Cynthia King Dance Studio - Offering dance classes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, B-Boy, Ballroom, Salsa, Pilates. African, & more!

Elizabeth Ellis
Elizabeth grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and moved to New York City to continue a profession in the arts. Since graduating from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, she has been working as a dancer, choreographer, and actor with Counts Media, Brooklyn Family Theatre, Contemporary Rhythms, Festive Voices, and the Black Hills Playhouse. She recently choreographed Peter Pan with Brooklyn Family Theatre and co-choreographed A Chorus Line at the Black Hills Playhouse. She is currently dancing with the Poisonous Ladies; the Amir Levi Dance Company, and on the faculty of The Bridge for Dance and Cynthia King Dance Studio.

Ivan DeLeon
Ivan De Leon has been studying the arts of movement and music for the last 10 years. He holds a BS from the University of British Columbia and also trained at Circle in the Square Theatre School in NY, Harbour Dance in BC, The Edge PAC in LA and at Broadway Dance Center in NY. Ivan has danced for musical artists K-OS and Talib Kweli. He is part of the dance group "Now or Never" and has danced in "Lords of the Floor" , "BBoy Summit" and more. Ivan's extensive and eclectic background in dance, theater, and cutting edge performance make him a welcome addition to Cynthia King Dance Studio's creative team.

Heather Barinaga
Heather has explored rhythm and dance as an instrumental part of her life for over fifteen years. It is with a fierce passion that she pursues, most enthusiastically, the study of tap from celebrated hoofers Kathgerine Kramer, Jane Goldberg, Michelle Dorance, Andrew Nemr, and their contemporary "podiatric musicians." Heather has taught and performed with various companies throughout the United States. Heather currently lives in NYC. She brings to the floor a parfait of styles and rhythmic influences that she strives to preserve, tweak, and paddle on… bringing the past to the Here and Now.

Maggie Ewing
Maggie Ewing comes to us with a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts and with professional dance experience with classical ballet companies and modem choreographers such as Colleen Cavanaugh and Taryn Packheiser. Maggie has taught at schools throughout the US, including Rhode Island College, the University of Washington, and American Dance Institute.

photo credit: Eric Saulitis

Rhea Roderick
Rhea Roderick (Ballet teaching artist 2005) began her training at the New Freedom Theater and the Pennsylvania Ballet School. Upon moving to New York City, she studied on full scholarship at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Joffrey Ballet School and the Julliard School. Ms. Roderick became a member of the Dance Theater of Harlem in 1990 where she soloed in ballets such as "Creole Giselle" and "Adagetto No.5." She has performed for twelve seasons as "Marie" in ballet Arts of Minnesota's "City Children's Nutcracker." As a freelance artist, she has performed with Complexions, the Renuall Dance Company, Phrenic Ballet and the Lang Project. She was a soloist for one season with the Oakland Ballet Company and performed in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Detroit. Ms. Roderick will be back performing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet for the 2005/2006 season.

Chantal Renee St. Gerard
Brooklyn native Chantal Renée St. Gerard was a member of John Dewey High School Dance Ensemble, where she learned dance styles including Ballet, Modern Dance, Lindy Hop and Hip Hop. She also trained at Ballet Hispanico during her high school years.
Chantal studied dance technique and pedagogy at the Limón Institute, in addition to training at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts’, where she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance, with honors and commendations of excellence.
She teaches Modern Dance and has brought fresh, new choreography to the Dance Co. students at CKDS.

