Melissa Padham-Maass (Artistic Director, Ballet, Creative Movement, Contemporary) received her early dance training at the Dancer’s Studio in Warwick, NY under the direction of Lucinda Henry. Melissa holds a BFA with honors from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College (SUNY) ,an MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London and an MFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Melissa has been performing professionally both in NYC and around the country with Forces of Nature Dance Theatre since 2005 and Darrah Carr Dance since 2006.
Ms. Padham-Maass is the Artistic Director of the Warwick Dance Collective and the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts and has co-directed The Fuller Moon Arts Festival, The Warwick Summer Arts Festival, Eros Movement Company, Brooklyn Contemporary Ballet Collective, Artisan Dance Company of Sugar Loaf, NY, and the Identically Different Dance Festival. She has presented work at various venues including Dixon Place, Center for Performance Research, Triskelion Arts, Tisch School of the Arts, WAX works, Built on Stilts Festival in Martha's Vineyard, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Brooklyn Actors Fund and 60x60 Dance at the Winter Garden Theater.
Melissa has been on faculty or a guest teacher at Joffrey Ballet School, The Dancer’s Studio in Warwick, NY, Connecticut Dance Center, Conservatory of Dance in Wilton CT, Harlem Children’s Zone, Kinderdance NYC and Brooklyn, Gallatin School at NYU, Scarsdale Ballet, Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF), SUNY Purchase and the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Academy.
Gwynenn Taylor Jones (Ballet, Pointe, Adult Ballet, Horton) Gwynenn began her dance training with the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet at the age of 14. She continued her studies at Ballet Met Academy in Columbus, OH. In 1998 Jones moved to NYC where she studied at the Ailey School as a fellowship student for 2 years. She danced with Ailey II from 2000 - 2002. Jones was an original member of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet from 2003 - 2004. She was a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2004 - 2009. She returned to Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, under Director Benoit Swan Pouffer from 2009 - 2012. Jones has also danced with Earl Mosley Diversity of Dance, Fred Benjamin Dance Company, and performed with Aretha Franklin. She can also be seen dancing in the movie The Adjustment Bureau. She now resides in Orange County, NY with her husband and 2 children.
Jessica McRoberts (Musical Theater Dance) has had the pleasure of performing on Broadway, National Broadway Tours, and some of the finest Regional theaters in the country over the past 25years .She has worked on shows with Stephan Sondheim, Maury Yeston, Tommy Tune, Chita Rivera, Gwen Verdon, Kathleen Marshall, Jerry Mitchell, David Marquez, Chet Walker, Wayne Cilento, Matthew Warchus, Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, David Leavau, Chris Gattelli , Michael Grief and Craig Carnelia. She has had the privilege of seeing the business from both a dancer's and a singer's perspective and is versatile in both of these fields. She has also served as Dance Captain on productions. Lately she has come to share her extensive knowledge of theater with her current students at Marymount Manhattan College, STEPS on Broadway ,The Atlantic Theater Company Acting School and other institutions across the country.
Pamela Lynn Intveld Sorensen (Ballet & Jazz) began dancing as a young child, studying the classical Russian ballet syllabus under the watchful eye of Yuliya Akopyan and Andrey Shakhin; both formal principal dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet. Her early training also included classes in jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical and tap. After graduating high school Pamela was awarded an apprenticeship to one of the nations top dance programs; The Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. While enrolled in the Conservatory Pamela studied ballet under Nicholas Petrov and Nancy Schaffenbugh. She also received an education in Luigi Jazz Technique and Dunham Technique. Pamela went on to finish her degree at Ramapo College of New Jersey, and holds a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Professional Performing Arts. Upon graduating college Pamela began her professional career receiving a contract with the Northwest Florida Ballet, directed by Todd Eric Allen, and under careful watch of Ballet Mistress, Dorothy Daniels Lister. At Northwest she performed in Winthrop Corey’s Dracula, soloist rolls in The Nutcracker, and Cinderella, and Fernando Bujones’ Jazz Swing. Pamela was seen performing with the Pensacola Opera, and Northwest Florida Symphony in Aida. Following Northwest Florida Ballet, Pamela danced with the Atlantic City Ballet, under the direction of Phyllis Papa. While at ACB, she danced Midsummer’s Night Dream, Dracula, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Mountain Legend, and Fredrick Ashton’s Les Patineurs. Pamela was on faculty at the pre-professional school of the Atlantic City Ballet. Pamela has also performed with the Staten Island Ballet. She has performed in The Nutcracker, excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty, Robert Garland’s Joplin Dances, We Regret to Inform You, and The Memory Keeperboth original works by Director, Ellen Tharp.
