Skip Navigation

Faculty and Staff

Our school employs and trains faculty members who are knowledgeable in both traditional and current training systems and techniques, who are committed to creating a positive, nurturing and productive learning environment and who have professional experience in the industry of performing arts and dance as well as certifications in their respective cross-training disciplines.

Lilla Séber

Artistic & Executive Director

Lilla Séber is the founder and director of Séber Method Academy. After 29 years of professional experience in both teaching and dancing in Europe and the United States, Ms. Séber has created a school, Séber Method Academy, with a teaching system that encompasses the best elements of all different methods of education in the world of Classical Ballet and dance. Her passionate work in finding and offering solutions for the challenges in training dancers and in supporting a healthy and creative physical education has also led her to create Integrated Training Concepts for Dancers: a system that includes a combination of classes in cross-training and artistic development.

Born in Hungary, Ms. Séber’s training began at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, where she studied for ten years in a full scholarship program under the direction of Imre Dózsa. In the United States, she studied on scholarships at North Carolina School of the Arts with Melissa Hayden and Duncan Noble, and at The Washington School of Ballet with Mary Day, Lupe Serrano, and Roudolf Kharatian. She also was a recipient of the Artist’s Grant from the Soros Foundation, in addition to receiving a scholarship to study jazz dance at Luigi’s Theatrical Jazz Dance. After being a guest artist in the United States, Ms. Séber joined The Washington Ballet Company in 1995, where she continued to be featured in leading classical and contemporary roles. Some of her repertory included principal roles from many ballets including, “Giselle,” “Flames of Paris,” “The Nutcracker,” “Harlequinade,” “Stars & Stripes,” “Our Town,” and “Witches of Salem.”

Ms. Séber began her teaching career under the tutelage of Mary Day, founder of The Washington Ballet and The Washington School of Ballet, and Roudolf Kharatian, artistic director of the Armenian National Ballet. Since then, she has produced many students who have received scholarships to highly-ranked institutions including the JKO School at American Ballet Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and who have went on to dance in prestigious companies both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Séber also found interest in the well-rounded approach of teaching Classical Ballet at higher education institutions. From 2011 to 2015, she was an adjunct professor at American University and Georgetown University.

Ms. Seber always enjoys furthering her knowledge in all fields of wellness such as physical-therapy, yoga and nutrition. Since 2009, she has worked closely with NovaCare Select Physical Therapy in creating the Conditioning for Dancers material. This program served as an inspiration for developing the Wellness Department of Séber Method Academy. She also has taught yoga for over 12 years at the Sport and Health Clubs of Washington D.C. and in the surrounding areas.

As an artist, Ms. Séber has explored creativity through a wide variety of performing art forms. She starred in the short film, “Variations on a Well-Known Theme,” which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, and also co-hosted the popular Hungarian TV show, “Tizen Tuliak Tarsasaga.” She also enriched her performing career with training and performance in Ballroom and Jazz styles. She envisioned that her school would reflect the richly creative and artistic experiences she was able to have in her own career.

Ms. Séber is also an advocate of the benefits of the arts in youth education and has worked with both Sitar Arts Center and Septime Webre’s Dance DC outreach program.

Go back ↑

Emily Hashiguchi

Classical Ballet Division Coordinator

Ms. Hashiguchi has been an Assistant to the Director since 2014 and started her teacher training in the system of Séber Method. In 2016, she began working for the school as Assistant Manager. Since then, Ms. Hashiguchi has choreographed on students of Seber Method Academy and stage-managed for two of the school’s productions.

Ms. Hashiguchi began her dance training at the Olney Ballet School with Patricia Berrend. She furthered her dance studies at Maryland Youth Ballet and American Dance Institute. While still a student at ADI, Ms. Hashiguchi was given the opportunity to be a founding member of Ballet ADI (formerly Chamber Ballet) performing many original works by Runqiao Du. She has spent her summers studying on scholarship at School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She also was a finalist and participated for two years in the Kennedy Center Master Class Series where she was able to take classes from artistic directors around the world. Upon graduation from Séber Method Academy, Ms. Hashiguchi accepted a professional contract with Virginia National Ballet where she danced for two seasons. She currently dances with Moveius Contemporary Ballet.

