FACULTY

MICHELE ASSAF ( Artistic Director )
USA
Jazz_Lyricall_Theatre dance_Active-Isolated Flexibility _Active-Isolated Strengthening

Internationally renowned director/choreographer Michèle Assaf has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional and International Theater projects. Michèle directed and choreographed The Mariah Carey Charmbracelet World Tour, Mick Jagger Solo Tour, Michael Bolton 2002-6 Tour, Matchbox Twenty, the internationally acclaimed multimedia operas for The Houston Grand Opera; Carmen, Pagliacci and Madame Butterfly, and HGO’s 50th Anniversary Gala as well as Opera Pacific’s Samson and Delilah, Candide,Opera Odyssey 2001.. Other theatrical Projects include: Starmites (Tony Nomination), Bring In The Morning, Scenes From an Execution, Nine Armenians, It's A Bird... It's A Plane... It's Superman, Sweet Charity, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mata Hari, Bring In The Morning, Can Can, Jeanne La Pucelle, Strides, Topper and Annie. She directed the Broadway bound musical, The Alchemist. Currently she is directing and choreographing Aida. In 1988-89 she choreographed for Lorella Cuccarini( Odiens, Festival Bar and Telegatto) and for the Video clip of “Jovanotti””la mia moto” She has been the artistic director of Broadway a Tropea since 2001. She is the CEO of Tezoro Productions. The company's products are dedicated to bringing education to dancers worldwide through instructional DVD's. One of her most noteworthy accomplishments is her introduction and modification of the Active- Isolated Flexibility method developed by Jim and Phil Wharton. In working with the Whartons and with her own expertise and knowledge about the muscles vital to a dancer’s career, Michèle has brought this revolutionary method of achieving flexibility and strength to all dancers. ACTIVE-ISOLATED FLEXIBILITY AI reduces your workload by removing tightness so you can swing your limbs more freely. It transports oxygen to sore muscles and quickly removes toxins from muscles, so recovery is faster. AI works as a deep massage technique because it activates muscle fibers during stretching. The class starts with unlocking the hip and trunk area, the feet, ankles and calves and then we move to the upper body. this class is for any level of dancer or athlete, as well as anyone recovering from injuries or interested in preventing injuries.


DESMOND RICHARDSON
USA
Contemporary_ Ballet_Complexions Coreographic Workshop

He was defined by the New York Times in its “Critics Choice” award of 1992 as one of best modern dancers of our time. Desmond Richardson is an artist of versatile talent, able to feel comfortable in different styles, from classic to modern, to contemporary dance. He was a ballet dancer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and of the Frankfurt Ballet of William Forsythe. In 1997 he became first ballet dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, the New York Times described him as “ one of the best dancers who has ever performed on the stage of the Metropolitan”, and the New York Magazine described him as “an image of Immediacy, Purity and Strength. He is currently involved on Broadway with the production of Movin’ Out of Twyla Tharp with Billy Joel in the role of Tony. Desmond Richardson performed as guest dancer with the Royal Swedish Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Washington Ballet and with Vladimir Malakov in Tokyo. Richardson cooperated and worked for television, appeared in movies, and music videos, in the United States and abroad. He took part in the movie “Chicago”, “One last Dance” with Patrick Swayze and in the movie “On the One” directed by Charles Randolph Wright, where he made his debut as a singer as well. Richardson is currently artistic co-director of his company “Complexions Dance Company”.


BRUNO COLLINET
FRANCE
Contemporary Jazz_ Dance Pedagogy

Teacher, choreographer and French dancer, he is endowed with charisma and sensibility. He normally teaches at prestigious Pariginian Harmonic Studio Center, but gives stages throughout the world, including Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, US, Israel, Senegal, and Japan. He founded, directed and choreographed the Company “ Les Espaces Inquiets”, and he also choreographed for many international Companies, such as: Why No ( Bruno Agati- France), Nadine Yemini ( Tel Aviv- Israel), Dance Gallery ( Perugia- Italy), Baletakademien ( Stockholm, Sweden). He participated in several theatre and television productions and musicals and won the Moliere prize for the best musical “Piaf, je t’aime”.


