Faculty

Our professional faculty is experienced in the Steffi Nossen Method, nurturing their students’ passion for dance in an organized, structured and proven curriculum.

The Steffi Nossen School of Dance’s professional teaching faculty members are leaders in the field of dance education. Our instructors are highly trained dancers and choreographers with extensive performing and teaching experience. They create a safe, nurturing and accepting environment where students of all shapes, sizes and abilities can experience the joy of dance and benefit from its inherent discipline. Pre-professional and recreational dancers are trained with equal enthusiasm. Using the proven Steffi Nossen Method, our faculty encourages artistic expression while building a solid technical foundation.

SHELLEY K. GRANTHAM

Executive Director

SHELLEY K. GRANTHAM

Executive Director

Shelley Grantham Nierenberg, Executive Director of The Steffi Nossen School of Dance in White Plains, NY since 2016. Shelley had previously been The School at Peridance Capezio Center’s Coordinator since 1999 along with the Director of the Peridance Youth Ensemble since 2000. Originally from Minneapolis, MN Shelley started her dance training at Dance Arts Center and Ballet Arts. She furthered her dance education at the Conservatory of Dance at Barat College, DePaul University, Chicago, IL receiving a BA in Dance and graduating with honors in 1997. While in Chicago she taught at North Shore School of Dance and choreographed for the musical theatre department at Loyola Academy. Shelley also performed with the Barat Repertory Dance Company, working with Rory Foster, Eileen Cropley, Emily Stein and Julie Cartier. After moving to New York City she began dancing and performing with two independent companies, Danielle DePersis and Dancers and Deborah Damast and Dancers along with choreographing for a Tap group, Fiddle Faddle Feet. Shelley has been teaching and choreographing for schools in Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey and New York for over 25 years, teaching Jazz, Modern, Tap and Composition. Shelley coordinated all out-reach efforts for both not-for-profit dance companies at Peridance, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and the Peridance Youth Ensemble for over 15 years, working closely with organizations such as University Settlement, Dancers Responding to AIDS, Free Arts and NY Cares. Shelley is a Facilitator for the Department of Education in New York City, helping develop dance curriculum for the classrooms of NYC public schools along with working closely with Dance Education Laboratory, 92nd Street Y as a Facilitator in Training. Shelley believes she is the person and educator she is today because of her strong family and very supportive dance teachers throughout the years. She cherishes every moment she is able to give back to the dance community and arts education.

Shelley teaches Jazz, Composition and Conditioning classes in our Conservatory classes, Summer Dance Camp, Dance Intensives, and Boot Camp.

KRISTINA TODD NELSON

School Director | Young Movers

KRISTINA TODD NELSON

School Director | Young Movers

Kristina Todd Nelson, Steffi Nossen School Director, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in voice performance from Brevard College in Brevard, NC where she began her career teaching dance for its community program.   She is a graduate of the Harkness Dance Center Education Laboratory program and is a certified Pilates mat instructor. Kristina has been a faculty member at Brooklyn Ballet, Dance Project of Washington Heights and has also taught at 92nd St Y and Peridance.

Kristina started training in ballet and modern dance at a young age in Ohio and South Carolina. Her performing career began in college with leading roles in opera and musical theatre.  Professionally, she danced for Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre and in numerous Off-Broadway shows in New York. Kristina previously managed the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries education program.

Kristina teaches Parent & Toddler classes in our Dancing Tots program, Creative Movement in our Young Movers program, and Story Book Camp in our Summer Programs. She also teaches Story Book Dance/Creative Movement classes at the White plains and Chappaqua Libraries and Briarcliff Nursery School in our Outreach programs.

