Therese Ronco is a dance and music artist. She’s thrilled to be a part of Becoming and to have the jpy of working with Evelyn and all the members of Spaces of Fontana. In Austin she’s had the pleasure of performing her music at local venues. In NYC as a dancer Therese worked with Kinesis Project dance theater, ChristinaNoel & The Creature, MICCA, Kristi Cole + Guests, Effy Grey, Kathryn Alter, Jeff Shortt, and Cassandra Cotta in addition to freelancing and making her own work with Lucy Wild. Therese graduated with a BA in dance from Goucher College where she had the privilege of performing works choreographed by artists such as Andrea Millerm Doug Elkins, Pascal Rioult, Doris Humphrey, Jon Lehrer, and Gwen Welliver. She is originally from Massachusetts where she found her passion for the art form from Frances Kotelly and Richard Colton. 
 

"To me motherhood means strength and love, tenderness and teaching, support and compassion, listening and holding space, sharing and showing, openness and closeness, holding on and letting go."

 

Kelsey Hughen is a singer, songwriter and performer whose original music spans across genres. Kelsey lived in NYC for five years where she became a regular performer at Rockwood Music Hall. She has also performed in the UK and held a residency at Parker Jazz Club in Austin. She recorded and released her debut EP in NYC with a group of talented musician-friends. Kelsey is now based in Austin, her hometown, where she is also involved in the musical theatre community. Most recently, she played the role of Liesl von Trapp in the Georgetown Palace Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music.

"To me motherhood seems to be an ever-changing, transformational journey filled with care & nurturance, learning & unlearning, warrior-strength, vulnerability, and so much more. I am in awe of all who mother and am endlessly grateful for my own Mama whose love has formed me."
 

Lilly Thurman, an Austin-based choreographer, dancer, and educator. She holds an MFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University and a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Texas State University. Lilly has performed works by esteemed choreographers including Joshua Manculich, Andy & Dionne Noble, Christa Oliver, and Nicole Wesley. Her choreography has been featured in the COCO Dance Festival in Trinidad and Tobago, Texas State University, Austin Dance Festival, and Barnstorm Dance Festival. As the founder and artistic director of Bones Dance Project, a project-based dance company, she fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for dancers to pursue their passion.

"Motherhood means…learning something new everyday and allowing it to change you, move you, and help you understand a deeper version of yourself. Unconditional love, care, and resilient strength." 

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Laney Phillips is a dancer and movement enthusiast born and raised in Austin, TX. She received her BS in Health Sciences - Community Education and now leads yoga, running, and cycling programs for Austin Youth Fitness.. Laney grew up dancing in Austin, and when she moved back from college in 2022, dove right into the amazing dance community in ATX. Laney is a company member of Spaces of Fontana, dances with Delve Dance Collective (directed by long-time Austin dancer Cherami Steadman), and is working on a project with Austin dance legend Emily Rushing! Laney loves biking around Austin, visiting new places, and spending as much time outside as possible!

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"Motherhood means… I just want to shout out my mother, and man do I have a great one. She’s vulnerable, resilient, a jack-of-all-trades, hard-working, constantly busy, inspiring, a fashionista, an Iron Woman (literally), and most of all unconditionally loving." 

Fay Leonard is a dance artist whose passions have most recently landed her in Austin, TX, where she is, as always, dancing, teaching, and exploring her heart out. At three years old, Fay began her dance journey alongside beloved (imaginary) mouseling Angelina Ballerina, and she simply hasn’t stopped.  In her hometown of Tampa, FL, Fay received her BFA in Dance Performance from the University of South Florida and had the privilege of performing with Tampa City Ballet and Brandon Ballet before her move to Austin granted her the joy of dancing with Ventana Ballet, Early Era Collective, Dance Waterloo, Valetto Dance, and now, Spaces of Fontana! 

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"Motherhood means having an infinite heart. Moms are the strongest, fiercest women in the whole world, full of love that only grows and never ends."

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Matthew Sommers is a dance artist currently residing in Austin, Texas, where he currently lives, dances, teaches and floats around joyfully. He’s performed in Austin with Early Era Collective and Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company, as well as premiering his own work. Matthew began dancing in Jacksonville, Florida, going on to study at the University of South Florida, where he graduated with with a BFA in dance. Matthew has worked with a variety of choreographers including Charles O. Anderson, Alex Jones, Joshua L. Peugh, and Marc Brew. After graduation he delved into the amazing dance community of Austin in which he gets to work with many amazing artists who he looks up to and admires.
 

"Motherhood means someone to call when your world is crazy, someone to give you advice you don't want to hear but you need to, someone who is always on your side when you need it most, and someone who loves you more than anyone else."