Professional Company
Salih Mitchell
Senior Company Member/ Company Captain
Having two older brothers Salih was always involved in sports. Around the age of 9 years, a family friend suggested that Salih tryout for a dance production. “The Chocolate Nutcracker”, performed at the Bob Carr Theatre was her first dance production. Surprising not only her parents but the show directors with her natural talent and being a quick learner, she was casted in 5 pieces all with no former training. Salih soon realized this was her gift and sought out to make it her profession.
In middle school and up until high school, Salih was a part of a dance company called ‘MoMentum Live’ where the focus was ballet and contemporary concert style dance. Salih attended Dr. Phillips High School and auditioned for their dance magnet program that she was a part of for four years. She continued her studies in Gainesville, Florida as a dance major studying with the Dance Theatre of Santa Fe College and the University of Florida’s School of Theatre & Dance. Growing up in a concert based studio, after college she explored the commercial side of dance working for multiple theme parks, featured in various commercials, and music videos.
Salih is extremely excited to now continue her training with Emotions Dance and get back to the artistry that made her fall in love with performing in the beginning!
Rianna Pagliaro
Senior Company Member
Rianna Pagliaro began dancing at age 8 at Reach for the Stars Dance Studio in Mt. Pocono, PA. She trained for 15 years in ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, jazz, and modern, and studied dance at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts. Rianna went on to study at Montclair State University before joining the Joffrey Ballet School as a Ballet Trainee. She has trained with renowned artists like Earl Mosley and Bill T. Jones and performed lead roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen with Monroe Ballet Theatre. Now based in Florida, Rianna has performed and choreographed with Emotions Dance for 3 years and cannot wait to continue creating on the stage!
Abbie Krefta
Company Dancer
Abbie Krefta is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she trained under Susan Gillis Kruman at the University of Pittsburgh while earning her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a Minor in Dance. As a member of the Pitt Dance Ensemble, she choreographed and performed numerous jazz, contemporary, and ballet pieces. She also performed as a soloist, demi-soloist, and corps de ballet member in several Pitt Ballet Club productions.
After graduating, Abbie continued her training in contemporary and jazz dance with Elisa Alaio at Firewall Dance Theatre and studied classical ballet technique and pantomime under Deborah Femovich at the Oil Region Ballet Summer Intensive. In 2024, she performed in the Texture Ballet Choreography Project in the wind has a name by choreographer Anna Caison Boyd.
In addition to her performance background, Abbie has worked extensively in arts education. She served as a teaching artist at Attack Theatre, bringing dance education to students in Propel Charter and Pittsburgh Public Schools. Through the Traction program at Attack Theatre, she trained in modern dance and abstract movement under the mentorship of Michelle De la Raza.
From 2021 to 2025, Abbie taught various styles of dance and choreographed for competitive and recreational showcases at the Academy of Dance by Lori. During the 2023–2024 academic year, she returned to the University of Pittsburgh as an instructor in the Dance Minor program, teaching collegiate-level dance courses.
Now based in Orlando, Abbie is taking the next steps in her dance career. She currently teaches with the Orlando Ballet’s community enrichment program and performs with Vixen Talent Productions. She is thrilled to be joining Emotions Dance Company and looks forward to growing as an artist alongside such a talented group of dancers.
Sarah Ann Hart
Company Dancer
Sarah Ann Hart grew up traveling and living around the world, beginning her pre-professional dance career at just 11 years old in South Carolina. Since then, she has trained in a wide range of dance styles—including ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary, and Latin styles such as salsa and bachata—under instructors from Germany, France, Britain, and Hawaii.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Minor in Business. During her time there, she performed with the Dance Ministry Ensemble, the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble, and the Belhaven Gold Dance Team. While earning her degree, she also joined Salsa Mississippi as a company member, where she trained, performed, and taught Latin dance.
Throughout her career, Sarah Ann has had the honor of training with guest artists from renowned companies such as the Royal Ballet, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, the Marigny Opera Ballet, Bruce Wood Dance, Houston METdance, Ad Deum Dance Project, and Zion Dance Project.
Since relocating to Orlando, she has performed with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Gaylord Palms Entertainment, SGP Movement, and other local productions. In early 2025, she launched Orlando Creates—an entertainment company focused on providing a platform for local artists to share their craft and passion with the community.
Sarah Ann believes that dance speaks to the soul in ways words cannot. While she has enjoyed performing in commercial venues, her heart remains deeply rooted in concert dance. She is thrilled to be joining the Emotions Dance family and looks forward to continuing to share her passion and love for dance.
Katie Landahl
Company Dancer
Bio coming soon
Jess Brunner
Company Apprentice
Jess Brunner (she/her) is originally from Toledo, Ohio. Jess began dancing around the age of 9 and instantly knew she was meant to dance. Until the age of 18, she trained at Ballet Theatre of Toledo and attended Toledo School for the Arts for high school. She then attended Ball State University for her BA in dance with a focus in exercise science. Jess has danced in productions with Ballet INitiative, Emergence Dance Company, and Seaworld Orlando. She also teaches at Edgez Dance studio. Jess is so excited to begin her journey with Emotions Dance!
Aly Stephens
Company Apprentice
Aly Stephens, originally from Pleasanton, California, began her dance career at a small ballet studio in Livermore. As her love for dance grew, she expanded her horizons by taking contemporary and modern dance classes at a local jazz dance studio. In high school, she joined her school's color guard team and quickly fell in love with the marching arts. Aly continued her dance education while competing with her school's color guard team and training at Triple Threat Performing Arts dance school and Laureen Fender's Ballet School.
As Aly developed as a performer, she frequently auditioned for new opportunities, including joining drum corps, a traveling group of marching arts performers who compete nationwide. After high school, Aly made a significant decision to move across the country to pursue her dream of being a color guard performer while earning a degree at the University of Central Florida. Now in her final year, she is on track to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology, along with a Health Science certificate.
While in college, Aly showcased her talents with local color guard organizations, such as the UCF Starlet Knight Color Guard and UCF Pegasus World. Her summers were filled with performances for various drum corps, including the Santa Clara Vanguard and The Blue Devils. Her time with The Blue Devils was highlighted by significant achievements, including winning a gold medal and the George Zingali High Color Guard Award in 2023, as well as a bronze medal in 2024.
In addition to her performance experience, Aly has actively taught dance and color guard to youth in the Orlando area. Her passion for dance extends beyond performing. Her goals include educating young performers and eventually obtaining a Doctorate of Physical Therapy to contribute to research on injury rehabilitation and pain management within the dance and marching arts community.