Co-Founder/Executive Director

Krissie Odegard Geye is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Expand Community Arts Alliance, a group of nationally recognized arts organizations committed to sparking community dialogue through the lens of art. Within this alliance, Krissie oversees four organizations: The Dance and Music Academy, The Trifecta Dance Collective, the Metamorphosis; Fearless Evolution experience, and Phosphorescent Theatrical Productions.

Her accomplishments include being chosen as a Conference Presenter and Master Clinical at the International Dance Pedagogy Conference and Performance Festival, Peridance in NYC, the Big River Dance Festival in West Virginia, the CRU Dance Nationals, and the United States Tournament of Dance National Finals in Atlantic City.

Krissie's choreography has been recognized and featured at various esteemed events and festivals, including the Spring Choreography Showcase at Peridance in NYC, Jennifer Mueller's "Hatch" series in NYC, the Detroit Dance Festival, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Big River Dance Festival, and the Exchange Choreography Festival in Tulsa, OK. She has conceptualized and produced three full-length works in Anita's Way in Times Square and was honored as one of three winners of the National Choreography Competition sponsored by Ovation TV.

Krissie is a five-time recipient of a space in the "Choreographer's Showcase" performance at Dance Chicago. She served as the co-director of three National Youth Companies, providing valuable opportunities for hundreds of students each summer: The CRU Dance Heart and Soul National Company, the United States Tournament of Dance National Contemporary Team, and the Metamorphosis Performance Ensemble.

Krissie's contributions extend beyond performance and choreography, as she has also lent her expertise to institutions such as Goliard Concerts in New York City, the Ethnic Dance Theatre in St. Paul, MN, the ATDI “Spirit of Tap” conference, and as a faculty member for the New York City Public School System.

Co-Founder/Artistic Director

Carrie Muntz, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, began her training with the Atlanta Ballet, and continued training in the summers with Houston Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Luna Negra Dance Theater. In 2011, Carrie graduated cum laude from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Psychology. After graduation, Carrie spent the 2011-2012 season dancing as a trainee with the Louisville Ballet.. In the summer of 2012, Carrie moved to Chicago where she spent 2012-2013 season as a trainee with Thodos Dance Chicago. Carrie has also danced in Chicago with Rephrase Dance Collective and Project606 Dance. She choreographed works for the Louisville Ballet in their New Works show of 2012, Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances, and Nomi Dance Company’s Instrumental. She has also assistant directed the Heart and Soul and Elite Petite National Dance Companies at Cathy Roe Ultimate Dance.  Along with being the co-artistic director of Trifecta, Carrie is currently is also a dancer with Nomi Dance Company and Co-Company Director with Dance and Music Academy.

Ava Wichser Foerster (Executive Administrator/Choreographer) graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Conservatory at the University of Missouri Kansas City where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and a minor in Communications.

Originally from Minnesota, Ava began her dance training at the age of 3 at St. Croix Ballet. She furthered her dance training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Classical Ballet Academy and Indiana University. Ava has studied under Gelsey Kirkland, Michael Vernon, Nilas Martins, and Victoria Schneider. Ava Wichser Foerster graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Conservatory at the University of Missouri Kansas City in 2020 where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and a minor in Communications. While at UMKC she performed works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Gregory Dawson, Cleo Parker Robinson, Gary Abbott, DeeAnna Hiett, and Paula Weber. Ava started her professional career as a member of Kansas City Ballet under the direction of Devon Carney. She also danced professionally with Wylliams Henry Contemporary Company, and Musical Theatre Heritage performing the role of Louise in their production of 'Carousel'. Ava has danced internationally in Athens, Greece at the 51st World Congress on Dance Research.

Currently Ava is dancing and choreographing professionally in Chicago. She is a company member at Trifecta Dance Collective, Still Inspired, Movementum Dance Project, and Joel Hall Dancers. Ava has choreographed for various Chicago based companies including Alluvion Dance Chicago, Movementum Dance Project and Trifecta Dance Collective. In May 2023 she will present a full-length work commissioned by Trifecta Dance Collective titled 'Tulips'. Alongside her dance career Ava has been teaching various genres and techniques for 8 years and is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique and Dance Educator Mental Wellness Training by Danscend. Ava is influenced by movement that comes naturally to a dancer's body and currates her classes to feel inspiring yet technical. Ava strives to create a welcoming space in the studio for students to grow not only as dancers but as human beings.

