Madison Martinek (B.A. in Dance, 2018)

Madison Martinek has accepted a position dancing with Hannah Kahn Dance Company, located in Denver, Colorado.

Madison grew up in Loveland, Colorado. She began her dance training at the age of three at Loveland Dance Academy, studying ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary during her time there. During her collegiate years at Colorado State University she trained under Judy Bejarano, Chung-Fu Chang, Melissa Corr, Jane Slusarski-Harris, Madeline Harvey, Matthew Harvey, Amber Mazurana, Lisa Morgan, Lindsey Pierce, Carol Roderick, and James Wallace. These instructors taught her technique in ballet and modern, along with improvisation, choreography, creative movement, and pedagogy.

She is currently a teacher at Loveland Dance Academy, as well as a choreographer for the Performance Dance Team, which travels around performing competitively. Along with teaching and choreographing, she is an office administrator at the studio and manages of the team.

Madison is thankful and excited to be around so many influential artists and dancers at Hannah Kahn.

Mohammed J. York (B.A. in Dance, 2019)

Mohammed York has accepted a position dancing with Hannah Kahn Dance Company, located in Denver Colorado.

Mohammed is a proud native of the Denver/Aurora Colorado area. In the past six years, he has been an innovator in social justice and dance, as well as an educator in the dance field. His hard work, and genuine ability to make a positive impact on people and the world has no bounds.

In high school, Mr. York attended Noel Community Arts School, Through Montbello, where he found his passion for dance and was valedictorian of the first graduating class. During his time at Noel Community Arts School, he was discovered by the legendary Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and was a Youth Ensemble Member for three years, performing and touring with the first company and was a second company member. During his time with Cleo Parker Robinson, he studied ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, liturgical, contemporary, Horton-Modern Dance, and West-African dance and is grateful to have been showcased in the ensemble's iconic works. Mohammed was also showcased at the International Association for Blacks in Dance Conference (IABD), was involved in CSU Upward Bound and was a Denver Scholar.

As a CSU student, Mohammed enacted social change through his choreographed works performed at the American College Dance Association Conference (ACDA) as well as being was crowned Mr. CSU. He performed role of the Nutcracker with Contemporary Dance Academy, had the opportunity to teach dance classes at CSU, choreographed the CSU pageant after winning in 2015, and was a guest artist for IMPACT Dance Company in 2018. At CSU, he studied with Chung-Fu Chang, Judy Bejarano, and Carol Roderick.

The Mohammed York experience is one like no other: passion, geniality, authenticity, strength, and creativity are just a few words to describe his artistry. He not only educates through movement but through inspiration and integrity, and the imprint and influence he brings is undeniable and captivating.

Mohammed is very grateful to be joining the Hannah Kahn Dance Company and is looking forward to growing and adding to its already wonderful cast.