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Our Faculty & Staff
Karyn O'Toole
Artistic Director, Lead Teacher
Children's classes, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe
BA Special and Elementary Education, St. Joseph College, CT
MA Dance and Movement Studies, Wesleyan University, MA
Karyn joined the BDT in 1991 as a member of the teaching staff and served as Assistant Director for
many years. In 2004, she became the Artistic Director of the school. Prior to her involvement with the
BDT, Karyn directed two dance studios in Connecticut and also founded the Cromwell Civic Ballet.
She is a board member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA). She
studied with the American Dance Machine in NYC and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in
England. She has attended Cecchetti Summer Schools in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas,
Sarasota, and Hartford. She holds an Associate Diploma from the ISTD. In 2007, she successfully
completed her Grade 9 examination and earned her Licentiate from Cecchetti USA.
Artistic Director, Lead Teacher
Children's classes, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe
BA Special and Elementary Education, St. Joseph College, CT
MA Dance and Movement Studies, Wesleyan University, MA
Karyn joined the BDT in 1991 as a member of the teaching staff and served as Assistant Director for
many years. In 2004, she became the Artistic Director of the school. Prior to her involvement with the
BDT, Karyn directed two dance studios in Connecticut and also founded the Cromwell Civic Ballet.
She is a board member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA). She
studied with the American Dance Machine in NYC and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in
England. She has attended Cecchetti Summer Schools in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas,
Sarasota, and Hartford. She holds an Associate Diploma from the ISTD. In 2007, she successfully
completed her Grade 9 examination and earned her Licentiate from Cecchetti USA.
Amy Garner
Tumbling, Acrobatics
USA Gymnastics Certified Instructor; all levels
Amy is the head coach and assistant director of Adams Turners Gymnastics. She has 23 years of
experience as both an instructor and a competitor. She attends national and international
gymnastics camps, and has competed in the Bay State Games and at American Turners National
Competitions. This is Amy’s 7th year on the BDT faculty
Tumbling, Acrobatics
USA Gymnastics Certified Instructor; all levels
Amy is the head coach and assistant director of Adams Turners Gymnastics. She has 23 years of
experience as both an instructor and a competitor. She attends national and international
gymnastics camps, and has competed in the Bay State Games and at American Turners National
Competitions. This is Amy’s 7th year on the BDT faculty
Kristi Mancini-Segura
Jazz, Tap
BFA Dance from Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance, and Theatre, MA
Kristi began her dance training with Jo-Ann Galovotti in Palmer, MA, and continued with Jo Ann
Warren in Worcester, MA. After college, she studied in NYC at Broadway Dance Center and Steps.
She began her professional career in the European Tour of 42nd Street touring Vienna, Paris, Rome,
The Hague and venues throughout Germany. She then spent the next 12 years in Germany
performing in long running productions of CATS, MAMMA MIA and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING
TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. While in Europe, Kristi also taught tap and jazz and choreographed
many industrials and variety shows. This is Kristi’s 3rd season with BDT.
Jazz, Tap
BFA Dance from Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance, and Theatre, MA
Kristi began her dance training with Jo-Ann Galovotti in Palmer, MA, and continued with Jo Ann
Warren in Worcester, MA. After college, she studied in NYC at Broadway Dance Center and Steps.
She began her professional career in the European Tour of 42nd Street touring Vienna, Paris, Rome,
The Hague and venues throughout Germany. She then spent the next 12 years in Germany
performing in long running productions of CATS, MAMMA MIA and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING
TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. While in Europe, Kristi also taught tap and jazz and choreographed
many industrials and variety shows. This is Kristi’s 3rd season with BDT.
Jessica Gwozdz
General Manager
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Tumbling, Acrobatics, Equipment
BA Fine and Performing Arts with Theatre & Arts Management concentrations, MCLA, MA
Jessica began her dance studies at BDT in 1988. She soon realized her love of dance, and studied
ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and modern throughout her high school years. She also was a teaching
assistant and a member of Central Cast during that time. Jessica earned her BFA in Theatre Arts
and Arts Management from MCLA, and continued her training under D.J. McDonald and Chuck
Paquette while there. Jessica returned to BDT in 2000 as an office assistant and resumed her
dance training and role as a teaching assistant. She successfully completed Grade V of the
Cecchetti Ballet Exam program this past summer. Jessica now serves as General Manager of BDT,
and this is her second year on faculty.
