Joanna Markowitz, director (Towson State University) performed professionally for eleven years in NYC with numerous dance companies. She performed at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, on national TV and worked on a video project for PBS. Joanna was a faculty member at Brooklyn College for six years and was a guest teacher at NYU, Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Ruth Currier Studio, Steps on Broadway and other professional studios. Her choreography has been favorably reviewed in such publications as The New York Times, Village Voice and Dance Magazine and was commissioned by Towson State Dance Ensemble. She studied on scholarship with the Jose Limon Dance Company, Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, Tokunagas and various other schools. Joanna taught dance for eighteen years at Orange County Community College, has also taught at Westchester Community College and has been teaching for over thirty years. Orange County School of Dance was started in 1992.
Joanna is Currently listed in 'Who's Who of America'
Alla Arzoumanov
Alla Arzoumanov graduated from the Institute of Art and Performance in 1975 (Dushandev, Russia). She received her masters degree in piano, accompaniment and ensemble playing. Alla worked for twenty years as department chair in music schools and Institute of the Arts. She received numerous government awards for her preparation of students in becoming professional musicians and winning first places in state and interstate competitions.
Alla started to live and teach in the U.S. in 1991
Michelle Di Troia, ballet and tap
Michelle Di Troia (ballet and tap) began dancing ballet, tap and jazz at age 6 and attended La Guardia High School of the Performing Arts (Fame school) as a dance major. There she had daily intensive training in ballet and modern with professional dancers. She also studied ballet with David Howard in NYC. Michelle had numerous performance experiences with Youth Ballet Company, Baron Ballet Company, Performing Arts High School and her own dance studio. Michelle has over six years teaching and choreographing experience with children and adults.
Bill Iannone, percussion
After participating in school bands and studying with several working musicians in the New York City area, Bill gained valuable practical experience working club dates in the greater metropolitan area. As a working musician, experience was gained in performing with rock, jazz and marching bands as well as playing for shows, singers and dancers at resorts in the Catskills. Additional experience in recording studios and performing in telethons provided lessons to be shared with students. Teaching drums has always been part of the musical experience and as a guidance counselor on a middle and high school level provided a good foundation for working with school age students.
Mary Lee Ferris, voice and piano
Mary Lee Ferris (voice and piano) has a Bachelors of Music (Pedagogy major, piano minor) from the School of Music, University of Louisville. She has a Masters in Voice and was awarded the first teaching assistantship in the vocal department. Additional studies with Jean Stawski in Munich, Judith Oas Natalucci in NYC and Rome, Adele Addison (Professor of Voice at SUNY Stony Brook) Beverly Johnson (Juilliard), W. Fletcher Smith (Professor of Voice at University of Louisville). Mary Lee was a member of the vocal faculty at the University of Louisville and has performed professionally throughout the US and Europe.
Maryann Maffei
Maryann Maffei (art and piano teacher) studied classical piano and technique under Gesila Scott (Manhattan School of Music) from 1985-1998. She has an Associates of Art degree in Music (2004) from Orange County Community College and is a certified art education teacher with a B.S. in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz. Maryann studied jazz improvization with Christopher Parker from 1998-2005. She has taught beginner through advanced private and group piano students since 1989.
Maryann has been drawing and painting for 35 years. She studied printmaking at Garrison Art Center 1976-1984. She studied portrait figure drawing and watercolors under Stephen Douglas from 1973-1980. She is currently enrolled in the Art Education program at SUNY New Paltz (2005-present). Maryann exhibited printworks and drawings at Garrison Art Center, Rheinbeck Arts Fair and several arts fairs throughout Dutchess & Putnam counties. She has exhibited works at OCSD Gallery and SUNY New Paltz student gallery.
Maryann won 1st prize at Art Foundation show 2006 and 2007.
Megan Lowe, Irish Step
Megan Lowe (Irish Step) began dancing at a young age taking ballet, tap and jazz. She started taking Irish Step at age 12 at Sheahan-Gormley School of Irish Dance. There she studied the different dances, music and Irish culture. She completed in feis (Irish competition) and worked her way up the ladder from beginning to championship level. Today Megan is a full time special education teacher. She continues Irish classes as an adult and teaches when her teacher is away. A year ago, Megan started adult ballet at Orange County School of Dance. She is looking forward to teaching Irish Step this year.
