Jennifer Dell is the co-owner and Artistic Director of The Pulse Performing Arts Studio, Bedford Hills, NY, as well as instructing classes specializing in jazz, tap, and theatre dance. Jennifer is the founder of the Nova Jazz performance ensemble, which has been featured at such venues as Walt Disney World, Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival, and Dancers Responding to Aids at SUNY-Purchase. Jennifer recently founded Competitive Edge, for students who wish to compete in various genres of dance.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in theatre performance, Jennifer began her New York City dance training at the age of 17 when she received a scholarship to Broadway Dance Center and became one of Frank Hatchettâ’s Hatchett Dancers. While living in Manhattan, she studied with such greats as Donna McKechnie, Henry LeTang, and Gil Stroming. She was one of the original dancers on MTV’s Dance Party, and appeared on Comedy Central’s The Tonya Harding Story. Some of her favorite performing credits include Ado Annie in Oklahoma, Patty Simcox in Grease, and Cassie in A Chorus Line. In 2006 Jennifer directed and choreographed Songs for a New World at The Pulse’s Mainstage Theatre. Prior to that she directed and choreographed Evita, Footloose, and A Chorus Line for the Colleen Dewhurst Theatre, Mt. Kisco, NY. She has choreographed numerous regional and national touring productions of such shows as The Boyfriend, Cinderella, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Jennifer has worked exclusively with Fox Lane Middle School, Bedford, NY, choreographing their productions of Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, and Guys and Dolls as well as working with the Random Farm Kids Theatre, Chappaqua, NY. Her original choreographic piece, A Kid Inside was showcased in First Fridays in NYC. Additionally, she is the off-ice choreographer for Team du Coeur, a gold medaling competitive precision figure skating team and has choreographed for Team Elan, Detroit Figure Skating Club’s World Champion Skating Team. Jennifer began her dance instruction at the age of four at her home studio in Michigan where she soon became an apprentice teacher and eventually, after she moved to New York City, graduated to a guest teacher, choreographing many of their award winning competition routines. She previously was an instructor at the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts teaching Jazz, Tap, and Theatre Dance. Jennifer is a member of the Stage Society of Directors and Choreographers. Jennifer resides in Yonkers, NY with her husband and two children.

Bill is a graduate of the University of Michigan, earning a BS in Math/Statistics, as well as Marshall University, with a Masters in Math. He was a gymnast for several years, specializing in floor exercise and the parallel bars. In college, he continued extensive tumbling as a member of the U of M’s cheerleading team, where he learned to perform many difficult partnering stunts, and performed at such events as the Rose Bowl Parade and the NCAA Final Four in Minnesota.

He has previously taught gymnastics to students age 5 – 9, and has worked with the current Nova Jazz dance company. Some of his other personal accomplishments include the 2000 New York Marathon, and being married to Jennifer Dell.

Rebecca grew up in Rochester, NY and at age 3 started dancing at a small local studio and then moved on to Performance Plus Dance as a competition dancer and company performer. She worked as an assistant teacher under Patty Drake Bellucco. After graduating Monroe community college she left Rochester to pursue a career dancing in Orlando, FL. Rebecca spent time auditioning and training in Orlando under several Disney and Universal Studios choreographers and danced at the Church Street Station complex in their nightly shows. Rebecca moved from Orlando to Palm Beach to pursue other interests and taught at several studios in the Palm beach area including Ballet Florida. Rebecca finished her education at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fl in early childhood education and business. After moving to the Westchester area she came to work at The Pulse teaching tap and jazz and co-directing the competition team. Rebecca currently lives in Mt Kisco with her husband and three children. In addition to teaching dance she manages, merchandises and runs her and her husband Heath’s golf shop at Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, NY, Heath is one of the top golf professionals in the Metropolitan NY area.

Lori Strelec Reynolds Lori Strelec Reynolds began dancing as a youth in Somers, New York. Her dance studies continued with the Joffrey School of Ballet, The School of American Ballet and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. In her professional career as a performer, Lori appeared as a soloist with the Alberta Ballet of Canada and with the Delta Festival Ballet of New Orleans.

