Introducing
the Creative Team:
Matt
Saffron
Tap & Hip Hop Instructor/
Choreographer - National Tour
Tap Dog
Matt
Saffron is a Native of Morgantown, WV and has been dancing since the age
of six. He has had extensive training in tap, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop.
He won world honors as a member of the 2000 USA Tap Dance Team! Matt has
been the featured dancer and Dance Captain of the West Virginia Public
Theater's summer stock productions of Guy and Dolls, Will
Rogers Follies, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, Mame, Beauty and the Beast,
Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Chorus Line. Mr. Saffron has won numerous
prestigious awards for performing as a tap dancer. In addition he has
received Over-all High Score Honors and Cash Awards as a choreographer
and teacher. Matt had the pleasure of touring with the 10th
Anniversary Tap Dogs 2006 as a dancer and musician. Recently, in
Montreal, he performed as an original member of
Tap' d Out in their premier show!
Eileen
Grace - Reynolds
Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Rockette Experience, Musical
Theater
Eileen
Grace Noden grew up in Murrysville, PA she attended Franklin Regional
High School, and won the Miss Dance
of PA Title for PA Chpt #10. During her Senior Year she attended
Point Park University as an incoming Freshman.
After squeezing 4 years of college in by the age of 20 to receive
her BA in dance, she began traveling back and forth
on the old People's Express Airlines to audition in NYC. It didn't take
long before her Dad called the Miller's home to
let them know she would be late to teach at the studio on Monday because
she had captured a spot in the
1st National EquityTour of 42nd Street!
Eileen has appeared on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies (original
cast member and dance captain),
42nd Street, and in the international tour of My One and Only (with
Tommy Tune).
Her television credits include the Grammy Awards, the Tony Awards,
One Life to Live, the Today Show,
Good Morning America, Macy’s Parade, Christmas at Rockefeller
Center, the Kennedy Center Honors,
the Late Show with David Letterman, and Oprah.
Grace’s choreography credits include, On Your Toes, Guys and Dolls, My
One and Only (IRNE Award),
Crazy for You (IRNE Award), The Will Rogers Follies (IRNE Award),
Cabaret, Anything Goes, 42nd Street,
Annie Get Your Gun (starring Andrea McArdle), Fiddler on the Roof, and
the World Cup Opening Ceremonies.
She is currently a director/choreographer for Radio City Music Hall,
where she performed
as the center Rockette in both casts for eight years.
She is the artistic director for the Nationwide Rockette Summer
Intensive Program.
She also choreographed the Rockette appearances on Jay Leno,
Donnie and Marie, Oprah,
the Columbus Day Parade, and the Today Show.
She was honored at Point Park as a Distinguished Alum in 2003 and inducted into
the Dance Hall of Fame in Buffalo, NY.
Paul Reynolds
Acting, Stage Combat, Acting for Dancers,
Musical Theater
PAUL
IS A PROUD MEMBER OF SAG/AFTRA/AEA
FILM CREDITS:
DADDY DAY CARE w/
Eddie Murphy, WHITE OF
WINTER, STRIPTEASE w/
Demi Moore, A SCHIZO'S LOVE
STORY
TV CREDITS: GEORGE LOPEZ,
GOOD MORNING MIAMI,
THE STONES, DAN FINNERTY, NORM, GENERAL
HOSPITAL, HANG TIME, USA HIGH
STAGE CREDITS:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THOROUGHLY
MODERN MILLIE, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES,
SOUND OF MUSIC,
CRAZY FOR YOU, WEST SIDE STORY, OKLAHOMA!, BILOXI
BLUES, GUYS AND DOLLS,
FIFTH OF JULY,
DAMN YANKEES
Some favorite roles for Paul include Action in West
Side Story, Will Parker in Oklahoma!,
and Monsieur Darque in Beauty And The Beast.
TRAINING:
University of Miami / B.F.A.
Theater, Audition/Film
Technique w/ David Preston (LA),
Acting w/
Gene Frankel Studios (NY), Stuart Rogers (LA)
Joshua Sweeny
Ballet - Partnering - Variations -
Coaching -
Protege and Student of Mr. Peter Merz
Joshua
Sweeny is a recent graduate of Point Park University. He began his dance
training at Central Pennsylvania
Youth Ballet under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. He spent his last
semester of college in Paris
and planned to stay to begin his professional career, but a series of
family events changed all that.
He was the head R.A. of the summer ballet program at C.P.Y.B. for two
years and is First Aid and
C.P.R. certified through the RedCross. With many years of
experience in childcare
he looks forward to a fun year teaching at ReignDance.
