ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS:
Miss Christie
Director. Miss Christie is a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance
Masters, the Professional Dance Teacher's Association, and the American Academy
of Ballet.
Barbara West
Barbara West received her early training in Miami under the direction of Alexandre
Gavrilov and Thomas Armour. Barbara’s New York training was at Ballet Russes de
Monte Carlo and she also studied in France. Barbara’s professional experience includes
Miami Ballet, Greater Miami Opera, and many others. She has toured with Harry Belafonte,
Robert Goulet, Gene Kelly, and Liza Minelli. She was also a June Taylor dances on
the Jackie Gleason and Dom DeLuise shows.
Maria Ines Sarritella
Maria is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts (NWSA) High School and College
programs where she earned an Associate of Arts in Dance, and of Florida International
University (FIU) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. While at NWSA,
she received intense training in dance fundamentals ballet, modern, and jazz. Other
styles in her dance repertoire include Spanish Dance, Hip Hop, Belly Dance and Tap.
Such a strong dance background earned her positions in Miami-based dance companies
Freddick Bratcher and Company Contemporary Dance Theater, Ballet Espanol Rosita
Segovia, and Cultural Dance Theater. Much of her dance background comes from training
with acclaimed choreographers and instructors from professional dance companies
such as Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and New York
City Ballet to name a few. Maria's Choreography has earned her recognition from
the A.C.C.A., an organization formed to recognize Hispanic artists.
Moraima Serra
Moraima was born and raised in Puerto Rico where she started dancing at the age
of 6 at the “Balleteatro Infantil de Nana Hudo”. In 1990 she became part of “Bailos”
Dance Company directed by Edwin Ballester, which opened the doors to an exiting
career. In 1991 she was appearing in TV commercials, Music Videos and touring with
the top singers in Puerto Rico, such as Wilkins, Yolandita Monge, Ednita Nazario,
Manny Manuel, Elvis Crespo and Millie Corretjer. In 1995 Moraima went to New York
as part of an exchange program with a Presidential grant. There she studied in the
Dance Department at Hunter College, and took weekly classes for one year at Broadway
Dance Center. In 1997 she became a choreographer for Wilkins and many children’s
musicals where she was also part of the cast. In 1999 she graduated Magna Cum Laude
from the Drama Department at the University of Puerto Rico. In 2000 Moraima moved
to Florida with her husband. Here she got certified for Child Care by NOVA South
Eastern University and is in the process of getting certified as a Personal Trainer.
Hector Montero
Hector Montero, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, began studying Ballet at age 16
at the School of Ballet Nina Nikanorova. Throughout his career he has performed
at some of the most prestigious and famous theaters in the world, including The
Bolshoi theater of Moscow. He's performed classic repertoire from Petipa to Fokine
and Balanchine, as well as modern work including Alvin Ailey, Margo Sappinton, Ramon
Oller, Maria Rovira, David Rooseve, Donald Mc Kayle, Elisa Monte, Ulisses Dove,
Ann Rainkin (Broadway Show). Hector danced with Ballet Nuevo Mundo of Caracas, Venezuela
for 17 years and was commissioned by the Government of Venezuela to choreograph
the Expo Hannover and Expo Lisbon. He also performed for Ballet Di la Arena de Verona,
Cleveland Ballet, and for 7 years he performed for Ballet Hispanico of New York.
In 1995 he received the award for Best Classical Dancer in Venezuela. For the last
2 years Hector has been choreographing for the Miami City Ballet.
