drama academy
Staff
COLLEEN WILLS (early childhood dance)
Colleen recently received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a Bachelor of Exercise Science and at Towson University. She first began dancing at the age of three under the instruction of Miss Kathy Henkel at the Kathy Henkel School of Dance in Sewell, NJ. She started dancing in the Paul VI community as a freshman in high school, and soon after started training at the Next Stage Dance and Drama Academy in Barrington, NJ under the direction of Courtney Daniels. In 2011, she restaged her original work “Sail” for the NextStage Dance Company. She has also performed in a local South Jersey dance concert, Project Dance for the past nine years and choreographed for the concert from 2011 to 2014. During her time at Towson, she studied with Vincent Thomas, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Jaye Knutson, Runqiao Du, and Catherine Horta-Hayden. She was a member of the Towson University Dance Company in Fall 2013 and Fall 2014 and had the opportunity to perform an original work by Christopher K. Morgan.
This past year, Colleen served as treasurer for the National Honor Society of Dance and gained membership in the National Dance Education Organization. In addition to her work in the dance field, she is completed an internship at the Joy Wellness Center at Shepherd’s Clinic in Baltimore and works as a physical therapy aide in Deptford, NJ.
KELLY ROSADO (hip hop, ballet, jazz)
Kelly began her dance training and BalletNJ, dancing numerous roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and La Bayadere. She later attended The University of the Arts and the Rock School in Philadelphia, The Broadway Dance Center in NYC and Millennium Dance Complex. From 2009-2014 she has danced with companies such as The New Harlem Arts Theatre, The Ritz Theatre, The New Candlelight Theatre, The Theatre Co. of Hoboken, The Urban Dance League of NYC, Mainstage Theatre for the Arts, and The Broadway Theatre of Pitman. Performing in shows such as The Producers, Cats, Spamalot, All Shook up, Sweet Charity, The Wild Party (La Chiusa), Rocky Horror Picture Show, Young Frankenstein, Romeo&Juliet, Gypsy, and various showcases and competitions. She has taught dance in the Bronx, NY and at various south Jersey dance schools and High Schools.
RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS & SUBS:
GABRIELLA YUDENICH (ballet/pointe)
Gabriella is a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet, is a native of southern New Jersey, Gabriella Yudenich began her dance training at the age of seven, with the Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. She also trained under the guidance of her mother, Barbara Sandonato, who was the first dancer hired to be a member of Pennsylvania Ballet in 1963. Ms. Yudenich attended the School of American Ballet under full scholarship for two years. She also completed summer sessions at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. She performed with Dances Patrelle in New York City, dancing soloist roles in the Yorkville Nutcracker. Ms. Yudenich performed with Pennsylvania Ballet in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and John Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew before becoming the first member of Pennsylvania Ballet II, the Joyce and Herbert Kean Trainee program. As a member of Pennsylvania Ballet II for two seasons, she performed in lecture demonstrations throughout the region, as well as in the Company’s full-length productions. She became an Apprentice in September 2003 and was promoted to the Corps de Ballet in September 2005. Ms. Yudenich has performed in many classical and contemporary ballets including Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Matthew Neenan’s Carmina Burana, and many pieces from the Balanchine repertoire. Her lead roles include Myrta in Giselle, Lilac Fairy and Precious Jewels pas de trios in The Sleeping Beauty. Ms. Yudenich was recently promoted to Soloist for the 2007-2008 Season. Ms. Yudenich is a true product of Pennsylvania Ballet history. Her mother, Barbara Sandonato, was a star member of Pennsylvania Ballet throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, and her father, the late Alexei Yudenich, was also a leading member of the Company during that time.
DuJuan is currently performing with the world renowed "Bad Boys of Dance," has appeared on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," and the 21 Pilots, "Holding On To You" video. DJ began his training at the Fem Fatale Dance Studio in Oak Park, MI and the University of the Arts. Mr. Smart is well versed in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, African, salsa, contemporary, West Indian, ballroom and modern dance. He has toured in Germany, France and was mentored by Christopher Huggins in Italy. He has worked with Rita Mosley, Louis Johnson, Anthony Burrell, Scott Jovovich and Ron de Jesus and Arthur Mitchell, in addition to Nicole Burnette, Norma Fowler and Bruce Bradley.
Some of his performance history includes Momix Dance Company, Junk and Eleone Dance Theater. He has received scholarships to train at Dance Theater of Harlem (NY), Edge Performing Arts Center (Hollywood, CA), The Ailey School (NY) and Tucson Ballet (AZ). Mr. Smart has participated in various competitions nationwide earning titles such as: 2006 ACT-SO national dance gold medalist, 2006 Urban Jamm well- rounded dancer of the year, 2007 Mr. Bravo dance winner, 2007 National Mr. Showbiz dance winner and 2007 NFAA jazz dance winner. He continues to study, perform, choreograph and teach around the world.ANDREA MYCHEALS
Andrea is a former coach of the Philadelphia Soul Dance Team. She found her passion when she began dancing at age 2. Andrea has been teaching and choreographing for the past 20 years. She has performed both as a dancer and as a vocalist in Las Vegas and Branson, MO. She has worked with Kathy Sledge, Taylor Dayne, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and The Trammps. Andrea has choreographed for the New Jersey Nets Dance Team, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, “Dance is Life”, The Garden State Dance Festival and has won choreography awards for several theatrical productions. Andrea is also a dance educator at several area studios. Andrea encompasses all ranges of Modern, Jazz, funk and hip hop and turns it in to an aggressive style that is an energetic ride.
ERICA SCANLON HARR
Erica is a graduate of The New School for Drama (Manhattan), Erica holds a MFA in Acting. During her time in New York, she studied acting, voice and speech, Alexander Technique, combat, dialects, classics and movement under the professional faculty at NSD as well as studying dance at the Broadway Dance Center. She earned her undergraduate degree in musical theatre and vocal performance from West Virginia Wesleyan where she studied modern dance, tap, ballet, pointe, and jazz. Growing up Erica was an active dancer, studying primarily at Anna Marie's Academy in Philadelphia and working as a member of the Elysian Dance Company of Philadelphia. She grew up knowing the importance of having strong fundamental basics and a love of movement. In 2004 Erica represented New Jersey at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City and on national television, receiving a non-finalist talent award. She continues to perform and study locally and regionally. Erica is currently performing for Disney Cruises.
