 |
Katie Farhat Larkin Executive director and Owner of Asbury Park Dance and Yoga Inc. holds a BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College and an MA in Dance Studies with a focus in Aesthetics, Education and Choreological Studies from Laban UK. Mrs. Farhat Larkin has been teaching childrens’ and adult dance classes in various disciplines and levels for over 10 years, has performed and choreographed professionally, acted as a visiting artist at the university level and continues to pursue a professional career in the dance industry. Katie is a dance marketing professional and worked for the industry's leading magazines and websites for the last 7 years. |
|
 |
||
Dance
|
||
 |
Gabrielle, has been a Hip Hop dance instructor for a decade. She has conducted workshops for various organizations, including the Monmouth County Girl Scouts and the Brick Police Athletic League. She also appeared on numerous MTV dance programs. Gabrielle spent years teaching at a dance studio in her hometown, during which time her choreography was featured in several competitions. Her classes focus on different elements; including b-girling, popping and house dance. In addition to dance, Gabrielle is a Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Yoga Teacher, and Certified Group Exercise and Zumba Instructor. Her extensive background in fitness helps create a strong foundation for students. |
|
 |
Miranda Taylor has been dancing for 26 years, performing for 20, and teaching for 10. Trained through Advanced Levels of the Royal Academy of Dancing Syllabus, Miranda had the opportunity to learn from an incredible set of teachers including Charles Nicoll (Cleveland Ballet), Bridget Denise (Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble), Victoria Hall (NYC Ballet) and Dieter Risele (Stuttgart Ballet). Upon graduation Miranda attended Mason Gross School of the Arts studying ballet with Sherry Alban (American Repertory Ballet) and modern dance with an exceptional faculty including Randy James (Randy James Dance Works), John Evans (John Evans & Dancers), and Julia Ritter (Julia Ritter Performance Group). She was the recipient of the Acrodanse Award in 2000 and performed works by Randy James in DancePlus 2000. After receiving her BFA in dance Miranda continued teaching in New Jersey. The Miranda Taylor Dance Ensemble was established shortly after and has grown to be the Miranda Taylor Dance Company, founded in 2009. | |
 |
Michelle Tolson, has been seen on the Today Show, in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and is featured in the 2006 book, The Radio City Rockettes: A Dance Through Time. Michelle has represented New Hampshire in the Miss America Pageant and has hosted her state pageants as well. She is currently a Professor of Dance at a New York college and works with the prestigious Camp Vega, running the Dance Program. She is also a Gus Giordano Scholarship recipient. Additional credits include Dance Captain in 42nd Street, Radio City Rockettes, Riverdance, Trading Taps, and Tap Girls. She has also enjoyed teaching The Rockette Experience. Ms. Tolson is also a director for Dancers Inc. Dance Competitions one of the largest national competitions in the US. |
|
 |
Beth Woods Nolan is a former Radio City Rockette whose professional career lasted 22 years. She danced annually in the Christmas and Easter shows and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. She traveled the world appearing with many celebrities highlighted by a tour of Can Can with Chita Rivera. Her background includes modeling, commercials, industrials, cruise ships, feature films and choreography. She danced in TV specials such as Comic Relief, The Daytime Emmy Awards, The Superbowl and the NBA Allstar Game. Beth appeared on the cover of TV Guide with David Letterman and danced on his show several times. She even made it to Carnegie Hall, dancing in the PBS Special "Leading Ladies of Broadway" with Bebe Neuwirth and Julie Andrews. Here favorite performances were in the NY Yankees ticker tape parades. She has studied with many of Manhattans' finest, and taught there as well with the Rockette Experience. She has judged for dance competitions and taught master classes across the country and in Canada. Beth is thrilled to share her love of Dance with all of her students. | |
| |
||
Capoeira |
||
 |
