Faculty

Adrienne Hurd

Adrienne Hurd is a native New Yorker.   She studied at the Joffrey Ballet School, the School of American Ballet and The Ailey School on fellowship.   She danced with Neubert Ballet, Ailey II, and The Jamison Project.  She was Ms.

Alisa de los Reyes

New York native Alisa de los Reyes began her dance career as a member of the Hunter College Dance Company and later as a principal dancer in the Harlem-based company Keep Rising to the Top (KR3T’s), performing as well as honing her skills as a choreographer. She then began studying Pilates with Master instructor Linda Farrell at Broadway Dance Center, and went on to become Pilates Mat and Reformer certified. Ms.

Babacar M’Baye

Born in a griot family of Wolof people, Babacar M’Baye’s professional career began on tour with the Second Ballet of Senegal.  Mr. M'Baye is admired in his homeland as one of Dakar’s most exciting and formidable dancers.  He upholds the tradition of Sabar dance by drawing power from the traditions of his people, while contributing his innovative spirit and style toward its continuation.  Mr.

Ben Byrd

For the past few years, Mr. Byrd has lived and worked in New York City as an actor, dancer, singer and teacher.  He has worked regionally in theaters with Terrence Mann and Ann Reinking, among others, as well as for Carnival Cruise Lines.  Mr. Byrd has worked on film and television projects in New York and Florida, and he has also worked as a Stage Manager for events including Broadway Dance Center's Showcases, Mike Minery’s Tapaholics, and The International Dance Festival.  Recently, Mr.

Bev Brown

Bev Brown has toured the world choreographing and performing for various artists.  She has been featured in many music videos, commercials, movies, and television shows.  Although her battles with cancer have left her body scarred on the inside, she refuses to show it on the outside.  Her style includes Jazz, club, Hip-Hop, and break dancing.  Ms. Brown encourages all dancers to dance with their entire body and allow their feelings to shine through.

Finis Jhung

“Trainer extraordinaire, he teaches ballet dancers why they do what they do."  -The New York Times

Funmilayo

Funmilayo was born in Brazil and grew up in Guyana.  She traveled extensively to Nigeria and Ghana, where she lived and studied dance for three years.  She also visited the Congo, the motherland of her ancestors.  Funmilayo has studied a number of dance techniques including Ballet, Modern, Tap, Sabar, Dahome and Afro-Cuban.  She was a member of Malaki MA Congo, the only traditional Congolese dance company in New York City, and won the Ethnic Dance Award for ‘Best African Dance Instructor’ in 1996.  Funmilayo is the founder and artistic director of F.U.S.

Germaine Goodson

A dancer since the age of three, Germaine Goodson is a celebrated tap dancer and was a featured dancer in the Broadway production of Black and Blue and an Off-Broadway production of Back in the Big Time, starring Harold Nicholas.  Last seen in Duke Ellington’s Broadway musical Play On, Ms.

Hallee Altman

Hallee Altman, owner of The Center Studio®, was certified to teach Authentic Pilates by Romana Kryzanowska in 2001 and has been changing bodies and lives at her successful Upper West Side studio since 2005.  She is also certified in the M.E.L.T method, a revolutionary approach to fitness that focuses on hydrating and lengthening connective tissue, resulting in greater overall function and performance of the body.  Using both MELT and Pilates, Hallee teaches others to better understand their body’s boundaries and intensify their workouts while staying pain-free.

Iquail Shaheed

Mr. Shaheed, a native of Philadelphia, was introduced to dance at the age of 13 upon acceptance to the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.  He furthered his dance studies with Philadelphia Dance Company’s (PHILADANCO) and later became a senior member of DANCO II.  Mr.

Irini Res

Irini Res has been in the fitness industry for 30 years.  She has taught at many different schools, shalas, and gyms and has a wide range of experience in many areas of fitness.  She first discovered Ashtanga (Power) yoga 12 years ago.  Ms. Res practiced Mysore Yoga for 4 years at Karma Yoga Center and The Ashtanga Yoga Center.  Ashtanga yoga is a way of life for Ms. Res, and she has been an Ashtanga yoga instructor at Gold’s gym NYC for the past ten years.

