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DNA Substitute Bios & Class Descriptions
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Ballet, Structural Floor Barre,
Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique®
Modern, Mod/Roots, Mod/Jazz,
Jazz, Latin Jazz, Cont Jazz
Hip Hop
Yoga
Pilates Mat
Thai Massage & Anatomy Awareness
Feldenkrais ATM®
BALLET
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Lenny Holmes
Born in the Chicago area, Lenny Holmes began training with Gus Giordano in Jazz Dance, as well as The Ruth Page Foundation (A noted ballet academy in the Midwest). Awarded scholarships to both The Joffery Ballet School and later The School of American Ballet, Lenny relocated to NYC and resumed intense studies for three years before embarking on his career (with ; Sarasota Ballet, Bay Ballet Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theater and The Q E 2 cruise ship). Mr. Holmes credits his parents Leonard and Johnnie Mae Holmes as well as early teachers for molding his; character, sense of humor, enthusiasm and, love for the ballet. True karma has allowed him to pass these virtues on to his own students. "It may sound clichˇ, but I view myself not only as a ballet teacher, but more of a CHEERLEADER for ballet." "I hope to help you realize your potential."
Class Description
Class approach is in Bourneville/Balanchine techniques. In Lenny's class, fifth position is made comfortable with crossing of the upper thigh instead of wrenching the ankles (home). He emphasizes body friendly alignment making possible the proper closing of the legs into positions. He makes use of the "Fall-and-Recover" concept approach to ballet, with the idea of jumping down in order to go up (in sports itÕs called "Hang Time"). Expect a lot of petite allegro and pirouettes, with a strong emphasis on the inner thigh as well as the solar plexus. Class in tempered with humor. So let's laugh while we sweat. There's no elitism in Lenny's class anyone who shows up to study has a chance to learn and improve!!!
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David Fernandez
David studied ballet at the Centro de Arte y Ballet in his native Mexico City before winning a scholarship to Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago,
where he performed with the company and was awarded the prestigious Jeffrey Mildenstein Award. He continued his classical education at
Chicago's Boitsov Classical Ballet School adding the Vaganova method to his repertoire.
During his dance career, David has performed with Chicago's Boitsov Classical Ballet company; Lyric Opera of Chicago; Ballet Theatre of
Chicago and numerous small companies in the US. A highlight of his later career was performing alongside Mikhail Baryshnikov in the play
"The Doctor and The Patient" at the Lincoln Center Festival.
Since moving to New York in 1998, David has taught classes for numerous schools and companies in the Tri-State area. Teaching credits
include: ABT Open Class, Peridance, ABT and Brooklyn Ballet outreach programs, Staten Island Ballet and Westchester Ballet.
Choreography credits include: The Jackson Competition, Youth American Grand Prix, Opera North. David is currently resident
choreographer at City Center Ballet in New Hampshire.
To find out more, please visit David's website at: www.davidferndance.com
Class Description
A stamina-building and dynamic structured class with a focus on coordination, precision, and musicality. Simple combinations make
this class suitable for all levels, offering dancers the opportunity to clean and polish their ballet technique while enjoying
a rigorous work-out.
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Katie Glasner
Katie Glasner has been teaching in the Barnard College Department of Dance since 1996 where she is currently Assistant Chair and Senior Associate. Her teaching credits
include Princeton Ballet School, American Repertory Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Wesleyan College, Penn State, New York University and American
Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts. Katie's many years as a dancer with the Twyla Tharp Dance company included work on the concert stage,
both nationally and internationally, film and television work and a brief stint as a Broadway performer.
Ms. Glasner staged the first reconstruction of Twyla Tharp's classic Eight Jelly Rolls on the Barnard Department of Dance dancers in
the spring of 2007 and has since restaged the piece for George Mason University, Kutztown University and the Fieldston Dance Company.
Class Description
Katie Glasner teaches a ballet class based on the time honored tradition of a classical ballet class with humor and musicality.
Free from affect, Ms. Glasner is committed to cultivating a solid foundation of alignment at the barre so that dancers can work from
the foundation in center exercises, integrating imagination in movement and investing in expression.
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Dana Hash-Campbell Ballet
Dana Hash-Campbell, Chair of the Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Dance Department and has served as trainer, recruiter,
teacher, and rehearsal director since 1997. Dana was a principal dancer and company teacher with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
from 1988-1995, when she retired due to injury. Since her retirement Dana has become a licensed Massage Therapist and received her MFA in
Dance from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Her injuries inspired her to study science in order to help redefine proper anatomical alignment
in dance. She has been able to further her work in this area with the guidance and assistance of the ADAM Center for Dance Research (formerly SOAR Research).