Mara Davi Gaines is an actor/singer/dancer who has worked in New York, regionally, and internationally for 20 years. Her Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas, Dames at Sea, and The Play That Goes Wrong. On TV, musical theatre-lovers might recognize her as Daisy Parker from NBC’s “Smash.” Other TV credits include “FBI,” “The Blacklist,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Prodigal Son.” Mara is an acting coach, a member of the acting faculty for The Lexington Theatre Company, and a dance instructor at Your Dance Closet in Cornwall, NY. Mara is also a proud member of the Broadway Green Alliance: www.broadwaygreen.com.
Elizabeth Flores, Co-Founder of New American Youth Ballet. She performed as a soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy where she received training on full scholarship, as well as received classical training from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Ms. Flores additionally was accepted to train with the London Royal Ballet School. She studied Voice, Opera and Musical Theater with The Juilliard School and choreographed for their musical theater productions during her time there.
Ms. Flores, has staged numerous full-length ballets with professional symphony orchestras including: The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Coppelia. Her original works include: The Helen Keller Ballet and Anna Pavlova Inspiration of The Dance, which premiered at Carnegie Hall and Someday, based on Alison McGhee’s #1 NY Times Bestseller, which premiered in NYC. Ms. Flores has also choreographed for numerous events including Kleinfeld’s Bridal showcase.
Ms. Flores is the Former Head of Summer Dance at Ballet Academy East, was a Ballet Instructor at The Dalton School and was the Artistic Director of the Harkness Youth Ballet at the 92nd Street Y.
A highly decorated and recognized dance instructor and citizen, Ms. Flores was named Dance Teacher of the Year by Dance Teacher Magazine, awarded the Neighbor of the Year award in Battery Park by the New York City Council, was the recipient of the 1999 Eckerd Salute for Women, the Seventeen/Cover Girl Volunteer Award, and The Governor’s Certificate of Recognition for volunteerism and community service. Her studio, the New American Youth Ballet, was honored with a 10-year business award for community service in Downtown New York City. Combining her love for the arts and service, Ms. Flores was additionally recognized for her contributions to the arts by the New York State Senate.
Her original ballet composed by Elizabeth Flores and Dr. Alan Turry , Life of a Dancer recently arranged by Hollywood Music arranger Tim Simonec ( His credits include: UP!, Whiplash, Star Trek, Mission Impossible 3, Ratatouille )The ballet score was recorded in November, 2021 in Nashville with a 40 piece professional orchestra!
Other professional collaborations include her ballet educational show: New American Youth Ballet Presents! She and her daughter Camilla host a weekly educational show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network. The senior press advisor from American Ballet Theatre, selected guest artists to share their stories on the show in addition to high achieving artists from companies all over the world. The program continues each week and has won various film awards. Elizabeth is very happy to join the wonderful staff at Warwick Performing Arts!
Joanna Barry -(Irish Dance, Jazz/Tap Combo)
Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Joanna Barry-Connolly began training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Irish Step Dance at the age of three. Her theater credits in Ireland include musical variety seasons in The Gaiety, The Olympia and The Point, as well as R.T.E (National Television Station). Joanna toured with the famous "Jury"s Irish Cabaret" as well as with Irish American entertainers as a solo Irish Step Dancer. She formed her own dance company "Emerald Fire" and toured Europe with symphony orchestras, appearing in the USA as special guests in "Mohegan Sun" and other festivals and theaters. Joanna has toured with New York based dance companies such as the Niall O’Leary Dance Troupe and Darrah Carr Dance, where she first worked alongside Melissa Padham-Maass. Her New York performance highlights include the Irish Arts Center, The Duke Theater and Carnegie Hall, as well as special "St. Patrick's Day" TV appearances on the "Today Show" and "Fox New York".
