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Ballet Academy East

Accompanists

Brian Adler
Michael Cherry
Joe Cross
Miles Fusco
Whitney Gardner
Barbara Gayny
Mikhail Golubitskiy
Ludmilla Halfen
Joyce Hitchcock
Benjamin Houghton
Colleen Jones
Tomoko Kawaguchi
Rich Klessig
Sofiya Leavsie
Eleonora Marder
Joan Matthews
Lali Mirry
Michael Nosal
Miho Nozowa
Jonathon Rich
Marybeth Roberts
Doug Schultz
Roseanne Soifer
Kevin Sport
Helena Zvereva

BAE Faculty Biographies

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Nicholas Ade
Guest Faculty, Pre-Professional Division
danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet, 1996-2006 under Francia Russell and Peter Boal; in 2006, was named Principal of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Francia Russell Center under Artistic Director Peter Boal; has served as host of PNB's Eyes on Dance and Discover Dance outreach performances; has been Project Coordinator for PNB's Choreographers' Showcase since 2005.

Milan Agnew
Young Children's Division

BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, 2010; Performer with Carol Fonda & Company. Certified body conditioning instructor, BodiBalance™


Wendy Amos
Body Conditioning
Teaches Body Conditioning based on the principles of Joseph Pilates; MA, Teachers College, Columbia University; former student and company apprentice, Dance Theatre of Harlem; faculty, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center since 1977; faculty, Anatomy and Kinesiology, Marymount Manhattan College since 1997; faculty, BAE since 1996.

Susan Antonaccio
Young Children's Division
Young Children's Division
BFA in Dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. While at Rutgers she worked with choreographers Randy James, John Evans, and Paulette Sears; danced with Randy James Dance Works. BAE faculty since 2005. 

Shirley Bassat
Open Ballet and Tap Classes
Studied with Vickie Sheer, Harry Asmus, Barbara Fallis, Richard Thomas and Dick Andros. She danced with Elena del Cueto, Dover Ballet, and U.S. Terpsichore. Taught at New York School of Ballet, Harkness Dance Center, Bronx House Music School, BOCES in Syocset, Usdan. Currently teaching at 92nd St. Y. BAE since 1989.

Cynthia Birdwell
Graded Level Ballet Division
Graduated, from the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts, Houston; studied at the School of American Ballet, New York; former member, Greater Houston Civic Ballet Company; faculty, BAE since 1998.

Jessica Bracey
Young Children's Division


Florentina Bradisteanu
Open Ballet Classes
Born and educated in Romania; MA in dance; soloist and eventually ballet mistress for Fantasio Ballet Company for 12 years in Romania; became U.S. resident in 1992, where she teaches Russian and French techniques; faculty, BAE since 1999.

Stacy Caddell
Graded Level Ballet Division
Former soloist, New York City Balllet; former member, Twyla Tharp and Dancers; was dance supervisor for Broadway production of Movin' Out, faculty, BAE since 2000.

Edmée Cherdieu
Zumba

Certified Zumba instructor; originally from the French island of Guadeloupe; comes from a dance background which includes intensive ballet and modern training; became more involved with the Fitness industry during the last 10 years; currently teaches various classes throughout New York City; new to BAE.


Courtney Conner
Young Children's Division, Primary, Pilates
BFA, NYU Tisch School of the Arts; danced with Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre Workshop; performed in national tour, Seseme Street Live!; member, Dances Patrelle; faculty, BAE since 1992.

Hannahmarie Corbin
Young Children's Division

Hannah Marie Corbin: trained at ABT, Ballet Austin and the Ailey School; Acting training from Michael Howard Studios; NY aeriel artist; member of Danscores; BAE since 2007.


Allegra Coreyell
Young Children's Division

Began training at Stamford City Ballet at age 5; attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in high school as a ballet major; summer intensives include Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Miami City Ballet; graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor's Degree in Art History in 2010; new to BAE.


Melanie Cortier
Young Children's Division, Open Ballet Classes
From South Bend, IN; graduate cum laude with BFA in Dance, Marymount Manhattan College; has danced throughout US and abroad for several companies and choreographers including Lydia Johnson Dance, Dances Patrelle, Stamford Ballet and Gen Horiuchi; dance captain, opening ceremonies of '98 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan; Featured in Michael Mao's world premiere of The Firecracker; appeared as a dancer in independent feature length film, Homework, directed by Kevin Astor-Green; choreographer and/or costume designer, BMuse Inc./Kate Thomas Contemporary Ballet, Phoenix Productions (Evita), The Puppeteer Cooperative (Carmen) and Marymount Manhattan College. Artistic Director, Eidolon Ballet in Concert; faculty, BAE since 1993.

