SAVE THE DATE!
Pricing: $100 for adults (21+y/o) & $50 for underage guests
$25 to livestream; reach out to the RDA office to reserve your digital tickets |
Featuring: Silent Auction, Student & Guest Artist Performances, Tasty Bites, Open Wine & Beer Bar, Dance Party, and More!
Honoring: Kent Miller
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Meet the Performers

Samantha Manoharan
Youth Repertory Guest Artist; Bollywood
Samantha trained since the age of 3 in ballet, hip hop, jazz, and lyrical. She started her Bharatanatyam training at the age of 9 with her guru and completed her Arangetram in August 2004. She has been teaching and performing with Mayura Dance Academy, based in Westchester County, for the past 8 years, and has recently been promoted to Artistic Director. She choreographs and teaches wedding routines in various styles as well as teaching private classes. She continues to learn Bharatanatyam through the Navatman Dance School and via various master workshops. During the day she works as a biomedical engineer/manager for New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has her BS in mechanical engineering from Penn State and her MS in biomedical engineering from CUNY City College of NY. Dance holds a special place in Samantha's heart, it is her passion. She is extremely happy to continue dancing and creating new pieces while sharing joy with her students.
Youth Repertory Guest Artist; Bollywood
Samantha trained since the age of 3 in ballet, hip hop, jazz, and lyrical. She started her Bharatanatyam training at the age of 9 with her guru and completed her Arangetram in August 2004. She has been teaching and performing with Mayura Dance Academy, based in Westchester County, for the past 8 years, and has recently been promoted to Artistic Director. She choreographs and teaches wedding routines in various styles as well as teaching private classes. She continues to learn Bharatanatyam through the Navatman Dance School and via various master workshops. During the day she works as a biomedical engineer/manager for New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has her BS in mechanical engineering from Penn State and her MS in biomedical engineering from CUNY City College of NY. Dance holds a special place in Samantha's heart, it is her passion. She is extremely happy to continue dancing and creating new pieces while sharing joy with her students.

Noele E. Phillips
Teen & Youth Repertory Guest Artist; West African
Noele E. Phillips is a native New Yorker raised in East Harlem and The Bronx. In 2007, she was selected as one of the 10th Anniversary Artists for The dancenow NYC festival. She is the 2010 BRIO Award Winner for Choreography. She is a founding member of the Kraven Seneca Dance Company and is currently a Principal Dancer with Bronx-based Bombazo Dance Company. She has also dance with Arthur Aviles Typical Theater and JD/dansfolk dance companies. Currently, she teaches various types of dance including West African, Hip Hop, Afro-Caribbean, Afro Dance and Modern. Noele embraces and celebrates various types of dance including Hip-Hop, Jazz, West African, Afrobeats and Modern
Teen & Youth Repertory Guest Artist; West African
Noele E. Phillips is a native New Yorker raised in East Harlem and The Bronx. In 2007, she was selected as one of the 10th Anniversary Artists for The dancenow NYC festival. She is the 2010 BRIO Award Winner for Choreography. She is a founding member of the Kraven Seneca Dance Company and is currently a Principal Dancer with Bronx-based Bombazo Dance Company. She has also dance with Arthur Aviles Typical Theater and JD/dansfolk dance companies. Currently, she teaches various types of dance including West African, Hip Hop, Afro-Caribbean, Afro Dance and Modern. Noele embraces and celebrates various types of dance including Hip-Hop, Jazz, West African, Afrobeats and Modern

Gianna Bartolini
RDA Faculty; Musical Theatre
Gianna Vasquez Bartolini began her training at Berrend Dance Center in Olney, MD, before pursuing her BFA in Concert Dance at SUNY Purchase, Conservatory of Dance. She also studied during this time at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet school in Carlisle, PA. After ballet freelancing and performing in guest artist roles, Gianna shifted artistic paths, and received a scholarship to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she received a certificate in Integrated Music Theatre. She is currently working as a musical theatre artist in the NYC Metro Area. Gianna has also been teaching in the Tristate and DC Metro Areas for 10 years, mostly ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles. Her teaching philosophy is to teach dance in a way that inspires students to grow as people and artists, and to inspire perseverance, self-discipline, and respect for themselves and others alongside technique and artistry. She emphasizes a healthy approach to technique, and is eager to teach anyone ready to learn!
RDA Faculty; Musical Theatre
Gianna Vasquez Bartolini began her training at Berrend Dance Center in Olney, MD, before pursuing her BFA in Concert Dance at SUNY Purchase, Conservatory of Dance. She also studied during this time at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet school in Carlisle, PA. After ballet freelancing and performing in guest artist roles, Gianna shifted artistic paths, and received a scholarship to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she received a certificate in Integrated Music Theatre. She is currently working as a musical theatre artist in the NYC Metro Area. Gianna has also been teaching in the Tristate and DC Metro Areas for 10 years, mostly ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles. Her teaching philosophy is to teach dance in a way that inspires students to grow as people and artists, and to inspire perseverance, self-discipline, and respect for themselves and others alongside technique and artistry. She emphasizes a healthy approach to technique, and is eager to teach anyone ready to learn!

Teen & Youth Repertory
RDA Performing Ensemble; Contemporary; Choreography by Caitlin Brady
Teen Repertory is designed for advanced students ages 10 and up, by audition only. Dancers work with guest artists in 4 - 6 week residencies from October through March, producing finished pieces of choreography to be performed at RDA's annual Festival, and other local performance venues year-round. Requirements include two ballet classes per week, two additional technique classes per week, and Repertory Company warm-up class prior to rehearsals.
RDA Performing Ensemble; Contemporary; Choreography by Caitlin Brady
Teen Repertory is designed for advanced students ages 10 and up, by audition only. Dancers work with guest artists in 4 - 6 week residencies from October through March, producing finished pieces of choreography to be performed at RDA's annual Festival, and other local performance venues year-round. Requirements include two ballet classes per week, two additional technique classes per week, and Repertory Company warm-up class prior to rehearsals.