S Funk Salemi (Director)
Shannon Salemi has thirty-four years of dance experience and nineteen years of teaching and choreography experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance with a Visual and Performing Arts Emphasis from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Shannon spent most of her training at Towson University, Point Park College (rated #1 dance conservatory on the east coast for jazz) , University of MD (recently ranked in top ten America's best colleges), and Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Manhattan. Shannon trained in the styles of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, dunham and folk dance with famous teachers such as A.C. Cuilla, Tony Stevens, Bev B, Jose (all Broadway Dance Center NYC), Karla Wolfangle (Paul Taylor), Douglas Hamby (UMBC, Hamby and dancers, phoneix, Martha Graham Dance Co.s), Karen Muciolli and Gloria Lang (Towson University). Her Jazz training includes Funk, Luigi, Broadway, Modern: Cunninham, Graham, and Taylor, and Ballet: Royal Academy of Dancing, Vaganova and Cechetti. A native of Baltimore Shannon has taught for numerous private academies with her specialties being jazz and hip hop. She served as the jazz director and choreographer for three nationally renowned award winning competitive dance companies at Karen Sachs Academy of Dance. Shannon's Choreography has received perfect scores and has been recognized for "high scores," "best concept," "high energy," and "special effects." Before founding the Baltimore Dance Center Shannon founded and directed the "Daycare Dance Institute" for seven years, a dance education built into childcare facilities. Performance, Choreography and Training Credits include Lil Mo, Paula Campbell, Marc Clarke (92.3), Porkchop (92.3), along with working with Sonjay and Rob Base (92.3) on the Baltimore Dancing with The Stars produced by 92.3 Jams, airing on on Fox 45. Here Funk and the Danceattack aired live on 92.3. Choreography for Mayor Martin O'Malley, Sheila Dixon with the BALTIMORE BELIEVE, Soac Entertainment, "Meyerhoff" Events, The Baltimore Entertainment Connection, Energy Entertainment, March of Dimes Citywalk and Charm City's 5K Shamrock Race in Baltimore attracting 22,000 spectators. Shannon was featured in Devon Howard's music video that aired on MTV Europe. More Performance/Choreography credits include Six Flags America, Closing Ceremonies for Johns Hopkins Culture Fest, Baltimore Sun Travel Expo, Club One, numerous fashion shows, Travis Nealy National Health Fair at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore Tremont Hotel Events, Baltimore Greek Independence Day. Furthermore Shannon has performed with Motion Mania (professional dance company D.C.), Harford Dance Theatre, Dimensional Dance Media, The Baltimore Entertainment Connection, Energy Entertainment and University of Maryland Showcases.
She has instructed master classes for the University of Maryland, Greater York Center for Dance Education (PA), and Gold's Gym at the Power Plant (Balto Inner Harbor) where she founded, choreographed and directed the "Gold's Gym Danceforce" promotional dance team. As a professional adjudicator Shannon as able to share her dance experience with other aspiring dancers across the country serving on a panel with American Ballet Theatre and Tony award winning Fosse dancers adjudicating for national dance competitions Dance Explosion, Rainbow Connection, Road to Broadway, Ticket to Broadway, The Washington Chiefs Dance Team, Headliners, and Thunderstruck Dance Convention (Las Vegas). Shannon's students have gone on to pursue college dance degrees, perform on Broadway (Annie), So You Think You Can Dance, Step up 2, music videos, commercials, pro dance companies in France, New Orleans Saints Dance Team, backup dancing for Bossman, Genuine, CR, Raheem Devan and have been featured on MTV and Showtime at the Apollo.
Most Recently, Shannon has founded and is the owner/director of the Baltimore Dance Center for the last eight years where she instructs full time and is the Choregrapher/Director for the BALTIMORE DANCEATTACK! professional dance company in residence at BDC. She also directs BALTIMORE DANCEATTACK...on the road, a traveling company offering workshops and choreography across the country. This past summer S Funk choreographed the Promo Justin Timberlake Launch Party for "Play" at Macys. For the last several years Shannon choreographed and directed " B More Heat " competition teams in residence at BDC whom received elite gold, 1st place and perfect scores in choreography. This past season, S Funk just completed choreography for the opening act for Baltimore's Got Talent produced by Brown Entertainment and EpicCenter held at the Senator Theatre along with "Hunt for Haiti" fundraiser held at the "Clarence Du Burns Arena." (performed by BALTIMORE DANCEATTACK). It was from this opportunity that Shannon was fortunate enough to start a second BDC location at the arena. Finally, Shannon led BDC through contracting and partnership with Baltimore City Rec and Parks where she and other BDC instructors will be teaching this summer. Shannon is very excited for the mentorship opportunities this will align both herself and her company, the Baltimore Danceattack. Her ultimate goal is youth outreach!
