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Our Mission at Dance Works is to deliver high quality dance education in a fun, nurturing, yet disciplined and challenging atmosphere affordably. Our mobile studio's goals are to welcome and inspire dancers at every level of interest, from recreational to professional track, to reach their fullest potential. We support dancers development technically, artistically, athletically, and emotionally while promoting dedication, hard work, fostering friendships and encouraging creativity. We offer a safe, inclusive and non-competitive environment with experiences that build confidence and benefits that last a lifetime.
Dance Works is a proud member of the National Dance Education Organization and the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. We are a Chapter of the National Honors Society of Dance Arts whereby students are recognized for their outstanding artistic and academic achievement in grades 6-12 with educational, leadership , community outreach and networking opportunities. We will recognize and induct students while helping to advance the field of dance education. There is opportunity to receive the gold Honor Pin and wear the blue and white Honor Cord and/or Medallion at graduation.
Wendy Wood Barletta is the Founder, Executive & Artistic Director, Instructor and Choreographer for Dance Works since 1999. She has evolved Dance Works, now recognized for its broad repertory, development of the whole dancer and for a vision that keeps dance, fitness and creativity alive affordably in our community. Wendy began her dance-teaching career at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1982, where she received her BFA degree in Dance from the 5-College Dance Department. She remains a Guest Artist to the Dance Department and advisor, helping current Dance Majors to set & achieve their career goals. Wendy has a performance degree though her concentrations were aligned with Dance Education, Choreography and post-graduate work in fitness. Wendy has performed, taught and choreographed for all ages and levels in New York, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Canada and in Europe. She studied with Alvin Ailey, Bella Lewitsky, Luigi, Gemze de Lappe and many other well renowned dance pioneers and their disciples. She brings well-rounded experience to her classes. Many of her students have gone on to perform professionally in movies, TV and on stage. Others have entered into dance teaching, dance therapy and other dance and fitness related fields. Wendy emphasizes fun in her classes, while teaching proper technique and alignment and overall body strengthening and flexibility. She provides a creative and rewarding learning environment to help each dancer develop her own style. In addition to her degree in Dance, Wendy is an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Licensed Zumba® Instructor and Certified CPR/AED.
Etrita Abddullahu danced professionally with the National Ballet of Kosovo for four years and was part of seven premier shows. In 2017 she decided to move to New York, where she participated in American Ballet Theater & Joffrey Ballet School intensives. In 2020 she graduated from the Joffrey Ballet School - Trainee Program, and she will graduate from New Jersey City University in Spring 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While in New York, Etrita has danced with Joffrey Ballet School, The Coleman School of Dance, Illuminations Dance Company, Michael Mao Dance Company, Dance Works Fundraiser Showcase and others.
Jen Lancaster has over 20 years experience teaching and choreographing for dancers of all levels, recreational to competitive. She graduated from Towson University with a B.F.A in Dance Performance and immediately started performing with the Stephanie Powell Danse Ensemble in Baltimore, Maryland and then most notably, performed with :Pushing Progress under the direction of Calen Kurka in New York City. During her time in the city, Jen also studied anatomy and massage at The Swedish Institute. It is through her knowledge of human anatomy and her experience performing that she is able to help her students grow both technically and artistically. In each class she teaches, Jen creates a fun learning environment that also challenges her students to push their own boundaries, realizing they are capable of more than they think.
Devyn Ciccio-Rauf is a New York City based dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Devyn grew up in New Jersey, studying dance, tumbling, and singing. At eighteen-years-old, Devyn migrated to New York, where she later graduated from Marymount Manhattan College. By twenty, Devyn was dancing professionally with companies such as StubbornMVMT and Open Dance Ensemble. She moved up through the ranks and soon found herself as ODE’s Artistic Director and Head Choreographer. When Devyn isn’t pursuing her own career, she can be found educating the upcoming generation of dancers, cheerleaders, and acro tumblers.
