| Ballet Syllabus Although ballet has become more International through the years and many instructors come from different ballet backgrounds, the main training structure of our ballet program follows the syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). |
| Tap From classic tap to the cutting edge rhythms of todays hoofer's, our tap courses will focus on percussion, improvisation, clarity, terminology, and tap history. |
| Jazz Dance courses will be a study of all the styles from the great classical jazz masters, Cole, Mattox, Luigi, Forella, Fosse, and more! |
| Ballroom Dance classes, will focus on the Latin and American Social. Traditional Fox Trot, Waltz, and Swing. Salsa classes will be specific to styles and rhythms from Guatemala. Offering: Salsa, Meringue, Samba, Rumba, Cha Cha, and the newest and hottest dance craze ... The Bachata. |
| Contemporary Dance and Modern dance classes are based on the classical and contemporary techniques of the individual instructors. See instructors resume below. |
| BELLY DANCING !!! Discover and enjoy the woman's dance that emphasizes your connection to yourself and the Earth. While listening to hypnotic dance rhythms, you will have fun exploring and creating through your body the natural patterns and rhythms of the earth: Circles, Figure 8's, Spirals, Pulses, Waves and Shimmy's. |
| FENCING !!! Students who plan to train in the competitive level of fencing will need to become members of the USFA (United States Fencing Association). All pertaining paper work will handed out at registration. Or visit www.usfencing.org |
| HIP - HOP & More !!! NEW YORK STYLE The latest influences in the hip hop and Latin dance scene come together in Edwin's fun and energetic classes. You will be dancing to your favorite hip-hop, pop, and R & B radio hits. If you want to feel electrified. And now... BOLLYWOOD! Don't miss this chance to dance with Edwin! |
| YOGA !!! Kripalu is creating itself anew. New leadership is focused on bringing you, our guests and customers, the world’s best yoga curriculum in an environment that nurtures, inspires and uplifts. Come and discover the new Kripalu! |
| Director - Michele Ribble Born and raised by showbiz parents, Michele is an award winning choreographer, Master instructor, producer, dancer, and coach who has spent a lifetime working in classical ballet, tap dance, musical theater, and jazz. She has choreographed for both stage and screen including: assistant choreographer for the film "Beetlejuice", several Off Broadway shows, and has choreographed numerous “gag” acts for the Garden Brothers, Right Bros., Bentley Bros and Ringling Bros. Circuses. Other credits include workshops and performances for Jacob's Pillow, HBO, Miramax, Circuit Productions, Hanna-Barbera and MTV. As lead dancer and choreographer for the Tommy Sands Revue she has played every town from NY to WA and has had the privilege of sharing the stage with: Count Basie, James Brown, Charo, Sammy Davis, Jr., Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Jack Jones, Shirley Maclaine, Juliet Prowse, Red Skelton, Ben Vereen, Dianne Walker; just to mention a few, and recently performed in the star-studded performance of "From the Horse's Mouth" with Martine Van Hamel, Brenda Bufalino, Tina Croll, Edwin Fion and Jamie Cunningham. Michele has danced as a member of the NYC Company, Ronn Forella and the Second Century Dancers, as guest artist with the Kirov Ballet, is a featured soloist at Tap City, the NYC Tap Festival and is known as dance partner to Charles Goddertz and Harold Cromer. In demand worldwide for her choreography and unique teaching skills Michele is constantly on the move sharing her talents anywhere dancers are eager to learn. Students at CSA (Community School of the Arts) in Marion Indiana were delighted to host her Tap Workshop , where she taught the original Bill Bojangles Robinson Stair Dance. Her choreography has been enjoyed by audiences at the Rainbow Room in NYC, the Marco Polo in Miami, Harrah's Casino in Atlantic City, Reno/Tahoe, as well as London, Scotland , Prague and on such