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Ballet Bootcamp (Ages 6-18)
June 22 - 25
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Ballet Bootcamp (Ages 6-18)
June 22-25
Ballet Bootcamp is for dancers looking to jump start their summer performance and/or training plans. The curriculum includes Classical & Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary, Graham, Commercial Jazz, Technique, Heels, Lyrical, Stretch & Strength, Leap & Turn, and more.
The faculty are from: Universities and conservatories such as Juilliard, NYU Tisch, SAB, Ailey, Marymount, and Joffrey; Dance companies such as New York City Ballet, ABT, and Complexions; and Theater including Phantom, Romeo and Juliet, and Fosse.
• Sun. Morning, Mon.-Wed. Evenings
• Click => 2025 Schedule
• 3 Levels: 11&under, 12-14, 15+
• Faculty set level & any changes
• Contact studio for individual days
• Tuition must be paid in advance
• Bootcamp required for team
• Click Register below to enroll
Faculty
Brian started dancing at the age of five at Susan's Dance Unlimited in Kernersville, NC with Susan Bodsford. After a few years of jazz, ballet, acro and tap, Brian extended his training by attending the Preparatory Program at the NC School of the Arts (now University of NCSA) with Dayna Fox and Nina Danilova in nearby Winston-Salem, NC. At twelve, the Gephart family moved to Chattanooga, TN where Brian got his feet wet with Musical Theatre at Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts under Allan Ledford, while spending both holiday seasons in TN as the 'Little Boy' in the Nashville company of Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Drawn to the ballet, Brian ultimately returned to NCSA in the high school program as a freshman Dance Major, where he had the privilege of studying under Dean Susan McCullugh, Kee Juan Han, Warren Conover, Nina Danilova, Clara Cravey, Anna-Marie Holmes and the late Melissa Hayden.
After graduating from NCSA’s high school program in 2007, Brian joined Houston Ballet II for one season where he worked closely with Claudio Munoz and performed numerous works with Houston Ballet II in addition to several works with the main company. In 2008, Brian joined the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago under Ashley Wheater, having the privilege of performing works from choreographers such as Balanchine, Taylor, Robbins, Lubovitch, Wheeldon, and the Snow Prince in Arpino/Joffrey’s “The Nutcracker”. In addition to dancing with the Joffrey, Brian started branching out with teaching around Chicago and Midwest and exploring choreography on fellow dancers in the company (Dance Chance: Redux Choreography Award 2009) in addition to working with/on other companies and schools. In 2011, Brian joined the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada for two seasons, where the company traveled across Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver, before moving to NYC where he in now based.
Upon arrival in the city, Brian has been enjoying all the opportunities presented in front of him between both the concert dance and musical theatre worlds. Aside from enjoying roles as Mistoffelees in "CATS" and Larry in "A Chorus Line", Brian has gotten to originate roles in NYC based MorDance, works by Jeremy McQueen and new creations by LA's Barak Ballet ("soloist Brian Gephart in particular excelled"- LA Times on Barak's E/Space in 2017), with many other opportunities in between. While simply going with the flow and enjoying the opportunities to just DANCE, Brian is excited to see what is in store and what other opportunities present themselves to help him expand and grow as an artist.
​Brian finished touring the states and Canada with the 1st National Tour of "An American in Paris" by world renowned director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon in Summer of 2018, and has hence started his higher education studies at Columbia University's School of General Studies. After spending the pandemic with family and teaching/guest performing with Chattanooga Ballet in Chattanooga, TN, Brian can still be found performing at the Metropolitan Opera in addition to dancing in various performances around New York City.
Grace Buckley grew up dancing in and around New York City before heading to Colgate University. Since graduating from Colgate in 2007, Grace has dedicated her time to working and training as a dancer in NYC. Grace has performed as a member of DeMa Dance Company in Brooklyn, NY, Willow Oak Contemporary Ballet in Louisiana, and recently returned from touring with Rasta Thomas’s Bad Boys of Dance. When she is not traveling, Grace works as a guest teacher/choreographer around the country, most recently debuting her choreography at the Joyce Theater this past April. Grace remains a regular faculty member at Kelly Burke-Fitzpatrick’s Westchester Dance Academy as well as a guest teacher at studios in the NYC tri-state area and around the country.
Michael Cusumano grew up on Long Island, New York. He began dancing at the age of 6. At the age of 14 he won the bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, the youngest male dancer to medal in the competition’s history at the time.That same year he went on to win the special Jury Prize at the Prix de Paris 1994.
Michael then joined American Ballet Theater at age 15, the youngest male dancer in the company’s history, where he danced in all the full-length classics as well as works by Twyla Tharp, John Neumeier, Agnes DeMille, and Lar Lubovich to name a few.
