Brianna Lucdancer is a well rounded dancer and choreographer. For 15 years Brianna has been dancing and pursuing her dreams and passion as a professional dancer, excelling in all she sets her mind too. At the age of 17, she was signed with a professional talent agency, also known as "Bloc" in New York City. Brianna’s passion and dedication for dance has provided her many opportunities and experiences. Such as touring Asia for seven months as a dancer, choreographer, and a creative director. Brianna has also worked with many amazing artists such as Britney Spears, India Apache, Jim Beans, Tanisha Scott and more. At the age of 19 she moved to Westchester County. Teaching all over Westchester with all ages made her realized what her highest fulfillment is... and that is teaching, and sharing her art with all of you. 

Megan Roe is a dancer and visual artist born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her childhood was spent in the dance studio. She assisted her teachers and quickly began to choreograph pieces herself. Megan continued on to New York City to study contemporary and improv dance at the Steps on Broadway Conservatory. She's performed in a variety of dance and art productions over the years but only once she began choreographing for a Brooklyn theater company, Loop Troupe, did she really find her passion. Megan quickly became involved in all aspects of a production, from making costumes to building props to designing posters and more. This desire to create full visions led her to directing music videos for artists like BlackJeans, Zuli Jr., Enrose and more. Megan is a dance teacher by day and visual artist by night, taking on collaborative projects that inspire play in her community.

Garth Otis Bates has studied dance since the age of four and has been teaching Dance since 2009. Garth has studied Concert Dance at The Hartt School and Commercial Dance at Pace University in NYC. Garth has received a BFA in Dance with a minor in Pedagogy. Garth has performed professionally since 2014, here are some of his Credits: pre production for Disney’s Hercules, Frozen 2 Saks window reveal with Idina Menzel, Expericne The Ride NYC as head dancer and dance captain and Featured dancer at Hershey Parks Summer Show, and is an avid company member of “American Circus Theatre.”Regionally: The Little Mermaid, Chicago and Cavalier in The Nutcracker. 

Nicole grew up on a horse farm in central Connecticut and began her dance training at Starship Dance Theater. She went on to attend SUNY Purchase College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance. While in school she had the opportunity to perform works by Adam Barruch, John Hegginbothum, Doug Varone, Rosalind Newman, Bettijane Sills to name a few. Professionally, Nicole has had the distinct pleasure of dancing with Shawn Bible Dance Co, Kathleen Helm and Dancers, Sea Legs Dance, and Hyperspace Dance. Beyond New York City, she has toured internationally to Sri Lanka and Sao Miguel, Azores. Currently, you can catch her joyfully performing with Time Lapse Dance, Rocha Dance Theater, and the award winning group “Jenny Rocha and The Painted Ladies.” As a dance maker, Nicole has presented her choreographic work at festivals in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. She is very excited to join Amanda Kupillas Dance family and share her joy of dance with her students!

Jeffrey Shirbroun is a dancer, artist, and teacher. Growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, he studied dance from an early age at the Bainbridge Dance Center, under the direction of Susan Thompson.  Jeffrey continued his creative endeavors, graduating Instituto Marangoni, in Paris, France, with a degree in Fashion Design.  Upon graduation he worked in fashion for a few years but longed for modern dance.  He moved to NYC and joined Graham 2 performing in Martha Graham’s  'Secular Games’ and ‘Owl and the Pussycat’. He later earned his hool of Contemporary Dance. He is currently a freelance dancer and artists in NYC.Teacher’s Certification from the Martha Graham Sc  Jeffrey is very excited to be teaching at Amanda Kupillas Dance where he hopes to share his unique perspective on dance with future dancers. 

 Deanna Doyle is the fourth generation in her family to be a professional performing artist, starting with her great-great- aunts, who had a sister act on the vaudeville circuit. 