Born and raised in Papillion Nebraska, Annalee Larsen (Dancer) grew up dancing and competing at Bellevue Dance Academy, as well as American Midwest Ballet’s second company. She spent summers and winters training at a variety of intensives and festivals including Dance West, American Dance Festival, Next Generation Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Chicago as well as Ballet Nebraska and Oklahoma City Ballet on scholarship. She performed with the Live Entertainment Company at Kansas City theme park, Worlds of Fun. In May of 2022, Annalee Graduated with honors from The University of Kansas with a BFA in Dance performance and pre-physical therapy. She received the dance and theatre program’s jump start award, Loren Kennedy scholarship, and Lee Family scholarship. Aside from her own dancing, she also has developed a love for teaching from her work at numerous studios in Kansas and Nebraska as well as a passion for choreography from work in studios, competition teams, and live theatre, which she now carries into her work at Dance and Music Academy. Outside of dance, she received her NASM personal trainer certification in 2021. Since moving to the Chicago area, she has been grateful to dance with Trifecta Dance Collective as a principal dancer, a guest artist for Ballet Legere and teach as a DMA faculty member.

Andi Learman (Principal Dancer/Choreographer) was born and raised in Woodstock, Illinois. She later went on to earn a degree in Dance Business at Anderson University. While there, she worked with artists such as Earl Mosley, Eddy Ocampo and Gregory Hancock. Following her time at Anderson, Andi went off to train with Hubbard Street's Professional Program under the direction of Alexandra Wells. Andi has had the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Festival's National Gala, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 2018 winter series and New Dance's 2020 Virtual Performance. Since then, she has worked with Tapestry Contemporary Dance Company as well as various projects within the Chicago dance community. Andi is excited to begin work with Trifecta Dance Collective this upcoming season.

Anna Wetoska (Principal Dance,/Choreographer) is a Chicago-based dance artist and choreographer. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Health and Physiology. Currently, Anna performs as a company member of Trifecta Dance Collective and Solarium Dance Company. Previously, she was a member of Alluvion Dance Chicago and has participated in freelance projects that have performed at the Iowa Dance Festival, Detroit City Dance Festival, and the Trifecta Dance Festival. Her choreographic commissions include works presented at Alluvion’s Emergence, TDC’s New Light, and the Take Up Space Dance Festival.

Auburn Kilian (Apprentice) grew up in Naperville, IL and began her dance training at The School of Performing Arts. Throughout high school she spent her summers training in the Chicago area participating in summer intensives such as with Hubbard Street Dance and River North Dance Chicago. She also earned the MVP award her freshman year of high school on the Varsity Dance Team at Naperville North High School. Auburn went on to graduate from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, English, and Elementary Education. During her time at Grand Valley, she had the opportunity to work with a variety of faculty and guest artists including Amy Cova, Kristi Faulkner, Zelma Badu-Young, Melissa Barak, and Brian Enos. She was also given the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) regional conferences in 2019 and 2020. In May of 2020, Auburn was the recipient of the Alexander Calder Honors Scholarship after being nominated by her professors and undergoing an interview process with the committee.

After graduating, Auburn moved back to the Chicagoland area and currently holds her Professional Educator License as a certified elementary school teacher in Illinois and Michigan. Auburn spends her time substitute teaching in local elementary schools, as well as teaching a variety of dance styles at studios in the area. She is thrilled to begin her professional dance career with Trifecta Dance Collective this season!

Bridget Donovan (Guest Artist) grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois. She started her dance training with the Des Plaines School of Dance and later competed with the Artistry in Motion Competition Team. Alongside competing with her home studio, Bridget also trained and competed in Latin Ballroom dance with Interclub Academy of Dance. To expand her understanding and passion for dance, she attended Ball State University. During her time at Ball State she participated in the Student Dance Association and the Ball State Dance Company where she trained in various styles and performed in productions, musicals, and student works. Bridget was the Presidential Scholarship recipient of the BSU Class of 2021. In May of 2021, Bridget graduated Magna Cum Laude with her BFA in Dance. After graduating, Bridget returned back to the Chicagoland area and has worked as a freelance dance artist. Getting to teach and choreograph dances and musicals has been a great joy for Bridget as she now gets to share her knowledge and passion with her students. Bridget is thrilled to be with Trifecta Dance Collective for her second season as a dancer and choreographer.

