Beth Fritz - Logrea

Beth Fritz-Logrea was a protege of Dame Alicia Markova. While receiving her early training in Memphis, Tennessee, with Charles Kirby and Manola Agullo, she was seen by Markova and offered a scholarship to the Metropolitan Opera. She joined the Metropolitan Opera ballet company at the age of sixteen and continued her training in New York with Markova's teacher, Vincenzo Celli. She has performed as principal dancer with Ballet Etudes Repertory Company, St. Gallen Stadt Theatre (Switzerland), and the Graz Opera House (Austria), and she has toured Europe extensively, dancing leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Romeo and Juliet, and Pas de Quatre. Although trained as a classical ballet dancer, she has also been featured in such shows as Man of La Mancha, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and Oklahoma!. She is co-director of the Academy and Co-Artistic Director of Westchester Ballet Company.

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Jean Logrea

Jean Logrea came to the United States from Austria, where for seven years he was a principal with the Graz Opera House ballet company. Trained at the Scoala Speciala in Cluj (Romania) in Classical Ballet, Character, and Folk Dance, he was a principal at the Opera House Cluj, as well as a teacher at the affiliated school for nine years. There he was entrusted with a class of especially talented students, all of whom are now dancing internationally with major companies. As principal dancer, he toured extensively throughout Europe and the USSR in such major roles as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, the Jester in Swan Lake, the pas de deux from Le Corsaire, and the Rocker in The Miraculous Mandarin. In addition to co-directing the Academy he is the Co-Artistic Director of Westchester Ballet Company, and he is a judge at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, FL since it began in 2007.

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Nick Logrea

Nick trained at the Logrea Dance Academy and has performed in WBC’s Nutcracker for 27 years. He has also performed as a soloist in WBC productions of Les Patineurs (Man in Grey), La Bayadere (Solor), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), Peter and the Wolf (Peter; the Wolf), La Boutique Fantasque, Tales of Vienna and A Glenn Miller Nutcracker. Logrea is a ZESTM(Zumba® Education Specialist), training people to become licensed Zumba® instructors. During the past 7 years, Logrea has travelled the US and Internationally teaching Master Classes and had the privilege of dancing with Beto Perez, the creator of the Zumba Fitness program, appearing in fitness concerts in London, Australia and Prague.  Logrea appeared on ABC TV’s The View as a backup dancer to Vanilla Ice in a Zumba remix to his smash hit “Ice Ice Baby", as well as appearing on The Today Show as a dancer for Lil Jon, promoting his new song "Work”.  He was featured in two Zumba Fitness video games, Zumba Fitness Core and Zumba Fitness World Party.

Mary Jane Houdina

Mary Jane was associate choreographer for the movie "The Great Gatsby" and tap consultant for Peter Allen at Radio City. On Broadway she was associate choreographer for the original "Annie" and choreographer for "Into the Light". Regional theaters have seen her choreography in a myriad of musicals including " Oklahoma!", "Follies", and “Showboat": with such stars as Jean Stapleton, Juliet Prowse, and Gavin McLeod. She danced in ten Broadway shows, working for choreographers Michael Bennet, Gower Champion, Alan Johnson, Tony Stevens, and Peter Gennaro. She also had the pleasure of dancing in Peter Gennaro’s night club act. She is the 1998 Barrymore Award recipient for her choreography for “Crazy for You”, the 2001 nomination for “Singin’ in the Rain” and the 2006 nomination for “42ndt St.” all at the famous, historical Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. On TV she choreographed “The Adventures of Slim Goodbody In Nutri-city” for Captain Kangaroo; was assistant choreographer for the Miss American Pageant; and the “Dames at Sea” TV special starring Ann Margaret, Ann Miller and Ann Meara. Additional director/choreographic credits include the opening ceremony for the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, NY (home of the Buffalo Sabres!); a long list of industrial shows for Avon and Merrill Lynch among others; plus a 50’s “Rock and Roll” review in Seoul, Korea! As a teacher, she has taught throughout the US and has been on the faculty for all the major dance organizations, plus adjunct professor at Pace University, Briarcliff, NY. 

​She continues to choreograph and teach, and is Pilates Mat certified. She recently received a Legacy Award from the NYC based organization “Dancers Over 40” for her contribution to the dance world! She lives north of NYC with her husband Cole and 6 furry friends.