Upon returning to the New York Area, she became principal dancer and ballet mistress with the Eglevsky Ballet and taught as an artist in residence for Westchester Theatre Dance Academy and the Robin Horneff Performing Arts Center. Additionally, Lori has been a model and consultant to the dancewear industry. She has been a choreographer for area high school musical productions. Her work for Somers High School’s “The King and I” earned her four nominations and a win at the 2003 Helen Hayes awards.

Erin Gallante is the new nova jr director and is excited to be back at The Pulse teaching this year! In the past, Erin has directed Détente, as well as choreographed for some of the hip hop for Competitive Edge. Erin went to Manhattanville College and Westchester Community College. Erin performed with the Manhattanville Dance Troupe as well as Dance Ensemble, and was a member of Danceworks at WCC. Erin also has performed in many theater performances at both colleges and community theatre in the surrounding areas. Erin has been directing and choreographing children’s theatre since the young age of 18 and teaching dance for the past nine years. Erin believes in the exchange of creativity, the power of listening to her students and being open to their ideas.

Yvonne-Marie Sain grew up in New York City and began training at a young age at Dance Theater of Harlem and the School at Steps. Yvonne studied Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Modern dance at the Northfield Mount Hermon School and then went on to achieve a B.A. in Dance from Cornell University. Since graduation Yvonne has had the opportunity to work with such choreographers as Jared Grimes, Sheryl Murakami, Rhapsody James and Luis Salgado.Yvonne has been teaching for more than 8 years, with students of all ages and ability levels. Her goal as a teacher is to give students a thorough education while nurturing and inspiring their creativity, discipline and self-confidence.

Dougie Robbins graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2011 with a BA in Musical Theatre. He also studied Musical Theatre at The School at Jacob’s Pillow. His training includes working with Heather Hawk (Steps), Lisa Lockwood (Steps), Francis Patrelle (B.A.E.), Chet Walker, Jeff Shade Dance, & James Kinney… just to name a few. He has performed in shows across the country. Some favorite productions include playing the roles of Greg in “A Chorus Line” and Big Deal in “West Side Story,” as well as performing Little Mermaid at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, and being dance captain of Showboat with a cast of 51 at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. He has also been lucky enough to choreograph Peter Pan, Addams Family, and Footloose on the beautiful Tibbits Opera House State, where he received two nominations for beast choreography through the only awards for professional theater in Michigan: The Wilde Awards.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Leslie Duner was born in Huntington Beach, California and began dancing at a young age at the Colony of Performing Arts. While attending the Colony, Leslie won many National awards at KAR, Showstoppers and Star Power. She worked at the Disneyland Resort as a parade dancer in the opening cast of Block Party Bash. Her BFA in Dance Performance is from Chapman University where she received various awards and recognition for performance, outstanding contribution, and choreography. Upon graduation Leslie moved to New York City where she became founding member and rehearsal director of DAMAGEDANCE. She performed in the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, and recently toured with pop sensation Athena Reich. Leslie is a bi-coastal teacher, choreographing and instructing at different dance studios from CA to NYC.

Anthony Morigerato is the executive director and choreographer for the New York City based AM Productions (2007-Present). Anthony was also the artistic director of the AM Dance Project from 2006-2008. As a performer Anthony has been a soloist and member of Michael Minery’s Tapaholics and is the lead tap dancer and choreographer for the musical group Matt and Anthony. Anthony has performed as a soloist in venues all across the United States, most notably, The Duke, New World Stages, The Theater at St. Clement’s, The Beacon, The Manhattan Center, Roseland, The National Comedy Theater, The DiCapo Opera House, Proctor’s GE Theater, The Victoria Theater at NJPAC, Dance Theater Workshop, Theater Row, and the Hammerstein Ballroom. He has performed on stages all over the world and on television on the “Tony Danza Show” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”. Anthony has been featured in Dance Teacher and Dancer Magazine and continues to perform and choreograph throughout the United States. He has served as an adjudicator and master teacher for dance organizations, competitions, theater schools, and dance studios throughout the nation since 1999, having students go on to perform in all aspects of the performance industry. He is currently on faculty for NUVO Dance Convention, SLIDE with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Dance Teacher Summit, and The Dance Awards. Anthony is planning his first dance/art installation and reemergence of his dance company AM Dance Project in the spring/summer of 2013.