She made her Broadway debut as Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera, was known for her portrayal of the role of Ivy Smith in the pre-Broadway production of On the Town, and was nominated for an Astaire Award for playing 17-year-old Winnie in Broadway's Tuck Everlasting. Other favorite roles include Vera in On Your Toes, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Rita Racine in Steel Pier, and Lise Dassin in the Broadway tour of Christopher Wheeldon's An American in Paris. 

She has performed at New York City Center, The Joyce, The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, and The Kennedy Center, and has appeared in national commercials for Twix, AT&T, Tide, and PNC Bank.

Deanna trained at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. She joined Kansas City Ballet, dancing notable roles including Drew Drop in The Nutcracker and The Cowgirl in Agnes de Mille's Rodeo, as well other principal and soloist roles in works by Twyla Tharp, Donald McKayle, Lynne Taylor-Corbet, Karole Armitage, and Paul Taylor. 

Adele is a registered dance/movement therapist and dancer committed to fostering experiences of dance that celebrate joy, expression, empathy, and connection. A lifelong dancer, Adele received her BFA from Fordham University/Ailey School and went on to freelance as a dancer and teacher. Adele is a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence’s Dance/Movement Therapy program. Her continued passion for dance is scaffolded by her psychotherapeutic training and ongoing commitment to social justice, making her classes spaces where the joy of movement and expression can safely be explored and celebrated. 

Maya Elbaum got her first taste of Pilates at age 13 taking private lessons in upstate NY to improve her dance training. She attended University California Irvine as a dance major graduating with B.A. in 2002. She later became certified through Core Pilates NYC in 2008. She started her Pilates teaching profession at Core, Center For

Movement NYC and Yoga Works Westside since 2008. In the past 15 years she continues to work privately with clients incorporating her knowledge of Pilates, dance, Anatomy of Trains and RIM (Revolution in Motion). She is known to create balance with her student's mind body connection with a true sensitivity for observation. Maya's sessions and classes target the specific needs of clients with a classic Pilates approach. She improves client’s strength, flexibility, and

balance with a work hard play hard mentality. She is most known for her sense of humor and love for life. When she is not teaching her other passions include family, design, travel, art and food.

Maxine Sherman was a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the Martha Graham Dance Company. During her 20+ career she interpreted, created and performed in nearly every leading role in the repertory of these classic contemporary dance companies.

Maxine was personally coached by Alvin and Martha, (2 of the great choreographers of the 20th century) as a representative of their final living artistry. In addition Maxine danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolph Nureyev in Appalachian Spring, Dance in America Series, PBS documentaries, and has performed in multiple opera houses throughout the world.

She has also been on faculty at universities, festivals and dance studios throughout the US restaging Ailey and Graham works and sharing her knowledge of technique, performance craft, body conditioning and dance making. Maxine has an MFA in Performance Studies from Sarah Lawrence College, where she has been an artist-in-residence and guest faculty professor.

Maxine received a choreography award from ARTS/Westchester in 2013 and her most recent collaboration with RiverArts® as performer and choreographer in “Braiding” was honored with an NEA grant. Maxine is a dance ambassador, bringing dance companies to Westchester, NY, where she is the Artistic Director of Dance and Artistic Advisor at RiverArts®.

Maxine Sherman began studying Pilates with Robert Fitzgerald, a direct disciple of Joseph Pilates in NYC in 1979 and is a graduate of the Kane School (2002) working with Kelly Kane, Kuan Hui Chew, Liz Koch, Continuum Practitioners and others in workshops addressing psoas dysfunction, scoliosis, foot alignment and other special populations.

Maxine has a BA from NYU in Body Therapies where she studied Kinetic Awareness, a bodymind method developed by Elaine Summers, after the innovative physical education teacher, Elsa Gindler. This ballwork system has inspired her to explore rubber balls, foam rollers, the MELT METHOD and other “self-care” techniques that restore healthy circulation, tight connective tissue and improve poor movement bio-mechanics.

