Join Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance at Ridgebury Farm & Stables on Saturday, September 7 beginning at noon for “Ballet in the Barnyard”.
This special event is suggested for ages 3 to 7 and will be led by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance Executive Director, Amy Piantaggini.
Register required at https://e.givesmart.com/events/Ein/
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Avery Lasky is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Avery Lasky received her pre-professional training at New England Ballet and Ballet Etudes here in Connecticut. She was a student of Christina Fagundes for many years, who was a Soloist with American Ballet Theatre. Avery studied ballet at many summer intensives, including Burklyn Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kaatsbaan, Next Generation Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Philadelphia Ballet. Avery got accepted into the Philadelphia Ballet trainee program and trained pre-professional from 2017-2019. She danced in the company performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo and Juliet. She was also a part of the School of Philadelphia’s Ballet outreach performances, school performances, and many of Philadelphia Ballet’s second companies’ performances. Avery completed Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Teacher Training and is currently one of the teachers for Connecticut Dance Schools, Dance 4All Abilities program, and the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance adaptive dance program. In addition, Avery is a certified 500-hour yoga teacher with certifications in kids yoga and yoga for autism. Her passion is sharing her love of ballet to the younger generation.
Danielle Marie Fusco is an award-winning Italian-American dancer, choreographer, aerialist, and shamanic healer, renowned for her multifaceted career in commercial theatre, concert dance, arts-in-education, and holistic healing. Danielle’s off-Broadway and Equity credits include Tink at the NY Musical Festival, The Anthem at the Lynn Redgrave Theatre, and The Vanity at Theatre Row’s Clurman Theatre. She has also performed at the NY Innovative Theatre Awards, Friday Nights for STREB LAB for
Action Mechanics, and Love and Courage at the National Arts Club. Over eight years, Danielle performed as a dancer and aerialist with Dzul Dance, a company incorporating pre-Hispanic Mayan cultural themes. She has worked with numerous prestigious organizations and choreographers, including the Luigi Jazz Center (Legacy Projects), Jazz Roots Dance Company under Sue Samuels, Jazz Dance Legacy, Noemi LeFrance, Nejla Yatkin, Miriam Barbosa, Graham 2, and in Sam Pott’s Episode of the Graham Dance Company’s 2008 American Document Series at the Joyce Theatre. Her career highlights also include principal roles in Rachel Klein’s productions such as Symphony of Shadows, Tragedy of Maria Macabre, and GoGo Killers!. Danielle also performed in Edgar Cortes Dance Theatre, Jacqulyn Buglisi’s Table of Silence, and The Ladies of Luigi, a photographic project by Jan LaSalle. Internationally, Danielle has toured the UK, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Costa Rica, and Denmark, showcasing her artistry to a global
audience. In addition to being an off-Broadway Equity choreographer with TINK, The Anthem, and
The Vanity, Danielle’s choreographic works have also been presented at the Martha Graham Choreographic Showcase, the opening ceremony for the NY Innovative Theatre Awards, and CoLab Arts’ immersive production of The Wizard of Oz at RutgersUniversity. She has been a guest performer and choreographer for Night of 1000 Stevies for nearly a decade, earning the title of #1 Critic’s Pick in Time Out Magazine for her performance in Crystal 23 and is set to open the 33rd year as the American Strega. Danielle serves as a soloist performer, choreographer, and master guest artist teacher
for FINI Dance NY in NYC and Italy, contributing her expertise to foster dance education
and performance.
Grace Reddy (formerly Liu Zhao Hui) trained at China’s national school of dance, the Beijing Dance Academy, studying classical Chinese dance and ballet under Russian masters following the Vaganova System. Upon graduation from the Academy, she joined China’s foremost dance company, the Chinese Dance Theater. During a 13-year career with the company, she toured throughout China and other Asian countries performing on stage, in movies and on television. She has been a featured dancer in many major Chinese dance productions including A Dream of Red Mansions, The Princess of Wen Cheng, Tong Que Tai, Bao Lian Deng, and Deng Xiao Ping Song Ge. She has performed as a visiting artist at universities in the United States and toured the Hawaiian Islands performing a program of classical Chinese dance under the auspices of Beijing University. After immigrating to the United States, Grace founded the Tang Yung School of Chinese Dance and has performed with the Beijing Dance Company of New York and the Zhong Mei Dance Company.