Born and raised in Chicago, Greer Hutchison (Guest Artist) studied the majority of her pre-highschool years at Dance and Music Academy under the mentorship and teachings of Krissie Odegard-Geye. In 2011, Greer attended the Chicago High School for the Performing Arts, where she trained and performed works by former director Sarah Ford Thompson, Lizzie MacKenzie, Reginald Harris, and Brian McGinnis; along with guests from Gus Giordano and Hubbard Street. Greer studied summers at Peridance Capezio Center and the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago intensive, with a full tuition scholarship provided by the Anthony Quinn Foundation. Greer graduated with her BFA from UNC School of the Arts in 2019 where she had also served as Student Body President during her senior year. There she had worked with faculty members such as Brenda Daniels, Sean Sullivan, Abigail Yager, Ming Lung-Yang, and Kira Blazek-Ziaii. There she also studied the repertoire of Natalie Desche, Charles Zarney, Martha Graham, Kelly Maxner and Aszure Barton. Post University, she has worked as a teacher and choreographer for Greensboro Performing Arts as well as UNCSA’s Acting Out program in North Carolina. This season, Greer is excited to join her third season with Trifecta Dance Collective as a Guest Artist, return to perform and choreograph with Mandala South Asian Arts as well as freelancing around Chicago. Greer is also honored to be teaching at The Chicago High School for the Arts and Chicago Multicultural Dance Center.

Haley Stevens (Dancer) began her dance training at the Edgebrook Dance and Music Academy under the direction and support of Krissie Odegard Geye. Haley then had the privilege of continuing her dance education with the Visceral Studio Company directed by Nick Pupillo. There, she was fortunate to receive training from some of the finest teaching professionals of the Chicago Dance Community. In May of 2020, Haley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Iowa along with a BA in Entrepreneurial Leadership which led to a position with a Chicago Financial Planning firm. At Iowa, she studied and performed under an accomplished Dance Faculty. She collaborated with and performed works of Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barragan, Armando Duarte, Kristin Marrs, Jennifer Kayle and noted guest choreographers Shannon Alvis and Brian Enos. Most recently in June, she was grateful to perform a duet choreographed by Tori Cartee at CDC Fest in Orlando, Florida. Haley is happy to be home in Chicago coming full circle to where it all began at DMA. Beginning her third season as a member of Trifecta Dance Collective, she is grateful to share the stage with a group of artists who embrace the TDC mission. Haley also feels fortunate to give back to a new generation of dancers as part of the DMA faculty.

Katherine (Kate) Moorhouse (Dancer) was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She began her dance training with the Dance and Music Academy under the direction of Krissie Odegard Geye. Kate supplemented her year-round training with summer intensives at the Cecchetti Council of America, Fort Wayne Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Orlando Ballet School, and UNCSA Professional Studies Intensive. She continued her dance education by attending The Chicago High School for the Arts as a dance major, where she worked with Kim Sagami, Ted Seymour, Sarah Ford Thompson, and Maan Almodovar. In 2018, Kate was invited to join Trifecta Dance Collective as a Student Apprentice and performed with the company across the Chicagoland area and in New York City. Following graduation, Kate moved away from Chicago to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She recently obtained her BFA in Contemporary Dance and a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship in May 2023. While at UNCSA, she trained with Brenda Daniels, Sean Sullivan, Kira Blazek Ziaii, Ming-Lung Yang, Ashley Lindsey, and Abigail Yager. Her performance highlights include works by Igal Perry, Shen Wei, José Limón, Juel Lane, Gaspard Louis, Kira Blazek-Ziaii, Wesley Williams, Mariana Oliveira, and Ashley Lindsey. Kate also had the pleasure of collaborating with Garen Scribner and Danielle Rowe in their dance parodies, “Swan Lake: Cancelled” and “Shellbreaker.” In 2021, she was invited to become a member of Trifecta Dance Collective’s second company, TDC2, for their inaugural season. She made her debut with TDC2 at Trifecta Dance Festival in March of 2022. Following graduation from UNCSA, Kate moved back to Chicago in 2023 to become a performing apprentice with TDC. She is currently on faculty at Dance and Music Academy and serves as the emcee for Shine Your Light Dance Competition. She is excited to be back with TDC as a company member for her second season!