JESSICA DIMAURO MARKS

Artistic Director | Master Class

JESSICA DIMAURO MARKS

Artistic Director | Master Class

A Steffi Nossen alumna, Jessica DiMauro Marks holds an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Her company, DiMauro Dance (dimaurodance.com), has been performing for over nine years. Ms. DiMauro’s choreography has been seen at venues throughout the Tristate area including The Alexander Kasser Theater, The Abrons Arts Center at Henry Street Settlement, The Works Studio, Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre/The Academy, The Crystal Theater in Norwalk, CT, Steps on Broadway, The Theresa Lang Theater, the Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Peridance Center, The Music Conservatory of Westchester, The Arts Exchange and The Irvington Town Hall Theater. DiMauro Dance has been selected to perform at numerous festivals and curated showcases including White Wave’s COOL NY Dance Festival, The HATCH Presenting Series, Dance Conversations at The Flea, CT Meets NY, Queens Arts Express, and New Dance Downtown. Ms. DiMauro is on faculty at Montclair State University as a professor of Dance Technique. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and a Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. She was the recipient of an Arts Alive Artist Grant for the year 2007 from The Westchester Arts Council for her work titled “com-mu-ni-ty”.  In addition, Ms. DiMauro produced Unraveled at the Merce Cunningham Studio in April of 2011, Confetti: A Collection of Works by Jessica DiMauro at The Producers’ Club Theaters and her choreography was also seen at the 2004 International NYC Fringe Festival in Granola! The Musical at The Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts. Jessica teaches Junior Master Class and Master Class II in our pre-professional program, as well as Boot Camp during our Summer Programs. As the school's Artistic Director, Jessica produces our annual Choreography Showcase, Benefit & Community Concerts, and Gala performances.

ALYSSA FULMER

Company Director | Young Movers | Core Jazz | Ballet Technique

ALYSSA FULMER

Company Director | Young Movers | Core Jazz | Ballet Technique

Alyssa Fulmer, originally from Easton, Pennsylvania, graduated magna cum laude with a BA in dance from Point Park University. Since graduating, she has been happily teaching modern, ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz to children and young adults in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. When not teaching, she can be seen performing with many artists in the New York City area and beyond. Alyssa loves being able to pass on her love for dance in a fun yet educational environment. Alyssa is our Company Director and teaches Creative Movement and Ballet/Tap in our Young Movers program. Additionally, she teaches Core Jazz, Ballet Technique,  Story Book Camp, and Ballet in Dance Camp during our Summer Programs.

JUDITH ROSS

Community Relations Director

JUDITH ROSS

Community Relations Director

Judith Ross oversees all Steffi Nossen Outreach and Adaptive Dance Programs along with all After-School and In-School Enrichment Programs; she also manages the organization’s marketing. She was responsible for the creation and development of the School’s Moving Wheels and Heels program for people with disabilities which began with Moving Wheels and Heels in 2003 and formed the basis of our dance classes for people with disabilities including Parkinson’s and Cerebral Palsy classes; Outreach Disabilities Classes in Greenburgh and New Rochelle schools, SPARC (Special Program And Resource Connection), Cardinal McCloskey Services,  Yonkers Recreation, and Mt. Kisco-based Hidden Treasures;   Sanctuary sheltering homeless and runaway teens; pre-schools and elementary schools in four communities; area libraries;  and classes sponsored by White Plains Youth Services, Carver Center in Port Chester,  and Theodore D. Young Community Center. Judy works with community and school personnel to develop programs and curriculums to meet their needs, select appropriate faculty, set schedules, and oversee and evaluate the programs progress. In her Marketing role, Judy writes and manages all press releases and School and Foundation announcements. An important part of her job is maintaining relationships with area print and online advertising and editorial representatives. Judy oversees advertisement design and placement with all print and online marketing. Judy holds a BA from Brandeis University and taught elementary school in the New York City and East Ramapo school districts until she started a family.  After a period as a stay-at-home mom, which included volunteer activities in her town and PTA including legislative activities, intern placement and tutoring, she re-entered the workforce as an employment counselor.  She became involved in the Steffi Nossen organization through her children, joining the staff as assistant to the Executive Director in 1982.  Since then her role has grown, overseeing both the organization’s expanding Outreach Program and its Marketing efforts.

CHRISTA CHEPURNY

School Administrator And Marketing Coordinator

CHRISTA CHEPURNY

School Administrator and Marketing Coordinator

Christa Chepurny is the School Administrator and Webmaster at Steffi Nossen School of Dance. She began working at the school in 2022. Christa currently manages the daily activities of the office including registrations, incoming inquiries, financial aid, and maintaining the Mindbody Database. She also develops marketing plans, updates and maintains the website and manages the school’s social media presence across several platforms.