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David Guggino

After graduating from Haddonfield Memorial High School,

David Guggino moved to New York City and attended Marymount Manhattan University. He attended the Joffrey Ballet/New School University. Performance credits, Ward 9, West Side Story at TUTS, Damn Yankees at NSMT and Grease! at KC Starlight, Regis and Kelly!, Clear Blue Tuesday, Broadway Under The Stars. Company credits, Momix, Joffrey Ensemble, The Chase Brock Experience, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Stancovic Ballet, Rebecca Davis Ballet. David has choreographed his own off-Broadway show entitled What Guys Do! at The Bleecker st Theate.r. His choreography credits, West Side Story, Rocky Horror, Sid in the City. His commissioned works are We were always coming back, Virus, Walking with the Gods,

and A Beautiful Sadness. His choreographic movie credits include, Fly the Light, and Them. Other commissioned works include Idol Giselle, How Strong, Conversations, What Guys Do Excerpts, Opposing Forces and Cosmic. He has choreographed and taught at the Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary program and has premiered the second installment of his event SlamBamDance! at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn and was a faculty member at Steps on Broadway for 15yrs. He has Directed and choreographed Lucian Smith” music video “Burn That Paper” and Assistant Directed and choreographed artist “Traces” music video “Hypnotized”. He has Written and Directed “Transcendental” music video and Co-wrote and Directed the Pilot Teaser for the action series “PRISM”. He was a Consultant for Jim Jarmusch on his most recent film, “The Dead Don’t Die”. He has been producing/directing/writing a web mini-series called “The Academy” and edited the trailer. His writing credits also included comedy sketches and commercial samples. Most recently he has completed a short action/dark comedy movie entitled “Pandora’s Children” He is a director/writer/editor with his own Production Company, DTG Productions LLC based out of New York City.

Cynthia Izoldi

Cynthia Izoldi, was born in Brazil and moved to the USA to pursue her passion in dancing.

When young she attended a 8 yrs of prep-professional program at the Municipal School of

Ballet of São Paulo. While still in school she danced with the Lyrical Theater of São Paulo, and

upon graduating she continued to train under Mme Halina Biernaka, a Polish prima ballerina

and pupil of famous Bronislava Nijinska.

Cynthia danced and toured professionally with Decamera Ballet and Ballet Classico de São

Paulo before moving to New York City where she received a scholarship to train at the Joffrey

Ballet School.

While in the USA she trained with well known ballet masters such as: Meredith Baylis ( former

Ballet Russe ballerina), Dorothy Lister, Jacques Cesbron, David Howard, and her most admired

master Wilhelm Burmann - whom she learn the quick speed and musicality of the American

Ballet Technique.

She danced professionally for over 15 years with New York City Opera Ballet Company, as well

as the Connecticut Ballet Theatre and the Ballet Classique in Europe. She also appeared at

Live from Lincoln Center productions.

Upon retiring she went on to become a mother and then to teach classical ballet.

To polish her pedagogical skills she often participates in teaching methodology programs such

as: *The Paris Opera Ballet School- “Cross Treads”, *The Vaganova Methodology with Janet

Springer and Master Oleg Vinogradov (former Kirov Company Director), *The Cuban

Methodology and the early child development * “Leap & Learn” program among others.

She believes proper technique happens with proper learning, and students deserve the best of

their teachers.

Billy Blanken

(Ballet) Billy BS Ball State University, started his professional career as a principal with the Amy Marshall Dance Company before joining Les Ballets Grandiva. His credits include; principal guest artist with Mobile Ballet, CoDa 21 of San Juan, Catherine Gallant Dance, Atlantic City Ballet, Northwest Florida Ballet, Ajkun Ballet Theatre, the East Village Dance Project, Northeastern Ballet Theatre, isadoraNOW, Ballet Mink Colbert, and many others.  In 2016 he founded Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre for which he is Artistic Director.  

Billy has taught at the Jakarta Intercultural School, Rioult Dance Center, the National School in Tirana, Albania, Ball State University, Wright State University, Gibney Dance, Northwest Florida Ballet and others. He is currently faculty at SUNY Purchase and Peridance. 

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Andrea Redman

Andrea Redman has been teaching all disciplines of dance for 28 years, although ballet and pointe are her specialty.  She directed her own school in Michigan for many years and has served as the Children’s Rehearsal Director for the Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” for 15 years in Detroit, MI and now Brooklyn, NY.  Ms. Redman holds a B.A. in Dance from Oakland University.  

She currently teaches at the Ballet Hispanico School and the Lucy Moses School at the Kaufman Music Center in NYC.  She has also taught at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts, Steps on Broadway and many other schools in NY, NJ, CT and MI.  Andrea has been judging for Nexstar Talent Competition for 13 years.  She danced professionally with the Eglevsky Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Russian Ballet Theatre of Delaware and Ballet Theatre Pennsylvania.  Ms. Redman has won several choreography awards for ballet and lyrical pieces, and her students have placed in the top 3 at the Youth America Grand Prix and have been invited to the finals several times.  

