to pursue dance further at CSU Fullerton. There, her introduction to modern technique and all of its intricacies soon became a core part of her artistry. In 2021, Madelyn graduated from CSU Fullerton with a BA in Dance. Since joining Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre in 2024, she has performed at several functions such as the Inland Empire Dance Festival and the Santa Barbara Dance Festival.


    The time and dedication Madelyn has given to her craft has led to a dance vocabulary that is full of variety. She specializes in ballet and modern dance and has several years of experience in other styles including jazz, contemporary, and tap. As an artist, Madelyn strives to improve her technique and creative abilities wherever and whenever possible. She delights in not only finding joy in her passion for dance, but also spreading that joy to others through performance and interaction.