After ABT, Michael danced as a principal with Alabama Ballet, then as a soloist with the Boston Ballet. He went on to perform in the original cast of All Shook Up on Broadway, then most recently starred as “the jury” in the smash hit Chicago the musical on Broadway. Michael competed and won the title of "Mr.Broadway" in the Broadway Beauty Pageant in 2011. Other credits include The Most Happy Fella at New York State Theater, On the Town at Encores, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Today’s Show, ABT Now for PBS, Le Corsaire for PBS, feature film Center Stage. Michael frequently teaches at Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Arts at City Center, the Peridance Center, and is currently on faculty at Pace University.
Jenny LeProtto started dancing at age four, studying all forms of dance including tap with Mike Minery (Tapaholics, Slide, American Tap Festival, JUMP Director) and performing works by Ray Leeper (So You Think You Can Dance Choreographer, NUVO Director). While she trained in all forms of dance, Jenny's current fortes are teaching tap, hip hop and jazz, as well as teaching all styles of dance for young children. Jenny is best known for her tap choreography. She was recently recognized by American Dance Awards for many of her tap, jazz and lyrical pieces. Jenny’s work has been described as “intricate, polished and exciting!” Jenny is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a major in Education.
Amanda Molina completed her early dance training at The Dance Academy of North Jersey where she received a diverse dance education with Jason Luks, Jaclyn Walsh, and Sharon Hockstein. Upon graduating high school, she attended SUNY Purchase. She recently graduated summa cum laude with a BFA from their Conservatory of Dance. While attending Purchase, Amanda performed works by Rosalind Newman, Rena Butler, Roderick George, Dorchel Haqq, Doug Varone and Jason Reese Cianciulli. She was also selected to study abroad for a semester at London Contemporary Dance School. Amanda has furthered her training at summer intensives including Joffrey Ballet School, Steps on Broadway and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for three years. She is currently a Peridance Contemporary Dance Company member, where she has performed works by Igal Perry, Jessica Lang, and Nicholas Palmquist.
Elisabetta Spuria started her professional career as a dancer and choreographer, working as associate choreographer and assistant director for artists such as Mariah Carey and Michael Bolton. Elisabetta was assistant choreographer, dance captain and performer in theater productions including “Footloose”, “Nights on Broadway III”, “Carmen”, “Candide” and “Aida.” She assisted directors and choreographers AC Ciulla, Michele Assaf, Josh Bergasse, and Terry Beeman; choreographed regional productions of “SPRING AWAKENING,” “HEDWIG and the Angry Inch,” “HAIR,” “CHICAGO,” “The Who’s TOMMY,” and “TESS A New Rock Opera.” Elisabetta was nominated for an NYIT award for her work in “disOriented” and has been a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in NYC.
Ashley Gallotto began dancing at young age, primarily training at The Dance Academy of North Jersey. Ashley teaches all styles of dance as well as acro and aerial silks! Her dances have been recognized for their technique, performance qualities and choreography by many leading competitions.
Jenna Kulacz, a multi-disciplinary artist originally from Westchester, New York, graduated summa cum laude from Elon University with a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography. As a professional dancer, Jenna has performed with notable companies such as Pilobolus, EMERGE125, Gaspard & Dancers, and Christal Brown’s INSPIRIT as a soloist in Arts Across America: A Live Virtual Performance at the John F. Kennedy Center. She has worked with a variety of New York project-based companies in performances including the Harlem Dance Festival and with AThomasProject at Bryant Park Summer Performing Arts Series. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Jenna has danced works by notable choreographers and companies including Yoshito Sakuraba, Gallim Dance, and NW Dance Project. Most recently, she performed at the Delacorte Theater in the Public Theater's production of 'The Tempest' for "Shakespeare in the Park". She thoroughly enjoys teaching and choreographing and is particularly skilled at nurturing younger dancers. She is currently a company member with EMERGE125, a dance educator and choreographer at Westchester Dance Academy, an assistant for New York City Dance Alliance, and a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer.
Terk Lewis, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artist in Residence, joined Complexions in 2010, performing works by Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Jae Man William Forsyth and Marcelo Gomes. Terk has taught at The Joffrey Ballet School, Marymount Manhattan University, Western Michigan University, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey Extension Program, American College Dance Festival, NYCDA, The Pulse, and Complexions intensives. After training with the City Ballet of San Diego and River North Chicago, Terk received his BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University where he performed in works by Ron De Jesus, Frank Chavez and Antony Tudor. "I believe greatness resides in Terk Waters. He is not just a really good dancer but a dancer rare for his generation." - Darrell Wood, Critic, NYC Dance Stuff
Jourdan Epstein is a professional freelance dancer based in NYC. Ms. Epstein has been a member of Complexions contemporary Ballet, Bad Boys of Dance, The Metropolitan Opera and Company XIV. Jourdan was an original cast member and Dance Captain of the World Premier of Prince of Egypt and featured in Art On Ice with James Blunt. She was a finalist on Season 11 of SYTYCD, has danced in national commercials, music videos, and television spots and will be dancing in the 2020 In The Heights feature film. Jourdan Epstein began her dance training at Summit School of Dance and won 1st place at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix. While training at Ballet Arts Minnesota, Jourdan received a scholarship to attend the Walnut Hill School. Jourdan has studied at ABT, The Juilliard School, Kirov, Kaatsbaan International Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet. Jourdan earned her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School.