Lindsey Mackail hails from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where her journey in the world of dance began at the tender age of 3. Her early training encompassed various dance styles, setting the stage for a lifelong passion. At just 9 years old, Lindsey showcased her talent on MTV, featuring in the pop music video “Fire It Up,” igniting her fervor for dance.
By the age of 15, Lindsey secured a coveted spot as a backup dancer, embarking on a tour with the emerging boy band LFO during the late 90s and early 2000s. While pursuing her college education at The University of Central Florida, she became an integral part of the Top 5 National Competitive College Dance Team. It was during this time that Lindsey honed her skills as a choreographer, dance instructor, and creative director.
Transitioning into the professional realm, Lindsey started choreographing for local R&B artists and graced the stage alongside R&B sensation 112 at Hard Rock Live and pop sensation Ciara during her halftime performance at the Orange Bowl. Seeking new horizons, Lindsey relocated to Los Angeles, collaborating with renowned choreographers and established recording artists. Her performances spanned music videos and live shows, contributing to her diverse portfolio.
After her stint in Los Angeles, Lindsey returned to Orlando, where she delved into music production, dance instruction, and the development of musical talents. As a sought-after choreographer, she lent her expertise to various artists and record labels, crafting dynamic show sets and directing concerts across genres. Lindsey has commanded stages, working with artists from different musical realms, showcasing her versatility.
Her journey includes producing and choreographing live shows, nurturing and coaching both signed and unsigned musical talents. She also serves as an instructor and adjudicator around the country for national dance conventions and competitions. Notably, Lindsey’s recent endeavor involved contributing to the Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour, collaborating with an up-and-coming artist. In the present day, she continues her dedication to developing artists, dancers, and performers, leaving an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
This is not a real bio – this is for testing!
Marlon Mayers discovered his passion for dance at the age of 14 where he began his dance training when accepted into Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. While attending Frank Sinatra, he also attended Ballet Hispanico, The Abrons Arts Center and The Martha Graham school of Contemporary Dance. Graduating from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in 2009, Marlon attended Marymount Manhattan College as a B.F.A dance major. Marlon has landed wonderful opportunities that allowed him to work with a wide range of choreographers from different styles of dance such as Jessica Lang, Laurie-Ann Gibson, Daniel Catanach, and Larry Keigwin, just to name a few. Since then he has been a Principal Dancer with the Abrons Arts Center Dance Ensemble, a Corp de Ballet dancer with Urban Ballet Theater and a freelancer with small modern dance companies based in New York City. Although Marlon loves performing he has a passion for teaching. He has had the opportunity to choreograph on the graduating class at Frank Sinatra school of the Arts as well as teach and be a mentor for the underclassmen. He has also presented his own choreography with the American Ballet Theater’s “Make a Ballet” and has submitted and showcased his works to numerous arts festivals. When not rehearsing and staging his own works, Marlon spends his time in a studio teaching and sharing great life lessons to students throughout the greater New York area.
Dona Wiley received her pre-professional dance training at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance in Connecticut under the direction of James Robey, and studied at many professional level summer ballet intensives including the American Ballet Theater Summer Program in New York City. Dona Wiley is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. As a freelance dancer, Dona currently works with the New York based dance companies Lydia Johnson Dance, Nomad Contemporary Ballet, Neville Dance Theatre, Neglia Ballet Artists, and as the rehearsal director and co-founder of CelloPointe. Her past company credits also include Connecticut Ballet, Staten Island Ballet, Felice Lesser Dance Theatre, IKADA Dance, Ballet Inc, and the Taormina Teatro Group where she enjoyed a principal dance role int he off-broadway play Tchaikovsky. Notable career highlights include performing the title role in Staten Island Ballet’s production of Carmen, as well as dancing the choreography of George Balanchine, Emery LeCrone, Gabrielle Lamb, and David Fernandez, among others. As a dance instructor Dona has taught ballet and pointe, choreographed new works, and set classical repertoire in studios throughout New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
Henry Seth began his ballet training at the age of 10 with the School of the Hartford Ballet. This opportunity arose out of a City of Hartford outreach program that helped young people with the expense associated with proper dance attire, lessons, and transportation to the studio. With great discipline, concerted effort, and lots of passion, he quickly developed into an outstanding dancer. In the fall of 1994, he accepted a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. Following his pre-professional training at SAB, Henry became an apprentice with NYCB in the spring of 1995 and was invited to join the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in summer 1996. Throughout his full career with NYCB he was fortunate to collaborate with many of the most talented and pioneering choreographers and dance artists in the world. While with NYCB he also shared his considerable talents in the Company’s Outreach & Education Department.
