Dance Alliance Members
Who's Who in our Dance Community
a Rhode Island native, received her early training while dancing with Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, under the direction of the late Christine Hennessey. She attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, under scholarship as a Promising Artist, and received her BFA in dance from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has studied Irish dance technique and history at University College, Cork in Ireland and with Cork native, Terry Songini. As Artistic Director of The Robin's Egg, she has choreographed for RI2PN's 2007 concert RIPPED & 2008 concert Cheek 2 Cheek & many of their summer Frazier Fests, Alive With Dance in Amherst, MA, Island Moving Company's Flight of Steps and Open for Dancing in Newport, RI, as well as for The Theater Expansion's Annual concert, Dancestravaganza in both 2005 & 2007. Her work has been commissioned by The Theater Expansion for the RI premiere of Painted Alice. In addition to her choreography work, Ms. Bodner Muro works as a producer for the RI Independent Performers Network (RI2PN), was on the committee that wrote and implemented the DANCE GSEs for the State of RI, currently serves as President of Rhode Island Dance Alliance, Inc., and is a member of the National Dance Educators Organization. She has taught a broad range of dance techniques, composition, & anatomy/injury prevention throughout New England. Ms. Bodner Muro holds a teaching certificate in DANCE ED for ages PreK-12 and is the Chair of the Dance Department at JACQUELINE M WALSH SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS, RI's only public arts high school (www.jmwschool.net). Her students have gone on to study at The University of the Arts, Dean College, and North Carolina School for the Arts, as well as dance professionally for the Celtics Dancers. In 2012, Ms. Bodner Muro was named RI DANCE TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
Tovah Bodner Muro
therobinsegg@gmail.oom
Nikki Carrara
a dance artist, photographer, and educator. Her work addresses the belief that movement is a common language that allows diverse audiences and performers to experience the lives of each other, expanding our common consciousness. Nikki has performed the dances of Daniel McCusker, Nathan Andary, Deb Meunier, Melody Ruffin-Ward, Kellie Ann Lynch, Henry LeTang, Elaine Colaneri, and Timothy Rubel, among others. Her choreography has been presented in theatres, studios, art galleries, and fields throughout the region. Her dances have been produced by Andary Dance, Island Moving Company, Providence College, The Dance Complex, and Perishable Theatre, among others. From 2007-2010, Nikki co-directed DoubleShift Dance Theatre and also developed the evening-length work, Interface. Nikki shares her love and knowledge of dance with students of all ages, in private and public settings. Currently, she directs RI's only public junior high school dance program, at Jenks Jr High in Pawtucket, and dances with Elm City Dance Collective in New Haven, Connecticut. Nikki has been a member of RI Dance Alliance since 2005.
photo: Mia Campopiano
photo: Mia Campopiano
Past President, RI Dance
Alliance
Dance Dept Chair, Jacqueline M Walsh High School for the Visual and Performing Arts,
Artistic Director, The Robin's Egg
Alliance
Dance Dept Chair, Jacqueline M Walsh High School for the Visual and Performing Arts,
Artistic Director, The Robin's Egg
Webmaster, ridancealliance.com
Photographer, Dancer, Choreographer
Dance Teacher at Joseph Jenks Jr. High School
Photographer, Dancer, Choreographer
Dance Teacher at Joseph Jenks Jr. High School
WEBSITE:
www.nikki-carrara.smugmug.com
www.nikki-carrara.smugmug.com
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Dance Alliance
Non-profit organization that supports all dance activities in the state of RI.
