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Welcome to the Bodies of Water Dance Collective. We are a transformative dance company born from the vision of providing emerging artists with a platform that compensates them equitably but also propels their entry into the dance community. Founded on the belief that dance is a powerful vehicle for storytelling, Bodies of Water pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance by seamlessly weaving together elements of theater, narratives, and immersive experiences.
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Our core values are transparency, collaboration, and a respect for artists' time. In this communal environment, artists are not just performers but collaborators, each bringing their distinct voice. As a collective, we emphasize the importance of nurturing an environment where creativity flourishes, and every member is valued.
Esther Pauline Farley
Artistic Director/Choreographer
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A storyteller at heart, Esther Pauline Farley is a multimedia artist, choreographer, and dancer who weaves personal narratives through the mesmerizing language of movement. Born in Downers Grove, Illinois, Esther discovered her passion for dance early on and has since nurtured it with an unwavering commitment to her craft. In 2021, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, with emphases on Choreography and Jazz Dance. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to perform work by renowned choreographers such as Katlin Bourgeois, Shannon Alvis, Monique Haley, Bradley Shelver, and Gabrielle Lamb.
As a choreographer, Esther's work has received multiple accolades and recognition. Her work has been presented by Detroit Dance Exchange, Might Dance Collective, and was selected to be performed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 2019. However, the highlight of Esther's artistic journey is the creation of Bodies of Water. This production marks Esther's first self-produced evening-length work. Through the show, she delved into human emotion, using dance and movement to explore the depths of life's currents. It's a testament to her artistic evolution and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of her craft. She’s extremely grateful and humbled for the immense love and support she has received from her family, friends, and Chicago community.
Ava Farley
Dancer
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Originally from Downers Grove, Illinois, Ava started her dance training at The Academy of Dance Arts under the direction of Ricky Ruiz. She had the privilege of furthering her dance education in programs at River North Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Visceral Dance Chicago. During this time, Ava had the opportunity to learn works by William Forsythe, Frank Chavez, Robyn Mineko-Williams, Penny Saunders and Nick Pupillo. Ava attended Marymount Manhattan College where she received her BFA in Dance with a concentration in Modern. At Marymount, Ava performed works by Ron K Brown, Angelica Stiskin, William Whitener and Maria Torres among others. During her college summers she spent time at intensives and guest performing with Contexture Dance Detroit.
Following graduation, Ava spent a year at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as a member of HSPro. During that time Ava had the opportunity to work with and perform works by David Norsworthy, Rena Butler, Ohad Narahin, Jenna Pollack, and Peter Chu. In the spring of 2022 Ava joined Tristian Griffin Dance Company in Kansas City. With TGDC, Ava had the opportunity to travel and perform at several festivals such as Spring to Dance presented by Dance St. Louis and Newport Dance Festival presented by Newport Contemporary Ballet. While still continuing her work with TGDC, Ava also had the opportunity to perform in her sister, Esther Pauline Farley’s, directorial debut “Bodies of Water” in the fall of 2023.
Catie Armbrecht
Dancer
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Catie Armbrecht is a dancer and movement educator from Cleveland, OH. She holds a BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University, as well as a business minor, and a complete pre-physical therapy track. She has had the pleasure of working with choreographers such as Katlin Michael Bourgeois, Shannon Alvis, Eddie Taketa, and Daniel Roberts, among others. Her supplemental training at intensives include Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago, Groundworks Dance Theatre, and Whirlwind Dance. Catie dances professionally with Niko8 Performance and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, and is a Polestar Pilates instructor, as well as an instructor of the GYROTONIC® expansion system.
Bennett Cullen
Dancer
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Bennett Cullen began his dance training in the suburbs of Chicago, and studied ballet through Arlington Dance Academy, Ballet Chicago and attended weekly class at the Joffrey Ballet. He continued his classical training at the University of Iowa mentored by Eloy Barragan, George De La Peña and Kristin Marrs. After leaving school, Bennett has since danced as a company artist for The Big Muddy Dance Company, Visceral Dance Chicago and Trifecta Dance Collective. Bennett Is currently a company artist with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre under the direction of Wilfredo Rivera.in his career he has had the privilege to perform works choreographed by Ohad Naharin, Brian Enos, Shannon Alvis, Stephanie Martinez, Monique Haley, Prince Lyons, Noelle Kayser, Katlin Michael Bourgeois, Nick Pupillo, Marguerite Donlon, Ramon Flowers, Sarah Olson, Marc Macaranas, and Eloy Barragan. Bennett has choreographed for The Big Muddy Dance Company and Trifecta Dance Collective as well as many festivals and Chicago based projects. Currently Bennett is a regional ballet instructor who teaches and coaches at a number of prestigious institutions and schools.