Kasey Sanders (Baiano), born and raised in Asbury Park, has practiced martial arts since he was 7 years old from traditional styles like Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun Kung Fu to eclectic arts such as Jun Fan JKD and Filipino Martial Arts. He discovered the art of Capoeira in 1998 and studied with Contramestre Didi (Capoeira Sol Nascente) in 2001 who taught him the foundations of Capoeira Angola and Regional, Berimbau, Atabaque, and Pandeiro, as well as Brazilian Portuguese. They established in 2002, the first Capoeira group on the Jersey Shore previously named, Centro Cultural Sol Nascente USA and Kasey was given the name Baiano because of his appearance, adaptation to Brazilian culture and Capoeira. He earned a green corda (instructor formada) and was given permission to teach under the guidance of both his instructor and his brother, Contramestre Dede (Grupo de Capoeira Liberdade) who took over as Baiano’s liaison for the art. Continuing his studies with the Associação Brasileira Capoeira Sol Nascente under the President, Mestre Romeu one of the most famous instructors devoted to Afro-Brazilian culture, now graduated as Professor Baiano, he continues to promote Capoeira through presentations, cultural events and exploration of the martial art aspect of application as well as uniting with other Capoeirstas to increase popularity of this growing art form in New Jersey. | |
| |
||
Yoga |
||
 |
Julie Attalla, born and raised in New Jersey, has been practicing yoga for seven years. Her second class was with Jen Johnson, and it was Jivamukti. Julie was in college at the time at Stockton, pursuing and eventually receiving her degree in Philosophy and Religion. She worked as a social worker for several years following and now pursues a nursing career, in addition to teaching Yoga. Throughout the flux in college, and in life in general, Julie would return to Jen’s vigorous Jivamukti practice and find that there was a stillness to be found there that existed in no other aspect of life. Jivamukti regards Yoga as one of the six classical philosophical systems in India and in addiditon to the challenging poses and flow of the class, Julie was continuously drawn to the studies on karma, the connectedness of all things, stilling the overactive mind, meditation; only a couple of the concepts Jivamukti explores. In May 2009, Julie became Jivamukti certified at the Jivamukti teacher training with Sharon Gannon, David Life, and Yogeswari, three of the great Yogis of our time, and they changed her life. |
|
 |
Dina Crosta. Yoga began to weave its way into Dina's life during her last year of college when a friend would tell her great stories about her experiences of practicing yoga. At that time Dina was intrigued by the beauty and creativity of yoga but was hesitant to bring it into her life. It wasn't until she entered "the real world" and befriended a woman aptly named Hope that yoga began to dance into Dina's life. Hope convinced her to attend a yoga class where she met Emily Dubin (now Huresky), her first Anusara teacher. As soon as she experienced her first Downward Facing Dog and felt both the challenge and the freedom in it, she knew that this was something she wanted to experience again. More than eight years later Dina has seen her life shift in so many ways by her connection to practicing yoga - the most profound being the ever-widening circle of friends, teachers and students, and the ever-deepening connection to herself. She is forever grateful to all of her teachers both through yoga and throughout her life. Dina aspires to inspire in others all that yoga has graciously given to her. | |
 |
Megan ‘Sumati’ Gray RYT, is a Mother, Certified Yoga Teacher, Green Living Advocate, & Artist. She is trained in Hatha Yoga (Sivananda style), Meditation, Postnatal, & Children’s Yoga. Megan’s passion for Yoga started at a young age, and over the years it has developed into a way of life and a career. Her Yoga journey began at the age of 15, when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, & realized there had to be alternatives to help her manage it. More than anything she enjoys bringing Yoga into the lives of others, and making connections with each of her students. | |
 |
Ellen Mosko, RYT-500, is an Anusara-Inspired yoga instructor. Ellen comes from a background in Wall Street where stress was constant. Needing more balance in her life she turned to yoga and her path became clear. Ellen teaches both public and private classes in Monmouth and Ocean counties. In her classes and workshops she invites students to discover the light within and reflect the beauty of their light through the unique expression of asana (yoga postures), creating joy and freedom in every moment. Through the challenge of yoga practice, students are encouraged to move toward their edge with awareness and ease, to discover a place where the body is aligned physically, subtle energy flows freely and there is a revelation of the true self; which is joy. Ellen humbly thanks her teachers past and present including; Todd Norian, Ann Greene, Elena Brower, Sarah Powers, Sandra Anderson, Rolf Sovik, Mary Cardinal & many more wonderful teachers. Loving appreciation to Freehold Yoga for the opportunity to embark on this life-changing journey. Finally, she is ever grateful to her family whose support and encouragement is immeasurable. | |
