DANCENTER FACULTY
Christy Cannistra ~ Modern
Alyssa Dibrango ~ Modern, Jazz, Tap
Kayla Snyder ~ Hip Hop
Jamie Sitera ~ Ballet
Carrie Putrello ~ Director

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. Christy lived in Boston teaching dance and drama for the Boston Public Schools, local dance studios and after-school programming. Christy has also taught for the Utica City School for Watson Willams Magnet Elementary School.

Check the link out of my students dancing!
www.wktv.com
video from the news

Check out the Utica OD, they made the front local page and there are more photos online!
www.uticaod.com

Alyssa Dibrango

Alyssa began dancing at the age of three, under the direction of Carrie Putrello of Dancenter, where she took classes in ballet, modern, tap and jazz. Alyssa has attended numerous competitions, conventions and workshops including New York City Dance Alliance, Co Dance, Tremaine, Starpower, Hall of Fame Dance Challenge and many others. She graduated from the State University of New York College at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications (concentration in Production) and minored in Dance. While at SUNY Oneonta, Alyssa was a member of the Terpsichorean Dance Company (TERPS) and choreographed three performances. She was also a member of the Oneonta State Dance Team. During her college tenure Alyssa served as a teacher assistant for beginner jazz and modern classes and helped manage backstage for the classes biannual performance showcase. Currently, Alyssa teaches jazz, tap and modern at Dancenter and works as a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant in the Utica City School District.

Kayla Snyder, Hip Hop

Joining our faculty in the upcoming year is Kayla Snyder. Kayla graduated top rank from Madison, Oneida County Boces with a degree in Criminal Justice. She was also captain of the Cheerleading team. She currently attends Utica College and is pursing a degree in Recreation Therapy. She is a member of their dance organization A.I.M. (Africa In Motion) in which they concentrate on Hip-hop and incorporate other styles of dance. We are happy to have Kayla with us.

Jamie Sitera, Ballet

Jamie Sitera is on the faculty at the Dancenter specializing in the Royal Academy of Dance (ballet) syllabus , was the Magnet Specialist for Watson Williams (Utica City School District) for 19 years and served as both an Assistant Principal and Principal in the Utica District. She currently works at OHM BOCES in the Programs and Professional Development department focusing on Arts-in-Education. Mrs. Sitera has a Master's Degree in Dance Education and a Certificate of Advanced General Studies. She also is the Artistic Director of the Leatherstocking Ballet and has choreographed the Sauquoit School musical for the past 7 years.

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 of 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 teacher at Hamilton College, 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. Carrie has brought advanced jazz, lyrical and ballet pieces to national competitions winning special awards in choreography, technique, intensity, precision and entertainment. Carrie is also a board member of the Leatherstocking Ballet Company.