MADELINE BADGETT, a Charlotte native, graduated from SUNY Purchase College in 2022 with a BFA in Dance. While at Purchase, she performed works by Annie Rigney, Hannah Gardner, Doug Varone, and others. Since graduating, Madeline has been freelancing in Charlotte and across the U.S., performing works by Eric Mullis and Renay Aumiller. In 2023, she began performing with Stewart/Owen Dance, and this marks her second appearance in Motive Forces.
KADEY BALLARD is a Charlotte-based psych-folk singer-songwriter and performing artist. Influenced by time spent in the Appalachians, Ballard’s music is a mountain hymnal full of ghosts, conjured by humming acoustic-electric soundscapes, weaving strings, and ethereal, bewitching vocals. She is QCNerve’s 2022 Critic’s Pick for Best Singer Songwriter and 2023 for Best Country/Folk/Americana.
AMIL BROTHERS was born and raised in Charlotte North Carolina, where she began her dance training. She graduated from Point Park University with her BFA in Dance and a Master's degree in education. She's had the opportunity to perform works by Twyla Tharp, Norbert De La Cruz III, Martha Graham, and Robyn Mineko Williams to name a few. She is currently in the field of education, teaching students both academically and artistically.
LUKE CSORDAS studied at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance where he trained with role models such as William Forsythe, Jermaine Spivey, Bret Easterling, and Jodie Gates. While studying to receive his BFA in Dance, Luke also focused on Cinematic Arts at USC’s SCA. He currently dances for the Charlotte Ballet.
JOY DAVIS is a dance artist, educator, and mother. She is a Senior Countertechnique® Teacher, holds an MFA in Choreography & Performance from Smith College, and currently teaches at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Davidson College. Joy collaborates with Alexander Davis as The Davis Sisters, and has presented work at Goodyear Arts, New Dialect, Fact/SF, American Dance Festival, Boston Center for the Arts, and elsewhere. Joy has collaborated with Eric since 2018.
ERIC MULLIS is a dance artist / scholar whose work centers on interdisciplinary research and collaboration. He has an MFA in Choreography & Performance from UWM Milwaukee and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of South Carolina. His work has been presented at the N.C. Dance Festival, Richmond Dance Festival, Breaking Ground Festival, Fact S/F Dance Festival, UrBANGUILD, Kyoto and elsewhere.
TAYLOR RAILTON, born and raised in Bermuda, is a freelance dancer and collaborator based in Charlotte,NC. Taylor is an alumni of SUNY Purchase College Dance, London Contemporary Dance School, University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ high school program, and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. While studying, she performed works by Ohad Naharin, Tom Weinberger, Ana Maria Lucaciu, and Kyle Abraham. Since graduating, Taylor has performed with Stewart/Owen Dance, Caroline Calouche & Co. , UANA Dans, and Eric Mullis Projects.