PHILADELPHIA

Milan Agnew is a Marketing Director, Tech Advisor, and Dance Educator. She is a graduate of Management Marymount Manhattan College and earned a BFA in Dance with a concentration in Ballet and minored in Arts Management. Ms. Agnew is an ABT® Certified Teacher in levels Primary through Five and began her role with Notes in Motion as a Teaching Artist. Since 2013 she has assisted with branding Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre/Notes in Motion, updating website design, marketing collateral, and providing tech support for education programming. She has taught at various ballet schools, including Ballet Academy East, Brooklyn Ballet, and The JKO School at American Ballet Theatre. Also, Milan served as a Teaching Artist with New York City Ballet's Education Department from 2014-2021.  

Philadelphia

Ms. Banchero has taught dance for over 25 years. Born and raised in suburban Detroit, Michigan, she studied and performed with Michigan Ballet Theatre and Michigan Classic Ballet, dancing lead roles in The Nutcracker and Coppelia. After receiving her Bachelors in Arts in Russian cultural history from the University of Michigan, she relocated to Boston, Massachusetts and joined the faculty of Boston Ballet. She also worked in musical theater, having taught, performed and choreographed for Turtle Lane Playhouse and Boston Children’s Theatre. After moving to Memphis in 2003, she joined the faculty of the Memphis Jewish Community Center’s esteemed dance department. She has taught for The Rock School since 2013 and incorporates her experience with the Vaganova pedagogic system into her teaching. In 2019, she completed the rigorous Bolshoi Ballet Academy's Teacher Certification Program and also became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.

WEST CHESTER

Dorothy has performed professionally in ballet, musical theatre, and children’s theatre

productions in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Ms. Brown’s formative dance

training was with the Lori Ardis Ballet Company and later with Boston Ballet Company. Other

training includes Master Ballet Classes with Melissa Hayden and Cheryl Maddeux Abbott, as

well as tap study with Derek Wolshonak, Tim Millette, and Kelly Stamp. Dorothy studied acting

with Sydney Kay and at Hedgerow Theatre. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from

Neumann University.

Dorothy has choreographed Anything Goes!, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Something Rotten!,

Les Misérables (Asst. Director), Beauty and the Beast, and How to Succeed in Business without

Really Trying for local area high schools. Choreography for middle school musicals include

Lion King, Jr., School House Rock, Jr., and original showcases for students in Musical Theatre

classes. Ms. Brown has held faculty positions with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts,

AMJ Dance Center (both in Massachusetts), and Media Theatre Dance Studio where she taught

all levels of ballet, pre-ballet, and adult ballet classes.

WEST CHESTER

I have been introducing young children to dance (ballet and tap) for 30 years. It is a joy to see them develop a love for movement and dance. The excitement of watching the abilities of the children as they learn and grow never diminishes. My greatest satisfaction is to watch the students I teach grow into mature dancers. Many going on to find opportunities at college and beyond in the dance world!

West Chester

Emily Gilligan lives in Media, Pennsylvania, and has studied dance for over 17 years. Her professional training includes jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, and tap. In addition to working toward her early-grades education degree, Emily is pursuing a dance minor at West Chester University, with formal studies in choreography and composition techniques, dance pedagogy and teaching techniques, improvisation, modern and jazz dance.

As a dancer, Emily attended some of the most prestigious conventions, including NYCDA and ASH, earning numerous scholarships and awards. Her performances as a soloist and in group numbers at top dance competitions earned her several national titles and honors, including Starpower Talent’s Dancer of the Year.

Emily is currently the captain of the West Chester University Dance Team (WCUDT), where she coaches and performs at an elite collegiate level. She achieved a Universal Dance Association (UDA) Hip-Hop National Championship with WCUDT in 2022. She is also a dancer and choreographer for the West Chester University Dance Company, where she regularly performs in several dance genres, including jazz, lyrical, and contemporary.

Emily works as a professional dance teacher and choreographer for studios, professional training programs, and dance teams throughout the region. She also works for the Star Dance Alliance Power Pak Dance Intensive.