ANNIE DOSS

Master Class

ANNIE DOSS

Master Class

Annie Doss began teaching at Steffi Nossen in 2006. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and is currently pursuing her MS in Movement Therapy at Pratt University.  A Steffi Nossen alumna with many performing credits, Ms. Doss has also presented her own choreography at the Theresa Lang and Red Room Theaters, Dance Theatre Workshop (DTW), SUNY Purchase, and Peridance Center. She is a founding member of DiMauro Dance and a Certified Pilates Instructor. In addition to her role as faculty member and choreographer at Steffi Nossen School of Dance, Ms. Doss is also a member of the Faculty at Trapeze School New York.

COURTNEY MURRAY

Young Movers | Core Modern | Core Ballet

COURTNEY MURRAY

Young Movers | Core Modern | Core Ballet

Courtney Murray originally from Colorado, where she danced professionally for six years and trained for twenty, in virtually every style. She has been a company member of Rogue Dance CO., The Schiff Dance Collective, Blue Moon Dance Company, Sammy J. Dance and a current member of Borne Dance Company. She was chosen for Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program where she received the Best Choreography Award for her year. Her choreography has been featured at Boulder Creek Festival, The Schiff Dance Collective showcases, Blue Moon Dance Company performances, Christopher Palacio Dance Project, Peridance Capezio Center’s Faculty and Student Showcase, and dance competitions. Courtney started assisting and teaching her own classes at 17 and quickly fell in love with teaching dance to kids. She has taught techniques from ballet to hip-hop at studios, middle schools and high schools throughout Colorado. She moved to New York to pursue a dance career in 2014. Courtney loves the feeling of making a difference in a child’s life whether by passing on her love and knowledge of dance or cheering her students on while they play “Freeze Dance” to Disney music. She is so excited and honored to be a part of the Steffi Nossen School of Dance. Courtney teaches Ballet and Modern in our Core Program, and Creative Movement and Ballet/Tap in our Young Movers program.

Courtney Copper

Ballet Technique & Pointe

Courtney Copper

Ballet Technique & Pointe

CAREN VALENTE

Core Modern

CAREN VALENTE

Core Modern

Caren Valente holds a BA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College and was a member of the Steffi Nossen faculty for 14 years, teaching Core Modern and Jazz Technique. She is currently on the faculty of SUNY Purchase teaching Dance Fitness and is the Performing Arts Coordinator for the Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts. As a choreographer, Caren has choreographed musicals for Scarsdale High School, White Plains Middle School, Purchase Youth Theater and the Playgroup Theater. Caren’s performance career includes dancing with Kinetic Dance Theater, appearing as a dancer on the AMC Series “Into Character: Dirty Dancing”, and danced in the Off- Broadway Musical “Still on the Corner.” Caren is thrilled to return to the Steffi Nossen School of Dance and the Core Modern Classes in Chappaqua. Caren teaches Modern in our Core Program.

PAULETTE LEWIS

Jazz Technique

PAULETTE LEWIS

Jazz Technique

Paulette Lewis, a native Wisconsinite, holds a BA in Dance from Point Park University. Paulette is a performer, teacher, stage manager, and travel enthusiast. She began teaching at the age of 15 and has taught workshops at studios throughout Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York and has studied at multiple studios throughout NYC. Currently, Paulette is the Marketing + Communications Director for the CURRENT SESSIONS, a NYC based performing arts organization that develops and presents the work of emerging artists. Paulette is our former Company Director and teaches Jazz Technique.

Paige Sabo

Musical Theater | Jazz

Paige Sabo

Musical Theater | Jazz

Paige Sabo is a professional dancer, actor and singer based in NYC. She recently toured the nation with the National Tours of South Pacific and An American in Paris (US Lise Dassin). Other credits include: In The Mood (Swing Dancer/Dance Captain) National and Australia Tours, The Music Man (US Zaneeta) and Peter Pan (Lost Boy/Jane) at North Shore Music Theatre. She is also a proud company member of AlmaNYC, a dance collective in NYC. Paige grew up studying dance in Seattle, WA and received her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona.

