Faculty & Staff Directory

Dionne Figgins was born in Memphis, TN and grew up in Washington DC, training at Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and the Dance Institute of Washington. She briefly attended Goucher College, where she was cast as the lead Russian girl in Balanchine’s Serenade by NYCB soloist Zippora Karz. Ms. Karz encouraged Ms. Figgins to audition for Dance Theatre of Harlem and in 2000, Ms. Figgins joined DTH’s corps de ballet. With DTH, Ms. Figgins performed leading roles in Balancine’s Agon, Serenade, Four Temperaments, Concerto Barocco, Garland’s Return and New Bach, and in Rhoden’s Twist. Ms. Figgins has also performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Forces of Nature Dance Company. In 2004, Ms. Figgins turned her sights to Broadway during a hiatus at Dance Theatre of Harlem, and was cast in the original Broadway company of Hot Feet. She has also appeared in the original casts of Memphis the Musical (2010 Tony winner for Best Musical), Motown the Musical (Diana Ross understudy and dance captain) and served as the assistant choreographer for Leap of Faith on Broadway. She can currently be seen on Broadway playing the role of Daisy Parker in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. Ms. Figgins’ work in the musical Smokey Joe’s Cafe has garnered her an Ovation Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Chita Rivera Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in an Off-Broadway Musical, and a Chita Rivera Award for Best Ensemble in an Off-Broadway Musical. She is the co-founder of Broadway Serves, an affiliate organization of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and has served for 2 years on the Tony Nominating Committee.

Maggie Christ has worked at Ballet Tech since July 1996, in progressively responsible roles. As Executive Director, she oversees the financial and administrative operations of the organization. She also sits on the condominium’s Board of Managers. Prior to coming to Ballet Tech, she served as Director of Finance for the National Academy of Design (a small artist-run museum in NYC), as General Manager for the St. Ann Center for Restoration and the Arts (a presenting organization also involved in historic preservation, in Brooklyn), and as Associate General Manager at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. She received an MA from Columbia University (in Ethnomusicology) and a BA from Wellesley College (in Music).

Ms. Tuttle was invited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join American Ballet Theatre at the age of 16. Her career spanned 17 years with Ballet Theater reaching the rank of Principal dancer. Ms. Tuttle is known for her pure classicism and vivid characterizations. While maintaining her career with A.B.T., Ms. Tuttle joined the acclaimed Twyla Tharp Dance Company in 2000. During her time with T.T.D., Ms. Tharp created the hit Broadway show Movin’ Out and the role of Judy on Ms. Tuttle. Her interpretation of this role earned her both TONY Award and Fred Astaire Dance Award nominations. As well as continuing her performing career, Ms. Tuttle teaches ballet at the Mark Morris Dance Group, Steps on Broadway, The School at Steps, Gibney Dance, and Barnard College. Ms. Tuttle was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Wofford College in the spring of 2011. She joined Ballet Tech’s faculty in 2016.

Joe is originally from San Francisco, CA. He received his B.A. in Theater at the University of Southern California. He began working at Ballet Tech in 2006 and was appointed Administrative Director in February 2008.

Janel Rayome was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan. She is a 2004 graduate of Northern Michigan University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Performance Studies. She has worked as a choreographer, dancer, actor and arts administrator. In 2005, Janel began working with Ballet Tech as a member of the audition staff and as an in-class teaching assistant. In May 2007, she accepted a position as Program Coordinator and was expeditiously promoted to Administrative Director by Eliot Feld. During her tenure at Ballet Tech, Janel has conducted and supervised audition and dance education opportunities for over 365,000 New York City public school children. In the fall of 2023 she was awarded the title of Outstanding Alumna by Northern Michigan University and was inducted as a member of the inaugural class of the NMU Theatre and Dance Hall of Fame.

Andrew is a low brass musician, teacher, and nonprofit professional residing in NYC. He is an alumnus of Interlochen Arts Academy, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Mannes School of Music, studying Trombone Performance under Thomas Riccobono, Lee Allen, Demian Austin, Weston Sprott, and George Curran, among other industry leaders. As a performer, Andrew has been invited to perform at venues such as Cleveland’s Severance Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, NYC’s Alice Tully Hall, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. He is an avid player of both classical and contemporary music and has participated in world premiere performances, workshops, and recording sessions featuring the works of composers such as Vijay Iyer, Gordon Jacob, and Su Lian Tan. Andrew earned a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University. In addition to his position as Director of External Affairs at Ballet Tech, Andrew is the Executive Director of Calliope Brass Music Association.

Ms. Rhodes began her professional career with American Ballet Theatre at the age of 15. The company toured the United States and Europe under the direction of Lucia Chase and later Mikhail Baryshnikov. Later she was offered a contract under John Neumeier with The Hamburg Staats Opera in Germany. She holds her teaching certification from American Ballet Theatre and also holds certifications in fitness and yoga. Ms. Rhodes joined Ballet Tech’s faculty in 1995 and taught full-time for 10 years. She has since returned to teaching at BT and continues to audition children throughout New York City.

