Concert in the Woods
Whidbey Institute: We acknowledge this place, its other-than-human beings, its history, and the people—past, present, and future—upon whose traditional lands we live and work. The Whidbey Institute is located on the territory of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suquamish, and Snohomish tribes—the island Tscha-kole-chy, named Whidbey Island by colonial settlers.
In order to work towards efforts of reconciliation as individuals and organizations, we must acknowledge the history that informs the present day. We must all learn a full history in order to create true reparations, land back, and meaningful reconciliation for a better future together.
Concert in the Woods
’Waveforms’’
Co-Choregraphed with Kristina Reiersgard and Meander Dance Collective
Dancers: Stephanie Andrews, Anna Cosper, Beck Diamond, April Jane M. Herrild, Rasa Matas, Megan Osterstrom
Music: Mix by Kristina Reiersgard
This piece is distilled from a larger site-specific dance film collaboration between Kristina Reiersgard and Meander Dance Collective. It draws upon themes of evolution and our relationship to nature. It has been devised with and for Double Bluff Beach. Keep an eye out during the year for the release of this work.
‘’Cool as a Cucumber’’
Choreographer: Beck Diamond
Dancers: Haley Barker and Hailey Way
Music: Home (soft version), Good Neighbors
This dance is a response to my own Sapphic panic. In this piece the dancers portray a delusion of a romantic outing. A juxtaposition to the reality in which the panic of mere interaction would produce conversational exchanges such as ‘’do you like meat sticks’’.
‘’Manifest’’
Choreographer: Stephanie Andrews
Dancers: Stephanie Andrews, Rasa Matas, Megan Osterstrom
Music: Gajumaru, Yaima
What if we were to challenge ourselves to expand our minds and bodies, if we believe we could? What if we could grow and raise our collective hearts and consciousness, all while still honoring the beauty in the present moment? What if we could lean in and trust that not all things are unbendingly fixed, but always ready for transformation?
‘’Reunion’’
Choreographer: Brooke Lindsley
Dancers: Anna Cosper, Brooke Lindsley, Rasa Matas, Haley Barker
Music: Balmorhea, Masollan
Dedicated to Las Tres Mujeres Perdidas
Structured Improvisation
Dancers: Stephanie Andrews, Beck Diamond, April Jane M. Herrild, Megan Osterstrom
Live Music and compositions by Pax Wallace, piano, and Scott Swanberg, bass
‘’We Climbed a Mountain’’
Choreographer: April Jane M. Herrild
Dancers: Stephanie Andrews, Anna Cosper, Rasa Matas, Hailey Way
I started choreographing this piece in January, when frankly things were feeling a little dark in the world-both literally and metaphorically. This song spoke to me of hope. In the dark times we will definitely struggle. Then the sunshine will come out again. Many things still; feel scary and unknown but we are going through them together, hand in hand.
‘’Tenacious Unity’’
Choreographer: Alejandro Frederickson
Dancers: Stephanie Andrews, Haley Barker, Anna Cosper, Beck Diamond, Alejandro Frederickson, Brooke Lindsley, Rasa Matas
‘’Take Me Home’’
Choreographer: Beck Diamond
Dancers: Stephanie Andrews, Haley Barker, Anna Cosper, Beck Diamond, Alejandro Frederickson, April Jane M Herrild, Brooke Lindsley, Rasa Matas, Megan Osterstrom, Hailey Way
Thank you for coming!
2025 Meander Dance Collective Creators
Haley Barker (she/her) is thrilled to be engaged with Meander Dance Collective after a 20-year hiatus from dancing. Her greatest achievement to date has been raising two sweet and spirited boys.
Rasa Matas (she/her) Representing senior dancers everywhere who ‘’never say die’’! Rasa is overjoyed to have found acceptance and a home here on Whidbey with Meander. Throughout her life she’s been blessed to train in many dance forms, and now hopes only to inspire and uplift others through joyous, expansive movement. She is especially eager to encourage this form of expression in the senior community here on Whidbey! ”Lift your arms, look to the sky, allow yourself a giggle, and then just….breeeeath!”