Ms. Hashiguchi has a passion for working with children of all ages and backgrounds. She has taught ballet at the Sitar Arts Center and other schools in the D.C. metro area. She has also spent three summers working at Camp JCC, an inclusion program, and Camp T.R.I.O, a therapeutic recreational camp for children with special needs. She enjoys the challenge of balancing dancing in a professional company while being an integral part of youth education.

Go back ↑

Sona Kharatian

Youth Teacher

Ballet

Sona Kharatian is a seasoned professional in the world of ballet, bringing over two decades of experience as a professional ballet dancer, instructor, and rehearsal director.

Most recently she held the position of Rehearsal Director / Ballet Master at The Washington Ballet, where she has been instrumental in coordinating rehearsals, teaching and coaching dancers, and maintaining the artistic integrity of performances.

Sona’s journey in ballet began with her training at the Choreographic Institute in Yerevan, Armenia, followed by studies at the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet and The Washington School of Ballet. Her extensive training and dedication to the art form have led to a successful career marked by performances in principal and featured roles in a diverse range of ballet works by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Choo San Goh, Antony Tudor, Nacho Duato, Christopher Wheeldon, Trey McIntyre, Alexei Ratmansky, Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Frederick Asthon, Septime Weber, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and more. Notable roles in her repertoire include Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, Giselle and Myrtha in Giselle, Carmen in Carmen, and The Siren from Prodigal Son, among others.

In addition to her work on stage, Sona is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge and passion for ballet through teaching and coaching. Her strong teaching expertise, pedagogical knowledge, and leadership abilities have made her a valuable asset in nurturing the next generation of dancers and fostering a lifelong appreciation for dance.

Sona is fluent in English, Russian, and Armenian, allowing her to communicate effectively with diverse teams and audiences.

She is a two-time recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award, recognizing her contributions to the arts and her dedication to artistic excellence.

Go back ↑

Lara Segrillo

Youth & Adult Teacher

Contemporary, Ballet

Segrillo is a graduate of CityDance Conservatory where she trained from the age of 11 in classical ballet, pointe and pas de deux with master teachers Stanislav Issaev (Nijinsky prize winner/gold medalist Varna and Moscow IBC), Ludmilla Morkovina master teacher Vaganova and Anatoli Kucheruk (Silver medalist Varna). Under the guidance of Morkovina at an early age while a member of the CityDance Petite Conservatory, Lara learned Cavalry Halt and many other Petipa variations.

While in the PTP program working closely daily with Ballet Master Issaev and Kucheruk, she has learned and performed classical ballet ensemble work and variations from major ballets including Lilac Fairy, Giselle, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Sylphide, as well as Black Swan and Le Corsaire variations and pas de deux. Lara also trained in modern and contemporary jazz dance, performing as a member of the Conservatory Dancers in numerous pieces created by Choreographer in Residence, Robert J. Priore in “Casita” and CityDance Gala pieces “Wepa” and “Fuego”. Segrillo was featured as a soloist in the CityDance DREAMscape GALA in 2016 held at the historical Lincoln Theatre presenting the YAGP award winning solo, “Mockingbird” choreographed by Stuart Loungeway, which won best choreography award and a bronze medal in 2016. Stuart Loungeway also invited Segrillo to dance with his professional company Terra Firma Dance Theatre at Dance Place in “Stagioni”. Segrillo was invited to YAGP finals for several years between 2015-2018. 

Segrillo has a passion for teaching and began her tutelage working under Lorraine Spiegler, Founding Artistic Director Emerita of CityDance Conservatory and has taught children between the ages of 8-14 at summer intensives at CityDance in association with Koresh Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Philadanco for the past three years. She has taught in the Young Training Program as well as at the Conservatory levels as a skilled Teacher preparing dances for presentations in Summer Intensive Showings and the Creating the Magic and Annual Conservatory Concerts. Lara Segrillo has served for 3 years as Repetiteur for the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker under the direction of Lorraine Spiegler and in coordination with Olga Aru and danced in the special Celebration Dance choreography created specially for the PTP level of the Conservatory dancing alongside professional members of the international touring company The Moscow Ballet. Segrillo is currently employed at Rise Dance Center in Virginia and at CityDance Conservatory as a Teacher, Repetituer/Choreographer, and has also created contemporary solos for YAGP competitions. She is committed to training and choreographing for the next generation of dancers. Her teaching expertise in ballet and pointe is based in the Vaganova training and her choreography highlights dancers within the contemporary ballet genre. Lara is bilingual in Portuguese and English and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Criminology.