DYLAN BAKER

Tap

DYLAN BAKER

Tap

Dylan Baker is a New York City based dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist. After growing up in the boondocks of Wisconsin and earning a BFA in Dance at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Dylan moved to NYC to pursue his dance career. Apart from creating his own works, Dylan can often be found dancing with David Parker and The Bang Group, Matthew Westerby Company, and the Covenant Ballet Theater of Brooklyn. When Dylan is not on stage or in rehearsal, it’s likely he is in the classroom. With experience teaching a range of subjects from tap dance to science class, Mr. Baker has taught kids and adults of all ages and is ecstatic to be joining the amazing family of students and educators here at Steffi Nossen School of Dance! Dylan teaches all of our Tap classes as well as the Boys Movement classes.

Tiffini Jones

Hip Hop

Tiffini Jones

Hip Hop

Tiffini Jones is an eclectic dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer based in New York City. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where she began her training at age 3. In 2015, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Goucher College with a concentration in Dance History and Performance. She then earned her Master of Arts at NYU Steinhardt in Dance Education with a track in Teaching Students K-12 in 2017. Since graduating, she has pursued the dance field on many fronts, especially under the tutelage of Kim Elliott as her Student Teacher, Guest Choreographer and Teaching Artist for her students at The Beacon School, Demonstrator and Assistant Rutgers University, and Rehearsal Director for Kim Elliott Dance. Tiffini also teaches as a substitute at Steps Youth Program. She is so excited and grateful to teach at the Steffi Nossen School of Dance, and thanks the faculty and staff for this opportunity!

SILVANA LARKIN

Adaptive Dance & Outreach

SILVANA LARKIN

Adaptive Dance & Outreach

A graduate of Manhattanville College, Silvana Larkin holds a BA in dance/theatre with a concentration in dance therapy. She has studied locally and performed for Gabri Crista of the Bill T Jones Company and Carlos Orta of the Jose Limon Dance Company. Mrs. Larkin has been with Steffi Nossen since 2004, teaching creative movement and ballet throughout Westchester to mainstream and special needs populations. She became a certified ZUMBA instructor in 2011.

WENDY MORSEBERGER

Parkinson's Dance

WENDY MORSEBERGER

Parkinson's Dance

Wendy Morsberger, trained at School of the Dayton Ballet and Buffalo Ballet Center, eventually making her way to the Royal Ballet School.  After a performance career, culminating in the Royal Ballet (England) and Frankfurt Ballet (Frankfurt, Germany) taught ballet, pointe and injury prevention at Boston Ballet, Harvard and more dance schools in Boston and Westchester. A trained physical therapist holding an MS in Physical Therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute of Health Professionals, Wendy has trained in the acclaimed Mark Morris Dance for PD program in Brooklyn, NY.

JESSICA RIZZO STAFFORD (Guest Faculty)

Jazz

JESSICA RIZZO STAFFORD (Guest Faculty)

