The Company ...
Photo Credit: Alan Farnham
Ray Terrill - Artistic Director, Choreographer and Performer... has been producing, teaching and performing in and around the Twin Cities since relocating in 1994. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, he has extensive experience as a performer, choreographer, teacher, producer and arts program administrator.
He began his professional modern dance experience as company member of Repertory Dancers Northwest until relocating to Portland Oregon to work specifically with David Harrington and Judith Catterall co-artistic directors of the modern dance company Oregon Dance Consort. He eventually achieved the title of co-artistic director with the company and during his tenure with ODC choreographed over 40 original works including several guest artist commissions. In addition, he frequently appeared as guest artist with several well-known modern dance companies in the region.
In 1987 Ray collaborated with Judith Catterall and David Harrington to found the statewide arts service organization, the Dance Coalition of Oregon, serving on its board of directors since inception and then eventually assuming the role of Executive Director from 1991-1994. After relocating to the Twin Cities, Ray was invited to join the Christopher Watson Dance Company where he performed for five seasons while establishing the Ray Terrill Dance Group.
Proficient in classical modern technique he has evolved a distinctive style of his own described by critics as uniquely spiritual and lyrical on the one hand while irreverent and quirky on the other. Inspired by wide-ranging music styles he mines his material to expose the universal human experience frequently exploring complex emotion.
His day job focused on executive producing and designing interactive communications and distance learning solutions. Numerous government, foundation, and corporate funding agencies have generously supported his choreography and his dances have been presented in several Twin Cities venues including the Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum, Art on the Edge Performance Art Series, Dances at the Lake Festival, and numerous Fringe Festivals
Alan Farnham - Percussionist... is a percussion enthusiast, sometime composer, member of Improvstra and frequently plays with the local hand drumming jamming community. Alan is an American Sign language interpreter and often signs for various artists presented by the MN Fringe Festival.
Megan Gibbins - Dancer... grew up in the Twin Cities, training in ballet and performing under the direction of Dixie Rairamo and the Youth Dance Ensemble. In 2002 she received her BPA in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University where she also performed with the American Spirit Dance Company directed by Jo Rowan. Professional credits include: Somewhere in Christmastime (Branson, Missouri) and Jubilee (Bally’s Las Vegas). Locally she has performed with Bedlam Theatre, Heritage Theatre Company and with Ray Terrill Dance Group since 2013. She is currently a stay-at-home Mom to her young daughter and newborn son, and also works part-time in administration for a small waterproofing contractor. Megan would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support.
Paulette Mattson - Dancer... enjoys the arts and has been a dancer most of her life. She received her B.F.A. from UMD-Duluth in 1983 and has been in love with modern dance since. She's been dancing with the RTDG since 2002 and before that she danced with Silver Moon Vintage Dance Ensemble. She is a wife and mother of two wonderful girls and works in pharmaceutical and oncology research. Paulette appreciates her entire family and all her friends for their love and ongoing support. This is Paulette's twelfth season with RTDG.
Sally Murphy - Dancer... grew up in Minneapolis and started taking dance classes for fun at a young age. In 2009, she received a BA double major in Dance and Political Science with a minor in African Studies from Beloit College in Wisconsin. Since moving back to Minnesota, Sally has worked in human services and received a Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Dance has continued to be a part of her life and inspire her to be creative, physical and expressive. She joined Ray Terrill Dance Group in the spring of 2012 and is thankful for the opportunity to learn and be challenged to dance more effectively and dynamically.
Christina Plichta - Dancer... holds her bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University and is Yoga teacher and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. She has performed in numerous Nutcracker Ballets over the years, most recently with St. Paul City Ballet. She has recently appeared with Focus Dance and Wicked Sister Dance Theater. She currently teaches Yoga at several studios and Ballet at White Bear Dance Center and the Blue Lake Dance Project. This is Christina's 7th season with RTDG.