The Rock School for Dance faculty include distinguished dancers, award-winning instructors and choreographers who offer our students individualized attention in a nurturing environment. Rock Alumni have ascended the ranks of premier ballet companies worldwide. The success of our Alumni can be found here.
Peter Stark | President and Director
Tap for full Bio
Melissa Stafford | Chief Artistic Officer
A Pennsylvania native, Stafford joined her siblings in training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) with Marcia Dale Weary. Stafford began student teaching at CPYB under Weary’s guidance. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Stafford joined the Peabody Preparatory Dance Department at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) in 2001 under Artistic Advisor (and Pennsylvania Ballet founder) Barbara Weisberger. In 2006, she was invited by Peter Stark to become ballet principal for Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL, where she helped the school to expand more than 10-fold in three years. She returned to Peabody at Weisberger’s invitation as Dance Department Chair. During her tenure at Peabody, she expanded the dance training scholarship program for boys and programmed masterworks by Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Pearl Lang, Anna Sokolow, and Antony Tudor. Stafford has also been on the adjunct faculties of Goucher College and Peabody Conservatory and taught for the Orlando Ballet School Summer Intensive, CPYB Summer Intensive, and The Next Generation Ballet Summer Intensive. Stafford’s students have danced professionally with companies including American Ballet Theatre, Royal Swedish Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Philadanco's Danco 2. In 1999, Stafford received the Regional Dance America/Northeast Region Monticello Award for Emerging Female Choreographers. She is the recipient of the 2017 Peabody Preparatory's Excellence in Teaching Award.
Stephanie Spassoff | Emeritus Artistic Director
An alumna of the School of American Ballet and New York’s Performing Arts High School, privately auditioned with Agnes de Mille for a national tour of “Where’s Charley”, past member of American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet. She was a principal dancer with both Ballet Oklahoma and Savannah Ballet. She was Associate Director of Ballet Oklahoma, Savannah Ballet, and their respective associated schools. Stephanie was a member of Finis Jhung’s New York Chamber Ballet. Stephanie Wolf Spassoff is a former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist who performed solo and principal roles. Ms. Spassoff has been a guest artist and teacher for many regional companies, schools, and universities and was a permanent faculty member of the New York State Summer School of the Arts. She has coached gold medalists in prestigious international competitions in Moscow and the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS and is a judge for Youth America Grand Prix. In 2011, 2012, and 2017 Mrs. Spassoff was Co-Artistic Director for the largest Ballet Galas ever held in Mexico City.
Etienne Diaz | The Rock School for Dance - West, Director
Etienne began his training at the Orlando Ballet School as the Founders’ Scholarship Award Recipient and, following graduation, attended Florida State University with a full scholarship. Etienne danced in Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, Balletto del Sud, in Italy, Milwaukee Ballet in Wisconsin, and the National Opera of Bucharest in Romania where he performed many leading roles. In 2014, Etienne joined Philadelphia Ballet, where he rose to the rank of demi soloist dancing many leading roles. He has worked with renowned choreographers and distinguished artists including Fernando Bujones, Bruce Marks, Michael Pink, Vicente Nebrada, Alexei Ratmansky, Edward Clug, Johan Kobborg, Magaly Suarez, Nacho Duato, Matthew Neenan, Jiří Kylián, Fredy Franzutti, Christopher Wheeldon, Jean-Pierre Frohlich, and William Forsythe among others.
Etienne resumed his business administration studies at Temple University where he graduated with honors. Additionally, he was in the faculty at Bryn Mawr College for two years and Metropolitan Ballet Academy for eight years. Etienne has been part of the jury at the National Ballet Competition in Delaware and taught master classes for the World Ballet Competition for the past two years.
Justin Allen | Assistant Director, Professional Division
Born in Baltimore Maryland, Justin began his dance training at the Baltimore School for the Arts. He decided he wanted more serious ballet training and in 2004, he began training at The Rock School for Dance Education where he had the opportunity to dance different styles of ballet and finish his education in the Rock Academics Program Alliance. Justin studied at The Rock School for 4 years. He spent his summers training with the Miami City Ballet School from 2004-2008. In 2008, Justin got his first opportunity to dance as a professional guest artist with The Dayton Ballet, which led to his first professional contract. In 2009, Justin joined The Ballet Theatre of Maryland where he performed many soloist roles. In 2010, Justin joined The Rock School as a full-time Faculty and Choreographer. Justin was the recipient of The Joffrey Ballet’s 2013 Choreographers of Color Award. This year, Justin has been awarded Outstanding Choreographer at the YAGP Philadelphia competition.
