Dance Innovations, Inc. Faculty and Staff

 

Susan McCutcheon Coutts, Studio Director/Artistic Coordinator
BA in Dance and Movement Therapy from University of Maryland, Post-Graduate Certification as Dance Therapist from U of MD; Pennsylvania Ballet Co.; Scholarship studies in NYC; Choreography awards throughout the east coast; DEA “Teacher of the Year for Ballet Excellence”, teacher of Master Classes in NYC and Florida. Extensive performing experience for both Sea World/Orlando, and Universal Studios. Fifteen years of Performing Experience for Walt Disney World ‘s Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. In 2008, Susan was awarded a special honor at Disney World. Her and the company were selected to represent Disney’s Performing Arts Magic Music Days for the next five years. Choreographer for Disney’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Video consultant for Walt Disney World. Outstanding Performer’s (Choreographer) Of The Year Award from Sea World, Orlando. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) selected Susan for Sponsorship for a Youth Performing Company, Dance Innovations Performance Co., for a repeat engagement with 6 Performances in May 2005 for NJPAC “Dance Jam”. Chosen to choreograph a piece for Millennium Film “Morris 2000” aired on both NJ Network and Nationally. Dance representative for the Arts Council of the Morris Area and NJ State scholarship Committee. New Jersey Dance Chairman of the National Society of Arts and letters. Arts Council of the Morris Area 2001 Joyce Talbot Outstanding Arts Educator Award. Local delegate for International Children’s Day. Internship supervisor for Master program at Drew University. National recognition on outstanding teaching methods Dance Teacher Magazine 2004. Director of Arts In Education performances for both the Morris Arts Council and Project Impact. Choreographer for the Independent Production of “Dobdinob” a story for children of all ages, which premiered in March 2005. Chosen as the Overall Best Choreographer by Cathy Roe Productions, and was commissioned by Cathy Roe to oversee and star in a teaching video for distribution in both the USA and Europe filmed in summer, 2004. 2008 Curtain Call choreographer award. 2008 Cathy Roe choreographer and the Candice Tometich Memorial award respected member of Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey.

Patricia Carter Bridges- BFA North Carolina School of the Arts, MA in Counseling from Kean University, Adjunct Faculty at Kean University and North Carolina School of the Arts, Founder /Choreographer for Earthen Vessel Ministry of Dance and Pheuma Dance company.

Sarah Carothers  BA in Dance (Magna Cum Laude) from Point Park College. Performed and choreographed with Allian productions, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Make A Wish Foundation and Aids benefit, Pittsburgh PA.

Kerry Cox A scholarship graduate of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre/Schenley Program, trained with the Joffrey Ballet & Pacific Northwest Ballet, both on scholarship. Performed ten years with St.Louis Ballet, where she rose to ranks of principal dancer. Her repertoire includes: Odette/Oldie in Swan Lake; Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen & Dew drop in Nutcracker; Waltz girl & Dark Angel in Serenade; Myrtha in Giselle; and featured roles in Dennis Nahat’s Brahms Quintet; Frances Patrelle’s Rhapsody in Blue and Astraire: A Tribute.

Michael Crawford- Currently Principal dancer with the American Repertory.Ballet Company, Company member of Kirov Academy, San Francisco Ballet, Dance theatre of Harlem, Washington Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Disney Cruse Lines and Sandals Resort Entertainment company to name a few. He has studied with George Balachine, Septime Webre, Garth Fagan and Twla Tharp.

Bridgit Cusato- BA from Drew University. Currently pursuing law degree from Rutgers Law School. Choreographed for Drew University’s Dance and Theatre programs. Teacher at North Star Academy Newark, NJ, where she initiated a dance program. Attended International seminar in Spain. Member of the Honor Society.

Angela Cusumano- A member of ICON’s Pro Hip Hop Company and the “Alternative Jazz” Push Factor Dance Company. Performances with Who Da Funk Shinny Disco Ball, KTU’S Beatstock. In Living color- Fly Girl Tribute. Six Flags Great Adventure Dead Mans Party. Theater credits include: The King and I, Cabaret, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sweet Charity, Crazy for You, and West Side Story. Guest teacher throughout New York/New Jersey.

Tracy Dante
Graduate of Stafford Hall School of Business Training coordinator and conference planner assistant – CIBA Geigy. Dedicated mother of three to Dance Innovation dancers. Boutique personnel. Scholarship Liaison Dance Innovation Performance Foundation.

Abigial Dearman- BS in education (Summa Cum Laude) with a minor in Dance from Bucknell University. NJ Teacher’s certification in Early childhood, Elementary, and Dance Education. Recipient of the 2010 Walter H. Sauvain Prize, a prize awarded to the education major who shows the greatest achievement and promise for professional growth and service. Dance Innovations Performance Company Graduate. Dance Innovations Performance foundation Dancer.

Konstantin Dournev- Graduated the Novosibirsk Academy of ballet. Performed with Novosibirsk Theatre of Opera & Ballet, Moscow Classical Ballet Theatre & Russian State Ballet Company. His repertory includes principal roles in Giselle, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Spartacus, Nutcracker, Swan Lake & many others. Mr. Konstatin has won silver & bronze medals in international ballet competitions. He has a degree as a ballet teacher/choreographer from Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS).

