Faculty & Staff

PETER STARK

PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR

Peter Stark, The Rock School for Dance Education President and Director, is an internationally renowned ballet teacher and coach who has been influential in dancers’ successes across the United States and Europe. He was featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine, won “Best Teacher” at the Youth America Grand Prix finals, and received many accolades including “Peter Stark Day” in the city of Orlando, FL on Friday, October 16, 2009. His previous leadership roles included associate director of Boston Ballet II, founding artistic director of Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, and school director of Orlando Ballet. Stark danced leading roles at Washington Ballet, Washington National Opera, Boston Ballet, and New York City Ballet and coached students to first place 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.

ETIENNE DIAZ

The Rock School for Dance -West, DIRECTOR

Etienne began his training at the Orlando Ballet School as the Founders’ Scholarship Award Recipient and, following graduation, attended Florida State University with a full scholarship.  Etienne danced in Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, Balletto del Sud, in Italy, Milwaukee Ballet in Wisconsin, and the National Opera of Bucharest in Romania where he performed many leading roles.  In 2014, Etienne joined Philadelphia Ballet, where he rose to the rank of demi soloist dancing many leading roles. He has worked with renowned choreographers and distinguished artists including Fernando Bujones, Bruce Marks, Michael Pink, Vicente Nebrada, Alexei Ratmansky, Edward Clug, Johan Kobborg, Magaly Suarez, Nacho Duato, Matthew Neenan, Jiří Kylián, Fredy Franzutti, Christopher Wheeldon, Jean-Pierre Frohlich, and William Forsythe among others. 

Etienne resumed his business administration studies at Temple University where he graduated with honors. Additionally, he was in the faculty at Bryn Mawr College for two years and Metropolitan Ballet Academy for eight years. Etienne has been part of the jury at the National Ballet Competition in Delaware and taught master classes for the World Ballet Competition for the past two years.

MELISSA STAFFORD

CHIEF ARTISTIC OFFICER, BALLET DIVISION

A Pennsylvania native, Stafford joined her siblings in training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) with Marcia Dale Weary. Stafford began student teaching at CPYB under Weary’s guidance. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Stafford joined the Peabody Preparatory Dance Department at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) in 2001 under Artistic Advisor (and Pennsylvania Ballet founder) Barbara Weisberger. In 2006, she was invited by Peter Stark to become ballet principal for Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL, where she helped the school to expand more than 10-fold in three years. She returned to Peabody at Weisberger’s invitation as Dance Department Chair. During her tenure at Peabody, she expanded the dance training scholarship program for boys and programmed masterworks by Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Pearl Lang, Anna Sokolow, and Antony Tudor. Stafford has also been on the adjunct faculties of Goucher College and Peabody Conservatory and taught for the Orlando Ballet School Summer Intensive, CPYB Summer Intensive, and The Next Generation Ballet Summer Intensive. Stafford’s students have danced professionally with companies including American Ballet Theatre, Royal Swedish Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Philadanco's Danco 2. In 1999, Stafford received the Regional Dance America/Northeast Region Monticello Award for Emerging Female Choreographers. She is the recipient of the 2017 Peabody Preparatory's Excellence in Teaching Award.

 
 

ARTISTIC FACULTY

Anastasia Babayeva

Principal Teacher

Anastasia Babayeva is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. She has danced professionally with the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, Chicago Ballet, Richmond Ballet, International Ballet Classique in PA. Mrs. Babayeva has performed principal roles in great classical ballets, such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty; as well as Balanchine ballets and contemporary works of world-renowned choreographers such as K. Peterson, J. Butler, M. Burn, V. Nebrada, C. Connor and many others. Ms. Babayeva also performed as a guest artist in many galas and productions throughout the USA. In 2001 she co-founded the Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts, and in 2003 the International Ballet Classique. Under her direction, IBC has presented acclaimed performances of major full-length ballets such as Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita and numerous mixed repertory performances. Mrs. Babayeva received the Outstanding Teacher Award from American Ballet Competition, UBC, WBAC and YAGP in 2005, 2007, 2014, 2017, and 2020, respectively. Her students have qualified and won medals in prestigious international ballet competitions and have gone on to dance in professional companies. In 2006 Ms. Babayeva joined the dance faculty at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she served as “Master Lecturer” for 10 years. Ms. Babayeva creates professional ballet costumes, including tunics, tutus, and tiaras. Her one-of-a-kind costumes are worn by numerous dancers at competitions and ballet productions. Mrs. Babayeva was featured in Dancer magazine 2005. In 2015 Mrs. Babayeva was honored by Pennsylvania State Representative Jamie Santora with an official citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for "sharing the art of classical ballet,” "outstanding leadership, vision, and talent," and “exemplary record of cultural contribution within her community”.