Michelle Skiba
Dancer
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Michelle Skiba (she/her) is a mover, maker, teacher, and facilitator from Chicago, Illinois. She received her formative training through The Joffrey Ballet’s Community Engagement Program and the Lou Conte Scholarship Program under the direction of Claire Bataille. Michelle furthered her training with close mentorship under Vanessa Valecillos along with summers at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballet Hispánico, and Axis Connect. After graduating from Northwestern University, she trained at Hubbard Street’s Professional Program (HS Pro) under the direction of Alexandra Wells. There she performed works by Adam Barruch, Rena Butler, Peter Chu, Ryan Mason, David Norsworthy, Robyn Mineko Williams, among others. Some of her professional credits include Little Fire Artist Collective, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Niko8, and Dance for Life Chicago.
Alyssa Alber
Dancer
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Alyssa Alber is originally from Lake Zurich, Illinois. She began her dance training at Trilogy School of Performing Arts and furthered her training at the Academy of Dance Arts. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a BFA in dance as well as a second major of Pre-Physical Therapy. At Iowa she trained with phenomenal faculty in the dance department such as Jennifer Kayle, Melinda Jean Meyers, Eloy Barragan, George de la Peña, and Danielle Russo. She primarily studied ballet, contemporary, and modern techniques. She has also had the opportunity and pleasure of participating in the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago intensives for multiple years and the Giordano Dance Chicago intensive also. She has worked with choreographers in her career such as Alice Klock, Florian Lochner, Nick Pupillo, and Braeden Barnes. Alyssa started training at Chicago Movement Collective in the Claire Bataille Legacy Program under the direction of Ethan Kirschbaum while in college. She was a trainee with Visceral Dance Chicago and is currently dancing with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre II. As she ingrains herself more in the dance community, she greatly looks forward to entering her first season with Bodies of Water.
Emma Raney
Dancer
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Emma Raney (she/her), a Louisville, KY native, has studied a wide variety of movement, and focused her training on modern and contemporary technique. During her career, Emma has had the privilege of dancing as a Company Member with Venetia Stifler & Concert Dance Inc., Identity Performing Arts, Mutual Dance Theatre, and is excited to now join Bodies of Water. She has been fortunate to perform choreography by Victor Lewis, Jr., Andrew and Missy Hubbard, Edson Cabrera, Osnel Delgado, and others. In 2023, Emma was the Dance/Picture Double for the lead in Lindsay Hartley's The Boxer and The Butterfly, currently on Amazon Prime and Plex TV. She works closely with a non-profit gun violence foundation, the Whitney/Strong Organization, using art to share the stories of survivors and heroes. In addition to dance, she trains in aerial arts with Aerial Dance Chicago and previously with Turners Circus; and competed as a Level 9 Artistic Gymnast. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Relocating in 2024, Emma is thrilled to continue her dance training and career in Chicago, IL, and perform with Bodies of Water for her first season!
Tatum Lang
Dancer
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AOriginally from Waconia, Minnesota, Tatum Lang is a freelance dancer and dance instructor based in Chicago. Upon moving to Chicago, Tatum danced for for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (performed works by Katlin Bourgeouis, Monique Haley, and Shannon Alvis), Bodies of Water for its inaugural season (founded by Esther Farley), and is currently a company member with The Rooted Space Company (Directed by Stefany Cotton and Chelsea Branch). Tatum teaches dance at multiple studios in the Chicagoland area, serves as Administrative Assistant for holistic health coach for dancers, Jess Spinner (The Whole Dancer), and is co-director of the International ScreenDance Festival. Tatum is so excited to be returning to Bodies of Water for its 3rd season!