ARTISTIC FACULTY
Jody Anderson | Artistic Manager, Professional Division, Wardrobe Assistant
Jody started her serious ballet training at age 14 at North Carolina School of the Arts and continued at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York City on a full scholarship. As a principal dancer with the Kansas City Ballet for 16 years, Jody had the honor of performing principal roles in ballets by George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Alvin Ailey, Agnes DeMille, Todd Bolender, Ann Reinking and many other noted choreographers. Most notably, she was hand picked by Alvin Ailey to perform as a guest artist with his company and to recreate his ballet FLOWERS to much critical acclaim.
Jody has been on the faculty with The Kansas City Ballet School, Berks Ballet Theatre (Ballet Mistress), Delaware Dance Company and The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan (Director of Dance).
Jody toured with several musical theater productions (OLIVER, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES) and was the Associate Choreographer for Starlight Theatre in Kansas City and served as the Artistic Directed for the Candlelight Theatre in Delaware.
At The Rock School she choreographed WEST SIDE STORY SUITE that was performed at the Mann Center with The Curtis Institute, and CATTO AT BAT and FLIGHT for the Philadelphia Freedom Festival. Jody has been on the faculty since 2004 and a Ballet Master since 2015.
Telmo Moreira | Artistic Manager, Professional Division
Telmo Moreira began his training at the National Conservatory Dance school of Portugal. Then After being awarded one of the top prizes in the 2007 Prix de Lausanne he received a scholarship to complete his studies at the Vaganova Ballet Academy, where he had the opportunity to perform Flower Festival Pas de deux at the Marinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Telmo has also received the Outstanding European Dancer at the Youth American Grand Prix finals, the Judges Prize at the 2008 Varna International Ballet Competition, was a finalist at the 2008 Bejing IBC, and was a semi finalist in Jackson USA IBC 2014.. After competing in the Prix de Lausanne for the second time Telmo received the apprenticeship award, and chose to join American Ballet Theatre’s second company, where he danced works by Jerome Robbins, Balanchine, and Eduard Liang. Telmo has been invited to participate in International galas such as Youth American Grand Prix’s Japan Gala. Telmo Joined Orlando Ballet in 2011 where danced numerous leading and danced works by Jessica Lang, Peter Chu , Abdur Jackson, Robert Hill, Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. During his time with the company Telmo had the opportunity to choreograph his own ballets and created "Barco Negro"(2014) "Unsaid". (2015) "same old fear"(2016) he also has his own production of firebird created for the Florida Ballet. In 2016 he won best choreography at the YAGP regionals in Tampa. Telmo joined The Rock School's faculty as Ballet Master in 2017.
Natalya Lushina Zeiger | Principal Teacher, Professional Division
A former soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. She is now a leading ballet teacher and coach with one of America’s foremost dance schools, The Rock School for Dance Education. She has trained many Rock School students to top YAGP soloist and ensemble awards. Ms. Zeiger also serves as a YAGP judge and Master Teacher.
Ms. Zeiger is a graduate of the Moscow Academy of the Bolshoi Theater and a former soloist with the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Company. As a member of the Bolshoi, Ms. Zeiger worked with such European masters as Roland Petit, Maurice Bejart, Alberto Alonso and Yuri Grigorovitch. Her many leading roles include Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Raymonda, and La Bayadere. Ms. Zeiger has been a member of the Metropolitan faculty since 2001, serving as teacher, repetiteur and coach. She has staged many productions for Metropolitan Ballet, including Paquita, Swan Lake, Act II, Swan Lake, Act III, Les Sylphides, The Sleeping Beauty, Act 3, Le Jardin Animé, Suite from Don Quixote and The Children’s Mazurka from Paquita, as well as many classical pas de deux.
Ms. Zeiger also holds a Master’s Degree in Dance Education from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She often serves as a juror and instructor for Youth America Grand Prix, and is a highly sought after guest teacher, leading master classes throughout the United States and abroad.
Magaly Suárez | Resident Master Teacher
Suárez began her teaching career after graduating with honors from The Cuban National Ballet School where she spent nearly two decades honing her classical ballet teaching skills. Upon moving to the United States she worked with numerous ballet companies and schools as a classical ballet teacher and staged full-length ballets including Carmen, Giselle, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. She could often be found working with Cincinnati Ballet, Corella Ballet-Angel Corella, Morphoses-Christopher Wheldon, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Ballet School, and CPYB.