​Her students are dancing on Broadway, with the Radio City Rockettes, Royal Carribean Cruise Lines and with American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet,  Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Cincinnati Ballet and Ballet Internationale. 

Kristina Lindbergh

Kristina received her early training in Washington state with Margheret Sundsten on Bainbridge Island and Jan Collum in Tacoma, and later at Cornish School of the Arts and Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle.  

She worked with Christine Temin at Middlebury College, and with Nancy Bielski and David Howard after moving to New York City.  While there she performed with two experimental dance companies, Spoke the Hub and Boyce Dancers, before relocating in northern Westchester county to raise her family. 

Kristina has been a teacher at Logrea Dance Academy since 1987, and she and her two daughters performed with the Westchester Ballet company for many years.  She served on the company’s board of directors for fourteen years, seven of them as President.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Jayne Santoro

Jayne received her classical training at the American Ballet Theatre School in NYC with Maria Swoboda. She also studied with Leon Fokine, Maria Jones, Nenette Charisse, and Finis Jhung. Jayne is a former member of Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and also performed with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company.

In 2018, after a long and fulfilling career, Jayne retired as the JCC of Mid-Westchester Dance School Director. While overseeing the JCC Dance School, Jayne taught all levels of Ballet to both children and adults. Additionally she has choreographed, produced and directed over 30+ Ballets for the Westchester Theatre of Dance Company as well as their Community Outreach component.l.
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While Jayne currently teaches Advanced Ballet and Master Pointe classes at LDA, she also continues to teach morning Adult classes at the JCC. Jayne is delighted to say since 1994, she loves teaching the dedicated and passionate students of LDA.

 And a HUGE Thank you to the Logrea Family for their continued support over so many years.

Alissa Lazaro

Alissa Lazaro enjoys coaching dancers of all ages to harness their potential, refine their technique and grow their artistry. She has been on faculty at Westchester Ballet Center for the Performing Arts, PS 107, Soul Arts Academy, and Brooklyn Prospect Charter School. She has taught master classes at Bates College and Movement Research, as well as at local high schools throughout NY and MA. Alissa's students have placed in the Top 12 at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) performing her contemporary choreography. She has choreographed for the Johnstown High School color guard team, helping them place in 4th at the World Championship. 

Alissa studied Bharatanatyam (classical Indian dance) both in the US and in Madurai, India, and she has taught Bollywood dance for the past 8 years. She performed professionally in NYC with Barbara Mahler, Heather McArdle, and John Carrafa, among others. Her choreography has been presented at the Center for Performance Research, Dixon Place, Triskelion Arts, Gibney Dance, Provincetown Dance Festival, and more. Her choreography on film has premiered at Dance New Amsterdam, Coney Island Film Festival, and the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, to name a few. Alissa has a BA in both Politics and the Arts, and Dance from Bates College. She has also trained in Klein Technique with Barbara Mahler for over 10 years, which has greatly influenced her movement and teaching. 

Tomiko Magario

Dancer, teacher and choreographer Tomiko Magario is the founder and director of The New Rising Sun Dance Project. A versatile dance artist with a full command of a wide range of styles, Ms. Magrio’s performing credits range from guest artist engagements with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln

Center to site specific “Downtown” modern dance performances in such venues as a drained swimming pool. As a ballet dancer she has served as a principal dancer and a soloist for a variety of ballet companies including New Jersey Ballet, Ballet New England, Ballet Theater Pennsylvania and Staten Island Ballet. She has also worked with multimedia choreographers such as Rosanna Gamson and Kriota Wilberg. A protégée of the baroque dance master Thomas Baird, she has performed with Mr. Baird at Avery Fisher Hall. Ms. Magario’s international teaching career has been based at Steps on Broadway in New York City for last twenty years. She has also taught for the New York City Public School System through the Brooklyn Ballet’s outreach program, served as a guest teaching artist at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and has held the positions of ballet mistress and assistant to the choreographer for such companies as Ballet

Neo and Dance Theater in Westchester. Tomiko Magario is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. As a choreographer and repeptiteur, Ms. Magario has been responsible for bringing many classics as well as new works to the stage. In 2008 she founded the New Rising Sun Dance Project which has as its mission to present both performances and educational workshops aimed at both the dance community as well as the general public. Working in an esthetic that has been described as both classic as well as futuristic, she is currently creating a new multi-discipline live arts presentation of “An Imperial Message” based on short

story of Franz Kafka, which has been presented as a part of residency program of the Bethany Arts Community. Her other current projects include “Rediscovering the Women Who changed the Course of Dance in the 18 th Century- through a Reconstruction of Les Caractères de la Danse” under the

mentorship of Thomas Baird and Never Forget, a theatrical performance piece for piano, voice and dancer which is being created with artistic support of Dr. Michael Bukhman, the head of the collaborative piano program at Texas Christian University. 