Polly Kingsbury has had an extensive career in dance education. She has taught ballet, modern and jazz throughout Westchester and Connecticut. Polly spent most of her life studying and teaching at the Steffi Nossen School of Dance. During her tenure there she served in many capacities including Educational Director, Operations Director and Senior Staff Instructor. While there she hired, trained and supervised the teaching staff for the Steffi Nossen method curriculum classes and choreographed for the Junior Master Class, Concert Group and many performance groups. She was the Steffi Nossen Children’s Show director and producer from 1979-2004. Her choreography has been performed at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. After moving to CT in 2004 she continues to serve as a consultant there. Polly has served as the Dance Coordinator for the Rye City Public Schools teaching PAC and choreographing for musicals, revues and choral groups within the district. For many years she served as a visiting instructor for the Westchester Arts Council teaching classes and workshops for special needs groups throughout the county. Polly has taught and lectured for the Hole in the Wall Gang “COPE” weekends in Southbury, CT. Polly’s performance credits include the Barnspace Dance Project based in Katonah NY and A New Generation of Dance at the Emelin Theatre in Larchmont, NY. Since moving to CT in 2004, Polly has been an enthusiastic supporter of RCD as a guest teacher, student, rehearsal assistant, seamstress, and much more. She is thrilled to be serving in this new capacity at RCD.
Mary Beth Hansohn received her professional training at The Arlington Center for Dance in Arlington, VA, and studied ballet in the hightest level at The American Ballet Theater Summer Program in New York City, where she performed George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations. She joined The Ohio Ballet as a full member at age 18, and went on to dance in works by Heinz Poll, Donald Byrd, Laura Dean, Ann Marie DeAngelo, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Stephen Mills, Septime Webre, Salvatore Aiello, Dermot Burke, Val Caniparoli, Jeffrey Hughes, Twyla Tharp, and Alonzo King. Mary Beth has performed with Dayton Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, The Cleveland Opera, D.C. Contemporary Dance Festival, Neglia Ballet Artists, The Adam Miller Dance Project, The National Tap Ensemble, and Terra Firma Dance Theatre. Mary Beth performed in the 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York City, which was televised on CBS. In 2014, she appeared and danced in the new television drama series “Flesh and Bone”. Mary Beth has also worked with Edouard Lock at La La La Human Steps in Montreal, and with Karole Armitage at Armitage Cone! Dance in New York City. Some of Ms. Hansohn’s favorite roles include the title role in Giselle, “Mina Harker” in Dracula, “Gerturde” in Hamlet, Le Corsaire pas de deux, “Russian Girl” in George Balanchine’s Serenade, the pas de trois from George Balanchine’s Agon, “Myrtha” in Giselle, and Unnatural Selection, a pas de deux choreographed and danced with her husband, James Graber. Mary Beth has judged dance competitions and choreographed in dance workshops across the country, and continues to teach ballet and contemporary dance in New York.
Kelly graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pace University with a B.S. in commercial dance and psychology. At Pace, she performed works by Andy Blankenbuehler, Jessica Lang, Chloe Arnold, and Jason Samuels Smith. She began her training at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance under James Robey, and continued her training at Fineline Theatre Arts under Elizabeth Parkinson and Scott Wise, and Mary Ann Lamb. She has also studied under Twyla Tharp, and performed works such as The Fugue and Burundi Drums. Most recently, she has been seen on the national tour of 42nd Street, which was helmed by the 2001 Tony Award-winning team of Mark Bramble and Randy Skinner. In addition, Kelly has performed with the New Bedford Festival Theatre, Ocean Professional Theatre Company, and the Carnegie Hall Exchange. Favorite credits include My Fair Lady, Singin’ in the Rain, and Crazy For You. Aside from performing, Kelly has been teaching a wide variety of styles for 5 years, from students in creative movement to adult levels.
