Current positions
Link to Montclair University Profile Page
Montclair State University – Theatre and Dance Department, Tenured Full Professor, Head of Dance (2019-present), Deputy Chair of Theatre and Dance (2019-present), Coordinator of the MFA in Dance (2018-present), Coordinator of the BA in Dance (2008-2019) with two concentrations: Studio Teaching and Dance Education with P-12 Certification
Undergraduate courses: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Ballet (using the Corvino approach); Dance Appreciation (in person, hybrid, and fully online versions); Dance for Children; Dance Methods; Repertory; New Student Seminar; Western Theatrical Dance Studies: 1661-present (hybrid course); Explorations in American Dance History (online course); Dance Pedagogy; New Student Seminar
Graduate courses: Research, Writing, and Publication (online course); Pedagogical Perspectives (online course); and Dance in the USA (online course)
Comprehensive Examination Committees
Adjudication of jury exams for dance majors at Montclair State University 2009-present
MFA Thesis Advisement
2016-present
Curriculum Development:
Undergraduate:
Revised the Dance Methods course to include students becoming assistants to technique teachers, Spring 2021.
Worked with Lori Katterhenry to develop DNCE131: Health and Wellness course, AY 2017-18, giving students access to on-site physical therapy.
Rewrote the dance history courses DNCE317 and DNCE512 to center Dance History in the USA, Fall 2018-2019.
Developed a second track for the BA Dance: Dance Studio Teaching, effective Fall 2012.
Re-designed the Dance for Children course to be taught on site at an elementary school, Fall 2009.
Graduate:
Assisted in developing the proposal and curriculum for the low-residency MFA in Dance, 2014-2016.
Developed the online courses DNCE511: Research, Writing and Publication, DNCE 512 Dance and the Arts in the 20th Century (now Dance in the USA) and DNCE530: Pedagogical Perspectives, 2014-present.
Redesigned the Choreology sequence of courses for the MFA in Dance at Purchase College, 2012-2014.
National Dance Education Organization – Teacher for professional development courses for dance educators
OPDI-M125: Tracing Milestones in Dance in the USA, online course, Summers 2024-2026
OPDI-M22 (co-teacher): Using Dance Pedagogic Content Knowledge (PCK) to Drive Programmatic and Self Growth, Spring 2019, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025, scheduled for Fall 2026
Degrees and Certifications
Ph.D., Dance & Dance Education/ Teaching & Administration in Higher Education, New York University, 2006
Dissertation—Martha Hill: The Secret in the Middle, a qualitative interview study of four of Hill’s Juilliard students, supported by biographical material and analysis
Major Teachers: Dr. Miriam Roskin Berger, Dr. Joan Burroughs, Dr. Diane Duggan, Dr. Margot Ely, Dr. Dawn Lille, Dr. Gregory Scott, Ernestine Stodelle
M.A., Dance Research and Reconstruction, The City College of New York, 1993
Major Teachers: Dr. Jill Beck, Wendy Hilton, Dr. Dawn Lille
B. F. A., Dance, The Juilliard School, 1990
Major Teachers: Carolyn Adams, Dr. Jill Beck, Colin Connor, Alfredo Corvino, Maria Grandy, Laura Glenn, Kazuko Hirabayashi, Linda Kent, Daniel Lewis, Gloria Marina, Michael Maule, Genia Melikova, Jeanne Ruddy, Doris Rudko, Janet Soares, Risa Steinberg, Ethel Winter, Hector Zaraspe
Permanent Teacher’s Certification in Dance from New York State, 9/2003
Teacher's Certification in Labanotation, The Dance Notation Bureau, 1993
Past Experience
2023 (Summer)
Joffrey Ballet/New Jersey City University – Dance Program, Instructor
Undergraduate course: Dance History in the USA
2015 (Fall)
Sarah Lawrence College – Dance Department, Ketchum Artist-in Residence,
Undergraduate and Graduate Dance Program, staging Anna Sokolow’s Rooms
2012-2014
Purchase College – Dance Department, MFA Dance Program, Adjunct Lecturer
Graduate course: Choreology (a four-semester dance studies course)
1996-09
Long Island University, Brooklyn – Dance Department, Adjunct Professor
Undergraduate course: Beginning, Intermediate Ballet (using the Corvino approach), Dance History, Dance Pedagogy, Introduction to Dance (honors program for high school students)
Comprehensive Examination Committees
Adjudicated for jury exams for dance majors at Long Island University 2005-08
1996-02
New York University – Dance Education Program, Steinhardt School: Part-time Instructor (2000-02); Teaching Fellow/Graduate Assistant (1996-99)
Undergraduate courses: Intro to Modern Dance; Survey of Folk, Square, and Social Dance Forms, Intermediate Ballet (using the Corvino approach), Beginning Labanotation, Common Hour (guest artist series at NYU); mentor for student teachers in public schools
1991-95
The City College of New York – Theatre/Dance Department: Adjunct instructor (1993-95); Teaching Fellow (1991-1993)
Undergraduate courses: Aerobics, Intro to Modern Dance, World Arts (team-taught with music professor)
Graduate course: Intermediate Labanotation
2014 and 2016
Montclair State University’s Gifted and Talented Summer Program – Dance teacher for grades 1st-9th (world folk dance and contemporary dance)
2004-8
Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Fieldston Lower - Bronx, NY - Movement teacher for grades PreK-2nd
1998-2009
Long Island University Summer Bridge Program for NYC High School Students – Modern dance and dance composition for grades 10th-11th
1998-04
The Convent of the Sacred Heart - NYC – Creative Dance teacher for grades PreK-4th]
1997
The Regional Center for the Arts High School - Bridgeport, CT - Ballet instructor for grades 9th-12th
1991-98
The Abrons Arts Center of Henry Street Settlement - NYC - Modern Dance instructor for ages 4-10
1993-98
The Arts Gate Center of Chinatown - NYC - Ballet instructor for ages 5-10
2021 and 2012
External consultant for program review of university dance programs
2017-2020
New York City Department of Education – Consultant: developing and presenting historical lectures and facilitating professional development workshops
2016-2019
Sharron Miller Academy of the Performing Arts – Evaluator for the residencies at the Quitman Street Community School in Newark, NJ and in the Paterson School district in NJ
2015-2019
External evaluator for tenure/promotion of various professors at several universities.
2014-2017
Professional Development Courses for Teachers through the Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal
2009-12
New Jersey Department of Education – Consultant: Developed Model Curriculum in Dance for the NJ Department of Education, Revised NJ state tests for students majoring in dance at vocational high schools in NJ, Adjudicated written and practical exams for dance students of vocational performing arts high schools in
New Jersey