I began my career at four years old taking classical ballet classes and entered the Westchester Ballet Company as a mouse in Cinderella at the age of six! From there I graduated to rat, coachman, and on and on until I was quite comfortable onstage dancing in most of the traditional classical ballets. Continuing my dance career through high school, I then received a Bachelors of Arts degree in my double majors of Dance and Creative Writing at Kirkland/Hamilton college where I met the dynamic and electrifying Rhett Dennis who became my Jazz mentor at the time. Through him I worked with Luigi and then Fred Benjamin, Lynn Simonson, and many, many more of the Jazz greats of the time. Thanks to their brilliant inspiration, I was able to switch gears to become a professional Jazz dancer for stage, TV and film. Having studied acting, I also had the amazing fortune to work with some phenomenal film directors such as Federico Fellini, Lindsay Kemp, John Cassavetes, and more.
Teaching
In tandem with my performing career, which took me all over the United States and Europe, I began to teach at Steps Studio and Broadway Dance Center where I soon became one of New York’s leading Jazz teachers. I then began getting a lot of work giving Master Classes throughout the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Japan and was a regular summer teacher at North Carolina School of the Arts for many years. When I moved to Miami in the mid-90’s, I taught at New World School of the Arts, Miami City Ballet, and at the Florida Dance Festival in addition to many other renowned studios in the area. I created the only performing arts center on Miami Beach, the Performing Arts Network with Ilisa Rosal where classes included dance, voice, and drama. After living in Florida for several years, I then moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina where I continue to teach advanced and professional level Jazz classes for the Stage at Porton de Sanchez as well as at the conservatory for career students at the Reina Reech Studios. Additionally, I work as a coach for actors and singers preparing roles for stage and screen. Most recently I have worked with the great Argentine actresses, Rita Cortese, Soledad Silviera, Mirta Busnelli, and Monica Galan.
Choreography
In the late 1980’s and early 90’s I created Mode Enterprises with my partner Darrel Greene, mounting high concept fashion shows for New York and European designers using both models and dancers. We then created a second production company called New York Live Productions concentrating on industrials for clients such as MTV, Self Magazine, Marite & Francois Girbeaud, the NY Fashion and Footwear Show, and more. During this time I was simultaneously creating productions for most of the major nightclubs in NYC and was the former Cat Club’s resident choreographer, creating original shows every week for a company of eight dancers. During this period I choreographed for many video artists such as Jodi Watley, Joe Satriani, Tanya Tucker, and many more. I have choreographed commercials for Proctor and Gamble, Quaker Oats, Bacardi Rum, Roberto Jeans Canada, French Toast Clothes for Children, Upton’s department store, DiDi Jeans Venezuela, and many more. I’ve also choreographed television shows such as David Frankel’s “Grapevine” (Dir, The Devil Wears Prada), the musical “Rockbound” at the Southstreet Theatre in NY, and numerous dance productions for companies throughout the US and Europe.
Recent Work
In Buenos Aires, Argentina I recently choreographed and danced in the film, “Los Marciano” directed by Ana Katz. I also created and directed the ballet, “Eurydice Ascending” for the Cambalache Tango Festival.
Additional Projects
I have created two animated multi-media series, one for adults called FLY by Night and one for children called Mitzi and the Muscletones, under the auspices of Citizen Skull Productions in Los Angeles, California.
Nutritional Advisor
As a published health and nutrition writer, I have over 20 years of dedicated study in the healing arts, including courses in anatomy and kinesiology from Connecticut College. Along with intense personal investigation into holistic health practices, I have years of hands-on experience coaching people from all cultures and walks of life through my work as a dance and body awareness teacher. Having published many articles on health and fitness, my research into nutrition has lead to an integrative practice that focuses on physical and mental health through awakening and balancing the body. I also have my own blog, The Body in Form, a site dedicated to developing healthful habits that promote vitality, balance, and wellness as a way of life.
