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~ ARTISTIC DIRECTORS ~
Roanne Mulvey Morse - Roanne is a graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA., where she received her B.A. in Dance. She has performed with several dance companies in Pennsylvania and the New York area including the American Dance Ensemble, Ballet Petrov, Playhouse Theatre, Synergism and Theater Danz. Roanne also appeared on television as a Dancer/Model on such shoes as "Yo MTV Rap Videos" performing with Jennifer Lopez, MC Hammer and Fast Fly Freddie, "A Day of Dance on Broadway", "Evening Magazine" and the "Today Show". She has performed at Nassau Coliseum during half time shows for the NY Saints and has showcased for local DJ Companies at expos throughout the Long Island area. Roanne has choreographed and was one of the co-producers of the Brookhaven Theatre Dance Guild (BTDG) annual productions of "Dance Spectrum" during the 1988-1996 seasons. She held the position of Artistic Director of this organization during 1996-1997. Since the Guild has closed it's doors Roanne has held chairs and ran events with the Brookhaven Arts and Humanities Council, The Greater Northern Port Jefferson Arts Council and the Huntington Dance Consortium. She has also sat as a judge at Regional Dance Competitions for Performance Plus. Besides her study in college, Roanne has gone on to study with Ann Reinking, Frank Hatchett, Germaine Salsberg, Nicole Fosse, Judy Ann Bassing, Robert Christopher, Harry Precht, Charles Wright and Phil Black. She takes a great pleasure of passing her experiences through teaching the art of dance. Roanne is co-director of the Centereach Studio.
Theresa Elek Schoemer - In addition to owning and operating two dance centers, Theresa has kept very active in the dance world. After receiving an Associate degree at Suffolk Community College, she went on to attend Dance Educators of America's Teacher Training School in NYC. When she completed her education she went to teach for many Long Island studios including the Wakefield Dance Center directed by Grace Wakefield. Furthermore she taught dance for Middle Country School District and the West Islip School District. In 1982 Theresa successfully passed an exam, which entitled her to become a member of Dance Educators of America (DEA). From 1983 thru 1988, she was working as their regional director, touring the Untied States examing new members and supervising the workshops and competition. From 1988 thru 1995, Theresa was on the staff of Starpower National Talent Competitions, again traveling nationwide. In 1993, she lead discussions on studio management and recital ideas at the Christopher National Dance Seminars and in 1994 she was the seminars Administrative Assistant. Theresa was most honored when she was invited to teach at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Theresa has also choreographed and staged music videos for various well-known groups. In addition to the previous mentioned; Theresa was on the Artistic Board of the Brookhaven Theatre Dance Guild, was a popular judge at many Regional and National Talent Competitions for DEA, Starpower, Starmakers and Performance Plus. Her extensive training over the years have lead her to train with such greats as Frank Hatchett, Robert Christopher, Harry Precht, Judy Ann Bassing, Germaine Salsberg and Crystal Chapman. She continues to pursue her training, keeping up with the constant changes and developments of the dance world.
~ TEACHING STAFF ~
Karen Antos - began her serious ballet training under Madame Swoboda at Ballet Russe. She went on to attend New York's High School of Performing Arts. At the age of 13, she received a full scholarship to the Joffrey School of Ballet. She began performing with the Joffrey Ballet as an apprentice at the age of 16. She completed her education at SUNY Stonybrook. Shortly thereafter, she began and continues a teaching career in classical ballet. Karen has performed with many of New York's regional ballet companies. As principal dancer, she has performed leading roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Peter and the Wolf, Snow White and Cinderella, The White Swan and Le Corsaire pas de deux, as well as having roles created on her. She has performed with Millennial Arts Productions in New York City, where she was a featured dancer in Stravinsky's Pulcinella and Handel's Esther and worked on production for Handel's Messiah. Karen has also performed with Opera of the Hamptons, as the Gypsy dancer in Bizet's Carmen. She worked as location manager on the Barolo Films feature Uninvited. She has held the title of event planner and coordinator for several corporate functions and was managing director for Ruth Davidson Hahn & Company's presentation at The Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. She also worked in the same capacity for the Company?s engagement at The Lied Center for the Performing Arts with guest artist Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Jennifer Bongiovi - Jennifer has been dancing most of her life. She has attended many competitions in which she has received 1st place and Gold Medal awards. In 1999, she received 1st place overall high score for all the solos ages 18 and over. She has been involved in many shows including Spectrum, Dance Celebration and Mastic/Shirley Talent Showcase. Jennifer has studied courses for the Royal Academy Dance and received "distinction", the highest score possible, on their exams. Jennifer was chosen as 1 of 20 core dancers, to perform on a show called "JamTV". Throughout her career she has performed at the Condado Hotel & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and was spotlighted with 2 couples for the Broadway play "Forever Tango." She has choreographed for Dance Celebration and for many other productions across Long Island. Jennifer has also attended the Virginia State Ballroom Championships and took 1st place and was a member of Swing Dance Long Island. Jennifer's passion to dance reflects in her students performance.
Bernadette Cutrone-Dankenbrink - Bernadette graduated from Marymount Manhattan with a B.F.A. in Dance. She has also studied dance at Vassar College. Her ballet studies have included some of the most highly respected masters of dance including Finus Jhung. Katia Galeznova, Carolyn Samms, Harry Precht, Robert Christopher, and Patricia Wesche-Monaco. Her modern studies included Mahr Benham. Bernadette also competed on various gymnastic teams for years winning many awards for her team. Her teaching experience includes the Massapequa School District Cultural Arts Program, North Fork Academeny of Dance, Dancin' Time, Wee Friends Day Camp, Westbrook Elementary School as well as many dance studios in Nassau & Suffolk Counties. Bernadette has been choreographer for the Brookhaven Theatre Dance Guild's annual production of Spectrum & the Brookhaven Arts & Humanities Council's production of Dance Celebration. As guest teacher/choreographer she auditioned dancers from schools throughout the area and staged many productions. Her love of dance combined with her talent make her the perfect role model for her students.