Suárez has arrived at the stage in her career where she wants to share her ballet knowledge and expertise to reach as many students as possible. For the 2022-2023 season, she is excited to be expanding The Art of Classical Ballet’s pre-professional day program while also having the opportunity to join The Rock School for Dance Education as a part-time Resident Master Teacher. Suárez will share her time teaching between Philadelphia and Pompano Beach and maintain her position as a teacher, coach, owner, and Artistic Director of The Art of Classical Ballet and Florida Classical Ballet. Suárez remains committed to all of her students and is excited about continuing her contribution to forming the future stars of ballet.
Anastasia Babayeva | Principal Teacher
Anastasia Babayeva is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. She has danced professionally with the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, Chicago Ballet, Richmond Ballet, International Ballet Classique in PA. Mrs. Babayeva has performed principal roles in great classical ballets, such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty; as well as Balanchine ballets and contemporary works of world-renowned choreographers such as K. Peterson, J. Butler, M. Burn, V. Nebrada, C. Connor and many others. Ms. Babayeva also performed as a guest artist in many galas and productions throughout the USA. In 2001 she co-founded the Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts, and in 2003 the International Ballet Classique. Under her direction, IBC has presented acclaimed performances of major full-length ballets such as Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita and numerous mixed repertory performances. Mrs. Babayeva received the Outstanding Teacher Award from American Ballet Competition, UBC, WBAC and YAGP in 2005, 2007, 2014, 2017, and 2020, respectively. Her students have qualified and won medals in prestigious international ballet competitions and have gone on to dance in professional companies. In 2006 Ms. Babayeva joined the dance faculty at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she served as “Master Lecturer” for 10 years. Ms. Babayeva creates professional ballet costumes, including tunics, tutus, and tiaras. Her one-of-a-kind costumes are worn by numerous dancers at competitions and ballet productions. Mrs. Babayeva was featured in Dancer magazine 2005. In 2015 Mrs. Babayeva was honored by Pennsylvania State Representative Jamie Santora with an official citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for "sharing the art of classical ballet,” "outstanding leadership, vision, and talent," and “exemplary record of cultural contribution within her community”.
Gina Grace | Head of Pre-Ballet Division; Principal Teacher, Ballet Division
Gina Grace began her ballet training in Philadelphia with Carole Orlandi Barr, Marion Tonner, and later, with John White and Margarita deSaa at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. Mrs. Grace began teaching ballet throughout the Philadelphia area in 1991 and has been a faculty member with The Rock School since 2000. As part of The Rock School faculty for over 22 years, Mrs. Grace has taught ballet to a wide range of levels and ages, specializing in the early divisions. She also has been an instructor for The Rock School's outreach program RockReach, working in over a dozen city schools for over a decade as well as an instructor at RockWest.
Mrs. Grace has studied Vaganova pedagogy under John White with a special focus on the first three syllabus years. She has also completed study at The National Dance Institute under Jacques d'Amboise in New York City.
She brings forth over 30 years of experience teaching ballet to all ages and levels.
Zachary Kapeluck | Contemporary Manager
Zachary Kapeluck hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his early training at Southwest Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He trained at The Juilliard School and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Summer Intensives, and in the summer of 2011, he worked as a guest artist with Mary Miller Dance in Pittsburgh in a project titled Confluence. He graduated with a BFA in Dance from Point Park University in 2013 and subsequently joined BalletX in Philadelphia that summer. He spent 9 years there, partaking in over 60 world premiere creations by choreographers including Matthew Neenan, Cayetano Soto, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Nicolo Fonte, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and many more. Zachary left BalletX in 2022 to pursue a new chapter in choreography and teaching. Since then, he has had the pleasure to create works for companies including First State Ballet Theatre, Flight Path Dance Project, Hudson Ballet Theatre, Philadelphia Dance Theater, Idyllwild Arts Academy, and others. In 2024, he was awarded Outstanding Choreographer at YAGP - San Francisco. That same year, he co-produced with two peers the inaugural performances of Sonder Space, a new performing arts project in Philadelphia. He has also spent time restaging works for fellow choreographers as well as assisting in new creation processes.
