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| 2010-2011 Faculty & Staff |
Ashley Duquette (AD)
Hip-Hop
BS Psychology, Suffolk University, MA
Ashley began dancing at the age of three and joined BDT as a student at the age of 8. She received
her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Suffolk University in Boston, where she joined the Suffolk
Dance Troupe in order to continue her love for performance and exploring various dance disciplines.
She began teaching dance at a youth center in Boston's North End, and there realized a connection
between movement and the children's rise in self-esteem. A year later, Ashley began a program for
Dance/Movement Therapy at Columbia College Chicago. She is currently working towards
completing her thesis to receive her Master's Degree in the field. She loves working with students
and helping them to connect to the rhythm of hip hop infused movement. This is Ashley's first year on
faculty.
Hip-Hop
BS Psychology, Suffolk University, MA
Ashley began dancing at the age of three and joined BDT as a student at the age of 8. She received
her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Suffolk University in Boston, where she joined the Suffolk
Dance Troupe in order to continue her love for performance and exploring various dance disciplines.
She began teaching dance at a youth center in Boston's North End, and there realized a connection
between movement and the children's rise in self-esteem. A year later, Ashley began a program for
Dance/Movement Therapy at Columbia College Chicago. She is currently working towards
completing her thesis to receive her Master's Degree in the field. She loves working with students
and helping them to connect to the rhythm of hip hop infused movement. This is Ashley's first year on
faculty.
Kristi Mancini-Segura (KS)
Dance Introduction, Dance Sampler, Musical Theatre
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 third season with BDT.
Dance Introduction, Dance Sampler, Musical Theatre
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 third season with BDT.
Jessica Gwozdz (JG)
Operations Manager
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, 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 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. She returned to BDT in 2000 as an office assistant and
resumed her dance training and role as a teaching assistant. She successfully completed Grade VI
of the Cecchetti Ballet Exam program last summer. Jessica is a Vice President of the Connecticut
Chapter (#20) of National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA). This is Jessica's ninth
year on staff, and 15th year as a student and performer.
Operations Manager
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, 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 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. She returned to BDT in 2000 as an office assistant and
resumed her dance training and role as a teaching assistant. She successfully completed Grade VI
of the Cecchetti Ballet Exam program last summer. Jessica is a Vice President of the Connecticut
Chapter (#20) of National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA). This is Jessica's ninth
year on staff, and 15th year as a student and performer.
Olivia Moran (OM)
Creative Movement, Ballet
BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, NY; Registered Yoga Instructor, Frog Lotus Yoga, MA
Olivia began her dance career with the BDT at age 10 and continued her dance studies in college
where she earned a competitive scholarship, as well as numerous academic awards. Olivia
performed at several collegiate and professional venues while in New York City, and also worked at
Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires. Olivia has completed the Mildred Elley Business School One-Year
Massage Therapy Program (1,100 hours), as well as a Thai Yoga Massage Course. She has also
created "Move with Me", a signature movement program for preschoolers. She has been on faculty
for eight years.
Creative Movement, Ballet
BFA Dance, Marymount Manhattan College, NY; Registered Yoga Instructor, Frog Lotus Yoga, MA
Olivia began her dance career with the BDT at age 10 and continued her dance studies in college
where she earned a competitive scholarship, as well as numerous academic awards. Olivia
performed at several collegiate and professional venues while in New York City, and also worked at
Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires. Olivia has completed the Mildred Elley Business School One-Year
Massage Therapy Program (1,100 hours), as well as a Thai Yoga Massage Course. She has also
created "Move with Me", a signature movement program for preschoolers. She has been on faculty
for eight years.
Charles "Chuck" Paquette (CP)
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 (KC)
Executive Director, Zumba
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 second
year as Executive Director.
Executive Director, Zumba
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 second
year as Executive Director.
Elizabeth Partin (EP)
Jazz, Tap, Pre-Ballet,Tap/Jazz
through college. Taking dance lessons in ballet, tap, and jazz wasn’t enough for her passion, and at
age 13 she began choreographing and soon after became an assistant dance teacher at The Ballet
School in Port Clinton, OH. By her senior year in high school she was teaching two jazz classes.
While attending college as a Communication & Business Major at Ohio University she took many
different dance classes, keeping dance a large part of her life. After college, she returned to her local
dance school and continued teaching Jazz classes until a relocation took her to Chicago for three
years. Now new to the Berkshire area she is excited to begin teaching at BDT!
Jazz, Tap, Pre-Ballet,Tap/Jazz
through college. Taking dance lessons in ballet, tap, and jazz wasn’t enough for her passion, and at
age 13 she began choreographing and soon after became an assistant dance teacher at The Ballet
School in Port Clinton, OH. By her senior year in high school she was teaching two jazz classes.
While attending college as a Communication & Business Major at Ohio University she took many
different dance classes, keeping dance a large part of her life. After college, she returned to her local
dance school and continued teaching Jazz classes until a relocation took her to Chicago for three
years. Now new to the Berkshire area she is excited to begin teaching at BDT!
Amy Garner (AG)
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 seventh 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 seventh year on the BDT faculty.
Kathleen Hakes (KH)
BA Psychology, UMASS Amherst, MA; AOS Culinary Institute of America, NY
Kathleen represents the roots of BDT, as a student of the original organization, the Brookfield School
of Dance. She has served as a dancer, teacher, board member, writer, choreographer, and
production manager throughout the years. As a professional chef, Kathleen has lived in China,
Sudan, and Kenya. She volunteered at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi, teaching ballet, music
theory, and production arts. She also taught Latin-style dances for Marriott International in Tianjin,
China. BDT is pleased to welcome Kathleen back on staff.
BA Psychology, UMASS Amherst, MA; AOS Culinary Institute of America, NY
Kathleen represents the roots of BDT, as a student of the original organization, the Brookfield School
of Dance. She has served as a dancer, teacher, board member, writer, choreographer, and
production manager throughout the years. As a professional chef, Kathleen has lived in China,
Sudan, and Kenya. She volunteered at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi, teaching ballet, music
theory, and production arts. She also taught Latin-style dances for Marriott International in Tianjin,
China. BDT is pleased to welcome Kathleen back on staff.
Derrick Robinson (DR)
Hip-Hop
JD, Southern University Law Center, LA; BA Political Science, Southern University and A&M College, LA
Derrick is a native of Opelousas, Louisiana. He took tap, jazz, and hip-hop dance classes until the
age of 13. Derrick has worked extensively in the non-profit sector with local organizations such as the
Boys an Girls Club and the Big Buddy Program of Baton Rouge, LA. He is currently employed at
Williams College as Assistant Director of Admission and also performs and choreographs for
Sankofa, NBC (Nothin' But Cuties), and has taught a hip-hop dance aerobics class for the College's
Wellness Program. This is Derrick's fist year on faculty at BDT.
Hip-Hop
JD, Southern University Law Center, LA; BA Political Science, Southern University and A&M College, LA
Derrick is a native of Opelousas, Louisiana. He took tap, jazz, and hip-hop dance classes until the
age of 13. Derrick has worked extensively in the non-profit sector with local organizations such as the
Boys an Girls Club and the Big Buddy Program of Baton Rouge, LA. He is currently employed at
Williams College as Assistant Director of Admission and also performs and choreographs for
Sankofa, NBC (Nothin' But Cuties), and has taught a hip-hop dance aerobics class for the College's
Wellness Program. This is Derrick's fist year on faculty at BDT.