The Staff

Fred Siretta Artistic Director - has studied and performed professionally for over 30 years. He has appeared on Broadway, TV and in films. He studied ballet at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet School, Theatre School, and the School of American Ballet. He trained in Modern Dance with he Martha Graham School, and studied with Luigi, Jack Cole and Matt Mattox. He has choreographed many ballets, jazz pieces and musicals. He has directed and choreographed many industrial shows such as Pepsi Cola, J.C. Penny, National Cash register, etc. He has also choreographed over 250 national commercials and videos. He is the recipient of the National Dance Awards, Best Choreographer of the year for 1987, for his work of Leggs Pantyhose spots - (each with one couple dancing) the Tango, Tap and the Jitterbug. He has also choreographed Leggs Pantyhose with the Rockettes. Other commercials were Burger King, Teddy Grahams, Fruit Slush, Oreos, J.C. Penny, Kool Aid, etc. He has also choreographed T.V. Specials for Cable and T.V. Pilots. His acting training was with Lee Strasburg, Stella Adler, Bill Hickey, H.B. Studio, The Neighborhood playhouse and many other's. He has appeared in guest spots on T.V., and has acted in films. He has taught Dance and Drama for may years in New York, and LA., and has taught ballroom all over the world. He was a guest teacher in the University of Alabama, at Birmingham, where he taught jazz and tap, and choreographed ballets for the company. He has also taught teachers at Dance Conventions. He has choreographed ballets and nightclub acts all over the world.

Jo-Ann Siretta Managing Director - has been a professional Dancer, Singer, Actress for over 25 years. She has appeared on Broadway, T.V., and in Films and Ballet Companies. She trained at the Washington School of Ballet with Edward Caton, Anatole Vilsak, Ludmilla Schollar, Igor Schwezoff, and Madame Stragonova. She danced with the Washington Ballet Company and other regional Ballet Companies. She appeared in many Broadway Shows including "Whoopee" which she was the Assistant Choreographer for the National touring company with Imogene Coca. She has danced on such TV Show's as Merv Griffin, Jerry Lewis Telethon and the Today Show, and appeared in many films. She studied Jazz with Luigi, and with many other NY Jazz teachers, and is also trained in Tap. She attended Butler university where she majored in Dance. She studied acting with Stella Adler, Bill Hickey, and H.B. Studio, and has appeared in many T.V. commercials. She has taught children and adults for many years in Manhattan and Queens and has performed in nightclubs with her husband, in their own nightclub Act in hotels, Conventions, and theatres, all over the world. She and her husband also toured on many major cruise ships, where they performed their Act and taught Ballroom Dancing.

Cara Nicole Instructor - has studied Ballet at the School of American Ballet. She attended other major dance schools for over 17 years. She has performed in the "NUTCRACKER" at Lincoln Center with the New York City Ballet and in "NAPOLI" at the Metropolitan Opera with the London Festival Ballet & Joffrey. She has appeared on Saturday Night Live and has performed professionally in Equity Theatres and MTV Videos. She is a graduate of the High School of Performing Arts and attended Mary Mount Manhattan College where she majored in Dance & Drama. She has appeared in many movies and commercials. Recently she has been in the SOPRANOS, and other T.V. shows. She was the stand in for the lead in Centerstage - the newly released film of dancer's lives. Also her D.J. Company has organized parties for the city with such celebrities as Mayor Giulliani, and the Jet's Boomer Essasion?

Veronica Vera Is our Latin/Salsa and Ballroom teacher she has alot of experience teaching adults and children in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. She began working in the fifth avenue Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studio and took classes at Broadway Dance Center, La Salsa de Hoy, and with Maria and Eddie Torres. While attending classes at La Salsa de Hoy Veronica was asked to join The Revelation Dancers by the director, Hector Lopez. They performed in La Maganette, Boston Salsa Congress of 2004, and L.A. Salsa Congress of 2004. Since she is a dance major at Hunter College and a psychology minor she performed in the Kaye Playhouse May 2004 and March 2005. Veronica also performed in "Escencia", "Altering Consistency" and "Then there were two" works in progress of 2004. Beginning in October through the end of November she performed a west african, folk, ballet, jazz, and modern piece every friday morning in seven different High Schools within the five boroughs. Along with dancing, teaching, and performing she also choreographes. As her first work under the advisement of Jana Feinman and Kathleen Turner, her piece called "Nightmare Touches" consisted of five dancers, in Hunter College's 2004 "Works in Progress" and then consisted of twelve dancers in May 2005 as a finished product.She has graduated as a dance major from Hunter College and is now attending Pratt University. Veronica is now part of the Soho Dance Company.