ADDITIONAL FACULTY MEMBERS
-
West Chester
Barnel A. Anderson Jr. was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His introduction to dance began with his exposure to pop, hip hop, R&B, and reggae played on local radio as well as dancehall videos. He began his formal dance training at the age of fifteen at The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School. He continued his training at The University of the Arts, where he earned a BFA in dance performance in May 2019. While at UArts, Barnel had the opportunity and privilege to perform original works by choreographers Kyle and Dinita Clark of JustSole Philadelphia, Niall Jones, in Germany at the Sixth Biennale Tanzausbildung and The Chocolate Factory in NYC. Barnel completed National Dance Institute’s Two-Week Teaching Artist Training Intensive in New York City in 2019. His influences are Kyle and Dinita Clark, Katie Swords Thurman, Parris Goebel, and Ian Eastwood. These teachers and makers have inspired his movement, way of thinking, and choreography. With his roots in Hip Hop, Barnel weaves his training in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern to make an amalgamation of movement qualities that represent his experiences in the world. -
Philadelphia
Ms. Banchero has taught dance for over 25 years. Born and raised in suburban Detroit, Michigan, she studied and performed with Michigan Ballet Theatre and Michigan Classic Ballet, dancing lead roles in The Nutcracker and Coppelia. After receiving her Bachelors in Arts in Russian cultural history from the University of Michigan, she relocated to Boston, Massachusetts and joined the faculty of Boston Ballet. She also worked in musical theater, having taught, performed and choreographed for Turtle Lane Playhouse and Boston Children’s Theatre. After moving to Memphis in 2003, she joined the faculty of the Memphis Jewish Community Center’s esteemed dance department. She has taught for The Rock School since 2013 and incorporates her experience with the Vaganova pedagogic system into her teaching. In 2019, she completed the rigorous Bolshoi Ballet Academy's Teacher Certification Program and also became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. -
West Chester
Emily Gilligan lives in Media, Pennsylvania, and has studied dance for over 17 years. Her professional training includes jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, and tap. In addition to working toward her early-grades education degree, Emily is pursuing a dance minor at West Chester University, with formal studies in choreography and composition techniques, dance pedagogy and teaching techniques, improvisation, modern and jazz dance.
As a dancer, Emily attended some of the most prestigious conventions, including NYCDA and ASH, earning numerous scholarships and awards. Her performances as a soloist and in group numbers at top dance competitions earned her several national titles and honors, including Starpower Talent’s Dancer of the Year.
Emily is currently the captain of the West Chester University Dance Team (WCUDT), where she coaches and performs at an elite collegiate level. She achieved a Universal Dance Association (UDA) Hip-Hop National Championship with WCUDT in 2022. She is also a dancer and choreographer for the West Chester University Dance Company, where she regularly performs in several dance genres, including jazz, lyrical, and contemporary.
Emily works as a professional dance teacher and choreographer for studios, professional training programs, and dance teams throughout the region. She also works for the Star Dance Alliance Power Pak Dance Intensive.
-
West Chester
Denis Gronostayskiy is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. He danced professionally with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet in Russia, Philadelphia Ballet Theatre, PA, Richmond Ballet, VA, International Ballet Classique, PA. He has performed leading roles in great classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty and others as well as Balanchine ballets and contemporary works of world renowned choreographers as K. Peterson, J. Butler, M. Burn, V. Nebrada, C. Connor and many others. Mr. Gronostayskiy also performed as a guest artist in galas and productions throughout USA. In 2001 he co-founded the Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts and in 2003 International Ballet Classique. Under his direction, IBC has presented acclaimed performances of major full-length ballets including Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita and numerous mixed repertory performances. His students have qualified and won medals in prestigious ballet competitions throughout USA. In 2006 Mr. Gronostayskiy joined faculty of Neumann College, Aston, PA. Mr. Gronostayskiy also a part time photographer. His works being publish in magazines and news papers. So if you need a photographer look no further.
-
West Chester
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Catherine began her ballet training in 1992 under the direction of Donna Muzio in West Chester Pa. She Dance with Brandywine Ballet Company until graduating in 2004. In 2008 she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance from Towson University. In June of 2008, she was asked to present choreography for the National Dance Education Organization conference in Towson, MD. She had danced, taught, and performed professionally all over the tristate area. In 2014 she moved to teach in Florida for Dance Dimensions the home of the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Ballet Theater. She returned in 2016 and now teaches in Philadelphia and New Jersey. In 2016 she joined the RockReach team. Catherine is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. In addition, she is also a Certified FLX Conditioning Specialist for Flexistretcher.