Jinny McGivern

Jinny McGivern, a native of Brooklyn, NY, received her B.F.A. Magna Cum Laude from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College. Ms. McGivern discovered yoga after a recurring knee injury caused her to seek alternative forms of therapy. She found that she was as attracted to the practical applications of yogic philosophy to everyday life, as much as to the physical practice of asana. She completed her 200-hour Teacher Training at YogaWorks in New York City in March 2007, studying asana, anatomy, pranayama, philosophy, and meditation.

Joan Peters

Joan Peters was born in New York City and started dancing at the age of six with Syvilla Fort at the Katherine Dunham School of Theatre Dance. Her performing career is extensive, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, and numerous films. In addition to teaching Dunham technique she has modeled extensively. Ms Peters also directed the Syvilla Fort School of Theatre Dance and is the Director of the Syvilla Fort Dance Company.

Jonathan Lee

Jonathan Lee has worked with various recording artists including Grammy Award winners Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Tracy Chapman and Joe as a backup singer, dancer and choreographer.  His Film/TV credits include Fish, Chapelle’s Show, The WB Morning Show, ABC News Now, The View and Guiding Light.  Theatre credits include Once On This Island, The Wiz, West Side Story, The King & I, and Miss Saigon.  He has choreographed and performed with netwo

Karen Arceneaux

Karen  Arceneaux received her B.F.A. from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) and M.A.O.M. from the University of Phoenix.  Her dance studies include the American Dance Festival, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, and The Ailey School.  She has choreographed for ULL and various programs at The Ailey School and is a former member of Footprints Dance Company and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance.  She teaches extensively in the Hamptons and is a guest artist and adjudicator for LIU C.W. Post.  Ms.

Karina Romero & Dardo Galetto

Born in Cordoba, Argentina, Karina Romero trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance before studying tango with masters such as Mingo Pugliese, Mariela Franganillo, and Pablo Veron. Since relocating to NYC in 2001, Ms. Romero has been a featured dancer with the Thalia Spanish Theatre and appeared in numerous commercials as well as the film A Night in New York. Currently affiliated with cable TV Channel 4, she is a member of Connections Dance Theater and teaches at Sandra Cameron Dance Center.

Kat Wildish

Kat Wildish is a high-caliber dance instructor, currently teaching multi-level ballet and pointe technique for children and adults. She trains teachers for the Dance Educators of America, and her performing credits include New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and numerous international companies. Kat is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Ford Foundation Scholarship under which she attended the School of American Ballet.

Kay Wylie Jacob, PhD

Kay Wylie-Jacob is an artist/educator with a Ph.D. in Performance Studies and an MFA in Dance from New York University. Her background in performance includes work with Twyla Tharp and ten years as Artistic Director of the Big Apple Dance Theatre. During her concert dance career, Dr. Wylie-Jacob performed in twenty-five US cities and traveled to ten countries. Her choreography credits include commissioned work for Middlebury College, the University of Louisville, Halifax Dance Company in Nova Scotia, The New School, The New York Feminist Art Institute and Off-Broadway shows.

Kelly Peters

With over 22 years of Hip-Hop experience, Kelly Peters is an experienced choreographer, master teacher and NYC-based professional igniting the fire within performance groups and recording artists nationwide.  Mr. Peters teaches everything from locking to popping, breaking to graffiti, and fashion to form.  He launched the first Hip-Hop dance academy in New England and is very active in the community.  Mr. Peters is the director of a teen Hip-Hop dance company at the Adolescent Youth Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

La Mora

Danys “La Mora” Pérez is an international Afro-Cuban Folklore dancer, choreographer, teacher and ethnologist.  She is renowned as one of the foremost interpreters of Afro-Cuban dance forms derived from the cultures of West Africa present in Cuba.  Her specialty is the unique styles of her native region, “Oriente Province”, in Eastern Cuba.  Oriente offers a particularly rich cultural heritage due to the introduction of Afro-Haitian influences to the already vibrant Afro-Cuban traditions.  For 18 years, La Mora danced and toured internationa

Luis Davila

Luis Davila began dancing at the age of 16 at South Bronx HS.  In his senior year, he was awarded a full summer scholarship to Fieldston School of the Performng Arts under the supervision of Wendy Osserman.  At 22, he was awarded the prestigious Richard Ellner Dance Scholarship to Broadway Danace Center.  Since then, Mr. Davila has had the great fortune of working with choreographers including Anthony Rodriguez of 'La Santa Luz' & Arthur Aviles of Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (B.A.A.D.).  Mr. Davila is currently a part of the Mariana Bekerman Dance Co.