Claire Beebe (Contemporary, choreographer) is an accomplished dancer and dance instructor who has studied and taught ballet/pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary/ modern/ lyrical , hip-hop, Zumba, and aerial dancing. She has been affiliated with the Hudson Valley Conservatory for approximately 14 years as a student and instructor and has also studied voice and flute at the Conservatory. Claire is a member of the Valley Contemporary Company under the direction of Paige Constable Cummings and has played major roles in their productions including, ‘Janis Joplin: Pearl’ , ‘Lady Day: A Tribute to Billie Holiday’ , and ‘The Giving Tree’. She is a company member of Hudson Valley Ballet under the direction of Kristen Prescott and Rebecca Balbach. She is also a member of the Warwick Dance Collective Company under the direction of Melissa Padham- Maass. Claire has recently joined Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company, under the direction of Abdel Salaam, as they performed in Paul Winter’s 38th Annual, Winter Solstice at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in NYC. Claire choreographed Chester Academy's 2016 musical "Fame" and their 2017 musical "Rent", and their 2018 musical , “The Addams Family”. She currently teaches at the Hudson Valley Conservatory in Walden, NY and Dance Revolution, Inc. in Slate Hill, NY. She is also a certified Zumba instructor. Claire is a 2013 graduate of Valley Central School. She graduated Rockland Community College in 2018 with an associates degree in dance (AA), and will be continuing school to become an Occupational Therapist.
Janette Rawls (ballet, pre-pointe, ballet conditition, pointe) holds a B. F. A. in Dance from Belhaven University with additional summer studies at American Ballet Theatre and the American Dance Festival. Janette started her professional career in Kansas City with Stӧrling Dance Theater, performing in the large productions Underground and The Little Match Girl. In Houston, Janette danced with Earthen Vessels: Sandra Organ Dance Company and appeared as a guest artist with FrenetiCore, Jhon Stronks, and for several commercial dance and modeling projects with Dance Houston. In the northeast, Janette worked with Catapult on international tour after their feature on “America’s Got Talent." She has also toured with Elements Dance and currently performs with Warwick Dance Collective. Janette has over ten years of teaching experience including teaching at the collegiate level, for summer intensives, at conventions, and in performing arts schools. She is certified in Stott® Pilates and holds an ABT® National Training Curriculum teacher certification in primary through level five. Janette currently teaches in the New York/New Jersey area, and serves as the administrative director, production manager, and occasionally as a dancer for Emotions Physical Theatre. She is currently an MFA candidate at Fei Tian College Middletown.
Stephanie Thiessen was born and raised in Warwick, New York where she began her training at three years old. Her deepest love and passion has always been for Musical Theater performance. After she graduated college from AMDA with a Bachelors degree in performing arts, she has worked at multiple equity and regional houses on both the East and West coasts performing in shows such as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Ragtime”, and “Sister Act”. In most recent years she is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to perform with multiple cruise line companies starring in shows such as “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” while also getting the opportunity to travel all over the globe.
Although she misses the adventures of traveling, she is elated to have some time off in her hometown to spend with her family and to be given the chance to teach these amazing students. Stephanie will be teaching on Wednesdays - 10 & up beginner Ballet at 4:30 and 6 -8 Jazz Funk at 6:30. Stephanie also offers private voice lessons at WCPA.
Pat McRoberts starred as Chris in MISS SAIGON on Broadway, Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, Cleveland, Denver and Detroit. He was Valjean in LES MISÉRABLES at the Barter Theatre, Symphony of The Mountains, Cardinal Stage and Zach Theatre. Pat also starred as Buddy in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY the National Tour and regionally and Yoko Ono’s NEW YORK ROCK off-Broadway on Capitol Records as well as many other Regional productions and tours. Pat is proud to be a staff member of WCPA and his greatest credit is his 7-year-old daughter Novello. Pat has a B.A. in Music from Otterbein College. Follow Pat on twitter, insta or tiktok @PatMcRoberts or www.PatMcRoberts.com.
Chuck Ragsdale
For over 20 years, Chuck Ragsdale has served on the acting faculty of CAP21, the former musical theatre conservatory of Tisch/NYU now owned by Molloy College. Classes under his instruction include Audition Technique, Audition Repertoire, Monologues, The Business of Theatre, Musical Scene Study, as well as serving on the advisor board for the senior industry showcase. He was the Director of Education for several seasons at Maine State Music Theatre where he ran the summer intern program and directed fully staged productions of Spring Awakening, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast. As an Equity performer, he has appeared in several national tours- the most recent being the Tony Award-winning First National company of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, as well as multiple off-Broadway productions and principle contracts at numerous regional theaters across the country.
Chuck is a professional actor with over 30 years performance experience, having worked contracts ranging from Production to Casino. As an arts educator, he maintains a position on the acting faculty of CAP21 Conservatory/Molloy College in NYC. He splits his time between NYC and Greenwood Lake, NY.
