Dance And Theater Arts

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Dance And Theater Arts

Dance And Theater Arts
Dance And Theater Arts
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Instructors

Mary Rotella

Mary Rotella holds a BFA in Dance, and has performed on Broadway, in National Tours and many regional productions. Mary has directed and choreographed productions in the US and Abroad and continues to work professionally. Teaching includes various styles and levels of dance and Theater classes.

Mary Rotella

Mary Rotella received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Stephens College; where she also studied voice and acting. Right after college, she moved to New York to continue her studies while pursuing a career in Concert Dance and Musical Theatre. Mary immediately secured work in a musical and the rest is history. Her National Tour and Broadway credits include 42nd Street, Cabaret with Joel Gray and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. She performed in an international tour of My Fair Lady and in several regional productions including, Damn Yankees directed by George Abbott, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Mary has also appeared in industrial shows, in commercials and on film. When not performing, she was directing and choreographing productions here in the United States and abroad. Mary also taught professional level classes at STEPS, and Peri Dance and was on the faculty of NYU’s Cap 21 and University of Michigan’s musical theater programs. She was a guest teacher and director/choreographer  at many colleges and private studios across the United States and in Finland and Japan.  After a long and very successful career as a freelance artist Mary transitioned to academia. She served as Chair of Dance at Stephens College for five years, was Director of Dance at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry for seven years as well as Artistic Director for the Steffi Nossen School of Dance for two years. She most recently served as Chair of Performing Arts for the John Cooper School a Pre-K through 12 school in the Woodlands, Texas until the spring of 2019. As the saying goes, “Home is where the heart is,” and Mary is thrilled to be back in New York working as a freelance actor, director and choreographer, and teacher. 

 

 

Abby Saxon

Abby Saxon is a dance educator and choreographer who has taught jazz at Vassar College and created works for Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre. At Dance and Theater Arts, she teaches Dance for Fitness Sake, bringing her background in jazz and performance to adults eager to move, dance, and stay active.

Andrea Pastorella

A professional Dancer/Choreographer and Director of Movita Dance Theater. She has studied Zena Rommett Floor Barre Technique since 1983. She has been sharing dance in the Hudson Valley for 8 years. She also offers classes in Modern & Elements of Dance, private and group classes. 

Christi Makely

Christi Makely brings a lifelong love of dance and extensive Los Angeles training to her hip hop classes. Her credits include Ellen, Glee’s “One Night Only” show, and opening for Boyz II Men. Through GROOV3™, she shares the joy, community, and confidence that make dance transformative for everybody.

Christi Makely




 

Nancy Theeman

Dr. Nancy Theeman is a voice and piano teacher, vocal coach, and musical director whose students perform on Broadway, in opera, hip hop, and pop. An experienced educator, she brings a holistic, encouraging approach to teaching, balancing technique with expression and nurturing the individual artist.

Setsuko Maruhashi

Setsuko Maruhashi is a ballet teacher & the first Asian Rockette. Trained in Japan & New York, she holds a BA in dance and has over 20 years of teaching experience. A certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor, she teaches ballet with an emphasis on technique, strength, and confidence.

Jennifer Lavenhar

Jennifer Lavenhar is a ballet teacher, actor, and improviser who brings movement and storytelling together. A member and teacher with the Mop and Bucket Company since 2016, she has led workshops across the U.S. and internationally, using improvisation to build connection and spur creative discovery.

Carmen Nicole

Carmen Nicole is a dancer and educator who performed and taught internationally with Battery Dance Company. She teaches ballet, contemporary dance, and composition, drawing on her experience as a Feldenkrais Practitioner, Pilates Teacher, and Yoga Instructor to support expressive, grounded movement.

Catherine Tharin

Catherine Tharin is a choreographer, writer, curator, and educator. A former Erick Hawkins Dance Company member, she spent 15 years as dance and performance curator at 92NY and 20 years teaching at Iona College. Her choreography and dance journalism celebrate artists and the breadth of the art form.

Demetra Tsantes

With over 13 yrs experience she has performed with NYC groups Undertoe Dance project, Astoria Tap Crew and Yale Tap Co. . Having taught at The School at Steps on Broadway she studied under Charles Goddertz and Andrew Nemr. She continues to teach, dance & perform in NYC and the Hudson Valley.

Cindy Thole

Cindy Thole has appeared in several  Broadway shows and has a long list of credits as a director/choreographer. She is an excellent teacher and she creates a vibrant, positive and supportive environment in which to learn. You will find her joy of teaching infectious and will love learning from her!

Cindy Thole

Cynthia Thole 

Director/Choreographer/Professor of Dance and Musical Theater

 

A veteran of the Broadway stage, Cindy combines her gifts of creativity and leadership, with her extensive stage experience to influence and shape her ongoing work as a director/choreographer/teacher. Cindy has been privileged to work with and learn from many of the finest Broadway directors and choreographers of our time. 