Dana is very excited to return to the stage after two hip surgeries. She has recently performed for choreographers Astrid von Ussar, Earl Mosley, Barbara Grubel,
and Colleen Thomas as well as creating her own work.
Class Description
Intermediate Advanced
Dana has designed this ballet curriculum after many years of biomechanical research on proper anatomical alignment specific to dance. This class is designed as a lab using
rotational discs at both the barre and center to assist dancers in accessing correct musculature and increasing kinesthetic awareness of one's body.
Intermediate
This ballet class focuses on proper biomechanics and anatomical alignment. In the hopes of assisting dancers to move more efficiently
effectively reducing the potential for injuries.
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Deborah Lohse Ballet
Deborah Lohse, Artistic Director of ad hoc Ballet, is a classically trained choreographer and dancer
from Sacramento , California . Her eclectic training also includes theatre, comedy improvisation and ballroom.
As a dancer, she has performed with a variety of companies, including The Sacramento Ballet, Jean IsaacsÕ San Diego
Dance Theatre and Monica Bill Barnes & Company. In New York , her work has appeared in numerous performances in venues
ranging from the theater at Florence Gould Hall and the Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center to the Synod House at
St. John the Divine to the stage of JoeÕs Pub.
Class Description
Open Level
A contemporary ballet class rooted in the classical form. Lohse challenges students to discover new approaches
to the familiar while moments allow for experimentation while slowly drawing the studentÕs focus from technique to performance.
Starting at the barre and moving quickly through center the class lands in a movement phrase that can be rediscovered with personal nuances.
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Alfredo Millan Ballet
Alfredo Millan began his dancing career on the island of Puerto Rico with the Ballets de San Juan.
In 1989 he re-located to New York City and since has danced with such mayor companies as; Les Ballet
Trocadero de Monte Carlo, Connecticut Ballet , Ballet for Young Audiences, Phyllis Rose Dance Company
and a founding member of Ballets Grandiva. Adding to this he has also done Musical Theater,
Film and Modeling. Incorporating all these experiences from these diverse backgrounds, the goal of
his classes is to give as much information to the students for the better understanding of the
language of Ballet.
Class Description
Open Level
The goal of this class is to help students become aware of their bodies and their particular physical
conditions. Beginning to understand the mechanics involved in movement and the logical approach to
the different positions, students are enabled to utilize their instrument without fear of physical
injury or emotional hurt.
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Jennifer Sydor Ballet
Jennifer holds a B.F.A in Dance Performance from Butler University. She has danced with The Dayton Ballet, Ballet International, and The National
Ballet of Georgia in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. She currently teaches at Connecticut Performing Arts Center and freelances with a variety of
modern and contemporary choreographers.
Open Level
Jennifer combines her experience in the Vaganova Teaching Method and various forms of modern dance to facilitate
a class structure that focuses on building strength and
endurance, ease and efficiency of movement, and cultivating a sense of joy and freedom.
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Julie Voshell
Julie's ballet class is a mixture of her early Russian training as well as Balanchine. Her class emphasizes body alignment and
fluidity as well as speed. Starting out at the barre she incorporates different tempos to warm the body up, and then comes
into the center for movement.
Class Description
Julie has danced with Donald Byrd/ The Group, Connecticut Ballet theatre, North Carolina Dance
Theatre,Eglevsky Ballet,Dances...Patrelle, and Jennifer Muller/ The Works. National Tours include: Movin' Out where she
was the dance captain, and SWING! Also she has performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Her training was at
North Carolina School of the Arts as well as School of American Ballet and Joffrey School.
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MODERN, MOD/ROOTS, MOD/JAZZ,
JAZZ, LATIN/JAZZ, CONT JAZZ
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Belinda McGuire
Belinda McGuire, originally from Toronto, currently performs with Gallim Dance as well as her own choreography. She has enjoyed dancing with Doug Varone and Dancers, the DOORKNOB Company, and the Canadian ChildrenÕs Dance Theatre (Toronto). As a choreographer, Belinda has presented work at the Canada Dance Festival (Ottawa) and in New York City on the stages of the Peter J Sharpe Theater and Alice Tully Hall. Her initiatives with film have been recognized and assisted through the Dance Films AssociationÕs 2007 Susan Braun Award. Belinda is a graduate of The Juilliard School (BFA 2006). www.belindamcguire.org
Class Description
A Belinda McGuire class is one approach to break down our preconceptions of the limitations and potential of our bodies as instruments of expression. The goal of sensitization illuminates "dark" or "blind" spots of our physicality, inciting different or new enthusiasm to move, leading to a more full-bodied power and coordination.