Mia DiLena, a professional dancer from Toronto, received her Certificate of completion in 2009 from The Ailey School (home to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater). There, she worked with several multi-award winning faculty including Camille A. Brown, Pedro Ruiz and Milton Myers. Mia was one of the few student dancers selected to perform with the Alvin Ailey Company at New York City Center Theater as part of the company’s 50th Anniversary featuring Oprah Winfrey as honorary chair. After graduating, Mia was accepted into the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Springboard Danse Montréal directed by Alexandra Wells. Here she had the chance to work with many prestigious choreographers and companies like Margie Gillis, Ballet Jazz de Montreal and RUBBERDANDance. Prior to her post-secondary education, Mia received the Proficiency Award in Dance from Etobicoke School of the Arts. She also passed her Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Advanced 1 Ballet Exam with Distinction, and was accepted into the distinguished National Ballet School of Canada summer intensive. During Mia’s time as a competitive dancer, she won several regional titles and top overall awards at American Dance Awards and other competitions. She also won a 1st place full scholarship for an exchange program to study ballet in Genoa, Italy in her final year of high school.
Mia was chosen at an audition for the role of Gracie Shinn in Disney’s The Music Man starring Kristen Chenoweth and Matthew Broderick. Later, she played the lead youth dancer in the Bravo! Fact film, From Time to Time, directed by Moze Mossasnen and choreographed by Ginette Laurin. Mia has danced in several Toronto based dance companies including Helix Dance Project, directed by Linda Garneau, Conteur Dance Company, directed by Eryn Waltman, and Bridge To Artists, directed by Vlad Novitski. Mia was invited to dance with Bridge Dance Concepts, directed by Derrick Yanford, at the EDANCO International Contemporary Dance Festival in the Dominican Republic. She has also been featured in music videos, including Heaven by Blake McGrath, Time’s Up by Aleesia, and Graceland by Allan Rayman. As well she performed for Aleesia at the CityTV’s New Year’s Eve Bash at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
Originally from Utah, Mattie Love is a 2023 Chita Rivera Award Winner for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway show. Her credits include Madonna’s The Celebration Tour, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, where she was an onstage dance captain, Wicked, The Christmas Spectacular, Fosse/Verdon, GMA, and New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square. Love is also honored to be a part of the Verdon Fosse Legacy.
Jordan Serrano, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, moved to New York City at 18. She worked closely with choreographers and teachers in the city in addition to touring with NYCDA. In 2016, Jordan joined Nevada Ballet Theater in Las Vegas. She has completed six seasons with NBT, where she was privileged to dance featured roles in ballets including Paul Taylor's "Company B," Jorden Morris' "Peter Pan," Ben Stevenson's "Swan Lake" and Septime Weber's "Alice (In Wonderland)," a soloist in the companies "Studio Series," as well as expanding her Balanchine repertoire, including "Serenade," "Western Symphony," and "Slaughter on 10th Ave." Jordan was a guest dancer in Odyssey Dance Theaters "Thriller." She has also performed in collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, including "A Choreographers Showcase" at Mystere Theatre and "One Night for One Drop," performing Alexander Ekman's 'Swan Lake', at 'O' Theatre, nationally televised by CBS. Jordan most recently was on faculty at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre as the director of their contemporary program.
Jourdan Epstein is a professional performer, choreographer and educator based in NYC. After graduating from NYU with a degree in Dance Medicine and Science, Jourdan joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet under Direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson where she danced for four seasons. Jourdan has since explored the worlds of concert dance, dance on camera, and musical theater both in front of and behind the scenes. Ms Epstein was in the original cast of The Prince of Egypt, where she served as Dance Captain, she assisted Andy Blankenbuehler on choreography in Only Gold Off Broadway, and works closely with Marguerite Derricks. Her television credits include: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Dispatches from Elsewhere, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Tonight Show, Evil, The Flight Attendant, NBC Upfronts and The In The Heights movie. Other company credits include: The Metropolitan Opera, Bad Boys of Dance, Company XIV and The Radio City Rockettes. Jourdan is on faculty at The Joffrey Ballet School in NYC and Complexions Academy, it is her joy to share her love of movement through performing, educating and choreographing whenever she gets the chance.
“I can’t imagine a stronger group of faculty for up-and-coming dancers than the DANJ's Ballet Bootcamp teaching staff. These are the types of educators that helped me achieve my dreams!!” — Brandon Cournay (Mark Morris Dance Group, KEIGWIN + CO., Juilliard Graduate)
As a guest faculty and choreographer at DANJ, I am so excited for all the dancers who will be attending Ballet Bootcamp and learning from this amazing faculty.... it's going to be awesome!!!!!” — Ashley Lindsey (Limón Dance Company, UNSCA Faculty and Graduate)
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