Contributors to ASD
Website Design
Scot Inscore brings several years of freelance web site design and development experience to the Ascending Star Dance team. Scot, who is by no means a skilled dancer, still finds dance an interesting subject and continues to learn more. To see other web sites he has designed visit
Graphic Design
Dustin Miller
First and foremost I do not like to categorize myself as being a part of one specific profession. While my BA degree is in Graphic Design I do not consider myself a graphic designer but more of a jack-of-all-trades creative person. I enjoy coming up with creative projects that help others and help society to make life more efficient and effective. Most people consider me to be very creative and good at problem solving in a way that is out of the norm. If an idea or project is the same old thing just recreated, I get bored by it. In order to move forward I believe that new ideas need to be constantly pushed.
Tying in with the creative arts and entertainment, is my tech savvy skills. I have custom built my own PC and am very knowledgeable with many electronics. If my friends have a question about a gadget (Computer, Printer, Cell Phone, Video Game, etc.) or need it to be fixed, they come to me.
Lastly, I have a love for anything imaginative. I love to read magnificent story plots, play video games with amazing story lines, listen to new and innovative music tracks, and check out the latest-mind blowing movie. When an idea can reach out beyond the depths of what the mind normally thinks about or can fathom that is when something truly special happens. And then, to take a step further, when these imaginative ideas and stories are enriched with multimedia, be it through visuals, audio, text, etc. a whole new sense of reality is created. My goal is to continue along this path, to create truly mind-bending, unique material that can be appreciated by everyone. Because of my love for imagination I have written one science-fiction/fantasy/political manuscript that is in the process of being published and I am writing a second science-fiction/horror manuscript in my spare time.
Liz Bercaw
Antsy but sensible, I delight in seeing the weather in the morning, playing with my mixed vegetables. I collect Children's Art and am currently preparing for a newbie-to-be in life. I love mango, meeting and collaborations of culture, watching and interpreting commercial media, seeing our nations messaging to its people. I would like to continue to grow as a Graphic Designer, in hopes that I might be asked to design for socially and environmentally caring companies.
Kelly Rivers
I graduated from the Art Institutes International of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in graphic design. My long-term goal is to work as a graphic designer for a newspaper or an advertising agency. I worked on photo-editing for the site.
Research
Vanessa Brown
Well for starters, I grew up in Iowa :). Starting dance in 1st grade, I switched to gymnastics for the next seven years, then picked it back up at the age of 14. Up until I graduated high school, I was your typical studio dancer training in Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical. After graduating high school in 2005, I chose to attend Arizona State University, specifically because of their dance program. I was introduced to many new styles and forms of dance, such as Capoeira, African, Improvisation, and Modern. I also became involved in a dance group called, the ASU Hip Hop Coalition.
Next, I moved on to Chicago, IL. I am currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago, working towards a BA in Music Business Management and a minor in dance. Columbia College has furthered my training in Ballet and Modern specifically, but I keep up with my Hip Hop by dancing with a company called the Hip Hop ConnXion. I have been dancing with this company since March 2007. Because Columbia College is, not only an art school, but in downtown Chicago, I have gained access to a number of opportunities I wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise. I have luckily been able to take class from some of the best in the city, attend master classes and auditions, performs in a number of gigs, and see some great companies perform live.
My plans after graduating are simple. Get and job and keep dancing. I hope to work for a music label, in the A&R department and keep up with my dancing on the side by going to auditions, becoming part of a company, and taking class.
Dancing does many things for me and is always there for me. When I'm happy, it makes me happier. When I'm stressed, it gives me relief. When I feel stuck, it allows me to escape. When I'm down, it lifts me up and when I'm up, it lifts me up higher. vbrown85@gmail.com
Maggie is a Dance major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Originally from the middle of Wisconsin, she has recently moved to St. Louis and is excited to explore the dance community there. Maggie’s career goals include performing and teaching dance, starting her own modern dance company, and eventually getting a MFA degree in Dance. She can be reached at Phillips.maggie@gmail.com
Katerina Herder is a junior dance and sociology major at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL outside of Chicago. She is involved in different dance groups and production on campus, including TONIK Tap, the premier tap dance company. She is currently trying to figure out which career path she wants to follow upon graduation. Her only requirement is that dance is involved whether it be development for an arts nonprofit to sociological research on performance. It's all fascinating! She can be contacted at katerinaherder2010@u.northwestern.edu.
Marketing and PR
Kate Smith started working with Ascending Star Dance on public relations, promotions, and journalism in August 2006. She is currently attending University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in Marketing Communications, and plans to graduate in 2008. She hopes to work for a marketing communications agency in the future, and is currently working on creating music for TV ads and other media. Kate also danced for over ten years and is happy to continue to support the dance world through Ascending Star Dance.
Tyler Sander
I am currently a Senior Communications Major at Augsburg College. I was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. I hope to work in PR and Marketing or else in Merchandising and Store Planning. I enjoy watching all types of movies, reading, and finding out more information about the world. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family. sander@augsburg.edu
Madeline Nyvold
As a public relations intern in fall 2006, Madeline helped compile dance company listings, wrote press releases and articles, and did some graphic design work. She will graduate from Augsburg College in the spring of 2007 with a degree in communications. Madeline is looking forward to using the skills she acquired while working with Ascending Star Dance after she graduates.