Lisa Groshans - Lisa started dancing at the age of 11. Since then she has been studying all forms of dance. Lisa choreographed and performed in various productions when she attended Centereach High School. She still continues to choreograph their annual theatre production to this day. Upon graduation Lisa was voted "Best Dancer" for her class. Lisa has performed as a dancer at the Brookhaven Theatre Dance Guild's annual performance of "Spectrum". She had became one of their well respected choreographers and guest teachers. When the BTDG closed their doors Lisa helped to continue the goal of bringing dancers together from all over Long Island by directing the Greater Port Jefferson Art Councils production of "Dance Celebration". She was selected to perform with the L.I. based dance company "Synergism" under the direction of Jamie Chandler-Torns. When Lisa attended S.C.C.C. she was featured dancer in their show "Temptation". During her college years Lisa worked as performer/choreographer for "Music on the Move" and ran the physical education program for dance at Dawnwood Middle School. Lisa's hard work and dedication led her to be featured in "Dance Teacher Now" magazine. In addition to teaching at Dance Elektra, Lisa has taught at several dance studios across Long Island and is currently an Elementary School teacher in Middle Country School District. As a teacher of hip/hop and jazz, her classes are as "Alive with Energy" as Lisa is.
Susan Hastings - Miss Susan has been teaching the art of dance for over 25 years. She has trained under Master Teachers, such as Frank Hachett, Joe Tremaine, Grace Wakefield and Robert Christopher. Her students have won Platinum Medals in Regional and National Competitions. Some of her students have gone into professional careers performing on Sesame Street and Nickelodeon. Her students who have gone onto college have received scholarships in dance. She has choreographed shows such as; "On Broadway" for Hershey Park and high school plays such as; "Grease", "42nd Street" and "Charlie Brown." Miss Susan is the mother of six children, so not only does she have the experience in the fields of tap, jazz, ballet and acro; she also has the experience to teach children the importance of team work and the respect for others.
Heather Hammond - Heather is the Artistic Director of Helium Aerial Dance. An accomplished and versatile international performer, Heather specializes in aerial/circus arts and modern dance. Her creations run the gamut from zany street festival shows to evocative cabaret acts and classy corporate events. Heather's most recent festival show "Beat It!" was a smashing success at the Toronto International Circus Festival. Heather's work has received acclaim from critics and crowds alike. She was invited by the City of Toronto to perform for Mayor David Miller at the launch of the city's "Live with Culture" Event. She has graced stages and venues in Japan and throughout North America. She has collaborated extensively with High Strung aerial dance, and has toured with Cirque Sublime. Her circus career began with Marsha Kennington at MainSpace circus. Heather is a graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and has trained at the Toronto School of Circus Arts.
Sharon Kraemer - Sharon has been dancing since she was 3 years old. From student to assistant teacher to teacher, Sharon has excelled through her dancing career. She has danced in numerous competitions and has received many metals including 1st place overall. Her choreography and teaching abilities have now allowed her students to receive that same recognition. Sharon is well respected and sort after teacher at many dance studios on Long Island. She introduced the Pom/Cheerleading program to Dance Elektra and has proven to be a great success. Her teams have performed for many organizations including but not limited to; Long Island Ducks, Strong Island Sound and Long Island Wizards. These performances have taken place at local parks & stadiums, Nassau Coliseum and most recently, Madison Square Garden. Sharon's dedication to dance has had a large effect on her students.
Gina Longo -
Elyse Madsen-Curro -
Tom McKie -
Laurel Melucci - Laurel has been dancing at Dance Elek-tra since she was a little girl and has been teaching since 2005. Laurel is a 22 year old, full time student at St. Joseph's College, Patchogue NY. Her major is child study and looks forward to becoming a teacher and working in an elementary school environment. Besides child study, Laurel is also pursuing a concentration in psychology. No matter what the future holds for Laurel her first love is dance and expects to continue dancing and teaching for many more years to come.
Harry Precht - Harry Precht holds a M.A. in Dance from the American University in Washington DC as well as an M.S. in Elementary and Special Education from C.W. Post. He has been on faculty at Adelphi-Suffolk, Dowling College & St. Joseph's, as well as at many dance studios throughout the state of NY. As the co-director of the Manning-Fried Dance Theatre he received critical acclaim for his outstanding choreography. As well as having students picked to dance in the Bolshoi & Royal Ballet, Harry has had many students who have gone on to dance professionally with the American Ballet Theatre & The NYC Ballet. In addition to teaching on the staff of Dance Elek-tra, Harry also owns and operates the North Fork Academy of Dance in Cutchogue.
Jen Wiley - Jen has been dancing at Dance Elektra for the past 21 years and joined their teaching staff in 1999. She has been trained in and teaches many forms of dance and brought kickline classes to Dance Elek-tra last year. Jen has participated in many competitions and shows throughout the years and now enjoys choreographing for competitions for her students. She is a graduate of St. Joseph's College (SJC) and was a member of the SJC Dance Team. She is currently a Special Education teacher and has also had the opportunity and privilege to teach dance to children with special needs. Jen participated in the Walt Disney World College Program, where she worked in entertainment as a performer. She loves teaching "her girls" and looks forward to many more years at Dance Elek-tra!
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