Valerie Cortier
Young Children's Division

Originally from South Bend, Indiana, began studies at Flint's Dance Studio,studied at the Joffery Ballet Summer School; recieved a BFA in dance from Webster University;has performed with several companies including:The Puppeteers Cooperative (Odzilla Godzilla), Eidolon Ballet in concert, The Jennifer Medina Dance Co., The Webster Dance Theatre, and The Chicago Moving Co.;Company Manager for Eidolon Ballet in concert; faculty BAE since 2004


Danielle Cortier
Young Children's Division

BA in Dance and Dance Education, Ball State University; performed with Common Thread Dance Company, Puppeteers Cooperative, “Big City Blues”; currently with Mariana Bekerman Dance Company; rehearsal director, Eidolon Ballet; BAE since 2008.


Melissa Crossley
Young Children's Division

Ballet training at Kozlov Ballet Academy; BBA in fashion merchandising from LIM College; new to BAE.


Nicole Dalia
Young Children's Division

BFA in Dance, The Boston Conservatory; performed with Elisa Monte Dance and The boston Conservatory Dance Theater.


Jennifer Damsky
Pilates

Trained School of American Ballet; danced with Los Angeles Ballet and Ballet Internacial de Caracas; certified Pilates instructor; BAE since 2004.


Jennifer Davidson
Young Children's Division

BA student, Pace University; former member, junior company, New Jersey Ballet; trained Ballet Academy East Graded Level Ballet Division.


Julia Dubno
Director
The founder and director of Ballet Academy East, began her ballet studies at the age of eight with Edwina Fontaine, later studied with Francis Patrelle, Dick Andros and Richard Thomas and subsequently attended the Juilliard School where she studied with Hector Zaraspe and Afredo Corvino as well as other noted teachers. Early in her studies at Juilliard she realized her true interest was in teaching and administration. In 1978, she was asked by her mentor, Christine Fokine, to run the Fokine Ballet School. That experience led to opening Ballet Academy East in a brownstone on East 79th Street with one small studio in 1979. Today the school has five spacious studios and a world-renowned faculty and continues to flourish. As director of the school, Julia Dubno continues to oversee the day-to-day operations and is in close contact with the faculty in order to be kept abreast of all areas of the school.

Maureen Duke
Young Children's Division

BFA in Dance Performance, University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance; has performed with Eidolon Ballet, Omaha Theater Ballet, St. Louis Ballet, Les Grande Canadian Ballet, and Fort Wayne Ballet, as well as guest artist with the Omaha and Kansas City Symphonies; new to BAE.


Laura Dunn
Young Children's Division, Primary

Trained at Academy of Ballet Arts; studied with The Washington School of Ballet and American Ballet Theatre; BA, New York University; BAE since 2008.


Olga Dvorovenko
Graded Level Ballet and Open Ballet Classes
Former principal dancer and ballet mistress, Ukrainian State Academic Dance Ensemble; faculty, American Ballet Theater Studio Company; in 2002, was invited by ABT to dance the role of 'Madame' in Antony Tudor's Offenbach in the Underworld; faculty, BAE since 1998.

Peter Frame
Senior Faculty Member of Graded Level Ballet Division
Joined New York City Ballet in 1976; was promoted to soloist in 1981; principal dancer, 19871990; co-creator of the New York City Ballet Workout and the New York City Ballet Workout Book; teaches injury prevention to male dancers at School of American Ballet; faculty, BAE since 1999.

Tiana Fridley
Young Children's Division

Originally from Las Vegas NV; Dance Major at Marymount Manhattan  College, BFA- May 2011; new to BAE.


Pia Fulchgoni
Pilates
received her Pilates certification while attending NYU, studying with Romana Kryzanowska; continued her education by receiving various other certifications including one from the American College of Sports Medicine; obtained a BA in liberal arts with a minor in theater from Rollins College; faculty, BAE since 2003.

Ariella Goldberg
Young Children's Division, Primary
Studied at Princeton Ballet and Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College; faculty BAE since 2003

Leah Gray-Mitchell
Young Children's Division and Drama
Attended High School for Performing Arts as a music major; BFA, SUNY Purchase; numerous theater and independent film credits; songwriter and performer for comedy band, Two Chicks and a Casio; former faculty, 92nd Street Y and the Hobby House program at Bamford Nightingale; faculty, BAE since 1994.