 |
Nina Nappi began practicing yoga at the age of 17 as part of a fitness regimen and soon found herself enamored with all the benefits that existed beyond the physical. Two years later she attended Kripalu and completed her 200 hr teacher training. For six years she taught yoga throughout New Jersey as she continued her education in English Literature, Psychology, and Secondary Education. She now teaches English at Monmouth Regional and adores the connection that exists between writing, literature and yoga philosophy – which she works to weave in to every lesson. So while the majority of her students work off the mat, she still finds herself drawn to teaching lessons on the mat as well. | |
|
||
Zumba
|
||
 |
Brooke Schelleris a certified Zumba instructor and grew up as a musician, singing and playing guitar since age eight. She received a certification in Audio Recording through the Ocean County Vocational Technical School in 2008. When she began taking Zumba in September of 2008, she decided to pursue a career in fitness. She is currently working towards a bachelors degree in Exercise Science. | |
| |
||
Guest Faculty |
||
 |
Mary Clymene Baugher graduated with a BFA in Dance and with an Honors Award for Distinction in Choreography from Fordham University/ The Ailey School in New York. During her time at The Ailey School she performed in numerous works by various guest artists as well as Ailey reparatory with the BFA student dancers and in Memoria with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She also apprenticed with the Sean Curran Dance Company in New York. Baugher has a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College and has worked as a mental health counselor at The University of Central Florida Counseling Center for the last four years. Baugher is an adjunct faculty member at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida and teaches Horton technique, Jazz, and West-African/Afro-Caribbean dance. Baugher performs with two professional modern dance companies in central Florida and is a resident choreographer for both companies. Ms. Baugher is happy to be back in the New York area. | |
 |
Jon Bond, Currently a member of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York City, Jon has worked with such choreographers as Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Jacapo Godani, Stijn Celis, Jo Stromgren, Didy Veldman, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Luca Veggetti. After moving to New York City in 2005, Jon studied and performed with the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s DTB Ensemble. As a member of the ensemble he’s had the prestigious honor of performing at the White House, New York’s City Hall, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as part of an international dance festival, “Protégés of Ballet” and with Aretha Franklin at the historical Apollo Theater. January 2005, Jon performed Brian Friedman’s choreography “Middle Ground” at the Key Club in Los Angeles celebrating the five year anniversary show of CARNIVAL: The Choreographers Ball. He has also choreographed numerous award winning regional and national competition pieces for dance studios and high schools throughout the nation. | |
 |
Sevin Ceviker a member of the Martha Graham company is from Istanbul, Turkey, where she started her dancing career in classical ballet at the State Conservatory. She has studied at the Alvin Ailey American Dance School and the Paul Taylor Dance School and received a scholarship to and attended the Graham school where she was invited to join the company. Sevin earned her BFA from Marymount Manhattan College with academic excellence in dance performance under the direction of Katie Langan. Ms. Ceviker has danced with Jamie Bishton Dance, Odanata Dance Project, Labyrinth Dance Theater, Oh Dear Dance, and Tysan Dance Company. | |
 |
Laura Diffendiffer, began choreographing in New York in 1999. Her work has been shown at Danspace Project, Merkin Concert Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, The Chocolate Factory, WAX and elsewhere. Recent choreographic projects include "A Wagner Matinee," a piece based on Willa Cather's short story of the same name (which recently premiered in the opera house that Cather went to as a girl) and "I Would Have Been a Killer," inspired by minstrelsy, feminist theory and the music of Nina Simone, premiered at Danspace Project in December, 2008. Laura is currently engaged in creating a new dance called "HALF TIME," a multimedia work about fanatical love and American football. She has performed with RoseAnne Spradlin, Judith Smith, Pat Catterson, Megan Nicely and others. She holds a BFA from Marymount Manhattan College, an MA in Performance Studies from NYU and is currently a faculty advisor at Marymount Manhattan College. | |
