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The Rock School for Dance
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The Rock School for Dance

Faculty

The Rock School for Dance
  • Home/
  • Performances & Events /
    • Rock School Gala 2026
  • Training/
    • Ages 2-4 • Dance with Me
    • Ages 3-6 • Pre-Ballet Division
    • Ages 7-18 • Ballet Division
    • Ages 12+ • Professional Division
    • 2026 Ballet Intensive
    • 2026 Contemporary Intensive
    • 2026 Private Coaching Intensive
    • 2026 Junior Intensive
    • 2026 Summer Pre-Ballet • Ages 3-8
    • School Year Residence
    • Ages 10+ Performance Company | West Chester
    • Ages 16+ Open Ballet Class
    • Rock Academics
    • Faculty
  • Community Programs & Support/
    • RockReach
    • Donate
    • Rock School Gala 2026
    • Vehicle Donation
    • EITC Giving
    • Institutional Support
  • About/
    • Team
    • Mission & History
    • Our Founders
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment
    • Alumni & Awards
    • Media & Press

ROCK SCHOOL for DANCE - FACULTY

The Rock School for Dance faculty include distinguished dancers, award-winning instructors and choreographers who offer our students individualized attention in a nurturing environment. Rock Alumni have ascended the ranks of premier ballet companies worldwide. The success of our Alumni can be found here.

 

ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

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PETER STARK
Director and President

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Peter Stark, president and director of The Rock School since 2022, is internationally recognized as one of the foremost ballet teachers of his generation. Known for his astute and thorough preparation of boys in ballet, Stark’s students have found professional employment in nearly every company in the U.S. and Europe. He has been awarded numerous “Best Teacher” awards by Youth America Grand Prix, where he also serves as an adjudicator, teacher, coach, and advisor. Prior to his work at The Rock School, Stark was associate director of Boston Ballet II and head of the Men’s Program at Boston Ballet School for seven years, where he also taught the professional company and students at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. He was the founding artistic director of Next Generation Ballet in 2010 and chair of the Patel Conservatory Dance Department for five years. His first position as school director was at Orlando Ballet, where he spent a decade creating a world-class school with artistic directors Fernando Bujones and Bruce Marks, which grew to four locations and was recognized by Dance Magazine and by a “Peter Stark Day” proclamation from the City of Orlando. Stark has coached students to top prizes at major international ballet competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix, YoungArts, SYTYCD, Princess Grace Foundation, and the International Ballet Competitions in Helsinki, Jackson, Beijing, and Seoul. His students have become soloists and principal dancers in companies, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Stuttgart Ballet, Royal Ballet of England, English National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Zurich Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and many others. Stark began his performance career with New York City Ballet. He danced the Balanchine repertoire and premiered works by luminaries including Martins, Robbins, Verdy, and Tharp. He then moved to Boston Ballet, where his repertoire expanded to include featured roles in works by Lemon, Goh, Petipa, Cranko, and Lander. During a short tenure with Ballet Mississippi as a principal dancer and assistant to the artistic director, Fernando Bujones, Stark became the interim executive director and led a successful Save the Ballet campaign. He then returned to performing by joining The Washington Ballet. There, Stark was a leading dancer in works by Goh, Petipa, Day, and others, and traveled to the Helsinki International Ballet Competition as the non-competing partner to bronze medalist Elizabeth Mertz. He also began his teaching career at The Washington Ballet School and Maryland Youth Ballet, under the mentorship of Michelle Lees and Tensia Fonseca. Peter Stark is a graduate of the School of American Ballet and studied with Andre Eglevsky, Stanley Williams, and Fernando Bujones. His eclectic career has allowed him to choreograph original works for Orlando Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Boston Ballet II, including a critically acclaimed Cinderella. He also danced several principal roles with The Washington National Opera, including two PBS national telecasts with Placido Domingo, and served on grant panels at the city and state level and with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Position: President and Director

Started at The Rock School: 2022

Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division

Location: Philadelphia, West Chester

Professional dance experience:
The Washington Ballet
Ballet Mississippi
Boston Ballet
New York City Ballet
The Washington National Opera
Bowen-McCauley Dance