Go back ↑

Mariana Gatto-Duran

Youth & Adult Teacher

Flamenco & Ballet

Mariana Gatto-Duran is a life time dancer and educator having started her dance career at the age of 6. Tracing her origins to the Romani communities of Bulgaria, she brings a joyful energy to the stage and classroom alike. A disciplined dancer having trained intensively in ballet, and flamenco, is an alumni of Seber Method Academy, holding the high standards and rich understanding of personal attention in training any student. As a performer Mariana appeared with renowned dancer Soñia Dorado show of Spain Espectacular, as well as other venues in the United States and Spain, including Jacob’s pillow festival 2022 in Albuquerque with Jesus Munoz, Teatro Calderón, Omayra Amaya in Boston performance 2023, the national tour with the Gipsy Kings, Balanchine International Festival, Edwin Aparicio Gala Theater Enredo Flamenco. Dance Theater Harlem, and Sarasota Cuban Ballet. Locally in the DMV Mariana has performed in a variety of venues including for acclaimed Michelin star Chef Jose Andres.

In her journey through dance Mariana has won awards such as Grand Prix at Vienna International Ballet Experience, YAGP- Denver, Colorado 2nd Place, Senior Age Division and Classical. She has trained with Nelida Tirado, ABT (National Merit Scholarship), Kirov School of Ballet (Ballet Scholarship), Bolshoi New York, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Washington Ballet, Lilla Seber - Seber Method Academy, Dawei Zhang Vladimir Dulahajdzi, Anatoli Kucheruk, Xiomara Reyes, Pennsylvania Ballet, City Dance, and Fabrice Herrault School of Ballet.

Mariana’s deep love and ability to connect with the audience and student alike really allows for an exceptional experience. With the unique flavor of intensive training on a broad spectrum of style Mariana is at heart a kind loving professional eager to spread the joy of dance to all.

Go back ↑

Tricia Grey

Master Teacher

Voice & Vocal Pedagogy

Tricia Grey has been a professional singer for over 25 years. Earning her the reputation as a professional vocal coach on an international level. With a Master’s Degree in Voice along with extensive professional performing and teaching experience. Tricia strived to created the Sing Like a Star vocal technique and the highly effective Eight Steps of Vocal Development.

Having written two books: YOU can Sing Like a Star and YOU can be a Successful Voice Teacher. Tricia continues to strive to research and educate students in vocal science. Which is a foundation for all tenets of the SLaS Technique - no hearsay. Bringing this in partnership to Seber Method Academy there is the opportunity to provide students with a one of a kind training.

Tricia’s students have appeared (and won!) on The Voice, America’s Got Talent, American Idol and X Factor. As well as current students appearing on Broadway and National Tours. Tricia and her staff also love working with “regular people” who want to pursue their love of singing!

Go back ↑

Debra Floyd

Adult Teacher

Dance Cardio

Debra K. Floyd believes that “dance and creative movement is an integral part of our everyday life.” Spanning over 40+ years, Debra’s career as a dance artist has presented her with opportunities to perform, choreograph, and teach all over the United States as well as internationally. She has worked in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Francisco; her experience abroad covers Paris, France; Martinique, Caribbean; and Havana, Cuba.

She has studied and worked with several acclaimed choreographers including Talley Beatty, Donald McKayle, Diane McIntyre, Harold Nicholas, Bill T Jones,  Leon Jackson, and Tyrone Murray just to name a few. In 2000, she founded FloydProject Dance Company, thereby continuing her mission to use dance as a vehicle for supporting women. This company of diverse women emerged onto the DC dance community, striving to build positive images, raise audience awareness of broad issues and empower people to uphold women and their aspirations.

