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THE BEGINNING:

Marisa Dolan Garland started dancing in Jacksonville, Florida training in ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Her love for the arts led her to pursue a BFA in dance and a BFA in graphic design at Jacksonville University. During this time, Marisa was a part of A Rhythm Nation, a contemporary & hip-hop dance company, under the direction of Kavin Grant, and performed in many local performances. 

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NYC: 

Marisa attended Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City and got to work with Gelsey Kirkland herself. She was then accepted to the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program. During this elite program, Marisa trained with renowned instructors, (such as Ellenore Scott, Kelly Peters, Derek Mitchell, Michelle Barber, Dorit Koppel, Carlos Garland, Cat Cogliandro, Sheila Barker, & more), performed original works from prestigious choreographers, and was awarded many professional opportunities such as performing on Good Morning America and at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Marisa had the pleasure to dance with the Broadway cast of Spiderman: Turn off the Dark in their final Gypsy of the Year performance in the Minskoff Theatre. She was also a part of JT Lotus Modern Dance Company and performed in many shows and performances throughout New York and surrounding areas. 

 

ORLANDO:

Marisa then had opportunities to dance at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando in a variety of shows. At Universal, she had the pleasure of opening “Marilyn Monroe and the Diamond Bellas” as a Diamond Bella dancer and also danced in the many parades and holiday offerings, including the Macy’s parade as a Rockette-style dancer. At Walt Disney World, Marisa performed as an Actors Equity dancer in the show "Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage", an iconic stage show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Additionally, she has danced with a multitude of production companies for many gigs, events, and shows.

 

CURRENTLY:

Marisa continues to work as a freelance dancer, performing with multiple production companies and gigs. She is currently based in Florida and New York City.

 

TEACHING/CHOREOGRAPHY:

Marisa is avid in sharing her knowledge and passion with young dancers through teaching dance. She travels all around the southeast region to teach workshops and masterclasses, adjudicate and teach at competitions and conventions, choreograph routines, and work one-on-one through private lessons. Marisa is also the co-creator and Artistic Director of the Dancelook Apprentice Program, a program designed to train and help young dancers transition into a professional career. Learn more here. 

 

DANCELOOK:

Marisa is the co-director of Dancelook with her husband, Carlos Garland. Dancelook is a performing art production company specializing in media film creation, live show entertainment, education and training, that emphasizes the art, sport, and culture of dance. She has produced, directed, and choreographed a multitude of shows, performances, and film productions with Dancelook. Learn more here.

 

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT:

Marisa is also the co-director of For Your Entertainment Productions, specializing in show creation/production and custom entertainment. She helped produce and create the show "The Grand Revue", a successful cabaret soiree in the Florida area. Learn more here.

 

FILM:

In addition to dance, Marisa has studied acting, film production, TV production, videography, photography, graphic design, art, and music. In acting, she has trained with Broadway Dance Center, Theatre Jacksonville, and Players by the Sea, as well as at her educational schools growing up. She has been in multiple plays and musicals throughout her upbringing, including participating in the International Thespian Society. Marisa has trained in videography, photography, and multimedia editing at her schools, as well as being accepted into the graphic design program at Jacksonville University. Marisa is very excited to have found a way to integrate her different interests into one company - Dancelook - providing excellent dance and acting training to young dancers, creating unique and intricate choreography, and using her production skills to direct, produce, edit, and sometimes film, dance concept videos. She also has her own photography/videography business photographing dance, headshots, creating/filming dance reels, as well as family, lifestyle, and engagement photography. Watch productions here.