Della Hasselle
Young Children's Division
BFA in dance, Alvin Ailey /Fordham University; intern and contributing writer, Dance Magazine; company member, High Frequency Wavelegths Dance Company.

Mindy Haywood
Graded level Ballet Division, Modern, Horton Style
Toured, Broadway/Equity productions including Metropolitan Opera's Romeo and Juliet, Stomp!, Aida and Chicago; performed, Jubilation! Dance Company; TV credits include HBO's Stomp! and The Academy Awards; choreographed/performed, Cebit-Arcor Telecommunications industrials (Germany), The Clocko Story Tellers (Japan) and others.

Alan Hineline
Guest Faculty, Graded Level Ballet Division
Resident choreographer and faculty, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet; has choreographed works for numerous companies including Pennsylvania Ballet, American Ballet Theatre II and Sacramento Ballet; received the 1999 Choo San Goh Award for Choreography; director of choreography for RDA Choreographic Conference in 1999 and 2000; artist-in-residence and faculty, Utah Regional Ballet; faculty, BAE since 1991.

Darla Hoover
Associate Artistic Director and Coordinator of the Graded Level Ballet Syllabus
Repetiteur, George Balanchine Trust and Peter Martins; former member, New York City Ballet; Associate Artistic Director, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet; develops the syllabus for the BAE Graded Level Ballet Division; oversees Graded Level Program and is available to meet with parents and students to discuss issues affecting their ballet training; faculty, BAE since 1995.

Lisa Innacito
Pilates


Lindsey Kelley
Young Children's Division

BFA in Dance, University of South Florida; performs with Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Steps Repertory Ensemble and Michyo and Dancers; BAE since 2008.


Anne Kelly
Young Children's Division, Primary
Graduated Magna Cum Laud from Barnard College of Columbia University with a BA in English and Dance.Trained at the School of American Ballet. BAE faculty since 2004.

Erin King
Open Pilates Classes

Trained, Marin Ballet and David Howard Dance Center; Soloist, Ballet for Young Audiences and Catskill Ballet Theatre; certified Pilates instructor; faculty, BAE since 1996.


Charles King
Pilates
trained in modern dance at SUNY Potsdam and in ballet at the School for the Albany Berkshire Ballet;  principal dancer, Albany Berkshire Ballet, Ballet for Young Audiences and Eidolon Ballet in Concert;  certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor; BAE, since 2003.

Yuki Kittaka
Young Children's Division
BFA and MFA, Tisch School of the Arts at New York University; performed with Ei Kasahara Ballet Company and Chubu Festival Ballet Company in Japan; faculty, BAE since 1998.

Jenna Lavin
Graded Level Ballet Division
Originally from New York, Ms. Lavin trained with Madame Darvash and later graduated from the School of American Ballet. She has performed with a number of companies including Miami City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet and Chicago City Ballet: faculty, BAE since 2003.

Roni Mahler
Open Ballet Classes

former member, American Ballet Theatre; also danced with the National Ballet of Washington and Austraila’s Sydney Festival Ballet among others; artistic associate, Ballet San Jose; former director of dance, Kansas State University; recipient of the 2003 President’s Award from the Dance Masters of America.


Joseph Malbrough
Faculty, Graded Level Ballet Division
former principal dancer, Chicago City Ballet, Ballet Chicago and L'Opera de Lausanne; performed with Makarova and Company, Pennsylvania Ballet and Fort Worth Ballet; former ballet master and teacher, Jeunne Ballet, Lausanne, Switzerland, BAE since 2005.

Mickela Mallozzi

Mickela Mallozzi, an adopted New Yorker for almost 10 years, has danced for over 20 years in the tri-state area.  She was trained under Dieter Riesle at The Ballet School of Stamford and JoAnn Lorusso at Center Stage Dance Studio in Connecticut. Mickela started training with Sarina Jain and The Masala Bhangra Workout® in 2005 where she is now one of Sarina’s Master Instructors. Mickela graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Music. She has been teaching various types of dance and The Masala Bhangra Workout® for adults and children throughout New York City and Connecticut ever since. Mickela has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, NBC’s The Today Show, TBS’s Movie And A Makeover, ABC News Today, NBC, CBS, CW11, Fox and more!  She has always had a passion for all types of dance – her main objective is to share that passion with her student and to see her students progress as dancers and performers in their own right

Xavier Marzan
Zumba

Certified Zumba instructor; ballroom expert specializing in cha cha and rumba; ballet  training with Julian E. Blanco of Classical Ballet in Santurce, Puerto Rico and SAB; danced professionally with Ballet Classico, Ballet de San Juan, Puerto Rico, among others; New to BAE.