Jazz

Jessica Rizzo-Stafford is a native New Yorker and graduate of NYU Steinhardt's Dance Education Master’s Program; with a PK-12 New York State Teaching Certification. Her double-concentration Master’s Degree includes PK-12 pedagogy and dance education within the higher-education discipline. She also holds a BFA in dance performance from the UMASS Amherst 5 College Dance Program where she was a Chancellor's Talent Award recipient. Jess now works extensively with children, adolescents and professionals as choreographer and teacher and conducts national and international master-classes specializing in the genres of musical theatre, modern, contemporary, improvisation and choreography-composition. Jess’ national and international performance career includes: The National Tour of Guys & Dolls, The European Tour of Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Salute to Dudley Moore at Carnegie Hall, guest-dancer with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and IMPULSE Modern Dance Company. Jess has been a faculty member for the Perichild Program & Peridance Youth Ensemble & taught contemporary and jazz at the historic New Dance Group and 92nd Street Y in NYC. She was Company Director at the historic Steffi Nossen School of Dance/Dance in Education Fund and in 2008 traveled to Uganda where she taught creative-movement to misplaced children. The experience culminated with Jess being selected as a featured instructor at the Queen's Kampala Ballet & Modern Dance School. She has conducted workshops for the cast of LA REVE at the Wynn, Las Vegas and has been on faculty at the IDS International Dance Teacher Conference at The Royal Ballet in London, UK as well as the annual Dance Teacher Web Conferences. Recently, Jess has served as adjunct lecturer to the Mason Gross School of the Arts-Rutgers University Dance Department and is a faculty member at the D'Valda & Sirico Dance & Music Centre. She has completed her NYU Master’s thesis research on the choreographic process of technically advanced adolescent dancers and is the creator of “PROJECT C;” a choreography-composition curriculum for the private studio sector. She is also master teacher & adjudicator for various national and international dance competitions. Jess is the Chief Editor for the DanceTeacherWeb.com Blog and also serves as faculty member, contributing writer and presenter in the choreography and “how to” teaching segments on the celebrated DanceTeacherWeb.com. Jess teaches Jazz technique during our Boot Camp session offered exclusively to Master Class students in our Pre-professional program. For more info, visit her website at www.jrizzo.net.

ALEXANDRA WILLIAMSON (Guest Faculty)

Horton

ALEXANDRA WILLIAMSON (Guest Faculty)

Horton

Alexandra is a graduate of Montclair State University. A recipient of the Dance and Theater Department Service Award , she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Minor in Musical Theater. After recovering from a back injury, Alexandra took interest in Pilates. It was recommended to her to help keep her body healthy and injury free. Alexandra has her Pilates Certification from Steele Pilates and BASI Pilates. “Pilates is a great way to cross train for any physical activity. You relieve stress, gain flexibility, and leave class feeling taller!”. She currently dances for DiMauro Dance Company and Moe-Tion Dance Theater . She is also on staff at Union County College where she teaches Dance. Alexandra teaches Horton technique during our Summer Dance Intensives and Boot Camp. She also set choreography for Dance Theater Group in 2019.

SPENCER POND (Guest Faculty)

Jazz Technique | Musical Theater

SPENCER POND (Guest Faculty)

Jazz Technique | Musical Theater

Spencer Pond is a freelance dancer based in New York City, and founder of The American Jazz Company, a concert dance company dedicated to preserving and expanding the art of the American dance form. He has enjoyed performing for audiences everywhere from beer gardens in Queens to the Minskoff Theatre with choreography by James Kinney, Sue Samuels, Christopher Jackson and others. Originally from Hartford, CT, Spencer trained in classical ballet under Samantha Dunster and Jazz under the tutelage of Darlene Zoller. Spencer has now been apart of our Summer faculty for 2 years, teaching Repertoire and Jazz technique in our Musical Theater programs. He is also the choreographer for Jazz Ensemble 2019!

DESIREE ERRICO (Guest Faculty)

Ballet Technique

DESIREE ERRICO (Guest Faculty)

Ballet Technique

Desiree Errico has danced professionally for both contemporary and classical ballet companies throughout NY. Ms. Errico’s performing highlights were with the Eglevsky Ballet where she danced both Soloist and Principal roles. Desiree also had the privilege to work with Ali Pourfarrokh, David Howard, Bob Rizzo, Alfred Obersteiner, Lenore Wall, and Kathy Scholz. Desiree received her primary ballet training from world renowned ballet coach, Maggie Black. She also spent several summers studying with the New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Furthermore, Desiree is a certified Pilates Mat instructor and has taught at Broadway Dance Center, 92 Street Y/Harness Center, and Peridance. She started her own fitness based Instagram and launched her own YouTube channel, “Dansique Fitness.”

Desiree teaches Intermediate Ballet, Advanced Ballet, and Pointe II in our year-round Technique Program, and Ballet technique during our Summer Dance Intensives.