General Manager
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Tumbling, Acrobatics, Equipment
BA Fine and Performing Arts with Theatre & Arts Management concentrations, MCLA, MA
Jessica began her dance studies at BDT in 1988. She soon realized her love of dance, and studied
ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and modern throughout her high school years. She also was a teaching
assistant and a member of Central Cast during that time. Jessica earned her BFA in Theatre Arts
and Arts Management from MCLA, and continued her training under D.J. McDonald and Chuck
Paquette while there. Jessica returned to BDT in 2000 as an office assistant and resumed her
dance training and role as a teaching assistant. She successfully completed Grade V of the
Cecchetti Ballet Exam program this past summer. Jessica now serves as General Manager of BDT,
and this is her second year on faculty.
Olivia Moran
Jazz, Tap
BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, NY; Registered Yoga Instructor, Frog Lotus Yoga, MA; 1-Year Massage
Therapy Program, Mildred Elley Business School (1,100 hours)
BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, NY; Registered Yoga Teacher, Frog Lotus Yoga; Mildred
Ellery Business School-1 Year Massage Therapy Program (1,100 hours); Olivia began her dance
career with the BDT at age 10 and continued her dance studies at Marymount Manhattan College,
earning her BFA in performing arts. During her college studies she earned a competitive
scholarship, as well as numerous academic awards. Olivia performed at several collegiate and
professional venues while in NYC, and also worked at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Canyon
Ranch. She has been on faculty for 8 years.
Jazz, Tap
BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, NY; Registered Yoga Instructor, Frog Lotus Yoga, MA; 1-Year Massage
Therapy Program, Mildred Elley Business School (1,100 hours)
BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, NY; Registered Yoga Teacher, Frog Lotus Yoga; Mildred
Ellery Business School-1 Year Massage Therapy Program (1,100 hours); Olivia began her dance
career with the BDT at age 10 and continued her dance studies at Marymount Manhattan College,
earning her BFA in performing arts. During her college studies she earned a competitive
scholarship, as well as numerous academic awards. Olivia performed at several collegiate and
professional venues while in NYC, and also worked at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Canyon
Ranch. She has been on faculty for 8 years.
Charles "Chuck" Paquette
Ballet, Modern
MFA in Dance Smith College, BFA in Dance SUNY Purchase, ADF 1977 and 1979
Chuck started dancing in Adams around age 18 at the Studio and in Pittsfield at the Berkshire
Ballet. After departing the Berkshires to further his studies he danced and taught in NYC, Boston
and throughout the Northeast and was Artist-In-Residence at Kansas State University. Some of his
performances include works by; George Balanchine, Martha Graham, José Limon, Lucas Hoving,
Murray Louis, David Gordon, Mel Wong and others. Some of his teaching venues include; MCLA,
Smith, Hampshire, and Williams Colleges, The Pioneer Valley Ballet, Amherst Ballet Theater, the
Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts in Natick and the Institute of Contemporary Dance in
Cambridge. Chuck and his wife Janice reside in Williamstown, he returned to teach at the BDT in
2008.
Ballet, Modern
MFA in Dance Smith College, BFA in Dance SUNY Purchase, ADF 1977 and 1979
Chuck started dancing in Adams around age 18 at the Studio and in Pittsfield at the Berkshire
Ballet. After departing the Berkshires to further his studies he danced and taught in NYC, Boston
and throughout the Northeast and was Artist-In-Residence at Kansas State University. Some of his
performances include works by; George Balanchine, Martha Graham, José Limon, Lucas Hoving,
Murray Louis, David Gordon, Mel Wong and others. Some of his teaching venues include; MCLA,
Smith, Hampshire, and Williams Colleges, The Pioneer Valley Ballet, Amherst Ballet Theater, the
Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts in Natick and the Institute of Contemporary Dance in
Cambridge. Chuck and his wife Janice reside in Williamstown, he returned to teach at the BDT in
2008.
Kimberly Ciola
Executive Director
Modern
BA in dance, Dean School of Dance at Dean College, MA
Kimberly first fell in love with the performing arts at a small playhouse in New Hampshire in 1990,
and since then has worked with numerous non-profit arts organizations throughout New England.
She has studied dance with such master teachers as Joan Phelps Palladino, Earl Moseley, and
various members of Diversity of Dance, Ron K. Brown/Evidence, Urban Bush Women, and Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theatre. She has performed in productions across New England, sharing the
stage with Savion Glover, Eartha Kitt, and Dave Brubeck. Kimberly was the Assistant Dance Director
of The Bedford Youth Performing Company in Bedford, New Hampshire from 2002-2006, and then
worked in the Education Department at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for the 2006 festival season.