In addition, Maxine is a certified GYROTONIC® TOWER/ PULLEY and GYROKINESIS instructor, studying with founder Juliu Horvath, Hilary Cartwright, Leda Franklin, Debra Rose and others. Her continuing education has led her to “wrapping,” GYROTONIC® Ladder and GYROTONER. There are so many benefits to this unique and original method, which coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.

As well as her extensive dance knowledge, Maxine practices YOGA daily for meditative and physical integration and rides her spin bike to increase heart rate, and improve circulation and stamina.

 Derek has served on faculty in New York at the famed Steps On Broadway, Mark Morris Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center, CAP21 Conservatory, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Marymount Manhattan College. He served as the tap dance coach for the Aladdin on Broadway, and his students have performed on Broadway in numerous shows, such as Billy Elliot, 42nd Street, White Christmas, Mary Poppins, Gypsy, Dames at Sea, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Funny Girl, and The Lion King, and he has trained numerous Radio City Rockettes. His teaching experience also includes workshops and master classes at universities and studios across the US, UK, Canada and Germany 

Morgan McEwen, a New York City native, is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of MorDance, a trailblazing dance company celebrated for creating original collaborative works that push the boundaries of classical ballet. Through her extensive career as a professional ballet dancer at the Richmond Ballet, BalletMet, and the Metropolitan Opera, McEwen discovered she had limited opportunities to pursue her passion as a female choreographer. Driven to create a positive work environment that champions exploration and opportunity for all, Morgan is committed to empowering a strong roster of female creatives to elevate the experience of ballet for the modern age, both from an artist and audience perspective. McEwen has been heralded by The New York Times as having, “an eye for shaping the arc of a dance as carefully as the transitions and details within it,” Morgan has presented works on stages throughout New York City, including Baryshnikov Arts Center, Aaron Davis Hall, and Symphony Space. She received a CUNY Dance Initiative Residency and Kaatsbaan Upstream Residency in 2018. Ms McEwen’s work was selected to be performed at Battery Dance Festival in 2021. She has recently been granted a residency on Martha’s Vineyard through the Vineyard Arts Project. In 2023, her work will be presented by John Jay College’s Gerald Lynch Theater as part of a CDI residency. Additionally, she will be working with BalletX to generate new work during a choreographic incubator in 2023. 

Cristofaro Bellantuono, born in Apulia Italy, started his professional dance training at the age of 6. At the age of 13 Mr. Bellantuono embarked on a worldwide competitive tour participating in some of the world's most prestigious competitions where he notched numerous wins. At the age of 16, he began professionally training other dancers and just four years later created his own dance studio, Faro' Style, to turn his passion into a business. In 2022, he moved to New York City and has worked at the two largest ballroom dance studios in the area. He was awarded New York state's top dance instructor for 2023. He has recently ventured out to create his own ballroom dance studio, Bellantuono Dance Studio. Cristofaro's specialties include Ballroom, Latin and Caribbean dance

Mary Santorello, "Maria de los Angeles," began her Flamenco dance studies at Ballet Hispanico with Melinda Marquez in 1998. After apprenticing with the American Bolero Dance Company, at the invitation of founder Gabriela Granados, she spent two summers at the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville, Spain, studying with Carmen Ledesma, Rafael Campallo and Milagros Menjibar. As a scholarship recipient, she attended Jacob’s Pillow in 2008, studying with Soledad Barrio, and in 2019 studying with Carmen Ledesma and Carmela Greco. Since her tablao debut at Alegrías en La Nacional, she has been performing regularly with local artists. She is currently a Teaching Artist with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and NY City Center.  Chosen as the 2018 Artist in Residence with Flamenco Vivo's AiRe program, she choreographed her first solo piece, The Suffocating Breath.  As the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Al Margen Flamenco Company, she conceptualizes, choreographs and performs in full length productions as the dance company in residence at Teatro Circulo in NYC since 2016.