Janelle Barry hails from California, where she earned her BFA in Dance from Chapman University before moving to Brooklyn to perform with The Metropolitan Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Bill Barclay, i KADA, GOH Productions, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. She has experience in puppeteering, acting, and wardrobe, but her greatest passion is teaching dance. For over a decade she has taught ballet, modern, swing, tap, and creative movement in New York City public schools, as well as with private dance studios including the School at the Mark Morris Dance Center, where she served as the Student Company Director. Janelle is a Certified Teaching Artist and an Associate Trainer with Dance for PD®.

Zoe Padden, a Queens native and Queens College alum, spent her early years dancing, earning her degrees in both dance and mathematics, and eventually discovering one of her passions – teaching. She’s taught various dance styles to students of all ages and backgrounds in a multitude of settings. She’s had the pleasure of teaching at the Williamsburg Movement and Arts Center both in-studio and as a part of their residency programs in NYC public schools. And she’s proud to have taught at Ballet Hispánico where she also interned as a member of their development team. In 2018 Zoe decided to shift her focus to the administrative side of the dance education world and joined Ballet Tech. Since her start at the foundation and school, Zoe has had the joy of working with and helping to serve all those in the BT community.

Debbie is originally from Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from LaGuardia High School’s dance department and holds a B.A. in Dance and Art History from Barnard College. As a dancer, she has performed with Trainor Dance, Bryce Dance, and Stefanie Nelson. Her choreography and dance films have been showcased throughout NYC, Boston, and Chicago. She has had the joy of teaching dance to children through Mark Morris Dance Center, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, and Dancewave. In addition, she co-founded and produced Current Showcase, organizing free performance art events in NYC. Debbie has enjoyed working with the Ballet Tech community since joining in 2022.

Rashel Orellana, born and raised in Queens, NY, started her dance training in 2008 at Ballet Tech after being selected for the school’s Introduction to Ballet Program. She studied under the direction of Eliot Feld and Christine Sarry until graduating from high school in 2018. After graduation, Rashel attended Hunter College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While pursuing her higher education, she returned to Ballet Tech as a member of their Intro and audition team, and soon became an in-class assistant. Outside of Ballet Tech, Rashel continues to find success in other forms of dance such as: Ecuadorian Folklore and Salsa. Rashel is happy to be back with the Ballet Tech community as Program Coordinator for their full-time school. 

Darren began working at Ballet Tech in 2017 with their after school Roads to Success program, and started working at the full-time school in 2019. In addition to being a Program Coordinator, Darren is a photographer and videographer with high level editing skills, self taught since the age of 19. He is very versatile in any situation. A well kept individual and easy to communicate with, he takes pride in his work ethic and always assures that his work is perfect.

Michael is from St. Mary’s County, Maryland and has danced since the age of 9. He received his BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2020. Since graduating, Michael has worked as a freelance dancer, having the pleasure of working with different companies and choreographers. Michael started at Ballet Tech in the fall of 2021 as a class assistant and a member of the Introduction to Ballet and Ballet Tech Across New York team. He became a full-time Ballet Tech employee in the fall of 2024.

Russell Murphy, Director of Finance, graduated from Point Park College (now University) with a BA in Dance, Jazz and Modern concentration. He enjoyed a brief, but exciting performance career with The Extension, a modern/jazz fusion company founded by two of his college professors, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy and Imaginarium. He attempted a “real career” at Macy*s starting as a part-time cashier and over the course of three years achieved the position of department manager. It was then he decided to get back to the arts on the management side and found a part-time position in the box office of Pan Asian Repertory Theatre. After a year he was offered a full-time position and over the course of ten years worked his way up to Business Manager before joining Ballet Tech in December 1997. For many years he was a volunteer, helping to produce LGBT Pride Events in NYC and around the world.

Joshua Palmer is a performing artist, arts educator, and HR professional residing in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Throughout his 20’s, he performed domestically and internationally with NYC-based companies/choreographers including Doug Elkins, Douglas Dunn, Hilary Easton, Cherylyn Lavagnino, Ani Taj / The Dance Cartel, T. Lang, and Edisa Weeks. Though he still performs occasionally, he transitioned out of the full-time performer life in 2014, serving as the executive assistant and human resources manager at Ballet Hispanico for five years (and as a faculty member in their pre-professional studies program for one year). Before coming to Ballet Tech, he was a curriculum specialist for The Juilliard School’s Global K-12 Programs.

Helen Hill grew up in Napa, California, where she danced with Napa Valley Ballet until the age of 16. She studied Comparative Literature at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with honors after completing an undergraduate thesis on John Donne’s poetry. In college she worked for Refugee Community Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to language advocacy and community support for recently relocated refugees. Since graduating and moving to Brooklyn, she has worked as a library assistant, as an editor on a slew of freelance literary projects, and has published her own poetry, short fiction, and criticism in a variety of publications. In addition to her role as Development and Communications Assistant at Ballet Tech, Helen is also the Senior Editor and Website Editor of Circumference, a magazine of poetry in translation.

