The New England Academy of Dance has long enjoyed a reputation for providing quality dance training. The staff includes a permanent faculty of men and women of very different backgrounds who have danced with such acclaimed companies as the Dance Theater of Harlem, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico, and many more. The faculty is occasionally augmented by professional dancers from quality companies in New York City.
Directors
Frances Ortiz, co-director
Ms. Ortiz earned a BFA at SUNY Purchase and an MA in dance education at NYU. She received scholarships to Dance Theater of Harlem, The Martha Graham School and The Ailey School. She has performed works by Kevin Wynn, Elisa Monte and Ti Martin, and her choreography has been showcased on PBS in City Arts. In 2002 Ms. Ortiz co-founded Thomas/Ortiz Dance with Ted Thomas. She has taught and presented dance works at Yale and NYU and in addition to her responsibilities at NEAD, is currently a teacher at Greenwich High School.
Ms. Ortiz earned a BFA at SUNY Purchase and an MA in dance education at NYU. She received scholarships to Dance Theater of Harlem, The Martha Graham School and The Ailey School. She has performed works by Kevin Wynn, Elisa Monte and Ti Martin, and her choreography has been showcased on PBS in City Arts. In 2002 Ms. Ortiz co-founded Thomas/Ortiz Dance with Ted Thomas. She has taught and presented dance works at Yale and NYU and in addition to her responsibilities at NEAD, is currently a teacher at Greenwich High School.
Ginna Ortiz, co-director
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ms. Ortiz studied dance at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL, and received her BFA from SUNY Purchase with her twin sister Frances. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Ortiz performed with Dance Theater of Harlem, and subsequently worked with a number of independent choreographers in New York City. She is currently a company member and rehearsal director with Thomas/Ortiz Dance Theater. Ms. Ortiz has been teaching at NEAD since 1996, and became co-director in 2003.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ms. Ortiz studied dance at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL, and received her BFA from SUNY Purchase with her twin sister Frances. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Ortiz performed with Dance Theater of Harlem, and subsequently worked with a number of independent choreographers in New York City. She is currently a company member and rehearsal director with Thomas/Ortiz Dance Theater. Ms. Ortiz has been teaching at NEAD since 1996, and became co-director in 2003.
Ted Thomas, associate director
Mr. Thomas attended La Guardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City, earned his BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase, and his MA in dance education from NYU. He spent seven years as a member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and he has also performed with Ballet Hispanico, the Elisa Monte Dance Company, and Nikolais/Louis Dance. In 2002 Mr. Thomas co-founded Thomas/Ortiz Dance with Frances Ortiz. He has also taught at Barnard College.
Mr. Thomas attended La Guardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City, earned his BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase, and his MA in dance education from NYU. He spent seven years as a member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and he has also performed with Ballet Hispanico, the Elisa Monte Dance Company, and Nikolais/Louis Dance. In 2002 Mr. Thomas co-founded Thomas/Ortiz Dance with Frances Ortiz. He has also taught at Barnard College.
Faculty
Mary Lynn Poin
Miss Mary Lynn has been teaching at NEAD for over thirty years. Mary Lynn began her dance training as an adult at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk, CT in 1971. She later danced with Ballet Etudes Repertory Company and conducted her own classes, workshops, and performances for children and adults at the school. She also completed an intensive teacher training program. She teaches for the Connecticut Dance School in Southport CT as well as at New England Academy of Dance. She is presently head of Elementary Dance Education for the Student and Children Divisions at NEAD.
Miss Mary Lynn has been teaching at NEAD for over thirty years. Mary Lynn began her dance training as an adult at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk, CT in 1971. She later danced with Ballet Etudes Repertory Company and conducted her own classes, workshops, and performances for children and adults at the school. She also completed an intensive teacher training program. She teaches for the Connecticut Dance School in Southport CT as well as at New England Academy of Dance. She is presently head of Elementary Dance Education for the Student and Children Divisions at NEAD.
Amanda Gavan
Ms. Gavan was born in the UK, where she began her training at the Royal Ballet School. She also trained on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School and Alonzo King Lines Ballet School. Previous company affiliations include Hope Boykin Dance, Body Of People, Thomas Ortiz Dance and Opus Dance Theater. Amanda recently performed as a guest artist for The Lion King, for the inaugural celebrations of President Obama. She has extensive teaching experience in ballet, modern, tap and creative movement throughout Europe and South America. Amanda is currently dancing with the Matthew Westerby Company.
Ms. Gavan was born in the UK, where she began her training at the Royal Ballet School. She also trained on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School and Alonzo King Lines Ballet School. Previous company affiliations include Hope Boykin Dance, Body Of People, Thomas Ortiz Dance and Opus Dance Theater. Amanda recently performed as a guest artist for The Lion King, for the inaugural celebrations of President Obama. She has extensive teaching experience in ballet, modern, tap and creative movement throughout Europe and South America. Amanda is currently dancing with the Matthew Westerby Company.
Laura Tashji
Miss Laura has taught dance locally at the Ballet School of Stamford, Darien Dance Center, Westport Dance Center, Conservatory of Dance in Georgetown and at the Alvin Ailey Camp at the University of Bridgeport. She has appeared in the off Broadway musical, Scott and Zelda, as in the dream Zelda- ballet dancer, and she sang the role of Gertrude in Hansel and Gretel at the Palace Theatre in Stamford. She has performed in regional theaters in plays including, A Few Good Men, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and musicals, which include The Sound of Music and Pal Joey. She has appeared in Law and Order and was cast in an indepent film by Andre Degas. Laura grew up in NYC and attended NYC’s High School of Performing Arts.
