Kalista Roling is a dancer, model, and choreographer, originating from Chicago, IL and currently based in Milwaukee, WI. In May of 2023, Kalista will graduate with a BFA in Dance Choreography and Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, after previously obtaining a degree from Joliet Junior College. Kalista began her choreographic journey in musical theater, choreographing for high schools and community theaters in the Chicagoland area, before transitioning into freelance choreography for local studios and independent soloists. Interested in exploring concepts of philosophy, consciousness, and human connection (and how these concepts relate to movement,) Kalista has now produced a number of contemporary choreographic works throughout the Chicagoland and Milwaukee, WI areas, such as “Are you coming upstairs?” which was recently recognize in ACDA’s 2023 North-Central Conference Gala. In addition to her choreographic work, Kalista travels with FLY National Dance Competition as a judge and backstage manager and tours with Activate Your Artistry Dance Convention as a faculty assistant. Kalista also models for ClickCon photography convention, in addition to teaching classes for other dance models. With accessibility to dance education being a primary focus of Kalista’s work in the community, teaching is a very important part of her artistic identity and she continues to teach contemporary, tap, jazz, heels, and improvisation in the Milwaukee and Chicago suburbs. Kalista also engages in a Support for Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) internship under Maria Gillespie, teaching dance to incarcerated youth in the Milwaukee area, having previously interned under Daniel Burkholder, exploring dance creation for Virtual Reality (VR) environments.