prestigious stages as the Joyce Theater, the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, at Peter Norton's Symphony Space, and the Duke on 42nd Street Theater on Broadway, NYC. Michele was on the summer staff at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center as an instructor and choreographer for the Extreme Ballet Pre-professional Intensive Summer Ballet Program, a Master Instructor for Omega Institute’s summer intensives, is an adjudicator and adjunct professor of dance at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz College, a Master Instructor for NADAA (National Association of Dancers and Affiliated Arts), A founding creator and director of Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival, and a judge for Starbound and Olympic Miss Dance Competitions. She is an Education Advisor to the American Tap Dance Foundation, a guest instructor at Steps on Broadway, and was columnist for the International Tap Association Newsletter. Member of: AFTRA, Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, Dance Theater Workshop, International Tap Association, American Ballet Theater, Ulster Performing Arts Center, American Tap Dance Foundation, Dutchess and Ulster Co. Arts Alliances, and the National Association of Dancers and Affiliated Arts. Michele has a 14 year affiliation with the American Academy of Ballet, an 23 year affiliation with the American Tap Dance Foundation, a life long affiliation with members of the Royal Academy of Ballet , and is the Founder of the Roya Curie Dance Scholarship Foundation, which has funded over $17,000 to dancers in need since 1998. |
RDC Teacher BIOS
Miss Anne Brosché - has trained in Classical Ballet with Nolan Dingman of North Carolina School of the Arts, Melissa Hayden, Jacques D’
Amboise and Edward Villella of New York City Ballet, Robert Denvers of Bejart Ballet of Belgium and Eugene Loring. Her passion for dance was
recognized by Violet Verde who offered her a scholarship to the School of American Ballet, the official school for New York City Ballet, and she
has also studied extensively under the tutelage of Roya Curie, whom she attributes as being instrumental in her success as a dancer. Anne
has been in several Off-Broadway productions including The Public Theater, and the James Joyce Memorial Liquid Theatre. She has been a
member of the Poughkeepsie Civic Ballet Company, where she performed as lead dancer in Jose Coronado's Mujares, and was a featured
soloist with Poughkeepsie Ballet Theatre under the direction of Gilbert Reed. Miss Anne is thrilled to be on faculty at the Rhinebeck Dance
Centre and is looking forward to collaborating with such an esteemed professional staff, and in making RDC her new dance home. Miss Anne
is looking forward to meeting and working with RDC's talented caliber of students.
Erika Campbell - TXTC
Erin Daniels - Miss Erin Daniels - began her love for ballet, tap and jazz dance at the early age of five. In competition dance, and for the following
7 years, she quickly moved on to being an award winning dancer and was named for high honors, and trophies too numerous to mention. Upon
entering High School, Erin found a welcome challenge in the Color Guard. As Captain of the guard, she began choreographing in preparation for
her career, and eventually touring to Arizona, Ohio and Canada, along with other U.S. cities, spinning rifles, sabers, and flags while continuing
her love for dancing and performing alongside the exciting live music of the marching band. While attending college she assisted with the
Mahopac High School Color Guard, and then quickly moved on to becoming their Director, and soon after became the Director for the famed
Arlington High School Color Guard. She has toured with the Annie Galle Ballet Troupe, traveling to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland for
performances, and performed at the Ulster Performing Arts Centre. Miss Erin is a sixth grade teacher at Haviland Middle School in Hyde Park.
This will be Erin’s fifth year with the RDC family and she is looking forward to another amazing year.
