New Jersey School of Ballet

Faculty Bios

Special Artists

New Jersey School of Ballet Faculty

	Carolyn Clark (Director) – A native of New Jersey, Ms. Clark is Founder and Director of New Jersey Ballet and New Jersey School of Ballet. She performed classical and contemporary ballet with American Ballet Theatre and toured with that company throughout North America, Scandinavia, Europe and Africa. Additional ballet company credits include the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Radio City Ballet, and as principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet and New Jersey State Opera. Miss Clark's professional credits also include many Broadway musicals and television shows, most notably as assistant to the choreographer for the Bell Telephone Hour. She is a founding member of ArtPride New Jersey, served two years on the President’s Council on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center, and five years on the Advisory Board of Channel 13. Miss Clark was honored with a New Jersey Pride Award for her contribution to the arts, and was recently named to the President’s Small Business Advisory Council. Miss Clark attended Rutgers University.

	Marina Bogdanova (Ballet) – a graduate of the Perm Ballet Academy, Russia, Ms. Bogdanova was a principal dancer with the Russian National Ballet Company, Moscow, dancing leading roles in the full classical repertory including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle and others. She has the title of Honored Artist of Russia and has won acclaim in many countries including the U.S. when famed ballet critic Anna Kisselgoff praised her work.

	Catherine Brikké (Ballet) - A native of France, Ms. Brikké trained with Rosella Hightower and at the Dance Academy of Paris with a faculty of the Paris Opera Ballet. She holds a National Teaching Diploma in Ballet from the French Ministry of Culture. Ms. Brikké has performed and choreographed a variety of ballets, musicals and plays in Europe, Africa and the US. She is on the faculty of LaGuardia High School for Music, Art & the Performing Arts in New York.

	Carolyn Tener Brown (Ballet) - joined American Ballet Theatre at the age of 19 performing corps, then soloist, and principal roles for 7 years. Her Broadway, film and television credits include Hair, All My Children, The Sopranos, various PBS programs, Carousel, Brigadoon, Fame-the musical, La Cage Aux Folles and a principal role in The Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Brown trained at New Jersey School of Ballet from the age of 7, originated the role of Clara in New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Paper Mill and continued in many student and Company roles until joining ABT.

	Daphne Cunliffe (Ballroom) - has been teaching dance for more than 25 years and is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). She initially trained in Boston in the Fred Astaire system and owned her own studio in Concord, Massachusetts. For the past 15 years she has had an independent studio in the Morristown area and has taught ballroom for 7 years at Drew University. She instructs competitors and social dancers in both American and International styles.

	Eleanor D’Antuono (Ballet) - principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre for twenty years, danced leading roles in Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, and Les Sylphides, among countless other classics. A sought-after partner, Miss D’Antuono has performed with numerous leading premier dancers including Baryshnikov and Nureyev. She was the first American ballerina to dance with the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad and on mainland China. Her teaching credits include Joffrey School, New York City and the Nutmeg Ballet, Connecticut. She is Artistic Director of the New York International Ballet Competition.

	Albert Davydov (Ballet) - began his ballet training at the Kazan Choreographic School of Ballet. Upon graduation he joined the Tatar State Theater of Opera and Ballet where he danced solo and principal roles and toured with the company in Europe and the United States. He has won numerous prizes in international competition. Mr. Davydov is currently a principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet and his repertory includes Don Quixote, Gopak, Trepak, Le Corsaire and Faust.

	Michelle deFremery (Ballet) - Michelle first appeared with NJB during the 1995-96 season and then returned to California to complete her education, earning a B.A. in Psychology from University of California at Berkeley. She trained at the San Francisco School of Ballet and with David McNaughton in Mill Valley, California. Michelle has performed with regional companies on the West Coast. In the spring of 2000, she rejoined the company and has since performed in Carmen, Designs with Strings, Les Sylphides, Who Cares, For Ella, and Saturday Night. Her portrayal of Myrtha in Giselle won high praise from leading critics.

	Peter Di Bonaventura (Ballet) - credits include several years as principal dancer with Cleveland Ballet where he danced principal roles in numerous ballets including Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, Coppelia, Balanchine’s Apollo, Midsummer Night’s Dream and the standard classical pas de deux. He also guested numerous times in Caracas with ballerina Zhanda Rodriguez. Choreographer Fleming Flindt invited him to Denmark to film his Lucifer’s Daughter, a ballet to celebrate the Queen of Denmark’s 25th Anniversary. For the past several years he was a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Prior to joining the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, he was principal dancer with NJB.