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Sasha Soreff
As a DNA faculty member from 2000-2006, Sasha taught modern dance, student performance workshops and anatomy awareness. Sasha Soreff Dance Theater has been seen throughout New York and New England, including most recently at the Ailey Citigroup Theater with "The Dancer Who Wore Sneakers and Other Tales," a piece for 20 dancers and 5 actors, as well as at venues such as the American Living Room Series at HERE, the ArcLight Theatre, Long Island University, the 92nd Street Y, P.S. 122, Williamsburg Art NeXus, the DUMBO Dance Festival and on WNETÕs MetroArts television station. Sasha had the pleasure of dancing with Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends from 1998-2004.
Class Description
How do we translate the desire to dance into the ability to move with confidence, strength and grace? Sasha's class explores movement that is safe and satisfying to execute, while developing core stability, coordination and musicality. Her teaching draws from classical modern dance, Simonson technique and Irene Dowd's approach to anatomy and kinesiology.
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Molly Poerstel
Molly Poerstel has been a collaborator and performer with Jeanine Durning since 2001, and with David Dorfman since 2005.
She has participated in Dance works with: Erin Gerken, David Grenke, Mark Jarecke, Julia Mandle and Sue Rethorst.
Poerstel has co-taught at Rutgers University, Barnard College, at the Open Look Festival in Russia and has been a quest artist
at the Hartford Arts Academy in Connecticut. Additionally, Poerstel continues a private yoga practice and teaches
throughout the city and abroad.
Class Description
This class is designed to explore the individual artist and their capabilities as a
porous, intuitive and physical performer. Employing various dance traditions, students will investigate dynamic effort,
weight quality and performance states using both set material and improvisation.
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Sherman Steward
Straight out of Dance Theater of Harlem, the renowned choreographer, dancer, instructor, director and actor, Sherman
L. Steward - who got his first hands-on experience choreographing for the likes of "Al Hudson and One Way" at age 15 -
landed on Broadway. 15 years in Europe, Africa and Asia later, Sherman has returned to the US with his unique style of Jazz.
Class Description
Sherman's Classical Jazz is a Ballet-based Jazz style. Dictated by the music, the style requires smooth transitions, along with strong lines and clean arms. Sherman also borrows
from a variety of techniques, including Horton, African (Roots), Salsa and Tap, etc. His main objective
is for the student to gain in confidence
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HIP HOP
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Akhai Franklin
Ahkai graduated Wesleyan University and moved to New York to pursue his dreams of professional dance.
He soon found himself a member of Sybarite productions, a newly formed production agency. Sybarite Productions
(under the direction of Dinna Alexanyan) took Ahkai to the next level as a dance artist, where he found himself
dancing behind underground MC's (Medusa), for award shows (Hip-Hop Odyssey Awards), and opening for multi-platinum
rap artist (Snoop-Dogg). Some months later he met Garrett Minniti , and the two have gone on to create choreography
that showcased their talent and ingenuity, giving them the grounds to build In It for Life Productions.
Class Description
When I teach it is my greatest hope that two things will happen. The first is that you learn more then just how to move
or how to dance "Hip-Hop" but rather how YOU move or dance "Hip-Hop". And most importantly I hope that you have fun. My
classes are designed to make you laugh and to make you move, and when the time comes, I wish nothing more then you walking
away having had a good time.
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Garret Minniti
Garrett Minniti has danced, taught, and choreographed across the
county for companies such as the EDGE Performing Arts Center, STEPS on
Broadway, and NYLA Dance. Performing credits include the national
tours of 42nd Street, SWING!, and the international tap sensation
Caution: Men at Work. Other credits include Mike (A Chorus Line),
Danny (Grease), Cosmo (Singing in the Rain), The Great American
Songbook (Starring Ed Ames and Carol Lawrence), and the world premier
company of GIDGET, A New Musical written and directed by Francis Ford
Coppola. Direction and Choreography credits include the world premier
production of Getting In: A New Musical (New Playwright's Festival;
Ventura, Ca), the Republic Theatre's Off Broadway musical version of
Shakespeare's The Tempest, My Way: A Tribute to Sinatra, and many
other stage and screen performances for companies such as Warner
Brothers, Reed Productions, Sybarite Productions, and Equity Fights
Aids. Garrett feels truly blessed to have worked with such talents as
Tina D'Amato, David Green, Jason Samuels Smith, Ed Ames, Carol
Lawrence, and Francis Ford Coppola to name a few. He thanks God for
all of his blessings and accomplishments.