Mon Ray Francois - BIO
Mon Ray Francois has been dancing forever! He has performed in numerous music videos, Broadway and Off Broadway productions and most
recently seen performing at the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center's production of Rent. He wants participants to come to his class with one
thing in mind... conditioning the body. Mon Ray is very excited about joining the RDC dance family and to share his Muscle Confusion with a
broader and more diverse group of people. CLASS DESCRIPTION: Muscle Confusion is a full body workout that is designed to replenish your
mind, body and spirit. No weights are used. Mon Ray says "Don't think exercise... think DANCE"
Participants will enjoy dancing to Latin and African rhythms starting with a diversified warm-up, different styles of choreography, and a challenge
section for two groups. Mon Ray assures that with his stress releasing class and Muscle Confusion Techniques, that he can provide you with a
better physique in just a few classes. Let's "Pump that core & tale it low"
Brenda Hicks (a.k.a. at RDC as Brenda the GREAT!) Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor has been teaching Yoga classes in the Dutchess and
Ulster County areas since 1993. She has educated her students in the art of Kripalu Yoga at: Marist College, the Nubin Directions Health Center,
the Linden Tree Center, Casperkill Country Club, Sunrise Jo Path in Fishkill, and the YWCA and YMCA in Pok. Brenda keeps on top of the Yoga
scene with her on-going and continual education in the field. She has completed the Certified Facilitated Stretching Program which assists in
the Teachers Certification Training at the Kripalu Yoga Center, in Lenox, Mass. She is currently the instructor for Yoga lessons at both All Sport
Centers in Poughkeepsie and Ulster County, and has been rated Dutchess Counties most favorite Yoga instructor by three of the area’s most
well established and prestigious dancing schools. She is warm, caring, positive, and takes the time to work with each student on an individual
basis. With Brenda’s excellent reputation and immense popularity, the Rhinebeck Dance Centre is thrilled to have her join our staff. We
guarantee that you will walk away from your lesson feeling just wonderful.
Ariella Jaffe - Has been studying under the direction of Michele Ribble for 15 years, has completed her RDC STIT Programming (Student
Teacher In Training) and is now in her 7th year as an instructor with the RDC staff. Her credits include studies with many tap masters such as:
Tony Waag, Brenda Bufalino and Margaret Morrison of the American Tap Dance Foundation, and several workshops under the direction of such
great hoofers as Harold “Stumpy” Cromer, Avi Miller and Ofer Ben the Israeli Hoofers, Rhythm Kaneko of Japan, Savion Glover, Ayodele Casel,
and Jason Samuals Smith. . As an assistant to Michele Ribble she has worked at the Vanaver Caravan Dance Camp, Tap City, the New York
City Tap Festival, and the ATDF Winter Tap Intensives, and has choreographed several tap routines for the RDC annual performance. Her
students recently won a Gold Medal at competition with her choreography. Ariella has also trained with the fab David Rider, and was also happy
to teach alongside him, so she could easily steal some of his good steps. Ariella is thrilled to be returning to the RDC staff 2008, and can’t wait
to share some great new tap steps with you.
Jeannette Kravic - Miss Jeannette is pleased to join us and brings to us her extensive dance training and passion for the dance. She has
studied under the direction of Tom Adair and was a member of the Poughkeepsie Ballet Theater and the Dutchess Dance Theater performing
several principal roles, and as a featured soloist in many a Nutcracker. She has performed at the Bardavon and UPAC Theaters in several
ensembles and has been cast in dozens of plays to include: Oliver, Taming of the Shrew, The Apple Tree, The Man Who Came to Dinner and
George M. Cohan to mention a few. She began her love for dance at the Pinewood Ballet Academy where she trained in Jazz and Tap from
1981-1989. She continued her dance studies at SUNY Albany, Union College, and the Guilderland Dance Center. Jeannette settled down in Red
Hook NY to become a Mom of her three lovely children. Now that her children are older, she has the time to return to her love of dance. She has
taught for the Poughkeepsie Civic Ballet Company, and the Pinewood School in children’s ballet, and combination classes. Jeannette is excited
to meet her new students and looks forward to a great year of dance, learning and sharing the FUNdamentals!
Todd Li - began his tap dance training at the Rhinebeck Dance Centre in the early 50's .... more precisely, HIS early 50's. He has studied and
trained primarily under the direction of Michele Ribble, and in Master classes with instructors including David Rider, Brenda Bufalino, DeWitt
Fleming, Susan Hebach, Eli Newsom, Charlene Barro, Jared Grimes, Max Pollak and Jason Samuel Smith. He has choreographed and
performed at the Symphony Space in NYC and at the Ulster Performing Arts Center. Todd's objectives for his students are: i) provide
fundamentals and techniques that will build towards some popular steps; ii) provide the confidence for them to devise their own steps and
practice routines; and iii) have fun. In addition to his interest in tapping, he is a avid jazz fan and musician and has performed on saxophone at
area venues with the Big Blue Big Band, the Top Hatters, and Switch-in-Time, just to mention a few. Todd is honored to have this opportunity to
share his love of tapping with others.