At the present time, Debra teaches Dance Cardio at the Séber Method Academy, choreographs for the Gallaudet University Dance Company, and directs senior workout  programs in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Go back ↑

Kay Casstevens

Adult Teacher

Tap

Kay donned her first pair of tap shoes at age 4 and has been shuffling ever since, and teaching basic tap for the last decade. She recently retired from her job at the National Gallery of Art, where she helped organize dance performances to enhance exhibitions.

Kay loves Broadway musicals and has been involved in DC area community theater for many years. She won the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) award for outstanding choreography for her work in The Arlington Players’ Pirates of Penzance, and received a nomination for TAP’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

She choreographed Company and Gypsy for Little Theatre of Alexandria, and has also choreographed shows and numbers for St. Mark’s Players, Hexagon, The American Century Theater, The British Players and the Gotta Dance troupe. She also enjoys coming out from behind the curtain and performing on stage from time to time.

Go back ↑

Rudolf Kharatian

Master Teacher

Ballet

Roudolf Kharatian has had an illustrious international career as dancer, choreographer, teacher and director. A prolific choreographer, Kharatian is the creator of over 100 original works ranging from avant‐garde / experimental to classical. Kharatian’s ballets, which include full‐length works, one-act ballets and concert pieces, have been performed on stages worldwide.

Roudolf Kharatian served as Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Armenia for five seasons, from October 2009 to April 2014, during which time the company’s repertoire was enriched with more than 31 ballets, old and new. As a freelance choreographer during 2015 to the present, Kharatian has created “Two Suns”, “La Bohem” and “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” ballets.

Kharatian is currently teaching a choreography course at the State Theater and Film Institute. A recipient of numerous awards and medals, Kharatian holds a Master’s Degree in Choreography and Stage Production from the Moscow University of Theatre Arts (GITIS). He is a graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg where he studied with the legendary teacher Pushkin alongside classmate Mikhail Baryshnikov. As principal dancer with the National Ballet of Armenia from 1967 to 1991, he toured the world with the Bolshoi Ballet and Stars of the Russian Ballet. He was Artistic Director of the Chamber Ballet of Armenia from 1979 to 1991, and headed the dance department of the Yerevan School of the Arts from 1973 to 1979. He is the founder and Artistic Director of ARKA Ballet in Washington, D.C. He is also the founder and president of the Ballet 2021 Foundation and Artistic Director of Ballet 2021.

A renowned master teacher, Kharatian has taught for the Kirov Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, the Boston Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, the Youth Ballet of Brazil, the Debra Colker Dance Company, the North Carolina School of the Arts, among others. He has also worked with the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, the Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore, and with Les Ballets Classiques de Montreal and Ballet Divertimento in Montreal, Canada. Kharatian served on the faculty of Washington’s Kirov Academy for three years (1991 to 1994) and that of The Washington School of Ballet for thirteen years (1994 to 2007). He was invited back to the Kirov Academy as guest instructor in spring 2009 and was on the faculty of CityDance Centre at Strathmore and company teacher for CityDanceEnsemble for two years (2007–2009) prior to being invited to assume the position of Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Armenia.

Under his coaching and guidance, Kharatian’s students have garnered top honors at the most important international ballet competitions and gone on to successful careers with some of the world’s foremost companies including the Kirov Maryinsky Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, the Royal Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, and many more. Kharatian is a frequent guest lecturer and panelist, speaking about a broad range of ballet and movement‐related topics.

He has been a featured panelist on the Critic’s Panel at the annual Dance Critics of America conference. In addition to his work in ballet, Kharatian has extensive experience in television, film, theatre and opera. He was the Creative Producer and permanent member of the jury of the inaugural season of the hit Shant TV show “So You Think You Can Dance Armenia”. Kharatian is also an accomplished and celebrated visual artist; his paintings are in private collections in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, South Africa and Armenia.