Jason Walters is a native New Yorker, born in Queens and raised on Staten Island. He has been working as an arts professional for over 25 years. He attended the College of Staten Island where he earned his degree in Theatre. While going to school, he began his career working as a production manager and lighting supervisor at the college. After graduation, Jason continued his backstage career working at venues throughout the city. In 2006, he hung up the leatherman and started working at Second Stage Theatre as their Operations Manager. Jason continued to provide technical support for productions during this time including the 2010 and 2011 Tony Awards red carpet. He began managing operations at the Helen Hayes Theater in 2015 when Second Stage purchased the venue. In 2017, Jason began his career at 890 Broadway (Ballet Tech) as the Building Manager. Aside from his time at Ballet Tech, he also served as the Board Chair for Sundog Theatre Company and the Building Consultant for MCC Theatre Company.

Max began dancing under Risa Kaplowitz, Director of Princeton Dance and Theater Studio in Princeton, N.J. In 2014 Max began studying at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School after winning a full scholarship through Youth American Grand Prix. He trained at the JKO School from 2014-2017, first under Franco De Vita and then Cynthia Harvey. In 2016 Max was awarded the prestigious Northern Trust Scholarship. In 2017, he joined Ballet Austin as an apprentice and the following year was promoted to the Company. His performance credits include Snow King and Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, the lead in Rubies, Symbiotic Twin, and featured roles in works by choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, and Stephen Mills. With the beginning of his professional performing career, Max began teaching as well. His teaching credits include Princeton Dance and Theater, Ballet Austin Academy, and many other guest teaching engagement in Central Texas, New Jersey, and New York.

Janelle Barry hails from California, where she earned her BFA in Dance from Chapman University before moving to Brooklyn to perform with The Metropolitan Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Bill Barclay, i KADA, GOH Productions, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. She has experience in puppeteering, acting, and wardrobe, but her greatest passion is teaching dance. For over a decade she has taught ballet, modern, swing, tap, and creative movement in New York City public schools, as well as with private dance studios including the School at the Mark Morris Dance Center, where she served as the Student Company Director. Janelle is a Certified Teaching Artist and an Associate Trainer with Dance for PD®.

The bio-kemet-cal essence of Men Ca is in his name: mata is energy from the nucleus of the ca’nscious atam. A practitioner of defining that which he does through that which he is (i.e. Men Ca), his absolute Art and Science is to be conscious at all times in all times. Thus, deepen the life force energy of love and understanding. A third generation Lester Horton educator (educated by the unrivaled Dr. Elana Denise Anderson, who studied from James Truite), Men Ca resourcefully uses the technique as a medium for learners to actualize their Art & Science — Art, the Science of expressing; Science, the Art of knowing — aid their body to further activate the heart and mind. The Artist & Scientist.

Mary Lyn Graves is a dancer and teacher based in Brooklyn, NY. Her recent performance credits include the Mark Morris Dance Group, Joanna Kotze, Megan Williams, and collaborations with composer Caroline Davis. From 2012-2018, Mary Lyn was a member of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company in Salt Lake City, UT, where she originated roles in over 25 new works and toured across the United States, France, South Korea, and Mongolia. She has also performed extensively with Molly Heller, Cheyla Chandler, and the Nikolais/Louis Foundation. As a teacher, Mary Lyn has led classes at numerous universities, festivals, and studios, including Ballet San Angelo, Wichita State University, Chosun University in South Korea, Mongolian State University of the Arts & Sciences, and the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, Mary Lyn has facilitated creative movement classes in schools, community centers, and youth shelters across the United States and internationally, specializing in working with elementary age children. A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Mary Lyn was born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She began her training at the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education where she was also a member of Tulsa Ballet II. Mary Lyn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Oklahoma.

Michael is from St. Mary’s County, Maryland and has danced since the age of 9. He received his BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2020. Since graduating, Michael has worked as a freelance dancer, having the pleasure of working with different companies and choreographers. Michael started at Ballet Tech in the fall of 2021 as a class assistant and a member of the Introduction to Ballet and Ballet Tech Across New York team. He became a full-time Ballet Tech employee in the fall of 2024.

Asia Yiu, a Ballet Tech alumna, began her training in Ballet Tech’s Introduction to Ballet Program in 2009 and graduated from the high school program in 2019. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication with a minor in Psychology from Baruch College. Since returning to Ballet Tech, Asia has assisted in ballet classes, performed as a guest alumna in the 2022 Kids Dance season, and set Eliot Feld’s A Yankee Doodle in 2023 and Apple Pie in 2024 on students for the Kids Dance season. Beyond Ballet Tech, she has performed with Broadway Serves, alongside the Broadway Green Alliance, and R.Evolución Latina for the 2023 Easter Bonnet Competition at the Minskoff Theatre. Asia also teaches adult ballet at the 14th Street Y Educational Alliance and is actively seeking new opportunities that align with her values to further enrich her journey.

