Studio Coordinators:
Studio Coordinator & Dancer
Sasha Smith, originally from Syracuse NY, earned her BFA in Dance from Adelphi University in 2014 where she performed works by Paul Taylor, Pascal Rioult and Orion Duckstein. As a freelance artist in NYC she has been a company member with Vashti Dance Theater, Ballaro Dance and Mazzini Dance Collective. Additionally she worked with Dance Heginbotham during the creation and tour of a commissioned work for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and with Emily Johnson Catalyst Dance for a site-specific performance atop an installation at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, NY. Sasha is currently a collaborating artist with Parisa Khobdeh Dance Company and Bridget Cronin Dance. Concurrent with her dance pursuits, Sasha is an RYT certified yoga instructor.
Sasha Smith, originally from Syracuse NY, earned her BFA in Dance from Adelphi University in 2014 where she performed works by Paul Taylor, Pascal Rioult and Orion Duckstein. As a freelance artist in NYC she has been a company member with Vashti Dance Theater, Ballaro Dance and Mazzini Dance Collective. Additionally she worked with Dance Heginbotham during the creation and tour of a commissioned work for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and with Emily Johnson Catalyst Dance for a site-specific performance atop an installation at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, NY. Sasha is currently a collaborating artist with Parisa Khobdeh Dance Company and Bridget Cronin Dance. Concurrent with her dance pursuits, Sasha is an RYT certified yoga instructor.
Assistant Studio Coordinator & Faculty Member
Kathleen Bostleman began her dance training at the Toledo Ballet and the Toledo School for the Arts, and she later attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City on scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a BFA in Ballet. While completing her degree, she studied ballet and modern dance at the Beijing Dance Academy and graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Training Program under the direction of Karah Abiog. In addition, she spent summers studying at the Joffrey Ballet School, Colorado Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet. She has performed and choreographed new work as a freelance artist in San Francisco and New York City and taught classes and workshops for Toledo Ballet, the Teens@LINES program at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, and UCLA Ballet Company. She is an RYT-200 certified yoga instructor and a Licensed Massage Therapist. Embodimentessentials.com
Kathleen Bostleman began her dance training at the Toledo Ballet and the Toledo School for the Arts, and she later attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City on scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a BFA in Ballet. While completing her degree, she studied ballet and modern dance at the Beijing Dance Academy and graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Training Program under the direction of Karah Abiog. In addition, she spent summers studying at the Joffrey Ballet School, Colorado Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet. She has performed and choreographed new work as a freelance artist in San Francisco and New York City and taught classes and workshops for Toledo Ballet, the Teens@LINES program at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, and UCLA Ballet Company. She is an RYT-200 certified yoga instructor and a Licensed Massage Therapist. Embodimentessentials.com
Dancers:
Dancer
Gregory Kollarus is a proud alumnus of the Long Island High School For Arts (LIHSA) dance Program. While attending LIHSA, he also attended the Martha Graham Teen Program. After graduation, Gregory attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City for two years, and spent 7 weeks at the Summer Intensives at Joffrey Midwest. Gregory also graduated from The William Esper Studio where he studied the acting technique of Sanford Meisner. Gregory currently performs with independent choreographers, and is one of the founders of Logos Dance Collective. He has Choreographed Allegory Of The Cave/Echolocation/Flutter with Barbra Montero with original music by Dmitri Tymoczko. He was also one of the creators of The Missing Shade Of You alongside his cofounders Barbra Montero, Patra Jongjitirat, and Theresa Duhon. He also created his own jazz piece called Falling Into The Current that has recently appeared in New York City. Gregory is proud to be teaching dance alongside his mentor Jamie Chandler-Torns at The Studio For The Performing Arts in Commack, Long Island. He has been seen in theatrical productions of West Side Story at the John Engeman Theater, Carrie The Musical, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Other credits include appearances at City Center for the Dance Rocks: Electrifying Evening of Entertainment performing Peter Pucci’s Willing & Able, and performances of Hoopla at Joyce Soho. He also appeared in competition winning performances XYZ NYC at The Tank performing Ghost In The Underground, and Static/Sensation. Gregory values innovation in the arts and enjoys collaborating with others who are similarly willing to risk making inroads into uncharted territories.