Angelo Pagano, Woodwind, Brass & Piano Instructor
Angelo earned his bachelor’s degree as a scholarship student at Mannes School of Music and his master’s degree at Long Island University. His debut as a clarinet soloist was in Town Hall in NYC and was followed by performances with the New York City Symphony and other orchestras. His many solo recitals earned him acclaim from the New York City press. Mr. Pagano created and directed the only professional symphony orchestra in Orange County, The Highlands Symphony Orchestra. His championing of contemporary music has resulted in many exciting premieres of new American works.
Bill McCrossen, guitar and upright bass
Bill McCrossen (guitar and upright bass) is a professional jazz musician who performs throughout the New York area. He recently returned from a three month tour in the Mediterranean. Bill was also on the music faculty of Tuxedo Park School. This is Bill’s third year teaching at Orange County School of Dance.
Eileen Slawinski, ballet and jazz dance teacher
Eileen Slawinski (ballet and jazz) studied dance at the Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory in Tarrytown, NY as well as at OCSD. She appeared in performances at the Tarrytown Hall and assisted in choreography/direction. Eileen has been on the faculty of OCSD since 2002 and teaches Ballet I, II, III and Jazz I and II classes. She has choreographed numerous pieces over the years, four of which were chosen for company dances. Eileen is also the stage manager for OCSD performances. In addition to teaching, Eileen works for IBM.
Kathryn Alicia Tate, Mezzo-Soprano
Kathryn Alicia Tate, Mezzo-Soprano, came to love opera as a young child by watching Beverly Sills perform on PBS. After successfully receiving with honors her English Literature degree, she remembers standing in the wings of the Grand Tennessee Theatre as a mere chorus member during Knoxville Opera Company's production of "La Boheme" and confirming her commitment to music while Mimi and Roldulfo met. This last summer she sang the role of the sultry Mercedes in Bizet's "Carmen", which can be viewed on YouTube, with the Hudson Opera Theater, where she had previously performed her first pants role as Annius in Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito". She has also sung with the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera as Mamma Lucia in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. To her credit she has performed in numerous productions with the Knoxville Opera Company and Delaware Valley Opera Company. Other performance highlights include featuring a one-woman cabaret show for the opening of the Rodin Exhibition for the Knoxville Museum of Art, appearing as the Mother with the Bronx Opera's student production on Menotti's "The Consul", performing with Indianapolis' renowned American Caberet Theatre, and appearing as guest soloist with the Orange County Orchestra to sing Bellini's famous duet "Miro, o Norma" from the opera "Norma", receiving acclaim for the "rich intonations and sonorous treble". She is also a vocal awards recipient from the American Institute of Musical Studies in Grax, Austria.
Brian Plotnick, guitar
Brian Plotnick (guitar) has an Associates in Music Performance from SUNY Orange and a BS in Business from Empire State University. Brian is a member of the rock group These 3 Poisons that performs throughout the East Coast. Their music can be heard on Itunes, Amazon, Rock Band 3, and YouTube. He has been performing for 17 years and teaching for 7 years. In addition to teaching and performing, Brian builds sets for theatrical productions and events.
George Whetstone, viola teacher
George studied Viola at the Hartt School of Music and Western Connecticut State University in connection with the Manhattan String Quartet. He has participated in numerous summer programs including the Music Mountain Young Professional String Quartet Seminar and the Aspen Music Festival.
Mr. Whetstone has performed in wide ranging orchestras including The Mexcio City Opera, the American Chamber Orchestra, Albany Symphony, Ridgefield Symphony, Sarasota Opera, Metro Lyric Opera, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players and the Garden State Philhemonic.
He balances his orchestral work with extensive involvement in chamber music programs and solo work with summer festivals and in New York Metropolitan area churches.
Kristen Wesbecher, ballet and jazz
Kristen Wesbecher (ballet and jazz) has studied ballet, modern and jazz at OSCD for fourteen years. While studying for her bachelors in NYC, she took classes at the Broadway Dance Center. As a former member of Little Feet Dance Company, she is looking forward to teaching ballet and jazz at the very place that inspired her to continue dancing throughout her life.
During the day Kristen works for a non-profit agency that assists developmentally disabled individuals find and maintain fulfilling careers in the community. Kristen has a BA in psychology and is currently pursuing her masters in mental health counseling. She is confident that her abilities in dance and in the professional world will transfer into a class setting. She is eager to prepare for the spring performance and meet her new students.
Tracey Bellina, Musical Theater
Tracy Bellina (musical theater) has 26 years experience in acting and musical theater. She has been seen in numerous productions around Orange and Dutchess counties.