Carlos Dos Santos Jr.

Contemporary Manager

Carlos is a noted Brazilian performer and choreographer who performed as a principal dancer with major Brazilian dance companies such as Bale Folclorico da Bahia, Bale Teatro Castro Alves, and DanceBrazil. In the U.S., he has performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, where he also served as a company teacher. His choreographic credits include works for Colorado Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, American Dance Festival, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, DanceBrazil, Cape town dance company (South Africa), Alvin Ailey 2, Joffrey Ballet 2, Houston Ballet 2, and the WKY University Residency choreographer. He has created many projects with Dance Brasil, including his latest collaboration with award-winning composer Tania Leon. Carlos has taught at dance schools, colleges, and universities throughout the U.S. and abroad. Since its inception, he has served as a jury member and resident choreographer of the Youth America Grand Prix international student ballet competition. In 2023, Carlos joined The Rock School as its Contemporary Dance Manager and a RockReach Teaching Artist.

Jody Anderson

Ballet Division

Jody started her serious ballet training at age 14 at North Carolina School of the Arts and continued at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York City on a full scholarship. As a principal dancer with the Kansas City Ballet for 16 years, Jody had the honor of performing principal roles in ballets by George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Alvin Ailey, Agnes DeMille, Todd Bolender, Ann Reinking and many other noted choreographers. Most notably, she was hand picked by Alvin Ailey to perform as a guest artist with his company and to recreate his ballet FLOWERS to much critical acclaim. Jody has been on the faculty with The Kansas City Ballet School, Berks Ballet Theatre (Ballet Mistress), Delaware Dance Company and The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan (Director of Dance). Jody toured with several musical theater productions (OLIVER, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES) and was the Associate Choreographer for Starlight Theatre in Kansas City and served as the Artistic Directed for the Candlelight Theatre in Delaware. At The Rock School she choreographed WEST SIDE STORY SUITE that was performed at the Mann Center with The Curtis Institute, and CATTO AT BAT and FLIGHT for the Philadelphia Freedom Festival. Jody has been on the faculty since 2004 and a Ballet Master since 2015.

Roderick Phifer

Contemporary/Modern Division

Roderick Phifer is a Charlotte NC native whose artistic passion is realized through choreography, dance education, and performance. His experience ranges from commercial and concert dance training, which heavily influences his personal style in movement. He received early training from the North Carolina Dance Theatre under the direction of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia Mcbride, Dance Productions under the direction of Lori Oxendine, and mentorship of the late Denise Britz-Clark. As a young queer artist, expanding and exploring the language of dance outside of his home was always a major priority, which led to him training with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He continued his education and earned his BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Shortly after, he transitioned and joined Philadelphia's contemporary company BalletX as a company artist for 5 seasons. During the pandemic, he shifted roles by joining Philadelphia’s Chocolate Ballerina Company as their rehearsal director, where he was also a part of creating Philadelphia's first all-black cast of the Nutcracker. Roderick is currently a company artist with BIGKIDS dance, founded by Mark Caserta, and a company artist with Waheed Works, founded by Tommie Waheed Evans. Roderick has earned the opportunity to teach and perform on an international level, while also pouring his knowledge and passion back into the new generation of rising dance artists.