Emily Eger Donahue  BA in Dance from Muhlenberg College (Cum Laude). Master from New York University in Dance education. Internship with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. Recipient of Muhlenberg College’s Dorothy and Dexter Baker Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts

Rebecca Elias  -BA in dance from Connecticut College. Performed for David Dorfman, Lisa Race, Heidi Henderson, Alexandra Beller, Nicholas Leichter and Andy LeBeau. Dance Innovations Performance company graduate. Stage manager at the Alvin Ailey Theatre January 2008 APAP conference. Dance Innovations Performance foundation Dancer. Arts in Education Performer

Linda Frasciello  BA in dance from Stockton State College; Performed and choreographed for CCM Dance Theatre group; Stockton Dance company; Office/ Boutique personnel.

Erika Friedman Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate. Graduate from Drew University with high honors in Behavioral Science and Business Management. Performer with American Repertory Ballet, Oriental Ballet Performance and other NYC companies. Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education performer.

Patricia Foote  Certified fitness instructor with Aerobic pipeline Fourteen years with Spraying Systems Company. Office/receptionist personnel.

Loretta Gassert   BA in Psychology. Former nursery school teacher. Retail and management experience. Office/receptionist personnel.

Melissa Gould  BA from Montclair University. AFA County College of Morris, Seasoned Gymnastic and dance teacher throughout new Jersey.

Brady Hohn-  BFA Montclair State University. Study abroad in London, England. Performances with Kings Production”Vegas Superstars”, American Cancer Society Benefit
“Edge Out Cancer”, Dancer/ singer for Six Flags Great Adventure. Published articles for Dance Magazine.

Connie Jessie  BA Rutgers University. Horizon Dance Company. Charity benefits and at the Harvest Moon Ball at Madison Square Garden. Workshop studies in NYC

Heather Johdos  BFA in Dance from The Hartt School. Credits include People Ballet School (Berezinski, Russia) Jacobs Pillow, Full Force Dance Theater, Mojalet Dance Collective, National Society Arts and Letters Modern Dance recipient (Washington, DC). Currently a dance facillitator at Matheny School and Medical Center in the Arts Access Program.  Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education performer. Boutique personnel

Marion Knorr  BA in Dance from University of Maryland. AS degree from County College of Morris. University of Maryland Dance Team, Performed and choreographed for CCM Dance Theatre group, Studied at Broadway Dance Center and steps studio in NYC.

Sharon Karamanol Attended Kean University, Performances with the Perm Opera and Ballet school and People Ballet Theatre of Berenzinki in Russia, Seasoned dance teacher since 1992.

Courtney Manze  BA in Fashion Design with a minor in dance from Radford University.  Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate.  Designer for Eva Blu Fashions.  Dance Innovations Performance Company Dancer.

Brant Michaels-  Attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Principal roles with The Public Theater and American Dance company National /European tours in “Cats”, “Music Man” A funny thing Happened on the way to The Forum”, and “Nights on Broadway”

Kelly Mott-Sacks   Former member of Kean Dance theatre, William Chaison Modern Dance Theatre, and charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. Choreographer for Summit High School; “State Fair”, “Footloose”, and “42nd Street”.

Akiyo Nakanishi Osaka Shoin Women’s University- Bachelor specialized in Child Development and Education. Level II instructor certification in Yoga-Sutra

Barbara Russo- BA in Dance Psychology Washington University St. Louis Missouri. Sole Recipient of Ian D.W. Kramer award for excellence in Dance. Governor school of the Arts 2000 Scholarship Recipient. Performed with Alvin Ailey School, The Taylor School, STEPS on Broadway, Parson Summer Program, The Slaughter Project, Dance St. Louis Contemporary Moves & William/Henry Danse Theatre. Dance Innovations Performance Company Graduate.

Pamela Sacco  Associate degree from Somerset College. Graduate of the Taylor Business Institute in interior design and decorating.

Pamela H. Sandler  BA and Bachelors in Administration from Bernard Baruch College of NYC. Over 20 years experience in theater has taught, performed, choreographed, and directed numerous shows throughout the East Coast. Arts in Education Program. Office personnel/studio photographer.

Kate Spendley- BFA in dance education (magna Cum Laude) from East Carolina University. Summer studies with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

Corinne Tighe Radio City Rockette since 2003. Regional theatre credits include Plays in the park since 1999. Performances include Tony Awards, Live with Regis and Kelly, Macy day Thanksgiving Parade, and Radio City Christmas Spectacular since 2006.

Jennifer Tondo  BA in dance from Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, Center Valley, PA; Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, PA; sole recipient of graduate award in dance, 1994; Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education Performer. Office personnel.

Casey Ury Currently a dancer with the professional arena football team –the New Jersey Revolutions. Has taught Dance and gymnastic throughout the Morris county area. Appeared in various Nutcracker performances with Performing Arts of NJ Company.

STUDENT TEACHERS-BOUTIQUE EMPLOYEES Connor Bourke, Jennifer Coviello, Nicole Dante, Emma Franklin, and Alex McBride,
 

 

Join our team!

We are looking for experienced, energetic teachers for the 2010-2011 school year to teach preschool, ballet or jazz.

If interested, please email your resume to diinfo@danceinnovations.org or fax to 973-635-6636 with a cover letter of your teaching interests.