INDAH WALSH (Guest Faculty)

Modern

INDAH WALSH (Guest Faculty)

Modern

Indah M. Walsh has danced in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the US, and holds a B.F.A. in dance from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance and an M.F.A. in dance from Tisch School of the Arts. As an emerging choreographer, Indah Walsh has showcased work at venues and festivals including NYU Tisch School of the Arts, The Watermill Center, Take Root at Greenspace, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, Dixon Place, Spoke the Hub, Dance New Amsterdam, The American Dance Guild Festival, Triskelion Arts, and many others.  Her work has also been featured in California at the Dance and Movement Workshop for Educators as well as Backhausdance Platform Production in Irvine. Indah has taught and choreographed works for high schools, colleges, and dance conventions in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and California including: Peridance Capezio Center, Nevada Union High School, Taipei American School, Singapore American School, Dance and Movement Workshop for Educators, Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools Cultural Convention, Southwestern College, and NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Kelsey Emmett Buffer

Musical Theater | Jazz

Kelsey Emmett Buffer

Musical Theater | Jazz

Kelsey Emmett Buffer is a native of Stamford, CT and has trained in various styles of dance throughout the tri-state area. She attended SUNY Buffalo and graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Dance. While there, she performed with HT Chen, Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble, Music is Art Live and more. After moving to NYC, she spent a year performing and traveling the world on Regent Seven Seas, followed by various performances in NYC including Couture Fashion Week, Young Choreographers Festival, Project Dance, The Wild Project, Brooklyn Bowl, Little B's Big Holiday Wish and several Aerial performances. Kelsey has worked with ALMA NYC, a community driven dance company in which she climbed Kilimanjaro to support education in Burkina Faso. Kelsey is a teacher and company director at Locust Performing Arts Center in CT. She has also taught infant and toddler developmental classes in NYC. She loves working with students to help them achieve their individual goals and nurture their love for the arts!

ANGELA DECICCO (Summer Faculty)

Musical Theater - Voice

ANGELA DECICCO (Summer Faculty)

Musical Theater - Voice

Angela DeCicco discovered singing and a love for theatre at a very young age. She has served the Westchester community as a voice teacher following a career that includes performing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours and with many Regional theatres. In addition, Angela has performed as a soloist with symphonies in both the US and Europe. Ms. DeCicco has been honored to sing back up for artists such as Hugh Jackman, Mariah Carey, Barry Manilow, Harry Connick, Jr., Vanessa Williams, Gloria Estefan, Stephanie Mills and Broadway stars such as Patti LuPone, Billy Porter, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Liz Callaway, Keala Settle, and more! She has also been a member of Broadway Inspirational Voices Gospel choir for over 20 years. Angela is a graduate of SUNY Purchase where she was a voice major and received a BA in Music. Her desire to teach was influenced by her own extraordinary teachers: Jessie Landsberg, Marianne Challis, and Beverly Myers. Angela focuses on vocal health for all styles of singing including Musical Theatre, Opera, R&B, Pop, Rock, Jazz and Gospel. She works with her students on song interpretation, acting, and performance. She is dedicated to helping singers, dancers and actors of all ages and levels to achieve their goals by de-mystifying the act of singing; from basic technique-building to meeting the challenging demands of an 8-show week and rigorous rehearsal and touring schedules. Angela strives to bring the best out of each student and encourage enjoyment at all levels of singing-from the novice to the professional! Angela will join our team this summer, teaching Voice during our two-week Musical Theater Intensive and Kids Camp!