Professional teaching experience:
Boston Ballet School
Next Generation Ballet
Orlando Ballet School
Maryland Youth Ballet
American University
The Washington Ballet School


Awards:
Youth America Grand Prix Best Teacher
City of Orlando “Peter Stark Day”

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MELISSA STAFFORD
Chief Artistic Officer

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Melissa Stafford is the chief artistic officer at The Rock School, where she manages the Ballet and Pre-Ballet Divisions and oversees curriculum development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Houghton College and received her dance training from Marcia Dale Weary at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Stafford has twice held positions at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, first as the ballet program coordinator for five years and, most recently, as director and dance department chair, a position she held for 10 years and was recognized in 2017 with Peabody Preparatory’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Between her appointments at Peabody, Stafford served as ballet principal for Next Generation Ballet / Patel Conservatory in Tampa for six years, where she worked with Peter Stark to develop a nationally-recognized ballet program. Additional teaching includes serving as an adjunct faculty member at Goucher College and the Peabody Conservatory, and summer programs with the Orlando Ballet School and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. In 1999, Stafford received the Regional Dance America/Northeast Region Monticello Award for Emerging Female Choreographers. Her former students are dancing professionally worldwide. Position: Chief Artistic Officer Started at The Rock School: 2022 Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division Location: Philadelphia, West Chester Professional teaching experience: Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, dance department chair Next Generation Ballet / Patel Conservatory, principal Goucher College Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, ballet program coordinator Houghton College Awards: Houghton College Bachelor’s Degree Peabody Preparatory Excellence in Teaching Award 2017 Regional Dance America / Northeast Region Monticello Award for Emerging Female Choreographers 1999

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ETIENNE DIAZ
Rock School for Dance | West Chester Director

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Etienne Diaz is the director of The Rock School | West Chester and is in demand as an adjudicator and coach for ballet competitions worldwide. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University, with additional studies at Florida State University and the University of Central Florida. Diaz rose to the rank of demi-soloist during his eight-year tenure with Philadelphia Ballet, dancing many leading roles. Previously, he danced with Milwaukee Ballet, Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, Balletto del Sud, and the National Opera of Bucharest. He has danced works by Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and others. Prior to his leadership role at The Rock School, Diaz was on the faculty of Bryn Mawr College and Metropolitan Ballet Academy.

Position: Rock School | West Chester Director
Started at The Rock School: 2023
Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division
Location: Philadelphia, West Chester

Professional dance experience:
Philadelphia Ballet, demi-soloist
National Opera of Bucharest, Hungary
Milwaukee Ballet
Balletto del Sud, Italy
Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, Romania

Professional teaching experience:
Bryn Mawr College
Metropolitan Ballet

Awards:
Temple University Bachelor’s Degree
Orlando Ballet School Founders’ Scholarship

 
 

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

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JUSTIN ALLEN
Assistant Director, Professional Division

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Position: Professional Division Assistant Director

Started at The Rock School: 2011

Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division

Location: Philadelphia

Professional dance experience:
Ballet Theatre of Maryland
Dayton Ballet

Awards:
Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Choreographer
Joffrey Ballet Choreographers of Color Award

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JODY ANDERSON
Artistic Manager, Professional Division, Wardrobe Assistant

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Position: Artistic Manager, Wardrobe Assistant

Started at The Rock School: 2003

Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division

Location: Philadelphia, West Chester

Professional dance experience:
Kansas City Ballet, principal

Touring shows:
Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, Will Rogers Follies Starlight Theatre of Kansas City, Associate Choreographer Candlelight Theatre, artistic director

Professional teaching experience:
Kansas City Ballet School
Berks Ballet Theatre
Delaware Dance Company
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

Awards:
Broadway World Outstanding Choreographer

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GINA GRACE
Head of Pre-Ballet Division; Principal Teacher, Ballet Division

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Position: Pre-Ballet Division Head, Principal Teacher


Started at The Rock School: 2000


Areas taught: Ballet Division, Pre-Ballet Division, RockReach


Location: Philadelphia, West Chester


Professional dance experience:

Opus 1 Contemporary Dance


Professional teaching experience:

Orlandi Dance Center

Cabrini University


Awards:

Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science Bachelor’s Degree

John White Vaganova Teachers Seminar Certificate

National Dance Institute Teacher Certificate

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ZACHARY KAPELUCK
Contemporary Manager

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Position: Contemporary Manager
Started at The Rock School: 2024
Areas taught: Contemporary
Location: Philadelphia, West Chester

Professional dance experience:
BalletX
First State Ballet Theatre, choreographer
Flight Path Dance Project, choreographer
Hudson Ballet Theatre, choreographer
Philadelphia Dance Theatre, choreographer

Awards:
Point Park University Bachelor’s Degree
Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Choreographer

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TELMO MOREIRA
Artistic Manager, Professional Division

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Position: Principal Teacher
Started at The Rock School: 2017
Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division
Location: Philadelphia

Professional dance experience:
Orlando Ballet
American Ballet Theatre II

Awards:
Youth America Grand Prix Best Choreographer
Jackson International Ballet Competition Semi-Finalist
Prix de Lausanne Prize Winner and Audience Favorite (twice)
Beijing International Ballet Competition Semi-finalist
Varna International Ballet Competition Judges Prize

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JESSICA OLINIK
Performance Company Manager

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Position: Rock | West Chester Performance Company Manager Started at The Rock School: 2020 Areas taught: Contemporary Location: West Chester Professional dance experience: Contempra Dance Theatre, principal Opus One, principal 76ers All-Star Dance Team National Basketball Association various Avenuers Indoor Fancy Brigade, choreographer Grease, cast member Professional teaching experience: Millennium Dance Complex University of Delaware American Dance Academy, company director

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ANNE WHITE
RockReach Director

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Position: RockReach Director
Started at The Rock School: 2022
Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division, RockReach
Location: Philadelphia

Professional dance experience:
Pennsylvania Ballet
Off Center Ballet

Professional teaching experience:
University of the Arts
Drexel University
Rowan University
Bryn Mawr College

 
 

ARTISTIC FACULTY

 
 
 
 
 
 

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ANASTASIA BABAYEVA
Principal teacher

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Position: Principal Teacher
Started at The Rock School: 2023
Areas taught: Professional Division, Ballet Division
Location: West Chester

Professional dance experience:
Bolshoi Ballet
Chicago Ballet
Richmond Ballet
International Ballet Classique

Professional teaching experience:
Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts
University of the Arts

Awards:
Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher
American Ballet Competition Outstanding Teacher
Universal Ballet Competition Outstanding Teacher
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Honorary Citation

_________

NATALYA LUSHINA ZEIGER
Principal Teacher

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Position: Principal Teacher
Started at The Rock School: 2000
Areas taught: Professional Division
Location: Philadelphia

Professional dance experience:
Bolshoi Ballet, soloist

Professional teaching experience:
Metropolitan Ballet Academy

Awards:
Bolshoi Ballet Academy Master’s Degree
Youth America Grand Prix Best Teacher

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ADDITIONAL FACULTY MEMBERS

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2025
    Areas taught: Pre-Ballet Division
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Brooklyn Ballet

    • Philadanco, D/2

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Ballet Academy East

    • Brooklyn Ballet

    • JKO School at American Ballet Theatre

    • New York City Ballet Education Department

    Awards:

    • Marymount Manhattan College Bachelor’s Degree

    • American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2024
    Areas taught: RockReach
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Independent and Collaborative Performing Artist

    Professional teaching experience:

    • ZZ Dance

    • DanceSations

    Awards:

    • University of the Arts Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2013
    Areas taught: Ballet Division
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Michigan Ballet Theatre

    • Michigan Classic Ballet Company

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Boston Ballet School

    • Turtle Lane Playhouse

    • Boston Children’s Theatre

    • Memphis Jewish Community Center

    Awards:

    • University of Michigan Bachelor’s Degree

    • Bolshoi Ballet Academy Certified Teacher

    • Progressing Ballet Technique Certified Teacher

    • Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teacher Training Certificate

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2025
    Areas taught: Ballet Division, Pre-Ballet Division
    Location: West Chester

    Professional dance experience:

    • Weber-Prianti Productions

    • Joseph Robinette Productions

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Franklin School for the Performing Arts

    • AMJ Dance Center

    • Media Theatre

    • The Haverford School and Archmere Academy

    Awards:

    • Neumann University Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 1999
    Areas taught: Ballet Division, Pre-Ballet Division, Tap
    Location: West Chester

    Professional teaching experience:

    • School of the Philadelphia Ballet

    • Time to Leap Dance Center

    Awards:

    • Stephens College Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2022
    Areas taught: Contemporary
    Location: West Chester

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Star Dance Alliance Power Pak Dance Intensive

    Awards:

    • Starpower Talent Dancer of the Year

  • Position: Faculty, Production and Facility Manager
    Started at The Rock School: 2023
    Areas taught: Ballet Division
    Location: West Chester

    Professional dance experience:

    • Moscow Renaissance Ballet

    • Philadelphia Ballet Theatre

    • Richmond Ballet

    • International Ballet Classique

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts

    • Neumann College

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2023
    Areas taught: RockReach
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Universoul Circus

    • Chocolate Ballerina Company

    Awards:

    • Ursinus University Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2023
    Areas taught: Ballet Division
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Philadelphia Ballet

    • Amy Marshall Dance Company

    • Alison Cook Beatty Dance

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Drexel University

    • School of Philadelphia Ballet

    • Ballet Hispanico

    • Joffrey Ballet School

    • Ballet School of Stamford

    • Hartt School Community Division

    Awards:

    • University of Hartford Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2018
    Areas taught: Conditioning, Ballet Division
    Location: Philadelphia, West Chester

    Professional dance experience:

    • Roxey Ballet

    • Ballet ADI

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Dance Dimensions

    • Amy Novinski Ballet

    • Towson University

    • Philadelphia Charter School for the Arts and Sciences

    Awards:

    • Towson University Bachelor’s Degree

    • American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher

    • FLX Conditioning Certified Specialist

    • Certified Functional Awareness® Movement Educator

    • 250-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2023
    Areas taught: RockReach (music)
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Independent and Collaborative Performing Artist

    Awards:

    • Temple University Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: RockReach Curriculum Head
    Started at The Rock School: 2013
    Areas taught: RockReach
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Illadelph Phlave

    • Olive Dance Theatre

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Barnes Foundation

    Awards:

    • Drexel University Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2023
    Areas taught: Ballet Division
    Location: West Chester

    Awards:

    • International Ballet Festival “Alicia Alonso” Finalist

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2023
    Areas taught: Contemporary, RockReach
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Independent and Collaborative Performing Artist

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Temple University

    • University of the Arts

    • Drexel University 

    Awards:

    • University of the Arts Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

  • Position: RockReach Curriculum Designer
    Started at The Rock School: 2022
    Areas taught: RockReach (music)
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Independent and Collaborative Performing Artist

    Professional teaching experience:

    • BalletX

    Awards:

    • Temple University Bachelor’s Degree

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2022
    Areas taught: RockReach (music)
    Location: Philadelphia

    Professional dance experience:

    • Independent and Collaborative Performing Artist

  • Position: Faculty
    Started at The Rock School: 2024
    Areas taught: Ballet Division, Professional Division, Character
    Location: Philadelphia, West Chester

    Professional dance experience:

    • Moscow State Regional Theatre Russian Ballet, soloist

    • VARTADANCE International Charity Dance Competition, festival director

    Professional teaching experience:

    • Moscow State Art and Cultural University, associate professor

    • College of Musical And Theatre Arts

    • Russian Institute of Theatre Arts

    Awards:

    • Moscow State Art and Cultural University Doctoral Degree

    • Moscow State Academy of Choreography Degree

    • World Ballet Grand Prix International Dance Teacher Certification

    • Moscow Department of Culture Award

    • Moscow Department of Education Certificate of Merit

    Medal “In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow

 
 


 
 
 
 

Wear Moi is the Official Dancewear Supplier of The Rock School

 
 

P: 267-554-3888
E: info@therockschool.org

ROCK SCHOOL for DANCE  |
Philadelphia
1101 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

ROCK SCHOOL for DANCE  | West Chester
1510 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380


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