West Chester

Denis Gronostayskiy is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. He danced professionally with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet in Russia, Philadelphia Ballet Theatre, PA, Richmond Ballet, VA, International Ballet Classique, PA. He has performed leading roles in great classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty and others as well as Balanchine ballets and contemporary works of world renowned choreographers as K. Peterson, J. Butler, M. Burn, V. Nebrada, C. Connor and many others. Mr. Gronostayskiy also performed as a guest artist in galas and productions throughout USA. In 2001 he co-founded the Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts and in 2003 International Ballet Classique. Under his direction, IBC has presented acclaimed performances of major full-length ballets including Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita and numerous mixed repertory performances. His students have qualified and won medals in prestigious ballet competitions throughout USA. In 2006 Mr. Gronostayskiy joined faculty of Neumann College, Aston, PA. Mr. Gronostayskiy also a part time photographer. His works being publish in magazines and news papers. So if you need a photographer look no further.

PHILADELPHIA

Kevin D. Harris II began dancing as a tween growing up in North Philadelphia. His first foray into dance was as a street dancer developing his skills as a breaker. He cut his hip hop teeth performing with Project Positive, a Philadelphia based dance organization that uses Hip Hop to educate, empower, engage, and inspire the youth and community. Kevin graduated from The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts where he continued his dance journey training in other dance disciplines including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, contemporary, and African Diasporic Drum and Dance. Kevin graduated in 2021 from Ursinus University with a degree in dance and philosophy.

He has performed with Universoul Circus, Chocolate Ballerina Company, Philadelphia Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Washington D.C Cherry Blossom Parade, City Beats TV.

Kevin is committed to sharing his passion for dance and education and inspiring the next generations of artists. He has trained with National Dance Institute in NYC and BalletX and continues to hone his skills as an educator, spreading his love for all expressions of dance, and inspiring young students to value themselves and their communities through dance and music.

PHILADELPHIA & WEST CHESTER

Jessica Kilpatrick has devoted her life's work to studying, embodying and sharing her passion for the art of dance. Formerly the Principal of the Lower School and Adult Programs at The School of Philadelphia Ballet she has called upon her immense experience inside the dance community to continue to expand accessibility of the highest quality of dance education to all.

Jessica began professional ballet training at the School of the Hartford Ballet, at the age of 9. In love with classical technique, she continued on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Pedagogy from the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Throughout her early years she performed many of the iconic classical ballets as well as works by world renowned choreographers including Kirk Peterson’s American Nutcracker, works by Jose Limon, Anthony Tudor, Martha Graham and Paul Taylor.

Jessica’s love for teaching was born at the age of 17 when she was given the opportunity to share the beauty of ballet with members of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Hartford CT. Jessica’s drive to share the joy of ballet continued to grow and she went on to teach at Ballet Hispanico and The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, The Ballet School of Stamford and The University of Hartford Hartt School Community. Division where she served as Artistic Director for their 2014 Summer Ballet Intensive. In her most recent years she has enjoyed serving as a Ballet Educator at Drexel University and community teaching artist at The Rock School of Dance Education. 

Choreography quickly became another aspect of dance that Jessica became passionate about. After her directorship with the Hartt School she was commissioned to create two ballets for the school and when with the Philadelphia Ballet she choreographed multiple works for the ballet’s Community Engagement and Adaptive Programs, The Philadelphia Ballet’s Second Company, and the Trainees of The School of Philadelphia Ballet. One of the most notable works being “I AM” a ballet integrating both the Philadelphia Ballet’s Second Company and St. Katherine’s Special Education School. The project was documented by award-winning filmmaker Glenn Holsten and premiered in 2017.

Jessica’s performance career began performing Merce Cunningham’s “Inlets 2” at the American Dance Festival. The work and process was filmed as part of a documentary highlighting Merce Cunningham’s work. She later became a founding member of Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and joined Amy Marshall Dance Company where she performed in many prestigious venues and festivals across the world. During her time at The Philadelphia Ballet Jessica stepped onto the stage of The Academy of Music to take on some well known character roles under the direction of Angel Corella. The Nurse in Kenneth Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet, the Grandmother in Balanchine's  The Nutcracker, Berthe, Giselle’s Mother in Giselle, and the role of Aiya in Mr. Corella’s restaging of La Bayadere.