Most recently, she was a faculty member at Kathy Blake Dance Studios in Amherst, New
Hampshire. She has also participated in the Dance Teachers Summer Conference in New York
City, and the Dance Excellence Convention in Los Angeles, California. This is Kimberly’s first year
as Executive Director and has loved getting to know the friends and families at BDT!
Executive Director
Modern
BA in dance, Dean School of Dance at Dean College, MA
Kimberly first fell in love with the performing arts at a small playhouse in New Hampshire in 1990,
and since then has worked with numerous non-profit arts organizations throughout New England.
She has studied dance with such master teachers as Joan Phelps Palladino, Earl Moseley, and
various members of Diversity of Dance, Ron K. Brown/Evidence, Urban Bush Women, and Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theatre. She has performed in productions across New England, sharing the
stage with Savion Glover, Eartha Kitt, and Dave Brubeck. Kimberly was the Assistant Dance Director
of The Bedford Youth Performing Company in Bedford, New Hampshire from 2002-2006, and then
worked in the Education Department at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for the 2006 festival season.
Most recently, she was a faculty member at Kathy Blake Dance Studios in Amherst, New
Hampshire. She has also participated in the Dance Teachers Summer Conference in New York
City, and the Dance Excellence Convention in Los Angeles, California. This is Kimberly’s first year
as Executive Director and has loved getting to know the friends and families at BDT!
Janine Parker
Ballet, Pointe
Janine Parker has been teaching for over twenty years. She has had a long affiliation with the
Boston Ballet School, serving as faculty member, Associate Principal in the Boston studio and
Assistant Principal in the Metrowest studio. For four years, Ms. Parker ran the Children's Dance
Extension Division at the Walnut Hill School for Performing Arts, a boarding school for pre-
professional dancers, musicians and artists. During that time, she was the Assistant Director for
Walnut Hill School's Summer Dance Program. From 2003-2005 Ms. Parker was the Artistic Director
for Pioneer Valley Ballet, located in Western Massachusetts. Currently Ms. Parker is the
director/teacher of The Ballet School at Bement, an after school program she started in 2007 in
Deerfield, MA. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. Ms.
Parker danced with various ballet and modern companies in Massachusetts, and continued to
perform character roles when she retired from dance. Ms. Parker is the former ballet critic for The
Boston Phoenix, and occasionally reviews dance for The Boston Globe.
Ballet, Pointe
Janine Parker has been teaching for over twenty years. She has had a long affiliation with the
Boston Ballet School, serving as faculty member, Associate Principal in the Boston studio and
Assistant Principal in the Metrowest studio. For four years, Ms. Parker ran the Children's Dance
Extension Division at the Walnut Hill School for Performing Arts, a boarding school for pre-
professional dancers, musicians and artists. During that time, she was the Assistant Director for
Walnut Hill School's Summer Dance Program. From 2003-2005 Ms. Parker was the Artistic Director
for Pioneer Valley Ballet, located in Western Massachusetts. Currently Ms. Parker is the
director/teacher of The Ballet School at Bement, an after school program she started in 2007 in
Deerfield, MA. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. Ms.
Parker danced with various ballet and modern companies in Massachusetts, and continued to
perform character roles when she retired from dance. Ms. Parker is the former ballet critic for The
Boston Phoenix, and occasionally reviews dance for The Boston Globe.
Marla Robertson
Hip-Hop
BA Anthropology & MA Urban Anthropology, University of Memphis, MI
Hip-Hop
BA Anthropology & MA Urban Anthropology, University of Memphis, MI
Julianna Kronick
Pre-Ballet, Tap/Jazz
Student Teaching Intern
Julianna is a 12 year student of Berkshire Dance Theatre. She recently completed the Grade VIII
Pre-Professional Ballet Exam through Cecchetti USA. Julianna has studied multiple disciplines,
including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap and acrobatics, and she has served as a teaching
assistant within the school for many years. She is a regular participant of dance workshops offered
by the northeastern chapter of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA). Her
dedication, artistry, and passion for dance has earned her several scholarships at BDT.
Pre-Ballet, Tap/Jazz
Student Teaching Intern
Julianna is a 12 year student of Berkshire Dance Theatre. She recently completed the Grade VIII
Pre-Professional Ballet Exam through Cecchetti USA. Julianna has studied multiple disciplines,
including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap and acrobatics, and she has served as a teaching
assistant within the school for many years. She is a regular participant of dance workshops offered
by the northeastern chapter of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA). Her
dedication, artistry, and passion for dance has earned her several scholarships at BDT.