Go back ↑

Alvaro Palau

Youth & Adult Teacher

Ballet, Pas de Deux, Character

Alvaro Palau of Cali, Colombia, received his training at the Colombian Ballet Institute, Incolballet as well as workshops in Cuba, in New York with David Howard, and at the Houston School of Ballet. Mr. Palau danced soloist and principal roles and has had roles created for him with The Washington Ballet for 12 years, ARKA Ballet, Carolina Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Venezuela, and the Cali Ballet in his native Colombia.

Mr. Palau toured extensively internationally with all of the ballet companies above, in addition to dancing in festivals such as the Havana Festival in Cuba; Festivals in Rome and Florence in Italy; the Umbrella Festival in South Africa; the International Festival in Miami, Florida; the AIDS Foundation in Austin, Texas; and performances at the White House and in the Memorial Day show in Washington, D.C.

Awards include 1st prize at the Arts Competition in Colombia, as well as being nominated for Best Classical Dancer at Casa del Artista in Venezuela. His repertoire includes classical and contemporary ballets choreographed by numerous artists including George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Anthony Tudor, Mark Morris, Krzystof Pastor, Choo San Goh, Trey McIntyre, Christopher Wheeldon, Septime Webre, and Twyla Tharp. Classical repertoire includes leading roles in Don Quixote, Coppélia, La Fille mal Gardée, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Alberto Alonso’s Carmen, Romeo and Juliet among others.

More recently he has been featured in productions of the Washington National Opera under the direction of Placido Domingo, Colorado Opera, two short films by Jennifer Schwed, Carmen Tango with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, Bowen McCauley Dance Company, and Dana Tai Soon Burgess. He has performed and choreographed works for Gala Hispanic Theatre, Source Theater Idomeneo Opera, and DanceLoft on 14th.

Mr. Palau has taught numerous ballet outreach programs and summer workshops. He is currently faculty at Séber Method Academy, faculty at Catholic University of America, teaches master classes at DanceLoft 14 adult program and is the founder and director of Washington Dance D.C.

Go back ↑

Anna Menendez

Adult Teacher

Flamenco

Anna Menendez is a flamenco artist based in DC. She has over 25 years experience as a performing Flamenco Artist nationally and internationally. 

Among her credits include over 50 performances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, national tours with Flamenco Aparicio and international appearances. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to study with one of the best Flamenco Dancers from this area!

Go back ↑

Kali Keller, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA

Physical Therapist

Kali Keller, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, a Detroit, MI native, received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University School of Medicine before relocating to Washington, DC. Dr. Keller, who now practices at Forever Fit Physical Therapy in Bowie, MD, has been treating dancers for over three years, and has excelled in utilizing the Movement System Impairment Technique to identify and treat faulty movement patterns to prevent injury and optimize return to performance in dancers and other performers.

Prior to becoming a physical therapist, she was a professional dancer whose resume includes principal roles with Detroit Ballet Theatre, Detroit Pistons’ Automotion, Royal Caribbean, and Disneyland.

In addition, she is passionate about treating patients with cancer to maximize movement and quality of life as a cancer rehabilitation specialist and certified lymphedema therapist.

Dr. Keller still enjoys dancing, hanging out with her cats, Mufasa and Sox, and has now found a new passion in tennis which she enjoys playing during her free time.

Go back ↑

Shady Aly

Youth Teacher

Ballet & Pax de Deux

Mr. Shady Aly teaches ballet, jazz, and commercial dance/hip-hop at Séber Method Academy. He is currently a principal dancer with Manassas Ballet Theatre and also a faculty member at Manassas Ballet Academy.

Originally from Egypt, Mr. Aly received his ballet training at the High Institute of Ballet in Cairo and danced professionally for 9 years as a soloist with the national company, Cairo Opera Ballet. He received his B.A. in Choreography and Dance Direction from the Academy of Art in Cairo, Egypt. In 2010, he was awarded first place in the Egyptian National Ballet Competition from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.

After guesting across the world, including France, Germany, Belgium and Mexico he danced as a principal dancer with Gainesville Ballet, Charlottesville Ballet, and the DC Contemporary Dance Theatre in the United States. He worked as a choreographer with Theatre du Vieux Moulin in Meythet, France.