TERRY BEEMAN
USA
Modern Jazz_ Jazz Funk_Circus Acrobatics_Coreographic Workshop

An American from Los Angeles, he has been and still is one of the most reputed American dancers. He participated in several productions throughout the world. In Italy, he was first ballet dancer (partner of Heather Parisi and Lorella Cuccarini in Fantastico) and in other important TV shows. He was in the cast of the noteworthy “Fame” for the American television company Sony Pictures. He has danced with famous pop stars (Paula Abdul, Whitney Houston, Karin White) and he currently teaches in the most important dance centres of L.A. and gives stages throughout the world, earning success for his original and overwhelming style. He usually teaches at “the Edge” and Debbie Allen Academy of Los Angeles.


WES VELDINK
USA
Contemporary Jazz

Director and Choreographer Wes Veldink, originally from Oregon, moved to California at the age of 17 after being accepted to the Orange County High School of the Performing Arts. During his 10 years in Los Angeles, Wes was a dancer, teacher, and choreographer working in film, television, stage, commercials, video and print. Credits vary from the movie musical "Newsies,” body doubling for Michael Jackson, and improvising live onstage with singer/songwriter Ani Difranco. In 1999 Wes relocated to New York City to start The Wes Veldink Movement, serving as artistic director. The company’s first full-length evening of dance, "Walking Through Walls," premiered in 2001 and enjoyed a successful tour in Los Angeles and Toronto. As a company, they have participated in numerous festivals in New York City and have presented work in South Korea for the International Jazz Dance Festival in 2003, 2004, and 2006. Wes and his company have been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine, European Dance News, and is the May 2006 cover of Expressions Italian Dance Magazine. Wes travels the world teaching and choreographing for companies and institutions including the Oslo State Ballet School and Oslo Dance Ensemble in Norway, the Osaka School of Music in Japan, the International Dance Meeting in Italy, the Dance Center in Amsterdam, Harmonique in France, and the Nadine Bommer Academy in Israel. In 2005 and 2006 he created and developed a ten-month intensive and mentoring program for young dancers aspiring to have professional careers. Recently, Wes choreographed supermodel Kate Moss in the international commercial campaign for NIKON cameras. When in NYC Wes teaches at STEPS and DNA.


H. YOUNG WOO
KOREA
Contemporary Jazz_ Jazz Funk

Teacher, choreographer and also artistic director of the international dance centre and of the prestigious Company “POZ DANCE THEATRE” of Seoul, South Korea. She began to study in Korea at the Art Studio of Yewon and High School of Arts of Seoul. Then she moved to New York, America where she kept studying ballet dancing and she improved jazz dance and contemporary. She melted these 2 styles and created her own dance language and developed her own ideas and dance movements. She created the repertoire of ballets with original choreographies, refined and of high technique, full of vitality, energy and dynamism. She is earning great success with the Company, in her own country and throughout the world, and she is able to involve the audience and receive approval from critics.


CLARISSA MUCCI
ITALY
Ballet

She was educated at the National Dance Academy, where she improved under the guidance of the Master Zarko Prebil regarding ballet dancing, and under the direction of the Master Jean Cebron and Irina Harris regarding modern dance. She kept studying and attending proficiency and refresher classes with the best known master of ballet dancing: Merle Park, director of the London Royal Ballet; Irina Trohmova, Nina Kurgakina, assistent choreographer and producer of the Marinsky Theatre of St. Petersburg; Elisabetta Terabust, director of the Opera School in Rome. She danced solo in ballets produced by the National Dance Academy and edited by the Master Zarko Prebil: “Le Sifilidi”, “Paquita”, “Giselle”, “Swans’ Lake”, “Don Chisciotte”, “the Nutcracker”. She has been teaching academic technique at the National Dance Academy since 1981. From 1988 to 1991 she was given the task of repertoire’s teacher and choreographing assistant. In 1991 she was invited as Maitre du Ballet at the San Carlo Theatre of Naples.


MICHELE OLIVA
iTALY
Modern Jazz

In 1998 participated in the music video of the pop star Geri Halliwell “Look at Me” In 1999 promoted internationally with Geri Halliwell (Festival Bar, Donna sotto le Stelle, Domenica In, Quelli che il calcio, Stasera pago io, Torno Sabato, top of the pops UK, Hide Park CdUK and other international TV shows.) In 2000 participated in 2 video clips “Mi chico latino” and “Bag it up” by Geri Halliwell. In 2001 participated in international promotion and concerts in different countries (Dubai, Singapore, Oman, Russia Australia) In 2001 international promotion with the pop star Kylie Minogue In 2002 participated in the music video “It’s raining man” by Geri Halliwell. In 2002 worked on the television show “Stasera pago io” conducted by Fiorello. In 2002 national and international TV promotion with Paola & Chiara In 2003 participated in the TV show “Sognando Las Vegas” conducted by Luisa Corna In 2003 participated in the concert of Renato Zero In 2004 worked as assistant dancer for the TV show “Amici”of Maria de Filippi He currently works as a dance teacher throughout Italy, also earning great success abroad, including in London, Prague and L.A.


