FACULTY

 

FACULTY BIOS

 

Christopher Artistic Director 

Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Intro to Ballet & Tap

Christopher started his professional career at age 11 in David Merrick's off Broadway production of Stop the World, I Want to get off! starring Jason Alexander. Christopher, a native New Yorker, is a graduate of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, under the direction of Michelle Mathesius. Upon his graduation he was accepted and attended The Juilliard School under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy. Christopher has performed for the following companies/choreographers as; Jacque d'Amboise, artistic director of The National Dance Institute, Septime Weber, Michelle Benash, Lisa Hopkins, Daniel Catanach, Alisa King, Jennifer Muller, Wendy R. Seyb, Walt Disney World Company (Orlando) performing as a "Kid of the Kingdom", Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Joe Antony Cavise, artistic director of Off Center Dance Theatre , "Bio-Systems" a film for The Museum of Natural History and The Gypsy Project. Christopher has been in the productions of NYC Theatrical Events and the Broadway Exchange, working for his teacher/mentor Joe Lanteri. He has also been a guest teacher for Dance America/Dance Olympus convention.  Christopher has recently been in the production of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, performing as the "Scarecrow" for The Company Of Dance Arts, Red Bank, NJ.

 

Kimberly Business Director

Kimberly holds a BBA in Marketing and an AAS in Fashion Merchandising from Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in NYC.  She has worked for Vera Wang as a Sales & Marketing Executive for the Ready to Wear Division in NYC.  She has also worked on promotional events for Kenneth Cole's flagship store in Rockefeller Center, Christian Dior cosmetics for Bloomingdales NYC, The Gap, Biolage, and Wella haircare, along with designer fashion shows for fashion week in NYC.  Kimberly also has extensive dance training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, and Tap along with a background in yoga and pilates.

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Allye Amorino Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap

Allye grew up studying dance at Movement Dance Academy.  She is very passionate about instilling love, art, and commitment of dance into her students. Allye recently danced alongside the major league football team, the Somerset Bears!  She has also performed in numerous musicals and on stage with the charity organization Cabaret for life. One of her proudest moments was her television debut on TLC's show "Four Weddings" where she performed the hit song and dance "Thriller."  Allye is so thankful and blessed to share this amazing journey of dance with her students and she cannot wait to see where it will lead them.

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Felicia Catney Contemporary

Felicia graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2016 from Westminster College of the Arts of Rider University, with a BA in Dance Performance, as well as a minor in Popular Music Studies. Felicia is an active member of NDEO, the National Dance Education Organization. She also was an active member of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honors Fraternity. Felicia served as a Fine Arts mentor to the incoming freshman for two years, as well as participated as a Freshman Seminar Leader to the Fine and Performing Arts students for three years. Felicia has choreographed and performed in dance festivals such as the Biomorphic Festivals, in N.Y.C. and Philadelphia Fringe Festival. During her time at Rider, she choreographed and performed in many Rider Dance Ensemble productions as well as performed in all four of the dance department’s mainstage Rider Dances shows. During these four shows she has worked with experienced choreographers such as, Laney Engelhard, Jennifer Gladney, Dawn Cargiulo Berman, and Michelle Figueiredo. She has also performed in many musicals and theater productions at Spring Lake Community Theatre. Some of her favorite roles have been, Connie MacKenzie in A Chorus Line and the angel Charity in Anything Goes. She is beyond thrilled to use her art to perform, choreograph, teach and share her passion.

 

Vicki Lee Kocenski Tap, Theatre Arts

Vicki Leehas been teaching the performing arts for over 20 years. She has performed in and choreographed countless productions throughout the tri-state area. Aside from teaching and performing Vicki is a makeup artist, blogger and author of the children’s book, “Tappi Shuffle’s Shiny Black Tap Shoes”.

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Alyssa Peters Ballet, Pointe, Intro to Ballet & Tap

Alyssa was born in Sayreville, NJ and began her dance training at a young age with NYCPAC.  In 2011, she graduated with a B.F.A in Dance and Choreography from Shenandoah University.  While attending SU, Alyssa showcased her original choreography in multiple concerts as well as danced works by Josh Bergasse, Alberto del Saz, Murray Louis, and Jana Hicks.  Upon graduation, she spent her summer in Europe dancing under the direction of Maurice Fraga, artistic director of Ekilibre Dance Company and Paul Jackson, Dance Division Chair of Winchester University located in England, UK. 

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Dan Peterson Tap, Theatre Arts

Dan is a member of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television & Radio Artists). He serves on the Nominating Committee for the SAG Awards. He has performed in both regional and professional theater productions and has made several television appearances. He won a world title as a tap soloist at the Fred Astaire International Jazz and Tap Championships held at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, NY. He is a member of the faculty at a number of facilities including the Academy of Dance Arts and the New York City Performing Arts Centre. Dan has served as a guest artist for the Dance and Drama programs and as Choreographer of the Spring musicals at Red Bank Regional High School Visual and Performing Arts Dept. He has also been an instructor for the Shakespeare Young Peoples Company as part of the the Count Basie Theaterʼs educational program. 

