6 Degrees Members
Shelby Craze is a Houston based artist whose interdisciplinary practice centers around movement-based performance and sculpture. Craze has extensively studied classical ballet and contemporary techniques which inform her own improvisational practice. In her high school years, she trained at Vitacca Dance Project under the guidance of Kelly Ann Vitacca and Phillip Broomhead, former principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. She has attended intensives at American Ballet Theater, Princess Grace Academy in Monaco, and Boston Ballet, training under artists including Gioia Masala, Lia Cirio, and Michele Gifford. After graduating high school, Craze went on to train at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Modern Ballet program, training under Scottish Ballet faculty including Louisa Ross, Diana Loosmore, and Jamiel Laurence. After returning to Houston in 2019, her artistic practice took a turn as she decided to focus on sculpture and performance art. She began her studies at the University of Houston under the guidance of Jillian Conrad and Paul Kittelson. During her time at UH, Craze has had the opportunity to show her work at venues including the Blaffer Art Museum, Elgin Street Studios, and the Orange Show. Her innate desire to transform used and discarded things into new ideas has been invaluable in her transition from a strictly dance career to one more engulfed in art in its entirety. She looks forward to graduating with her BFA in Sculpture in Spring 2025.
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.
Verónica Ordóñez is a Houston-based dancer, aerial artist, yoga teacher, and wellness professional. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Verónica and her family emigrated to the U.S. in 2003. She began her movement training in artistic gymnastics at age 7 in Cypress, Texas, eventually switching over to dance at age 14. Throughout high school, she trained in ballet and contemporary at Steppin’ Time Performing Arts Center. Verónica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and her Minor in Dance from the University of Houston in 2021. During her time at UH, Verónica performed in multiple Emerging Choreographers Showcases and Ensemble Dance Works, including onstage at Zilkha Hall in Houston. She also completed her Senior Honors Thesis entitled Narrative & the Brain: Using Fiction and Dance to Cope with Crisis, successfully blending research in both of her academic fields, English and Dance. Verónica’s additional training includes the Gibney Dance Center Summer Study Program in New York City, modern dance at Hunter Dance Center, and trapeze at Cai Circus in Houston. This is her first year with 6 Degrees. She works as a LifePower Yoga Teacher and Kids Master Instructor at Life Time Cypress, where she resides with her family.
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.
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.
Talia Saulsberry is a second-year undergraduate in the Acting and Dance programs at the University of Houston. While new to Houston, Talia is delighted to be allowed to indulge in UH’s phenomenal program and company. Talia has trained in stage theatre for over 8 years and has trained for 5 years in the styles of contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop dance. She has worked in over 20 productions including Frankenstein, Moon over Buffalo, and Guys and Dolls, as leads and ensemble members alike. On top of acting, Talia has choreographed and assistant choreographed musicals in multiple school districts such as Mean Girls and Guys and Dolls. Talia has the honor to be a part of UH’s Pre-Professional Dance Ensemble. Through said Ensemble, Talia has been seen at Ensemble Dance Works, the Emerging Choreographers Showcase, Bryonn Bain's Lyrics from Lockdown, and the American College Dance Association 2024 Regional Conference. She would love to continue engaging audiences with her movement and storytelling for years to come! Finally, she sends her utmost appreciation to anyone who has lifted and supported her.
Print 