Jessica is now serving as CEO of LoveArts and is a guest artist and consultant for several arts organizations in the country. Jessica is beyond thrilled to continue to share her knowledge and love for dance and be a part of a large community that celebrates one another while making dreams come true.

WEST CHESTER

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Catherine began her ballet training in 1992 under the direction of Donna Muzio in West Chester Pa. She Dance with Brandywine Ballet Company until graduating in 2004. In 2008 she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance from Towson University. In June of 2008, she was asked to present choreography for the National Dance Education Organization conference in Towson, MD. She had danced, taught, and performed professionally all over the tristate area. In 2014 she moved to teach in Florida for Dance Dimensions the home of the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Ballet Theater. She returned in 2016 and now teaches in Philadelphia and New Jersey. In 2016 she joined the RockReach team. Catherine is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. In addition, she is also a Certified FLX Conditioning Specialist for Flexistretcher.

PHILADELPHIA

Lunsford began his dance training at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There he received a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree, with his main focus in modern dance.[1] While studying at University of the Arts, he was simultaneously studying at the Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco).

With hard work, Lunsford became the company’s most highlighted dancer and upon retiring from performing, he maintained his presence at Philadanco as a guest artist. He has also provided choreography for Drexel University, Glassboro State College, Swarthmore College, the University of Pennsylvania, as well as others. Not limited to choreographic talents, Lunsford is also experienced in stage production, contributing his talents to groups such as the Opera of Philadelphia, the Theatre Center of Philadelphia, and the Academy of Vocal Arts.

WEST CHESTER

Chloe is originally from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and began her dance education at the Academy of International Ballet (AIB) in 2008. At AIB she danced many lead roles in their productions, including Sugar Plum, Dew Drop, and Snow Queen in their production of “The Nutcracker”. Participating with the competition team, she also received multiple prizes and scholarships in competitions such as the YAGP semifinals in Philadelphia, YAGP finals, Universal Ballet Competition, Jewels Festival, and World Ballet Art Competition. From 2019 to 2022, Chloe studied at the Ballettschule Theater Basel (BTB) in Basel, Switzerland under the direction of Amanda Bennett. During her time at the school, she was able to learn and perform works by Richard Wherlock, Craig Davidson, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, David Dawson, Pina Bausch, Jorge García Pérez, among others. Chloe graduated from the school in 2022, receiving the Danse Suisse Award in recognition for top academic and dance excellence in her class. Chloe joined the Junior Ballett Zurich in Switzerland under the direction of Christian Spuck in 2022. Under his direction, she performed works by Christian Spuck, Crystal Pite, Hans van Manen, Shaked Heller, Samantha Lynch, and Vittoria Girelli. In her second season in Junior Ballett Zurich, Chloe performed works by Cathy Martson, Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau and Wayne McGregor under the direction of the newly named director Cathy Marston. Throughout these years, Chloe has also worked as a guest dancer with choreographers such as Filipe Portugal and Jorge García Pérez. In addition to dancing, Chloe is pursuing a Bachelor degree in Integrated Social Sciences at Penn State.

West Chester

Jessica began her dance journey at the age of 4 in Philadelphia, Pa, and has trained at several distinguished studios/dance companies all over the United States. In high school she had the honor of performing in Disney World, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and has won numerous national titles and awards. On the college level, Mrs. Olinik attended University of North Carolina School of the Arts as a Contemporary major and University of the Arts on scholarship studied all genres of dance with legendary teachers. Some of her performance credits include the 76er All-Star Dance Team, cast member of the musical Grease, performed with the artist Pink, she was a principal dancer with Contempradance Theatre & Opus One. For several years Jessica had the privilege in assisting Lucille DiCampli in many different projects. She was chosen to be on exhibit as a Degas dancer at the Philadelphia Art Museum during the opening gala of the exhibit. Mrs. Olinik has been teaching dancers of all ages for over 20 years and currently the Artistic Company Director at an award-winning studio in Delaware. She has been on faculty at several prestigious dance institutions such as Millennium Dance Complex-Philadelphia, The Rock School West, American Dance Academy, University of Delaware, Delaware Dance Fever, and on faculty of Epic Dance Convention. Under her guidance, the dancers she trains have received numerous convention scholarships/awards, national titles, and outstanding achievements. Her goal as a teacher and educator is to enlighten and inspire students in a healthy and positive atmosphere. Along with dance, Jessica has developed a passion for costume design and embellishment. She’s extremely honored to have her designs featured this season in a costume catalog. Mrs. Olinik is also very proud of the “Inspire2Inspire” program she developed in 2015. The objective of this campaign is to spread positivity and support to dancers from other studios and build of bridge of inspiration between artists. Currently she is the High School Musical choreographer for Octorara High School and has completed Seussical The Musical Newsies, Grease & The Addams Family with their drama department (with over 60 students in production).