Gregory Kollarus is a proud alumnus of the Long Island High School For Arts (LIHSA) dance Program. While attending LIHSA, he also attended the Martha Graham Teen Program. After graduation, Gregory attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City for two years, and spent 7 weeks at the Summer Intensives at Joffrey Midwest. Gregory also graduated from The William Esper Studio where he studied the acting technique of Sanford Meisner. Gregory currently performs with independent choreographers, and is one of the founders of Logos Dance Collective. He has Choreographed Allegory Of The Cave/Echolocation/Flutter with Barbra Montero with original music by Dmitri Tymoczko. He was also one of the creators of The Missing Shade Of You alongside his cofounders Barbra Montero, Patra Jongjitirat, and Theresa Duhon. He also created his own jazz piece called Falling Into The Current that has recently appeared in New York City. Gregory is proud to be teaching dance alongside his mentor Jamie Chandler-Torns at The Studio For The Performing Arts in Commack, Long Island. He has been seen in theatrical productions of West Side Story at the John Engeman Theater, Carrie The Musical, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Other credits include appearances at City Center for the Dance Rocks: Electrifying Evening of Entertainment performing Peter Pucci’s Willing & Able, and performances of Hoopla at Joyce Soho. He also appeared in competition winning performances XYZ NYC at The Tank performing Ghost In The Underground, and Static/Sensation. Gregory values innovation in the arts and enjoys collaborating with others who are similarly willing to risk making inroads into uncharted territories.
Dancer
Originally from Saitama, Japan, Kana Takahashi is a NYC based dancer and actor. She received her certificate in dance from the Ailey School in 2012. Her recent theatre credits include Lilt in South Pacific at MAC and West Virginia Public Theatre, Miss Saigon (BroadwayWorld Denver's best dramatic musical 2014), Oklahoma!, Hair, Six Strings Sonics, and The Magic Flute. As a dancer, Kana has performed for the John Cage Centennial Festival, ALDEN MOVES Dance Theater, Bullish Dance Theatre, Ailey Citigroup Theater, MuSE, and Azul Dance Theatre, among others. Kanatakahashidance.com
Originally from Saitama, Japan, Kana Takahashi is a NYC based dancer and actor. She received her certificate in dance from the Ailey School in 2012. Her recent theatre credits include Lilt in South Pacific at MAC and West Virginia Public Theatre, Miss Saigon (BroadwayWorld Denver's best dramatic musical 2014), Oklahoma!, Hair, Six Strings Sonics, and The Magic Flute. As a dancer, Kana has performed for the John Cage Centennial Festival, ALDEN MOVES Dance Theater, Bullish Dance Theatre, Ailey Citigroup Theater, MuSE, and Azul Dance Theatre, among others. Kanatakahashidance.com
Dancer
Sophia Andreyev resides in New York City as a dancer and freelance theater maker. She graduated from Mercyhurst University with one of the first two BFA's in Dance conferred by the school. There she performed extensively in leading roles in both recognized works, such as full-length classical pieces and an excerpt of José Limon’s Waldstein Sonata, and in original pieces created by her faculty, peers, and various guest artists. She performed past graduation both internationally and in her home state of Vermont. At Mercyhurst, Sophia discovered her love of choreographing and mixed-media performance. She is currently performing, creating short screendance pieces, teaching, and is working toward forming her own dance company.
Sophia Andreyev resides in New York City as a dancer and freelance theater maker. She graduated from Mercyhurst University with one of the first two BFA's in Dance conferred by the school. There she performed extensively in leading roles in both recognized works, such as full-length classical pieces and an excerpt of José Limon’s Waldstein Sonata, and in original pieces created by her faculty, peers, and various guest artists. She performed past graduation both internationally and in her home state of Vermont. At Mercyhurst, Sophia discovered her love of choreographing and mixed-media performance. She is currently performing, creating short screendance pieces, teaching, and is working toward forming her own dance company.
