Central Park Dance

Miss Burgos is of Dominican - Armenian heritage. Over the 13 years of her performing career she has danced with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Sacramento Ballet (principal dancer), Ballet Hispanico ( principal dancer) & Thomas Ortis . Miss Burgos had the pleasure of being the principle in Ron Connigham’s Carmina Burana, Carmen and The Rite of Spring. She danced Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Concerto Borocco, Allegro Brillante, Scotch Symphony, Theme and Variation and Western Symphony. In 2010 Burgos joined the cast of West Side Story on Broadway. She has worked with artists such as Pedro Ruiz, Margo Sapinton, Ramon Oller, John Cliford, Annebelle Ochoa Lopes, Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, Septime Weber,Dwight Rhoden, Graciela Daniel, Sergio Trujilo.

Amanda received her earlier training with the School of the Garden State Ballet in New Jersey where she was trained in classical and contemporary ballet, modern dance and theater. She continued and expanded her training in Jazz, Contemporary, Ballroom and Mambo in California and New York. She also worked for various choreographers throughout the Bay Area and has taught and performed nationally and internationally over the past 10 years. Amanda is currently a part of Sekou Mcmiller’s Proyecto Descarga and Nelson Flores’s Descarga Latina here in New York and is represented by MSA talent agency.

Alison started her trainning with her mother Leslie Otto at BAA. She continued her trainning with SAB/ ABT/ The New York State Summer School of the Arts & STEPS. She has performed professionally with many companies throughout the United States as well as ABT, NYCB, New Haven Ballet, Capitol Ballet, Huntsville Ballet & the Rock School under Pennsylvania Ballet. Her Repertoire includes The Nutcracker, Coppelia, A Mid-Summer Nights Dream,Who Cares!, Symphony in C, Tchaikovsky Pas De Duex, Stars &Stripes to name a few. Alison Teaches Ballet, Pointe, Stretch/Toning, Pre-Ballet ,Creative Movement, Variations and Partnering and Adult Ballet.

Devon Smith began her training in New Hampshire under the direction of Melissa Hoffman She quickly discovered that teaching was a true passion for her. She spent a summer studying at Alvin Ailey and then went on to perform all over the world with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She then moved on to work with Royal Caribbean's singers and dancers as one of their Rehearsal Choreographers. In 2008 she moved to NYC to continue pursuing her passion. Since moving to NYC, Devon has choreographed and toured with Capital Records recording artist Britt Nicole, and other artists such as Vera Flash (performing alongside Macklemore) and Cherie Lily. She recently choreographed the new music video for indie pop band French Horn Rebellion. Devon has had the honor of teaching contemporary and jazz at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and Peridance in Manhattan. In 2013 Devon is working towards starting her very own contemporary dance company based out of NYC. Devon continues to teach throughout the New England and New York area.

Eric Rivera a native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from S.U.N.Y. Purchase College. Over the 16 years of his performing career he dance with Ballet Hispanico of NY (13 season) where he help to create over 20 original work. Prior to working with Ballet Hispanico he has performed with Minnesota Ballet (principal dancer) , Ballet Theater of Pennsylvania, European tour of West Side Story and Ballet Municipal de San Juan. He has appeared as guest artist with Connecticut Ballet, Thomas Ortiz, Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, Wechester Ballet and Brooklyn Ballet among other. Mr. Rivera has had the honor of performing the works of Mark Morris, José Limon, Kenneth McMillan, Margot Sapinton, Graciela Daniel, Kevin Wynn, Vicente Nebrada, Talley Beatty and George Balanchine. Mr. Rivera has thought master classes in numerous universities across the country and for five year was an artist/teacher in residence at the Summerfame Intensive at LeMoyne College.His television credits include PBS’ Setting the Stage 2007, NBC’s ‘20th Hispanic Heritage Awards, Hispanic Day Parade with Brenda Blackmon and Puerto Rican Day Parade with Ernie Anastos among others.

Justine, a native New Yorker has been teaching at Central Park Dance since the fall of 2006. She studied dance first at the Hudson Valley Conservatory then landed right here at Central Park Dance in 2002 during her freshman year of high school. She attended Fordham University where she was in Expressions, a student run dance company. She also participated in the nationally ranked Dance Team. She both danced and choreographed for these two dance groups. Upon graduating from Fordham with a BS in marketing continued to work with Expressions periodically teaching their technique classes. Finally she continues to learn new teaching techniques through her continued attendance at NYC dance classes and conventions held by renowned dance educators. As a teacher her goal is to spread her love of dance to all of the children she has the honor of teaching.

Eric Otto was born and raised in Westchester, New York. He began dancing at the age of seven with the School of American Ballet in New York City. He has danced professionally with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Ballet X. Most recently, Eric was an original Broadway cast member of Twyla Tharp's “Come Fly Away”, where he danced the lead role of Sid. In 2003 Mr. Otto was invited to join the Broadway and touring companies of Ms. Tharp's “Movin’ Out” where he danced the principal role of James. Eric has performed an extensive repertoire including ballets by Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Cranko, Jiri Kylian, Kenneth McMillan, and Jerome Robbins. He has had roles created for him by Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Matthew Neenan, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, and Natalie Weir.