Originally educated in Japan, Tomiko Magario continued her dance training in the United States, studying at The Joffrey Ballet School and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Her pedagogical training includes the teacher training course at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. Ms.

Magario resides in Ossining, New York where she has served as a trustee of the Ossining Arts Council. More information at www.tomikomagario.com “I have had the thrill of being moved and sent into rhapsodies by Ms. Magario...She’ll leave an

impression on your heart and eyes that won’t easily be erased.”, Paul Ben-Itzak, Dance Insider

Natalie Gasparini

Natalie Gasparini began studying ballet locally at the age of three. Her serious training and study continued in NYC at Manhattan Youth Ballet, SLK Ballet and with summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre and Complexions. Her many instructors have included ABT Principal dancer Irina Dvorvenko, Sara Knight, Olga Dvorovenko, Deborah Wingert and Marina Stavitskaya. Natalie has been a top competitor at both the Youth America Grand Prix and CT Classic Ballet Competitions. Miss Gasparini is a graduate of SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Natalie is a James S. Barton “Emerging Artist” scholarship recipient. Certified to teach Adaptive Dance by Boston Ballet, Natalie is the Founder and Artistic Director of Adaptive Ballet and Dance located in Greenwich, CT. Natalie Gasparini is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.​​​​​​​​​

Julianna Brown

Julianna Brown is thrilled to be returning to Logrea Dance Academy, as she has been a part of the Logrea family since she was three years old, in Ms. Vivian’s pre ballet class. From there, she performed in a total of ten Nutcrackers, beginning as a group mouse, and graduating as Spanish and Dew Drop in 2019. She then went on to study at Trinity College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors in Theatre & Dance and psychology. In addition to teaching at Logrea, her post-grad plans include pursuing a career in theatre and dance in New York City!

Hannah Davis

Hannah Davis, originally from Westchester, NY, began her formal dance training at the Logrea Dance Academy. Hannah continued on scholarship at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford where she completed her BFA Degree in Dance with a specialty in Ballet Pedagogy in 2022. While at the Hartt School, she has performed classical ballet and modern works by Marius Petipa, Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch, and worked with choreographers Sir Richard Alston, Betsy Mcmillan, and Francesca Harper. Hannah has taught ballet and creative movement to students in the Hartt School Community Division through her student internship under the direction of Rene Olivier, Deborah Rosner, Rosi Docal, and Pamela Glauber. Upon graduation, Hannah received her comprehensive pilates certification, danced with the New York Theatre Ballet, and was a teacher for the Joffrey Ballet School. Hannah is eager to share her passion for ballet with the next generation.

Josh McWhortor

Josh McWhortor has over 12 years of proffessional experience in Musical Theatre, most recently having worked with the legendary Randy Skinner on shows such as 42nd Street and White Christmas. As a teacher, he has experience teaching tap, jazz, and theatre dance and is on faculty at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Josh is also a 500 hour Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher.

Rylee Carpenter

Rylee Carpenter recently graduated from Rider University with a BFA in Musical Theater. She is so excited to be joining the staff of Logrea Dance Academy after dancing at LDA for 14 years! While training, she was part of 11 Nutcrackers. She’s also participated in summer intensives with ABT, Gelsey Kirkland, Walnut Hill, and Bolshoi Ballet. 

With her BFA, she has been pursuing musical theater in the city. She recently made her Off Broadway debut in the new musical “Local Singles” as the role of Penny at The Players Theater. Her other theater credits include: Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and Becky in “Thick As Thieves” at Pickleville Playhouse, Cassie in “Clean Slate” at Passage Theatre Company, and Hope in “Anything Goes” at Rider University. Rylee is looking forward to training and sharing her love for dance with students!

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Noele Phillips

Bio Coming Soon!

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Nicolette Lucariello

Bio Coming Soon!

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Sara Knight

Sara Knight is the founder and artistic director of SLK Ballet School and Chevalier Ballet Company. Ms. Knight is a graduate of England's Royal Ballet School, and was the first British dancer to graduate from Russia's Vaganova (Kirov) Ballet Academy.

Could Be You

Bio Coming Soon!

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If you are looking to join our team. Please contact us below with your resume and a video clip of you teaching.