6 Degrees Members

Lizzy Aguilera received her BFA in Dance from the University of Houston and is currently working towards her MFA in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Aguilera is a principal dancer for Mezclada Dance Company and also works alongside her husband, Joel Aguilera, as the Assistant Director of the company. Additionally, Aguilera is a company member for 6 Degrees dance company. Aguilera has guest danced for several other dance companies including Noblemotion, Psophonia Dance Company, and Dance Houston.

Aguilera teaches a wide array of dance styles but specializes in teaching Jazz, Contemporary, and Acrobatics. Aguilera is the Assistant Artistic Director of her family owned dance studio, Dayton Academy of Dance, and was previously the Director of the dance program at Crosby Middle School. Aguilera is highly experienced in studio team choreography, drill team choreography, but always stresses the importance of proper technique and a firm classical foundation no matter the platform.

Tempest McLendon (she/they) is a graduate of University of Houston with a B.A. in Dance, double minor in Technology Leadership and Innovation Management, and Studio Arts. She just recently completed her 22-23 Artist-in-Residence program with Dance Source Houston.  Improvisational work “dih-loo-zhuhn” created during this residency premiered during the June 2023 Barnstorm Dance Fest. Tempest is the current co-chair of Houston Ballet's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee, a member of the Advisory Leadership Alumni Group for Diversity and Inclusion with the UH Dance Department, was a 20-21 Dance Ambassador for Dance Source Houston, and company member of 6' Degrees Dance. Beginning her dance studies in 2017, she has since performed, choreographed, and taught in venues/studios such as Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH), Zilkha Hall (Hobby Center), Houston City Hall, Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre, Discovery Green, Jose Quintero Lab Theatre, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and Blaffer Art Museum. Striving for meaningful connection, equality, and positive change is an important part of her collaborative practices. 

Mia Pham majored in Management Information Systems and minored in English and Dance. She studied rigorously under a number of ballet masters such as Robert Underwood, Catrina Steele, and Daymel Sanchez. Pham has performed in many ballet productions such as "The Nutcracker," "Le Sylphides," and "Raymonda." She began training in modern dance at the University of Houston as a dance minor. There she performed in numerous shows such as "Emerging Choreogrphers Showcase," "Ensemble Dance Works," "UH Goes to the MATCH," "Barnstorm Dance Festival," the Gala at the American College Dance Association, "Dancescape 2020," as well as many other projects in the Houston area. Recently, she has worked with Pilot Dance Project, Psophonia Dance Company, Karen Stokes Dance, and 6 Degrees.

Carlos Perez is a professional dancer and aerialist based in Houston Texas. Perez graduated from the University of Houston with a B.F.A. in Dance and a Minor in Philosophy, and a Masters in Science of Marketing. His choreography has been showcased at Zilkha Hall, “UH Goes to the MATCH” (2017 and 2018), ACDA South-Central Conference 2018, and The Menil Collection. Perez’s dance film, “Sandcrafting,” has been showcased at Barnstorm’s Virtual Dance Festival 2020 and in Suchu Dance’s “Falling Coconuts” (2019). Perez has been a member of 6 Degrees since 2017 and is an active
member of Houston’s aerial community. While he’s not dancing, Perez currently works as a sales and marketing specialist for a Texas family law firm.

Academic dance educator, Travis Prokop, currently serves as Assistant Professor of Dance for the University of Houston school of Theater and Dance. Professor Prokop has also served as faculty member for Lamar University (tenured), Sam Houston State University and Southern Methodist University.

You may have seen Travis’ choreographic works produced locally for the Houston Health Museum: Body as a Work of Art, NobleMotion2, JUXTAPOSE: Arts Collective, Barnstorm Dance Festival and Houston Contemporary 2.

Travis’ choreography has been showcased regionally for the south-central American College Dance Association and nationally for The Dance Gallery Festival New York. Professor Prokop has also been commissioned by West Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin University, and Grand Canyon University to serve as a guest artist and choreograph work. Stage choreography credits include CHICAGO: The Musical (Lone Star Montgomery)and Trojan Women (Sam Houston State University). 

As a performer, Travis Prokop has danced with numerous companies in the Houston, TX area including Hope Stone Dance, Chapman Dance, Noble Motion Dance, LEON: Contemporary Dance and 6 Degrees Dance. Travis has also acted as soloist for Lone Star Ballet (Amarillo, TX) as well as served as dance captain for TEXAS: The Outdoor Musical (Canyon, TX). Travis has performed nationally in the New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. areas and co to yes to serve the Houston dance community. 

Michelle Reyes is a Houston based dancer and choreographer who has been dancing for 14 years and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Reyes’s training is focused in modern dance techniques, but she also has a passion for tap. She is currently a company
member of 6 Degrees, Karen Stokes Dance, and Young Audiences Touring Company and has danced for several independent choreographers in
Houston. Reyes has presented original works in shows including “Emerging Choreographers Showcase,” “UH Goes to the MATCH,” American College Dance Association South-Central Conference 2018, National University of Costa Rica’s Festival de Danza 2017, and “Mind the Gap.” In 2020, she started her aerial training and performance journey and trains in silks, lyra, and, her favorite, the trapeze.

Davis Stumberg graduated from the University of North Texas with his B.A. in Dance in 2014. His areas of specialty include modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, aerial arts, and acrobatics. Davis’ teaching style is one of a kind, energetic and uplifting, and he often incorporates elements of balance, strength, and flexibility into his teaching method. Aside from his dance training he was
a collegiate and competitive cheerleader and has taught gymnastics and cheerleading for many years. He performed professionally with Open Dance Project as a company member for five years. He has been a guest artist for Noble
Motion and performed in the Houston Grand Opera’s productions “Rusalka” and “Faust.” He has performed with FRAME Dance, Frenetic Dance, 6 Degrees, Chapman Dance, John Beasant III, and also works for J&D entertainment. He performs frequently at various venues locally and nationally.

Nick T. Vegan has been involved in the Houston burlesque and circus scene for over 5 years. He frequently collaborates with Dem Damn Dames and Kiki Maroon. He has performed in festivals around the country and was named a sideshow innovator at the 2018 Southern Sideshow Hootenanny. He has been referred to as the loudest man in burlesque.  Nick brought his voice to "Never Again" in 2018 and is happy to return with 6 Degrees for "POP DEMO."