Al Blackstone is a New York-based choreographer, performer, and educator and the recipient of the 2011 Capezio A.C.E. Award for Choreographic Excellence. Most recently Al was the first musical theatre choreographer to be brought to Vietnam to choreograph and perform on So You Think You Can Dance Vietnam. In July of 2012 he co-wrote, directed, and choreographed the dance narrative Happy We’ll Be at the legendary Roseland Ballroom. Al has created original work for Juilliard, Marymount Manhattan College, The University of the Arts, Dancers Responding to AIDS, the Fire Island Dance Festival, Broadway Bares, and the solos performed by Jess Leprotto on Season 8 of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. Favorite performing credits include: Wicked (Broadway and 1st National Tour), Carousel (Barrington Stages, Josh Bergasse chor.), the feature film A Winter’s Tale, NBC’s American Dreams, and Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh Show. He is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and currently tours internationally with JUMP dance convention.

Ginger’s multifaceted career as a teacher, choreographer and dancer has taken her all over the world. She is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Pace University, in New York City, and the PULSE Teacher’s Workshop. She’s taught for the Joffrey Ballet Contemporary Jazz Program, the Alvin Ailey Arts/Education Program, and the University of the Arts. Ginger earned her BFA in Dance, from Temple University and has taught Master Classes in Luxembourg, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico and Japan continually teaches for studios and conventions throughout the USA and abroad. She was featured in Dance Train Magazine for her commitment to dance education and dynamic teaching style. She is described as both innovative and inspiring.

Ginger has choreographed for NIKE SHOX, the NJ Nets Dancers, recording artist Lijie, Collaborative Movement Dance Company and was one of 10 chosen to present work in the Élan Awards, honoring Mr. Lar Lubavich. While living in Japan, she choreographed for the Hanayashiki show and several Japanese industrials. She is the Artistic Director of LiNK! the movement dance company. Her choreography in LiNK was quoted as ‘Absorbing,’ and ‘inventive,’ with ‘Amusing Creativity’ by the Jazz Dance E-news. LiNK has performed in the NuDance Festival, WaxWorks, Choreographers Canvas, the 60X60-collaboration with musicians, DRA Remember Project, the Queens Fringe Festival, Suite Summer Festival and the Independent film Reflections, and with recording artist Bronwyn, to name a few. LiNK has also produced collaboration concerts with several dance companies.

Recently, Ginger conceived and directed Stretch it!, a fitness video produce by Leaders In Fitness. She’s worked as a certified personal trainer and is pursuing her Masters Degree in Movement Science. Ginger has performed on Saturday Night Live with Molly Shannon and Jimmy Falon, with Lou Bega at Radio City Music Hall, and in many industrials. She has also contributed for articles in Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Spirit and France’s JazzPulsions dance magazine. Learn more about Ginger and her company on her web site: Linkdancecompany.org.

James Kinney has been performing professionally since the age of 15. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and began his classical training with The Florida Ballet, later melding his training into Jazz and Musical Theater. His Broadway credits include: Fosse, Dance of Death, Barry Manilow’s Harmony and the most recent revival of Sweet Charity, starring Christina Applegate, where he also served as the production’s Assistant Dance Captain. He continued preserving the “Fosse style” when he became the Dance Captain for choreographer Wayne Cilento’s First National Tour of Sweet Charity, starring Molly Ringwald. In addition, James has been teaching at Broadway Dance Center and other NYC professional dance studios and is currently in preparatory stages, working with Tony Award Winner and Broadway legend Donna McKechnie, as her Associate Choreographer, to create dances and musical numbers for this summer’s production of Guys & Dolls at The Hollywood Bowl, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, with Musical Director and Conductor Kevin Stites leading The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

Nick Zborowski specializes in hip-hop and tap dancing. Nick has been able to work with artists, choreographers, and dancers all over the world. Based out of Dallas for four years, Nick’s entertainment career took off. He began teaching for Adrenaline and Showbiz “The Class” National Convention. He also began choreographing award-winning pieces for dance studios all over the country and sharpening his skills in music/video editing. He quickly became known for his smooth style and energetic choreography. Nick has since relocated to Los Angeles and added acting to his many talents. Nick has appeared on episodes of MTV’s hit television show Punk’d, print advertisements, and commercials. He was selected as a dancer for Latin superstar Cheyanne for his World Tour and MTV’s Latin Video Music Awards. He also performed in Europe and Panama for the Ms. World Pageant and the Ms. Universe Pageant consecutively. His choreography is in demand from studios all over the United States and he also teaches hip hop at one of LA’s premier dance studios: Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio. In 2007, Nick became the director of Urban Legends Hip Hop Workshop and has enjoyed watching it grow.

