2023 - 2024 GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Timothy Chester (he/him)Teen Repertory (Contemporary)
Tim Chester is an award winning dance educator, choreographer and studio owner based in South Jersey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Richard Stockton University where he worked in over thirty productions in all capacities, including actor, dancer, director, designer, choreographer, and producer. As a dancer with Celebrity Cruise Lines, Tim has had the opportunity to perform all over the world including the Baltic and Russia, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Alaska. As a dancer with Atlantic City Ballet he has performed in such ballets as, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Carnival of the Animals, Etudes and has originated the roles of Demetrius in Midsummer’s Night Dream and Van Helsing in Dracula for the company. He has performed with many NYC based companies including: In-Sight Dance Company, Maria Colaco Dance, Brice Mousset, Becky Radway Dance Projects, and Diego Funes Dance. Tim has performed in several Music Videos and has performed with musical acts like Paper Raincoat, A Great Big World, Rachel Platten and 80’s pop star Deborah Gibson. In Atlantic City, He has also had the pleasure of dancing in both DIVAS DO AC and DISCO LADY with MAXINE NIGHTINGALE. Tim is also a certified teacher of the prestigious Acrobatic Arts program and Alexia Flexibility certificated. He is the Owner and Artistic Director of TLC Academy of Dance In Absecon, NJ. When Tim is not teaching or choreographing he works as a head judge and event director for Onebeat dance competitions, sharing his love and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers throughout the country. |
Rebecca Hite (she/her)Teen & Youth Repertory (Jazz)
Rebecca Hite received her MFA in dance choreography/performance from Smith College, and her BA in dance from Connecticut College. She has interned with BoSoma Dance of Boston, MA and Parsons Dance of New York City, and was fortunate enough to spend five months in Sydney, Australia studying Graham technique and dance composition. Rebecca has performed works by renowned artists such as David Dorfman, Lisa Race, Heidi Henderson, Adele Myers, Nicholas Leichter, Jeremy Nelson, Wally Cardona, and Monica Bill Barnes. She has taught at Smith College; Amherst College; the American College Dance Festival’s New England Region; Middle School 217 in Briarwood, Queens; and at multiple New York-based dance studios and senior centers. Rebecca has performed with The Feath3r Theory under the artistic direction of Raja Kelly; Naomi Goldberg Haas/Dances for a Variable Population; MachineH Dance; and is co-creator and co-artistic director of Reject Dance Theatre. She obtained her Pilates Mat certification through Equinox Fitness. Rebecca's work has been presented at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn, NY; Built on Stilts Festival in Martha’s Vineyard, MA; MixMatch Dance Festival in Los Angeles, California; Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence, RI; the Astoria Dance Festival in Astoria, NY; The Manhattan Movement and Arts Center; plus many more. |
Jennifer Murmylo (she/her)Jennifer Murmylo is an enthusiastic Lindy Hopper with a passion for bringing dance to youth. Jen began pursuing Lindy Hop in 2016, and she currently performs with various swing dance troupes including the Harvest Moon Hoppers, the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, and Project Connect. A firm believer in the positive effect social dancing has on personal development, mental health, socio-emotional skills, and community building; Jen works as a teaching artist for Dancing Classrooms, bringing various partner and social dances to New York City schools.
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Samantha Siegel (she/her)Teen Repertory (Swing Dance)
After graduating from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department, Samantha dedicated her career and study to specializing in swing dance/Lindy Hop and integrating it with her diverse background in competition jazz dance, musical theater, modern, and contemporary. Select credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Blue’s Big City Adventure, The Red Hot Chili Peppers music video “Go Robot”, and co-directing the Broadway musical Swing! On Norwegian Cruise Line. samanthalsiegel.com @samanthalsiegel |
ABOUT OUR PERFORMING ENSEMBLES
Teen Repertory: Teen Repertory is designed for advanced students ages 10 and up, by audition only. Dancers work with NYC-based guest artists in 4 - 6 week residencies from October through March. Finished choreography is performed at RDA's annual Festival as well as other local performance venues year-round. Requirements include two ballet classes per week, two additional technique classes per week, and Repertory rehearsals. In the 2022-2023 season, students in Teen Repertory rehearsed and performed finished works by Caitlin Brady (Contemporary), Donna Scheer (Broadway), and Noele Phillips (West African). Cost: $700 per season.