 

Director/Choreographer credits:

As Director/Choreographer, Cindy has remounted Broadway shows regionally, including 42nd STREET(Allenberry Playhouse, Reagle Music Theater), ME AND MY GIRL (Mill Mountain Theater, Reagle Music Theater, Montclair Operetta Club), andOKLAHOMA!(Fairleigh Dickinson University).

 

Cindy’s original director and/or choreographer work in New York City includes GOLLY GEE WHIZ (Lincoln Center Reel to Reel Series), AVENUE Q the workshop, and The 2nd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition. NY Pops Birthday Celebrations at Carnegie Hall featuring Cyndi Lauper, Bobby Lopez, Kelli O’Hara, and Alan Menken.

Regional direction and/or choreography credits include work at:  Theater Under The Stars, Atlanta; Theater by the Sea, Rhode Island; Theaterworks USA, TADA!, Two Beans Productions, University and Educational Theater. Credits include: SHE LOVES ME, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, CAROUSEL, PAJAMA GAME, INTO THE WOODS, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNUM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, SEUSSICAL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, KISS ME KATE, THE FULL MONTY, GUYS AND DOLLS, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, A CLASS ACT, HAIRSPRAY, FERDINAND THE BULL, 9 to 5 the Musical, LITTLE WOMEN, CABARET, SPRING AWAKENING, and PIRATES OF PENZANCE. 

 

*Cindy received nominations for Best Director and Best Choreographer by the Independent Reviewers of New England for 2014 for ME AND MY GIRL at Reagle Music Theater,

*Cindy received an Honorary Doctorate in Musical Theater from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she was Head of Dance and Musical Theater as a Clinical Associate Professor for 15 years. Her many teaching credits include a faculty position at Montclair State University and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Cindy’s former students can be seen dancing on Broadway, and in major dance companies. 

 

Performance credits:

Broadway: 

42nd STREET, (Phyllis Dale) under the direction of Lucia Chase, Randy Skinner, and Karen Baker; 

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, (Kathy Seldon u/s) directed and choreographed by Twyla Tharp; 

ME AND MY GIRL, (Ensemble)with Director Mike Ockrent, Gillian Gregory (Tony Award for choreography, and with Tony winners Robert Lindsay and Marianne Plunkett) 

MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, (Charlotte Moore u/s) directed by Louie Burke, with George Hearn; 

NICK AND NORA, (dance captain and swing, she received the Gypsy Robe) Director Arthur Laurents, starring Barry Bostwick and Joanna Gleason; 

MY FAIR LADY, (Ensemble) Howard Davies (director), Donald Saddler (choreographer) with Richard Chamberlain 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, the Musical, Madison Square Garden (dance captain and swing), direction by Mike Ockrent, and choreography by Susan Stroman.  Cindy fulfilled these duties for 10 seasons working closely with the artistic team to maintain the show, teaching leading roles to Tony Randall, Terrance Mann, Tony Roberts, Jim Dale, Roddy McDowell, Roger Daltry, Tim Curry, Frank Langella, F Murray Abraham, and Hal Linden.

Tours:

First National of SUGAR BABIES, choreographer; Ernie Flatt, with Carol Channing and Robert Morse;  The Broadway National Tour of OKLAHOMA!; worked with the shows original choreographer Agnes De Mille, and director; James Hammerstein. 

The Arena stage production of ANIMAL CRACKERS directed and choreographed by Baayork Lee 

And the first National Tour of Gower Champion’s 42nd STREET.  

Ricci Adan

Ricci Adan is a performer, choreographer, and educator preserving and advancing American Theater Dance. With credits spanning American Dance Machine and The King and I, Ricci brings theatrical history, technical clarity, and personal expression to classes that help dancers find their artistic voice.

Lisa “Ayleeza” Quattrochi

Lisa “Ayleeza” Quattrochi brings passion, spiritual energy, & emotional expression to dance and drumming. Trained in belly dance, Riqq, & Tar, she performed with Layne Redmond’s Mob of Angels & toured with ISHTAR. Her teaching draws on decades of study & international performance background. 

Anne Olin

Via her knowledge of the latest happenings in the Parkinson's community Anne creates a friendly and supportive environment for all. Her instruction and expertise assist with difficulties such as standing up, sitting, balancing, walking, speaking and using facial muscles. 

Joseph Mills

Joseph Mills is a dancer, choreographer, and educator who performed with MOMIX and the Erick Hawkins Dance Company. A certified movement analyst with a doctorate from Temple University, he has taught at Northwestern and George Washington universities, bringing mindful movement and artistry to dance.

Raquel Rubio

Raquel Rubio and Brian Dumaual of Art2BeHuman are dance instructors and performers sharing the rhythms and traditions of Brazilian Forró. Through performances and friendly beginner classes, they introduce students to this joyful partner dance, celebrating music, movement, and connection with others.

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