 |
Karida Griffith began her study of dance in Portland, Oregon where she was born and raised. Her professional career began as a principal dancer in the West Afrikan dance company, Northwest Afrikan American Ballet. Karida then joined the European tour cast of the Broadway hit Black and Blue, where she received direction from Henry LeTang and Dianne Walker, and was privileged to dance alongside such tap greats as Bunny Briggs, and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards. For nearly five years, Karida was a Radio City Rockette, performing in the world-famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City. As a Rockette, Karida was in the original cast of Sinatra: His Voice, His World, His Way, directed by Des MacNuff and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw. She also performed in the Tony Awards with Hugh Jackman. Karida is currently a principal tap dancer in the hit show ‘Broadway Underground’. She recently joined Barbara Duffy & Company, the critically acclaimed all-women’s tap ensemble. Karida is also an enthusiastic dance teacher, who enjoys sharing her love of dance with young people. Karida is incredibly grateful to her parents, family, friends and mentors who have supported her throughout her career. | |
 |
Ashley Eichbauer, began her dance training in Cape Coral, Florida at the age of 4. She went on to win various titles including National Miss Starpower, National Miss DEA, and was Jr., Teen and Miss Dance of Florida for Dance Masters of America. Ashley is a graduate from NYU with a BFA in Theatre and a BA in history. She studied musical theatre at CAP21 and film and TV at Stonestreet Studios. Ashley was a dancer at Busch Gardens in Virginia and danced with 98 Degrees at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Stage credits include West Side Story, Grease, Brigadoon,Guys and Dolls at Paper Mill Playhouse and Tommy and Carousel at Pittsburgh CLO. Ashley was the choreographer and lead dancer for the SUMO World Tour 2006. She has danced in industrials for Wishbone, Cirque productions and Joe Lanteri. Two seasons ago Ashley was a finalist for the FOX TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. Last summer she filmed a movie choreographed by Hinton Battle entitled The Great Observer. She was the assistant choreographer for Baltimore's CenterStage production of A Little Night Music. Ashley is the Assistant Artistic Director and a dancer in The Chase Brock Experience, a contemporary dance company. Ashley is on the faculty at NYU/CAP21 and Peridance in NYC and loves teaching, choreographing and judging across the country. | |
| Linda Natanagara has an extensive background in movement and bodywork. She trained professionally as a dancer at the Juilliard school and Mason Gross School of the Arts, as well as in the studios of Graham, Ailey and Limon. She has had her New York State License in massage therapy for 23 years and has been a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitoner since 2003.During her dance training, Linda Natanagara met a teacher who helped her understand that movement happens from the inside out - instead of being a shape in the mirror. Her love of movement combined with a curiosity for why people have persistent pain led her to become a Feldenkrais Practitioner in addition to her NYS license in Massage Therapy. | ||
 |
Matthew Neff, holds a B.F.A. in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College. Mr. Neff can be seen dancing in the Oscar nominated Sony Pictures/Revolution Films’ musical movie, Across the Universe, directed by Julie Taymor. You can also find him in punk pop star, Avril Lavigne’s music video He Wasn’t and in the independent film Clear Blue Tuesday, directed by Elizabeth Lucas with choreography by Chase Brock. In the world of concert dance, Matthew Neff has had the opportunity to perform works by Charlotte Griffin, Jose Limón, Mark Morris, and Chet Walker. He also had the opportunity to be a part of Anna Sokolow’s Memorial at the Joyce Theater, where he performed in her signature piece Rooms. Matthew’s choreographic work has been performed in various showcases and competitions including the prestigious finals for the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City. His work has been presented off broadway in the original punk rock musical, Puck’d: What Fools These Mortals Be and on the runway at the Telluride Aids Benefit in Telluride, CO sponsored by MAC Cosmetics. Neff's work has been presented at the Summer Lyric Theater in New Orleans and on television in a documentary about opera that aired in 2009 on PBS. His most recent work can be seen in the off Broadway rock musical, CRAZY HEAD SPACE. | |
