Meet Our Team

Sarah Baghdadi is a freelance dancer based in NYC. Her dance career started at Relevé Dance Centre on Long Island, where she trained in acro, ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. She recently graduated with a BFA in dance from Adelphi University, where she worked with choreographers such as Doug Varone and Takehiro Ueyama, along with various faculty members. It is here where she discovered her love of contemporary floorwork, improvisation and collaboration. Sarah is so excited to be working with Julia and Lawton Dance Collective!

Photo by Cassie Dietrich

Erica Caruso is a New York City-based professional dancer. Prior to moving to New York, Erica received extensive training at Towson University. While at Towson, Erica performed original works by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Ephrat Asherie, Runqiao Du, Robert Kleinendorst, Carolyn Dorfman, and Linda Denise Fisher Harrell. She was also the Vice President of Towson University’s chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and spent ample time advocating for increased dance education. In May of 2023, Erica received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography and moved to New York City to continue to pursue dance professionally. Erica has completed summer intensives at Point Park University, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Erica currently dances with the Taylor Outreach Ensemble at the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Lawton Dance Collective, and has performed at Arts on Site, Governor’s Island with Annamaria Mazzini, and at multiple dance festivals around New York City. She works as a model and registered yoga instructor in addition to freelance dancing and is so excited to continue dancing with Artistic Director Julia Lawton! 

Photo by Cassie Dietrich

Isabella Gamba is a New York based dancer from Long Island New York. She recently graduated from Adelphi University with a BFA in dance and a minor in graphic design. After graduating, Isabella spent her summer interning at Florence Dance Festival in Florence, Italy. More recently, she interned on the media team at Peridance Center in New York City. In addition to Lawton Dance Collective, Isabella is also currently dancing with the professional tap dance company #Taplife Company. She is an alumni of the New York City based Pre-Professional Contemporary Company, Kinections Dancegroup, and Pre-Professional Tap Dance Company, #TaplifeToo. Isabella has performed works by notable choreographers while a part of these companies and throughout college.

Photo by Cassie Dietrich

Katie Jaffie, New York based dancer and teacher, started her dance career at Harbor Ballet Theatre and Amy Tyler School of Dance on Long Island where she predominantly studied ballet. She then attended Adelphi University, graduating in 2023 where she found a love for contemporary and modern dance as well. Since graduating, Jaffie has been freelancing in NYC and New Jersey with companies such as Ballet Verite and Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theatre. She also enjoys teaching ballet, contemporary, tap, and hiphop. Jaffie is thrilled to be continuing her journey with this collective.

Photo by Cassie Dietrich

Casey Leyden is a freelance dancer based in New York City. She recently graduated in May from Adelphi University obtaining a BFA in Dance with a minor in Environmental Studies. Casey has worked with various choreographers such as Omar Román De Jesús, Doug Varone, Larry Keigwin, Isaac Lerner, Murray Louis, Paul Taylor, Sloan Pearson and more. She has also done additional training with Gallim and Doug Varone and Dancers Intensives. Casey has most recently worked with APoint5 Dance Company and is so excited to be currently work with SarAika Dance Collective and Lawton Dance Collective! 

Photo by Cassie Dietrich

Emelia Sikorsky is a 2024 graduate of Adelphi University with a BFA in Dance. Emelia has a strong passion for arts in education, she started her teaching journey at 11 years old and has continued to lead classrooms throughout high school and college. She teaches creative movement, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. Emelia’s journey with dance started at Westchester Dance Artists. A creative approach to the arts is what empowers her to pursue dance. Emelia has interned with Alvin Ailey's PR team, house management at Jacob's Pillow, and has worked as a group leader for AileyCamp; a free program supporting life skills through dance to New York City residents. Emelia’s background in patron services translates into her work of supporting and meeting community needs. 

Photo by Cassie Dietrich

Alexandra (Alex) St-Onge (she/they) is from Dallas, TX where she graduated from Booker T. Washington HSPVA. Currently, she is attending York University in Toronto, ON. She has performed works by Paul Taylor, Jay Carlon, FLOCK, Takehiro Ueyama, Jennifer Mabus, Doug Varone and Dancers, among others. Passionate about arts based community outreach, she has volunteered for arts organizations both in Dallas and New England including Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Agora Artists, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and White River Junction Dance Festival.