Class Description
Garrett's unique approach to choreography has a
wide range of inspiration and is everchanging. All level classes will
focus on musicality and dynamic of movement. Come prepared to work
hard, have fun, and grow in a safe learning environment.
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Darcy Naganuma
Darcy Naganuma is the Artistic Director/ Founder of Naganuma Dance, a Manhattan-based contemporary dance company. Born and raised in
Lihue, Hawaii, Darcy holds a B.F.A. and Dance Education certification from the University of Utah. Her choreography, ranging in theme
from human diversity to gender dynamics in Japanese culture, has been presented in Hawaii, Salt Lake City, Connecticut, New Hampshire,
and New York. She has appeared in commercials and dance specials on both the MTV and VH1 networks, and was invited to perform at the UN
Headquarters in May 2007. Critics describe her work as "physical and explosive", "powerful," "riveting," "lush and vibrant," and "utterly
absorbing." Naganuma Dance was recently awarded an exclusive contract with Global Talent Associates, joining such esteemed companies as
Rennie Harris Puremovement and Step Afrika. Visit www.naganumadance.com to learn more.
Class Description
In this class you will experience the latest trends in urban dance, as you master dynamic, stylized dance sequences. Naganuma draws
from street jazz, MTV style funk,
b-girling (breaking), Latin, and dancehall styles. She encourages a strong sense of musicality and personal animation.
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YOGA
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Heather Heineman Yoga
Heather Heineman received her Yoga Alliance certified training at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center where she also currently teaches. She teaches yoga in the vinyasa style.
Class Description
Open Level
Heather's teaching is heavily influenced by a background in anatomy and dance, which guides her focus on alignment and movement. She loves to demonstrate how the practice
can be a metaphor for life weaving poses together in a choreography wherein everything is connected and divine, the "intimacy of the intricate."
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Gina Kohler Yoga
Gina Kohler is a graduate of Kent State University and began living and working as an artist in New York City in 2001.
She received her Yoga Certification through the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA and studied under the direction
of Tracy Rich and Ganga White. She teaches Yoga and Dance to a wide range of students throughout New York City including;
DNA, Citigroup, Practice Yoga and The Spa. In addition, Gina's choreography has been presented nationally and throughout
NYC and is a Co-Curator for the Progressive Arts Network.
Class Description
Open Level
Gina Kohler's Vinyasa class begins with meditation and pranayama moving into a continuous sequence of challenging asana's
linked through the breath. Gina brings a mindfulness to teaching informed though her experience as a dancer and choreographer;
providing space for students to heal and explore the connection between the body mind and spirit.
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PILATES MAT
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Te Perez
Te, a native New Yorker, holds a BA in Dance and certifications in Pilates, Gyrotonic, Yoga, Anatomy of movement, and
Touch for Health. She teaches private/group Pilates & Yoga and is faculty at DNA, Hofstra University and Queens College.
Te has guest taught throughout NYC, in Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas and, since 2004, annually in
Quebec, Canada. Frequently, Te has been commissioned to choreograph for small independent companies, student
workshops and concerts. As the artistic director of her own company, PéreZéntación, she participates as both
choreographer and dancer. For more information, details & photos check out www.perezte.com
Class Description
In emphasizing how to find internal strength and length without tension or stress, this class will help you
to develop a deeper understanding of your mind-body connection, kinesthetic sense, proprioceptive skills and of the body as
an integrated whole. It focuses on moving with freedom, stability and control.
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Julie Turner
Julie Turner is a dancer who moved to New York City in 2004. In addition to teaching Pilates, she is a Social Dance Instructor. She received her basic Pilates mat certification from DNA with Teri Steele in May 2007. Since then, she has been teaching group classes in various locations throughout Manhattan .
Class Description
Julie's class is designed to teach the proper technique of Pilates while flowing from one exercise to the next. She switches between muscle groups to give a balanced and complete work out. Each exercise is structured to teach students the basic principles of Pilates while challenging them mentally and physically.
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THAI MASSAGE &
ANATOMY AWARENESS
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Cheryl Bond
Cheryl has recently returned from a 3 month teaching residency in Northern Thailand at the Chiang Mai Ballet Academy
where she taught Yoga for Kids, Kundalini Yoga, Horton/Graham based Modern, and a CEU course for the teaching faculty.
