MEET OUR STAFF
2011-2012

ROSEMARY BAKER - DIRECTOR

"Miss Rose" is the proud owner of Dance Gallery and was the previous assistant director of Mary Linick Dance Studio. Dance Gallery is now entering into its 16th year. "Miss Rose" has studied and taught all forms of dance. She is a member of DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA, DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA and FLORIDA DANCE MASTERS. Many of her students have competed in national talent competitions and have earned top awards as well as gone on to have danced professionally in Broadway's West Side Story, Spamalot, Women on a Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, danced with Beyonce,and are in professional dance companies. Her student, Jimmy Arquello, was in the top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance Season 3. She has been teaching since the age of 18 and has taught several master classes in the elementary and middle schools. She is also a member of DADE PARTNERS. Her enthusiasm and encouragement motivates her students to reach their full artistic potential.

KRISTY BAKER – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Welcome back "Miss Kristy" . She is “Miss Rose's" daughter who has been dancing since the age of two. She has trained at Mary Linick Dance Studio, now Dance Gallery and has also studied with Henry LeTang, Debbi Dee, Judy Bassing, Katherine Krammer, Jared Grimes, Mike Schulster, Peter Schabel, Brice Mousset, Chio, Eric Jenkins, Miss Vee, Raye Young and Scott Benson. She is trained in all forms of dance. She has danced in a music video for Miss Dee Records, Super Bowl Half Time Show, Dan Marino's Retirement Halftime Show, and has also demonstrated for several instructional dance videos. She graduated from Florida International University and received a Bachelors degree in Dance Education. “Miss Kristy” was a judge for the Fitness Universe Pageant that was televised by ESPN. She currently judges for National Dance Competitions and teaches master classes at conventions. She went to New York City for an internship at Broadway Dance Center. In NY, "Miss Kristy" appeared in the off Broadway show, “Break The Floor”. She also travels with Miss Judy Bassing, to assist her in demonstrating techniques at seminars for dance teachers. During the summer months, "Miss Kristy" enjoys traveling to back New York to take classes at Broadway Dance Center.

DENISE CABELL

Miss Denise was born in Cuba and started to study dance at age 4. At 16, she joined the Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba and with this company, she travelled to Spain in 1998. She has performed in theatres like the Theater Apollo in Barcelona, and in 2000, performed in NY Central Park. During her 3rd tour in the US, she immigrated and left the Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, along with family relatives. In Miami, she has been on local TV at ‘Canal 41’ and collaborated with different ballet and Flamenco Dance companies as a choreographer. In 2007, she was part of Spanish Zarzuela ‘La Verbena de la Paloma’ and La Casa de Bernarda Alba with the Pepe Bronce Dance Company. She still is a teacher there as well as a student of the academy. Recently, she started teaching Flamenco classes at the Miami Royal Ballet Academy. We welcome Miss Denise to our faculty.

TAMMY FARRIS

Tammy Farris has been teaching and choreographing ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and acrobatics for the past 30 years. She keeps a pulse on what is happening in the dance community by attending many conventions throughout the year and traveling to New York and Los Angeles in the summer to take classes. Tammy has taught and choreographed throughout Florida and even taught a master class to the “Summer Disney Kids”. Her award winning choreography has been seen on television shows such as William Scott’s “Amateur Hour” in Orlando, and Sabado Gigante in Miami as well as, in the following productions, “One Voice” a dramatic musical, The American Dream Festival in Nassau, Bahamas and Frank Hatchett’s “Broadway Dance Center Showcase” in New York City.

Tammy has won choreography awards in all aspects of dance along with her students winning numerous high score awards, scholarships from around the country and national titles. Some of her students have gone on to obtain scholarships for college and pursue professional careers. Her former students, Jessica Fernandez, appeared as a finalist and toured with “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 2 and Kameron Bink appeared in the top 10 as a finalist and toured with “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 3. Her students have also toured with Jennifer Lopez and Brittany Spears, have appeared in music video’s with  Jennifer Lopez and No Doubt, performed at The Academy Awards, MTV Music Video Awards, VH1 Video Awards, and danced with the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and various college teams.  Tammy’s goal is to develop your child physically, mentally and emotionally. While encouraging her students to strive for success, she emphasizes learning proper technique and learning to love the art of dance to instill positive self esteem in all of them.