Gale Ann Murphy (a.k.a. Miss Gale) was originally trained by Roya Curie and has been a member of the RCDC, and RDC family since she was
12 years old when she took her first dance class at the Roya Curie Dance Centre in Poughkeepsie. She has taught for the Roya Curie Dance
Centre, the Community Dance Center, Blanches Off Broadway, the Ulster Community College, Ulster BOCES, and has been assisting Michele
Ribble for most of her dancing life. She has performed at hundreds of dance concerts too numerous to mention, and was a principle dancer with
the Poughkeepsie Civic Ballet Company. Gale has performed On Broadway at the Duke on 42nd St. Theater with the Rhinebeck Taps Dance
Company in a star studded opening number in Tap All Stars, at Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival 2001. Gale is proud to have brought
dance into the workplace by holding classes and performing at employee functions and working with people who were never introduced to the
art of dance as a child but always wanted to learn. Miss Gale believes that “with the drive......you can achieve anything.”
Serpentessa (Gretchen Brown) has been teaching and performing Temple Belly Dance for several years. She has a background in theatre
including jazz, African, contact improv and modern. Her Middle Eastern dance education includes study under Serena, the late Ibrahim Farrah
and others, and she is currently studying and performing with Jehan Kamal. In 1993 she co-founded the Freestyle Frolic, a thriving cooperatively
volunteer run social dance that is a member of Dance New England, and she is a graduate of Priestess Path Apprenticeship under ALisa
Starkweather, a visionary healer and ceremonialist. Most recent collaboration in theatre can be seen in Jehan’s GODDESSDANCE which
features Gretchen dancing as a Snake Priestess (a Serpentess) in the temple. This Off-Broadway show has been quoted as a "Middle Eastern
Riverdance" by the Village Voice. For more information, references and testimonials please visit her web site at: www.TempleBellyDance.com.
Tara Somerville Returns to RDC Text TK
Eric Soyka Returns to RDC this fall. Eric is the director and owner of the Phoenix Center in Poughkeepsie NY, and has been involved with the
sport of fencing since the age of ten. In addition to managing The Phoenix Center, he currently works as an Assistant Coach for the Vassar
College Men's and Women's Fencing teams. His students compete at the divisional, sectional, and national levels. Eric has also competed at
the divisional, sectional, and national levels and has two students currently on the National Points List. He has completed Level 1 Foil at
Coaches College and is SST certified for both children and adults. He is a nationally rated referee earning his level 6 referee in Foil and Epee,
and a level 9 in Saber, and is working towards certification as a Moniteur d'Escrime.
Eric is excited to meet and share her skills with her new RDC students.
Guest Artist
Edwin Fion Edwin Fion Professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer is currently working as an exclusive talent for one of the Top NYC
Talent Agencies, the Clear Talent Group. Artistic Director and Teaching artist for NY Dance Residency where he teaches Hip-Hop and Latin-
American dance in Arts-In-Education programs throughout New York State. Originally from Guatemala Edwin holds a degree in Advertising. His
professional theater career spans from having the leading roles in plays such as: West Side Story, Grease, Godspell, Jesus Christ Super Star,
and other shows to include: the Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham’s show “From the Horses Mouth” where he also shared the stage with
Martine Van Hammel, Michele Ribble, Brenda Bufalino, and famed Hip-Hop duo Kwik and Rokafella. His awards as dancer and choreographer
include: the prestigious Silver Medal Award at the World Championship of Performing Arts for dance E.E.U.U., and Coach of the Year Award for
La Copa de las Americas, Mexico. His performing and dance training background in Theater and Dance Arts are: Jazz &Tap dance, Hip-Hop,
Clogging, Modern, Ballet, World Dance, Latin, Swing, Musical Theater, and his own style of “BPT” (Body Percussion & Tap). His most recent
credits Include: appearance on the popular ABC network Soap Opera “One Life to Live”, guest choreographer for an Off-Broadway Production of
Arabia Nights directed by Amira More, performing with CWDT at the Alvin Ailey Theater in the production “Tapas”, choreographer for the T.V sport
"Mini baby bell cheese, appearance in the new Verizon campaign and Performing in the International Dance festival Jacob's Pillow.