Stephanie Mas
Young Children's Division

Originally from Miami, Florida; BA in Dance from Point Park College; performed extensively with the Conservatory Dance Company; currently signed with dance agency, McDonald/Selznick Associates; new to BAE


Caitlin Maxwell
Young Children's Division, Primary

BFA student, Marymount Manhattan College; trained Cleveland City Dance Academy; former Dance Educators of America, Miss Dance America; BAE since 2005.


Meaghan Maxwell
Young Children's Division

BFA in dance, Ohio State; BAE since 2008.


Kathy McGowan
Yoga
Is a BFA graduate of SUNY Purchase. She has toured nationally and internationally with Battery Dance, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, and Rod Rodgers Dance Company, as well as performing her own choreography in NYC. She has taught modern dance at Long Island University and SUNY Purchase. Ms. McGowan has taught yoga for dancers in Poland and Hungary in addition to her classes at BAE. Currently, she dances with Sarah Skaggs Dance and studies yoga with Shri Dharma Mittra; faculty, BAE since 2001.

Claire McKeveny

Young Childrens' Division
graduate Marymount Manhattan College; reciepant of the Gold Key for Outstanding Ballet Performance; performed with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal,Gleichdances, and Ballet Deviare;faculty BAE since 2003

Emily Naim
Zumba

Certified Zumba instructor; BA in Dance from Long Island University, Brooklyn NY; fitness professional and personal trainer in gyms throughout New York City; new to BAE.


Christina Neil
Young Children's Division and Primary

BFA, MFA in ballet, University of Utah; dances with Eidolon Ballet in Concert; BAE since 2006.


Don Paradise
Open Ballet Classes
Trained with Mme Maria Swaboda, Leon Danielion and Anotole Vilzak at the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo; former principal member PACT Ballet in South Africa; worked with Roland Petit, Françoise Adret and Frank Staff; former member Ruth Page International Ballet; faculty, BAE since 1989.

Francis Patrelle
Resident Choreographer and Artistic Director of Choreographic Development, Graded Level Ballet and Open Ballet Classes
Artistic Director, Dances Patrelle; BFA, The Juilliard School; former resident choreographer, Berkshire Ballet; faculty, Manhattan School of Music; former chairman of dance division, USDAN Center for the Creative and Performing Arts; has choreographed on such illustrious dancers as Cynthia Gregory, Merrill Ashley, Judith Fugate, Lourdes Lopez, Jennifer Ringer, John Meehan, Donald Williams, Peter Boal and Jock Soto; As resident choreographer Mr. Patrelle enables the students to have a hands-on relationship with a nationally known choreographer; Mr. Patrelle guides and encourages the development of young choreographers from within the school; faculty, BAE since 1979.

Sal Pernice
Open Jazz Classes
Graduated from the High School of the Performing Arts, went on to tour in West Side Story, Hello Dolly, Mame, and Hellzapoppin '67. Sal has also performed in nine Broadway shows including Baker Street, Dear World, with Angela Lansbury, and The Apple Tree with Alan Alda. He currently teaches jazz at the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, CT as well as the Harkness Dance Center and BAE; faculty, BAE since 1996.

Sabra Perry
Young Children's Division, Primary, Pilates
Trained at Canada's National Ballet School; former member, National Ballet of Canada and Merce Cunningham's Repertory Understudy Group; member of Complexions; principle dancer, Dances Patrelle; faculty, BAE since 1995.

Elizabeth Portnoy
Young Children's Division


Jonathan Riseling
Graded Level Ballet Division, Modern, Horton Style
Former member, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; former Assistant Rehearsal Director and dancer, The Jamison Project; performed with Lar Lubavitch, Joyce Trisler, Francis Patrelle, among others; Assistant Rehearsal Director for the Broadway Workshop, Down To Earth; appeared on Broadway in The Red Shoes; has taught at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, STEPS On Broadway, Danspace, in New York and Central Pennsylvania Ballet school in Carlisle, PA; faculty, BAE since 1997.

Melissa Rodnon
Young Children's Division and Open Ballet Classes
 Has performed with Jody Sperling, Memento Dance Company and Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends; administrator, children's rehearsal director and performer, Dances Patrelle; originated role of Mother Ginger in Dances Patrelle's Yorkville Nutcracker and principal modern dancer in Romeo and Juliet; Co-founder and director of the Williamsburg Art Nexus (WAX), a multidisciplinary arts facility in Brooklyn; faculty, BAE since 1993.