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Helene Scheff
WEBSITE:
http://www.modernjazzdanceco.com
http://www.modernjazzdanceco.com
Elaine Colaneri is the founder of Carousel Dance Studio and The Modern Jazz Dance Company / Center of the Arts. Elaine began studying dance at a very early age and by the time she was a young teen, her love for dance had become a passion that changed her life. One of Elaine's first instructors and the biggest influence in her life was Doris Holloway, who exposed her to some of the greatest dance teachers of our time. Elaine also studied in New York City with legendary Broadway choreographer and master tap instructor, Henry LeTang. She continued studying with him for over 25 years, traveling to New York on a regular basis, in addition to bringing him to RI to conduct workshops for her students. Elaine teaches his techniques and choreography in her tap classes. Sadly, Dr. LeTang passed away in 2007.
Elaine studied with other tap talents such as Leon Collins, Jerry Ames, Mary Jane Brown, Josh Hilberman and Diane Walker, just to name a few.
Elaine's jazz background is second to none. She studied in New York City with such amazing choreographers as Matt Mattox, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Ron Forella, John Mederios, Nat Horne, JoJo Smith, Barry Weiss, Jay Norman (an original cast member of West Side Story), and Peter Gennaro, choreographer of the original productions of Annie. These outstanding dancers also visited Elaine's studio in RI on several occasions to conduct workshops for her students.
Elaine studied with other tap talents such as Leon Collins, Jerry Ames, Mary Jane Brown, Josh Hilberman and Diane Walker, just to name a few.
Elaine's jazz background is second to none. She studied in New York City with such amazing choreographers as Matt Mattox, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Ron Forella, John Mederios, Nat Horne, JoJo Smith, Barry Weiss, Jay Norman (an original cast member of West Side Story), and Peter Gennaro, choreographer of the original productions of Annie. These outstanding dancers also visited Elaine's studio in RI on several occasions to conduct workshops for her students.
hscheff@cox.net
NDEO, UNITY, RIAHPERD
Helene is currently Treasurer of DA, Meeting Planner for NDEO, Guest Teacher in Ballet, Flamenco, Choreography. High School of Performing Arts (NY) graduate – first 10 years. Trained with Robert Joffrey, Henry Le Tang, Pedro Larr, Joe Price, Taught dance classes at Brooklyn College, U of Kansas, U of Massachusetts and her own and other’s private studios. Authored Books with Human Kinetics Publishers: Building Dances (I and II) Building More Dances, Dance About Anything, Experiencing Dance: From Student to Dance Artist (second edition in process) and Exploring Dance Forms and Styles: a Guide to Concert, World, Social, and Historical Dance, all with co-authors Marty Sprague and Susan McGreevy-Nichols
mjdc1985@aol.com
Director, Modern Jazz Dance Company (Tap and Jazz) Providence RI
Sara Barney
Choreographer and Teacher for hire. Contemporary (Modern style)
Sara, a native Rhode Islander, started her ballet training with Providence Ballet under the artistic direction of Eva Marie Pacheco. Her training continued during summer programs at The National Ballet School in Toronto, Canada and Alonzo Kings’ Lines Ballet in San
Francisco, California. She has performed with Providence Ballet Theatre, Providence Youth Ballet, Spindle City Ballet, Connecticut Concert Ballet and Island Moving Company. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she received a BFA in
contemporary dance. There, she has had the pleasure of performing works by Alonzo King,Merce Cunningham, Keigwin and Company, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Doug Elkins, Eric Oberdorff and more. She has had the opportunity to teach creative movement, Beginning to Advanced levels of Ballet, Contemporary, and Dance Composition. She has most recently had the pleasure of working alongside a Lincoln Center Teaching Artist in a Brooklyn Middle School grades 3rd to 8th including Special Education and English as a Second Language classes. Teaching qualifications include Contemporary:All Levels, Dance Composition: All Levels, Ballet: 9 yrs -Advanced, Pointe: Beginning - Intermediate. If interested contact Sara Barney at 401.474.3248 or at saraebarney@gmail.com.