He enjoys teaching the Séber Method because it is unique in combining elements of European, Russian and American ballet styles. Mr. Aly enjoys sharing his dance experience with young dancers and seeing them improve their technique.

Go back ↑

Diego Sosa

Youth Teacher

Ballet

Diego Sosa is from Asuncion, Paraguay. He began his ballet training locally before earning a scholarship to the Washington School of Ballet, further honing his skills in the U.S., Brazil, Italy, Spain, and France.

Diego started his professional career with the Municipal Ballet of Asuncion. He later became a Soloist at Ballet de la Universidad del Norte, captivating audiences for a decade in roles such as Carmen, Don Quixote, Giselle, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. In 2015, he joined the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, quickly rising to Principal dancer in 20216, and performing notable roles including the Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, the White Knight in Alice in Wonderland, King Lot in Excalibur, the Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Aladdin in Cuatto’s Aladdin, and most recent the Prince Ivan in The Firebird, among other notable roles.

As a resident guest artist with the Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet, Diego performed leading roles in both classical and contemporary works. He was also part of the Moveius Contemporary Ballet, showcasing his versatility from 2019 to 2023, performing a variety of new creations. Since 2018, he has been a dedicated teacher at The Falls Church School of Ballet in Virginia.

Diego Sosa’s exceptional talent and extensive training have established him as a respected and accomplished dancer. He continues to inspire audiences worldwide through his performances and teaching.

Go back ↑

Maurice Johnson

Youth & Adult Teacher

Jazz, Contemporary, Performing Arts

Mr. Johnson has served as the Associate Artistic Director of DC Contemporary Dance Theatre (DCCDT) / El Teatro De Danza Contemporarea (TDC) since 2012. He is a teacher, educator, choreographer and performing artist. He graduated with honors from the University of KY with a degree in Public Relations. He started his professional dance career as a feature dancer in the opening/closing US Olympic ceremonies (Atlanta). He completed a six month National tour with the two time Grammy award winning music group “Arrested Development”. Further credits include: Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan (White House performance) as well as the production teams of Michael/Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul to name a few.

Mr. Johnson started his teaching career in the Washington, DC area in 1999. His challenging and energy-charged classes have been defined as “unique”, “Inspirational” and “motivating”. His classes serve as a tool to educate and further develop students’ technical and artistic proficiency. Mr. Johnson is still very active as a professional student and performing artist. He has trained and performed with The Lexington Ballet, Alvin Ailey (school), Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Classical Repertoire Dance Theatre (CRDT) and DC Contemporary Dance Theater. Mr. Johnson’s work has been presented and taught in China, Germany and the US. He served as the Interim Artistic Director of Georgetown University Dance Company (GUDC) and former adjunct Professor at American University. Currently, Mr. Johnson is on faculty at Catholic University and the National Cathedral School (NCS).

Go back ↑

Vincent Williams

Adult Teacher

Jazz

Vincent W. Williams, an artistic veteran of the DMV. He has been a dancer, musician, actor, and singer who has been performing and teaching for over 40 years. Performing on International and National tours, he has been seen with DC Contemporary Dance Theatre, The Jason Taylor Dance Theatre, National Tour of the Broadway Production “Sing Mahalia Sing“, “The Gospel Times“, plus various Screen and Film Projects. Vincent has studied under names such as Cheryl Porter Vocal Coach, seen on Ellen, as well as his own students can be seen on Broadway and Netflix, and in major companies, music videos, movies, and national commercials.

Go back ↑

Howard Perry

Adult Teacher

Jazz

A native of Washington DC, Howard grew up studying the art of dance and acting here in DC before leaving for training and career opportunities. While on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, he began performing in NYC and Japan, later touring throughout Germany and Europe performing musical theater. While living in Barcelona Spain, he worked on collaborative Spanish television and film productions. Along with Alvin Ailey, he also trained at Phil Black’s, David Howard., Steps, and Broadway Dance Center.

Returning to Washington, Howard is reconnecting with theater as well as this new city. His connection with dance, theater and music continues to motivate and inspire him artistically. Dance is a medium of art that can transform your human spirit and a good foundation of technique, musicality and creative ability is where I like to focus my classes.