KRISSY ARTHUR
has over twenty years of dance experience with training in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and lyrical dance. Krissy has trained with Dance Dynamix (now Mid-Atlantic PAC) where she was recognized as a regional and national competitor. Krissy has dance showcases for Frank Hatchett and the Gus Giordano dance company. Currently she is continuing her training at the Baltimore Dance Center where she is also a principal dancer with the BALTIMORE DANCEATTACK and holds the position of dance captain. Most recently Krissy has judged several dance competitions and has been instructing master classes at the Greater York Center for Dance Education.
KATIE DOBRY
has been dancing for 20 years in the styles of ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, and lyrical. She has trained under the direction of Tena Baskette (PNN Dance Sensations), Lori Goodman-Joiner (Western High School Dance Team and Alumni Team), Sarah Cincotta (BDC), Shannon Salemi (Director of BDC), Regina Gregonis (Villa Julie College Dance Team), and Samantha Levy (Stevenson University College Dance Team). Katie joined the BDC teaching staff in 2003 and currently teaches Intro I and II classes, hip hop for all levels and ages, ballet, and jazz. She has also been a member of the Baltimore Danceattack for 6 years and serves as the Director’s assistant.
Katie graduated in May 2009 with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education (formerly Villa Julie College). While attending the institution on a full academic scholarship, she pursued her love of dance as head captain of the Stevenson University nationally competitive dance team. She has choreographed for the 2008 and 2009 national UDA competition, where her team took 12th in the nation. Katie will begin teaching Kindergarten at Logan Elementary in the fall and staying apart of the BDC family as an instructor, as well as the coach of the B’more Heat Competition Team. Katie’s love and passion for working with children and the art of dance has led her to where she is today and she wouldn’t change it for the world!
CHRIS JEHNERT
is a performer/teacher with his Associates Degree in Vocal Performance. He has performed with numerous choirs, show choirs, and solo performances. As well as in Musical Theatre, which is his forte. He is a classically trained singer who plans to continue pursuing musical theatre and performing original music. He will be attending a new school in spring of 2009 to go for his B.F.A in Musical Theatre.
LAUREN KNUDSEN
has been dancing for 17 years and teaching dance for 3 years. She began her dance training at Mid-Atlantic center for Performing Arts (MCPA) under the instruction of Shannon Torres, Deborah Engerman, Ashley Canterna, and Adrienne Canterna. At the age of 7 she joined their competition team Hot Shots National Dance Team. Lauren competed with Hot Shots when they won two national championships. At the age of 11, Lauren began intensive ballet training with MCPA’s Pre-Professional Ballet Program. She performed in The Nutcrakcer for two years with the studio’s program. At the age of 12, Lauren entered the Youth American Grand Prix, a national ballet competition, where she performed a classical variation of Don Quixote’s Cupid and a contemporary piece entitled “Amazing Grace” which was choreographed by Ashley Canterna. That same year, Lauren was accepted into American Ballet Theater’s Summer Intensive Program and Virginia School for the Arts Ballet Summer Intensive. In 2004, Lauren was accepted into the Baltimore School for the Arts Dance Program but attended Eastern Technical High School instead studying Communications Multimedia. Lauren came to BDC and danced under the instruction of Shannon Salemi and Sarah Cincotta. At BDC she choreographed her first dance piece which she performed in the summer recital of 2008. She currently attends the University of Maryland, College Park where she is a double major in Dance and Communication. Her first year at Maryland she was accepted into Ballet Company M: an on-campus ballet performance group and was asked by dance graduate student April Gruber to perform her thesis piece; a modern dance entitled “Nestling.” Lauren continues to teach at BDC while attending the University of Maryland, College Park.
IAN Anderson
is very excited to be back dancing with Baltimore Dance Center. Ian is a Senior BFA Dance Performance major at Towson University and is currently dancing with the Towson University Dance Company in this season's rendition of Swan Lake as the Prince, choreographed by Runqiao Du. Ian is a professional dancer and choreographer from Baltimore, MD and was just recently seen in the "Men of Dance" performance at ArtScape, sponsored by Dance Baltimore. He has won numerous awards for his performances and choreography at competitions and continues to push the limits of his dancers in his own dance company, Indie. Dance Co. He has also starred as the Cavalier in The Nutcracker, the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Jack Seward in Dracula, and was also featured in the movie Step Up 2.
TRESA PETRECCA
is our adajio specialist who toured performing, competing, and choreographing professionally in Theatre/Cabaret Arts with NAADA. With over forty years of dance experience and over 20 years of teaching experience, she was an assistant instructor to Marie Frank and “The Marie Frank Dancers.” Tresa was also the President of the “Dimensional Dance Media” dance company at Essex Community College in 1989. She has worked with great choreographers such a Stephanie Powell, Leslie Tinios, Peter Madden, and Carol Drake. She was and instructor for “Act II” students at Dundalk Community College and co-director for “TNT Dancers” in Middle River. Tresa trained Eastern Tech, Mt. Carmel, Chesapeake High School, and Middle River Cheerleading dance teams, along with several other dance programs in the Chase/Middle River and Bear Creek areas. Tresa also set choreography for Harford Dance Team 2003 in Canvases. Since 2002, she has been dancing and teaching at the Baltimore Dance Center and is now a member of the BALTIMORE DANCEATTACK.