As Mario likes to call her “The Queen of Hip Hop”. Leah has been at Central Park Dance since 2003. First as a student,then as an assistant teacher and substitute. She started teaching her own classes in 2007 at the studio. Proficient in a variety of styles (from ballet to hip hop) she loves to throw her jazz flair into some of her hip hop classes. Along with choreographing for Re-MixX (the hip hop/jazz funk co.). She dances with both Signature and Re-MixX co.'s, both company call Central Park Dance their home. At Marymount Manhattan where she studied art and psychology she was part of the schools 'Soldiers of Hip Hop'. She danced for the unsigned artist J-Pepper from 2001-2003, has worked and performed with both Jamie Jackson and Bev B. from Broadway Dance Center, and was part of the Performance and Production co. Hip Hop Kidz NY, where she performed on The Today Show, H2ED- Hip Hop to Educated, Stamford Connecticut's Thanksgiving Parade along with various performance throughout the tri-state area. Also a theater dancer she has assisted in choreographing in Westchester Broadway Theaters production of Peter Pan, and Broadway Jr.'s and Co. productions of Guys and Dolls, The Pajama Game and Annie.

Michael Salem born on August 8 1991 is better known as Mikeymike. Yonkers dancing sensation has been choreographing sweet 16s, weddings, dance camps, talent shows and competitions, as well as a variety of work shops. Also, played a role in law order and a couple short films that broadened his youtube channel mainstream. Yonkers native won several high school talent shows (Gorton, YHS and Saunders) all documented on his channel Youtube.com/mikeymikeeTv. Also, Yonkers River Front Champion of 2009 - 2011 with dance crews such as Fifth 3lement , Five Star Crew and now his own crew, Revolution Crew. Mikeymike started dancing at age 7 being Jordanian with just the knowledge of rhythm and the passion for music. His unorthodox style just evolved with time. It consists of choreography meshed with Gliding, Tutting, Breaking, Locking, Krumping, and just flat out entertaining! With such theatrical showmanship, its hard to believe this young man is a self taught dancer. Now at age of 20, he holds his dream job at Central Park Dance teaching all ages, but this is just the beginning for his bright prosperous dance future!

Regina is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she began her dance training. She holds a BA in Dance and Theater from Manhattanville College and teaches and choreographs throughout Westchester. She approaches dance both as an art form and therapy for the body and spirt.

Robert Taylor, Jr (a.k.a. “The WoOoOo Man”) is an American entertainer who's goal is to inspire and spread love and peace to people of all ages through music and dance. Robert was born and raised in Coney Island. Since childhood he always loved any aspect of music and dance.Robert has graduated Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in dance and a minor in musical theatre. He has studied acting as well as dance (ballet, modern, jazz, tap). Some of Robert's past credits includes: performing for the late King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, in 2002 national TV shows like “American Idol” season 3 (as a singer), “So You Think You Can Dance” season 8 (as a dancer-2011), "MTV's 'Say What? Karaoke' (as a singer-winning 2 shows and making it to the finals (2003/2007), MTV's “VMA” with Shakira, “Kat Deluna's 'Whine Up'” music video (as a dancer-2007), and the national tour of “Hairspray” (as a singer/dancer/actor-2008).

Soraya, native Queens, New Yorker is a force to be reckoned with! This Frank Sinatra School of the Arts graduate, perfected her twists and turns at the Alvin Ailey School and The Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance. She later scored a resident teaching job at The Hip Hop Conservatory school for hip-hop dance education. She’s choreographed [pieces for corporate powerhouses Smirnoff, Pepsi, Nike and Adidas. She has also put together stage performances for artists such as Rihanna, Neon Hitch, NINA Sky, Jeremih, and JYP artist G Soul which is one of the biggest management companies in South Korea. Being of Caribbean descent, Soraya has hit the Latin market with Latin Grammy winning Reggaeton Artists Flex, Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, Shakira and one of the most influential, Jennifer Lopez. Soraya is now instructing Music Choice on Demand Show “Do Dat Dance.”

This young powerhouse has competed in Nationally recognized competitions and continues to make a name for herself. As a child Priscilla found inspiration from choreography from classic movies such as “Singing in the Rain” to Michael & Janet Jackson videos. Drawing on a wide variety of inspiration such as those has lead to became a diversified dancer with skills ranging from contemporary and ballet to hip-hop. When not she Can be caught working on various projects such as video shoots and performing live for rising artists . She recently was a featured dancer on Joy Berry's project s “KIDS FOR GLOBAL PEACE” Public service announcement which was sponsored by the American Red Cross and The United Nations.

Patricia Arenson began her training with The Delaware Dance Company, The Rock School of Ballet in Philadelphia, and North Carolina School of the Arts. She attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for dance and the University of Delaware for Political Science. Patricia has been a member of the Convergence Dance Company and Weber-Prianti Productions in Philadelphia, Urban Ballet Theater and The Mantis Project in New York and has danced as a soloist at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Most recently, Patricia was seen in Westchester Broadway Theatre’s Production of Oliver and in the Elan Awards in Manhattan. Patricia has taught and choreographed extensively throughout the country in studios, theaters, and schools, and is currently teaching at Central Park Dance in Scarsdale and Dance Emotions in Chappaqua. In addition, Ms. Arenson’s New York choreography includes Footloose, The Wiz, Charlie Brown, Fiddler, Annie and Grease. Patricia has created, choreographed, and set classical and contemporary ballets for numerous dance companies, including the Moscow Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker and is thrilled to choreograph The Nutcracker with The Chappaqua Orchestra.