Francisco, California. She has performed with Providence Ballet Theatre, Providence Youth Ballet, Spindle City Ballet, Connecticut Concert Ballet and Island Moving Company. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she received a BFA in
contemporary dance. There, she has had the pleasure of performing works by Alonzo King,Merce Cunningham, Keigwin and Company, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Doug Elkins, Eric Oberdorff and more. She has had the opportunity to teach creative movement, Beginning to Advanced levels of Ballet, Contemporary, and Dance Composition. She has most recently had the pleasure of working alongside a Lincoln Center Teaching Artist in a Brooklyn Middle School grades 3rd to 8th including Special Education and English as a Second Language classes. Teaching qualifications include Contemporary:All Levels, Dance Composition: All Levels, Ballet: 9 yrs -Advanced, Pointe: Beginning - Intermediate. If interested contact Sara Barney at 401.474.3248 or at saraebarney@gmail.com.
saraebarney@gmail.com
Elaine Colaneri
Elizabeth Jernigan
Dance Supervisor and Instructor, Arts Alive!
Teacher, Chance to Dance and Extensions School of Dance
Teacher, Chance to Dance and Extensions School of Dance
Elizabeth Jernigan received her B.A. in Dance and Secondary Education from Roger Williams University, graduating Summa cum laude. There, she had the privilege of studying dance and pedagogy with Sean Curran, Tiffany Mills, Marty Sprague, Kelly Donovan, Melody Ruffin-Ward, and Elizabeth Spatz. Elizabeth has performed at the American College Dance Festival and was a member of the Roger Williams University Dance Theatre. She currently teaches in both the public and private sector and is well versed in the RI Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements (PBGRs) in Dance. Working with Arts Alive! Barrington, a non-profit performing arts education program, Elizabeth is a Asst. Director and Choreographer for the organization. In addition, she is a teacher for Chance to Dance RI, which brings dance to the elementary public school children throughout RI. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and serves as the State Affiliate for the Rhode Island Dance Alliance. Currently, Elizabeth is dancing with two modern/contemporary dance companies based in RI: Fusionworks Dance Company and Urban Coastal Dance. Elizabeth is always looking for opportunities to share her passion for dance with students of all ages and remain an active member of Rhode Island's Dance community.
ASM Dance Company
20 Cottage Street
Warwick, RI, 02889
401-738-1244
www.asmdancecompany.com
Artistic Director Jared Rivers Credits include America's Best Dance Crew Season 5
Office Manager Erica Saccoccio
Description- A.S.M (After School Moves) Dance Company is a RI non profit dance program for serves children ages 2 yrs to 18 years old.
We are known for high energy hip hop dance routines. Our students focus on hip hop technique and foundations. Training includes many different urban dance including break dancing, krump, pop and lock, jazz funk, hip hop. ASM also offers traditional dance styles such as jazz, musical theater, ballet, tap, modern, lyrical and contemporary.
20 Cottage Street
Warwick, RI, 02889
401-738-1244
www.asmdancecompany.com
Artistic Director Jared Rivers Credits include America's Best Dance Crew Season 5
Office Manager Erica Saccoccio
Description- A.S.M (After School Moves) Dance Company is a RI non profit dance program for serves children ages 2 yrs to 18 years old.
We are known for high energy hip hop dance routines. Our students focus on hip hop technique and foundations. Training includes many different urban dance including break dancing, krump, pop and lock, jazz funk, hip hop. ASM also offers traditional dance styles such as jazz, musical theater, ballet, tap, modern, lyrical and contemporary.
