our story
BreakingEven believes that dance should be accessible, engaging, and comfortable for everyone, no matter what their age, career, body type, ethnicity, athleticism, or identity might be.
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As a troupe, we deemphasize perfection and precision, instead viewing dance as a means of creative outpouring, personal growth, and a way to deepen our connection to one another.
Our goal is to share our love of dance with our community.
our season
Every BreakingEven performance season is dynamic and collaborative , highlighted by the presentation of one original narrative show, written and choreographed by Founder & Artistic Director, Annmarie Garcia Sheahan. Each narrative performance anchors the company’s creative work for the year. Alongside this production, members of BreakingEven make several guest appearances in other local performances, strengthening artistic partnerships and expanding their presence in the community.
The season also includes an engaging variety show that brings together different performance styles and collaborators, celebrating the breadth of the group’s talents while offering audiences an eclectic experience.
Together, these projects reflect BreakingEven’s commitment to storytelling, community engagement, and creating spaces for creativity,
meet the troupe
Alex Bazan
dancer
Alex has felt a deep connection to the arts since taking their first dance class at age 3. Through BreakingEven, Alex has not only found a creative outlet but also gained a welcoming, compassionate, and inclusive community. Alex is the Co-Owner/Co-CEO of a nonprofit consulting and management firm and is proud to support the people doing good work in our communities. Alex loves spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, acting, weightlifting, and doing all things strange and spooky.
Rebecca Brach
dancer
Rebecca has been performing and creating in some fashion since she was six, but did not begin dancing until late high school when she started tapping and joined Annmarie’s jazz class. She is pursuing her Master’s of Public Archaeology at UNM, and in her spare time loves performing with local community theatre. She cares deeply about storytelling and is an avid reader with a passion for philosophy, horror, and science fiction.
Hayley Davis
understudy
Hayley is a physical therapist with a passion for movement in all its forms. Whether she’s exercising, hiking, camping, or rafting, she loves staying active and exploring the outdoors with her family. Most importantly, she’s a proud mom to her daughter, who inspires her every day. Hayley began dancing as an adult and feels like she’s living a dream as part of this dance troupe, proving it’s never too late to follow your passion.
Paige Gallegos
assistant director
Paige is classically trained in ballet and has taken jazz since she was three. BreakingEven is truly special to Paige because it privileged her to participate in the most compelling performances of her life. Paige owns a plaintiff’s litigation law practice. When not dancing or lawyering, she can be found with her dogs, spending time with her family, reading, playing guitar, or seeking out the dark forces to join them in their hellish crusade.
Annmarie Garcia Sheahan
artistic director
Annmarie is a movement-based artist, educator, and scholar. Though she grew up taking all forms of dance, her strengths–and greatest loves–are jazz and tap. BreakingEven is Annmarie’s true home and the place where she pursues her many passions: teaching, choreographing, writing, dance, literature, and community. In her spare time, Annmarie is an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, specializing in embodied and critical literacies. She is an avid lover of her friends and family, her partner Jesse, her cats, and all things Dark Academia.
Kimberly Gaume
treasurer
Kim has loved music and movement of all types her entire life. While not formally trained in dance growing up, she found kindred spirits in an adult jazz class and has had the privilege to share studio space with them since. Kim received her BS in Hotel Restaurant Tourism Management from NMSU and traveled the country before making Albuquerque her home. When she is not adulting, she is outside in the sunshine finding adventures with her husband and boys.
Shannon Hurley
dancer
Shannon is an almost lifelong New Mexican with a deep love for the performing arts. Though dance was a part of her early life, as an adult Shannon never thought she would find the kind of friendship and community that uniquely define BreakingEven. Professionally, she works in UX and Accessibility, advocating for digital experiences that are inclusive and usable for all. Shannon’s greatest joy is spending quality time with her amazing husband and children.
Sarah Jaeger
dancer
Sarah has been dancing in Albuquerque for decades and passionately teaches all levels of tap dance. She is grateful to create art with BreakingEven and is inspired by each member. Sarah holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and J.D. from UNM Law. As a civil litigation attorney, she compassionately represents injured New Mexicans. Sarah spends her free time with her husband, son, and dogs, Snoop and Iggy.
Natalie Lynam
dancer
Natalie is grateful to be part of BreakingEven, a community that reflects her lifelong love of dance. She grew up training alongside Annmarie, exploring many styles, with jazz and hip-hop her favorites. Outside the studio, Natalie is the managing attorney of a non-profit, providing free legal advice to seniors. She loves spending time with her husband, family, friends, and dogs - and enjoys cheering on the Atlanta Falcons and playing video games.
Sara Mancini
dancer
Sara started dancing at a young age (in her living room). When she found BreakingEven, she found community, training, and an outlet for her love of movement. When she isn’t dancing, she can be found in Old Town with husband and pup where they live, volunteer, and have a small business, “Salsa Saint,” that sells NM-made salsas and chile sauces. They can also be found in the sky flying hot air balloon, Mr. Sprinkles.
Denise Nava
marketing director
Denise has been dancing since she was four and has experience in ballet, jazz, and hip hop. She has been dancing with Annmarie since 2012 and is a founding member of BreakingEven. Denise earned her BA at NMSU and her MPA in HR and Nonprofit Management from UNM. Currently, Denise is the Vice President of Communications & Operations for Albuquerque Community Foundation. Denise also creates for her company, Matchbox Marketing, and when not working, she can be found hanging out with her husband, Drew and daughter Bria.
Kiersten Nord
understudy
Kiersten is a passionate and dedicated dancer with extensive training in ballet and modern technique. She found her love for dance when she was three and has kept it a main focus in her life ever since. When not dancing Kiersten enjoys traveling, reading, and watching spooky movies with her husband.
Cristina Shore
administrative director
Raised in the East Mountains, Cristina’s lifelong devotion to performance spans piano, choir, and many dance forms, from hip hop to flamenco. She enrolled in Annmarie’s jazz class in high school, and the rest is history. While she pursues a Master’s in IT, BreakingEven remains a constant, as her creative home and cherished community. When not dancing (or making spreadsheets), she is most likely baking or with her family and their menagerie of animals.
Jenna Stoff
dancer
Jenna’s journey with dance began years ago at Fishback Studio of the Dance, where she primarily took tap and jazz classes. She discovered Alley Kats Tap Studio & Company in 2017 and an amazing community of dancers she instantly connected with, including long-time company member, Annmarie. She joined BreakingEven in 2022 to continue growing as a dancer. Jenna works as a speech-language pathologist in acute care, specializing in treating adults with cognitive, swallowing, and communication challenges.
Elsie Stott
costume mistress
Elsie Stott is a lifelong New Mexican and passionate performer whose connection to dance began in early childhood. She trained extensively in gymnastics, ballet, and jazz, later expanding her study to include ballroom and tap. A founding member of Breaking Even, she has built a broad performance background in both music and dance. An instrumental music educator by profession, she considers dance central to her artistic identity and is continually inspired by the joy, confidence, musicality, and expressive freedom of movement.