-
Philadelphia
Lunsford began his dance training at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There he received a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree, with his main focus in modern dance.[1] While studying at University of the Arts, he was simultaneously studying at the Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco).With hard work, Lunsford became the company’s most highlighted dancer and upon retiring from performing, he maintained his presence at Philadanco as a guest artist. He has also provided choreography for Drexel University, Glassboro State College, Swarthmore College, the University of Pennsylvania, as well as others. Not limited to choreographic talents, Lunsford is also experienced in stage production, contributing his talents to groups such as the Opera of Philadelphia, the Theatre Center of Philadelphia, and the Academy of Vocal Arts.
-
West Chester
Chloe is originally from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and began her dance education at the Academy of International Ballet (AIB) in 2008. At AIB she danced many lead roles in their productions, including Sugar Plum, Dew Drop, and Snow Queen in their production of “The Nutcracker”. Participating with the competition team, she also received multiple prizes and scholarships in competitions such as the YAGP semifinals in Philadelphia, YAGP finals, Universal Ballet Competition, Jewels Festival, and World Ballet Art Competition. From 2019 to 2022, Chloe studied at the Ballettschule Theater Basel (BTB) in Basel, Switzerland under the direction of Amanda Bennett. During her time at the school, she was able to learn and perform works by Richard Wherlock, Craig Davidson, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, David Dawson, Pina Bausch, Jorge García Pérez, among others. Chloe graduated from the school in 2022, receiving the Danse Suisse Award in recognition for top academic and dance excellence in her class. Chloe joined the Junior Ballett Zurich in Switzerland under the direction of Christian Spuck in 2022. Under his direction, she performed works by Christian Spuck, Crystal Pite, Hans van Manen, Shaked Heller, Samantha Lynch, and Vittoria Girelli. In her second season in Junior Ballett Zurich, Chloe performed works by Cathy Martson, Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau and Wayne McGregor under the direction of the newly named director Cathy Marston. Throughout these years, Chloe has also worked as a guest dancer with choreographers such as Filipe Portugal and Jorge García Pérez. In addition to dancing, Chloe is pursuing a Bachelor degree in Integrated Social Sciences at Penn State.
-
West Chester
Jessica began her dance journey at the age of 4 in Philadelphia, Pa, and has trained at several distinguished studios/dance companies all over the United States. In high school she had the honor of performing in Disney World, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and has won numerous national titles and awards. On the college level, Mrs. Olinik attended University of North Carolina School of the Arts as a Contemporary major and University of the Arts on scholarship studied all genres of dance with legendary teachers. Some of her performance credits include the 76er All-Star Dance Team, cast member of the musical Grease, performed with the artist Pink, she was a principal dancer with Contempradance Theatre & Opus One. For several years Jessica had the privilege in assisting Lucille DiCampli in many different projects. She was chosen to be on exhibit as a Degas dancer at the Philadelphia Art Museum during the opening gala of the exhibit. Mrs. Olinik has been teaching dancers of all ages for over 20 years and currently the Artistic Company Director at an award-winning studio in Delaware. She has been on faculty at several prestigious dance institutions such as Millennium Dance Complex-Philadelphia, The Rock School West, American Dance Academy, University of Delaware, Delaware Dance Fever, and on faculty of Epic Dance Convention. Under her guidance, the dancers she trains have received numerous convention scholarships/awards, national titles, and outstanding achievements. Her goal as a teacher and educator is to enlighten and inspire students in a healthy and positive atmosphere. Along with dance, Jessica has developed a passion for costume design and embellishment. She’s extremely honored to have her designs featured this season in a costume catalog. Mrs. Olinik is also very proud of the “Inspire2Inspire” program she developed in 2015. The objective of this campaign is to spread positivity and support to dancers from other studios and build of bridge of inspiration between artists. Currently she is the High School Musical choreographer for Octorara High School and has completed Seussical The Musical Newsies, Grease & The Addams Family with their drama department (with over 60 students in production).
-
Philadelphia
Bio coming soon.