ASM Dance Co
Childrens dance company (hip hop, jazz, musical theatre, ballet, tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary)
www.asmdancecompany.com
www.asmdancecompany.com
JAMIE ARNOLD graduated from Rhode Island College magna cum laude with a B.A. in Dance Performance in 2011. She was a member of the Rhode Island College Dance Company for three years, which gave her many versatile performance experiences. Jamie is a dance artist, choreographer, teacher and performer. Upon graduating from college, Jamie attended the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina as a six-week scholarship recipient. She performed in the Dance/Draw exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, MA in Trisha Brown's Floor of the Forest in 2011. Jamie danced in, The Raven, an evening length work focused on social acceptance with Between Movement Dance Company in Hartford, CT. She was a resident artist at The Dragon's Egg Studio in Ledyard, CT, where she created a solo work entitled, Who Am I Today? This piece was just recently performed at The Construction Company in Manhattan, NY as part of a larger showcase of artistry presented by The Dragon's Egg. Jamie is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher and guides classes throughout Rhode Island. She also leads an open modern dance class at 95 Empire on Wednesday evenings in downtown Providence. Jamie has most recently co-founded Urban Coastal Dance Company, an environmentally charged arts collaborative. She is excited to be choreographing and dancing for the upcoming performances of Aquatic Parallels, which will be presented by Urban Coastal Dance in December of 2012.
Jamie Arnold
Dncrjla@gmail.com
Co-Founder of
Urban Coastal Dance Co,
Dance & Yoga Educator,
Artist, Choreographer &
Performer
Co-Founder of
Urban Coastal Dance Co,
Dance & Yoga Educator,
Artist, Choreographer &
Performer
Ejernigan277@g.rwu.edu
Shannon Mahoney Graduated Suma Cum Laude from Dean College in Franklin, MA with a BA Dance Degree in 2009. Shannon has training in Horton, Limon, Graham, Hip Hop, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Creative Movement, Tap, Jazz, and Kinesiology. She was raised in a dance studio under her mothers’ tutelage. Shannon was a member of the Dean Dance Team and choreographed an elementary performance of Guys& Dolls. She was a personal trainer, helping others live strong and healthy lives at WOW of East Providence. She also was a WNBA Mohegan Sun Dancer for five years and has performed with “Rascal Flats” and “Taylor Swift”. Her performances have been aired on national television. She has worked with nationally ranked dancers and dance studios all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Her choreography has been recognized and awarded recognition at many competitions. Her recent endeavor includes opening her own dance studio, Dance Expressions, in Newport Rhode Island.
Shannon Mahoney
danceexpressionsri@gmail.com
Director, Dance Expressions
Dance Expressions
219 Goddard Row Brick Market Place
Newport RI 02840
Phone: 401-230-0789
Email: danceexpressionsri@gmail.com
Web: www.danceexpressionsri.com
Newport RI 02840
Phone: 401-230-0789
Email: danceexpressionsri@gmail.com
Web: www.danceexpressionsri.com
Dance Expressions Philosophy:
Dance Expressions was founded to create a nurturing dance community that encourages self expression and respects the uniqueness of that expression. The studio aims to build confidence, inner and physical strength, technical skill and a sense of team membership in all of our dancers. Every student is guided to reach full potential by dedicating time and energy to learning the art form as a means for self expression.
What makes Dance Expressions unique?
We offer a wide-variety of classes to fit the needs of both recreational and competitive dancers. Talented and accomplished instructors have backgrounds in dance and education. DE classes are motivating, safe, creative and energetic.
Classes offered for ages 3 to adult in: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Creative Movement. Call today for more details!
Dance Expressions was founded to create a nurturing dance community that encourages self expression and respects the uniqueness of that expression. The studio aims to build confidence, inner and physical strength, technical skill and a sense of team membership in all of our dancers. Every student is guided to reach full potential by dedicating time and energy to learning the art form as a means for self expression.
What makes Dance Expressions unique?
We offer a wide-variety of classes to fit the needs of both recreational and competitive dancers. Talented and accomplished instructors have backgrounds in dance and education. DE classes are motivating, safe, creative and energetic.
Classes offered for ages 3 to adult in: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Creative Movement. Call today for more details!