She works in NYC as a Teacher, LD/Stage Manager, and a Thai Massage Practitioner. She is a KRI certified Kundalini Yoga
Teacher, certified Thai Massage therapist in hot stones and nerve touch. She graduated from the Ailey School in 2002.
Class Description
Rooted in Eastern healing traditions, Thai Massage combines passive stretching, gentle acupressure and abdominal breathing to energetically balance the body.
This interactive hands-on class teaches a natural, non-invasive approach that provides relief from injury, stress and pain. Increase self awareness as you give
and receive this ancient healing, promoting proper alignment, enhanced flexibility and greater physical and emotional well-being. Classes are self-contained and
benefit dancers and non-dancers. Be prepared to work barefoot and in comfortable clothing.
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Sara Roer
Sara Roer started dancing in Wilmington, NC as the youngest member of the Wilmington
Independent Choreographers and was a competitive gymnast before 'defecting' north to earn
her B.F.A., suma cum laude, at George Mason University. Since arriving in New York, she has
enjoyed working with danceTactics by Keith Thompson, b3w (Emily Berry), and Heather McArdle among
others. Certified in Thai Massage through Two Souls Thai Massage, Sara is a registered member of the
Thai Healing Alliance International. She has assisted Al Turner II in classes at Two Souls and the
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine since 2007.
Class Description
Rooted in Eastern healing traditions, Thai Massage combines passive stretching, gentle acupressure and abdominal breathing to energetically balance the body.
This interactive hands-on class teaches a natural, non-invasive approach that provides relief from injury, stress and pain. Increase self awareness as you give
and receive this ancient healing, promoting proper alignment, enhanced flexibility and greater physical and emotional well-being. Classes are self-contained and
benefit dancers and non-dancers. Be prepared to work barefoot and in comfortable clothing.
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Ophra Wolf
Ophra Wolf is a dancer, actress, Pilates instructor and Nuad Phen Boran (Thai Massage) practitioner currently based in
Brooklyn. Her bodywork practice focuses on the integration of mind and body in order to experience the fullest and most
enjoyable potential of the body. Ophra has taught and performed internationally, in the United States, Israel, England,
Belgium, Holland, Finland and Brazil. She is currently working with NACL Theatre, as a full-time ensemble member, and is
also the artistic director of Pursue the Pulse Media Arts Collective.
Class Description
Rooted in Eastern healing traditions, Thai Massage combines passive stretching, gentle acupressure and abdominal breathing to energetically balance the body.
This interactive hands-on class teaches a natural, non-invasive approach that provides relief from injury, stress and pain. Increase self awareness as you give
and receive this ancient healing, promoting proper alignment, enhanced flexibility and greater physical and emotional well-being. Classes are self-contained and
benefit dancers and non-dancers. Be prepared to work barefoot and in comfortable clothing.
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FELDENKRAIS ATM®
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Carmen Nicole
Carmen Nicole is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais PractitionerCM and a member of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America. She has taught Ballet
and Feldenkrais based movement classes at Ballet Academy East, modern at Bridge for Dance and Ballet at Dancewave Brooklyn. She has also taught at
modern and choreography workshops at many performing arts high schools and universities across Asia as a member of Batter Dance Company.
As a dancer Carmen currently works with Battery Dance Company, Yelleb Dance Ensemble and Ballet for Young Audiences. in Chicago, she had the pleasure
of working with such companies as Akasha Dance Company, Winifred Haun and Dancers and Fifty-Eight Group.
Class Description
Dancers are gently guided in Awareness Through Movement lessons,
developed by Dr. Feldenkrais. Lessons enhance awareness, develop movement potential,
prevent or help recover from injury, expand self-image and facilitate creativity. Students
move at their own pace within the class structure. Improvisation and discussion end the class and are optional
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Debra Wanner
Debra Wanner has performed dance, improvisation and experimental theater with numerous choreographers and directors. She toured
internationally with Bessie award winner Stephanie Skura, from 1984-1990. Her choreographic and video projects have been presented nationally
and internationally and she is a recipient of fellowships from The National Endowment of the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts. She
is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts and has an MFA in Dance from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Debra teaches at
Queens College and is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, teaching group and private lessons in Manhattan.
Class Description
Dancers are gently guided in Awareness Through Movement lessons,
developed by Dr. Feldenkrais. Lessons enhance awareness, develop movement potential,
prevent or help recover from injury, expand self-image and facilitate creativity. Students
move at their own pace within the class structure. Improvisation and discussion end the class and are optional
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280 Broadway, 2nd Floor (entrance on Chambers)
New York, NY 10007
212.625.8369
Copyright © 2005 Dance New Amsterdam
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