Barnel Anderson

Hip Hop

Barnel A. Anderson Jr. was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His introduction to dance began with his exposure to pop, hip hop, R&B, and reggae played on local radio as well as dancehall videos. He began his formal dance training at the age of fifteen at The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School. He continued his training at The University of the Arts, where he earned a BFA in dance performance in May 2019. While at UArts, Barnel had the opportunity and privilege to perform original works by choreographers Kyle and Dinita Clark of JustSole Philadelphia, Niall Jones, in Germany at the Sixth Biennale Tanzausbildung and The Chocolate Factory in NYC. Barnel completed National Dance Institute’s Two-Week Teaching Artist Training Intensive in New York City in 2019. His influences are Kyle and Dinita Clark, Katie Swords Thurman, Parris Goebel, and Ian Eastwood. These teachers and makers have inspired his movement, way of thinking, and choreography. With his roots in Hip Hop, Barnel weaves his training in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern to make an amalgamation of movement qualities that represent his experiences in the world.

Denis Gronostayskiy

Professional Division

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.

Alejandra Ramirez-Ortiz

Pre-Ballet Division

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.

Emily Gilligan

Hip-Hop

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.

Jessica Olinik

Jessica Olinik

Jazz Division

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).

Gina Grace

Pre-Ballet Division

Gina Grace began her ballet training in Philadelphia with Carole Orlandi Barr, Marion Tonner, and later, with John White and Margarita deSaa at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. Mrs. Grace began teaching ballet throughout the Philadelphia area in 1991 and has been a faculty member with The Rock School since 2000. As part of The Rock School faculty for over 22 years, Mrs. Grace has taught ballet to a wide range of levels and ages, specializing in the early divisions. She also has been an instructor for The Rock School's outreach program RockReach, working in over a dozen city schools for over a decade as well as an instructor at RockWest. Mrs. Grace has studied Vaganova pedagogy under John White with a special focus on the first three syllabus years. She has also completed study at The National Dance Institute under Jacques d'Amboise in New York City. She brings forth over 30 years of experience teaching ballet to all ages and levels.

 

GUEST FACULTY

Mayara Pineiro

Guest Faculty

Mayara Pineiro graduated from the prestigious Cuban National Ballet School under the direction of Ramona de Sáa. She has participated in international dance festivals across the globe, including South Africa, Peru, and Canada. At age 16, Mayara won a silver medal in the International Ballet Competition held in Havana, Cuba. That same year, she received a gold medal in the Danza & Mare Competition in Calabria, Italy and a second gold medal in 2011 at the Youth American Grand Prix in Tampa, Florida. She was featured in Dance Magazine in 2015 and graced the cover of Pointe Magazine in 2016. Mayara’s courageous journey from Cuba to the U.S. was featured in the 2014 documentary Secundaria by filmmaker Mary Jane Doherty. She was a dance model in Gap’s Fit Fall 2016 Campaign. Mayara began her professional career as a soloist with the National Opera of Bucharest, where she danced a variety of featured roles. In 2012, she was invited to be a guest artist with Balletto del Sud in Italy under the direction of Fredy Franzutti and toured throughout Italy. In 2012 to 2014 she danced with the Milwaukee Ballet. Mayara joined Philadelphia Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in our 2014/2015 Season. She was promoted to soloist in 2015 and quickly became a principal dancer in 2016. Mayara’s repertoire with the company includes roles in Angel Corella’s Le Corsaire (Medora and Gulnara), in The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Giselle (Giselle), La Bayadère, (Nikiya and Gamzatti) and Don Quixote (Kitri). Her performances include Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella (Cinderella), and Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet (Juliet). She has the distinguished honor to have danced Odile/Odette in both Christopher Wheeldon’s and Angel Corella’s’ Swan Lake. Mayara has also danced in featured roles in Matthew Neenan’s Shift to Minor and Jerome Robbins’ The Concert. Included in her vast repertoire are principal roles in many ballets by George Balanchine including, The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum and Dew Drop), Western Symphony, Allegro Brillante, Square Dance, Tarantella, Serenade, Apollo, Rubies and Emeralds in Jewels, The Four Temperaments, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Stravinsky Violin Concerto. She has been featured in prestigious ballet such as Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, William Forsythe’s The Second Detail, David Dawson’s The Third Light and Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort.

