Dancers
Seniors
Jamie-Ann Acero
This Filipino sweetheart has danced since she was 3 years old training in ballet, pointe, and jazz. Residing in Allentown, Pennsylvania she is the oldest in the nursing lineage in Sparks. Contemporary ballet and back attitude turns are her dance favorites, while Chip-wiches and rice (definitely not together!) are her food weaknesses. Jamie loves all genres of music including: Incubus, Jay-Z, Pearl Jam, Lady Gaga, and anything else that is pleasing to the ears. She adores Sparks for all the fun girls she gets to build lasting relationships with and of course dance with! Her obsessions include: watching Glee and Grey's Anatomy, lip-syncing, and cleaning. Outside of Sparks Jamie is also a Chi Omega sorority sister, and a member of Penn Philippine Association (PPA), Minorities in Nursing (MNO), and a PHINS Transfer Student Coordinator.
Sara Farber
Sara has graced Sparks presence from the good 'ole city of Boston, Massachusetts. Her unbelievable turn out and ballet technique was fostered for 15 years at Boston Ballet. Sara loves to dance ballet, of course, and watch hip-hop. While bumping her head to some hip-hop music she studies biology and pre-med things. This future medical doctor is a volunteer at the Puentes de Salud Diabetes clinic and the most knowledgeable Orgo Workshop leader at Penn. Sara loves Sparks for its community service shows and for all the wonderful dancers she gets to spend time with while eating Fro yo and peanut butter, though not necessarily together!
Samantha Greenblatt
Sam studied at the School of American Ballet for 6 years, Steps School on Broadway for 3 years, and participated in her high school's Dance Theater Workshop as both a choreographer and dancer for 4 years. This New Yorker trained in ballet and loves it but has grown to love modern over the years. As a socialite she loves to go out with her friends and of course dance! She loves food but especially sushi and any kind of dessert. At Penn she is a Philosophy, Political Science and Economics major (PPE). Sam loves the girls in Sparks and all the fun she has with all of them. Besides Sparks, Sam is also on the PPE Student Board, a sorority sister is Sigma Delta Tau, and participates in Big Brother Big Sisters.
Juniors
Anastasia Matijkiw
Anastasia is Sparks' native Philadelphian. Her dance training is extensive in Ukrainian dancing and ballet. This vegetarian loves her avocados and loves Sparks for the multiple opportunities she gets to try different dance genres. Although ballet is her favorite Anastasia goes back to her Ukrainian roots every summer, where she participates as a dance intensive trainer, teaching younger children how to dance. Anastasia has an eclectic music taste, staying true to her Alternative, Indie, and folk music. This Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations major can be found studying Arabic and Islamic studies along with snapping artistic pictures on her shnazy digital camera for her photography minor. Her knowledge and artistic talent has earned her the role of Penn Glee Club's official photographer! In addition to Glee Club, Anastasia is an adamant member of Penn Helping Incoming New Students (PHINS) and Alternative Spring Break (ASB).
Brittany Johansen
This Staten Island girl is Sparks' fierce firecracker. Britters has been trained extensively in modern, lyrical, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and competitive dance. As you can see Britters does it all, but her main preference of dance is modern for its storytelling aspect. All her choreographic pieces are incredibly creative, which is why Britters is such an inspiring force within the company. Her fire and spirit are ever present in everything-when she's studying BBB, choreographing hip-hop pieces, making vegan cookies, and being a sorority sister in Alpha Phi; she gives her all. Britters loves Sparks for its community feel, loving and caring Sparksie girls she gets to dance with, and of course dancing! She is a loyal patron of Hummus Mediterranean Restaurant and is always down for an adventure.
Callie Taylor
Sparks' well-traveled member arrives from Portland, Oregon where she was trained in gymnastics for 7 years, dance team for 4 years, and multiple years in lyrical and jazz. Callie has recently sparked an interest in hip-hop and loves to try all new types of dance. When listening to acoustic rock Callie buckles down on psychology and sociology subjects. Like Sara Callie also likes to watch hip-hop, but her true passion is lyrical dance. Besides Sparks Callie loves her sorority Sigma Kappa, blueberry pancakes, tomatoes, baking, yoga, and trying new things. She is currently studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa and will be re-joining the company Spring Semester 2011.