Max began dancing under Risa Kaplowitz, Director of Princeton Dance and Theater Studio in Princeton, N.J. In 2014 Max began studying at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School after winning a full scholarship through Youth American Grand Prix. He trained at the JKO School from 2014-2017, first under Franco De Vita and then Cynthia Harvey. In 2016 Max was awarded the prestigious Northern Trust Scholarship. In 2017, he joined Ballet Austin as an apprentice and the following year was promoted to the Company. His performance credits include Snow King and Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, the lead in Rubies, Symbiotic Twin, and featured roles in works by choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, and Stephen Mills. With the beginning of his professional performing career, Max began teaching as well. His teaching credits include Princeton Dance and Theater, Ballet Austin Academy, and many other guest teaching engagement in Central Texas, New Jersey, and New York.

Janelle Barry hails from California, where she earned her BFA in Dance from Chapman University before moving to Brooklyn to perform with The Metropolitan Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Bill Barclay, i KADA, GOH Productions, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. She has experience in puppeteering, acting, and wardrobe, but her greatest passion is teaching dance. For over a decade she has taught ballet, modern, swing, tap, and creative movement in New York City public schools, as well as with private dance studios including the School at the Mark Morris Dance Center, where she served as the Student Company Director. Janelle is a Certified Teaching Artist and an Associate Trainer with Dance for PD®.

The bio-kemet-cal essence of Men Ca is in his name: mata is energy from the nucleus of the ca’nscious atam. A practitioner of defining that which he does through that which he is (i.e. Men Ca), his absolute Art and Science is to be conscious at all times in all times. Thus, deepen the life force energy of love and understanding. A third generation Lester Horton educator (educated by the unrivaled Dr. Elana Denise Anderson, who studied from James Truite), Men Ca resourcefully uses the technique as a medium for learners to actualize their Art & Science — Art, the Science of expressing; Science, the Art of knowing — aid their body to further activate the heart and mind. The Artist & Scientist.

A New York native, Annastasia Mercedes holds a B.F.A. in Ballet and Dance Pedagogy from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. She has performed works by Rioult, Griffin, Losfnes, Pier, Dolbashian, Limón, Graham, Balanchine, Tudor, and Bournonville, as well as regional theatre roles including The Crucible, The Tempest, The King and I, Tuck Everlasting, and A Christmas Carol. A dedicated educator, she has taught at Molloy University/Cap 21, Peridance, Ballet Academy East, ABT, and since 2013 at Joffrey Ballet School. Ballet Tech was one of my first homes when I began my professional career in NYC… This program is magic, and I’m so grateful to continue that work this year!

Lanette Costas is a graduate of New York’s LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts and received both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from SUNY Purchase and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Hollins University/American Dance Festival. Ms. Costas was a 2018-2019 School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellow. As a Dance Educator, she has been successfully teaching Ballet and Horton technique for over a decade to students in grades 2-12. Her students have been accepted into and received scholarships to attend some of the best university dance programs and summer intensive programs around the country. She was on faculty for the University of the Arts Pre-College Summer Institute for 8 years and was recently a Resident Artist at Lawrence University. Her professional concert dance credits include Ailey II, Donald Byrd/The Group, Elisa Monte Dance, Fred Benjamin Dance Company, and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. She was a featured dancer in Disney’s The Lion King. Additional theater credits include The Skylight Music Theatre’s production of Five Guys Named Moe (Choreographer), Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Tin Pan Alley Rag (Dance Captain), and If This Hat Could Talk. Ms. Costas performed for the television broadcast of CBS’ Kennedy Center Honors where she performed for President Clinton in honor of Judith Jamison. She also toured internationally as a soloist with the Spiritual Singers of Harlem and danced for the NBA team, New Jersey Nets. In collaboration with Margaret Paek, she has performed at the Danspace Project and in the installation BLEED at the Whitney Museum of American Art. During her career, she performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Megan Eng is a Ballet Tech alumna who began her dance training with Ballet Tech’s beginner program in 2009, up until she graduated from the high school program in 2019. Throughout her years at Ballet Tech, Megan had the opportunity to be a member of Eliot Feld’s premiere cast for his new works, KYDZNY, Pointing 1, 2, and 3, as well as performed as a soloist in his other pieces A Yankee Doodle and The Jig is Up.

Dionne Figgins was born in Memphis, TN and grew up in Washington DC, training at Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and the Dance Institute of Washington. She briefly attended Goucher College, where she was cast as the lead Russian girl in Balanchine’s Serenade by NYCB soloist Zippora Karz. Ms. Karz encouraged Ms. Figgins to audition for Dance Theatre of Harlem and in 2000, Ms. Figgins joined DTH’s corps de ballet. With DTH, Ms. Figgins performed leading roles in Balancine’s Agon, Serenade, Four Temperaments, Concerto Barocco, Garland’s Return and New Bach, and in Rhoden’s Twist. Ms. Figgins has also performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Forces of Nature Dance Company. In 2004, Ms. Figgins turned her sights to Broadway during a hiatus at Dance Theatre of Harlem, and was cast in the original Broadway company of Hot Feet. She has also appeared in the original casts of Memphis the Musical (2010 Tony winner for Best Musical), Motown the Musical (Diana Ross understudy and dance captain) and served as the assistant choreographer for Leap of Faith on Broadway. She can currently be seen on Broadway playing the role of Daisy Parker in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. Ms. Figgins’ work in the musical Smokey Joe’s Cafe has garnered her an Ovation Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Chita Rivera Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in an Off-Broadway Musical, and a Chita Rivera Award for Best Ensemble in an Off-Broadway Musical. She is the co-founder of Broadway Serves, an affiliate organization of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and has served for 2 years on the Tony Nominating Committee.