Miss Anne Brosché - has trained in Classical Ballet with Nolan Dingman of North Carolina School of the Arts, Melissa Hayden, Jacques D’
Amboise and Edward Villella of New York City Ballet, Robert Denvers of Bejart Ballet of Belgium and Eugene Loring. Her passion for dance was
recognized by Violet Verde who offered her a scholarship to the School of American Ballet, the official school for New York City Ballet, and she
has also studied extensively under the tutelage of Roya Curie, whom she attributes as being instrumental in her success as a dancer. Anne
has been in several Off-Broadway productions including The Public Theater, and the James Joyce Memorial Liquid Theatre. She has been a
member of the Poughkeepsie Civic Ballet Company, where she performed as lead dancer in Jose Coronado's Mujares, and was a featured
soloist with Poughkeepsie Ballet Theatre under the direction of Gilbert Reed. Miss Anne is thrilled to be on faculty at the Rhinebeck Dance
Centre and is looking forward to collaborating with such an esteemed professional staff, and in making RDC her new dance home. Miss Anne
is looking forward to meeting and working with RDC's talented caliber of students.
Erika Campbell - TXTC
Erin Daniels - Miss Erin Daniels - began her love for ballet, tap and jazz dance at the early age of five. In competition dance, and for the following
7 years, she quickly moved on to being an award winning dancer and was named for high honors, and trophies too numerous to mention. Upon
entering High School, Erin found a welcome challenge in the Color Guard. As Captain of the guard, she began choreographing in preparation for
her career, and eventually touring to Arizona, Ohio and Canada, along with other U.S. cities, spinning rifles, sabers, and flags while continuing
her love for dancing and performing alongside the exciting live music of the marching band. While attending college she assisted with the
Mahopac High School Color Guard, and then quickly moved on to becoming their Director, and soon after became the Director for the famed
Arlington High School Color Guard. She has toured with the Annie Galle Ballet Troupe, traveling to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland for
performances, and performed at the Ulster Performing Arts Centre. Miss Erin is a sixth grade teacher at Haviland Middle School in Hyde Park.
This will be Erin’s fifth year with the RDC family and she is looking forward to another amazing year.
Mon Ray Francois - BIO
Mon Ray Francois has been dancing forever! He has performed in numerous music videos, Broadway and Off Broadway productions and most
recently seen performing at the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center's production of Rent. He wants participants to come to his class with one
thing in mind... conditioning the body. Mon Ray is very excited about joining the RDC dance family and to share his Muscle Confusion with a
broader and more diverse group of people. CLASS DESCRIPTION: Muscle Confusion is a full body workout that is designed to replenish your
mind, body and spirit. No weights are used. Mon Ray says "Don't think exercise... think DANCE"
Participants will enjoy dancing to Latin and African rhythms starting with a diversified warm-up, different styles of choreography, and a challenge
section for two groups. Mon Ray assures that with his stress releasing class and Muscle Confusion Techniques, that he can provide you with a
better physique in just a few classes. Let's "Pump that core & tale it low"
Brenda Hicks (a.k.a. at RDC as Brenda the GREAT!) Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor has been teaching Yoga classes in the Dutchess and
Ulster County areas since 1993. She has educated her students in the art of Kripalu Yoga at: Marist College, the Nubin Directions Health Center,
the Linden Tree Center, Casperkill Country Club, Sunrise Jo Path in Fishkill, and the YWCA and YMCA in Pok. Brenda keeps on top of the Yoga
scene with her on-going and continual education in the field. She has completed the Certified Facilitated Stretching Program which assists in
the Teachers Certification Training at the Kripalu Yoga Center, in Lenox, Mass. She is currently the instructor for Yoga lessons at both All Sport
Centers in Poughkeepsie and Ulster County, and has been rated Dutchess Counties most favorite Yoga instructor by three of the area’s most
well established and prestigious dancing schools. She is warm, caring, positive, and takes the time to work with each student on an individual
basis. With Brenda’s excellent reputation and immense popularity, the Rhinebeck Dance Centre is thrilled to have her join our staff. We
guarantee that you will walk away from your lesson feeling just wonderful.