Annmaria Mazzini

Modern Technique

Annmaria Mazzini

Modern Technique

Annmaria Mazzini, is a New York City based dancer, choreographer, and  teaching artist. From Allentown, PA, she began her performing career in  local summer stock productions before earning her BFA in Dance from  the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. In  1995, she was invited to join Paul Taylor’s second company, Taylor 2,  and in 1999 she was promoted to the Paul Taylor Dance Company,  where she enjoyed a critically lauded twelve-year tenure as a principal  dancer, originating roles in Taylor classics such as Black Tuesday,  Changes, and Beloved Renegade, and performing leading roles in more  than 60 beloved masterworks on renowned world stages including the  Paris Opera-Garnier, London’s Sadlers Wells, and Herod Atticus in  Athens. As a teaching artist with the Taylor companies and the Taylor  School, she has taught technique, repertory, and history to students  and audiences of all ages and levels of experience, serving as a  répétiteur of works such as Esplanade, Airs, and Mercuric Tidings.  Annmaria has created choreography for the Steffi Nossen Dance  Company, Moving Youth Dance Company, New England Academy of  Dance, and for her own Mazzini Dance Collective, with whom she  performed at Carnegie Hall, the Battery Dance Festival, the Cape Dance  Festival, and in numerous self-produced, sold-out events. Annmaria  continues to perform as a soloist onstage and film, performing works  from a varied repertoire of her own choreography, in works by Margie  Gillis and Martita Goshen, and in duets with longtime Taylor partners  Orion Duckstein, Michael Trusnovec, and Francisco Graciano. Through  the mentorship of Ms. Gillis, she studies methods of improvisation,  performance, and conflict transformation, and dances with her  Montreal based Legacy Project, a small group of international artists  selected to learn solos spanning her fifty-year career. Annmaria enjoys  frequent collaborations with artist friends: musicians, photographers,  filmmakers, and poets, and starred in John Walter’s short film The Pink  Pony, and in multiple viral images created with Jordan Matter, including  the iconic cover photo of his bestseller, Dancers Among Us. An  accomplished jewelry maker, Annmaria’s Dancing Amulets, spellcrafted gemstone talismans, have been popular since 2006. She is the mom of  one young son and four cats. Annmaria teaches Modern as part of our Technique Programs.

CARRIE DEMOS (Guest Faculty)

Boys Movement & Core Jazz

CARRIE DEMOS (Guest Faculty)

Boys Movement & Core Jazz

Originally from Littleton, Colorado, Carrie Demos received her early training from Little Theatre Culture Center and is a proud graduate of Colorado State University (B.A. in Performing Arts-Emphasis in Dance). In her home state Carrie has performed with Louder Than Words Dance Theatre and taught with Canyon Concert Ballet, High Performance Dance Theatre, and the Colorado Ballet Department of Education and Outreach. Since moving to New York, Carrie has additionally performed with Community Dance Project and has continued to pursue her deeply seeded passion for teaching. A graduate of The Foundations of Dance Education, Dance Education Laboratory at the 92nd St Y, Carrie has served on faculty at the 92nd St Y Harkness Dance Center, and currently serves on faculty with Peridance Capezio Center’s Young Movers/PeriChild program. Carrie has additionally been honored to serve as a Teaching Artist for New York City Ballet Education, teaching NYCB curricula/residencies in New York City Public Schools and work with The New York City Department of Education in collaboration with the Dance Education Laboratory to further advance standards for dance education in grades K-8 by helping to train Pre-K educators by serving as a Co-Facilitator for the NYCDOE’s 2015 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Training and as an Adjudicator for their Arts Achieve Initiative. Also a certified Pilates Instructor (Kane School of Core Integration) Carrie continues to strengthen her own teaching by studying Kinesiology/Anatomy from master anatomist/teacher Irene Dowd and her most recent venture as an educator has included working with American Ballet Theatre’s Department of Educational Outreach in collaboration with The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School to pilot their first year of their Two-year-old Program, ABTots. Carrie is beyond elated and honored to join Steffi Nossen School of Dance this year!

ELI KABABA (Guest Faculty)

Hip Hop

ELI KABABA (Guest Faculty)

Hip Hop

Teaching Artist Eli “Mr. e” Kababa, author of “Hip-Hop to the Top” a curriculum used and implemented in New York City Public Schools by the 92nd Street Y’s Center for Arts Learning and Leadership. He directs Garden State Dance Project, a company devoted to community oriented arts and entertainment – his work has been published by Dancer Teacher Magazine. He has a natural ability to strengthen community bonds through focusing on the best hip-hop has to offer.