Mary Lyn Graves is a dancer and teacher based in Brooklyn, NY. Her recent performance credits include the Mark Morris Dance Group, Joanna Kotze, Megan Williams, and collaborations with composer Caroline Davis. From 2012-2018, Mary Lyn was a member of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company in Salt Lake City, UT, where she originated roles in over 25 new works and toured across the United States, France, South Korea, and Mongolia. She has also performed extensively with Molly Heller, Cheyla Chandler, and the Nikolais/Louis Foundation. As a teacher, Mary Lyn has led classes at numerous universities, festivals, and studios, including Ballet San Angelo, Wichita State University, Chosun University in South Korea, Mongolian State University of the Arts & Sciences, and the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, Mary Lyn has facilitated creative movement classes in schools, community centers, and youth shelters across the United States and internationally, specializing in working with elementary age children. A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Mary Lyn was born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She began her training at the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education where she was also a member of Tulsa Ballet II. Mary Lyn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Oklahoma.

Curtis Holland was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up dancing in his parents’ dance studio, the Edwin Holland School of Dance. Under the tutelage of Edwin and Gaile, Holland learned the core fundamentals of ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and acrobatics from the age of three to eighteen. After high school, Holland auditioned for Season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance, advancing to the live show and becoming one of the Top Fourteen dancers of the season. After the show, Holland moved to New York to pursue his dance career, and has since worked with many great minds of the art form. Holland has performed in five Broadway shows: Shuffle Along, Mean Girls, The Music Man, Funny Girl, and currently, the Great Gatsby. As a teacher, Holland enjoys cultivating the exploration, confidence, work ethic and joy that is found through dance.

John Manzari is a dancer, singer, actor & choreographer. Stage: Funny Girl (OBC); Anything Goes (MUNY); The Tap Dance Kid (Encores!); Bzzz. Television: Law & Order SVU; Black Broadway: A Proud History, A Limitless Future; Rooted; The Kennedy Center at 50. Concerts: one man shows Recenter & The First Set; guest appearances with the NY Pops, NSO, Seattle, Houston, Vancouver symphonies and others; The Hot Sardines; Fall for Dance; Fall for Dance North; Amelia Island Dance Festival. Films: Reimagined. Short Films: I Get Knocked Down; Ghost; To: Everything I Love; Slip. Documentaries: Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back; Leonard Soloway’s Broadway.

Zuzu Park-Stettner was born and raised in NYC and started dancing at the age of three at The School at Steps. When she was ten she was invited to attend Ballet Tech and spent the next nine years studying dance and being a part of Eliot Feld’s Kids Dance company, debuting new works and classic Feld repertoire. After graduating from the Professional Performing Arts School, she performed in West Side Story as Anybodys at New Bedford Festival Theater. Last year, she starred in Kirby Fields’ new play The Best Punk Band in Conway, Missouri… with UPTheater co. She also staged Eliot Feld’s A Yankee Doodle for Ballet Tech’s annual Kids Dance at the Joyce Theater. She is a graduate of Point Park University earning a Bachelor’s in Dance and minor in musical theater. She has worked with choreographers Eliot Feld, Laura Careless, Brian Brooks, Crystal Frazier, Jae Man Joo, and Shana Simmons. She is a proud alumna and teacher at Ballet Tech.

Brian Reeder’s performance years existed mainly within the exciting repertories of three major dance companies: New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt. His choreographic career sprung up in the early 2000’s with creative commissions coming from national and regional dance companies like ABT, Washington Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Colorado Ballet, as well as universities, colleges, and dance academies alike. He’s also had the opportunity over the years to work outside the dance concert forum with collaborations in movement for music video, independent film, commercial, fashion assignments, and musical theater. Brian has been invited to teach as either an adjunct professor or guest at several prestigious colleges, universities, dance schools, and companies throughout the years, such as Juilliard, Vassar, Brown, Barnard, Princeton, Ballet Hispanico, and Ailey II. Reeder has served as a coordinating director for summer dance programs internationally as well as rehearsal director for Cedar Lake Ballet and acted as resident choreographer for Ballet Next and currently is for Manhattan Youth Ballet. He is presently a part of the teaching faculties at Manhattan Youth Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, and Ballet Tech.

Ms. Rhodes began her professional career with American Ballet Theatre at the age of 15. The company toured the United States and Europe under the direction of Lucia Chase and later Mikhail Baryshnikov. Later she was offered a contract under John Neumeier with The Hamburg Staats Opera in Germany. She holds her teaching certification from American Ballet Theatre and also holds certifications in fitness and yoga. Ms. Rhodes joined Ballet Tech’s faculty in 1995 and taught full-time for 10 years. She has since returned to teaching at BT and continues to audition children throughout New York City.

