CENTERstage Dance Studio Instructors
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Heather
Jazz 3, 4, & 5
Tap 1/2, 2/3, 4/5, & Adult
Lyrical 4
Predance on Thursdays
Ballet/Jazz 1 and 2
Heather has 40 years of experience in dance, with over 15 years as an instructor. She has studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, acro, and hip hop. She started dancing when she was only 2 1/2 years old at Sternfeld Dance Studio under the instruction of Jean Vilers. At age 9 she joined the competition team, making it to nationals multiple times. She co-owned Sternfeld Dance Studio for 3 years until she stepped down to spend more time with her family. Heather also teaches fitness classes at other locations and works as an optician at Dutchess Optometry. She taught at Vibe Dance Studio for 2 years until CENTERstage Dance Studio was created. For 5 years she has taught and co-directed the recital at The CENTER. Heather is passionate about dance and staying moving! She looks forward to continuing her passion for years to come.
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Allie
Acro 1/2, 3/4, & 4/5
Hip Hop 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Lyrical 2/3 & 5
Allie started dancing at the ripe age of 3. She has studied numerous forms of dance including hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical. Along with dance, she studied gymnastics for a number of years.
In 2003 Allie joined Energy Dance Company, where she was trained in other styles of dance, such as reggae, step dancing, break dancing, popping and locking, and various Latin styles. She has won first place in several national dance competitions as well as local dance competitions. In 2014, she competed with Energy Dance Company at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem where they won second place.
In 2016, Allie graduated from SUNY Dutchess with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. Allie works part time at Balletomania, the dance supply store in Poughkeepsie, and teaches dance at several local dance studios.
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Katelyn
Ballet 4 & 5
Pointe 4/5
Katelyn has studied all forms of dance, specializing in classical ballet for 17 years at The Rhinebeck Dance Center under the direction of Michele Ribble. She has taught ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and tap classes to all ages of students for six years and has also taught at local elementary schools for the arts and education program New York Dance Residency under the direction of Edwin Fion. She has performed at numerous venues including the Duke Theater on 42nd and the Joyce Theater in Manhattan. She has also been see on the stage at The CENTER multiple times. She has competed at multiple dance competitions including YAGP. She is thrilled to be continuing her passion for dance by teaching at CENTERstage Dance Studio.
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Cedric
Contemporaray 3/4 & 4/5
Adult Hip Hop
Musical Theatre for ages 11+
Cedric James is a graduate of SUNY Purchase where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Performance. He’s an avid performer, dance teacher, and accomplished choreographer with work history including productions at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Arlington High School, Dutchess Community College, and Rhinebeck High School. Cedric’s primary dance style is contemporary, but he instructs a variety of genres including hip hop and jazz. Having a background in musical theatre and colorguard, he nurtures students’ abilities to step outside of their comfort zone and perform dance with full focused intention. His goal for his students is to understand and recognize that every body is different, but each dancer has the ability to unlock their potential and explore their artistry to the fullest.
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Jordan
• Ballet 3
• Pointe 3/4
• Predance on Wednesdays
Jordan (she/her) is excited to have the chance to join the team at CENTERStage Dance Studio! Jordan has been dancing since the age of three, with most of her training being under the direction of Michele Ribble at The Rhinebeck Dance Centre. Jordan has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Tumbling, Lyrical, and Contemporary, and competed for a number of years. When she was young, Jordan participated in the Performance Awards through the American Academy of Ballet and attended training and performance camp with the same company. Currently, Jordan is also heavily involved in productions at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, and in directing and assisting summer camp programs at the theatre. Jordan has been teaching dance for over 10 years, concentrating in Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, and Pointe, and has won awards for choreography at the competitive level.
Additionally, Jordan is a Speech-Language Pathologist, working with children ages Pre-K through fourth grade. Jordan is excited for this opportunity to join the team, to continue to share her passion for dance, and to create a safe environment for all to gain skills, build confidence, and experience joy through dance.
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Mia
• Musical Theatre ages 7-10
Mia has more than 15 years of dance training in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, and musical theatre. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in Musical Theatre and Journalism from Adrian College in Michigan and regularly performs as an actor around New York, including at The CENTER and Cap Rep in Albany. She looks forward to sharing her passion for musical theatre while instilling confidence in her students.
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Liz
Zumba
Liz has been a licensed Zumba instructor since January 2021. She started dancing at the age 3, and has studied ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and bellydance. Liz works at Dutchess Community College and Marist College as an adjunct professor. She does spend a fair amount of time working onstage and off in local theaters.
“What I love about Zumba is you don’t have to know how to dance to enjoy it. Every class feels like a party! The whole point of Zumba is to move your body, and to have the time fly while you are doing it. It is incredibly low pressure; if you can walk, you can learn Zumba. Come join us, you will have a blast!”