Christena Murphy
Director, Chance to Dance
chancetodance@ridancealliance.org
Beginning dance at the age of five, Christena studied the majority of her dance training with Rosemary Hambly Medeiros, as well as classes under Herci Marsden. Christena attended the Dance Teachers Club of Boston’s Dance Teacher Training course in which she graduated with her Teaching Certificate in 1987. Christena studied for 4 years at the Boston Conservatory of Music as a Major in Dance. During that time she had many performances including the Jerry Lewis Telethon, a Benefit performance with Madeline Kahn, she performed with Tony award winner Thommie Walsh, Ballet Master Lance Westergard from New York, and has also performed with The Merrimack Lyric Opera Company as well as numerous Boston Conservatory performances. While attending The Boston Conservatory of Music, Christena, in her senior year was an assistant teacher in Ballet to Dance Department Chairman, Yasuko Tokunaga and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance.
Christena’s teaching experience began as an assistant to Rosemary Medeiros from 1984-1987, she then established the first Dance Program in Ballet at the Woonsocket YMCA in 1987, where she taught and directed this program. After completing her BFA degree Christena taught at Deane Dance Studio and Kimberly’s School of Dance. In 1998 Christena began teaching the Chance to Dance program for Dance Alliance of RI. In 2003 Christena was appointed Artistic Director of the program, progressing to be appointed Administrator in 2012 which is now getting ready for their 28th program. Christena has engaged her students at Kids 1 University, RIC, and Providence Convention Center. Christena is a 4 time presenter at the RIAHPERD Conference’s (Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). Christena was awarded RIAHPERD’S 2004 Dance Educator of the Year title. As well as owning her own studio in collaboration with her sister, Christena has been a guest artist at St Mary’s Academy and the Jewish Community Day School.
Christena’s teaching experience began as an assistant to Rosemary Medeiros from 1984-1987, she then established the first Dance Program in Ballet at the Woonsocket YMCA in 1987, where she taught and directed this program. After completing her BFA degree Christena taught at Deane Dance Studio and Kimberly’s School of Dance. In 1998 Christena began teaching the Chance to Dance program for Dance Alliance of RI. In 2003 Christena was appointed Artistic Director of the program, progressing to be appointed Administrator in 2012 which is now getting ready for their 28th program. Christena has engaged her students at Kids 1 University, RIC, and Providence Convention Center. Christena is a 4 time presenter at the RIAHPERD Conference’s (Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). Christena was awarded RIAHPERD’S 2004 Dance Educator of the Year title. As well as owning her own studio in collaboration with her sister, Christena has been a guest artist at St Mary’s Academy and the Jewish Community Day School.
Sara Barney
President Elect, RI Dance Alliance
Sara Barney
Cathy Bodner, BFA, MAT
president@ridancealliance.org
As a member of The Rhode Island Dance Repertory Company, Cathy was part of the first professional dance company in Rhode Island, which introduced Modern Dance to the community. With Dance Rep, she toured the eastern United States, from Louisiana to Maine, performing in concerts, presenting lecture-demonstrations, and offering classes and workshops in residencies at schools and universities. Her positions at The Young People’s School for the Performing Arts and at Salve Regina College allowed her to work with dance students from age eight through college. Cathy partnered with Helene Scheff to develop and institute the Chance to Dance Program in the Rhode Island Schools. She is currently serving as President on the board of Dance Alliance, having been the organization’s founding president, and is a member of The Arabella Project. The Arabella Project is made up of dancers whose stated purpose is to bring the special perspective of the older dancer to the art. They have performed regularly at Brown University’s annual Mini-Fest, as well as at the State of New York’s summer dance program at Sara Lawrence College in Saratoga, NY. Cathy is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Dramatic Arts. Additional studies include The Hartford Conservatory, The American Dance Festival, and Dance Circle of Boston, where she served on the Board of Directors. Her studies have taken her as far as England and Spain, and back to the Middle Ages, studying with Nonsuch History and Dance of Cambridge, England. She currently teaches at Dancin’ Spirit in Pawtucket, and guests at the J.W. Walsh High School for the Arts.