Jamie Wessels
Jamie's endearing nickname at Sparks is Wessie. She resides in Swickley, PA just outside Pittsburgh. While growing up in Pittsburgh she was trained in ballet, jazz, and tap. Wessie prefers dancing contemporary to all types of dance. She has a secret love for singing and musical theatre, but is shy when asked to broadcast her two secret talents. Wessie's favorite band is Phish and is their most loyal fan; she has attended many of their concerts and always has a blast. Her iPod has endless amounts of music this is one reason why she's Sparks Social and Cultural Chair. This chemical engineer loves her Chipotle burritos but loves her Sparks girls even more!
Sophomores
Daria Gaut
Daria, Sparks' ray of sunshine, resides in the sunny city of Los Angeles. Her extensive training includes, jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop, African, and a bit of flamenco since she was age 10. But her favorite dance genre of all is contemporary. This Biochemistry major loves Sparks for all the Sparksie girls she gets to dance with, who she now calls her good friends! When Sparks rehearsal concludes and Daria is craving some dessert frozen yogurt always hits the spot. Chi Omega sorority and Penn's club swim team are honored to have such a great Sparks dancer be apart of their organizations.
Hilary Jane Grosskopf
Hils, our bun-head systems engineer was trained at The Rock School of Dance Education in this very city of brotherly love. For 9 years, she was trained in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and gymnastics. Hils prefers ballet over any dance genre but loves Sparks because it gives her an opportunity to dance out of her ballet bubble. Hils is Sparks' ultimate snacker, Phillies Phan, Christmas fanatic, and Starbucks addict. While chowing down Hils likes to listen to some alternative rock, including No Doubt, Pearl Jam, the Strokes, and Coldplay. She also participates in Kite and Key Society, Advancing Women in Engineering, and is Riepe College House's manager. Hils loves Sparks because she gets to hang out with the most amazing group of girls at Penn!
Alli Letica
This City girl has been dancing since she was 5 years old. Her training includes ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop. Alli likes to bust out the old-school dance move called "the Sprinkler" in Sparks rehearsals. When she's really feeling the music the classic booty shake, aka Alli's secret move, makes an appearance. John Mayer sets the mood right for Alli and so does studying BBB and Classics in Fisher Fine Arts. Her favorite thing about Sparks are all the dancers she loves dancing with! Penn Premed Association is lucky to have a fabulous Sparks dancer as a member of their organization and so is her sorority Theta. DQ Blizzards are her favorite food item, only when she can find a Dairy Queen.
Brittany Colligen
Brittany is Sparks' newest nurse. This Princeton, New Jersey-ian has been intensively trained in ballet since she was 3 years old at three prestigious dance institutions: American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, and Skidmore College. Her favorite music to rock out to is Justice and Chopin, but only for studying. She is also a sorority sister of Chi Omega, a member of Student Nurses At Penn (SNAP), and William's Cafe's most loyal patron. This Health Communication minor loves Sparks for its grand Sunday rehearsals and thoroughly enjoys bow tie pasta and mango sorbet. Brittany misses pointe shoes and her golden retriever, Prancer, terribly when she is at school. In her spare time you can find her: cooking, baking, reading blogs about food, looking at fashion and photography, or trying to improve her equestrian skills!
Freshmen
Ariella Freund
Ari is Sparks' international phenomenon. Reigning from San Salvador, El Salvador she brings a new flavor to the company, along with her fabulously gorgeous hair! Sparks' sole Whartonite has danced for 13 years training in jazz, modern, hip-hop, character, lyrical, and tap. Her true passions are jazz, modern, and hip-hop. This Latin lover enjoys Sparks for all the girls she gets to dance with and being able to experience all types of dance genres outside of her training. Ari enjoys eating raspberries and strawberries, hanging out with her friends, and speaking en Espanol whenever possible. This friendly face will always welcome you with a warm hug.
Rebecca Margolis
Becca reigns from Linwood, New Jersey where she was trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap for multiple years. She prefers modern and jazz dance genres overall. Big jumps and leaps are her favorite dance moves and make for great pictures! She also adores music that she can dance and sing-a-long to. This College of Arts and Sciences student is interested in the sciences and psych related subjects and relishes frozen yogurt. She loves the community feel of Sparks and how she can try new types of dance, along with choreographing. Becca is also a member of the West Philly Tutoring Project.
Jessica Warren
Jess, a residential Pennsylvanian, has danced ballet for 15 years and has been trained at: Metropolitan Ballet Academy, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Orlando Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. Her dance preferences are ballet and contemporary dance. The Goo Goo Dolls can be found as the most played band on her iPod. This Econ major loves Sparks for all things social, especially mixers and food associated gatherings! This grilled cheese sandwich fanatic also enjoys playing tennis, doing community service, and is a member of the Undergrad Econ Society.