Carlos Montalvan

Guest Faculty

Carlos Montalvan was born in Cuba, where he began his dance studies at the National School and obtained a higher diploma at the Institute of Art. His professional career as a dancer began at the ballet of his town, Camaduey, and then continued in Italy at the Ballet du Sud where he rose to the category of principal dancer by interpreting numerous roles. Over the years he has been a soloist in various companies in Germany such as the Magdeburg Theater in Dortmund, Essen. He danced the great classics with modern choreographers like Alicia Alonso, Kylian, Forsythe, David Dawson, Gonzalo Galguera, Fredy Franzutti, Ben Van Cauwenbergh and others. He was the partner of ballerinas such as Letizia Giuliani, Enada Hoxa, Luciana Savignano, Carla Fracci and others. He also shared the stage with the famous Linsay Kemp. Alongside his career as a dancer, Carlos is also a teacher, both as a Master and as a student teacher. He is invited in many companies such as the National Theater of Belgrade and the University of Dance in Belgrade, Acosta Danza by Carlos Acosta and the National Ballet of England. He is currently the Artistic Director of Ballet du Sud and coordinates all classes.

Zoica Tovar

Guest Faculty

Zoica Tovar began her training at the age of nine at the Cuban Ballet School of Havana. Upon graduation she was accepted at Classical Ballet of Havana under the direction of Laura Alonso. Ms. Tovar’s talent and dedication allowed her to become a principal ballerina shortly thereafter. She received a silver medal in the Alicia Alonso Ballet Competition in Cuba as well as in the Brasilia International Ballet Competition in Brazil. Ms. Tovar has performed several principal roles including Kitri, Odette, Odile, Juliet, Swanilda, and many others from the classical repertoire. Ms. Tovar danced as a principal dancer in Orlando Ballet from 1998 to 2009 under the direction of Fernando Bujones and Bruce Mark. At Orlando Ballet, she had the opportunity to perform works by Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, and other famous choreographers. During her time in Orlando, Ms. Tovar received The Sun of Florida award from the city for her artistic achievements. In 2009, Ms. Tovar began at BalletMet. During her time with BalletMet, she continued to increase her experience with roles such as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. In addition, she worked with amazing choreographers like James Kudelka, Dwight Rhoden, Edwaard Liang and many others, increasing her contemporary dance experience. Ms. Tovar retired in 2014 from BalletMet. Ms. Tovar has been teaching since 1995. She began her teaching career in Brazil with the Royal Ballet Academy and Palacio de las Artes, the professional company in Belo Horizonte. From 2000 to 2009, Ms. Tovar was part of the teaching faculty at Orlando Ballet, where she was in charge of the summer program auditions. She has also trained students for the Youth America Grand Prix competition. In 2012, Ms. Tovar began teaching at NorthPointe Dance Academy where she started a YAGP program. The program had excellent results including first place performances in ensemble groups for three years in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, Ms. Tovar was Co-Academy Director of the United Ballet Theatre Academy in Orlando, Florida. During this time, she successfully created a Spring and Summer Intensive with students from all over the United States and the world.

Barry Kerollis

Guest Faculty

Barry Kerollis is an award-winning choreographer, dance educator, and media personality based out of New York City. He enjoyed a 13 year performing career dancing leading roles with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, and as a Principal Guest Artist for companies around the country. His current work includes acting as Artistic Director of Movement Headquarters Ballet Company, teaching on faculty at Broadway Dance Center, writing for Dance Media publications, and hosting the Pas de Chát: Talking Dance podcast on the Premier Dance Network. Choreographic accomplishments include the National Choreographers Initiative, selection as a finalist for the McCallum Theatre Choreography Festival, and an Outstanding Choreographer award from Youth America Grand Prix.