Maggie O'Gorman (Dancer) is originally from a south suburb of Chicago, where she began her training at American Dance Center. She graduated with a BFA in Dance, on scholarship and dean's list, from the University of Iowa in May of 2023. Maggie danced with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre for their 25th anniversary season. She has performed at Ruth Page Center, Hancher Auditorium, Navy Pier, and Space Place Theatre. She has performed in the Iowa Dance Festival, gig works with Create With No Limits, and for other outreach performances throughout the Chicago land area. She has worked with choreographers Shannon Alvis, Wilfredo Rivera, Michelle Manzales, Stephanie Martinez, Jessi Stegall, Todd Rhoades, Armando Duarte, Eloy Barragan, Stephanie Miracle, and many others. She has also trained with Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago, Dance Works Chicago, and Waterstreet Dance Milwaukee. Alongside her training and performance experience, Maggie is a dance instructor, yoga instructor, and choreographer throughout the Chicago land area. Maggie is excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a Main Company member this season with Tri Fecta Dance Collective!

(Apprentice) Coming Soon

Shannon Brodie (Guest Artist) began her dance training at age four in Downers Grove, IL. Her passion for dance took her to Northern Illinois University where she received her B.F.A. in dance performance. In 2007 she began her professional career by joining Chicago based Nomi Dance Company as a founding member. While performing with them, she received a positive review in the Chicago Tribune of her contemporary pointe solo and was honored to perform in the 2018 Dance for Life show at the Auditorium Theatre.

Shannon went on to perform with Winifred Haun and Dancers and work with Purus Motus before joining Trifecta in 2018. Shannon is excited to continue performing in Trifecta's community based and inspired works for this upcoming season.

Sawyer McNamara (Dancer/Choreographer), originally from Alpena, MI, is a creative currently based in Chicago, IL. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University, as well as a Certificate in Dance Studio Management in 2023. Throughout her time at Western, Sawyer received the opportunity to perform works by Seyong Kim, Monique Haley, Jeremy Blair, Kaitlyn Pollock, Kiki Lucas, Katy Copeland, and Kimberly Cooper of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. In addition to these notable performances, Sawyer also served as a company member of Western Dance Project under the direction of Kelsey Paschich. Upon graduation, Sawyer served as an apprentice for ConteXture Dance Detroit and a guest artist for Alluvion Dance Chicago. Currently, Sawyer serves as a guest artist for The Rooted Space Dance Company and a company member for Trifecta Dance Collective.

In addition to life as a performer, Sawyer has also found creative expression through choreography and a passion for dance education. Her choreographic work has been showcased at WMU’s 2022 Student Dance Concert (Kalamazoo, MI), WMU’s 2023 Winter Gala Dance Concert (Kalamazoo, MI), MADCO’s 2024 Dare to Dance Festival (St. Louis, MO), Emergence Festival 2024 (Chicago, IL), and as Western Dance Project repertoire. Sawyer also shares her choreographic vision with various youth dance studios across Michigan and Chicago, while also serving as a dance educator for students ages 2-18.

Sawyer is grateful to be moving into her second season with Trifecta Dance Collective!

Taylor Danan (Apprentice) grew up in Elk Grove Village, IL. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Dance Education at Illinois State University. Through her studies, she earned her endorsement in Physical Education and a minor in Sociology. She worked closely with and performed works for School of Theatre and Dance faculty Darby Wilde, Laina Reese Carney-Powell, Gregory Merriman, and Kaley Pruitt. As a 4-year company member, she collaborated and performed works created by guest artists Elijah Gibson, Alexandra Beller, Morgan Williams, and Dr. Dara Milovanovic. She was referred to train at the Gus Giordano Dance School where she performed works by Jimmy Locust, Elizabeth Parkinson, Matt Pospeshil, Cornelius Carter, Marcus Alford, Eileen Mallary, and Kirby Reed. As elected Campus Outreach for RSO Dance Association, Taylor enjoyed collaborating with fine arts students along with choreographing for a variety of campus-wide charity events, dance concerts, and musicals. In 2023, she was selected to perform her self-choreographed solo at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) regional conference in 2023. She also performed group works - choreographed by Laina Reese Carney-Powell and Dani Rink - at ACDA in 2022 and 2023. 

After graduation, Taylor moved back to the Chicagoland area and holds her Professional Educator License as a certified teacher in Illinois. She earned her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification and Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator Certification through Breathe for Change. She spends her time working in a variety of early childhood education centers, elementary schools, high schools, park districts, and dance studios. She loves working with students of all ages from infants to adults. 

Taylor has continued following her life-long passion for dance performance. This year, she had the honor of performing in the Chicago Dance Health Fund’s Dance for Life Finale choreographed by Jonathon Alsberry. She also had the privilege of performing at The Carnival Choreographers Ball with Andrew Tamez Hull's Drew’s Crew. Taylor is thrilled to begin her professional dance career with Trifecta Dance Collective!