Ariella Jaffe - Has been studying under the direction of Michele Ribble for 15 years, has completed her RDC STIT Programming (Student
Teacher In Training) and is now in her 7th year as an instructor with the RDC staff. Her credits include studies with many tap masters such as:
Tony Waag, Brenda Bufalino and Margaret Morrison of the American Tap Dance Foundation, and several workshops under the direction of such
great hoofers as Harold “Stumpy” Cromer, Avi Miller and Ofer Ben the Israeli Hoofers, Rhythm Kaneko of Japan, Savion Glover, Ayodele Casel,
and Jason Samuals Smith. . As an assistant to Michele Ribble she has worked at the Vanaver Caravan Dance Camp, Tap City, the New York
City Tap Festival, and the ATDF Winter Tap Intensives, and has choreographed several tap routines for the RDC annual performance. Her
students recently won a Gold Medal at competition with her choreography. Ariella has also trained with the fab David Rider, and was also happy
to teach alongside him, so she could easily steal some of his good steps. Ariella is thrilled to be returning to the RDC staff 2008, and can’t wait
to share some great new tap steps with you.
Jeannette Kravic - Miss Jeannette is pleased to join us and brings to us her extensive dance training and passion for the dance. She has
studied under the direction of Tom Adair and was a member of the Poughkeepsie Ballet Theater and the Dutchess Dance Theater performing
several principal roles, and as a featured soloist in many a Nutcracker. She has performed at the Bardavon and UPAC Theaters in several
ensembles and has been cast in dozens of plays to include: Oliver, Taming of the Shrew, The Apple Tree, The Man Who Came to Dinner and
George M. Cohan to mention a few. She began her love for dance at the Pinewood Ballet Academy where she trained in Jazz and Tap from
1981-1989. She continued her dance studies at SUNY Albany, Union College, and the Guilderland Dance Center. Jeannette settled down in Red
Hook NY to become a Mom of her three lovely children. Now that her children are older, she has the time to return to her love of dance. She has
taught for the Poughkeepsie Civic Ballet Company, and the Pinewood School in children’s ballet, and combination classes. Jeannette is excited
to meet her new students and looks forward to a great year of dance, learning and sharing the FUNdamentals!
Todd Li - began his tap dance training at the Rhinebeck Dance Centre in the early 50's .... more precisely, HIS early 50's. He has studied and
trained primarily under the direction of Michele Ribble, and in Master classes with instructors including David Rider, Brenda Bufalino, DeWitt
Fleming, Susan Hebach, Eli Newsom, Charlene Barro, Jared Grimes, Max Pollak and Jason Samuel Smith. He has choreographed and
performed at the Symphony Space in NYC and at the Ulster Performing Arts Center. Todd's objectives for his students are: i) provide
fundamentals and techniques that will build towards some popular steps; ii) provide the confidence for them to devise their own steps and
practice routines; and iii) have fun. In addition to his interest in tapping, he is a avid jazz fan and musician and has performed on saxophone at
area venues with the Big Blue Big Band, the Top Hatters, and Switch-in-Time, just to mention a few. Todd is honored to have this opportunity to
share his love of tapping with others.
Gale Ann Murphy (a.k.a. Miss Gale) was originally trained by Roya Curie and has been a member of the RCDC, and RDC family since she was
12 years old when she took her first dance class at the Roya Curie Dance Centre in Poughkeepsie. She has taught for the Roya Curie Dance
Centre, the Community Dance Center, Blanches Off Broadway, the Ulster Community College, Ulster BOCES, and has been assisting Michele
Ribble for most of her dancing life. She has performed at hundreds of dance concerts too numerous to mention, and was a principle dancer with
the Poughkeepsie Civic Ballet Company. Gale has performed On Broadway at the Duke on 42nd St. Theater with the Rhinebeck Taps Dance
Company in a star studded opening number in Tap All Stars, at Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival 2001. Gale is proud to have brought
dance into the workplace by holding classes and performing at employee functions and working with people who were never introduced to the
art of dance as a child but always wanted to learn. Miss Gale believes that “with the drive......you can achieve anything.”