Jimmy Tate has been performing on stage for over 25 years. He did his first Broadway show at the age of 13; where he played the title role in THE TAP DANCE KID. From there he went on to appear in the Tony Award winning Best Musical -BIG RIVER; JELLY’S LAST JAM, with Savion Glover and Gregory Hines; BRING IN ‘DA NOISE, BRING IN ‘DA FUNK, also with Glover; and the Irish smash hit RIVERDANCE. On tour, Jimmy recreated Savion Glover’s Tony Award nominated role in BRING IN ‘DA NOISE, BRING IN ‘DA FUNK, and won a 1998 Ovation Award for his performance. He has appeared on “Late Night” with David Letterman, twice on the Rosie O’Donnell Show, and three times on “The Late Show” with Jay Leno.Jimmy danced for former President Bill Clinton at the 1995 Kennedy Center Honors, and at the 1997 Presidential Gala.

Jimmy is also a singer/songwriter/guitarist. His first CD “Play Me” was finished in the summer of 2000. His next release came out in May 2003 – a collaboration with guitarist David Leiter under the group name “Sphinx”, featuring tracks of his unique tap style and funky rock and roll tracks.

Jimmy’s tap students have thrived under his expertise since he first joined Academy of Dance Arts back in 2006, and he looks forward to another fun year of both private work and group classes beginning this upcoming fall!

Originally from Manhattan Beach, California, Tony Mansker began his professional career at age 11, performing as Bilbo Baggins in the musical version of The Hobbit. At the age of 17, Mr. Mansker moved to New York to attend New York University’s Tisch School for Arts where he earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre. As an original cast member of Disney & Cameron’s Mary Poppins, Tony is credited with over twelve hundred performances. Other performance credits include West Side Story (U.S. & International tours), Cabaret, The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, 42nd Street, and Singin’ In The Rain. Tony served as director/choreographer for Surflight Theatre’s production of High School Musical and currently serves on the faculties of several dance schools in New York & New Jersey. He is also a professional member of Dance Masters of America as well as a certified teacher of The Paula Morgan Technique.

Rory Freeman BFA in Modern Dance SUNY Purchase (NY). He has performed in pieces by Bill T. Jones, Paul Taylor, Bella Lewitsky, and Luca  Veggetti and performed globally as a member of MOMIX. He worked with Commonality, Escape Artists, Royal Flux, and with Earth, Wind, & Fire, Taylor Swift, Paula Abdul and Jack Wagner. He worked on portions of “The 2014 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies”. He is faculty and judge for national conventions and competitions and teaches at studios across the U.S. Rory is also the Co-Founder of Move: The Initiative, a weekend dance intensive in his home state of Rhode Island.

Michael Minery, a New Jersey native, has established himself as one of the finest tap dancers working today. He combines youthful power with the finesse of the old time hoofers. Michael toured the world as a soloist with the internationally acclaimed Manhattan Tap and was a recipient of a 1997 Princess Grace Dance Fellowship Award. He has choreographed pieces for Manhattan Tap, The North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble and The New Jersey Tap Ensemble, as well as for numerous companies and studios around the world. He is currently a Faculty member of the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in NYC and travels extensively as a performer, choreographer, and Master Teacher.

Billy Griffin is a New York City based artist who received his BFA from New York University/Tisch School Of The Arts. Billy’s performing credits include the Broadway/1st National Tour productions of Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, and White Christmas, as well as Jeff Amsden’s A Few Good Men Dancin’, The Electric Company on PBS, and the video game ‘Dance on Broadway’ for Nintendo Wii.