Christopher Taylor grew up in Newark, New Jersey. He started his dance training at The Ailey School when he was eleven years old. He later attended Arts High School in newark. During his training he attended Ailey Camp Newark’s summer program which allowed him to perform at The Apollo Theater and Lincoln Center numerous times for AAADT and perform works by Rennie Harris , Robert Battle and many other choreographers at that time . After graduating from Arts High School he attended The Ailey School’s Professional Division Program under scholarship. Chris was hired in 2022 for Ailey II under Francesca Harper. During his time in Ailey II he has performed works by William Forsythe , Andrea Miller , Robert Battle, and Francesca Harper . This is Christopher Taylor's third season with the company . 

@__chris360

Rafal Pustelny is a vibrant dancer and instructor who is passionate about traditional dances from all around the world! Rafal moved to NYC in 2010 and there studied American Jazz dance forms, including Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. He quickly established himself as one of the top dancers in NYC, and has since earned acclaim in the international swing dance community. Rafal’s expertise and passion for dance shine in the classroom; he uses his technical prowess, upbeat sense of humor, and innate ability to connect with people to distill high-level content into accessible pieces that elevate multiple aspects of his students’ dancing.

XiaoChuan Xie, a.k.a. Chuan, is a Chinese-born dancer/psychotherapist who currently pursues a M.S. in Dance/Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College. She holds a B.A. from SUNY Empire State College and is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst. As a performer, Chuan is a Clive Barnes Award and Fred Astaire Award nominee for her excellent performances in Martha Graham Dance Company and The King and I on Broadway. Dance Magazine named her one the “Best Performers of 2015”.  As a teacher, she has taught in many professional dance schools and educational venues in NYC, such as Martha Graham School and The Taylor School, to list a few. 

CHRISTINA LYNCH MARKHAM grew up in Westbury, New York and began dancing with Lori Shaw, and continued at Holy Trinity High School under the direction of Catherine Murphy.  She attended Hofstra University on scholarship and performed works by Cathy McCann, Karla Wolfangle, Rachel List, Robin Becker, and Lance Westergard.  During college she also trained at The Taylor School, and attended the Company’s Summer Intensive Program.  After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2004, she danced with the Amy Marshall Dance Company, Stacie Nelson and The Dance Theater Company.  She joined Taylor 2 in Summer 2008, and made her debut with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in Summer 2013.
“At 13 I enjoyed a ballet on PBS and told my dad I wanted to do that. A few days later I signed up for dance lessons.”
Origins: “I’m half Chinese, half Irish. My family sacrificed so much for me to do what I love. My Chinese grandma cultivated my artistic side.”
Taylor introduction: “Esplanade at City Center, and I was lucky to have Taylor alumni Cathy McCann, Karla Wolfangle and Joao Mauricio as teachers at Hofstra.”
Taylor’s work: “Athletic. Passionate. Daring.”
Days off: “I love to cook, spend time with family, and snuggle with my cats.”
Favorite music: Sinéad O’Connor’s “Lion and the Cobra.”
Advocacy: “It’s important to help and inspire young dancers; they’re our future!”
Personal slogan: “Dance the F&@ out of it!!”
@christinalynchmarkham (https://www.instagram.com/christinalynchmarkham/?hl=en)

Kara Chan is from Vancouver, Canada and began dancing at the age of 5. She received her pre-professional training at Pro Arte Center, under the direction of Astrid Sherman before earning her BFA from The Juilliard School. Kara has performed principal roles with Twyla Tharp Dance in both repertory works and new creations. Most recently, Kara performed in Justin Peck’s world premiere of Illinois at The Fischer Center in June/July 2023. Other performance credits include Pam Tanowitz Dance, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company (Artemis in Athens), Mark Morris Dance Group (The Hard Nut), Dance Heginbotham, Janis Brenner & Dancers, Gleich Dances, Barkin/Selissen Project, among many others. In 2019, Kara assisted Twyla Tharp in the staging of Deuce Coupe on American Ballet Theatre as a répétiteur, which received a 2019 Outstanding Revival Bessie Nominee. She is an alumna of The School of Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program and an inaugural recipient of Juilliard’s Career Advancement Fellowship. Kara was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2020. www.karachandance.com

Maguette Camara is a globally recognized West African dancer, choreographer, teacher and drummer who is based in New York City. 