West Chester

Dorothy has performed professionally in ballet, musical theatre, and children’s theatre

productions in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Ms. Brown’s formative dance

training was with the Lori Ardis Ballet Company and later with Boston Ballet Company. Other

training includes Master Ballet Classes with Melissa Hayden and Cheryl Maddeux Abbott, as

well as tap study with Derek Wolshonak, Tim Millette, and Kelly Stamp. Dorothy studied acting

with Sydney Kay and at Hedgerow Theatre. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from

Neumann University.

Dorothy has choreographed Anything Goes!, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Something Rotten!,

Les Misérables (Asst. Director), Beauty and the Beast, and How to Succeed in Business without

Really Trying for local area high schools. Choreography for middle school musicals include

Lion King, Jr., School House Rock, Jr., and original showcases for students in Musical Theatre

classes. Ms. Brown has held faculty positions with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts,

AMJ Dance Center (both in Massachusetts), and Media Theatre Dance Studio where she taught

all levels of ballet, pre-ballet, and adult ballet classes.

West Chester

Alejandra Ramirez-Ortiz started her formal ballet training at the age of eight in Durango, Mexico, under the supervision of Raúl Santillán, former dancer of the Mexican National Ballet. From 1986 to 1991, she periodically received training from the National School of Dance in Mexico City. In 1991, Alejandra moved to Monterrey, Mexico and started a major in engineering while continuing her ballet training at the Performing Arts School of Nuevo Leon University. In 1994, she joined the Classic Dance Ensemble of Nuevo Leon University, led by professor Fernando Alonso, co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba. Noticing her passion for ballet, Fernando Alonso and his team gave Alejandra principal roles in the performances of the ensemble and selected her as the school representative in the Alicia Alonso's International Competition in La Havana, Cuba in 1997, where Alejandra made it to the final round. Alejandra moved to France the same year, where she attended Rosella Hightower’s school of dance in Cannes. In 2003, she moved to the US and has since trained and collaborated with: Andrei Ustinov and Elena Martinson, former star dancers of the Kirov ballet; with Donna Muzio, artistic director and founder of the Brandywine Ballet and the Dance Center in West Chester, PA; at International Ballet Theater Academy in Frazer, PA; and at Dance Elite in Horsham, PA. Alejandra enjoys sharing her love for ballet with students of all ages. Over the past seven years, she has received intensive training in different teaching modalities for children with Autism, which she has applied in working with her own autistic daughter.

Philadelphia

Arabia Richardson is a danceivist, artist, collaborator, administrator and educator born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Richardson earned her MFA in Dance in 2022 and graduated cum laude in 2019 with a BFA in Dance from University of the Arts. During her undergraduate studies, she was selected to perform solos in various works choreographed by Tommie-Waheed Evans, Meredith Rainey, Jimena Paz and Marguerite Hemmings.

After graduating, Arabia held the title of administrative assistant to the interim executive director of Philadanco, Gaynell Sherrod. She has also been rehearsal director for Juel D. Lane, rehearsal assistant to Kim Bears-Bailey, co-choreographer with Wayne St. David, rehearsal director to Marguerite Hemmings and creative associate for the School of Dance at UArts. Currently, Richardson is a professor at Temple University, Philadelphia, and UArts and is a collaborative performer working with Zane Booker and John Dowell. She showcased her first exhibition/performance in Montpellier, France, in summer 2022 and is looking forward to creating more.