Jenna Bartholme
Contemporary, Jazz Funk, Lyrical, Ballet
Miss Bartholme, is a
native of Clarkston,
Michigan, and a third-year student pursuing a bachelor
of arts degree at
Point Park University with a concentration in jazz
dance. She fell in love with dance at the age of two,
her raw talent and intensive training have created many performing
opportunities including solo work with the
prestigious Lakes Area Civic Ballet. Through her DMA background
Jenna has earned numerous titles, as well as
regional and national high score awards as a competition kid! At
age 17, she was the youngest one out of ten people
awarded a full scholarship for the summer "Dance with the
Force" program at the EDGE in Los
Angeles, California.
She has been fortunate enough to work with many well-known teachers and
choreographers in the professional world. Currently, Jenna works
with the dance convention MOVE, and is most recognized around the
country
as Kevin "Tokyo'
Inouye's bubbly blonde
assistant!
Peter Merz
Ballet - Partnering -
Men's Class
Peter began his dance training at the Schwartz
School of Dance in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, the official school of
the Dayton Ballet. Subsequently, he danced with the Dayton Ballet,
The Louisville Ballet, and later with the Cincinnati Ballet, performing
works by twentieth-century masters such as Eugene Loring, Ages de Mille,
Paul Taylor, and George Balanchine. Ballets choreographed by Mr. Merz
have been danced all over the US and in Europe, and he has taught at
schools around the country. He holds a B.F.A. in Theatrical Design
and Production from the University of Cincinnati. Before joining
the faculty at Point Park University, Mr. Merz served as the Artistic
Administrator for the USA International Ballet Competition if Jackson,
MS. He has also served on grant review panels for the Mississippi
Arts Commission.
Cynthia K. Ridler
Ballet Mistress - Variations - Pointe
Cynthia was born in
Anchorage, AL, and brought up in Salt Lake City, UT, where she studied
extensively with the renowned Willam F. Christensen. As a student,
Ms. Ridler received scholarships to train with Pacific Northwest Ballet,
the Aspen Summer Dance School and the Harid Conservatory. After
attending the University of Utah on the Christensen Scholarship for
Ballet, she joined the company of Ballet West and later the Cincinnati
Ballet. Throughout her career, Ms. Ridler was privileged to
perform for and work with such great contemporary choreographers as Paul
Taylor, Val Caniparoli, John Neumier, Mauricio Wainrot, and Kirk
Petersen. Her classical repertoire includes Swan Lake, Sleeping
Beauty, La Bayadere, Giselle, Paquita and Raymonda. Ms. Ridler
also had the opportunity to perform many of Balanchine’s great works
such as Theme and Variations, Who Cares?, Concerto Barroco, Symphony in
C, Agon, The Four Temperaments, Scotch Symphony and Divertimento #15.
Upon retiring, Ms. Ridler began to teach ballet full time while also
completing a degree in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati.
She and her daughter Lucy recently relocated to Pittsburgh from Jackson,
MS, where she owned her own ballet studio and served as ballet mistress
for the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, to be with her husband, Peter
LeBreton Merz. She is currently on the adjunct faculty at Point
Park University.
Julia
Ionodi
Ballet, Pointe, Children's Work, Pilates
James
Washington
Contemporary Jazz, Hip
Hop
Emma
Neal
Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical
Born
to Dance, Emma's mom is Patti Neal, owner and director of Dance
Spectrum... a legendary institution in upstate New York.
Emma is trained in all phases of Dance - bio to come
Heather
Ferri
Tap
I
was three years old when my parents bought me my first pair of tap
shoes. I never imagined the magical
journey upon which I would be taken by those shoes. As
my dancing improved, I began to enter contests
and received very positive feedback in the form of ribbons, and trophies
and verbal accolades.
Upon graduating from high school, I enrolled at Point Park University in
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania as a jazz dance major. It was during my university
experience at Point Park
I delved into musical theatre performance. I was smitten with the
theatre; upon graduation,
the lure of Broadway was irresistible. I immediately moved to New York.
The great tap master Jimmy Slyde, took time to work with me on the
technique and the art of "hoofing."
While he taught me so much on the dance floor, what was more important
was Jimmy listened to me.
I was amazed that I had found a soul mate in this legendary
"hoofer"; and my passion for
tap grew even stronger with his support and that of other world class
dancers, such as Buster Brown,
Henry LeTang, and Gregory Hines. These gentlemen acknowledged my talent
and hard work,
not with trophies as when I was a child, but with their genuine words of
appreciation and encouragement.
Directly and coldly, I was told the reason that I was denied a part, a
reality for which I was
completely unprepared. The people casting these shows rarely wanted a
female,
and if they wanted one woman, they wanted them to be African-American.
So, following their wonderful examples, I too began to teach.
All the joy and excitement I've experienced in dance and theater,
nothing compares to the
exhilaration of knowing that I've truly reached and helped
someone so I want to share with others what I've learned about
tap,
pilates, yoga, passion, anger, joy, fulfillment, and the path to
discovery. I want to teach.