	ABOUT THE STUDIO About Cynthia King Dance Studio \| CKDS Faculty \| Dance Program Descriptions
	Cynthia King Cynthia King received her dance training at the Boston Conservatory, CMDE, Ailey School & studied extensively with Emiko and Yasuko Tokunaga, completing her studies with a B.A. in Dance History from SUNY Empire. Ms. King has studied with legendary dancers, including Carmen DeLavallade, Diane McIntyre, Mary Anthony, and Rod Rodgers of whose dance company she was a member. Ms. King began dancing professionally in 1978 and has been teaching and choreographing since 1986. She directed the dance departments of St. Peter School, St. Mary and Holy Rosary Schools in Jersey City and has taught in Brooklyn at P.S. 315, School of Performing Arts, Poly Prep, Maple Street School, I.S. 62 Performing Arts Department, Flatbush Tompkins, Bridge Street Head Start, and even the Fort Hamilton Army Base. Ms. King has been credited by the Department of Education with developing "one of the most comprehensive dance programs in the district." Ms. King, mother of two B-Boys, is an active community member, serving on the board of directors of the League of Humane Voters and advisory board of Windsor Terrace Alliance. The studio actively supports The Greenwood Playground, PTAs of local schools including PS 154, PS 130, PS 230, Farm Sanctuary, and Brooklyn Animal Foster Network
	About the Dance Studio The launching of a dance company in 2004 and expansion into the beautiful, spacious studios on Prospect Avenue is a longtime goal realized. These six years of extraordinary growth, since June of 2002, are a testament to Ms. King's dedication to creating an atmosphere that provides a fertile training ground for dancers and a place for teachers/choreographers to present new and original works. Her innovative curriculum embraces traditional to emerging styles, inspiring dancers to strive for both technical excellence and meaningful artistry. As choreographer, Cynthia King is deeply in tune with children's perspective, creating dances that capture their enthusiasm, depth and humor. The children's repertory includes dances about getting ready for a show, friends, fighting and making up, birds, worms, seeds growing, current and historic events and the purely abstract - with music ranging from Mozart to Coltrane, Bowie, Outkast, and Sinatra. She has been influenced by the great choreographers Alwin Nikolais, Alvin Ailey, Abdel Salaam, Elizabeth Streb and Garth Fagan. King designs and creates original costumes* and sets for performances. CKDS school and company have become a vital and exciting piece of the rich dance culture in Brooklyn. Her latest creation, a unique ballet slipper (made in Brooklyn), is now marketed internationally.
	Elizabeth Ellis Elizabeth grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and moved to New York City to continue a profession in the arts. Since graduating from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, she has been working as a dancer, choreographer, and actor with Counts Media, Brooklyn Family Theatre, Contemporary Rhythms, Festive Voices, and the Black Hills Playhouse. She recently choreographed Peter Pan with Brooklyn Family Theatre and co-choreographed A Chorus Line at the Black Hills Playhouse. She is currently dancing with the Poisonous Ladies; the Amir Levi Dance Company, and on the faculty of The Bridge for Dance and Cynthia King Dance Studio. Ivan DeLeon Ivan De Leon has been studying the arts of movement and music for the last 10 years. He holds a BS from the University of British Columbia and also trained at Circle in the Square Theatre School in NY, Harbour Dance in BC, The Edge PAC in LA and at Broadway Dance Center in NY. Ivan has danced for musical artists K-OS and Talib Kweli. He is part of the dance group "Now or Never" and has danced in "Lords of the Floor" , "BBoy Summit" and more. Ivan's extensive and eclectic background in dance, theater, and cutting edge performance make him a welcome addition to Cynthia King Dance Studio's creative team. Heather Barinaga Heather has explored rhythm and dance as an instrumental part of her life for over fifteen years. It is with a fierce passion that she pursues, most enthusiastically, the study of tap from celebrated hoofers Kathgerine Kramer, Jane Goldberg, Michelle Dorance, Andrew Nemr, and their contemporary "podiatric musicians." Heather has taught and performed with various companies throughout the United States. Heather currently lives in NYC. She brings to the floor a parfait of styles and rhythmic influences that she strives to preserve, tweak, and paddle on… bringing the past to the Here and Now. Maggie Ewing Maggie Ewing comes to us with a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts and with professional dance experience with classical ballet companies and modem choreographers such as Colleen Cavanaugh and Taryn Packheiser. Maggie has taught at schools throughout the US, including Rhode Island College, the University of Washington, and American Dance Institute. photo credit: Eric Saulitis Rhea Roderick Rhea Roderick (Ballet teaching artist 2005) began her training at the New Freedom Theater and the Pennsylvania Ballet School. Upon moving to New York City, she studied on full scholarship at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Joffrey Ballet School and the Julliard School. Ms. Roderick became a member of the Dance Theater of Harlem in 1990 where she soloed in ballets such as "Creole Giselle" and "Adagetto No.5." She has performed for twelve seasons as "Marie" in ballet Arts of Minnesota's "City Children's Nutcracker." As a freelance artist, she has performed with Complexions, the Renuall Dance Company, Phrenic Ballet and the Lang Project. She was a soloist for one season with the Oakland Ballet Company and performed in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Detroit. Ms. Roderick will be back performing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet for the 2005/2006 season. Chantal Renee St. Gerard Brooklyn native Chantal Renée St. Gerard was a member of John Dewey High School Dance Ensemble, where she learned dance styles including Ballet, Modern Dance, Lindy Hop and Hip Hop. She also trained at Ballet Hispanico during her high school years. Chantal studied dance technique and pedagogy at the Limón Institute, in addition to training at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts’, where she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance, with honors and commendations of excellence. She teaches Modern Dance and has brought fresh, new choreography to the Dance Co. students at CKDS.	Amanda Burton Amanda Burton pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Western Michigan University (WMU). Growing up in South Bend, Indiana; she studied at the Conservatory of Dance along with several summer programs including: David Howard, Jose Limon, David Parsons and Blue Lake Fine Arts Academy.   Her most memorable projects at WMU; were Balanchine’s “Stars and Stripes”, Martha Graham’s “Steps in the Street” and Jean Coralli’s Act II of Giselle. She has appeared in NYC with Dance CatAlyst, Ellen Strokes Shadle, Erin Malley, Amy Adams and currently Jamie Dowd. Amanda is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and was concert master for Orchesis Dance Society. photo credit: DECADANCETHEATRE Daniel Pincus and Oliver Page Cat Manturuk Cat Manturuk holds BFA in dance and BS in exercise science from Western Michigan University. Upon graduation she moved to LA where she worked with Regina Klenjosky Dance Company, LA Modern and Ballet Company, Blue13 dance company, and Collage Dance Theatre. Cat has earned the ACDF Excellence in Performance and Choreography Award. She was also reviewed as "creating heat..." by the LA Times. Her music video credits lie with BET (artist, Won G) and MTVIndia (artist, Jassi Jasbir). Now Cat resides in Brooklyn, NY and has been working with two hip hop companies, Dance 2xs and Decadancetheatre. photo credit: Sarah Silver Amanda Wells Amada was born in San Francisco where she began her formal dance training at the San Francisco Ballet School. Her training and performance experience continued with the Boston Ballet and Richmond Ballet Company. In 1998, Amanda relocated to New York to attend NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. While there, she was selected to perform at Tisch's 25th Anniversary Gala at Lincoln Center. Amanda graduated in 2001 with a BFA and proceeded directly into the Stephen Petronio Company. She is currently on the faculty of the New England Academy of Dance and Cynthia King Dance Studio. Keenan Davis Keenan Davis has an extensive dance background in hip-hop and reggae. He also has experience dancing salsa & meringue, lyrical and step. Keenan played a major role in the Babson Dance Ensemble at Babson College. Keenan choreographed and performed in over twenty dances during his two years with the Babson Dance Ensemble. This experience led to his co-founding the Hip Hop/ R&B/ Reggae/ Latin/ Step dance group "Dancers Unorthodoks". Notably, the group performed in the opening ceremonies of the 1998 Massachusetts Special Olympics. Keenan's television performance credits include dancing on MTV's "The Grind" and on MTV's Direct Effect. He has also modeled for several organizations including EntertainmentGear.com, GBOS Modeling, Boston International Student Organization, Bentley College & Wellesley College. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Keenan is thrilled to be back in his hometown, teaching and choreographing at Cynthia King Dance Studio. Eddie "Pax Prime" Choudhry The Brooklyn native born Eddie Choudhry was already well versed in several dances, such as popping and reggae, before he found his way to b-boying. Influenced by many friends and role models such as his neighborhood friend Nev and Jo Jo of Rocksteady Crew, Pax Prime tested his skills against anybody he saw. In one such instance, he battled Breaks Kru, a crew he would soon end up battling with rather than against. As Breaks Kru strengthened their team, a new friend in Pax Prime was chosen to become a part of the crew. Pax Prime, a name that came about when he reached the prime of his dance and the height of his confidence, has represented the crew in such places as Boston, Virginia, and Florida. His participation in Chicago's City vs. City 2 landed the crew and New York City with a second place victory. He has also been featured in the TV shows "Third Watch" and "Sex and the City." Odylle Beder Odylle is a native of Brooklyn and a current student at Hunter College. She received her dance training at Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech studying under Daniel Levans, Richard Thomas and Christine Sarry. She has performed in works such as "The NOTcracker", and "Apple Pie" by Eliot Feld as well as "Nutcracker in the Lower" by Daniel Catanach and other choreography with the Urban Ballet Theatre Ensemble. Odylle is a tap protege of Heather Barinaga, teaches young tappers and assists with other classes at Cynthia King Dance Studio.