Serpentessa (Gretchen Brown) has been teaching and performing Temple Belly Dance for several years. She has a background in theatre
including jazz, African, contact improv and modern. Her Middle Eastern dance education includes study under Serena, the late Ibrahim Farrah
and others, and she is currently studying and performing with Jehan Kamal. In 1993 she co-founded the Freestyle Frolic, a thriving cooperatively
volunteer run social dance that is a member of Dance New England, and she is a graduate of Priestess Path Apprenticeship under ALisa
Starkweather, a visionary healer and ceremonialist. Most recent collaboration in theatre can be seen in Jehan’s GODDESSDANCE which
features Gretchen dancing as a Snake Priestess (a Serpentess) in the temple. This Off-Broadway show has been quoted as a "Middle Eastern
Riverdance" by the Village Voice. For more information, references and testimonials please visit her web site at: www.TempleBellyDance.com.
Tara Somerville Returns to RDC Text TK
Eric Soyka Returns to RDC this fall. Eric is the director and owner of the Phoenix Center in Poughkeepsie NY, and has been involved with the
sport of fencing since the age of ten. In addition to managing The Phoenix Center, he currently works as an Assistant Coach for the Vassar
College Men's and Women's Fencing teams. His students compete at the divisional, sectional, and national levels. Eric has also competed at
the divisional, sectional, and national levels and has two students currently on the National Points List. He has completed Level 1 Foil at
Coaches College and is SST certified for both children and adults. He is a nationally rated referee earning his level 6 referee in Foil and Epee,
and a level 9 in Saber, and is working towards certification as a Moniteur d'Escrime.
Eric is excited to meet and share her skills with her new RDC students.
Guest Artist
Edwin Fion Edwin Fion Professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer is currently working as an exclusive talent for one of the Top NYC
Talent Agencies, the Clear Talent Group. Artistic Director and Teaching artist for NY Dance Residency where he teaches Hip-Hop and Latin-
American dance in Arts-In-Education programs throughout New York State. Originally from Guatemala Edwin holds a degree in Advertising. His
professional theater career spans from having the leading roles in plays such as: West Side Story, Grease, Godspell, Jesus Christ Super Star,
and other shows to include: the Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham’s show “From the Horses Mouth” where he also shared the stage with
Martine Van Hammel, Michele Ribble, Brenda Bufalino, and famed Hip-Hop duo Kwik and Rokafella. His awards as dancer and choreographer
include: the prestigious Silver Medal Award at the World Championship of Performing Arts for dance E.E.U.U., and Coach of the Year Award for
La Copa de las Americas, Mexico. His performing and dance training background in Theater and Dance Arts are: Jazz &Tap dance, Hip-Hop,
Clogging, Modern, Ballet, World Dance, Latin, Swing, Musical Theater, and his own style of “BPT” (Body Percussion & Tap). His most recent
credits Include: appearance on the popular ABC network Soap Opera “One Life to Live”, guest choreographer for an Off-Broadway Production of
Arabia Nights directed by Amira More, performing with CWDT at the Alvin Ailey Theater in the production “Tapas”, choreographer for the T.V sport
"Mini baby bell cheese, appearance in the new Verizon campaign and Performing in the International Dance festival Jacob's Pillow.
| RDC Faculty 2010 |
Serpentessa Ms Tara Miss Ann Miss Erika MonRay
 |  |  |  |  |
| Brenda Ms Jeannette Todd Miss Risa Miss Gale |
| Musical Theater Class will be based on Theatrical Songs, choreographies and production numbers from many wonderful Broadway Shows such as, Oliver, Annie, Peter Pan, My Fair Lady, Gypsy and on and on... |
| Artistic Director Michele Ribble |
Eric Ariella Edwin Ms Erin Miss Abby
!!NEW !! MUSCLE Con Fusion with MonRay Franciois |
DANCE STUDIOS AVAILABLE FOR RENT CALL 845-876-3303 |