Summer is almost here!  As we finish up our final weeks of the dance season, it is time to make a few important announcements.  Regarding staffing … Kelly Schroeder has decided to move back to New York City in order to expand her horizons!  She will be leaving in July, following the recital and cast parties.  We are in the process of planning for her move with the addition of some new teachers, as well as our own qualified staff.  Our mandatory summer program for advanced students will be taught by A.J. Deneka…an expert in the newest styles of jazz technique.  His bio is listed below, but many older students may have already met him during his master class here in the fall.  We look forward to his energy and experience, and wish Kelly well in all her travels!  We will keep you informed of all plans for the Fall, so that we can continue to provide the best, most up-to-date dance education to our students!  Next years’ theme is “Just Dance” … and we will!

Andrij (A.J.) Deneka

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Andrij is a dance educator, choreographer and performer.  He has worked with such artists as Kylie Minogue, Marc Anthony, Stevie Wonder, Mary Mary, Gregory Hines, Donnie Osmond, and Disney’s Selena Gomez.  Andrij has many TV, live performances and music video credits to his name including; the MTV Movie Awards, The TVLand Awards, Wella Hair “Trend Vision”, Nike, The International Dance Festival in Korea, the Winter Olympics, The American Choreography Awards and the Jazz Dance World Congress.  He has done commercials for Coca Cola and has toured throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Mexico with Instincts Live Media Dance Company.  Over the past 10 years Andrij has been awarded scholarships to the Edge in Hollywood and Gus Giordano in Chicago.  He has assisted many well known dance instructors such as Liz Imperio, Joe Termaine, Doug Caldwell, Desiree Robbins and the choreographer of High School Musical Charles Klapow.  AJ is also a guest teacher/choreographer at JMR Broadway Dance Center in Seoul Korea and Performing Arts High School in NY.  Recently Andrij has found success in modeling and was a featured model/dancer in the Green Initiative show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.