Philadelphia

Anne White was born in New York state, started dancing at age six, and was accepted at age eleven into The School of American Ballet in New York City, where she studied for eight years. Additionally, she has studied and attended workshops with Twyla Tharp, Maggie Black, Sara Rudner, Wilhelm Burmann, David Howard, Doug Elkins, Ann Reinking, and Joe Goode. In 1988 Anne joined Off Center Ballet, directed by Christopher d'Amboise. She performed in NYC at Dance Theater Workshop, Westbeth Theater, Bruno Walter Auditorium, The Painted Bride in Philadelphia, and Jacobs Pillow. In 1990 Anne joined The Pennsylvania Ballet, also under the direction of Christopher d'Amboise, where she performed for eight seasons dancing lead roles in works by George Balanchine, Peter Martins, Paul Taylor, Hans Van Manen, Lar Lubovich, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, John Cranko, Doug Elkins and Alvin Ailey among others. She originated roles in works choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise, Kevin O’Day, David Parsons, Rennie Harris, and Tony Rizzi. Anne was featured in the PBS WHYY- TV Pennsylvania Ballet spotlight documentaries “Da Mummy Nyet Mummy” and “Philadelphia Muses.” Anne has also performed at FringeArts, The Arden Theater, The Arts Bank, The Wilma Theater, WHYY theater with artists Paule Turner, Myra Bazell, Pig Iron Theater Co, Melanie Stewart, Moncell Durden, Ilse Pfeifer, Mum Puppettheater and Phrenic New Ballet and was active as a performer, costumer, and organizer of Shut Up And Dance, Pennsylvania Ballet Dancer’s annual benefit performance for MANNA in Philadelphia from 1993 through 1999. Anne toured

with singer Alanis Morissette as the assistant to choreographer Kevin O'Day and appeared in her music video “So Pure.” She served as rehearsal director for choreographers Jorma Elo and Itamar Serussi and performed in Jerome Bel's works & "The Show Must Go On" and “Gala,” all presented at FringeArts. Anne has taught Ballet technique and repertory at Rowan University, Bryn Mawr College, and Drexel University.

Anne has held positions as an Employer Representative for The Marriott Family Foundation’s Bridges From School To Work Program, Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of the Arts, Education and Community Manager at BalletX.

Philadelphia & West Chester

Anna Vartapetova was born in Moscow, Russia, where she began her journey in dance as a ballet dancer after graduating from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, one of the most prestigious ballet institutions in the country. During her performing career at the Moscow State Regional Theater of Russian Ballet under the direction of V. Gordeyev, Anna danced both in classical repertoire and in solo character roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppélia, and others. She later earned a PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, specializing in Classical Dance, from Moscow State Art and Cultural University. Beginning her teaching career at a young age, Anna now has over 28 years of experience, during which she has devoted herself to guiding aspiring performers in both classical and character dance.

Anna has served as a mentor and choreographer at some of Russia's leading performing arts institutions, including Moscow State Art and Cultural University, the College of Musical and Theater Arts named after G. Vishnevskaya, and the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). She has developed choreographic programs and nurtured the artistic talents of her students. Her expertise extends internationally, leading master classes in classical, character, and modern dance across Europe, India, and South Korea. Her students have gone on to perform with renowned ballet institutions such as the Bolshoi Theatre and the Kremlin Ballet, as well as on stages in Canada, Iceland, Israel, and the United States. Many have earned top honors at international competitions, and Anna’s contributions to dance education have been recognized by the Moscow Department of Education and at prestigious international festivals.

In addition to her teaching, Anna has served as a jury member at national and international dance competitions and developed programs aimed at preserving classical and character dance traditions. Building on her passion for expanding the reach of dance, she is also working on her own online project, having organized and directed the International Festival Competition, VARTADANCE, which successfully took place in both 2023 and 2024 and continues its development. Her commitment to dance continues to inspire the next generation of performers, leaving a lasting impact on the global dance community.