MANDY MOORE
USA
Modern Jazz_Coreographic Workshop

For more info Mandy Moore has appeared on the television shows, "Weird Al Comin' Home" for Disney and "The Ned and Stacey Show" for Fox. She can be seen in the film, "A Time For Dancing", choreographed by Marguarite Derricks and in commercials and industrial films for Nike, Chrysler, Epson, Nexus and Joe Boxer. She performed live with pop diva Kristine W and was featured in the Disney production of "Mulan" at the infamous Hollywood Bowl. She has been a dance coach to U.S. Olympic gymnast Chris Waller and choreographs and teaches nationally for many private studios, teams, and independent performers. She currently teaches at THE EDGE in LA.


FRANCESCA DARIO
ITALY
Ballet

Professional training: She studies from 1991 to 1995 at the ballet dance school run by "Edda Marcialis" with the following teachers : Cristine Marchant and Pia Russo for the academic ballet technique, jazz dance with Silvia Vianello, character with Silvia Andretta. From 1996 to 1997 she is admitted to the III course at the school of the "Teatro la Scala" in Milan. In 1998 she is admitted to the school in Hamburg, Germany, run by J.Neumaier . In 1999 she participates at the forth course for specialization run by the company "Fabula Saltica" at Rovigo. 2000 - 2001 she continue to study at the Edda Marcialis’s school. In September 2001 she starts to study with the company "Fabula Saltica" at Rovigo. In 2002 she is admitted to the specialization course at the Teatro Comunale of Florenz. Professional activities: In 2002 she works with the company "Fabula Saltica" in "Together", choreography by Fabrizio Monteverde and Claudio Ronda. In 2002 she takes part of the new production of the theatre season at Rovigo with "Il Pranzo", choreography by Claudio Ronda. In 2004 she takes parts at the TV show "Amici di Maria De Filippi". In 2006 she wins the first prize selection for "choreographic composition" at the contest "Città di Rieti", choreography by di Michele Oliva . In May 2006 she works with Bill Godson for the fitness festival in Florence. In the last two years she follows Michele Oliva as his assistant . ( all over Italy , Los Angeles , Paris, Madrid )


JARED GRIMES
USA
Hip hop_Coreographic Workshop

is a young and vibrant additive in the world of the arts where he is heavily making his mark in Tap and Hip-Hop/Street Jazz. On numerous occasions, he has danced alongside legends such as Gregory Hines, Fayard Nicholas, Author Duncan and performed for timeless icons such as Ben Vereen, Debbie Allen, and Jerry Lewis. He is a member of "Rhapsody The Company", and has performed across the United States and abroad with the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble. Grimes has also toured with Musical legend, Mariah Carey, under the choreography of Marty Kudelka, and danced for artists such as Common, Salt N Peppa, Envogue, and the Roots under choreographer, Fatima. Jared's live stage credits include "Babes in Arms" at the Goodspeed Opera House, "Sammy," directed by Debbie Allen, the North Carolina GTC production of "Sophisticated Ladies", and "Vaudeville" directed by Chris D'Amboise. Grimes has appeared in commercials for Coca-Cola and television shows such as CBS' "Star Search," "Showtime at the Apollo," ABC Family's "Dance Fever" and The Jerry Lewis Telethon. His feature film credits include New Line Cinemas "Little Manhattan" and Elevation Filmworks' "First Born," starring Elizabeth Shue.