Ms. Tuttle was invited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join American Ballet Theatre at the age of 16. Her career spanned 17 years with Ballet Theater reaching the rank of Principal dancer. Ms. Tuttle is known for her pure classicism and vivid characterizations. While maintaining her career with A.B.T., Ms. Tuttle joined the acclaimed Twyla Tharp Dance Company in 2000. During her time with T.T.D., Ms. Tharp created the hit Broadway show Movin’ Out and the role of Judy on Ms. Tuttle. Her interpretation of this role earned her both TONY Award and Fred Astaire Dance Award nominations. As well as continuing her performing career, Ms. Tuttle teaches ballet at the Mark Morris Dance Group, Steps on Broadway, The School at Steps, Gibney Dance, and Barnard College. Ms. Tuttle was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Wofford College in the spring of 2011. She joined Ballet Tech’s faculty in 2016.

Asia Yiu, a Ballet Tech alumna, began her training in Ballet Tech’s Introduction to Ballet Program in 2009 and graduated from the high school program in 2019. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication with a minor in Psychology from Baruch College. Since returning to Ballet Tech, Asia has assisted in ballet classes, performed as a guest alumna in the 2022 Kids Dance season, and set Eliot Feld’s A Yankee Doodle in 2023 and Apple Pie in 2024 on students for the Kids Dance season. Beyond Ballet Tech, she has performed with Broadway Serves, alongside the Broadway Green Alliance, and R.Evolución Latina for the 2023 Easter Bonnet Competition at the Minskoff Theatre. Asia also teaches adult ballet at the 14th Street Y Educational Alliance and is actively seeking new opportunities that align with her values to further enrich her journey.

Max began dancing under Risa Kaplowitz, Director of Princeton Dance and Theater Studio in Princeton, N.J. In 2014 Max began studying at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School after winning a full scholarship through Youth American Grand Prix. He trained at the JKO School from 2014-2017, first under Franco De Vita and then Cynthia Harvey. In 2016 Max was awarded the prestigious Northern Trust Scholarship. In 2017, he joined Ballet Austin as an apprentice and the following year was promoted to the Company. His performance credits include Snow King and Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, the lead in Rubies, Symbiotic Twin, and featured roles in works by choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, and Stephen Mills. With the beginning of his professional performing career, Max began teaching as well. His teaching credits include Princeton Dance and Theater, Ballet Austin Academy, and many other guest teaching engagement in Central Texas, New Jersey, and New York.

Megan Eng is a Ballet Tech alumna who began her dance training with Ballet Tech’s beginner program in 2009, up until she graduated from the high school program in 2019. Throughout her years at Ballet Tech, Megan had the opportunity to be a member of Eliot Feld’s premiere cast for his new works, KYDZNY, Pointing 1, 2, and 3, as well as performed as a soloist in his other pieces A Yankee Doodle and The Jig is Up.

Michael is from St. Mary’s County, Maryland and has danced since the age of 9. He received his BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2020. Since graduating, Michael has worked as a freelance dancer, having the pleasure of working with different companies and choreographers. Michael started at Ballet Tech in the fall of 2021 as a class assistant and a member of the Introduction to Ballet and Ballet Tech Across New York team. He became a full-time Ballet Tech employee in the fall of 2024.

Rashel Orellana, born and raised in Queens, NY, started her dance training in 2008 at Ballet Tech after being selected for the school’s Introduction to Ballet Program. She studied under the direction of Eliot Feld and Christine Sarry until graduating from high school in 2018. After graduation, Rashel attended Hunter College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While pursuing her higher education, she returned to Ballet Tech as a member of their Intro and audition team, and soon became an in-class assistant. Outside of Ballet Tech, Rashel continues to find success in other forms of dance such as: Ecuadorian Folklore and Salsa. Rashel is happy to be back with the Ballet Tech community as Program Coordinator for their full-time school. 

Asia Yiu, a Ballet Tech alumna, began her training in Ballet Tech’s Introduction to Ballet Program in 2009 and graduated from the high school program in 2019. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication with a minor in Psychology from Baruch College. Since returning to Ballet Tech, Asia has assisted in ballet classes, performed as a guest alumna in the 2022 Kids Dance season, and set Eliot Feld’s A Yankee Doodle in 2023 and Apple Pie in 2024 on students for the Kids Dance season. Beyond Ballet Tech, she has performed with Broadway Serves, alongside the Broadway Green Alliance, and R.Evolución Latina for the 2023 Easter Bonnet Competition at the Minskoff Theatre. Asia also teaches adult ballet at the 14th Street Y Educational Alliance and is actively seeking new opportunities that align with her values to further enrich her journey.

Veronica York joined Ballet Tech in January 2024. Prior to joining Ballet Tech, Ms. York was the Assistant Principal at Townsend Harris High School for 13 years, overseeing Guidance, Special Education, and Music & Art. With two decades of educational experience, including roles as an elementary teacher and a School Counselor/College Office Director at LaGuardia Arts High School, Ms. York is rooted in fostering strong social-emotional relationship, achieving administrative successes, and driving educational innovation. A proud product on the NYC PS system, she believes that student – staff relationships are the foundation to student success.