CINDY GROSSMAN

Miss Cindy studied with the American Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theatre. She also performed with both groups for a period of nine years.

She performed such ballets as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and Giselle, at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in New York city. Miss Cindy has taught at several schools in Florida as well as guest teaching throughout the United States. Dance Gallery is happy to have such an experienced person in Ballet.

MICHAEL LITTLEFIELD

Michael originally comes to us from Boston, MA. where he got his training from Bill Fowler, Jeannette Neil and Boston Ballet as well as Broadway Dance Centre. He has traveled throughout the world in such shows as: Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, Tokyo Disneyland’s One Man’s Dream, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hello Dolly, and many review shows in Atlantic City. He has choreographed for NBC’s hit show Ed and for dance recording artist, Sean Ensign. He most recently was the assistant director to Cocadance in St. Louis and has choreographed award winning routines for studios across the Midwest and East Coast. He also judges for many dance competitions across the U.S.

VIRGINA MENDEZ

We are extremely happy to welcome back "Miss Virginia" as our Belly dance teacher. She teaches all levels of belly dance from beginning to advanced, organizes master classes and continues to study the dance, history and culture in order to continue to grow as an artist and teacher. She has been in many theatre and video productions as a soloist and principal dancer including "Legends of Our Times", "Infinito", "Saweh" and "Emerald Dreams." She has also been featured on television shows such as "Deco Drive", "The Times", "Despierta America" and "Jugando con Fernandeo." She has performed for the Saudi Arabian Royal family in Miami. She looks forward to working with all of you!!

CRYSTAL KARAGINIS PEATTIE

Miss Crystal Karaginis Peattie began her formal ballet training with The Florida Ballet School in Palm Harbor, FL and attended intensives at the Ailey School, Orlando Ballet, and The Graham School. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the New World School of the Arts where she had the chance to perform works by Merce Cunningham, Michael Utoff, Robert Battle, Gerard Ebitz, and John McFall. She has danced with local professional companies such as Freddick Bratcher & Co, The Playground Theatre, and E.Magine Dance Ensemble, performed at the Here and Now Festival in works by Rosie Herrera for Rudi Goblen, and along side The New World Symphony with choreographer Luis Cuevas. She is currently a member of Miami Contemporary Dance Company and teaches ballet to students of all ages in the Miami area.

SONIA PRIDEAUX

We are very happy to welcome back "Miss Sonia" to our ballet program. She studied both performing and teaching of dance at the London College of Dance in England where she graduated as a teacher of dance in ballet, modern, national folk and elementary tap. She then performed on board "Costa" and "Carnival" cruise ships and later moved to Florida. "Miss Sonia" has taught creative dance at schools both in London and in the United States for many years. She is looking forward to working with our students once again.

ERICK SANTANA

Master Performer Erick Santana is one of the leading forces in the Zumba Dance Fitness World. Erick has proven over and over again that he is an effective Zumba Instructor every time he teaches class. Once you have taken a class with Erick , you will see why he is at the top of his class. Erick's classes have a simple formula - Dance - Get fit - and have fun. Erick focuses on each participant taking the class - personal attention is something Erick strongly believes in. Getting results in fitness while having fun is key in his classes. For more information about Erick or his Master Class Seminars, please contact him here. Check out his website: www.zumbawitherick.com

JULIE PAPPAS SMITH

Miss Julie will be directing our Musical Theatre department.  Miss Julie  has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Musical Theatre and is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music. She has had an extensive professional career spanning the world with the Broadway companies of A CHORUS LINE, BEAUTY and the BEAST and SHOWBOAT to singing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Dancing and singing for most of her life, Julie has begun to train young performers in the art of dance and theater, choreographing, directing and setting up dance programs in New Hampshire at the Bedford Youth Performing company. She and her husband,  made their way to Miami last September and has since been choreographing and directing at the Miami Childrens Theater and will begin teaching and choreographing at the University of Miami this fall.  She has studied all forms of dance.  Miss Julie is a certified Zena Rommett Floor Barre instructor as well as Pilates and Zumba and continues to study as well as perform