 

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GUEST TEACHERS

 

Jessica Batten Ballet, Pointe, Modern

Jessica Batten trained with New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble under Nancy Turano and graduated cum Laude from SUNY Purchase, with a BFA in Dance.  Ms. Batten has danced professionally with: NJDTE, Cedar Lake II, Connecticut Ballet, Bradley Shelver Contemporary Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico of NY, Nimbus Dance Works and currently at the Metropolitan Opera; among many other companies and choreographers.  Ms. Batten was invited to perform in Cali, Colombia in the Fifth Annual International Dance Festival 2011, representing the USA with Earl Mosely’s Diversity of Dance and has traveled the world performing and teaching.  She has also performed with the Kirov Ballet at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. And in 2008, she appeared on the AMICI Television show in Rome, Italy as a Guest Profesionista.  Additionally she has appeared in film and several more recent TV credits, such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent.  Ms. Batten enjoys teaching, coaching, and choreographing in addition to her performance career.  She has been on faculty at The Joffrey Ballet School, NJ Dance Theater Ensemble, Columbus Pre-School, The School of Nimbus Dance Works and has been the Guest Artist in Residence the last 2 years, at The Putney School and Amherst College.

 

David Felicie  Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary

David was born in Staten Island New York. He began his professional dance training soon after completing high school. He has received multiple awards and scholarships for both choreography and artistic interpretation. David has danced professionally as a guest artist and as a company member for numerous companies such as Hartford Ballet, Full Force Dance Theatre, and Hamilton Ballet Theatre. He is currently the Co-Artistic director of the Performing Arts Ensemble(a not for profit company in NJ).

 

Andre Irons Modern

Andre Irons was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He began his formal dance training at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and completed a double major in Business Administration & Africana Studies from the University at Albany in 2005. Andre has trained extensively at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey where he received an Honorable Mention Award in Modern Dance from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) in 2001. He has worked with choreographers such as Camille A. Brown, Roger C. Jeffrey, Lisa Rinehart, and Brian Thomas, and is currently signed with DDO Artist Agency in New York City.

 

Roger C. Jeffrey Modern

Roger C. Jeffrey was born in New York City where he began his training at Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center. A graduate of Performing Arts High School, he received his B.F.A. from The Juilliard School under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy. Mr. Jeffrey has performed in the companies of Bernice Johnson, Kevin Iega Jeff, Twyla Tharp, Zvi Gotheiner, Martial Roumain, and with Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project. He has also worked with Gary Deloatch, Dudley Williams, Eleo Pomare, Benjamin Harkarvy, Otis Salid, Debbie Allen, Rasta Thomas, D'bi. Young, Doug Varone, Richard Move, Mark Dendy and Obediah Wright. Inspired by his mentor Kevin Iega Jeff, he began to explore his full artistic potential as both an instructor and choreographer at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center, Edge School of the Arts, Devore Dance Center, Onyx Dance Company, Elisa King and Dancers, Ulster Ballet Company, Philadanco!, CityDance Ensemble, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center Institute, Goucher College,Marygrove College, City College of New York, Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, Philadelphia University of the Arts, University of Santa Barbara, Long Island University (C.W. Post), the Joffrey School (Texas), New York Hip-Hop Festival, Theatre Passe Muraille (Canada), La Companya (Spain), Tanz Project(Germany), Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, American Ballet Theatre/Make a Ballet Program, Dancespace Center and Peridance Center. Mr. Jeffrey is currently working with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company and Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.

 

Jessie "Mira" Nahar Hip-Hop

Jessie "Mira" Nahar is a Brooklyn native who has been dancing since the age of 8 and choreographing since the age of 13. She began training at various dance schools throughout New York City such as, Broadway Dance Center, Stepping Out Studios, New Dance group, Manhattan Motion Studio, Dance Sport Studio. Her dance training consists of Hip-Hop, Street Jazz funk, West African, Afro-Cuban, Salsa and Reggae. She has performed with various artists such as, Missy Elliot, Alliyah, Changing Faces, DLG, Rome, Milo and Veronica. Film credited as a featured Latin dancer in the film Woo, starring Jada Pinkett Smith and Tommy Davison. She began teaching her first hip-hop dance classes at the age of 13 at her Hudde Main JHS in Brooklyn N.Y. That is where she found her passion to choreograph and perform in talent shows, annual recitals, benefit concerts and fund raising showcases. She has been teaching Hip-Hop for over ten years throughout New York, New Jersey and Atlanta at the Madison Boys and Girls club, Beacon Program, Dance Place Plus, Latin Fever Studios, Artistic Dance Motion, Beverley’s Dance School, and Dance Sport. She has performed at Rock Steadys 20th Anniversary celebration, Broadway Dance Centers Performance Outlet with critically ac-claimed Amount Boyz, and the annual Passion of Dance venues. Throughout her career as a dancer/choreographer, she has tackled many other aspects of enriching her life such as graduating with a Bachelors degree from Hunter College in Psychology, volunteering at several public schools mentoring the youth in dance education, interning at various record labels such as Polygram, Mercury, and Black Island Records. Jessie continues to teach dance however, strongly is pursing her career as a professional dancer.

 

Mayte Natalio Modern

Mayte was born and raised in Queens, New York. She is an alumna if the NYC LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and received her B.F.A. in Dance from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance in 2005. Mayte has trained at Ballet Hispanico and Dance Theater of Harlem. She has also participated in the Professional Project in Montreal, founded by Alexandra Wells, where she worked with Margie Gillies and Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal among other companies. In 2005 Mayte was in the cast of The Ogunquit Playhouse's production of Elton John's AIDA in Ogunquit, Maine. Mayte has worked with choreographers such as of Camille Brown, Michael Blake, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Roger C. Jeffrey, Nathan Trice, Megan Williams, Kevin Wynn and was an apprentice with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's Urban Bush Women. Mayte is currently a member of the Parsons Dance Company, she joined the company in May 2006.