JOSHUA PELATZKY
USA
Contemporary _Coreographic Workshop

Joshua is originally from California. He received most of his training in Dallas, Texas. At 15 he joined the Bruce Wood Modern Dance Company. He continued his training at the Alvin Ailey school, Broadway Theatre Project and Ballet Magnificat. He has performed in musicals such as The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Joshua has also been seen in industrials for Bob Mackey, J.C. Penny, and the Designers Institute Foundation Fighting AIDS. His most recent performance was in Opera Pacific's Aida in Orange County where he also was assistant choreographer. Joshua has received the Young Choreographer of the Year and Choreographer of the Year from the American Dance Awards. He currently is assisting Michele Assaf in many endeavors. One of the latest being for the Learning Channel Medical Miracles featuring Phineas Newborn. He just returned from teaching contempary jazz and hip hop throughout Japan. As well, he was teaching at Broadway a Tropea in Italy, over the summer. He continues to teach, choreograph and perform every chance he gets.


AKIRA HINO
JAPAN
Contact Improvisation

Born in Osaka, Japan. Not only well-known as a master of Japanese Budo(Martial arts), but he is also around as a director/instructor, a professional Jazz drummer, a writer, a stage directer and a lecturer. He started gymnastic at junior high school without any coaching. He soon marked excellent records and was selected as one of the Tokyo Olympic qualifier for intense training. As a professinal drummer, Hino collabolated with many internationally-known Japanese artists such as Yosuke Yamashita, Akira Sakata, Kaoru Abe, Motoharu Yoshizawa, Gozo Yoshimasu and so on. In his 30's he founded the Hino Budo Institute as he established “Hino method" from his ascetic training, which does not depend on muscle strength and uses body in the most rational way. Because of his one-and-only amazing skill, Hino and his method was featured on national/international mass media(TV, Movie, Radio, Magazine, Newspaper, Video, DVD, etc) innumerable times. One of his published books "Kokoro no katachi" has been translated into Spanish (La Imagen del Corazon) and English (The Image of Kokoro). As Japanese Budo is extensively introduced by those media, he has been traveling world-wide to teach his style of martial arts. Since 2005, he has been invited by William Forsythe to teach the members of Forsythe company "How to connect & feel" in Frankfurt, Germany. Domestically, he has held his workshop since 2005 in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, and a total of 5000 people has participated. Since this very original and sophisticated physical method could apply to any fields of educating body, his Budo method has resounded through the leading artists, athletes, and instructors. Those who visit him to take guidance includes: Olympic medalists, a World champion of Kick-boxing, Prize fighters, Professional wrestlers, Rugby footballers, Budo instructors of other styles, Professional Dancers, Actors, Performers, Musicians, Doctors, Therapists, Scientists, and the people in various professions. He has also worked for people with intellectual disabilities. Hino Budo is based on controlling "Ishiki"("Consciousness") and utilizing "natural body reflexes", which is the unconscious movement, to feel the connection with other people. Especially for performers, he focuses on REAL physical expression to connect audiences and other performers on stage by recognizing one's inner/outer body stimuli.


SABATINO D’EUSTACCHIO
ITALY
Contamination Hip hop_Coreographic Workshop

Studies hip-hop and jazz in L.A. California - USA) in 1998. He worked as a Presenter for the Cruisin' : Mc hip-hop contest, Danceexperience nell'anno 2006. Dancer in the show "Amores" by Vittoria Ottolenghi and Vittoria Cappelli in 2006. He danced in the project in the national preview "Omidprojecteatre", choreography by Marisa Ragazzo in January 2006 during the MC hip hop contest in Jesolo. He teaches hip hop in the Accademia "TV dance" of Daniele Cipriani, together with other dancers like Bill Goodson, N'Mvula Sulgani, Tosca, Fabrizio Mainini, Franco Miseria, Claudio Insegno and many others for the complete training for show biz. Soloist in the show "L'amour et son Amour" during the Todi Arte Festival together with Roberto Bolle, Hector Budella, Vladimir Derevianko, Gheorghe Iancu, Viviana Durante, Balletto del Teatro di Roma, Balletto di Toscana in 2005. Protagonist in the TV show "Amici di Maria de Filippi" - Chanel 5, for nine month, attending dancing, singing and acting lessons in 2003. He took part in "Domenica in" - Rai Uno – with the company "Botega" for the singer Elisa in 2002. Dancer in the company "Teatro Koros" of Massimo Morricone in 2002. Scholarship for training courses by Mauro Astolfi in 2002. Took part of the hip-hop group "Extralarge", founded and choreographed by him, during national and international championships from 1998 to 2002, getting the following classifications: 1. classified - Federfunky; 1. classified FIA; 1. classified - MC funk festival. With the hip-hop "group Extralarge" he took part in the world championship of di hip-hop, in Tours, France. As a soloist at the national championship of hip-hop he classified first. Since 1998 hip-hop and jazz teacher on national level.