Maguette began his career at a young age with The Ballet Bougarabou Dance Company in Dakar, Senegal. His extensive experiences with this company allowed him to perform and present workshops in Morocco, Canada, Senegal, South Korea, Guadeloupe and The United States. His dedication and talent have earned him the opportunity to perform in impressive venues such as the Guggenheim Museum, The American Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Rolling Stones World Tour, Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World, The World Trade Center Jazz Festival, the Broadway Performance “Angelique” and the opening act for Senegalese vocalist, Baaba Maal. Maguette’s talents have been praised by The New York Times, The Root TV, Dance Teacher Magazine, The New York Public Library, The Villager, Good Day New York, New York 1 News, Fox 5, NBC and MTV. 

Maguette has been a faculty member at The Ailey School and Barnard College since 1997. In addition, he teaches weekly open classes at The Ailey Extension and Djoniba at Peridance Capezio Center for all levels and all ages. Camara is known for his incredible energy and positive demeanor. Maguette’s New York City in-person classes have enjoyed a devoted following at all skill levels.

During the Coronavirus outbreak, Camara’s remote live classes reached hundreds of participants from across the globe from France, Germany, Israel, Canada and Australia.

“If an educator shows passion for what they do, it can only draw students in,” said Katie Glasner, Assistant Chair and Senior Associate at The Department of Dance at Barnard College. “His absolute unbridled joy for what he does is simply infectious.

Sasha Gologorskaya is a NYC-based dancer and dance educator, originally from Kiev, Ukraine. She was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and trained at the San Francisco Ballet School, before attending the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase, graduating summa cum laude with a BFA in Dance Performance and a concentration in ballet. Sasha has performed with companies on both coasts, including Hudson Ballet Theatre, MeenMoves, Eglevsky Ballet, MorDance, ARC Dance in Seattle, Peninsula Ballet Theatre,  Menlowe Ballet, and has been a part of several new creations with choreographer Marika Brussel. In her senior year at Purchase, Sasha was featured in the NY Times for performances at BAM Fisher, where she danced the featured pas de deux in Luca Veggetti's reimagined version of Jerome Robbins’ Watermill. She recently performed with MeenMoves for W(h)ine Pairings at the 92NY. As an educator, Sasha has taught a wide range of ages both in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York Tri State Area. She is passionate about sharing the joy of dance with her students and strives to empower young dancers through movement and artistic expression. 

Camila Rodrigues is a Brazilian ballet dancer based in New York City. She trained at Escola Estadual de Dança Maria Olenewa, where she performed with the main ballet company of Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. In Brazil, Camila also trained at Centro de Movimento Deborah Colker with the ballet master Nora Esteves. After graduation, Camila joined the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group in New York, where she performed soloist roles from Joffrey, Arpino, Balanchine and Africa Guzman’s choreography in NYC, Florida and in international tours to Canada and China. She won 1st place at World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix (Niagara Falls, Canada) and Best Interpretation of the Contemporary Compulsory at Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (NYC). She currently performs with companies based in New York, such as Movement Headquarters, MorDance and Neglia Ballet. The artist performed as the female lead, Lise Dassin, in the musical An American In Paris during the 2022 National Tour and recently joined The Metropolitan Opera as a Dancer. Camila also gives speeches in Brazil and Portugal, where she talks about positivity, mindset and what it takes to achieve your personal life goals. She has already impacted many people, especially the young dance generation to find strength to follow their dreams.