Paul Herman at a young age performed on local community stages in the South Bronx to worldwide stages in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. He has danced and collaborated with prominent international artists such as Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Sean Kingston, Rihanna, Sean Paul, Lil Wayne, Eve, and Ciara as well as other leading recording artists, producers, and choreographers. Additionally, Paul was a featured artist in Reebok’s “Your Move”, Staples “Back to School” global marketing campaign, “A Tribute to Motown” at Carnegie Hall, Good Morning America with Flo Rida, and Nick Cannon’s Red Nose Danceathon on NBC. Paul and his brother, Brian Herman, now share their passion with their professional dance company (Team Leggoo founded in 2011), dance convention (Y.A.R.D. Convention founded in 2013), and studio (Double Up Dance Studio founded in 2014).
David Fernandez is an Award-winning choreographer. His most acclaimed choreography, Five Variations on a Theme, was created for New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Joaquin De Luz. The work premiered as part of the acclaimed Kings of the Dance tour. It was performed to standing ovations in NYC, LA, London, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Kiev, and Odessa. Other notable choreography commissions include pieces created for leading dancers of the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Kings of the Dance Tour, Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, Youth America Grand Prix Gala Concert, and many others. David is an award-winning filmmaker: his latest dance-on-film accomplishments include the Los Angeles Olympus Film Festival Award for Best Public Service Announcement. David’s short, Moving Though It — Phases of an Emergency Through Dance, uses a revolutionary approach of making a public service announcement through dance. Ideated and directed by David Fernandez, the project was commissioned and sponsored by the NYC Emergency Management and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.
Allison Podolsky is a dancer, who started wiggling to show tunes at the ripe age of three. She is a graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Minor in Business. Allison’s favorite credits are the international tour of The Wizard of Oz, Dog Sees God (Tricia), Kiss Me, Kate, A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past) and All That Jazz (Liz). She has also worked on Broadway Cares' Gypsy of the Year and performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She is thrilled to be teaching for Dance Works again!
Dance Works produces an annual showcase that bridges the gap between local student performing companies and Manhattan professionals who gather in a non-competitive way to celebrate dance while raising funds to help change the lives of the community around them. Here are just some of the charitable causes we support: The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Breast Cancer, The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, The March of Dimes, The Children’s Cancer Fund, Avon Foundation’s Breast Cancer Crusade, Avon Foundation’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Campaign, The American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish, the Blythedale Children’s Hospital and The Little Angels Child Care Center. Dance Works students have performed for patients and residents at the Maria Ferrari Children’s Hospital, Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Hebrew Home for the Aged, The Osborn Home and for many other community services & events. We also produce an annual Student Choreography Showcase with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Valerie Fund, for children with cancer and blood disorders. Thus far Dance Works has raised over $95,000 in an effort to help save and improve lives. Fundraiser ticket sales and targeted workshop proceeds go to charity. This season our guest artist is the one and only iconic and world renowned PILOBOLUS!
This season our annual Nutcracker Excerpts & Holiday Showcase will take place, Sunday, December 5th 2pm. A portion of proceeds benefits the long-term care patients at the Blythedale Children's Hospital.
On December 6, 2020, due to Covid-19 our performance was virtual.
Come dance with us! Outdoor Dance Mini Camps, Classes & Workshops for grades K-12 in Harrison, West Harrison, Rye, Rye Brook and River towns. Private pods for all ages, levels and genres, outdoor and virtual. See "CAMP" section or call us for more information.
"I've been with Wendy and Dance Works since first grade and I am now a sophomore in high school. Wendy has become an important part of my life, not only teaching me the art of dance, but how to live and love life. I'm so thankful for Wendy's guidance, care, kindness, trust and love throughout my life. I love participating in our annual performances and the excitement and happiness that it brings me each year. I have so much fun in classes learning new techniques and being able to focus on dance and not all the stresses that life brings. I've enjoyed these 10 years so much. I have formed amazing friendships and I am so happy to be a part of such a loving dance family. I couldn't imagine being a part of a better dance community."