 |
Brandon Porter, originally from Detroit, MI where he trained with Performing Arts Dance Theater under the direction of Ginger Glenn. He then continued his dance education in at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA focusing on Dance Performance as his major with the emphasis of Jazz under the direction of Susan Stowe. Brandon’s experience ranges from theatre to film to concert dance, credits include 1st National Tour of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man as (Darius Lyons) and understudy as (Winthrop), Twister Moves Perpetual Tour (dancer/assistant choreographer) with Hasbro, South Street Sea Port Concert with Nick and Aaron Carter under the production of Grey Alliance, along with other industrial appearances with Toys R’ Us, Milton Bradley to name a few. Brandon’s award winning choreography has placed his works with top placement with his innovative fresh styles in Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and Musical Theater in the dance world today. | |
 |
Zarouhi, of Armenian descent is a professional performer and instructor of Raqs Sharqui, "Belly Dance" for over thirty years. She has trained and performed with national and international masters and musicians and also directed and choreograhed for various ensembles. Zarouhi's elegant and dynamic dance style is based on classical Egyptian disciplines | |
 |
Ali Psiuk, is a 500 hour Certified Yoga Instructor in the ISHTA lineage and registered with the National Yoga Alliance since 2002. She trained under Yogiraj Alan Finger at Manhattan’s BeYoga and has been teaching in the New York/ New Jersey area and abroad. She has taught in health centers, yoga and dance studios, corporate settings, aboard cruise ships and one stint on a reality TV show. Ali most recently returned from Australia where she assisted on an ISHTA Teacher Training Program. ISHTA (the Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda) in Sanskrit means “personal practice”. Ali’s classes are playful, challenging and inspiring, focusing on breath, alignment and energetic flow leading one to greater joy, a more buoyant life and deep transformation. | |
 |
Abby Silva, member of Parsons Dance Company since 2002, grew up in New Orleans, LA. She studied with Rhonda Edmundson, Charleen Locascio and Gayle Tabary. After graduating from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in 1998, Abby moved to New York to attend Marymount Manhattan under the direction of Katie Langan, Merle Holloman and Anthony Ferro. In the spring of 2002, Abby completed her BFA in dance at Marymount. She has been featured in Dance, Dance Spirit magazines and appeared on the cover of Dancer magazine. | |
 |
Serena Soffer began working professionally at age 10. After years of competing at a very young age and enjoying the successes of being a title winning dancer, Serena received a full scholarship to the New York Academy of Theatrical Arts. Miss Soffer has extensive training in classical ballet, training with Dr. Alfredo Corvino from the prestigious Juilliard School of Dance, Drama, and Music in New York City. Serena also studied with Andra and Ernesta Corvino's Dancecore Ballet Company. Other training includes David Howard and Catskill's Ballet Company, NJDTG, Alaska Ballet Theatre, and New York City's finest ballet masters, Peter Schabel and Finus Young. Jazz training includes Chuck Kelly, Frank Hatchet, Richard Pierlon, Joe Lanteri and AC Ciulla. Serena is currently on faculty at The Broadway Dance Center teaching jazz, yoga and floorbarre. In addition to this Miss Soffer practices and teaches yoga at The Laughing Lotus in New York City and had the wonderful opportunity to teach yoga for the summer program at The American Ballet Theatre in New York City. She continues to teach and inspire students throughout New Jersey and around the world with her love of art and the world of dance. | |
 |
Christian Valeriani is a 200 & 500 Hour Certified Yoga Instructor, Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified YogaEd teacher, Certified Vinyasa Instructor and has participated in various YogaKids workshops.Following many successful years at work with two of Wall Street's high-profile investment firms, Valeriani changed focus when he committed to redirect his energies towards the discipline of Yoga and its many benefits. His pursuit and passion took him to many educational facilities including the Kripalu Institute, the Omega Institute, where he studied under the guidance of Seane Corn, the Freehold Yoga Center, where he was certified in Sivananda and intense 500 hour study under his guru, the teacher's teacher of traditional Yoga, Sri Dharma Mittra. |