Natalie’s dance journey began at 3, evolving into a passion she cultivated at Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Her commitment to choreography led her to earn a BFA in Dance from The University of The Arts in Philadelphia where all styles and techniques were studied. However, Natalie felt a missing element in her dance journey: the power to help others find their unique movement profiles and use dance for emotional expression and regulation. Pursuing a Master of Science in Dance Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawerence College, she now prioritizes creating safe, inclusive spaces for individuals to express themselves through movement. Natalie's current focus revolves around working with adults with developmental disabilities, guided by her unwavering commitment to social justice and empathy in her therapeutic practice. Her goal remains to share the joy of movement and self-discovery with everyone she works with.

Born & raised in Sacramento, California. Cory received his dance training from the Sacramento Ballet & Northern California Dance Conservatory. Cory has performed all over the world, including the Jacobs Pillow Summer Festival, and touring throughout Austria, Italy, & Germany with the Young! Tanzsommer performance group. Cory was a dancer with Eugene Ballet from 2013-2020, where he was featured in productions including "A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Puck) & “The Great Gatsby” (Nick Carraway) He is now based in New York City. Recent credits include "An American in Paris" 2nd National Tour, "A Chorus Line" Japan Tour directed by Baayork Lee, and "CATS" with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Samuel Colina is professional multidisciplinary dancer originally from Caracas, Venezuela. He studied Vaganova technique at Ballet Etudes in Miami, Florida where he guest appeared in their production of Don Quixote. He also studied Cuban technique at Hollywood Ballet Academy in Hollywood Florida. He received his Bachelors in Fine Arts from New World School of The Arts, an Acclaimed Conservatory in Miami, Florida, where his focus was on Broadway Style Jazz. Alongside dance, He was a Pre-Olympic level Gymnast of over 8 years. He has travelled across the United States with the Broadway 2nd National Tour of "An American in Paris". Internationally he starred in the Broadway Musical "A Chorus Line" in Tokyo, Japan as part of the national company. Samuel has taught all over including leading Jazz workshops in Osaka, Japan. For more information visit 

Www.samuelcolina.com

Ana Sofía was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico and her very first memory is dancing in her mother's kitchen. At 16 years she began her formal dance studies in San Diego California. A proud graduate of The Ailey School Certificate program, Ana Sofía was also a classical ballet trainee for three years at The Joffrey Ballet School. She has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Vernard J. Gilmore, Earl Mosely, Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, Africa Guzmán, Amy Hall Garner, Tyler Gilstrap, Judith Sanchez Ruiz, Edivaldo Ernesto, Greg Dolbashain, Fangting Yeh Winston Dynamite Brown and Nia Brantley. In addition, she has performed in many classics such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, A Midsummers Night Dream, Cinderella, La Viviandere, and the Nutctracker. Additionally you can see her in various plays, films, indie projects, ads and the TV show "This Is Us" on NBC. Ana Sofía loves to give back the information that has been generously passed on to her through incredible teachers and mentors. She loves teaching and learning just as much as performing!

David Hochberg is from New York, where he trained at Studio Maestro/Manhattan Youth Ballet under Francois Perron and Nadege Hottier, and Ellison Ballet under Edward Ellison. In 2012 David joined Sarasota Ballet under director Iain Webb. He then joined Nevada Ballet Theater in 2014, where he danced for five seasons under James Canfield, and Roy Kaiser. Since returning to New York in 2019 he has worked as a freelance dancer for MorDance, The Metropolitan Opera, Tom Gold Dance, Amanda Selwyn Dance Theater, Movement Headquarters, The Chase Brock Experience, Guggenheim Works & Process, East Coast Contemporary Ballet, Graham Lustig at The Princeton Festival, XAOC Ballet, and Margo Sappington. 

 Vivianna DeSantiago is a dancer and singer based in New York City.  She is originally from Yuma, Arizona, but decided to move out east to pursue her dreams in performing in the city.