Brandon ambrosino
Theatre
Behold the Lamb James Sight and Sound Theatres, PA Jeff Bender
Miracle of Christmas Shepherd Sight and Sound Theatres, PA Earl Grove
Crazy for You Dance Captain/Mingo Patapsco Center for the Arts, MD Bev Bruning
Oklahoma Will Parker Patapsco Center for the Arts, MD Bev Bruning
42nd Street Billy Lawlor Brown Bag Productions, MD Trish Watkins
West Side Story Dance Captain/Action Toby's Dinner Theatre, MD Mark Minnick
Joseph… Benjamin Toby's Dinner Theatre, MD Toby Ornstein
Grease Doody Toby's Dinner Theatre, MD Mark Minnick
Dance
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" The Clerk Synetic Physical Theatre, DC Paata Tsikurishvili
"Come, Celebrate America" Headliner The Governor's Palace Theatre, TN Rebecca Simms
2007 Season Aerial Performer Daydreams and Nightmares, MD Kel Millionie
Tour
I Believe Featured Soloist Living Proof, CA David Stewart
Choices Count! Performer Primary Focus, CA/TN Randy Rebold
Choreography
[Clever Holiday Title] Chabod Academy of the Arts, PA
Choreographer in Residence COBALT, PA
The Nutcracker Contemporary Ballet Theatre of Pennsylvania, PA
4 Seasons Contemporary Ballet Theatre of Pennsylvania, PA
Choreographer in Residence Great Expectations Showchoir, MD
Film/TV
"Series of Shorts" Self LaVon Studios, PA Derek Dienner
"Fight Scene" Victim LaVon Studios, PA Derek Dienner
"The Electric Boys" Dancer Baltimore Gas & Electric, MD Larry Lipka
"Sports Authority" Customer J. Productions, MD Frank Ambrosino
"Crystal Fog" Jordan Patterson Park Productions, MD Steve Yeager
Education
Tap (Musical Theatre) Trish Watkins, Heidi Schultz
Tap (Rhythm) Savion Glover, Kelley Isaacs, LeeAnet Hairston
Jazz/Musical Theatre Irina Tsurkishvili, Heather Bare, Kristen Pontz
Modern Liz Walton, Doug Hamby
Ballet Shari Vegso-Wilson
Tumbling Alex Molinari, Derek Martin
Shakespeare Dr. Michelle Osherow
College Liberty University (English Major, Music Minor)
University of Maryland (Continuing Education, Dance)
Special Skills
Stage Flight, Aerial Stunts, Hip Hop (Pop and Lock, Footwork, Breakdancing), Russian Movement, Contact Improv, Mime, Puppetry, Trick Roping, Rollerblading, Stage Combat/Weaponry, Trained Stage Flying, Martial Arts (Tai Chi, Kung Fu), Yoga, Keyboard, Saxophone, Horseback Riding, Magician's Assistant, Basketball (Point Guard), Great Sight-Reader, Music Composer, Dramaturgy, Script Writing, Language Proficiency (Latin, Ancient Hebrew), Licensed Driver
Katie Hopper
has been dancing for nineteen years. She was a competitive dancer for nine of those years winning high scoring awards in the styles of modern/abstract, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, production/line and lyrical. She has performed and competed every category from solos to large productions. She was also a teaching assistant for seven of those years. This is her second year dancing for the Baltimore Danceattack and her first year as an instructor. Katie will be graduating this year from Towson University with a degree in journalism, where she combines her love of dance with her love of writing by focusing on dance as the main topic for her stories.
PLATINUM J
has been dancing since I could walk…Dancing is what I love to do anytime, any place, all day, everyday! I really started taking my dancing seriously when I joined the Baltimore Dance Center. It’s a great place to be and has great opportunities. S Funk is a great teacher and very creative in her special ways. I’ve done a lot of exciting things since I’ve been dancing at BDC. This includes my appearance on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” season one in addition to my role as a dancer for Baltimore recording artists CR and B. Gibbs in which I performed on the Baltimore Believe Tour and had the opportunity to open for Genuine at the Lyric Opera House. I have had many experiences and I hope that there will be plenty more in the future.
RAYNIA STOKES
has twenty three years of experience. Started out dancing with the Edmondson and Westview Recreation and Parks, Turning Pointe Dance Studio with Mrs. Lisa Clark, Oakland Mills High School with Ms. Cynthia Stephens, Art of Motion with Mrs. Carol, CCBC Catonsville with Miss Stephanie Briggs, and CCBC Essex with Mr. Christian Richards as a dance major. Also has apprenticed for a professional dance company EB3 under Emily Berry. This is her third year dancing for the Baltimore DanceAttack and teaching dance at the Baltimore Dance Center.