Ms. Giannikouris has nearly twenty years of experience as an educator and leader    within New York City Public Schools. For the last two years she served as the Strategic Advisor for Special Education in the Division of Inclusive & Accessible Learning at NYCPS. In this role, she collaborated with senior leadership to shape and implement citywide initiatives aimed at creating inherently inclusive, equitable, and high-quality educational experiences for all students. She led the work of the Chancellor’s Special Education Advisory Council to Boldly Reimagine Special Education and partnered with families, advocates, agencies and institutions to ensure our policies and practices serve students with IEPs effectively.  She is committed to ensuring students always have what they need to feel joy through learning and have the room to experiment, take risks, learn, grow, and feel safe and supported each day at Ballet Tech. Lastly, she is a native New Yorker, loves all forms of art & literature and is thrilled to be back in a school!

Sherri Montgomery has been a licensed school secretary for 32 years, and has been at Ballet Tech for 22 years!

Meredith Lubben joined Ballet Tech as Parent Coordinator in 2019. Ms. Lubben is a graduate of New York University with a degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies. Prior to Ballet Tech Ms. Lubben worked in publishing as an art production manager at Hearst Corporation and later as a freelance design and production editor. Ms. Lubben lives in NYC with her husband Alexander, and daughter Sophia, a graduate of NYC Public Schools.

Jason Rivera was born and raised in the neighborhood of the Lower East Side in Manhattan. He is a product of the public and private school education, ultimately graduating from Fordham University with a B.A. in Political Science. Jason has been working at Ballet Tech since October of 2014 and has been devoted in trying to make Ballet Tech a fun experience for every member of the community. He is a passionate New Yorker, loving all things from every sports franchise to traveling the city and enjoying it to the fullest.

Jennifer started her career as a NYC School Counselor in 2006. Before coming to Ballet Tech in September 2015, she worked at the Alternate Learning Centers in Queens. As a School Counselor she believes it is important to provide support in all areas such as academic and social emotional learning. She works with the 8th grade students and families during the high school process. She believes students should be encouraged to achieve their goal and do their personal best.

Dana is our School Social Worker. Dana has been a Social Worker since 2014, and has previously worked in Foster Care in Brooklyn, and served as a Community School Director in the Bronx. Dana joined the DOE community in 2020 and has been working in district 2 since that time. Dana’s goal at Ballet Tech is to ensure that all students have a safe place in school, are supported academically and in their social emotional needs. She looks forward to continuing to work with this community.

Born in Morocco, Ms. Ajarar  developed a deep appreciation for mathematics from an early age. After moving to the United States 25 years ago, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the City College of New York., and went on to earn two master’s degrees. Ms. Ajarar brings over 11 years of experience teaching mathematics at the high school level, where she led a diverse array of courses including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus, and advanced college-level math electives. She is dedicated to creating a classroom environment that fosters curiosity, encourages challenges, and provides consistent support; a safe place where students are encouraged to think critically and grow confidently. Now, she is thrilled to join the Ballet Tech community and embark on an exciting new chapter in her professional journey, one filled with meaningful learning, collaboration, joy, love, and, above all, fun! In her spare time, Ms. Ajarar enjoys exploring Arabic literature and sharing her love of culture through preparing traditional Moroccan dishes for family and friends.

Alexandra Barbosa joined Ballet Tech in January 2015 as the ENL teacher for grades 4-8 (English as a New Language). In September 2015 she also began teaching Middle School Social Studies and has been teaching in both positions ever since. She has 15 years experience teaching both children and adults in the United States and abroad. Her teaching philosophy is focused around supportive relationships and helping students to build self-confidence.

Ms. Fernandez first joined Ballet Tech in 2003. Currently she is the Spanish teacher at Ballet Tech. She has over 28 years of teaching experience. Prior to Ballet Tech she taught Spanish in FDR High School and Gregorio Luperon High School. Ms. Fernandez earned a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish Education from Saint Thomas Aquinas College in 1996. She earned her masters in 2002 in Learning Technology from Mercy College. She believes that everyone should ‘live one day at a time’ and live in the present because every day brings its own things. Teaching is one of her biggest passions and she loves being a teacher!

Ms. Herlihy joined the Ballet Tech staff in 2001 as the Middle School Math and ELA teacher and continued on in 2002 with Math and Science. She currently teaches Science and Health and holds a Permanent Certificate in Earth Science & General Science 7-12 Extension. Ms. Herlihy has enjoyed serving the Ballet Tech community as a School Leadership Team member, Inquiry Team member, Class Adviser and Community Spirit Committee Chair. After graduating from the University of Vermont in 1987 with a B.S. in Secondary Education – Earth Science major, Ms. Herlihy committed to working in and educating herself about every facet of New York City theatre for the next 15 years. She has worked on stage, tech and crew, box office and as a house, stage and company manager on, off and off-off-Broadway. She has been a member of ATPAM (Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers) since 1999 and has also studied voice, acting, poetry and playwriting. She earned her Master of Science in Urban and Multicultural Education at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 2009. Ms Herlihy loves being a life-long learner. She continues to embrace and infuse in her teaching a love for science, the arts and athletics (especially being on a team!) through ongoing involvement with a variety of New York City based organizations including the Wildlife Conservation Society, AMNH, Central Park Conservancy, Gotham Writer’s Workshop, BCEFA, New York Road Runners, Big City and Gotham Volleyball.