-
West Chester
Alejandra Ramirez-Ortiz started her formal ballet training at the age of eight in Durango, Mexico, under the supervision of Raúl Santillán, former dancer of the Mexican National Ballet. From 1986 to 1991, she periodically received training from the National School of Dance in Mexico City. In 1991, Alejandra moved to Monterrey, Mexico and started a major in engineering while continuing her ballet training at the Performing Arts School of Nuevo Leon University. In 1994, she joined the Classic Dance Ensemble of Nuevo Leon University, led by professor Fernando Alonso, co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba. Noticing her passion for ballet, Fernando Alonso and his team gave Alejandra principal roles in the performances of the ensemble and selected her as the school representative in the Alicia Alonso's International Competition in La Havana, Cuba in 1997, where Alejandra made it to the final round. Alejandra moved to France the same year, where she attended Rosella Hightower’s school of dance in Cannes. In 2003, she moved to the US and has since trained and collaborated with: Andrei Ustinov and Elena Martinson, former star dancers of the Kirov ballet; with Donna Muzio, artistic director and founder of the Brandywine Ballet and the Dance Center in West Chester, PA; at International Ballet Theater Academy in Frazer, PA; and at Dance Elite in Horsham, PA. Alejandra enjoys sharing her love for ballet with students of all ages. Over the past seven years, she has received intensive training in different teaching modalities for children with Autism, which she has applied in working with her own autistic daughter.
-
Philadelphia
Arabia Richardson is a danceivist, artist, collaborator, administrator and educator born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Richardson earned her MFA in Dance in 2022 and graduated cum laude in 2019 with a BFA in Dance from University of the Arts. During her undergraduate studies, she was selected to perform solos in various works choreographed by Tommie-Waheed Evans, Meredith Rainey, Jimena Paz and Marguerite Hemmings.
After graduating, Arabia held the title of administrative assistant to the interim executive director of Philadanco, Gaynell Sherrod. She has also been rehearsal director for Juel D. Lane, rehearsal assistant to Kim Bears-Bailey, co-choreographer with Wayne St. David, rehearsal director to Marguerite Hemmings and creative associate for the School of Dance at UArts. Currently, Richardson is a professor at Temple University, Philadelphia, and UArts and is a collaborative performer working with Zane Booker and John Dowell. She showcased her first exhibition/performance in Montpellier, France, in summer 2022 and is looking forward to creating more.
-
Philadelphia
Anne White was born in New York state, started dancing at age six, and was accepted at age eleven into The School of American Ballet in New York City, where she studied for eight years. Additionally, she has studied and attended workshops with Twyla Tharp, Maggie Black, Sara Rudner, Wilhelm Burmann, David Howard, Doug Elkins, Ann Reinking, and Joe Goode. In 1988 Anne joined Off Center Ballet, directed by Christopher d'Amboise. She performed in NYC at Dance Theater Workshop, Westbeth Theater, Bruno Walter Auditorium, The Painted Bride in Philadelphia, and Jacobs Pillow. In 1990 Anne joined The Pennsylvania Ballet, also under the direction of Christopher d'Amboise, where she performed for eight seasons dancing lead roles in works by George Balanchine, Peter Martins, Paul Taylor, Hans Van Manen, Lar Lubovich, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, John Cranko, Doug Elkins and Alvin Ailey among others. She originated roles in works choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise, Kevin O’Day, David Parsons, Rennie Harris, and Tony Rizzi. Anne was featured in the PBS WHYY- TV Pennsylvania Ballet spotlight documentaries “Da Mummy Nyet Mummy” and “Philadelphia Muses.” Anne has also performed at FringeArts, The Arden Theater, The Arts Bank, The Wilma Theater, WHYY theater with artists Paule Turner, Myra Bazell, Pig Iron Theater Co, Melanie Stewart, Moncell Durden, Ilse Pfeifer, Mum Puppettheater and Phrenic New Ballet and was active as a performer, costumer, and organizer of Shut Up And Dance, Pennsylvania Ballet Dancer’s annual benefit performance for MANNA in Philadelphia from 1993 through 1999. Anne toured
with singer Alanis Morissette as the assistant to choreographer Kevin O'Day and appeared in her music video “So Pure.” She served as rehearsal director for choreographers Jorma Elo and Itamar Serussi and performed in Jerome Bel's works & "The Show Must Go On" and “Gala,” all presented at FringeArts. Anne has taught Ballet technique and repertory at Rowan University, Bryn Mawr College, and Drexel University.
Anne has held positions as an Employer Representative for The Marriott Family Foundation’s Bridges From School To Work Program, Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of the Arts, Education and Community Manager at BalletX.