JILLIAN FOLEY (Guest Faculty)

Core Ballet

JILLIAN FOLEY (Guest Faculty)

Core Ballet

Jillian Foley grew up in Niskayuna, NY where she got her dance training at Northeast Ballet Company, under the direction of Darlene Myers. She graduated from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford with a BFA in Ballet Pedagogy under the direction of Stephen Pier, and two minors in Psychology and Performing Arts Management. While at Hartt, Jillian had many opportunities to work with classical and contemporary choreographers, and had the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam, The Netherlands to dance with the Henny Jurriens Foundation. Jillian performed in Amalgamate Dance Company’s Guest Artist Showcase with choreography by Amy Marshall in March 2016 and she recently choreographed and danced in Orpheé et Eurydice at Des Moines Metro Opera. Jillian teaches at Joffrey Ballet School in NYC among other studios in the area and dances with Amy Marshall Dance Company. She is very excited to join Steffi Nossen School of Dance this Fall! Jillian teaches Ballet in our Core Program.

NANCY LUSHINGTON

Artistic Advisor

NANCY LUSHINGTON

Artistic Advisor

Nancy Lushington holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Adelphi University. She has danced with May O’Donnell, Joyce Trisler, Theatre Dance Collection, and in Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” at Kennedy Center. Ms. Lushington serves on the Board of the O’Donnell Green Foundation for Music and Dance. She has taught master classes internationally and is a member of the faculties of Marymount College and Montclair State University. After two decades at Steffi Nossen as Master Class teacher, choreographer, and Artistic Director, Ms. Lushington continues as the school’s Artistic Advisor and dynamic faculty member in Moving Wheels and Heels, the school’s annual adaptive dance intensive.

Paula Alvarez

Young Movers | Core Ballet

Paula Alvarez

Young Movers | Core Ballet

Paula Alvarez, from Mexico City, began training at the Academia de Ballet San Angel Inn where she completed the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) syllabus with Distinction. Upon graduating high school, she moved to New York City to train at the Joffrey Ballet School under the direction of Era Jouravlev where she had the opportunity to perform in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker. Under the guidance of Stacy Caddell, Paula had the privilege to perform ballets choreographed by George Balanchine such as Walpurgisnacht, Stars and Stripes and Serenade. After completing the program at the Joffrey Ballet School, Paula started her career as a soloist for Menlowe Ballet in California. Currently, she is freelancing for different projects, as well as demonstrating for Steps on Broadway. Paula was part of the faculty at Joffrey Ballet School in the summer of 2018 and 2019. She taught the for the Children Program at Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. A firm believer in lifelong learning, she continues to expand her knowledge through teaching certifications, her most recent one being Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teacher’s Workshop in 2020. Paula’s greatest aspiration as a teacher is to share her love of dance with children of all ages and to continue to inspire and get inspired by the next generation of young dancers.

TAMI MELE (Guest Faculty)

Core Modern

TAMI MELE (Guest Faculty)

Core Modern

An alumna of NYC’s High School of Performing Arts, Tami Mele went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Adelphi University with Departmental Honors. Her performance credits include the Collective Dance Company, guest artist with DJ McDonald at Lincoln Center Summer Arts Festival, and the AIDS Benefit sponsored by Elle Magazine. Ms. Mele is on the Faculty of the Moba Dance Academy and the Oceanside Conservatory of Dance. She is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and teacher of kick-boxing. A faculty member and choreographer at Steffi Nossen since 1992. Tami teaches Tumbling, Modern and Jazz in our Core Program.

TARA LEVOCI

Core Modern | Adaptive Dance | Outreach

TARA LEVOCI

Core Modern | Adaptive Dance | Outreach

Tara Mazurek’s passion for outreach began as a young dancer performing at nursing homes, local charities, and elementary schools. She trained and performed with the Eastern CT Ballet Company, where she was the first student to be asked to teach for the school at just 18 yrs old.  After receiving a BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan, she performed professionally in musical theater and cheerleading. She then continued in outreach as a teacher, bringing dance to after school elementary programs in CT, creating a ballet program for the Hasidic community in Brooklyn, and teaching at studios in Manhattan and the tristate area. Recently relocated to White Plains, she loves working with organizations in Westchester through Steffi, serving adults with special needs and preschool students. Tara teaches our Moving Wheels & Heels classes in our year-round and summer Adaptive Dance programs, Ballet & Tap combo class, and classes throughout our Outreach Programs.