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ALANA YVONNE WALLACE is a multi-faceted artist who, along with Michelle Obama,
received one of ten Phenomenal Woman Awards at THE BLACK WOMEN’S EXPO Gala
in 2008. Alana currently appears in the TV commercial for “Think Beyond the Label”—
a national campaign to promote employment for people with disabilities. She is also
featured in the 2009 edition of “WHO’S WHO IN BLACK CHICAGO,” as an
accomplished community leader. A graduate of Columbia College with a BFA degree in
Theater/Music, Wallace has served as Founder and Artistic Director of Dance>Detour
since 1995. She is a life-long disability advocate, vocalist, actor, writer and dancer who
promotes inclusion of artists with disabilities in varied creative genres. Alana’s inspiration
for establishing Dance>Detour was to develop and promote artistic collaborations between
artists with and without disabilities who could work together to explore dance movement as
EQUALS. She strives to expand the concept of what dance IS and WHO can be involved.
Wallace, an African-American woman, who contracted polio at the age of five, has always
believed she was born to perform. She has found that her wheelchair is a beautiful
accessory that affords her a unique opportunity to embrace and express dance. Wallace
received the 2007 “Outstanding Leadership for an Accessible Society” Award from
Community Service Options, Inc. and she was named one of the “100 Women Making a
Difference” in TODAY’S CHICAGO WOMAN Magazine in 1997. In 1998, she was
featured in the Emmy Award-Winning PBS television documentary “Dance From the
Heart” hosted by Ben Vereen. A former MS. WHEELCHAIR AMERICA titleholder,
Wallace is a national spokesperson, movement instructor, and performer who proudly
displays her artistry in dance, singing, and acting as a testament to the talents and abilities
of people with disabilities.
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The Company
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LADONNA FREIDHEIM trained in ballet technique with Ellis Duboulais, Hubbard Street,
the Boston Ballet, and the University of Illinois. After her budding career as a ballerina was
cut short by a joint condition resulting in multiple injuries and limits to daily function, she
enjoyed a decade long career in arts administration, including holding the position of
Managing Director of Hedwig Dances, the dance company in residence at the Chicago
Cultural Center. Freidheim is thrilled and grateful to Dance>Detour for giving her the
opportunity to perform professionally again. She feels that Dance>Detour provides her
with a welcoming environment where her leg braces and limitations are not considered a
liability to her participation as a dancer with the company. As an Occupational Therapist,
Ladonna uses dance and theater as therapeutic tools to bring joy into the lives of those she
serves. She has been a company member for one year and counting.
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DELIA TYSON has 30+ years of dance experience, which includes teaching Katherine
Dunham technique. She has been a member of Dance>Detour since 1998. Her many
professional credits include the unveiling of the Kwanzaa stamp (Los Angeles), Najwa
Dance Corps (Chicago), ETA Theater’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” Muntu
Dance Theatre, and Khalidah’s North African Dance Experience.
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LORI VINSON has studied ballet and modern dance since the age of 12, with Joel Hall,
Joseph Holmes, Elaine McLaurin and Vanessa Truvillion among others. Vinson has been a
company member of Dance>Detour since 1999. As a certified fitness instructor, she
specializes in Pilates and Yoga. Lori meets her challenge of having a visual disability by
embracing her spirituality and be expressing herself through dance.
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HEATHER WARE, an original company member of Dance>Detour since 1995, has studied
dance and performed professionally for 14 years. Her credits include Cantilever Network’s
“To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Heather is also a company member of D.I.A.L. (Dance
is a Language) outreach program with the Joel Hall Dance Center. She teaches dance at
Mayfair Academy of Fine Arts and plans to continue dancing and teaching throughout her
career.
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MIA COULTER – (Apprentice) is a Chicago native who was born with spinal bifida. She
is active in the disability community and advocates for independent living for people with
disabilities. Mia loves to read and travel and she is excited about this new opportunity to
explore dance and perform with Dance>Detour.
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ANEL GONZALEZ – (Apprentice) is a wheelchair athlete and bilingual specialist on ADA
Law. He is eager to discover new techniques and abilities in the art of integrated dance. He
has a custom wheelchair that allows him to utilize standing positions. Born in the Republic
of Panama, he recently made his performance debut with Dance>Detour in their gala
performance on October 3, 2008.
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ANNIE SNOW began her dance training at the Dance Academy of Libertyville, IL. She
holds a B. A. in Dance and Psychology from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. As an
undergraduate she was a member of Striketime Dance Company, and she is currently
working towards a Master’s Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling at
Columbia College in Chicago. Annie is the Director of the Lake Forest High School
Orchesis Dance Company and has been a member of Dance>Detour for one year.
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JENNIFER ANNE SAWICZ – (Apprentice) graduated from Northwestern University in
2009 with a degree in theatre. She has been dancing since she was four including using only
her upper body during a serious foot injury. She also works with the Viola Project to
empower young women through theatre. She thanks her parents, best friend, ballet
instructors, and of course Alana for believing in her dancing dreams.
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