"You know that feeling you get as a parent when you find a teacher that just loves your child as much as you do? The one who gets just as excited as you do when they reach a goal or master a skill? That's the feeling I got from Wendy when she was teaching my dancer. She inspires her dancers to experience the joy she feels about dancing, and from that place of joy, they learn that anything is possible."
Contact Dance Works to purchase gift cards in any denomination for dance and/or fitness classes, for an entire season, a workshop, private lessons, for costume purchases for an individual, family member or for yourself. All gift certificates are valid for 1 full year.
Book a free consultation for private & semi-private instruction or class pod, dance or fitness party, events (girl scout patch, etc) or to discuss your choreography needs (weddings, sweet 16, bar/bat mitzvah, Quinceanera, etc).
BECOME A DANCE WORKS
INTERN INSTRUCTOR OR TEACHER’S ASSISTANT!
Dance Works is seeking young people in college and high school to join our 2022-2023 team of Instructors/Assistants. Earn internship or community service credit and build your resume or college application while learning about and supporting Dance Works from behind-the-scenes.
Intern Instructors and Teacher's Assistants (TA) will meet monthly throughout the academic year (in person and/or virtually), volunteer at performances and events, and serve as leaders within the
Dance Works community.
Application Due Date
Wednesday, September 28th
Teachers will be announced 10/1/21. Previous TA’s must apply to be considered for the 2022-2023 season.
Applications should express the applicant's point of view and are considered for content rather than grammar and spelling. It is important that applications are written by the applicants and are subject to rejection if written by others.
To apply, send an email to info@danceworks.us
with the following information:
(adults only)
* Note: Student TAs must be enrolled in at least one class.
Once your application is received and reviewed you will be contacted to set up an interview.
After you have been accepted into the program, we will base our meetings day/time on the group’s availability. Monthly meetings will be held both virtually and socially distanced in-person. Professional instructors will meet separately from our Interns/TA's.
Please send a good quality photo of yourself. If selected, we may post your photo on Dance Works website!
Job Responsibilities:
• Report to Director
• Employ Teaching Philosophy BMS (Body +Mind + Soul) and uphold Standards of Excellence
• Teach in person (and/or on line) curriculum in your specific genre to children ages 3-18
• Stage showcase piece (3-5 minutes) in the specific genre for each class for annual performance(s) including Winter Showcase/Nutcracker Excerpts, and March Recital.
• Attend staff meetings
• Educate staff, students, and parents on dance related topics.
• Assist with Dance Work's promotional activities
• Other duties as assigned
Preferred Requirements/Qualifications for adult instructors:
Candidates must have experience and love working with children of all ages, an outgoing and friendly personality, high energy, reliable, with the ability to commit to a set weekly schedule seasonally. Ideally seeking candidates with afternoon availability (approx 3-7pm) weekdays and Saturday mornings. Availability as needed for 2 Sunday performances (December and March).
Ongoing interviews
Professional development workshops & opportunities will be made available to all accepted into our program. Mandatory 2-hour workshop per month (non-performance months only). More information to follow during interview process.
All of our instructors are carefully selected, with background checks to instruct each of our classes.
Wendy Wood Barletta has developed teacher training workshops and a certification program embodying her teaching experiences that span over 30 years.
In response to COVID- 19 our teacher trainings are conducted in person and supplemented online as needed.
Dance Works Teacher Training Workshops and certification information will be published shortly. Check back frequently.
All Dance Works Teaching Staff must participate in workshops.
If you have questions about the opportunities available to you in our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our mobile studio is located wherever you are! We provide global Livestream classes via Zoom and currently serve in person classes in Harrison, West Harrison, Rye, Rye Brook & Tarrytown, New York. Invite us to your school, pre-school, town recreation program, gym or corporate facility.
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