Company Artists
Julia Lawton - Artistic Director
Julia Lawton is a New York-based dancer and choreographer, and the Artistic Director of Lawton Dance Collective. She graduated with her BFA in Dance from Adelphi University in 2024, where she performed works by choreographers including Paul Taylor, Orion Duckstein, and Frank Augustyn. Julia has danced professionally with Chutzpah Dance, SHIFT Dance, Arts, and Media, and currently with the Taylor Outreach Ensemble. She is the Taylor School Associate for the Paul Taylor Dance Company and a Community Director at Arts On Site. In her choreographic practice, Julia emphasizes creative investigation through collaboration and conversation with dancers. Her work has been presented at numerous venues, including Arts On Site, The Workroom Theater Northampton, American College Dance Association Northeast Conference, Adelphi University Scholarship and Creative Works Conference, 14th St. Y, The Emelin Theatre, The Tank, Balance Arts Center, Hofstra Choreography Seminar, and Mashup Dance International Women’s Day Dance Festival.
Photo by Cassie Dietrich
Sarah Baghdadi
Sarah Baghdadi
Sarah Baghdadi
Dance Artist
Marketing
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 Uey
Dance Artist
Marketing
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
Sarah Baghdadi
Sarah Baghdadi
Dance Artist
Marketing
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. S
Dance Artist
Marketing
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
Sarah Baghdadi
Isabella Gamba
Dance Artist
Graphic Design
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
Dance Artist
Graphic Design
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
Abby Garcia
Sarah Baghdadi
Isabella Gamba
Dance Artist
Abby Garcia (she/her/hers) is from West Babylon, New York and is currently a freelance dancer and stage manager in New York. She just graduated in May 2024 from Adelphi University, where she studied dance. Abby is currently working with the Paul Taylor Dance Company as production assistant for their 2024 Lincoln Center Season
Dance Artist
Abby Garcia (she/her/hers) is from West Babylon, New York and is currently a freelance dancer and stage manager in New York. She just graduated in May 2024 from Adelphi University, where she studied dance. Abby is currently working with the Paul Taylor Dance Company as production assistant for their 2024 Lincoln Center Season and is a part of the Taylor Outreach Ensemble.
Photo by Cassie Dietrich
Katie Jaffie
Emelia Sikorsky
Katie Jaffie
Dance Artist
Marketing
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 gradu
Dance Artist
Marketing
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
Emelia Sikorsky
Katie Jaffie
Dance Artist
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 Pe
Dance Artist
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
Emelia Sikorsky
Emelia Sikorsky
Dance Artist
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 j
Dance Artist
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
Alex St-Onge
Emelia Sikorsky
Emelia Sikorsky
Dance Artist
Alex St-Onge (she/they) is a movement artist passionate about arts-based community outreach and genderless partnered dance. Originally from Dallas, TX, where she graduated from Booker T. Washington HSPVA, they are now attending York University in Toronto, ON. She has performed works by Paul Taylor, Takehiro Ueyama, and Doug Varone and Dancers, among others.
Photo by Ysabel Garcia
Photos by Natalie Huntoon
Sarah Baghdadi in Solo Stack
Erica Caruso in susurrus
Isabella Gamba in Lasting Bound
Abby Garcia in Solo Stack
Katie Jaffie in non troppo
Julia Lawton & Emelia Sikorsky in All Your Days
Casey Leyden in Lasting Bound
Emelia Sikorsky in Lasting Bound
Alex St-Onge in Solo Stack
Additional Collaborators
Erin Morrisey
Erin Morrisey
Administrative Assistant
Erin Morrisey is from Long Island, NY and is currently a freelance dancer based in NYC. Prior to college, Erin trained in primarily ballet and theater jazz at American Theater Dance Workshop. She attended Adelphi University where she performed works by Doug Varone, Paul Taylor, Orion Duckstein, and Maggie Joy. She
Administrative Assistant
Erin Morrisey is from Long Island, NY and is currently a freelance dancer based in NYC. Prior to college, Erin trained in primarily ballet and theater jazz at American Theater Dance Workshop. She attended Adelphi University where she performed works by Doug Varone, Paul Taylor, Orion Duckstein, and Maggie Joy. She has also attended intensives hosted by American Dance Festival, Doug Varone, and Takehiro Ueyama. After graduating with a B.F.A. in Dance in 2024, Erin has joined the Taylor Outreach Ensemble and teaches ballet, modern, and creative movement. She is very excited to be working as part of administration with Lawton Dance Collective.
Photo by Cris Velasquez
Sarah Baileigh
Erin Morrisey
Like Violets Lighting Designer
Sarah Baileigh (she/her) is a New York based lighting designer and actor originally from Clinton, Connecticut. She specializes in designing for dance, particularly pieces that explore feminist and queer perspectives and the foundational human condition. She is set to graduate from Adelphi University with a BF
Like Violets Lighting Designer
Sarah Baileigh (she/her) is a New York based lighting designer and actor originally from Clinton, Connecticut. She specializes in designing for dance, particularly pieces that explore feminist and queer perspectives and the foundational human condition. She is set to graduate from Adelphi University with a BFA in Theatre Arts this coming May. Past credits include Destination: Asphodel, It Happened to Me Once, la mariposa dentro de mi, and Adelphi University Dance Showcase Spring 2023-Spring 2025.
Clara Chemtov
Like Violets Musical Collaborator
Clara Chemtov is a Montreal-born and Toronto-based contemporary dance artist and sound designer. They recently obtained their BFA in Dance from York University, and look forward to continuing to develop spunky and theatrical creations in their solo practice and with their collective, Projet Ambidanse. Clar
Like Violets Musical Collaborator
Clara Chemtov is a Montreal-born and Toronto-based contemporary dance artist and sound designer. They recently obtained their BFA in Dance from York University, and look forward to continuing to develop spunky and theatrical creations in their solo practice and with their collective, Projet Ambidanse. Clara composed the music for smoke trickling in for the production of Like Violets in April of 2025. Connect with Clara at @clarachemtov!
Photo by Alexa Narezny.
Maggie Fiske
Guest Artist
Maggie Fiske started her dance training at age 4 at Mass Ballet, located in Framingham, Massachusetts. She cultivated a deep passion and joy for dance while training in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary under Meghan Powers. She received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography at Towson University under the instructi
Guest Artist
Maggie Fiske started her dance training at age 4 at Mass Ballet, located in Framingham, Massachusetts. She cultivated a deep passion and joy for dance while training in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary under Meghan Powers. She received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography at Towson University under the instruction of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Susan Mann, and Runqiao Du where she was the recipient of both academic and dance merit scholarships. She has performed in works by Ray Mercer, Carolyn Dorfman, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Paul Taylor, Sofia Forero, Sonia Plumb, fivetwo, and Laura Halzack. She currently dances for Laura Halzack and teaches for the Taylor School.