Jennifer Sandoval ~Artistic Director

Has involved herself in the dance community by teaching, performing and choreographing throughout the Chicago area and neighboring suburbs. She has had the pleasure to perform with Perceptual Motion Inc., Tyego Dance Project, T.J. & Company Dance Theatre, SMART DANCE, K-Dance Theory, Gifford 2 and many talented Independent Artists. Her choreography has been presented nationally and internationally through Thought Forms Dance, T.J. & Company Dance Theatre, Dance Chicago, Solestance, Around the Coyote, Full Circle and Morrison Dance Company. Jennifer is a graduate of Kent State University where she earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance.

Melissa Mallinson ~ Associate Artistic Director

Melissa Mallinson is an independent choreographer and dancer, and a recipient of a 2004 CAAP grant for new choreography from the City of Chicago . She has performed with Berlin-based Compagnie Felix Ruckert, the Kalamazoo Ballet, Ann Arbor Dance Works, Perceptual Motion, Inc., TJ&Co, and many independent artists throughout the Midwest . In recent years, Melissa has choreographed for the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe, Around the Coyote, Dance Chicago, The Field- Chicago, and the National Congress of Carillonneurs. Melissa graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan , and has also studied at the London Contemporary Dance School and Yorkshire ( England ) Ballet Seminars. She is thrilled to work with Marquez Dance Project and thanks Kris for his loving support.

Kim Carli

 Kim has been thrilled to work with many of Chicago 's top choreographers at performances including: Dance Chicago, Around the Coyote, Poetic Layers, TJ & Company Dance Explosion, and Solestance. In addition to being a performer with Marquez Dance Project, Kim is a founding member of Rebound Dance, and a guest artist with Jay-son Dance Company. Kim graduated from the University of Michigan where she danced for 6 years with Jazz Dance Theatre. Other highlights include: 42nd Street at UofM, competing at the Jazz Dance World Congress, a year dedicated to performance as Miss Michigan 1997 as well as competing on the Miss America stage.  Kim has a Master Degree from Georgia Tech, and she happily works in administration at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Thanks and love go out to her parents for helping her get to this wonderful point in her life, and to her husband, Nikos, who means more to her than he can ever know!

Megan Beseth

Megan Beseth is a graduate of Ohio University where she obtained a BFA in dance and performed with the Ohio University Dance Team. Since moving to Chicago , she has performed with Irreverence Dance + Theatre as well as independent choreographers Nicole Gifford and Melanie Palmer. She has choreographed works in the Around the Coyote Dance Festival and danced in local performances including Dance Chicago and Poetic Layers. In addition to her creative pursuits on stage, Megan is currently studying law at Chicago-Kent Law School .

Niki Alyse Wallace

Niki graduated from Illinois State University in 2005 with a degree in Theater and Dance Performance where she performed in choreography by both esteemed faculty and guest artists including Paul Taylor and Lucas Crandall.  Since her departure from ISU, Niki has had the opportunity to perform in festivals and concerts in Chicago including Circle in the Square, Dance Chicago, Around the Coyote, Solestance, and Scene 32.  In addition to performing, her choreography has been featured by Irreverence Dance + Theatre and numerous dance studios in the Chicagoland area.  Niki is a company member of Nicole Gifford Dance and is excited to be in her second season with Marquez Dance Project.

Liz Wieczorek

Liz recently graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Theatre/Dance Performance. As an active member of the Illinois State Dance Theatre, she received awards and recognition for her choreographic works and performances. Her performance experience includes Dance Chicago and Shelter Repertory Dance Theatre. Liz is very excited to be joining Marquez Dance Project and would like to thank her family and friends for their unconditional support!