As a director/choreographer Billy has created work for Waldameer Park, The Miss America Organization, The National YoungArts Foundation, Fleet Week at South Street Seaport, The Neighborhood Playhouse and NYU. Associate/assistant credits include working with Andy Blankenbuehler on Only Gold, Joshua Bergasse on episodes of NBC’s SMASH, Marlo Hunter on My Life Is A Musical at Bay Street Theater/Duke on 42nd, and Al Blackstone on Broadway Backwards, BC Beat, the new musical Crazy In Love, and most recently Freddie Falls In Love at the Pershing Square Signature Center, and the Fire Island Dance Festival. Billy also travels the country setting choreography for many dance studios and serves as a adjudicator and master class teacher for various conventions and competitions.

Teacher/Choreographer/Producer/Performer

emilybufferd.com

“Emily Bufferd continues to impact the New York dance scene.” – Examiner.com

A producer, choreographer, teacher, and performer, Emily Bufferd is the Producer of The Young Choreographer’s Festival, an annual event held in NYC presenting the most up-and-coming 18-25 year old choreographers, described by Dance Spirit Magazine as, ”The perfect way to get inspired.”.  She is currently on Faculty for the Joffrey Ballet School’s Ballet and Jazz&Contemporary Trainee Programs, The Annual Teacher Workshop presented by The Pulse On Tour, Peridance Capezio Center, and Guest Faculty at NYC’s Broadway Dance Center.  She has also taught at The Ailey Extension in NYC, World Dance Movement – The International Workshop in Switzerland, Jazz on Tap – Atlanta, The Eglevsky Ballet, and First-Act in Paris, among others.

Emily’s concert choreography (BEings dance) has been presented at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joyce SoHo, Symphony Space, the 92nd St. Y, New York Moves, The Giving Tree Benefit for St. Jude, The Showcase Series presented by: pushing progress, The Choreographer’s Canvas, The Gershwin Hotel, The Elan Summer Dance Festival, and Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, among others. Described as, “technically superb and amazingly emotive.” -Examiner.com, and “a display of versatility…” -The DancEnthusiast, it has also been commissioned for dance companies and private studios around the country and abroad.

Emily has been featured by Dance Spirit, Dance Informa, and Dance Mogul Magazine, as well as on the television show Inside NYC Dance for her work with The Young Choreographer’s Festival and as a dancer/choreographer. “Emily Bufferd, the festival producer, did an outstanding job of collecting the talent for this showcase of young voices.” – Dance Informa.

Emily has served on the selection committees for the Dumbo Dance Festival and Wave Rising Series (2010-2016), as a guest host for the Hatch Presenting Series at Jennifer Muller/The Works Studio, and is the former Co-Producer of APAP at Peridance.  As a dancer, Emily has been on The View with recording artist Outkast, The 2013 Beanstalk Foundation Event, World Dance Movement Gala/Jason Parsons, Carnival/Choreographer’s Ball, and the International Dance Festival/Tracie Stanfield.

Emily has had the pleasure of working with choreographers Michèle Assaf, Sheila Barker, Bruno Collinet, Eva Lopez Crevillen (assistant to Nacho Duato), Ginger Cox, Pam Chancey, and Shelly Hutchinson, among others.  She has performed at venues such as Teatro Galileo in Madrid, Spain, Carnegie Hall, The Kravis Center, Lincoln Center, Hollywood PAC, and The Variety Arts Theater, and has appeared in print and online media for World Dance Movement, The Ailey Extension and Broadway Dance Center. Emily can currently be found working on upcoming projects and teaching in NYC. Visit Emily online at www.EmilyBufferd.com.

Steven is an NYC based actor and teaching artist. Some of his favorite on stage credits include Oberon in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Shane in The New Century, The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland  and Ray in Lone Star. Steven is honored to have taught workshops and classes to students ages 4 to 85 all over the country. Students who have studied with Steven have appeared in Matilda, School of Rock, and Finding Neverland all on Broadway, several national touring productions, and Off Broadway as well.  New York based companies include From Stage to Screen, Stages on the Sound, Believe NYC, The Pulse Performing Arts Center Wingspan Arts and The Play Group Theatre. Steven holds a BFA in acting from Wane State University and was honored to have trained at The Moscow Art Theatre School during the summer of 2006.