DATE: October 17, 2009
CONTACT: Alex Bloomstein - Artistic Director, Ballet Arts Studio
845-831-1870
FOR RELEASE: Immediately
BALLET ARTS STUDIO STRETCHES TO INCLUDE FOUR NEW INSTRUCTORS, TWO NEW DANCE STYLES
BEACON, NY – Alex Bloomstein, the Artistic Director at Ballet Arts Studio of Beacon, New York, noted the addition of four new dance instructors to the Studio: Yuriy Vodolaga, Deanna Ford, Monifa Kincaid, and Lauren Hale Biniaris. Vodolaga, Ford, Kincaid, and Biniaris join the dance school’s accomplished faculty.
“I’m thrilled to welcome these talented dancers and teachers to the Ballet Arts faculty,” remarked Bloomstein. “This year also marks the debut of two new dance styles, jazz and rhythm tap, to our curriculum – exciting additions to our conservatory-level classical Ballet training and our diverse mix of Modern, African, and Hip-Hop classes.”
Vodolaga, Ford, Kincaid and Biniaris join a well-regarded and experienced faculty of six, including Mr. Bloomstein (Ballet & Modern), Belle Golden (African), Pilly Gonzalez (Hip- Hop), Denyse Looney (Classical Ballet), Maggie McNeilly (Classical Ballet), and Laura Seaman (Classical Ballet). Additionally, Michael Shannon, formerly the first foreign-born Principal Dancer with the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet and a well-known and prolific choreographer, teaches master classes for the Upper School and is Resident Choreographer for the school’s affiliated non-profit pre-professional dance company; The Dutchess Ballet Company.
Yuriy Vodolaga trained at the Academy of Classical Ballet in Kiev, Ukraine, and began his professional career with the Kiev State Ballet Theatre. He received his Masters Degree in teaching ballet from the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Classical Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. For twenty years, Mr. Vodolaga has been teaching classical ballet for such august dance companies and schools like the San Francisco Ballet, the Eglevsky Ballet Company, the PeriDanceCenter in New York City, the BroadwayDanceCenter, and the Miami City Ballet, among others. For the past five years, he has been the main guest pedagogue for the Youth America Grand Prix Competition in New York City. Mr. Vodolaga joins the Ballet Arts Studio faculty as a Classical Ballet instructor in the Middle and UpperSchools.
Deanna Ford began her professional career as a soloist with the Hartford Ballet. Ms. Ford was also a featured ballet dancer for Radio City Music Hall Productions, as well as a Rockette at RadioCity. Teaching for more than twelve years, Ms. Ford joins the Ballet Arts faculty as an Upper School Ballet and Jazz instructor and choreographer.
Monifa Kincaid, a rhythm tap dancer, teacher and choreographer, trained with Brenda Bufalino and Barbara Duffy. Ms. Kincaid currently performs at The Cotton Club in New York City. She received a Master of Arts in Dance from the LabanCenter in the United Kingdom, and a Master of Sciences in Early Childhood Education from LehmanUniversity. Ms. Kincaid brings this unique and vibrant style of dance to Ballet Arts Studio as Rhythm Tap instructor and choreographer.
Lauren Hale Biniaris began her dance career as a member of the Chattanooga Ballet, where she performed in numerous classical ballets, including Giselle, SwanLake, and The Nutcracker. She graduated magna cum laude from BrownUniversity, and received a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from New YorkUniversity’s TischSchool of the Arts, where she studied ballet with Jolinda Menendez, Cherylyn Lavagnino, Jaclyn Villamil, and James Sutton, among others. She has taught dance at BrownUniversity, the Chattanooga Ballet, the New York University Department of Recreation, The Mercersburg Academy, The Baylor School, and BristolCommunity College. Lauren joins the Ballet Arts faculty as a Classical Ballet instructor in the LowerSchool.
Ballet Arts Studio is a conservatory-level dance school located in the heart of Beacon, New York. Students ages three through adult are offered classes in all levels of Classical Ballet, Modern, African, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Rhythm Tap by experienced instructors, all of whom work, or have worked, as professional dancers. Ballet Arts continues to accept registrations for this year. For more information, visit www.BalletArtsStudio.com or call Alex Bloomstein at 845-831-1870.