Paris Gronberg is a business student at Minneapolis Community & Technical College located in Minneapolis Minnesota. His focus of study includes marketing and business management and he plans to continue working in the arts community. Paris’ contributions to the Ascending Star Dance web site have been in the areas of marketing and promotion.
Writing and Editing
 Rebecca Nieves is a graduate Northeastern Illinois University's of Speech and Performing Arts program. Her interests and ambitions include acting, writing, dancing and music. She has been in productions with The Children's Theatre Workshop and Redmoon Theatre's Drama girls.
Angie Rentmeester
Hello everyone! my name is Angie and I've recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago. I received my bachelor's degree in Journalism- with a concentration in Magazine Writing. I do quite a bit of freelance writing for several online magazines. With three years writing, editing and design experience, I am hoping to jump-start my career in the journalism and/or design Industry.
Writing is not my only love, I am a huge music and movie lover. I’m always at the movies or listening to music on my iPod. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and just having fun with them. I always enjoy taking pictures, I'm not a photography expert but I enjoy it. Of course I love to shop- I am a woman after al! :) angie.rentmeester@gmail.com
Debra Gilbert
In 2006, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a B.A. in Film Studies, with the intentions of being a screenwriter. Although film is still my passion, an interest in dance has always been close to my heart, but never blossomed until about a year ago when I started taking classes. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, belly dancing, movies, photography and seeing live bands. I am available for freelance writing positions upon request. debjg12@gmail.com
 Lindsey Huster is a recent college graduate from Marquette University, with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Writing-Intensive English. Along with writing, Lindsey has danced her entire life and continues to take classes in ballet, jazz and modern. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she freelances for several magazines and interns for Ms. Magazine. Lindsey may be contacted at lindsey.huster@gmail.com
 ASHLEY COLLINGWOOD...received her training in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at Encore Dance Theatre. She has appeared in Sister2Sister's music video "Too Many Times" for Columbia Records and was a "Laugh on the Beach" dancer at Ft. Lauderdale's Beach place. Ashley has done print work for dancewear catalogs such as Class Act. She finished her B.A. in Dance (concentrations in modern and jazz) from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, in 2005. Ashley was a company member of Pillow Project Dance Company. After graduation she moved back to Florida where she taught jazz, ballet, tap, and lyrical at three different Dance studios. In the fall of 2006, Ashley moved to Las Vegas, NV to further her dance career. She performed in the “Can, Can Cabaret” at the Paris Hotel and Casino and the “Show in the Sky” at the Rio. Ashley is a guest teacher at Dance Connection. She also judges for dance competetitions such as Stage One Productions and Starquest. She currently freelances as a dancer/model and performs with the Lost Vegas Crew. Ashley is happy to be a part of Ascending Star Dance! dantzypantz@yahoo.com
Laila Hussain was born and raised in Long Beach, CA and is the youngest of four daughters. She discovered a love for reading and writing at an early age. She is a graduate of the Orange County High School of the Arts, where she wrote for the Creative Writing Department magazine and had the opportunity to have an article published in Orange Coast Magazine. Her interests include hang gliding, surfing, and dog whispering, although she has yet to actually participate in any of these activities. She currently freelances for online magazines, writing various articles and short stories. lailamoonhussain@gmail.com
 Abby Dixon is a junior at North Central University, Minneapolis, MN. She has edited articles for Ascending Star Dance. She plans to graduate with a bachelor's degree in English and Writing and continue on to a career in writing and editing.
Jill Swenby
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005 with my bachelor's degree in English. I have been living and working in Madison since then. I took jazz, tap and ballet from the age of 4 to 18. Since graduating college, I have begun taking yoga and modern dance as well. I've been writing for Ascending Star Dance since the summer of 2007, and I am enjoying meeting and interviewing a wide range of people in the dance world. In the future, I hope to work as a copywriter for an ad agency or other business.
Zaher Karp is a freelance writer and editor living in Madison, Wisconsin, who since receiving his B.A. in English in 2007 has worked with local publications constantly. He can be reached via http://www.zaherkarp.com
Katjusa Cisar is a freelance writer living in Madison, Wisconsin. She can be reached at katjusa.cisar@gmail.com
Colleen is a freelance writer/editor who lives and works in Madison, WI. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in English-Professional Writing. She currently works as a Copy Editor for American Girl. Colleen is originally from the Twin Cities, but lived in such varied areas as Knoxville, TN and New Orleans, LA before settling in Wisconsin. She is currently accepting freelance work; you can reach her at cberes@hotmail.com
Johanna is a University of Michigan graduate who received her B.A. in English in 2003. A Michigan native, she moved to Madison, WI in the summer of 2007 from Colorado and has been loving life in the Midwest ever since. She has never ventured into the world of professional dance but she loves to bust a move more often than not. jpohandyside@hotmail.com
Abbey Tinker
I will be graduating from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a B.A. in Print Journalism and Women's Studies this May. I plan to go back to school for Fashion Marketing in the fall at MATC. My career goals include starting a boutique and writing for a fashion magazine. I am currently accepting freelance work, and I can be contacted at abbey_tinker@yahoo.com.
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