Madeline Dembowski (she/her) is an MFA Dance candidate at the University at Buffalo, having earned her BS in Dance Studies and Communications Science & Disorders, cum laude, from Nazareth University in 2024.
With over five years of experience, Madeline has dedicated herself to teaching dance at local studios in Massachusetts and Rochester, NY, where she nurtures students of all ages and skill levels. Her choreography draws deeply from the human experience, crafting pieces that evoke a wide range of emotional responses—from poignant and somber themes to lighthearted and comedic narratives. As a performer, she is recognized for her innovative use of bodily and facial expression, utilizing somatic approaches to push artistic boundaries.
Madeline's professional experience includes performances in Yoshito Sakuraba’s Secrets Fall and Gallim’s Bruce for Nazareth University’s Spring Dance Concert. She has also participated in multiple faculty and student productions at the university, as well as in the Rochester Fringe Festival, where she performed in Heather Roffe’s Human Resources. In December 2022, she attended a week-long winter intensive with the José Limón Dance Company in New York City. Most recently, following her graduation, she participated in an immersive dance-theater production directed by Cat D. Olson and Leah Stacy for Rochester’s 2024 Cocktail Revival. Additionally, she was chosen to perform her self-choreographed solo It’s Not Funny McGee, created in collaboration with her partner Anthony Aparicio, who performed an original cello composition for DancesatMUCCC 2024. In this show, she was also featured in the duet Birds of Different Feathers, choreographed by Mariko Yamada. Madeline has appeared dancing in Rochester Fashion Week, starred in several student dance films, and received awards for her choreography at her teaching studio.
Beyond her dance pursuits, Madeline enjoys modeling for local photographers and participating in Rochester Fashion Week. In her leisure time, she loves to explore nature, visit local coffee shops, and attend yoga classes.