Heather Roffe (MFA) is a Professor/Program Director of Dance at Nazareth University, the Theatre & Dance Dept. co-chair, and a Certified Evans Technique dance educator and Pilates (BASI Pilates Mat & Reformer for Dancers) instructor. She approaches Dance and Pilates with an anatomical eye, and uses that focus to help people move more effectively, efficiently, safely, powerfully and gracefully! She has performed nationally and internationally with the Garth Fagan Dance Company, and at Jacob's Pillow, the International Dance Festival, the American Dance Guild, and DUMBO Dance Festival, in her own work, and as a member of Bill Evans Dance Company, FuturPointe Dance, and Assemblage Dance companies. Roffe's choreography has been presented in venues across the country and internationally, and has been commissioned by other dance companies and college programs. In addition to performing and creating, she serves on the Advisory Council of NDEO (National Dance Education Organization) and the Northeast Regional Board of ACDA (American College Dance Association), and she was recently awarded the New York State Dance Association's "Outstanding Educator in a Post-Secondary School." Outside of teaching, she loves to garden, spend time with family & friends, and cuddle with her 3 rescue cats. Dance continues to be her platform for expression, and that passion spurs her to perform and create work for her company, HR Dance, which has upcoming performances in the Rochester Fringe Festival (https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/human-resources). She has danced Argentine Tango since 2000, and is excited to offer a class to her students and the community!

• Intro To Argentine Tango - Saturday, September 9, 5:30PM - 6:45PM, Location: George 154.

Sarah received her DPT in Physical therapy from Boston University, as well as a BA in Interdisciplinary Dance Studies from Cal Poly Humboldt, and an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from University of Hawaii at Manoa. Sarah comes to physical therapy after many years as a dancer, musician, choreographer, and teacher. She has performed with such groups as Astrum Dance Theater, Fusion Jazz Company, Humboldt Light Opera Company, UH Dance Ensemble, and the Broadway Touring Cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is currently the leading specialist for Hypermobility and EDS therapy in the upstate New York area.  Sarah is excited to continue her career helping dancers, musicians and all individuals stay healthy and active.

• Physioball Pilates and Foot and Ankle Health - Sunday, September 10, 1:00PM - 2:15PM, Location: George 102. In collaboration with Dr. Ellen key

Ellen received her Mat Pilates Instructor certification from Balanced Body and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Pacific University. She now enjoys teaching community Pilates classes and incorporating Pilates with her physical therapy practice to help people. Since joining Callan-Harris Physical Therapy in 2022 she has enjoyed working with dancers, especially since they benefit so much from Pilates-based exercise. Originally from the West Coast, she enjoys exploring and building community in the Rochester area. In her free time, Ellen practices disciplines focused on mindful movements, such as yoga, Pilates, and Qigong, and enjoys the outdoors both on foot and on bicycle

• Physioball Pilates and Foot and Ankle Health - Sunday, September 10, 1:00PM - 2:15PM, Location: George 102. In collaboration with Dr. Sarah Carlton

Robert Gardner is a choreographer, teacher and director who has served as artistic director of the Rochester City Ballet where he propelled the artistic excellence of the Company through his original choreography and helped to promote diversity through commissions of emerging artists.

Robert was artistic director of the Minnesota Ballet for 12 years, where he choreographed over forty works, classical to contemporary. His work has been hailed as a "meticulous use of contrasting imagery, emotions and energy that make each dance moment exquisitely unique,". He has choreographed for opera, orchestra, and musical theater. His teaching career is wide-ranging, from universities to professional companies and dance academies.

Robert performed with Eglevsky Ballet, Joffrey II Dancers, the Joffrey Ballet, and the San Jose/Cleveland Ballet, Houston Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera. His world dance experience has enriched his vision, choreography, and teaching

• Balance/Counter-Balance: The Art Of Partnering - Thursday, September 7, 5:45PM -7:00PM, Location: George 102

32nd Pack is an emerging dance company based in Queens, NY. Founded in 2021, their work aims to foster connections between the audience and performers through authentic, eclectic movement. The company reflects the work of three artists whose collaboration is rooted in the joy of movement. 32nd Pack strives to create accessible dance spaces where audience members of all backgrounds can connect through common experiences. 32nd Pack has presented work at venues such as Dixons Place, TADA Theater, and Spoke the Hub, where they presented their first full-length show.

• Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary - Sunday, September 10, 10:30AM - 11:45AM, Location: George 102

Briana Blair Kelly is a multidisciplinary artist and dance educator in Buffalo, NY. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia and an MFA in Choreography and Performance from SUNY Brockport. Kelly is adjunct faculty at Niagara University, where she teaches Jazz and Irish, and SUNY Fredonia, where she teaches Tap. She is also a teaching artist/choreographer at the Academy of Theatre Arts and Unique Theatre. Kelly is the Founder/Artistic Director of ROCeltic, a Rochester-based dance company. ROCeltic is progressive, with a traditional foundation, and celebrates Irish heritage - past, present, and future through dance and music.

• Irish Physicality; Past, Present, Future - Sunday, September 10, 2:30PM - 3:45PM, Location: George 102

Parvatha Chidambaram is the artistic director of 'Bharata'- School of Indian Classical Dance and Music in Rochester NY. She underwent 11yrs of rigorous training since the young age of 7 in Bharata Natyam and Carnatic Music (Dance & Music forms that date back almost 2000 years) in the Gurukula pattern (the way of learning followed in ancient India). She learned the theoretical and practical aspects of these art forms and graduated in teacher's training and nattuvangam (playing the cymbals) courses. To have been born at a time when learning and performing any type of dance (classical dances included) was a social taboo, Parvatha pursued her passion for dance with the immense support of her mother. Since her first solo graduation recital at the age of 15, she has been actively performing both in solo and group productions. Her paper on "Link between Tamil Literature (one of the oldest existing South Indian language) & Natya Sastra (a treatise on performing arts)" in India, and her discourse 'Raga & Ragini'- 'An introduction to the Indian melodic system through visual & performing arts' at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester exhibit her deep-rooted knowledge in the history and theoretical aspects of these classical art forms.

After moving to Rochester in 1999, realizing that there are no serious Indian Classical professional dance and music teachers in Rochester, Parvatha gave up her career as a creative director in advertising and became a full-time performer, choreographer, and dance teacher. Understanding the intricacies of these art forms enabled her to explore beyond the confined boundaries of her traditional art forms.

Her collaborative productions with Irish (Drumcliffe School of Irish dance), Puerto Rican and Tap dancers at School of Arts, India Community Center, Hochstein, and Harley stand testimony to it.

The Light of Asia "a musical on life of Buddha" and her recent collaborative work in 'The two gentlemen of Verona' (Shakespeare play) are the few musicals that she has worked to fit in her art forms seamlessly. She was also featured in a Documentary 'Identity Through Art' along with six other Rochester Asian-American artists, and recently was featured as one of
"The Changemakers" at the Rochester Museum of Science which highlighted the actions of area women from diverse backgrounds who were innovators, creators, organizers, and leaders, whose life or work was transformative or impactful in ways that influence, challenge, inspire, and empowered others to shape a better future.

Bharata Annual recital conducted each year at either Hochstein or India Community Center, features Classical and fusion performances like Rhythm of Bells, Signs, and many more. Believing in "Dancing with a purpose" these recitals raise funds for charitable organizations both in India and in the US.

In eagerness to bridge the gap between two cultures, Parvatha has developed her own pedagogy and trained many young students in Rochester. She has conducted many 2-hour Solo debut performances of several of her students after they graduate their nine-level course. She enhances their learning experience by exposing them to the rich Indian culture through these authentic art forms, while encouraging them to broaden their horizons to approach them in a very multi–dimensional and aesthetically creative way.

• Introduction to NRTTA (Indian Dancing) - Thursday, September 7, 9:25AM - 10:40AM, Location: George 154

Casimer (Caz) Lopata-linn is a native of Rochester, NY, and attended School of the Arts where he was first introduced to dance and found his passion for choreography. He is an Alumni of
Nazareth College with a degree in dance studies and a minor in psychology. After graduating in 2020 at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic he altered his path from dance and went on to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. Caz now resides in New York City where he practices bodywork both independently and at Equinox on the upper east side. He specializes in sports and orthopedic massage as well as structural integration. He hopes to continue to help bring knowledge to the greater public of the importance of somatics, bodywork, and dance in everyday life. He would like to thank his family for all the constant support and to Heather Roffe for always giving him a reason to keep dancing and creating.