Susana Performs and is a company member of the Martha Graham dance ensemble, She was part of Club Gimnastico Bio-Bio Gymnastics company where she taught gymnastics and ballet for 10 years. She competed with the company in gymnastic competitions for 6 years. She has also danced with the, Eva Perrota dance company, & the Ellis Wood Company. We are very proud to have her on staff at American Dance where she will teach Modern, Ballet and gymnastics.

Lawrence Nadel Is a licensed educator through New York State. He has earned his BS at the State University of New York at Oswego and is currently earning his MS at Queens College. He currently teaches Communication Arts/Theatre for the New York City Department of Education, Edward R. Murrow High School, in Brooklyn NY. He is one of four teachers involved with the Player's Circle Performance Group, and Screened Studio Theatre Program at the school. Lawrence has taught and also directed various musical productions in camps across the Tri-State Area during the past summers. He has studied with directors such as Paul Savas, Mark Cole, and Jonel Langenfeld-Rial. His concentration in theatre studies includes acting/directing, theatre education, and criticism.

Elliot J. Kleinburd Elliot graduated with a BFA in Music Theatre at the University at Buffalo. He has performed in many regional theatres across the country and toured nationally with the National Theatre for Children and the Jack Tale Players. Elliot was also a student at the National High School Institute for Theatre Arts and performed side by side with America Ferrera, the star of the hit-show Ugly Betty. He is currently a member of Palmer Arts Collaborative, a NY/NJ based ballroom dance company that incorporates all styles of dance for competiton and concert work. He is also the co-founder and artistic director of In The Light Theater Company, a musical theatre company based in Buffalo, NY making its way to New York City.

Jeff Cowans Jeff was a shy kid from queens who through dance became a much sought after brooklyn dance teacher. Jeff started with his eyes set on a career in engineering but God had other plans. With training from some of the industries top teachers jeff soon booked videos, commercial work and has danced for a few artist including a performance at HOT 97's summerjam and the Superbowl. Now working wit two up and coming artist Jeff simply believes, THE MORE YOU BRING TO THE TABLE THE BETTER YOUR CRAFT WILL BE, this is why he's continues to still take class. DO IT LIKE YOUR DOIN IT FOR TV

Leo Bayard Has coached the Award Winners in Queen's Teen Talent Competition. He has had leading roles in "GUYS AND DOLLS" ,"BELLS ARE RINGING", "LIL ABNER", "PAJAMA GAME", "DAMN YANKEES", and toured with the National Company of "DETECTIVE STORY". He attended the Max Reinhardt Theatre, and the American Theatre Wing, N.Y.

Dan Siretta Guest Teacher and Lecturer - directed, choreographed and conceived David Merrick's production of "OH KAY!" On Broadway and received a Tony Award Nomination. He also staged the much heralded revival of "THE MOST HAPPY FELLA" for the New York City Opera. His other Broadway credits include "WHOOPEE", for which he received a Tony Award Nomination: "VERY GOOD EDDIE", "TAKE ME ALONG", "LITTLE JOHNNY JONES", "THE FIVE O'CLOCK GIRL", Alan J. Lerner's "LOLITA MY LIFE", "GOING UP " and "TIP TOES" both of which earned him Drama Desk Award nominations. With the Goodspeed Opera House, Mr. Siretta served as Associate Artistic Director and directed, choreographed and reconceived some 30 musicals, including the original production of "ANNIE". Mr. Siretta choreographed for Mikall Baryshinikov in "CELEBRATING GERSHWIN", the award winning production for PBS'S GREAT PERFORMANCES SERIES. In film, Mr. Siretta's work can be seen in the Academy Award winning "Children OF ALESSER GOD" and "THOSE LIPS, THOSE EYES". He is a graduate of Julliard School.

Mark Weston Has been seen on T.V. commercials. In shows, movie's & on Broadway. He has also performed in "GUIDING LIGHT", "ONE LIFE TO LIVE", "ANOTHER WORLD", "KING OF THE GYPSIES", "CHANOUS", "HANKY PANKY". He has written many plays and is presently teaching at the Screen Actors Guild Conservatory. He is an original member of Lee Strasberg's class. Mark's on our staff and is teaching Acting and Playwriting.

Ted Levy Has taught Tap for many years. He assisted the choreographer of "BRING IN DA'NOISE, BRING IN DA'FUNK" and has worked on the Broadway musical "BLACK 7 BLUE". Recipient of the Emmy Award.

George Patterson Performed in "BRING IN DA'NOISE,BRING IN DA'FUNK", On Broadway for four years and has been teaching Tap for many years.

Janice Lenzer Teaching dance and performing professionally for over 20 years.