Hudson River Performing Arts Center

Executive Artistic Director
Teresa Lawrence has been an educator of Dance, Theater Arts, and Kinesiology for 25 years. Teresa holds a Masters Degree in Dance Education & Kinesiology from Columbia University, a Masters Degree in Dance Movement Therapy from New York University. She has been on the faculty of New York University where she has taught Applied Anatomy, Kinesiology, Modern Dance and Musical Theater Dance. She is the former owner/Director of Terpsichord Dance Studio in Brooklyn, NY and the Performing Arts Director of Park East Day School in NYC. Teresa has performed professionally on Broadway and in London; formerly with Impulse Dance Company; has had the privilege of performing with Gene Kelly and Ben Vereen for Dick Clark Productions. Teresa’s expertise in the art of dance and the movement sciences has led her to become a new breed of dance educator, one that designs her classes to be kinesiologically sound, technically pure and creatively expressive with respect to each student’s ability and individuality.

Faculty

Lisa Davis-Albright was born and raised near Youngstown, Ohio, and received the majority of her classical ballet training at the prestigious Ballet Western Reserve. Although classical ballet is her specialty, she has extensive training and professional performance experience in nearly all areas of dance-- various modern techniques, lyrical, jazz, and tap, to name a few. Miss Davis has danced professionally with several dance companies, and toured the United States performing such ballets as “Swan Lake”, “Coppelia,” and “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” She has performed for such dignitaries as Mikhail Baryshnikov and the King of Greece. Lisa is an active and award winning choreographer. From 1995-1999, Miss Davis was the Assistant Director of one of the largest dance schools in Ohio. During her tenure there, enrollment grew to over 1,000 students. Lisa prides herself on her ability to connect with students and families individually, while simultaneously continuing the disciplined tradition of the dance arts and helping students achieve their full potential.

CoryAnn Fasano is the Founder & Artistic Director of Trinity Players in Lagrangeville and holds a B.A. in Drama, Theatre and Dance from Queens College. Cory Ann has an extensive list of Performance credits and has over 30 years experience in all aspects of Musical Theatre Production.

Edwin Fion will be teaching Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, BPT, and Lyrical Jazz. Edwin comes to us from NYC where he is a teacher, choreographer and performer. Edwin’s latest influences in the hip hop and Latin dance scene come together in Edwin’s fun and energetic classes. You will be dancing to your favorite hip-hop, pop, and R & B hits. If you want to feel electrified, don’t miss this chance to dance with Edwin.

Caitlyn Gray has a duel psychology/dance degree from Suny Geneseo. She has performed for Paul Taylor 2, En L’Air Aerial Dance Theatre, Robin Dunn’s Middle Ground, Andre Lee’s hip hop company and most recently at the Public Theater as part of “365 plays for 365 days” Festival. She is the resident choreographer for the US Dance Team. She has also choreographed for NYC’s Summer Solstice, the Choreographer’s Carnival, and for NY Knicks/NY Liberty half-time shows, as well as for various industrial and corporate events. Her teaching experience prior to HRPAC includes Steps on Broadway, New Dance Group and LaDanse as well as other dance studios both nationwide and abroad.

Ashley Hill's career has taken her across Canada, United States, Caribbean and Europe. She was a Dance Teacher and Choreographer for Bojangles Art of Dance, which is very well known in Canada and Internationally. She is trained in all aspects of dance. Her Achievements include, Petite and Teen Miss Dance of MLDMA Chapter 43. Miss CAN-DANCE of Canada, Top Senior Soloist Winner at Rhythm Dance, Company Dance, Starlight, D Force, and Footloose Competitions. She has won Convention Scholarships at NYC Dance Alliance, West Coast Dance Explosion, Triple Threat, Tremaine, and Jump. Career highlights include work for Kevin and Caruso Magic Show, Viva Las Vegas Show Girl, Euro Tours, Stratford Festival, Chip and Pepper, RCMPI West Side Story. TCP Productions of Annie Get Your Gun, and Carnival Cruise Lines. TV Experiences include Tiger Toys, Honey Comb, American Express, Winners, Home Shopping Channel, Kids Can Press, and Roots Canada to name a few. She currently performed in a show called “The Red City” in Toronto Canada. Ashley is an enthusiastic, and outgoing teacher who loves to share her knowledge and creativity of this art form called dance, that she loves so much.

Jen James originally from Arizona, Jen James moved to NYC after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in psychology and marketing. Her credits span all areas of the entertainment industry and she has danced and choreographed for recording artists, fashion shows, videos, TV and film in addition to Off-Broadway, stage and club performances all over the US. In 2006 she started MIXT Dance, a dance-based entertainment company that provides choreography and dancers for special events and productions with clients such as Mercedes Fashion Week, Red Bull, and Gentleman Jack. Jen recently created and choreographed an interactive dance show called "Crazy Sexy Disco" with fellow choreographers Liz Piccoli and Svea Schneider. She is currently working on a fashion video for a new denim line and creating new performance pieces for venues and shows in the fall and early spring. In the educational realm, Jen has worked with students of all ages...from pre-school to mature adults. She has taught at Crunch, Equinox, New Dance Group, and various schools in NJ, NY and CT. Jen teaches ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop classes. She loves to integrate a range of styles into her choreography and loves to spread knowledge and create passion for dance of all styles.

Frank Johnson’s training began at The Pennsylvania Ballet School. He continued his education with Fabrice Herrault, Whilhem Burman, David Howard, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and most recently with The School of American Ballet. His style is influenced by the French technique and American styles, emphasizing placement, speed and accuracy. His latest performance was in Madama Butterfly with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet during their 2008-2009 season. He has also performed with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cincinnati Ballet, Ovations Dance Theatre, and The Staten Island Ballet. As a teacher, he has trained in Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island and has served on the faculty of the Cincinnati Ballet Academy.

Harry Lawrence holds a B.A. in Music from Daemen College and has taught guitar in the 1980’s in Western New York. Harry has been a musician for 28 years, of which he has performed and recorded in the Buffalo, NYC, and the Hudson Valley. He has been the musical director for buffalo repertory theatre companies, as well as countless Broadway Reviews.

Amber Wirthmann is the Assistant Artistic Director and dancer for The Vanaver Caravan. She is also the Director of The Vanaver Caravan Dance Institute. Amber has toured nationally and internationally with the dance company as dance captain and rehearsal director. She specializes in Modern and Folk Dance. Amber has also taught for the Summer Institute for the Gifted, at Vassar College. She also serves as Director of The Caravan Kids.