FEDERICA ANGELOZZI
ITALY
Contamination HIp hop_Coreographic Workshop

Training: Linguistic studies.- diploma in Naturopathy.- dance and hip-hop studies in Los Angeles. Diploma at the MC school- Scholarship by Enzo Celli – Studied with: Marisa Ragazzo, Omid Ighani, Gus, Madonna Grimes, Milo Levell, Tony Stone, Caterina Felicioni, Mauro Astolfi.- Scholarship for L'Hdemy. Professional experiences: 1997- founded together with Sabatino D'Eustacchio the group Extralarge. 1999/2003- taking part in various national and international contests with the group Extralarge (1st prize in the national championship Ballando Ballando( for 2 years), 1st Federfunk, 1°Fiaf, Jtb( for 2 years), 1st Mc contest (for 3 years), 9th at the world championship at Tour. Guest: Fitness festival (for 3 years), Mc contest( for 3 years), Jtb, Teatro Storchi. 2003- shortlisted for the Company Botega of Enzo Celli, she works together with the Botega per: Festival of Todi and Cividale with Carla Fracci, Arabella and Daniel Ezralow, Gheorghe Iancu, Alessandro Riga, Oplas, Spellbound dance company. 2004- Shortlisted as assistant for the choreography and dancer for the show "Il Moro " by Enzo Celli, she worked as assistant and dancer for the show "Circus" by Enzo Celli. Together with the company Botega they were guests during the TV show "Nuvolari" on channel Rai 2, hosted by Paola Saluzzi for Vittoria Cappelli. 2005- Assistant choreograph and dancer for the show "Uless ula" by Enzo Celli. She wins the contest Dancexperience for the best choreography. Sabatino D'Eustacchio’s assistent for Fitnesslandia. 2006-Presenter for the convention of the 'Mc hip-hop contest at Jesolo for the Cruisin’, dancing for the gala of the Mc together with the Extralarge, she dances in the Show, national preview of the concert "Omid in Theatreconcert" to the choreography of Marisa Ragazo and Omid Ighani. 2006-Presenter at the Mc contest of HipHop at Montalto di Castro for the Cruisin’.2006- Presenter at the fitness festival at Florence for the stage Cruisin’. 2006- she works with the company “Bottega” for the show “Amores” by Mrs. Vittoria Ottolenghi and Mrs Vittoria Cappelli. 2006- Presenter for danceexperience for the Cruisin’.2006- Teacher at the school “Opus Ballet” of Rosanna Brocanello and Daniel Tinazzi. 2007- Presenter pr at the’MC contest at Jesolo, Cruisin’.2007- Making the choreography for the show ”Ostro” by the company Botega for the theatre “Verdi” at Pisa and “Ambra Jovinelli” at Rome.


FRANCESCA CECCHINI
ITALY
Contamination Hip hop_ Hip hop

Working now for seven years as assistant of Caterina Felicioli holding together various stages in Italy and abroad ( Amsterdam, Warsaw, Zurich ). In 2002 she obtains the bronze medal with the group of Daniele Baldi at the World Championship for Hip hop at Miami, Florida-Usa , she is guest in important Italian festivals ( Todi, RHHP ), and TV Shows ( Match Music, Italiani by Paolo Bonolis ). In 2005 she performed in the contamination show “Girls” pure electronic music experience by Mauro Astolfi and Caterina Felicioli. She collaborates with Sabatino D’Eustacchio and Federica Angelozzi in the group Extralarge. Convention 2006 with the Maestro Rafael Mendez . Convention for Nestlè. 2007 opening of the concert of the Cò Sanz at Roma. Twinning with the tour of the Havikovo ( Usa ) with the group Kate’s place at the Parco della Musica in Roma. She takes part in the theme song of Ciao Darvin . At the moment she is teaching at the IALS at Roma.


PATRIZIA MUZZUPAPPA
ITALY
Pilates

Teacher and choreograph, has a long-year experience in postural science and kinesitherapy applied on dancing activity. She studied Anatomy of the movement and biomechanics and she developed a functional Workout for dancers having as an aim the neuromuscular re-balancing and the prevention of joint trauma caused by technical errors. She is a certified “Polestar Pilates Studio “ teacher.