Dance
Diane Lewis, Chair
(C) = Canandaigua, (R & C) = both Rochester and Canandaigua locations. All others teach in Rochester.
Instrument/Department: Dance
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2011
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Teaching and Performance from the University of Utah. Has been a ballet instructor and guest instructor in various centers and community colleges in California and Utah, and currently teaches at TNT Dance Explosion in Irondequoit. Has performed as a soloist with the Utah Contemporary Ballet.
Instrument/Department: The Body (Dance)
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2010
Hometown: Canandaigua, New York.
Favorite place to travel: Liege, Belgium.
Favorite or most influential teachers were: Bonnie Cohen, Sondra Fraleigh, Maura Keefe, Bill Evans.
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: teaching at Roberts Wesleyan, SUNY College at Brockport, or Cobblestone Arts Center.
People with whom/Places I’ve performed include: I’ve performed throughout New York State with Melanie Aceto, Geomantics, BIODANCE, Kista Tucker Dance, and my own company, Converge Dance.
My favorite book is: Usually the one I’m reading, right now -The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp.
My pets include: black male cat named Comfort and a female tortoise cat named Emmy Lou.
Favorite things to do in Rochester are: to visit the public market.
People would be surprised to know that I: speak fluent French.
What I most admire about my students is: their tenacity and curiosity about the moving body.
My favorite restaurant is: Antonetta’s.
Master of Fine Arts from SUNY Brockport; Bachelor of Arts from McGill University; Resident Choreographer at Cobblestone Arts Center and Musical Choreographer at The Harley School (2008-Present); previous experience as a dance teacher and choreographer at Victor High School, and Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY Brockport and Keuka College; performances with Rochester Contemporary Dance Collective, Flour City Theatre Company, Converge Dance, and Biodance company.
Instrument/Department: Dance / Percussion: my feet & the floor, my body & the space around me
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2011
Hometown: Rochester NY
Favorite place to travel: Italy
Favorite or most influential teachers were: Cholly Atkins, Honi Coles, Alvera Sarson, Dianne Walker, Jerry Ames, Feyard Nicholas, Gus Solomons
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: performing around town as a vocalist / tap dancer with The GrooveDogs, performing & teaching as a guest artist at international tap dance festivals, hosting a live music / percussive dance open mic jam every 3rd Sunday from 2-5 at the Tango Café.
People with whom/Places I’ve performed include: International Dance Festivals (Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, St.Louis, Chicago, NYC, France, Italy, Puerto Rico) with Arthur Duncan, Jimmy Slyde, Cholly Atkins, Dianne Walker, Sam Weber, Lynn Dally, Jeni LeGon, Terry Brock, Nicholas Brothers, Robert Reed; Seattle, WA: Johnson & Peters, Seattle’s Tap Dancing Duo; NYC: Gail Conrad’s Tap Dance Theatre, Jerry Ames Tap Dance Co., New City Theatre; Buffalo, NY: Zodiaque Dance Co., Elaine Summers; Rochester, NY: Elizabeth Clark Dance Co., Bill Evans Dance Co., Miche Fambro, Rhythm Tap Rochester.
My favorite book is: “The Way You Do The Things You Do” the life of my mentor Cholly Atkins
My pets include: cat “Tunie”
Favorite things to do in Rochester are: sing, dance & make music with talented artists
People would be surprised to know that I: performed as a drummer/vocalist with a Country & Western band throughout the Northwest called the NudieSuit Startdusters.
What I most admire about my students is: passion to excel
My favorite local restaurant is: any suggestions?
Find out more on my website: www.cjgroovin.com
Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from SUNY Buffalo with additional training in Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Ethnic Dance, and Choreography; Personal Training Certification from the Seattle Central Community College (Continuing Education). Ms. Johnson is an internationally credited tap dance performing artist and master teacher and has performed Off-Broadway, for TV, music videos, at international arts festivals, and with touring dance companies.
Instrument/Department: Dance
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 1977
Additional position(s) at Hochstein: Chair, Dance Department; Dance Ensembles
Master's degree in Dance from SUNY Brockport; Bachelor's degree in Education from Buffalo State University. Former member of SUNY Brockport Dance faculty. Has toured Europe and the U.S. as a soloist with the American Classical Ballet and the Festival Ballet of New York, and has danced as a principal opposite Margot Fonteyn with the Niagara Frontier Ballet at the Eastman Theatre. Completed 35–hour seminar in the Vaganova technique. Winner of the 1994 Faculty Service Award.
Instrument/Department: Dance
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2005
Ten years experience with Professor Rex Nettleford and the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. Recipient of the National Dance Award. Fifteen years as member of Garth Fagan Dance Company. Extensive experience as a teacher and performer. Joined Hochstein faculty in 2005.
Instrument/Department: Dance
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 1999, rejoined in 2011
Bachelor’s degree in Dance from SUNY Brockport. Current member of the Hallmark DanceWorks. Received the Friar’s Foundation Award for excellence in dance in 1999 and the prestigious Herbert and Gertrude Chandler Award for Excellence in Dance. Also studied at the School of the Hartford Ballet and SUNY Geneseo. Has performed with Hallmark Danceworks, Kista Tucker Dance Company, and most recently, BIODANCE. Dance experience in The Vision of Sound New Music and Dance Concerts, Finger Lakes Dance!, Clothesline Arts Festival, Rebound Dance Festival, Nazareth Dance Festival, Heidelberg University New Music and Dance Festival, Be Here Now Ensemble, and was one of two regional dancers to dance in a performance of John Cage’s Musical Circus with Ossia—The Eastman School of Music’s new music ensemble. Has taught ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and creative movement at Hochstein, Park Avenue Dance, and Drumcliffe School of Irish Dance.
Instrument/Department: Dance; Dance Ensembles
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 1994
Master's degree in Education from SUNY Brockport; Bachelor's degree in Dance and Elementary Education; completed Certificate of Advanced Studies in Administration. Director of Academic Career Counseling and Community Partnerships at Rochester City School District. Former member of Bottom-of-the-Bucket, But... Dance Company (now Garth Fagan Dance). Founder and Artistic Director of Borinquen Dance Theatre, formerly a Hochstein ensemble-in- residence, beginning in 1984.
Instrument/Department: Dance
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2004
Spanish Dance studies at Ballet Hispanico (NYC) with Melinda Marquez and Maria Alba, and additional studies in Spain with noted artist Antonio Martin ("El Toleo"), among others. Has appeared in telecast performances in Spain, England and in the US, including an Alanis Morrisette music video and was principal dancer in "Noche Flamenca" and "Tablao Flamenco" at Le Club at La Mama, Etc (NYC), and with Sol y Sombra and Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre, as well as with Jose Molina's Spanish Dance Company. In Spain, principal dancer in Pepe Camacho's Company and appeared at the Plaza de Toros de Barcelona, El Gran Casino de San Pere de Ribes, and El Tablao de Carmen, among others. Has taught at Ballet Hispanico, the Alvin Ailey Dance School, and the Amor de Dios in Barcelona, Spain.
Instrument/Department: Dance
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia). Former faculty member of the School of the Arts and Little Red Dancing School.
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