Dancer
Sarah Elaz is a dancer and choreographer from North Andover, Massachusetts. She earned dual degrees in Dance and Physics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and was awarded the Chancellor’s Talent Scholarship for dance. She moved to New York City after participating in Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s 5-month Dance Journey program, where she trained intensively with the company in Israel. Sarah is currently a dancer in the multimedia play SHE: A Choreoplay, which has been performed at New York Live Arts, Brooklyn Museum, HERE Arts Center, New York Ethical Society, and at colleges throughout the United States. Sarah is also the resident choreographer for the Brooklyn pop-band Jimmy & The Band. She has been featured in several music videos and live concerts for bands like KITTEN, the James Brown Dance Party, and Miss Dukes & The Package. Sarah has performed works with VashtiDance Theater, Heath in Progress, Mollet Contemporary Ballet, and Danza Organica. She hopes to continue dancing and choreographing in collaboration with the amazing dance, music, and art communities in Brooklyn and beyond.
Sarah Elaz is a dancer and choreographer from North Andover, Massachusetts. She earned dual degrees in Dance and Physics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and was awarded the Chancellor’s Talent Scholarship for dance. She moved to New York City after participating in Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s 5-month Dance Journey program, where she trained intensively with the company in Israel. Sarah is currently a dancer in the multimedia play SHE: A Choreoplay, which has been performed at New York Live Arts, Brooklyn Museum, HERE Arts Center, New York Ethical Society, and at colleges throughout the United States. Sarah is also the resident choreographer for the Brooklyn pop-band Jimmy & The Band. She has been featured in several music videos and live concerts for bands like KITTEN, the James Brown Dance Party, and Miss Dukes & The Package. Sarah has performed works with VashtiDance Theater, Heath in Progress, Mollet Contemporary Ballet, and Danza Organica. She hopes to continue dancing and choreographing in collaboration with the amazing dance, music, and art communities in Brooklyn and beyond.
Dancer
Tori Hey was born in Sioux City, Iowa and raised in Chester, New Jersey. She began her dance training at age three in a variety of styles, but gravitated towards classical ballet as she grew older. As a young student, Tori trained under world-renowned teachers such as, Alexandra Wells, Ernesta Corvino, Linda Kent, Francesca Harper, and Talin Kenar. Tori has spent several summers training at the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Program, and she was a member of the inaugural Complexions Pre-Professional Program. Tori holds a BFA in Dance from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, and has had the opportunity to dance professionally with Arch Ballet, as well as tour with companies such as the American Swiss Ballet and Ballets with a Twist. She also had the opportunity to work as a movement artist under the direction of Francesca Harper in artist Nick Cave’s installation “The Let Go” at the Park Ave Armory in New York. Tori has performed in venues such as The Joyce Theater and Jazz at Lincoln Center. She is also an ABT Certified Teacher. At The Ailey School, Tori was a recipient of the Agnes Varis Scholarship and the Ailey Artistic Scholarship. Tori now resides in Brooklyn as a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer. Tori joined Alden Moves Dance Theater for the 2020/2021 season and performed in “Frost” and as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker Reimagined!
Tori Hey was born in Sioux City, Iowa and raised in Chester, New Jersey. She began her dance training at age three in a variety of styles, but gravitated towards classical ballet as she grew older. As a young student, Tori trained under world-renowned teachers such as, Alexandra Wells, Ernesta Corvino, Linda Kent, Francesca Harper, and Talin Kenar. Tori has spent several summers training at the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Program, and she was a member of the inaugural Complexions Pre-Professional Program. Tori holds a BFA in Dance from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, and has had the opportunity to dance professionally with Arch Ballet, as well as tour with companies such as the American Swiss Ballet and Ballets with a Twist. She also had the opportunity to work as a movement artist under the direction of Francesca Harper in artist Nick Cave’s installation “The Let Go” at the Park Ave Armory in New York. Tori has performed in venues such as The Joyce Theater and Jazz at Lincoln Center. She is also an ABT Certified Teacher. At The Ailey School, Tori was a recipient of the Agnes Varis Scholarship and the Ailey Artistic Scholarship. Tori now resides in Brooklyn as a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer. Tori joined Alden Moves Dance Theater for the 2020/2021 season and performed in “Frost” and as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker Reimagined!