HEATHER VARSALLONE

Heather is a Florida native, who started her dance career at the age of 4.  She is a graduate of the Palm Beach County School of the Arts, where she majored in dance and minored in theatre.  Her specialty is Hip-Hop, combined with her broad dance background, creating an edgy style and unique choreography, which sets her aside from the standard.  Heather has also taught break-dance, Capoeira, Lyrical, Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Samba, Lambada, Meringue, Salsa, Modeling, And Singing, as well as other techniques.  Heather travels to perform and teach at workshops and venues throughout the country. As a performer she is best known for her fearless character- the first to test the most impossible tricks, which gives her an edge that isn’t easily duplicated.  She has been in various videos, such as Fire Burning, Sexy Robotica, Always Strapped, Make it Clap and others.  We welcome Heather to Dance Gallery.

 

 

BOUTIQUE AND OFFICE STAFF

Customer Service Representative:  Mary Kelly
Secretary:  Sumey Gil

Office Assistants: Melanie Perez-Montoya, Sabrina Martinez, and Kenny Silva

GUEST TEACHERS

 

EDWIN HOLLAND

Edwin is a well known dance instructor He is a member and master teacher of Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America. His unique style and intense energy is extremely exciting and his classes are enjoyed by students of all ages. We are very lucky and look forward to working with Edwin again.

JUDY ANN BASSING

We are very lucky to continue to have "Miss Judy" as one of our Master guest teachers. She is a well-known international teacher and choreographer. "Miss Judy" is a world traveler and has choreographed and taught master classes in France, Spain, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Scotland, Slovenia and Germany as well as numerous major dance organizations in the United States. "Miss Judy" has been a Jazz and Tap guest artist for the Joffrey Ballet School, Tap, Jazz and Acrobatics artist for Jo Jo's Dance Factory and has been a faculty member for Hines and Hatchett Performing Arts Center in New York City to name a few. Many of "Miss Judy's" students are performing on Broadway and in the national tours of major musical productions. She has received "The San Diego Circle Critics Award" for "Best Musical Choreography for the Lawrence Welk Theatre's production of Sugar and is the recipient of six Los Angeles Drama Logue awards for Director/Choreographer. Welcome back "Miss Judy".

DEBBI DEE

"Miss Debbi" has earned the honor of being referred to as a "teacher's teacher." A Master tap technician and exciting stylist, her tap technique and choreography is known worldwide. She has appeared on teaching platforms for every major American dance organization and has extended her influence internationally as a guest teacher in Japan, France, South America and throughout Canada. "Miss Debbi" has performed professionally as a soloist on Broadway, Lincoln Center, Las Vegas, USO Shows, and nightclubs as well as performing on television, and has many movies to her credit. She has held the title of Choreographer, Dance Captain, and Assistant Choreographer to many off-Broadway productions as well as industrials, fashion shows, professional and community theaters. She has held faculty positions in New York at Broadway Dance Center and has worked with legend Henry LeTang. She is a special guest choreographer and master teacher for special projects at Walt Disney World and continues to give her own Tap Intensive Seminars in Florida. She has been a pioneer in the dance video market as her technical and educational videos are training aides for teachers and students throughout the world. As a [professional dancer, teacher, private coach or choreographer, she has worked on Broadway, Lincoln Center and in theatre, nightclubs, movies and TV with some of the biggest names in show business. Her professional reviews have often compared her to Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller, yet she has a magical style of her own. The "Debbi Dee tradition" continues as she challenges herself and others to be the best they can be. She is often copied, but never duplicated. "Miss Debbi" is truly born to tap. We welcome back "Miss Debbi" as a master tap guest teacher!

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