DANCENTER FACULTY |
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Jennifer Buono, Ballet
Jennifer Buono was introduced to ballet, jazz and tap at a very young age. She began studying under Delia Foley of the Mohawk Valley Ballet. Jennifer is a member of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London and completed up to the Intermediate Level in the RAD, including both ballet and character dancing. Jennifer has attended summer programs at Briansky Saratoga Dance Center, Boston Ballet, and the Kirov Academy in Washington D.C.. Jennifer has studied under highly esteemed and repected instructors and dancers during her studies, and was introduced to modern choreography, African, Spanish, and hip hop styled of dance, in addition to ballet.
Jennifer has danced in various productions such as the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Celebration. She has danced the role of Spanish Chocolate and THe Dew Drop Fairy in the Nutcracker and has even had the unique opportunity to partner with Devon Carney formerly of the Boston Ballet, among dancing other lead roles in various ballets. Jennifer works full-time for Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. in Utica Ny as a Prevention Counselor in area middle and high schools and also currently holds an MBA in Technology Management from SUNYIT.
Christy Cannistra, Modern, Hip Hop, Ballet
Christy Cannistra grew up in central New York and completed her
ballet studies under The Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus.
She has performed roles in The Nutcracker, which include:
Spanish, Doll, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy. Also, performed in
the ballets Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella.
Christy attended the Boston Conservatory where she earned a BFA in Dance.
At the Conservatory she danced in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, African and Musical Theater
productions. Christy danced professionally in Boston with Triiiplethreat Hip-Hop group
and opened up for artists including “Fabolous” from Def Jam recording Artists.
After dancing professionally she went back to school and received a Masters Degree
in Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Over the last 10 years
Christy lived in Boston teaching dance and drama for the Boston Public Schools,
local dance studios and after-school programming. Christy recently moved back
to the Utica area and is excited to be teaching students in the Utica City School
District as the magnet coordinator for Watson Willams Magnet Elementary School and
the Dancenter.
Cristiana Cavallo, Tap
Cristiana Cavallo has been dancing since 1994, first at Step with Jodianne and then at Dancenter in New York Mills. She is a senior at Notre Dame High School, where she serves as NJROTC Company Officer, Drill Team Leader, Student Council Representative, National Honor Society Member, and a volunteer math tutor. She has assisted Carrie Putrello in teaching primary ballet and tap classes and has led groups of children and adults in jazz and tap classes. For several years, she took part in dance competitions for groups and solos at regional conventions, and recently enjoyed dancing in the HPYT production of Cats. She was selected to participate in the 2008 NYSSSA Modern Program in Saratoga Springs and the 2009 Joffrey Jazz/Contemporary Program in New York City. Currently, Cristiana is a student at Munson-Williams-Proctor School of Dance and is preparing to pursue a dance and academic curriculum in college.
Nicole Rocci, Modern, Jazz, Ballet
Nicole was classically trained in the RAD ballet
syllabus by Delia Foley at Mohawk Valley Ballet.
Nicole spent summers studying with Boston Ballet,
Columbia City Ballet and American Repertory Ballet.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology with high honors from
Syracuse University where she also obtained all dance
major credits through a bridge program with Hamilton
College. Upon her arrival in New York City in 2001,
she completed the professional scholarship program
at Peridance International performing works by Igal
Perry, Richard Rivera and Yugi Udon. Her professional
credits include Saba Dance Theater, Mariana Bekerman
Dance Company, Figments Dance Ensemble, Meriminne
Dancers, Undertoe Productions and Push Factor Dance
Company. She has taught dance at various private
and public schools throughout the five boroughs of
NYC. She was also a master teacher at the 2006
DanzJam Convention and Competition in Peabody, MA.
After seven years in NYC, she is excited to be home
and bring her dedication and love of dance back to
the Mohawk Valley! Nicole is also a guest teacher and choreographer at Hamilton College.
Carrie Putrello , Director: jazz & ballet
Carrie has earned scholarships from prestigious schools
including North Carolina School for the Arts, San Francisco
Ballet School, and Ballet Aspen in Colorado. She danced
professionally with the Santa Monica Dance Company
for many years and was a showgirl in Osaka and Nagoya
under the direction on Ben Lokey. Ms. Putrello received
her education through the School of Creative and Performing
Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio and the University of Cincinnati.
Ms. Putrello has been a guest teach at Munsun Williams
Arts in Utica, NY and Absolute Dance in Auburn, NY.
Carrie opened the DANCENTER in 1998 and has since created
a quality dance school where students have fun and
learn to become better dancers.