-
Philadelphia & West Chester
Anna Vartapetova was born in Moscow, Russia, where she began her journey in dance as a ballet dancer after graduating from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, one of the most prestigious ballet institutions in the country. During her performing career at the Moscow State Regional Theater of Russian Ballet under the direction of V. Gordeyev, Anna danced both in classical repertoire and in solo character roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppélia, and others. She later earned a PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, specializing in Classical Dance, from Moscow State Art and Cultural University. Beginning her teaching career at a young age, Anna now has over 28 years of experience, during which she has devoted herself to guiding aspiring performers in both classical and character dance.
Anna has served as a mentor and choreographer at some of Russia's leading performing arts institutions, including Moscow State Art and Cultural University, the College of Musical and Theater Arts named after G. Vishnevskaya, and the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). She has developed choreographic programs and nurtured the artistic talents of her students. Her expertise extends internationally, leading master classes in classical, character, and modern dance across Europe, India, and South Korea. Her students have gone on to perform with renowned ballet institutions such as the Bolshoi Theatre and the Kremlin Ballet, as well as on stages in Canada, Iceland, Israel, and the United States. Many have earned top honors at international competitions, and Anna’s contributions to dance education have been recognized by the Moscow Department of Education and at prestigious international festivals.
In addition to her teaching, Anna has served as a jury member at national and international dance competitions and developed programs aimed at preserving classical and character dance traditions. Building on her passion for expanding the reach of dance, she is also working on her own online project, having organized and directed the International Festival Competition, VARTADANCE, which successfully took place in both 2023 and 2024 and continues its development. Her commitment to dance continues to inspire the next generation of performers, leaving a lasting impact on the global dance community.
ROCKREACH FACULTY
Anne White, RockReach Director
Barnel A. Anderson
Kevin Harris II
Donovan Pope
Kelly Rambo
Arabia Richardson
Treshawn Watkins
Joshua Shaffer, Music Curriculum Designer
Dan Valenzuela
PIANISTS
Asya Haykin, Music Manager
Karina Adriano
Olga Borisovsky
Valentina Slutsky
Natalia Varlashova
BO SPASSOFF • Founding Artistic Director
Bojan Spassoff was a Ford Foundation Scholarship student at the School of American Ballet and was an apprentice with the Harkness Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and New York City Ballet companies. Thereafter, Mr. Spassoff became a member of the Dutch National Ballet and was later among the first foreigners to join the Royal Danish Ballet. Subsequently, Mr. Spassoff was invited to join American Ballet Theatre and continued his career dancing solo and principal roles with the San Francisco Ballet and teaching for that company and its school. Mr. Spassoff served as Artistic Director for both Savannah Ballet and Ballet Oklahoma and their associated schools. He has been guest artist and teacher for numerous regional companies, schools, and universities. A former ballet master for Pennsylvania Ballet, he was Associate Director of the New York State Summer School of the Arts, operated in conjunction with New York City Ballet. He has coached gold medalists in prestigious international competitions in Havana, Berlin, as well as Moscow and USA International Ballet Competitions. He is a judge for Youth America Grand Prix. In 2011, 2012, and 2017 Mr. Spassoff was Artistic Director for the largest Ballet Galas ever held in Mexico City.
ROCK SCHOOL STAFF
ADMINISTRATION
Melissa Chasse, Chief Administrative & Content Officer
Niccole Turoscy, Customer Service Manager
Elise Waychoff, School Registrar
Andrea Ruday, West Chester Office Manager
Catherine Lackey, Boutique Manager
Natasha Morken, Assistant to the Director
Tyler Wright, Receptionist
ADVANCEMENT
Arturo Espinoza, Jr., Chief Advancement Officer & Managing Director
ACADEMICS
Michelle Erickson, Director of Academics & Student Life
Tracy Halsey, Math Tutor
RESIDENCE
Nancy Owen, Residence Manager
Meghan Harper, Residence Manager
FINANCE
Michelle Baitinger, Finance Director
Janette Fairbanks Paull, Accountant
FACILITY
Denis Gronostayskiy, Production & Facility Manager
COSTUMES
Karen Cerkez, Wardrobe Manager
Jody Anderson, Wardrobe Assistant
STUDENT WELLNESS
Julie Green, Physical Therapist
Brenna Westcott, Physical Therapist & Wellness