Dancer & Faculty Member
Olivia Passarelli attended Montclair State University as part of the Honors Program and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance, and a minor in public and professional writing, in 2020. While at Montclair, Passarelli has had the privilege of performing works by Martha Graham, Bill T. Jones, Joshua Manculich, Stacey Tookey, Christian von Howard, Earl Mosely, Nancy Lushington, and others. Since graduating, she has performed with Sonia Plumb Dance Company, as well as in various dance films. Passarelli has attended intensives at the Paul Taylor School, the Martha Graham School, Gallim, the Ailey School, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She made her choreographic debut in 2019, and has since had her work performed at Alexander Kassar Theater, alongside Martha Graham and Ohad Naharin; along with being selected for ACDA 2020. Most recently she was awarded 1st Place in Salt Contemporary Dance Company’s, Shape Choreography Festival.
Olivia Passarelli attended Montclair State University as part of the Honors Program and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance, and a minor in public and professional writing, in 2020. While at Montclair, Passarelli has had the privilege of performing works by Martha Graham, Bill T. Jones, Joshua Manculich, Stacey Tookey, Christian von Howard, Earl Mosely, Nancy Lushington, and others. Since graduating, she has performed with Sonia Plumb Dance Company, as well as in various dance films. Passarelli has attended intensives at the Paul Taylor School, the Martha Graham School, Gallim, the Ailey School, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She made her choreographic debut in 2019, and has since had her work performed at Alexander Kassar Theater, alongside Martha Graham and Ohad Naharin; along with being selected for ACDA 2020. Most recently she was awarded 1st Place in Salt Contemporary Dance Company’s, Shape Choreography Festival.
Additional Faculty Members:
Faculty Member
Jalyn Gill recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Dance. Jalyn has performed in works by Earl Mosley, Martha Graham, Christian vonHoward, and Ohad Naharin. She’s been dancing since the age of five and trained in dance schools such as Edge School of the Arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Mark Morris Dance Group. Jalyn also had the opportunity to travel abroad to Stockholm, Sweden to participate in an intensive with DOCH University and Balletakadimen.
Jalyn Gill recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Dance. Jalyn has performed in works by Earl Mosley, Martha Graham, Christian vonHoward, and Ohad Naharin. She’s been dancing since the age of five and trained in dance schools such as Edge School of the Arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Mark Morris Dance Group. Jalyn also had the opportunity to travel abroad to Stockholm, Sweden to participate in an intensive with DOCH University and Balletakadimen.
Faculty Member
Basia Lamy is a dancer and dance teacher in New York. She began her dance training at the age of three then trained and competed in many styles before turning her focus to ballet at age 13. She was accepted to train on scholarship at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School where she had the opportunity to perform in various works including George Balanchine’s Serenade. Basia also participated in several summer intensive programs including Miami City Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. A recent graduate of New York University in the Tisch School of the Arts, Ms.Lamy majored in Dance, with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology and took several courses in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. At Tisch she studied ballet, contemporary, improvisation, and dance composition. During her studies at NYU she had the opportunity to choreograph her own work as well as perform in creative works by students, faculty members, and guest artists. During the pandemic Basia began teaching and choreographing for students via zoom and in-person. Her goal is to always create an environment that focuses on the joy, artistry, and freedom that comes with dance!
Basia Lamy is a dancer and dance teacher in New York. She began her dance training at the age of three then trained and competed in many styles before turning her focus to ballet at age 13. She was accepted to train on scholarship at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School where she had the opportunity to perform in various works including George Balanchine’s Serenade. Basia also participated in several summer intensive programs including Miami City Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. A recent graduate of New York University in the Tisch School of the Arts, Ms.Lamy majored in Dance, with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology and took several courses in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. At Tisch she studied ballet, contemporary, improvisation, and dance composition. During her studies at NYU she had the opportunity to choreograph her own work as well as perform in creative works by students, faculty members, and guest artists. During the pandemic Basia began teaching and choreographing for students via zoom and in-person. Her goal is to always create an environment that focuses on the joy, artistry, and freedom that comes with dance!