Cherrise Pawlak
Cherrise Pawlak has a strong background in dance and the performing arts. She began
her studies at the age of 9 in Olympia, Washington. Dance became her passion, so
she began to pursue her well –achieved career in entertainment after graduating
from Tumwater High School. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and became an acrobat
in the renowned show, Le Folies Berger at the Tropicana Hotel. Then, she proceeded
to wow audiences by singing and dancing aboard cruise ships for Norwegian Cruise
Lines and Holland American Cruise Lines. Cherrise has appeared in music videos with
Shakira and La Bouche. She has worked on many commercials, TV Shows, and films,
such as, CSI - Miami , Justin to Kelly, Out of Time, 2 fast 2 furious, Speed Logic,
and The Roof. She has also performed many corporate shows for Nike, and General
Electric, as well as VIP events at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau , Bahamas . After
going through rigorous training, Cherrise is currently performing as a trapeze artist
for Michael Mc Pherson in his amazing shows “ Luminaire and Circo Luci”. Cherrise’s
most memorable experience was performing for the United State Troops and their families
stationed at the Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan in 2004.
Cherrise Pawlak
Cherrise Pawlak has a strong background in dance and the performing arts. She began
her studies at the age of 9 in Olympia, Washington. Dance became her passion, so
she began to pursue her well –achieved career in entertainment after graduating
from Tumwater High School. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and became an acrobat
in the renowned show, Le Folies Berger at the Tropicana Hotel. Then, she proceeded
to wow audiences by singing and dancing aboard cruise ships for Norwegian Cruise
Lines and Holland American Cruise Lines. Cherrise has appeared in music videos with
Shakira and La Bouche. She has worked on many commercials, TV Shows, and films,
such as, CSI - Miami , Justin to Kelly, Out of Time, 2 fast 2 furious, Speed Logic,
and The Roof. She has also performed many corporate shows for Nike, and General
Electric, as well as VIP events at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau , Bahamas . After
going through rigorous training, Cherrise is currently performing as a trapeze artist
for Michael Mc Pherson in his amazing shows “ Luminaire and Circo Luci”. Cherrise’s
most memorable experience was performing for the United State Troops and their families
stationed at the Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan in 2004.
Kristine Nicole Merchan
Kristine took her first Ballet class at the age of 9 at the Westlake School of the
Performing Arts (WSPA) in San Francisco . She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical
and Character with Malu Rivera-Peoples, Christina Fargas, Inna Bayer, Amy Beltramy,
Alexie Badrak and Debbie Dahlberg. Kristine also began studying Hawaiian and Polynesian
dance at WSPA under the direction of Marilou Ubaldo. She aided in Ballet and Hula
for 2 years and began teaching in 2002. She has performed lead roles in productions
such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Blue Danube. Kristine also performed
in numerous competitions and has won many awards, including Gold in Las Vegas '
American Dance Awards, Grand Champion at the California State Talent Competition,
and 1st place at the Showstoppers Dance Competition. In 2001 she was given the Most
Oustanding Student Award in the WSPA Company. In 2003 she won the Miss United Nations
USA Pageant while representing San Francisco , California . Later that year Kristine
moved to Florida where she joined Dancer's Gallery as a Company member and a Teacher.
In 2004 she was the 1st runner-up at the Greater Hollywood Teen Search and was invited
to perform in London 's New Year's Day Parade by the Universal Dance Association.
She currently teaches Hula/Tahitian classes at Dancer's Gallery.
Kelly Zimmer
Kelly was born in Washington State . She started dancing at 3 and grew up training
with the Royal Academy of Dance Study. At 16 she passed her Ballet Advance Exam
and received the American Royal Academy of Dance ( ARAD ) behind her name, making
her eligible to teach the ARAD Study. When she graduated from High School she earned
her 1 st professional job with the magic show Vertigo and traveled all over the
U.S. She then moved to Florida . Kelly has worked with many great teachers and choreographers
such as Minyon Furman, Lynette Kelley, Frank Hatchet, Mia Michaels, Tina De Modre
and Hillary Cartwright. She has traveled to Japan and Bahamas to do shows and has
also done many other shows around the U.S. She performed on Moulin Rouge, Vegas
Sensation, One Step Beyond, and is currently dancing in the show Chicago . Her other
dance studies include Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Hip Hop. Kelly is still traveling
and dancing professionally.