• Contemporary Floorwork - Thursday, September 7, 5:45PM - 7:00 PM, Location: George 154
• The Structural and Functional Body (The Role of Fascia) - Friday, September 8, 4:15PM - 5:30PM, Location: Sands Studio 

Katherine's performance career spans four continents and many disciplines including dance, clown, juggling, contact improvisation, and physical theater. After graduating with her BA in Dance from William Smith College in 2012, she won a Fulbright to Argentina where she was first introduced to circus. In 2014 she joined Push Physical Theatre for several years before branching out to produce her own work including The Extraordinary Muffin Theatre Spectacular (2018), 24 Hour Dance Project (2019), and A Show with Cookies (2019). Katherine also loves teaching and periodically offers workshops in improv, clown, and choreography. IG @katherine.dances

• Composition Using Contact Improvisation - Thursday, September 7, 4:00PM - 5:30PM, Location: George 154 

Kristen Wegman grew up dancing in Rochester, NY beginning at the age of two. She then continued to pursue her dance career in higher education at The College at Brockport where she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance, in 2019. At the college, Kristen was an active member within the dance program and dance team, taking on many roles as dancer, choreographer, director, and club facilitator. Upon graduation, Kristen followed her passion for dance, teaching, and dance education and opened her own dance studio with her sister, Studio K Dance + Fitness. Kristen is still an active member within the Rochester Dance Community. With that she has had the opportunity to perform under many choreographers in The Rochester Fringe Festival, Vision of Sound Festival, So You Think You Can Choreograph, and live performances at The Rochester Public Market. She also is a current Company Member with Mayhem Dance and Adjudicator with Infinity Dance Challenge.

• Smooth Jazz - Friday, September 8, 5:45PM - 7:00PM, Location: Sands Studio 

Rachel, originally from Utica, NY, began her dance training at Dancenter of Utica before going on to major in Dance and Social Work at Nazareth College. After graduating, Rachel received her MSW from Fordham University. Rachel currently teaches dance in public schools and dance studios in New York City. She is also a co-founder and choreographer for 32nd Pack Dance Company and has had her work presented in Times Square and across the city. Rachel is an advocate for dancer mental health and strives to assist individuals in connecting with their bodies and finding healing through movement.

• Dance As A Healing Practice; Self-Care For Dancers - Sunday, September 10, 12:00PM -12:45PM, Location: George 102

Catherine Messina has danced throughout New York and Atlanta for Yoshito Sakuraba, Yuki Ishiguro, Anna Paterson, and Fern Katz, previously for Jillian Mitchell, Ruben Julliard, George Staib, and more. Her company, Rogue Wave, has performed across the Eastern seaboard. She has been commissioned for original works, is a recipient of grant support, and has experience in arts administration, teaching, and technical production. Community work is important to her and seen through her creation of dance festivals Fall for Fall, Spring for Spring, and the unKEMpT Dance Festival, running affordable class series, and volunteering for DanceATL and Dance/NYC. Follow @roguewaveroguewave

• Contemporary Partnering - Sunday, September 10, 1:00PM - 2:15PM, Location: George 102

Tazdyn (They/Them) is a full-time dance instructor at Success Academy Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Amsterdam, NY, obtained their B. S. in Dance Studies at Nazareth College in 2021 and now creates work in New York City. Since moving to NYC, they have performed at Spoke the Hub: Winter Follies, Local Produce- Festival of the Performing Arts, and CREST: Creature Fest. During their time at Nazareth, Tazdyn studied various movement styles, including Modern, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, West-African, Tap, Contemporary, Improvisation, Choreography, and Pilates. Also during their studies, they had the honor of participating in three residencies including Doug Varone Dance Company, Koresh Dance Company, and David Dorfman Dance. Tazdyn also performed various works by Heather Roffe, Hettie Barnhill, Caitlin Mahon, Michelle Pritchard, and Heather Acomb while in college. They studied dance abroad in Montalcino, Italy at the OCRA Institute. Tazdyn is a Pilates certified instructor and uses this somatic practice to bring full mind and body integration into all movement practice.

