MEMBER, FACULTY ARTIST + CHOREOGRAPHER: Carmelli Maria Hess began her dance training at age 14 in jazz and hip-hop at Xcape Dance Academy. After one year, she auditioned and was accepted into Xcape Dance Academy’s award-winning Hip-hop and Jazz competition Senior teams.  Her team's performances at different venues included the shows of Xcape Dance Company at the Hult Center. That same year, she started Ballet and Pointe at West Valley Dance Studio and the Dance Factory.

Carmelli went on to continue her training at Eugene Ballet Academy, where she had a chance to perform with the Eugene Ballet Youth, attend the EBA Summer Intensive and the Northwest Dance Festival.

Carmelli will be transferring to the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance & School of Journalism and Communication this fall from Lane Community College Dance program, where she studied Group Choreography and Dance Composition, won the Spotlight Award, and was a participant at the Oregon Dance Educators Organization Conference. She hopes to someday obtain a Master’s Degree in Dance, and give back to the community the technique, artistry, and passion her dance teachers instilled in her throughout her training.