Go back ↑

Ian Brown-Gorrell

Director of Performing Arts & Business Development

Jazz, Tap, Acting, Alexander Technique, Voice

A Washington area native and proud member of the Actors Equity Association, Ian has performed on Broadway and off for over 15 years and continues to collaborate actively with performing arts organizations in New York, Pittsburgh, and DMV. An award-winning performer Ian has gotten honors including Best Actor Award (Role as Phil Davis), WATCH award Nominee, Gene Kelly Award, and Best in Festival Short Film Comedy (Berkeley Video and Film Festival).

Prior to co-founding NGAC, he has performed, taught, and choreographed in local theatres including Olney Theatre, Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Adventure Theatre, and The Kennedy Center. Across the country Ian has appeared at Lincoln Center, Nederlander Theatre, The McKittrick Hotel (Sleep No More), The Muny, Pittsburg Public, West Virginia Public Theatre, and others. Throughout his career Ian has worked and trained under greats such as Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch, Ron Tassone, Bridget Connors, Jack Allison, Christopher Cherry and Micheal Kahn.

With more than a decade of experience in professional theatre, dance, and film, Ian’s passion is in youth art program development. He has experience in both profit and non-profit platforms, for community youth theatre programs, arts camps and young artists competitions, including The Arts Barn, Greenbelt, Phoenix Productions, and Adventure Theatre, among others.
Awarded a degree in dance and musical theatre from Point Park University and has trained at Julliard. His extensive background in the Alexander Technique has led him on the journey to develop a triple threat technique to train the next generation of youth.

Go back ↑

Ryan Alvarado

Adjunct Youth Teacher

Acting, Voice, Speech and Performing Arts

Ryan Alvarado was born in The Bronx, NYC and attended the Acting Conservatory at SUNY Purchase College and would take class from the likes of Lisa Benavides, Joan Potter, Charles Tuthill, Leigh Dillon, Narda Alcorn, Richard Crawford and Jill Echo. Upon leaving college Ryan would go on to originate the 1st Broadway National Tour of Hamilton: An American Musical where he served as the alternate for Alexander Hamilton. He’s also been fortunate enough to perform in many plays, musicals and Shakespearean works at theatres all across the country like Milwaukee Rep, STAGES St. Louis, The MUNY, Kansas City Starlight, Portland CenterStage, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Shakespeare Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Roxy Regional, Seacost Rep, Westchester Broadway Theatre, White Plains Performing Arts Center and The Gateway Playhouse.

Ryan has a deep passion for working with the next generation of performers. He approaches acting with a focus on realism and pushes students to embrace the story-teller that is already inside them in order to understand the true art of acting. He thinks, as actors, we are tasked with harnessing the inner spirit of expression in order to grow organically. With a strong foundation and a good sense of craft everyone can find a way to access their inner artist and how they can be most effective in the creative process.

Ryan looks forward to working with all students that have a passion for the arts and a hunger to grow. “All you need is an open mind and a willingness to give it a try”. Forever thankful to his family, friends and all the people who helped him along the journey. Te amo mucho!

@ryanalvarado

ryanalvarado.net

Go back ↑

Joe Paolucci

Resident Massage Therapist

Joe is a is a sought after sport and dance massage therapist here in the DMV and New York City.

With more than 25 years of experience, Joe specializes in deep tissue and Russian sports massage incorporated with acupressure and Swedish massage techniques.

Having worked in a chiropractic setting, he has been a masseur at the Four Seasons Hotel Spa and massage provider at the Kennedy Center for a variety of entertainers for 20 years.

His holistic approach to health prioritizes therapeutic massage as an essential part of one’s health regimen. Joe has studied at the Potomac Myotherapy Institute and the Baltimore School of Massage and he has two bachelor degrees from the University of Maryland.

Notables he has had a chance to work with are Nelson Mandela, Ian Mckellen, George Bush Sr., The United Ukrainian Ballet, Suzanne Farrell Ballet, ABT, Arthur Mitchell and Dance Theater of Harlem.

Massage is an important part of any physically demanding art and Joe looks forward to working with you.

Go back ↑

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter for news and updates about our school.