DANCENTER FACULTY
Jennifer Buono ~ Ballet
Christy Cannistra ~ Modern, Hip Hop, Ballet
Cristiana Cavallo ~ Tap
Nicole Rocci ~ Modern, Jazz, Ballet
Carrie Putrello ~ Director




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.










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