	Konstantin Dournev (Ballet) - earned degrees in classical ballet and choreography in his native Russia. He performed with Novosibirsk Ballet Theatre, Moscow Classical Ballet Theatre, and most recently with the Russian Ballet Theatre in Moscow. His repertory included leading roles in Giselle, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote. Mr. Dournev won silver and bronze medals in international ballet competitions and was a guest star with the Russian Imperial Ballet with Maya Plisetskaya as Artistic Director. He is a former principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet.

	Natasha Girshov (Ballet) - trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Leningrad before joining the Kirov Ballet where she rose quickly through the ranks to become principal ballerina, dancing leading roles in Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen and many others. Tours with the Kirov included Holland, Thailand, Romania, Africa, New Zealand and Cuba. She was choreographer and director of the Special School of Classical Dance in Leningrad where she taught all levels of ballet.

	Lynne Grossman - Ms. Grossman's credits include principal dancer with Israel Ballet, Austin Ballet Theatre and Radio City Ballet Company under director, choreographer Peter Gennaro. Classical repertory includes Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker and Swan Lake to name a few. Teaching credits include faculty member University of Texas teaching all levels of ballet: South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Austin Ballet. Ms. Grossman has also guested with numerous companies.

	Claudia Guimaraes (Ballet) – a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a graduate of the University of Rio de Janeiro, with a degree in dance. Her early ballet studies were with the Russian dancer Tatiana Leskorva and Ismael Guizer in Brazil. Ms. Guimaraes later joined the Nina Verchinina Contemporary Ballet and Jazz Company in Rio de Janeiro. She has taught all levels of Ballet, Jazz and Modern in Brazil. After relocating to the U.S., she was on the dance faculty at Oakland University in Michigan teaching all levels of Ballet, Jazz and Modern. Ms. Guimaraes also teaches Tap and Brazilian.

	Luba Gulyaeva (Ballet) - a graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Leningrad, USSR, Ms. Gulyaeva joined the Kirov Ballet in 1972, dancing featured roles in Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, La Bayadere and Don Quixote. In the 1980’s, she was invited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join the staff of American Ballet Theatre where she taught company class and coached the dancers. She also taught all levels at the ABT School and is a frequent guest teacher internationally.

	Andrei Jouravlev (Ballet) - studied at the Perm Ballet Academy in Russia and went on to become a principal dancer in the Perm State Opera and Ballet. He won silver and bronze medals in international competitions in Japan and Russia, and toured the world with American Ballet Theatre principal Nina Ananiashvili. Mr. Jouravlev is currently a principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet.

	Era Jouravlev (Ballet) - a principal with NJB, Ms. Jouravlev received her training at the Perm Ballet Academy, graduating with a degree in classical ballet. She toured internationally with Stars of the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballets and with American Ballet Theatre Principal Nina Ananiashvili in Japan and South Korea. Ms. Jouravlev joined NJB in 1995. In 1997, she danced in China with Stars of American Ballet. She has taught ballet and pointe for all levels.

	Kotoe Kojima - Ms. Kojima was born in Japan and studied with Bolshoi and New York City Ballet principals Valentina Kozlova and Leonid Kozlov. Ms. Kojima joined NJB during the 2001-2002 season as an apprentice becoming a full Company member in 2004. Her repertoire includes Nutcracker, Giselle, Paquita, Sleeping Beauty and Flames of Paris pas de deux. Ms. Kojima has been teaching all levels of ballet for several years.

	Martine La Pri (Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Pilates) - Ms. La Pri comes with 15 years of experience teaching and choreographing. She has worked with numerous artists and celebrities on stage, television and film, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Nancy Sinatra, Denzel Washington, Idina Menzel, The Sopranos cast, Donald Trump, and Adam Sandler. Career highlights include performing on the "Grammy Awards," The Late Show with David Letterman and at the Olympics. Ms. LaPri also travels worldwide as an adjudicator of performing arts students.

	Elly Mandarakas (Pilates) - is a certified by AAAISMA to teach Pilates mat and by Pilates Fifth International to teach Pilates-reformer. She has taught all levels, abilities and ages for many years and has extensive experience dealing with serious and minor injuries, disabilities and chronic issues. Ms. Mandarakas graduated from Montclair State University with a B.F.A in dance, and teaches for physical therapy units and Pilates studios.