Richard Schacher (Musical Director) started as a classical pianist. He has a BM in Piano from Manhattan School of Music, an MA in Music Composition from Montclair State and a CAS from SUNY New Paltz. Along with playing classical recitals, he got hooked in high school on theatre, his first show being Jacques Brel. He has done stock and regional theatres, off Broadway and A Chorus Line on Broadway, National Tour and in Berlin, Germany. He also did National Tours of They’re Playing Our Song and The Magic Show. He has conducted, arranged and orchestrated numerous club acts and performed throughout the United States. He worked for Yamaha International as an instructor and was also a music teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal in several school districts, recently retiring.
Shawn Rawls (Choreography and Improvisation, & Ballet) grew up in Cleveland, Ohio studying martial arts and street dance from a young age. At sixteen he attended Cleveland School of the Arts and began dancing with the Y.A.R.D (Youth At Risk Dancing) an award winning program helping youths develop an artistic voice and U.D.C (Urban Dance Collective). These youth company experiences provided training with Paul Taylor, Pilobolus, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. In 2003, Shawn graduated as a double major in Visual Arts and Dance. Shawn is now a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer in New York City. He trained at Broadway Dance Center, Steps, Peridance, and with artists like Mia Michaels from So You Think You Can Dance, Ravenna Tucker from the Royal Ballet, David Keary of the New York City Ballet, Steve Rooks of the Martha Graham Company, Bill Wade artistic director of Inlet Dance Theatre, and Hope Boykins from Alvin Ailey. He received a full scholarship in dance to pursue a B. F. A. in performance and choreography from Belhaven University. Shawn has performed with over a dozen shows and dance companies throughout the United States and abroad including Pilobolus, the Aluminum Show, Abarukas, Ad Deum, Monster Energy Drink and the Roots, Culture Shock, the Roxey Ballet, Chicago Dance Crash, Tygo Ballets, K-Theory, Son Kiss’d Hip Hop Contemporary and the Chicago Lyric Opera. He served as dance captain and as a dancer on tour with Catapult. As a freelance choreographer for more than ten years, he won the first round of NYC XYZ choreography competition and placed runner up in the final round and placed third in VKIBC. He has been commissioned to create work on Dancing Wheels and the Roxey Ballet along with numerous choreography commissions for colleges and student training programs. Shawn is the founder and artistic director of Emotions Physical Theatre, a dance company that performs in New York and around the United States. His work has been seen in NYC 10 festival, the Houston Fringe Festival, and the Moving Beauty Series. He has curated and produced the Evening of Contemporary Dance and Thought Provoked where he presented his own choreography and invited other artists to present work. Through his company, Shawn works with the DEA to create shows and teach residencies that combine high quality dance presentations with and anti-drug message for at-risk kids. Shawn has also been teaching dance for over thirteen years at numerous dance schools, training programs, summer intensives, conventions, and in the Newark Public School system
Christy Brown is thrilled to be working as WCPA Musical Theater Company Manager and Musical Director. Her love for performing began early in life, as she was immersed in theater productions, various dance styles, fiddling competitions and performance groups. She attended Fredonia State University where she received a B.S. in Music Education and has been a Warwick Valley Middle School String Director since graduating in 2003. Although Christy still tours with her band Emish, with which she has recorded 6 albums and performed throughout the country as well as internationally, she has also embraced all aspects of directing and musical theater. She has been the Producer of the WVMS Drama productions for 6 years, director of the Park Avenue Drama Club for 5 years, the founder and director of the fiddle group Fiddle Frenzy, coordinator of the WV Odyssey of the Mind program as well as coached numerous world level Odyssey teams and directed two theater workshops at WCPA. Christy is excited to be a part of High School Musical Jr, this fantastic theater company and it’s cast and crew!
Amy Buliung grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts. Amy studied Music, Dance and Theater at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts throughout her school years living in Franklin. She performed countless productions put on by FPAC. She is a graduate of Dean College where she majored in Business. Even as an adult she loves to perform and has performed in productions of the Tis the Season, Humbug, and Nutcracker. Amy works for the WVCSD and for the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts as a Musical Theater Instructor. She has served as the Park Ave Drama Club Producer for 5 years and also works as the Park Ave Student Council Advisor. She volunteers many hours with the WRC Theatre Company and WVMS Drama Club. She is excited to be working as WBC Company Manager and Pre-Show director for HS Musical Jr. Camp.