Megan Osterstrom (she/ her) With roots on the east coast, Megan has lived in the greater Seattle area for over 15 years. In 2021, Whidbey Island called and Megan, with her supportive partner, Hans answered the call. Megan is in constant awe of the beauty around us here. Spending much of her time in nature and birdwatching. Dance as an exploration through movement is a developing practice for Megan and she is inspired by the community connections made through dance and art.
Beck Diamond (she/they) Hello, I am the founder and Artistic Director of MDC. I love, love, love dance. It is probably my favorite thing to do, and I have decided to fight to keep it in my life and find the most fulfillment when doing it with other people. It is both an outlet and my larger praxis for learning about the world, people, and myself. Here on island you can find me teaching at Island Dance, coaching at The Backyard, or outdoors with my favorite humans. Thank you for coming to watch and I hope you enjoy the show!
Hailey Way (she/her) Hailey grew up on the south end of the Island with Whidbey Island dance Theatre. She is classically trained in ballet, loves the freedom of modern dance, and the spice of contemporary styles. This is her first season with Meander and she is so grateful for everyone who continues to support the performing arts. ‘’Dance is my true love!’’
April Jane M. Herrild (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and theatre artist on Whidbey. She has taught at numerous dance studios and public schools across PNW; currently she is focusing on ballet instruction for children and adults at Island Dance and Gymnastics. April Jane will appear this October in ‘’Cowboys are my Weakness’’ at WICA. Please enjoy her choreography today, ‘’We Climb a Mountain’’.
Stephanie Andrews (she/her) Stephanie is new to Meander Dance Collective this year. She rediscovered the joy of dance a few years ago in an organic way while experimenting with energetic movement incorporated with yoga and other intentional breath work. ‘’Dance is a multisensual experience, with music being an activator and the body like a conduit of energetic flow and expression’’. She is also a happily busy mama to 6 amazing kids and shares a small homestead with her sweet supportive husband.
Anna Cosper (she/her) I come from a background in tap and classical ballet. Joining Meander was an experiment as I had never danced modern really-and it was aggravating! All the random dropping to the ground, all the bruises, the lack of structure, the constant changes…Isn’t that life though. So I keep practicing, and it’s become darn enjoyable.
Alejandro Frederickson (he/him) is a dynamic dance artist fueled by a deep love for movement and creative expression. With BFA in Dance from the University of Texas at Austin, his artistry is informed by a rich background including 11 years with Kaleidoscope Dance Company. He draws inspiration from the innovative work of Anne Green Gilbert, Charles O. Anderson, and Gesel Mason, channeling his energy into powerful and engaging performances.
Brooke Lindsley (she/her) As a child, Brooke was kicked out of ballet for being too loud. So, she babbled her way into tap and has been making noise ever since. This is her second-year dancing with Meander and her first year as a choreographer of the tap piece, Reunion.
2025 Guest Artist
Kristi Reiersgard
I’ve treasured the opportunity to co-create with Meander on this piece, which we devised through an experimentation process inspired by our connection to the land. This collab grew from a short film I wrote & directed last year, called Branches, which featured 3 Meander dancers in a butoh installation. After losing my leg 2 years ago, my professional focus on voice and dialogue for the stage & screen, has shifted (quite poetically) toward movement-driven storytelling. Thank you, Meander, for being such an important part of my unfolding path. I look forward to expanding on our piece in a dance film this summer!
Thank You to our Sponsors, Donors, and Volunteers!
We could not do this show without all of you! We are so grateful for the businesses and organizations that continue to support us.
A special thank you to our Weekly Yoga Class participants who consistently contribute to Meander.
Thank you to the friends and family who volunteer to make this show run. We can’t do it without you!
me·an·der /mēˈandər/ 