Danielle Bower

Guest Faculty

Danielle Bower is currently Dance Faculty at Grier School. Danielle graduated from Koresh School of Dance and is currently based in Birmingham, United States. Danielle was formerly a part of Millennium Dance Complex and Synthesis Dance Project. She has been a Choreographer, teacher, at The Rock School for Dance - West since 2001.

Matthew Perko

Guest Faculty

Originally from West Chester, Pa., Matthew Perko grew up training at The Rock School West and Rock School for Dance Education. He studied various forms, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theater and tap. Matthew supplemented his training with Alexandra Damiani, who was crucial in exposing him to concert dance practices and the choreographic voices of Hofesh Schecter, Crystal Pite, Marco Goecke and Ohad Naharin. His curiosity to know more about concert dance and its intersectionality to other disciplines laid the groundwork for Matthew to attend the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Under Jodie Gates and William Forsythe, he delved deeper into classical, contemporary and vernacular aesthetics, and participated in numerous creative processes. Upon graduating, Matthew desires to join a contemporary ballet company to continue cultivating his artistry and technical capabilities. However, as his career progresses, he is interested in exploring other realms such as commercial dance and dance theater. Beyond stage performance, Matthew believes his training experiences enable him to give back to the emerging generations of dance artists through teaching and advisement. He crafted the Perko Dance Initiative as a resource for artists making the transition between high school and their next steps. The initiative serves to understand an individual student’s needs and aspirations while granting them unbiased information on the available pathways to bring them to their career goals. This form of mentorship provides guidance and in-depth knowledge of institutional offerings while ultimately giving the student a sense of agency over their future.

Lauren Brophy

Guest Faculty

Originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, Lauren Brophy began her dance training at The Rock School West, training in various styles including ballet, jazz, musical theater, tap, contemporary, hip-hop and modern. From age three, she quickly fell in love with movement and immersed herself in the pre-professional dance world, traveling the country to train at dance intensives and other programs where she had the opportunity to learn the repertory of Crystal Pite, Marco Goeke, Hofesh Shechter and many other iconic choreographic voices in concert dance. After coming to the University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Lauren was exposed to additional dance practices while diving deeper into styles familiar to her. Under the direction of Jodie Gates, Lauren fell in love with contemporary ballet and the work of William Forsythe, and began to explore the intersection of vernacular practices and concert dance, along with the origins of social dance. At USC Kaufman, she had had the opportunity to learn the repertory of William Forsythe, Merce Cunningham, Jiří Kylián, Peter Chu and many others. During her time at USC, Lauren further explored her interest in business administration and the inner workings of entrepreneurship. As a bubbly and curious student, she finds joy in networking both inside and outside of the dance school, searching for a way to connect the dance community and communities without access to dance. She looks forward to expanding her network and meeting as many friendly faces as possible along the way.

Rachel Neitzke

Guest Faculty

Ms. Rachel Neitzke is a Philadelphia based dancer, choreographer and dance educator. She gained much of her early professional training at Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia, and was fortunate enough to experience many different styles and training methods while traveling through the United States in her childhood. Ms. Neitzke has danced professionally since the age of 15 and was a founding member of the Koresh Youth Ensemble. She was invited to train at Joffrey Ballet School as a Jazz/Contemporary Trainee under the direction of Michael Blake on scholarship. While there she was able to work in collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Parsons School of Design, The New School of Music, and Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper. Ms. Neitzke holds a BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she performed works by Milton Myers, Andrea Miller, Douglas Becker, Roni Koresh, Meredith Rainey, Jesse Zarrit and Sidra Bell. Upon graduating Ms. Neitzke’s passion for teaching and dancing alike has taken her throughout the United States and abroad. She has served as the Broadway Dance Teaching Artist and Ballet Assistant at Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, Guest Teaching Artist and Dancer throughout the country of Israel, and Teaching Artist at The School of Philadelphia Ballet. Ms. Neitzke is currently the Director of Dance at Villa Maria Academy High School and the Artistic Director of The Collective Dance Project in Philadelphia. She has been awarded highly for her choreography at many competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Competition, Puerto Rico Classical Dance Competition, Artist Simply Human and more.

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