OLIVIA MARTIN

is an eighteen-year-old senior and this is her first year with the company. She began dancing in 8th grade at Rose City Ballet School under the direction of Renee Meiffren. She started in the intro level dance at Jefferson as a freshman learning African, modern, tap, and jazz. She was a member of Jefferson Dancers II for two years. After high school she plans to attend Howard University in DC and pursue a career as a social worker. She would like to thank Renee Meiffren for giving her a strong start to dance, Bunky for always being there for support in any aspect of life, the Jefferson dance staff for working endlessly to ensure all students continue to grow as dancers, and her family for encouraging and supporting her (typically in the first few rows screaming louder than they should). She is grateful for this experience and excited to learn and grow as a dancer, performer, and person.

JARYN BAREFIELD

is a sixteen-year-old junior and this is her first year with the company. She started dancing at age five at Hollywood dance. She trained in ballet for five years before moving to NorthWest Dance Project for a year. Jaryn attend daVinci Middle School and learned tap, ballet, and modern jazz. In seventh grade, Jaryn began dancing at Rose City Ballet to continue her ballet training. She danced there for four years in their highest training level. At Jefferson, she was a member of the Jefferson Dancers II for two years. After high school, she would like to attend a four year university and major in journalism and communications, and continue dancing. Jaryn would like to thank Sarah Martins, for encouraging her to continue dancing, Demetria Holden-Williams, for being one of her biggest supporters through her high school dance journey, and Renee Meiffren for showing her the importance of ballet. She would also like to that her wonderful family and friends for supporting her and her dance journey through her entire life.

IMARA MOORE

is a seventeen-year-old junior and this is her first year with the company. She has been dancing since she was five-years-old, taking ballet at Peninsula community center. In the summer of 2012, Imara was part of Le Grand Continental Portland which partnered with White Bird. This was a 30 minute showcase of different styles performed in Pioneer Square. Imara also performed in the starlight parade partnering with Bodyvox and Eowyn Emerald for two years. She was a member of Jefferson Dancers II for two years. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her dancing journey, Demetria Holden-Williams and all her dance teachers for encouraging and inspiring her along with Bodyvox and White Bird for the great opportunities. After high school, she would like to attend a four-year university and major in journalism and African-American studies, while continuing her love for dance.

CARMINA FLORES

is a fifteen-year-old sophomore and this is her first year dancing with the company. She first fell in love with dance at the age of three when she began dancing at Oregon Ballet School with Leslie Baird. She focused solely on ballet until she was 12 and started jazz and tap at Oregon Performing Arts Studio. Carmina’s mother introduced her to the Jefferson Dancers at age eleven and thus began her goal to someday be a part of the fun. She was homeschooled until now and did not realize you had to go to high school to be eligible to dance with the company. Attending Jefferson has been an incredible experience for her. The dance program has already taught her so much. She is very grateful to her mother, who is a former dancer herself, and who is her best friend. She wouldn’t be here today without her. She’d also like to thank her father, for being her first art teacher and pushing her artistic views.