• Exploring Gender In The Dance World - Saturday, September 9, 12:00PM - 12:45PM, Location: George 102

Mentored by Bob Fosse - - Jeff Shade has danced on Broadway in SWEET CHARITY (choreographed by Bob Fosse), CHICAGO (dance captain for Ann Reinking's choreography), and TEDDY & ALICE. Formerly the DANCE DIRECTOR for the BROADWAY ARTISTS ALLIANCE, Jeff has also been a guest on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, HBO Christmas, THE TODAY SHOW, and numerous other tv specials. He has also been featured at Radio City Music Hall!! His choreography has received critical acclaim, including a rave in VARIETY, a New York Musical Theater Festival BEST CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD, and a nomination for a Carbonell Award. His choreography has been seen off- Broadway (Atlantic Theater and Chelsea Playhouse) and on American and Japanese Television, and on stages around the world! He has been on the faculty of Harvard University, the Boston Conservatory, Marymount Manhattan College, Montclair State University, Point Park University, and STEPS! He is thrilled to join the BFA musical theater faculty of NAZARETH UNIVERSITY!!! He has an MA in dance therapy (psychotherapy that includes the creative arts), an MBA in marketing from Columbia University, and he is the founder of HOUSE OF THE ROSES dance-based outreach network (helping to build self-esteem and confidence in hundreds of NYC homeless children every week).

• Commercial Dance - Thursday, September 7, 2:35PM - 3:50PM, Location: George 154
• Musical Theater - Friday, September 8, 8:00AM - 9:15AM, Location: George 154

Stevie Oakes became enamored with dance at her first ballet performance while living in Amsterdam. Her serious study of classical ballet began soon after under the tutelage of Sandra Balestracci. Oakes received her MFA in Dance from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts. She has performed works by a diverse collection of artists including Tere O'Connor, Gina Gibney, and Kendra Portier.

As a member of the team at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, Oakes combined her passions for dance and science as both educator and researcher. In 2018, she received the Dance Educator Award from the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science for her dedication to the innovation of dance teaching. She feels lucky to continue this work with faculty positions at Skidmore, SUNY Brockport, Hobart & William Smith Colleges as well as national guest teaching opportunities.

• Contemporary Ballet - Sunday, September 10, 4:00PM - 5:15PM, Location George 102

Cheryl Johnson has performed Off Broadway, at International Dance Festivals, in Music Videos, on TV specials, in nightclubs, and in touring dance companies. In Seattle, she was the dance consultant to the Jimi Hendrix Museum: Experience Music Project (now MoPop) and an ambassador of rhythm tap dance hosting festivals, master classes, educational programs, and creating choreography for musical theatre and the concert stage. In NYC, she was a member of Gail Conrad's Tap Dance Theatre, Jerry Ames Tap Dance Company, and performed as a pioneer pop culture dancer for the original creation of MTV. In Rochester, NY she has enjoyed gigs with the likes of the Vision of Sound Original Music & Dance Concert Series, Bill Evans Dance Company, NYS Dance Force Duets Concerts, the NYC New Mix Performance Festival, the Key Bank Rochester Fringe Festivals and collaborations with the Richard DeLaney jazz trio. Johnson is a dance educator at the University of Rochester, Nazareth University, and the Hochstein School where she also works with the Special Arts Program.

• Tap - Thursday, September 7, 10:50AM - 12:05PM, Location, George 154

Beth Bartholomew is currently on the Teaching Staff at The Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education in Rochester NY. Along with teaching she also coaches Classical and Contemporary variations and solos for International Ballet Competitions as well as stages and rehearses choreography for the Professional Trainee Program. Ms.Bartholomew is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Nazareth University and previously at the University at Buffalo. She also served as Rehearsal Director for The Rochester City Ballet for 19 years. 

Beth began her professional career in NYC with the Joffrey ll Dancers and later joined the Joffrey Ballet. She has danced in works by Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, John Cranko, Paul Taylor, Frederic Ashton, and Anthony Tudor to name a few. She went on to spend four Seasons with The Washington Ballet under the direction of Mary Day and later Kevin McKenzie where she enjoyed performing works by Balanchine, Choo San Goh, and Nils Christie. The next ten seasons were spent at The Scapino Ballet Rotterdam in the Netherlands learning a different way to move and performing works by innovative artists and choreographers such as Georg Reischl, Anthony Rizzi, Inma Rubio Tomas, Ederson Rodrigues Xavier, Ed Wubbe. Krisztina de Chatêl, Thom Stuart, Rinus Sprong and LeineRoebana. During her time in Europe, Ms. Bartholomew received her teaching diploma for The Gyrotonic Expansion System. She also participated in several freelance Dance and Theater projects in Europe and the US. She has been guest faculty at The Rotterdam Academy (Codarts) in The Netherlands, Neglia Ballet Artists in Buffalo NY, The Ballet Alliance Festival in Seattle, New Albany Ballet in Ohio, and the Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet.