Madame Gabriela Darvash

World-renowned Kirov-trained teacher Madame Gabriela Darvash was Artistic Director and resident choreographer for the State Opera Ballet in Cluj, Roumania for 14 years.  Since 1972 she has resided in New York, running her own school from 1976 to 1988.  The New York Times’ Anna Kisselgoff and Jennifer Dunning have praised her ability to create beautiful, strong, artistically expressive dancers.  The New York Times also quotes Mikhail Baryshnikov calling Madame Darvash "one of the distinguished and fine ballet pedegogues in America."  One of her students, a

Maguette Camara

Maguette Camara is a recognized West African choreographer, musician and teacher based in New York City.  Mr.

Mamady Sano

Mamady Sano is a dynamic performing artist from Guinea, West Africa.  Born into an artistic family, he is the son of world-renowned choreographer Mohamed Kemoko Sano of Les Ballets Africains.  Mr. Sano often performed with his brothers and friends, and quickly became known as the top dancer in his region.  He began performing with Les Merveilles D'Afrique African Dance Troupe, a highly acclaimed, internationally-recognized performance ensemble under the artistic direction of his father.  Mr.

Michael Leon Thomas

Michael Leon Thomas is the creative director of his company MOTION THEATER LAB, dedicated to creating dance theater programming for television and film.  Mr. Thomas made his professional debut with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1991, where he received praise for his performances in Alvin Ailey's Love Songs, Billy Wilson's Winter in Lisbon, Jawole Zollar's Shelter and Dwight Rhoden's Frames.  Mr.

Milton Myers

Milton Myers performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and was Director of the Trisler Danscompany for six years.  He has taught for the Ballet Hispanico, New Danish Dance Theatre, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Batsheva, Matthew Bourne's Male Swan Lake Company on Broadway and Ballet Stagium in Brazil.  He is a professional instructor for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and is an instructor and resident choreographer for Philadanco.  Mr. Myers is currently on faculty at the Juilliard School and the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A.

Nancy Mink

Nancy Mink began her professional career as a jazz dancer working in shows in the US, Canada and Europe.  Throughout the years she became qualified in Stott Pilates, Modern Pilates, Cardiolates, Weight Training, Aerobics, Body Massage, Indian Head Massage, Foot Reflexology, Reiki, and Body Art.   Her continuing journey to find the missing link between movement and longevity came to fruition in 2008 when she became a MELT practioner.  Nancy now has a number of MELT clients who see the transformation of their bodies, feel less stressed, more mobile, and are finding that ME

Patricia Weiss

A native of Munich, Germany, Patricia Weiss trained at the Iwanson School of Contemporary Dance. While still a student, she made her debut at the Munich State Opera in a production of Verdi’s Falstaff. Upon graduation, Ms. Weiss moved to New York City, where she continued her studies at The Ailey School. In 2004, she returned for an apprenticeship under Philip Taylor with the Ballet Theater Munich. Ms. Weiss has performed with and choreographed for various companies in Europe and the United States. In 2008, she became artistic director and choreographer of VQ Dance Productions, Inc.

Peniel Guerrier

Peniel Guerrier began his formal dance training in 1987. Hervé Maxi, the most prestigious teacher in Haiti, was impressed with his dancing and invited Mr. Guerrier to study at his school. Mr. Guerrier subsequently danced with the National Dance Theatre of Haiti for 8 years and toured worldwide to places including Venezuela, Paris, Hungary, Japan, Montreal, Germany, Santo Domingo, and the United States. He also toured with the Baccoulou Dance Company during this time. While in Haiti, in addition to performing, Peniel taught at the National Dance Theatre and ENARTS.