Miss Laura has taught dance locally at the Ballet School of Stamford, Darien Dance Center, Westport Dance Center, Conservatory of Dance in Georgetown and at the Alvin Ailey Camp at the University of Bridgeport. She has appeared in the off Broadway musical, Scott and Zelda, as in the dream Zelda- ballet dancer, and she sang the role of Gertrude in Hansel and Gretel at the Palace Theatre in Stamford. She has performed in regional theaters in plays including, A Few Good Men, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and musicals, which include The Sound of Music and Pal Joey. She has appeared in Law and Order and was cast in an indepent film by Andre Degas. Laura grew up in NYC and attended NYC’s High School of Performing Arts.
Maureen Brower
Maureen Brower studied dance at several dance studios including David Sanders, Studio One, New York Express and Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan with the following renowned instructors: Darrin Henson, Mia Michaels, Brian “footwork” Green and Savigon Glover. She started her teaching at the age of 23 at New York Express Dance Studio and taught Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. She also taught at Center Stage and Dance Stylez. In March 2005, she auditioned for the NY Liberty Timeless Torches, the dance team for the NY Liberty (WNBA). In addition to performing at Madison Square Garden, she has made appearances on Good Morning America, WB11, UP9, and NBC. Cablevision also featured her and her dance career. Maureen continues to contribute and assist with choreography for the NY Liberty and teaches Hip Hop and Zumba classes at NEAD.
Maureen Brower studied dance at several dance studios including David Sanders, Studio One, New York Express and Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan with the following renowned instructors: Darrin Henson, Mia Michaels, Brian “footwork” Green and Savigon Glover. She started her teaching at the age of 23 at New York Express Dance Studio and taught Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. She also taught at Center Stage and Dance Stylez. In March 2005, she auditioned for the NY Liberty Timeless Torches, the dance team for the NY Liberty (WNBA). In addition to performing at Madison Square Garden, she has made appearances on Good Morning America, WB11, UP9, and NBC. Cablevision also featured her and her dance career. Maureen continues to contribute and assist with choreography for the NY Liberty and teaches Hip Hop and Zumba classes at NEAD.
Elinor Harrison Evans
Elinor Harrison is a Brooklyn-based dancer who has had the pleasure of dancing in the companies of Thomas/Ortiz, Jane Comfort, Nancy Meehan, Mary Seidman, Carlos Orta, and Noemie LaFrance. She studied at Dance/Aspen, Jacob’s Pillow, and Westport Ballet, and received a B.A. in Dance from Washington University in St. Louis. She has also toured internationally and nationally with “A Chorus Line” and shown her choreography in numerous venues throughout New York City.
Elinor Harrison is a Brooklyn-based dancer who has had the pleasure of dancing in the companies of Thomas/Ortiz, Jane Comfort, Nancy Meehan, Mary Seidman, Carlos Orta, and Noemie LaFrance. She studied at Dance/Aspen, Jacob’s Pillow, and Westport Ballet, and received a B.A. in Dance from Washington University in St. Louis. She has also toured internationally and nationally with “A Chorus Line” and shown her choreography in numerous venues throughout New York City.
Gabrielle Gilchrist
Received her early dance training at the New England Academy of Dance in New Canaan, CT. under the direction of Ginna Ortiz, Frances Ortiz, and Ted Thomas as well as attended Ballet Regent, American Academy of Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Gabrielle has since performed various lead roles in ballet such as the Nutcracker, Con Amore by Lew Christen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie under the direction of Bettie-Jane Sills. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Arts Management at SUNY Purchase College. She is presently a teacher and rehearsal assistant at New England Academy of Dance and a member of Thomas/ Ortiz Dance.
Received her early dance training at the New England Academy of Dance in New Canaan, CT. under the direction of Ginna Ortiz, Frances Ortiz, and Ted Thomas as well as attended Ballet Regent, American Academy of Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Gabrielle has since performed various lead roles in ballet such as the Nutcracker, Con Amore by Lew Christen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie under the direction of Bettie-Jane Sills. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Arts Management at SUNY Purchase College. She is presently a teacher and rehearsal assistant at New England Academy of Dance and a member of Thomas/ Ortiz Dance.
Guest Teachers
ALEXANDRA GONZALEZ started her dance training in Miami, Florida. At the age of seven, she continued her ballet training in Colombia with the Ana Pavlova Ballet Academy. At the age of fifteen, she received a full scholarship to join the San Francisco Ballet School where she was featured in Dance Magazine. She then joined the San Francisco Ballet Company under the direction of Helgi Tomasson, after which she moved back to Miami were she guested with the Miami City Ballet, Ballet Florida, Americas Ballet, and Michel Uthoff Dance Theater among other companies. She joined the New World School of the Arts under the direction of Daniel Lewis were she graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance in 2004. Subsequently, Alexandra joined Cedar Lake in New York City were she danced for over a year. She also danced with Ballet Hispanico and is currently with The Metropolitan Opera.
Administration
Debra Katz
Joan Blumenfeld
Gabrielle Gilchrist