• Open Ballet - Friday, September 8, 10:30AM - 11:45AM, Location: George 102

Fidel Orrillo Puga, born in Lima, Perú, studied with his Aunt Stella Puga in Trujillo, Perú. At age 13 he received a scholarship to the renowned "National School of Ballet" in Havana, Cuba, directed by Alicia Alonso where He performed with the school and the National Ballet of Cuba until his graduation. Later he was offered a contract and danced for 4 years in Ballet de Camagüey in Camagüey, Cuba.

Mr. Orrillo Puga has danced in several companies in South America and the Caribbean as a guest and most recently was a Soloist in Ballet del Teatro Municipal in Trujillo, Peru and a Principal Dancer in Ballet National of Perú in Lima, Perú. While in Lima, he worked with Martin Padrón who invited him to dance with him in Paris and later in Spain. Mr. Orrillo Puga is also on staff at the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education, the official school of the Rochester City Ballet where he is a Principal Character Dancer and Ballet Master Guest. Along with teaching He also coaches Classical and Contemporary variations, Pas de Deux's and solo's for International Ballet Competitions. Mr.Orrillo Puga is an Adjunct Professor of Classical Ballet Technique at Nazareth University. 

• Open Ballet - Thursday, September 7, 9:25AM - 10:40AM, Location: George 102

Natalia Lisina was born in Kazan, Russia. She received her BFA in dance at Kazan State University of Culture and the Arts and MFA at SUNY Brockport. Lisina continued her dance education at North Karelia College (Finland) and at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (Canada). In addition to the American Dance Festival, Lisina has participated in training workshops and festivals internationally (Paris, Moscow, Vilnius). She danced as a member of the chamber ballet Panther, in Kazan, Russia. Currently, she is a member of BIODANCE company in Rochester, choreographing and dancing professionally with different artists. She is the mother of two active boys.

She continues to explore new possibilities in the field of site-specific dance. Site-specific dance for her is a process of re-birth into a new space. It gives her, perhaps particularly as an immigrant, opportunity to find personal connections with a new land, a new country, by exploring unfamiliar spaces, understanding their history, getting to know the local community.

• Pilates Mat - Thursday, September 7, 1:10PM - 2:25PM, Location: George 154

Mackenzie Jackson is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She is a Syracuse native and began her training with Camillus Dance Centre, located in Camillus, NY. 

In 2023 she received her Bachelor of Science in Dance Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Leadership at Nazareth University. In 2021 Mackenzie became a member of the National Educator Dance Organization and also attended multiple American College Dance Association Conferences representing her college. 

Mackenzie has performed works by Jose Limon, Janice Rosario, Yoshito Sakuraba, Heather Roffe, Doug Varone & Dancers, Koresh Dance Company, Kizuna Dance, Cheryl Johnson, Nicolette Ferguson, Catherine DeAngelis Olson, Francesca Genovese, Maureen Gorman, Michelle Pritchard, Caitlin Mahon, and Heather Acomb.

• Full Body Hip-Hop (Beginner/Intermediate) - Sunday, September 10, 1:00PM - 2:15PM, Location: George 154
• Heels Class (Beginner/Intermediate) - Sunday, September 10, 2:30PM - 3:45, Location: George 154

Annalyse Greider recently graduated from Nazareth College, now Nazareth University, with a Bachelors of Science in Dance Studies and Mathematics in 2023. She has choreographed for multiple shows at Nazareth College including two student choreography productions, a spring review concert, and most recently Nazareth's Spring Dance Concert of 2023. While at Nazareth, Annalyse performed in multiple dance productions in works done by faculty, students, and a guest artist. She has taken dance classes in styles including but not limited to Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Heels, and Modern Dance. Annalyse has also taught classes in Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Heels, and Ballet.

• Intermediate Jazz - Saturday, September 9, 2:00PM - 3:45PM, Location: George 154