Angelina Salama
Yoga

Yoga certifications from YogaEffects and Karma Kids Yoga. Yoga practice is vinyasa based, with an emphasis on alignment, breath and fluid transition. Ballet training with Dick Andros, Shirley Bassatt, Julia Dubno. Performed with several  choreographers, including Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater and currently Marian Hyun/JCE.  Also trained and performed flamenco dance with Jose Greco and Victoria Lopez.


Jane Sato
Yoga


Kathleen Smith
Pilates

Renee Smith
Pilates
Began her dance training with Linda Radomile and in the Brandywine Ballet Co; BFA cum laude in dance and business, Marymount Manhatten College; trained at the Joffrey School and on a merit scholarship at the Merce Cunningham School; After performing with various modern dance companies Renee was certified by Power Pilates in '05 and is happy to share her love of pilates.

Ashley Talluto
Young Children's Division, Primary

BFA, Boston Conservatory, trained, Boston Ballet School; performed with Ballet for Young Audiences, Inclined Dance Project, Boston Ballet, Boston Conservatory Dance Theater, and BalletRox; BAE since 2008.


Ginger Thatcher
Open Ballet Classes

created works for Oregon Ballet Theatre, Louisville Ballet, Sarasota Ballet (Triple circle Chor. Award) and others; broadway credits as assoc ass’t/resident choreographer include The Red Shoes, Carousel, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Oklahoma!, A Year with Frog and Toad. Other credits include San Francisco Ballet, The Red Shoes, ABT, National Ballet of Canada; faculty, BAE since 2002.


Becka Vargus
Young Children's Division
Graduated with honors, Brown University; performed with Jolea Maffei, Joanne Tucker and Martita Goshen's Earthworks; toured and performed across America and India with Taylor 2; currently studies at the Paul Taylor School; faculty, BAE since 1997.

Angel Vasquez
Yoga


Julie Voshell
Open Ballet Classes

Julie has trained at North Carolina School of the Arts, Pennsylvania ballet school, Joffrey ballet school,  among others. She teaches a ballet class based on alignment, strength, and fluidity. Her performing credits include National tours of both Movin' Out and SWING!  Companies include Dances Patrelle, Donald Byrd/The Group, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Manhattan Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theatre.   


Elizabeth Walker
Faculty, Graded Level Ballet Division

Trained, School of American Ballet; scholarship recipient, Princess Grace Foundation - USA, 1988; named an apprentice with New York City Ballet, 1990; member, New York City Ballet since 1991; School of American Ballet, permanent faculty member, 2001-2007; BAE since 2007.


Elizabeth Walsh
Young Children's Division, Primary

Student at Hunter College; graduated from New World School of the Arts, Miami FL; fellowship student, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; BAE since 2007.


Annemarie Waltz
Young Children's Division and Primary
BFA in dance from The Juilliard School: performed with the Eglevsky Ballet Company; faculty, BAE since 2000

Bethany White
Young Children's Division

Graduated from AMDA in NYC; trained at Myra Mier School of Ballet; studied with the Kirov Academy and ABT; performed with Jefferson Ballet Theatre; BAE since 2007.


Sandra Wilson
Young Children's Division

Trained at Princeton Ballet School and Liverpool School of Dance; MFA candidate in Acting, Actors Studio Drama School; BM in Music Education and Music Theater, Westminster Choir College; new to BAE.


Maegan Woodin
Young Children's Division

Student at Fordham University; trained, Lebanon Ballet School, Lebanon NH; performed with Ballet for Young Audiences, current member of Naganuma Dance; BAE since 2007.


Rebecca Woods
Young Children's Division and Open Yoga Classes
 Bachelors Degrees in both Dance and Communication, Marymount Manhattan College; member, LKB Dance and Chalasa; faculty, BAE since 2000.

Cheryl Yeager
Senior Faculty, Graded Level Ballet Division
Joined American Ballet Theatre, 1976; was promoted to soloist in 1981 and principal in 1986; toured extensively with Baryshnikov and Company and Nureyev and Friends; guest artist throughout the world, most notably in Japan and Argentina with Julio Bocca; faculty, ABT Summer Program; faculty, BAE since 2002.

Lorna Zawacki
Open Ballet Classes
Received her training at School of American Ballet; performed with Radio City Music Hall, Philadelphia Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Bridgeport Ballet and New Haven Ballet; directed the Zawacki Dance Center and Zawacki Ballet in Great Neck, New York for eighteen years; adjunct professor at Long Island University, C.W. Post; faculty, BAE since 1998.


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