She received her BFA from the University of Arizona School of Dance where she fell in love with Modern and Jazz dance, despite my strict ballet background. Upon graduation, she joined Modern American Dance Company in St. Louis, MO to begin her career.  Then when she made the move to the big apple she was fortunate to win the Inaugural Ann Reinking Scholarship!  She spent her year training at Steps on Broadway with the best theater instructors in the industry.  Now you can find her taking dance classes at her favorite studios (The Taylor School & Steps), taking voice lessons, and auditioning!

Teresa Perez Ceccon is a professional dance artist, educator and choreographer. Over 20 years ago, she began teaching in New York City at Dance Space, later renamed Dance New Amsterdam. Presently, she is on the Simonson faculty at Gibney Dance. Teresa works closely with Lynn Simonson conducting the Simonson Method of Teacher Training (SMTT) in NYC and Rockport, MA. Nationally and internationally, she leads Simonson pedagogy, technique workshops as well as private and group SMTT courses. A native New Yorker, Teresa earned a BA in Theater/Dance from Queens College. She recently obtained her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Montclair State University with a thesis on Latin Jazz Dance. As an adjunct professor, she has taught and choreographed in various university dance departments. Invited as guest faculty, Teresa is presently teaching Simonson Jazz at Centenary University. Teresa has a long list of choreographic achievements with diverse dance companies and students of all ages. As a performer, she has danced works by a variety of highly regarded choreographers in many NYC venues. In 2019, her choreography was presented in the Jazz Choreography Enterprises Project (read a review) as well as at St. Mark’s Church as part of Vissi Dance Theater’s Suite Sunday.

Stephane Duret, was last seen in the Tony Award Winning Musical KINKY BOOTS on Broadway, and is also the Founding Director of KAISER’S ROOM, a non-profit that offers arts programming to individuals with cognitive and developmental delays in NYC. Stephane started his Musical Theatre training at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Fl, now holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and is thrilled to call NYC home. Previous credits include Off-Broadway: THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, The Public Theatre; THE BUISCIT CLUB, and HARD TIMES, the cell theatre. International: PARADE, Jerusalem, Israel. ZORRO, Shanghai, China; Regional: VIOLET, Waitsfield, Vermont; AIDA, HOT MIKADO, RAGTIME, CABARET, CURTAINS, SWEET CHARITY, THE PRODUCERS Chicago, Il. A proud member of A.E.A.

Dilara is a British/Turkish belly dancer and teacher. Originally from London, UK she studied Performing Arts at Drama Studio London. Upon graduating, she joined the Hartbeeps family to teach multi-sensory movement classes to preschooler children alongside facilitating belly dance workshops for pregnant women in preparation for birth. In witnessing the therapeutic layers of

dance and movement, Dilara decided to move to NYC, and is currently in pursuit of a M.S. degree in Dance/Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College. To this day, she continues to both perform and witness her movement as a source of information. She loves to take inspiration from mama nature and often incorporates the imagery of nature in her movement and classes.

Gaby Cook is an esteemed, active professional in the global lindy hop community. For nearly 20 years, she has established her career, teaching and performing for international lindy hop workshops and festivals. She had been featured in programs such as SW!NG OUT at the Joyce Theater, The Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary, BET Soultrain Awards, Jacob’s Pillow’s Inside/Out Series, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Spoletto Arts Festival, The 92nd St Y and many appearances Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center. When she is at home in New York, she is a teacher and co-creator for the swing dance educational program at the 92Y.

In New York, Gaby curates and teaches a swing dance educational program with Caleb Teicher and Nathan Bugh at the 92Y. In class, she is playful, informative and honest. Through teaching dance, she seeks to connect new audiences to the immensely rich history of swing-era dances. She prioritizes equality for followers and leaders in the classroom space — and has championed a movement first approach to teaching partnered dance content.