	Children/Teens Dance Program Descriptions PRE-K DANCE / AGES 3&4 The Pre- K Dance class includes: Introduction to basic Ballet positions, posture and alignment Body part and spatial awareness exercises Practice moving as a group, cooperating, and following directions Exposure to wide variety of music Dancing with props and costumes Students are encouraged to express themselves creatively as well as to imitate movements and dance patterns. Some students at this age are tentative and hesitate to participate at first. It sometimes takes time for them to feel ready to join the group. They may want to observe at first and slowly begin to participate. This is normal behavior for very young dancers. At performance time most students are eager to show what they've learned in costume for an audience. Some may be overwhelmed by the excitement and the attention. The performance experience can be very positive and uplifting for kids, but please remember that the curriculum is process and not product oriented. TECHNIQUE CLASSES: BALLET, HIP HOP, TAP, JAZZ, MODERN - AGES 5-TEEN Techniques are developed in the various dance traditions. Focus is on building strength, flexibility, endurance, dance vocabulary, and proper alignment. Classes progress to include more complex steps, jumps, turns and combinations. Level placement is based on a combination of age, ability and maturity. Classes perform in full length dance concerts annually. Select students also dance as guest artists at community arts festivals and civic events. COMPANY TRACK Students who attend 3 or more classes per week and are over the age of 10, position themselves for Junior Company consideration. Auditions are held regularly throughout the year. Company status entitles you to participate in extra workshops, classes, rehearsals and select performances. DRESS CODE All the required dancewear is available for purchase at the studio. Leotard and tights for girls CKDS tee and sweat pants for boys Appropriate shoes: CKDS ballet slippers, tap shoes, and clean bottomed sneakers for Hip Hop All hair must be tied back before entering class. NO jewelry. ATTENDANCE It is important that students in the children/ teen classes attend all of their assigned classes. Call the studio to inform us in case of illness or emergency. We handle make up classes on an individual basis. Teamwork is a vital part of dance training. Dancers count on each other for spatial cues, timing, and as partners. Every effort should be made to attend ALL CLASSES AND REHEARSALS. More than 3 absences may jeopardize roles in dances for performance. ADULT CLASSES We offer classes in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Dance Workout, and workshops in African Dance, Ballroom, Salsa and Swing. Adult classes at the studio serve the beginner through advanced students. Many have studied sometime in their life and are returning to it with a new focus… enjoyment, exercise and stress relief!
Cynthia King Dance Studio :: 1256 Prospect Ave :: Brooklyn, NY 11218 :: (718) 437-0101