Broadway
- Companies
- Soloist - Off
Broadway
- Industrials
Chashama Theatre , Hoofer, Tapping through Time
Henry Miller Theatre, Hoofer, Industrial
Tap Fusion, New York City
Pat Cannon Foot and Fiddle, soloist, New York City
North
Shore Theatre-Boston, Broadway Gala
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Caberet Gala Opening
Original
Tap Shows Written by Heather
1.
"Hoofer" produced by Civic Light Opera Cabaret
2. "Tap from the Past" tap history show, Pittsburgh Public Schools
3. "Health Matters" a 40 minute interactive dance /fitness show for students.
"Shoes",
Flatiron Theatre
"Let it go", Merce Cunningham Studios
"Tap Fusion", Dance Theatre Workshop
"The Road", Artist Network in New York
The Effie Awards, USA Today
Celebrax, San Fransisco
Hard Rock Cafe, Pittsburgh
Health America Show
Jazz Club-Doews on Ninth
Master
Teacher
Tap
faculty, Broadway Dance Center
, New York University (Cap 21) , Long Island University
Point Park University
, Richard E. Rauh Conservatory, Performing Arts Highschool (CAPA)
Jennine
Wedge (Alum)
All Genres of Dance
, Acrobatics & Gymnastics
Gianna Martello (Alum)
All
Genres of Dance and Acrobatics
Jessica Ice (Sr Co)
All Genres of Dance
and Acrobatics
Christine Ice
Business Manager
Sandy
Powers
Front Desk Manager
Rose Secola
Book Keeper
Melissa Zeigler
Receptionist/ Marketing
Elissa Miller
The Dressing Room
Kim Martello
The TightSpot
Marissa
Balzer
Contemporary, Pilates, Ballet & Pointe, Modern
Marissa
is
the Founder and Artistic Director of rEvolve Dance Theater. Her Company
debuted to rave reviews in April of 2007. Marissa is a graduate of the
Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and has her
BS in Dance from Point Park University. Marissa’s classes are always
innovative. She is beautiful to watch, a true inspiration to every
student. Her award winning choreography encompasses ballet technique,
modern, and jazz – she is most well known for her unique floor work
choreography. Marissa is an asset to our Team.
Jerry
Ross
Tap Tech, Musical Theater, Acro/ Gym
Mr.
Ross comes to us from the faculty of the prestigious Pittsburgh High
School for the Creative and Performing Arts. He is part of the amazing
Musical Theater Program where he teaches dance movement to singers and
actors. He is known for his innovative concepts in choreography in both
local and regional productions. Jerry is always prepared to step on
stage to perform when duty calls. Over the years, he has been featured
in musicals receiving rave reviews. Never one to be a starving artist,
Jerry is a pharmacist by trade with a degree from Duquesne.
Jennifer
Snyder Zeitler
Tap, Ballet/ Pointe, Jazz, Acrobatics, Gymnastics,
Stage stunts =
web, silks, combat, aeriel work
Jennifer
was our first Miss Dance of PA, 1992. She
was trained in all genres of dance at The Maryen Lorrain Dance Studio,
and as a thriving member of The Abby Lee Dance Company, she went on to
dance professionally for 12 years. Jennifer’s first job was dancing at
Busch Gardens, from there it was a rapid succession of famous theme
parks and luxury cruise ships, as near as Hershey Park and as far as
Europe. She has been to four continents and every one of our United
States, with long stints in Nashville, TN and Branson, MO. Dance
has literally taken her around the world. She is a multi-faceted
performer who can do a lot more than dance… she has been trained on
the Spanish Web, Taiko Drums, Trick Roping, Adagio Work and Flying
with Foy. Upon retiring from the spotlight, Miss Jen is now a Mrs. and
the very proud mom of Zachary! We are glad to have Jennifer back at the
studio where she brings years of experience and expertise!
Danielle Gray
Gymnastic Coach
A highly experienced gymnast with state and regional titles. Danielle began her interest at The Maryen Lorrain Dance studio for 8 years, and then trained as a competitive gymnast for 12 years. She holds several records for her performances as a gymnast, and has made a name for herself as a well accomplished athlete. Danielle is also USA Gymnastics Professional Instructor Member. Ms Gray is a full-time student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania pursuing a degree in Exercise Science and Sports Administration. She is also a Division II Track & Field athlete, currently ranked tenth in the state for long jump!
Sean Burke
Jazz
-Acrobatics - Tumbling
Sean
began his training 17 years ago under the direction of Marie Lynn
Varchulik, and the late Mark Marino. Sean's professional career began at
the age of 18when he was contracted by Opryland Entertainment. Since
then he has danced around the world on several major cruise lines as
well as major productions as Barry Manilow's Copa Cabana, The Carolina
Opry, and the longest running show in Las Vegas-Les Folies Bergere.
Growing up as a competitions kid, he is now in demand as a teacher and
choreographer, Sean's work has earned him numerous state, regional, and
national honors!
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