Philip Haymon

Mr. Haymon began his professional career in San Francisco, where he taught Salsa at the Metronome Ballroom. His love of teaching Salsa took him from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Detroit, Miami, Maui, Puerto Rico, and now New York City. Mr. Haymon’s performance experience includes several World Salsa Congresses as a member of Ava Apple and Luis Rosa's Latin Symbolics.

Q Pittman

A theater graduate of Baltimore School for The Arts, Q recently worked with independent artist Jonté on his debut Japanese DVD project Hello Jontè Moaning and some of his current choreography work includes The Real World: Brooklyn and singer-songwriter Lauren Legato.  As a choreographer/dancer, additional credits include: recording artist Kelis, As The World Turns, The Chris Roc

Quenia Ribeiro

A native of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Quenia Ribeiro has danced and taught for over 25 years, including 18 years of formal ballet training and extensive exposure to various forms of Brazilian folkloric dance.  She has performed at universities, festivals, and theatres in Greece, Brazil, and all over the United States.  Since moving to New York more than a decade ago, Ms.

Robin Dunn

Robin Dunn began her career studying and eventually teaching dance at the Charlotte Pollak Dance Studio in Queens, NY, where she learned Tap, Jazz and Ballet under Pollak.  She later studied and taught under Frank Hatchett at Broadway Dance Center in NYC as well as studying Ballet, Horton and Dunham at The Ailey School.  In the early 90s, Ms. Dunn was introduced to the world of Hip-Hop dance and culture by her first teachers, Buddha Stretch and Mr. Wiggles.  Ms.

Samantha Harte

Ms. Harte was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Her film/TV credits include "The WB Morning Show," "Direct FX," "Rescue Me," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "WannaBe Kylie Minogue," Chris Rock’s “Hey Ya” and Fifty Cent’s “Outta Control” music video. She has worked with networks such as HBO, MTV, FX, and the WB. Ms. Harte has also been a featured dancer in several casinos and venues including the Taj Mahal, Harrah’s casino, Guastavino’s, Nyla, Mirage, and Blu. Ms.

Samara

Samara has spent 25 years dedicated to the dances of the Middle East and North Africa. Drawn to the dance via her Mediterranean heritage (Greek and Turkish), she began dancing professionally in her teens, and was a protégé of the late master dancer/teacher/choreographer Ibrahim Farrah. Samara performed as a principal dancer with the Near East Dance Group in some of America’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center.

Samuel Salazar

Born and raised in Venezuela, Samuel Salazar participated in several dance competitions while in high school.  He fell in love with Zumba when he attended his first Zumba Workshop in Dayton, Ohio.  Mr. Salazar became a certified Zumba instructor after he realized how great it made him feel, stating, “Zumba has changed my life, and I want to pass it on to rest of the world.”

Sarina Jain

Born in California, Ms. Jain started leading fitness classes at a young age, and has been a certified fitness instructor for more than 18 years.  She completed studies in marketing and public relations in Los Angeles before founding her company, Masala Dance & Fitness, Inc., in 1999.  She soon relocated to New York where she successfully cultivated a larger audience for her cross-cultural fitness ideas.  An energetic fitness innovator, music video choreographer, and international television/radio personality, Ms.

Sarita Allen

Ms. Allen is a world-renowned professional dancer whose career has spanned across four decades. She was a company member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from the 1970s through the 90s, and at present is an Artist In Residence with Complexions. She has been mentored by Kathy Grant, one of the two grande dames of The Pilates technique, and was taught and certified by Joseph H. Pilates himself. Ms. Allen has also trained directly with Julio Horvath, the inventor of the Gyrotonic Expansion System.

Sharon Zaslaw

Sharon Zaslaw, actress/dancer/singer/model, received her B.F.A. in dance/musical theater from The Boston Conservatory of Music and after two decades of performing and studying in NYC, considers herself a "Native New Yorker."  For performance credits and events go to her website www.szaslaw.com.  Ms. Zaslaw is a certified SharQui Instructor and an AFFA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) certified Instructor.

