Shizu Yasuda Main Company Shizu, originally from Japan,joined Ad Deum Dance 2004 and is a principal dancer with the company. She has performed throughout the USA and internationally with the company. She also serves as a modern dance instructor in the Houston area and as a demonstrator in modern dance class at Houston Ballet Academy Summer Intensive. Currently she is the official modern dance choreographer of Dance of Asian America.

Esther van Baren Main Company Esther was born and raised in Perth, Australia. She graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth and moved to Sydney, Australia for two years dancing with Charisma Dance Company, Hillsong, and freelancing in both Sydney and Perth in Operas and Musicals. She is excited to be in her third season with Ad Deum.

Daniel Cossette Main Company Daniel, a Marceau-style mime from Mimeistry International, toured with Mimeistry 2000-2002. He founded Ambassador Arts, Manchester, CT where he premiered the shows Say it Loud! and Christmivest. Daniel has performed with Project Dance, Welten Wechsel, and Dance Houston. Currently he teaches for the Houston Ballet Outreach Program and the Alley Theatre, and is a company member with Ad Deum.

Lara Lanphier Main Company Lara, from Southern California, received her BFA from University of California, Irvine. She joined the local Hartfel Ballet, and later invested her passion for dance as a teacher and minister, especially working with special needs children. It is an honor for Lara to return as company member of Ad Deum this year.

Stella Almblade Main Company Stella has a B.F.A. in Dance, University of Arizona. Stella has performed with companies both nationally and overseas, including 9 months in Spain where she also taught English, as well as dancing with Arrows International in Costa Rica and China. Now back in the States, she is excited to continue as a company member with Ad Deum.

Sarah Yarbrough Main Company Sarah began her dance training in Katy, TX, at Adamson Ballet School. She continued formal training at Houston Ballet Academy and received her BFA in Ballet from Texas Christian University. Sarah has completed her Pilates certification and is teaching Pilates as well as dance in the Houston area. This will be her third year with Ad Deum.

Melissa Ludwig Main Company Melissa, from Grand Rapids, Michigan trained at the School of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. She joined the Milwaukee Ballet Company in 2002 where she danced until joining Ballet Austin in 2004-2008. Melissa was honored to perform choreography by Stephen Mills, Thaddeus Davis, Gina Patterson, and Sidra Bell. Melissa is beginning her second season with Ad Deum.

Emily Runyeon Main Company Apprentice Emily from Dayton, Ohio, received her B.A. in Psychology from Wright State University. She began her training at South Dayton Dance Theatre and continued her studies at Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Dayton Contemporary Dance Second Company, and most recently with New ARTiculations in Tucson, Arizona. Emily is honored to be joining Ad Deum as a company apprentice.