Anastasiya Karpova joined the Ballet Tech family in 2020 as a Special Education teacher, supporting students and teachers to ensure equitable learning opportunities for everyone. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology as well as a Master’s degree in Special Education at CUNY Brooklyn College. During her years as a SETSS provider, Ms. Karpova shared her knowledge of different teaching and learning approaches, collaborated with families to strengthen the community, and deepened her passion for teaching. In her free time, Ms. Karpova likes to experiment with different yoga classes, explore city attractions, and spend time with her family.

Ms. Kozak is excited to join Ballet Tech as a fourth grade teacher. Ms. Kozak brings a strong academic background, holding a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology and a Master of Science in Biology, Neuroscience concentration, from The City College of New York. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Science in Education, with a major of Childhood and Special Education, from Touro University Graduate School of Education. Before coming to Ballet Tech, Ms. Kozak gained experience at Success Academy Charter Schools, where she taught third, fourth, and fifth grades and served as an Assistant Principal. Ms. Kozak is particularly passionate about teaching mathematics, appreciating the diverse approaches to problem-solving. An Ohio native, she enjoys spending her free time playing basketball, running, and reading.

Ms. Lum studied Early Childhood Education, English Literature, Linguistics and Literacy Education. She strives to develop an appreciation of literature and writing in all her students. She is fond of long walks in unexpectedly beautiful spaces.

Richela Fabian Morgan is a visual artist specializing in book sculptures and mixed media artwork. Before she became a visual artist, Ms. Morgan spent 10 years as a production manager in book publishing and 8 years as a successful craft book author. Her books include TAPE IT AND MAKE IT (Barron’s Educational), DUCT TAPE BAGS (Clarkson Potter), and THE GREEN CRAFTER (Citadel). Ms. Morgan’s artwork has been exhibited in the NY tristate area and her book art is on permanent display at the Harrison Public Library (Harrison, NY). She has been a teaching artist with several organizations including ArtsWestchester, The Rye Arts Center, and ProjectArt. Ms. Morgan has been the visual art teacher at Ballet Tech NYC Public School for Dance since 2021.

Ms. Rubakha joined Ballet Tech in 2014.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Skidmore College and a master’s in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.  Ms. Rubakha comes from the beautiful city of St. Petersburg and is still in touch with her own primary grades teacher, who was her inspiration.  Over the years, Ms. Rubakha has taught elementary, middle, and high school, but finds fourth grade to be her absolute favorite.  She loves spending all day with 8-10 year-olds and believes teachers are the luckiest people in the world!

Cari Sobolewski joined Ballet Tech in 2007 and teaches the fourth and fifth grades. She is the UFT Chapter Leader and a member of the School Leadership Team. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Lehman College and a Master’s degree in Teaching from SUNY New Paltz. Ms. Sobolewski is also a classically trained violinist and loves to play and perform with the Jackson Heights Orchestra. In her free time she enjoys taking nature walks, kayaking, and cheering for the Knicks!

Mr. Van Zweeden joined Ballet Tech in January of 2015 as the Middle School English Language Arts teacher. Prior to joining Ballet Tech, he worked for one year at Success Academy Charter Schools, Harlem 2. While at Ballet Tech, Mr. Van Zweeden developed and expanded his teaching craft by implementing a variety of curriculum, including Expeditionary Learning, Columbia University’s TC’s Reading and Writing Program’s Units of Study, the NYCDOE’s Educating Powerful Writers, and Imagine Learning – in addition to creating his own units and modules. Next year he will be working to adopt and implement a new ELA curriculum, Wit & Wisdom. Mr. Van Zweeden has enjoyed serving as a member of the School Leadership Team, as the Middle School Team Leader, as a member of the Equity Team, as a member of the School Re-opening Committee during COVID-19, and on the Principal’s Advisory Committee, as well as participating in the District 2 Superintendent’s Fellowship (2022-2023). He is also the founder of Ballet Tech’s literary publication, The Ballet Tech Review. Mr. Van Zweeden holds a Permanent Certification in English 7-12, and is pending certification as both a School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL). He has been a life-long New York City public school student, having attended Midtown West (P.S. 212), The Center School (M.S. 243), and the Bronx High School of Science before going off to Bard College where he obtained a B.A. in Literature in 2006. He completed an M.S.Ed. in Teaching from Lehman College in 2012 and an M.S.Ed in Educational Leadership (SBL/SDL) from Hunter College in 2024. He is a life-long learner who loves reading, traveling, exploring, and telling stories.