SnapShot & WandeePop

Deena ‘SnapShot’ Clemente and Wanda ‘WandeePop’ Candelario are dance collaborators, business partners and best friends since childhood. Hailing from the South Bronx, SnapShot and WandeePop developed their skills under the guidance of SnapShot’s brother Steve ‘Mr. Wiggles’ Clemente and ‘honorary brother’ Jorge ‘Popmaster Fabel’ Pabon, both members of the famed Rock Steady Crew.

Sue Hitzmann

Sue Hitzmann, MS, CST, NMT, is a nationally recognized somatic-movement educator and manual therapist.  Her decades of practice, research, and study of anatomical science and alternative therapies have culminated in the creation of the M.E.L.T. Method®, a revolutionary approach to pain-free fitness and longevity.  Ms.

Sue Samuels

Teacher, choreographer and performer Sue Samuels has established herself as a staple of the modern performing arts community. Ms. Samuels’ expertise from 35 years of experience keeps her in demand as a mentor and coach by professional and amateur artists from around the world. Her students have included stars from the stage and screen including Melba Moore, Irene Cara and Brooke Shields. Ms. Samuels began her dance training with Broward Civic Ballet in Florida, where she performed with the Company for six years.

Teresa Valley

Originally from Michigan, Teresa was a competitive gymnast for 7 years. At age 15, she fell in love with Latin and Ballroom Dance and was determined to dedicate her life to dance. Since then Teresa has trained and competed around the country. Her training as a Zumba instructor has "changed her life," being able to combine her love of dance with helping others reach their fitness goals. Teresa additionally contributes as a volunteer choreographer for high school and middle school musicals, as well as teaches Ballroom dance to young children in inner city schools.

Theresa Ruth Howard

Theresa Ruth Howard began her professional career with the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company at the age of twelve. In 1989 joined Dance Theater of Harlem, where she had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Africa. She has worked with choreographer Donald Byrd as a soloist in his staging of New York City Opera's Carmina Burana, his critically acclaimed Harlem Nutcracker, as well as the controversial domestic violence work The Beast. In 2004 she joined Armitage Gone Dance!

Tiba

Tiba Vieira began his Capoeira training with Mestre Jelon and Grupo Capoeira Brasil in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In 1997, Mr. Vieira moved to the United States, where he trained with Contra-Mestre Caxias and Contra-Mestre Jô, under the supervision of Mestre Jelon.

Tweetie

Hip-Hop dancer, choreographer and teacher Tweetie studied at the LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts before beginning her professional career as a featured dancer for R&B singer Miss Jones.  She has been featured on MTV’s "Dances From Tha Hood" and “Run's House,” as well as “So You Think You Can Dance Canada,” and has performed as a dancer in commercials for Stride gum, Nike and the iPod campaign alongside Wynton Marsalis.  She has worked with celebrities including Jay-Z, Destiny's Child, Fergie, LL Cool J, Mya and Angie Martin

Vado Diomande

Vado has danced since the age of four, learning the dance and drum traditions of his Mahouka people. At an early age he was initiated into becoming Gue-Pelou, the sacred masked stilt-dancer. This distinction brought him to the Ballet National de Cote d'Ivoire, where he became a principal dancer for more than fifteen years. Vado learned the over sixty ethnic dance traditions of Ivory Coast, choreographing and touring extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Vic DiMonda

Vic DiMonda is currently the Associate Artistic Director for the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, Long Island's only year-round Equity Theater, where he directed and choreographed their inaugural production of Smokey Joe's Café. He is a faculty member of The Ailey School and The Ailey Extension. He founded and served as artistic director for the Harkness Dance Center's Tap Team. He has also been a faculty member of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and an artist-in-residence for the Metropolitan Opera Guild where he taught their Creating Original Opera program.

Yah'Ya Kamate

Yah'Ya Kamate is a native of the Ivory Coast.  As a former member of the National Ballet of the Ivory Coast, he came to the United States to tour and to honor his country in 1994.  In 1997, Yah'Ya established himself in Florida.  He performed at Busch Gardens, the Animal Kingdom and Epcot Center for two years before coming back to New York and the Tri-state area where he teaches in public and privates schools.  Currently, Yah'Ya is an instructor at the Ailey Extension and a performer and a dance teacher at Friends Academy.