Christina Fagundes Turner, a native of California, received her training at the San Francisco Ballet S
chool and represented the school at the 1982 International Ballet Competition as a top finalist. She was then invited to join San Francisco Ballet and immediately began dancing leading roles. In 1985, Mikhail Baryshnikov invited Ms. Fagundes to join American Ballet Theater, where she was appointed Soloist in 1989 and danced numerous principal roles in both classic
al and contemporary repertoire. During her career, she danced in over 100 ballets, toured in over 25 countries, and worked with the geniuses of the dance world: Tudor, Macmillan, Makarova, Lubovitch, Kolpakova, Farrell, and Baryshnikov.
While dancing professionally, she also furthered her education, graduating magna cum laude from Fordham University. After choreographing, teaching, and directing for Fairfield County’s esteemed Ballet Etudes dance studio for 16 years, Christina has continued to embrace the honor of teaching in her personal studio, Ballet Studio 229 in New Canaan, where she coaches students and professionals to achieve their potential and meet their goals.
Seeing her dancers performing with ABT Studio Company, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Arizona Ballet, Boulder Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Washington Ballet, as well as celebrating her students’ acceptances at top colleges—Harvard, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgetown, USC, University of Michigan, Pace, Elon, Fordham, Syracuse University, Columbia, and many more—brings Christina profound joy.
Janel was born and raised in Connecticut, where she began her dance training at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance. She furthered her education through prestigious intensives at institutions including the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, The Hartt School, ABT North Carolina, The Taylor School, and The Ailey School. During her time at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Janel performed in Martha Graham’s Steps in the Street and danced various roles in The Nutcracker. In 2016, she was honored with the Patricia Schuster Award and was inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Janel graduated magna cum laude from the Fordham University/Ailey School BFA program with a double major in Dance and Psychology. While at The Ailey School, she had the opportunity to perform works by esteemed choreographers such as Tina Bush, Robert Battle, Janice Rosario, and Jacqulyn Buglisi. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, working with children on the autism spectrum. Janel has been a dedicated faculty member at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance for the past three years and is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with her students and colleagues.
Robyn began her training at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance under James Robey. Her ballet training includes summer intensives such as The Bolshoi Ballet, The Ailey School, The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, and The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet among others. In 2015, she was the recipient of the Patricia Schuster Award and proceeded to earn her degree in dance from Adelphi University. Robyn furthered her ballet education with private coaching under notable dancers such as Ashley Bouder, Carol Sumner, Flavio Salazar, Hilda Morales, Marnie Thomas and Tiler Peck. Robyn currently teaches for Ridgefield Academy Landmark Preschool in Westport, CT.
Amy trained at the Boston Conservatory and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, where she received scholarships from the Gregory Peck Foundation and as a Finalist for the Coca-Cola Award for Artistic Excellence. Ms. Piantaggini is a former member of the Martha Graham Dance Company and the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, in which she danced many soloist roles including “Satyric Festival Song” and “Conversation of Lovers”. Anna Kisselgoff of the New York Times said that Amy “made a luminous New York debut in Graham’s abstract view…” October 7, 1998. Amy has danced for the companies of Javier Dzul, Richard Move, and James Robey, and currently dances for Edgar Cortes Dance Theater. Amy’s teaching experience includes numerous schools throughout New England including the Hartt School/University of Hartford and as a Graham-based master class guest instructor for Central Michigan State University, Webster University, Western Connecticut University, Endicott College, Sacred Heart University, Barnard College, and Dean College. She received her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College with a focus in early American Modern Dance and Embodiment Studies. Ms. Piantaggini is a member of the National Dance Education Organization, and served on the Danbury Dance Initiative task force. She established RCD as a charter for National Honors Society for Dance Arts in 2016. Amy is the recipient of the New Connections Award in 2022 for mentoring young women and the Nancy Comstock Andrews Superlative Teaching/Mentoring Award in 2018 for her extensive collaborations between the Conservatory and countless Ridgefield arts organizations. Amy also serves as a Committee Member for the Dance Studios Mentoring Program for the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).