	Paul McRae (Ballet) - began training in San Francisco when he was 9 and continued at New Jersey School of Ballet. He became an apprentice to New Jersey Ballet at 16. While attending Point Park College, he performed for 4 years with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. A member of NJB for 15 years he danced numerous solo and principal roles and often returns to the stage in memorable character roles such as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty. He is a member of the boards of Dance/New Jersey and ArtPride New Jersey and the Assistant Artistic Director of NJB.

	Andres F. Neira (Ballet) - received his training in his native Colombia where he was a member of Ballet de Cali and Barrio Ballet, performing solo roles in Paquita, Coppelia, Le Corsaire, and Who Cares? He was named Outstanding Soloist at the 1996 New York International Ballet Competition. His NJB principal roles include Tango, Pinocchio, Nutcracker and Saturday Night.

	Gabriella Noa-Pierson (Ballet) - began her training locally, joining the New Jersey School of Ballet at age 8. At 11, she performed the coveted role of Clara in NJB’s production of Nutcracker at Paper Mill Playhouse. Ms. Noa –Pierson studied on scholarship at the Pennsylvania Ballet, dancing numerous roles. She joined NJB in 1999. Ms. Noa-Pierson is noted for her work in such diverse works as For Ella and Flames of Paris, among others. She scored a major triumph as the Cowgirl in the company’s 2007 revival of Rodeo.

	Katie Pivarnik (Ballet) - trained at New Jersey Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. She joined the Joffrey Ensemble in 2000 where she danced a wide range of classical and contemporary repertory. In 2003, Ms. Pivarnik participated in the New York International Ballet Competition. She has also participated in American Ballet Theatre’s Kaatsbaan Program, where she danced solos by Glen Tetly and Christian Holder.

	John Prinz (Ballet) – principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet from 1963-1979, Mr. Prinz danced leading roles in the full repertory of both companies. He later became an international Ballet Master and teacher for many major ballet companies and schools in Europe and America. He served as Ballet Master with La Scalla Ballet and Ballet Nacional de Espana, among others. Mr. Prinz is experienced in classical and neo-classical styles including Danish, English, Russian and Balanchine.

	Luke Rawlings (Jazz/Musical Theatre) - his background includes Jazz, Ballet, Modern and Gymnastics. Mr. Rawlings has appeared in numerous shows in the Metropolitan area including Miss Saigon, Damn Yankees, Man of La Mancha and An Evening with Carol Channing. Prior to his New York appearances, he was a soloist with Memphis Dance Theatre and Radio City Ballet and Opera Memphis. Mr. Rawlings currently teaches at Steps, NYC. He recently appeared in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Paper Mill Playhouse.

	Vladimir Roje (Ballet) - was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. He began his ballet training at the national Conservatory for Dance in Bulgaria and earned a B.A. and Masters of Ballet Direction/Ballet Art from the State Music Academy in Sofia. He began his career as a soloist at the Bulgarian National Theater for Opera and Ballet, and later became a principal dancer at the opera in Graz, Austria. He has traveled extensively as a guest artist in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. His awards include a bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, and third place in the international competition in Luxemburg.

	Rosemary Sabovick-Bleich (Ballet) - joined New Jersey Ballet in 1981 and performed as soloist and principal until 2004. A strong classical dancer, she excelled in roles that demand the elegance of the Sylvia Pas de Deux, the bravura virtuosity of the Stars & Stripes Pas de Deux and the feistiness of the Cowgirl in Agnes deMille’s Rodeo. Ms. Sabovick-Bleich toured with the Pavlova Celebration Ballet, Kozlov and Friends and International Ballet Stars. Her teaching experience includes ballet and pointe classes for all levels.

	David Tamaki (Ballet) - began his formal training at New Jersey School of Ballet at age 7. He also studied at the Joffrey Workshop in Texas and with Miami City Ballet. He became a member of the NJB Junior Company in 1998 and joined NJB a year later. His repertory includes Allegro Brillante, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, For Ella, Saturday Night, Trepak and the Prince in Nutcracker and the Champion Roper in Rodeo. He has guested with Eglevsky Ballet, International Ballet and was invited to dance the role of the Champion Roper in Rodeo for Metropolitan Ballet in St. Paul, Minnesota.

	Darika Ukurchinova (Ballet) - trained at the Moscow Academy of Ballet, Russia and the National Academy of Ballet in Kyrgystan receiving a degree in classical ballet and as an instructor of the Russian School of Ballet. Ms. Ukurchinova performed with the National Theatre of Ballet, Kyrgystan. Her repertoire included Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Carmen, Paquita and Nutcracker. She has taught all ages and levels of ballet, speaks three languages and is an accomplished pianist.