Youth Repertory: Youth Repertory welcomes intermediate dancers ages 10 and up, by audition only. Dancers work with NYC-based guest artists in 4 - 6 week residencies from October through March. Finished choreography is performed at RDA's annual Festival as well as other local performance venues year-round. Requirements include two ballet classes per week, two additional technique classes per week, and Repertory rehearsals. In the 2022-2023 season, students in Youth Repertory rehearsed and performed finished works by Samantha Manoharan (Bollywood), Laura Aronoff (Contemporary), and Noele Phillips (West African). Cost: $700 per season.
Adult Jazz Ensemble: Adult Jazz Ensemble is open to adult students with a background in dance who wish to take part in the choreographic process on a larger scale. Rehearsals begin in October and culminate in the RDA Festival performance in March. All interested students should first speak with the RDA faculty regarding joining Adult Jazz Ensemble and the requirements. Cost: $600 per season.
Adult Ballet Ensemble: Adult Ballet Ensemble is open to adult students with a background in dance who wish to take part in the choreographic process on a larger scale. Rehearsals begin in October and culminate in the RDA Festival performance in March. All interested students should first speak with the RDA faculty regarding joining Adult Ballet Ensemble and the requirements. Cost: $600 per season.
Adult Modern Ensemble: Adult Modern Ensemble is open to adult students with a background in dance who wish to take part in the choreographic process on a larger scale. Rehearsals begin in October and culminate in the RDA Festival performance in March. All interested students should first speak with the RDA faculty regarding joining Adult Modern Ensemble and the requirements. Cost: $600 per season.
Hip Hop Workshop: This performing ensemble introduces dancers 10+y/o to the contemporary & commercial hip hop world with guest artists focused on developing their rhythm, style, and stamina. Hip Hop is a unique and vibrant dance style that explores self expression and creativity. (Not Currently Running)
Tap Workshop: Tap Workshop invites youth and adult students, Tap level III+, by audition only, to participate in tap choreographer residencies aimed to deepen their skills, knowledge and rhythm in tap performance. Requirements include one tap class and one technique class per week. (Not Currently Running)
Ballet Repertory: Youth ballet enthusiasts in our advanced Ballet level E work with RDA Faculty to learn classic ballets, ranging from the Nutcracker, to Sleeping Beauty, to Don Quixote. Requirements include three ballet classes per week. (Not Currently Running)
Modern Lab: Modern Lab allows youth students in Modern level III & IV, by invitation only, to work collaboratively and independently to develop their personal style and choreographic choices. With the guidance of RDA Faculty, dancers learn through trial and error how to express their voice and connect with the creation of movement. Requirements include two ballet classes and one modern class per week. (Not Currently Running)
Youth Repertory: Youth Repertory welcomes intermediate dancers ages 10 and up, by audition only. Dancers work with NYC-based guest artists in 4 - 6 week residencies from October through March. Finished choreography is performed at RDA's annual Festival as well as other local performance venues year-round. Requirements include two ballet classes per week, two additional technique classes per week, and Repertory rehearsals. In the 2022-2023 season, students in Youth Repertory rehearsed and performed finished works by Samantha Manoharan (Bollywood), Laura Aronoff (Contemporary), and Noele Phillips (West African). Cost: $700 per season.
Adult Jazz Ensemble: Adult Jazz Ensemble is open to adult students with a background in dance who wish to take part in the choreographic process on a larger scale. Rehearsals begin in October and culminate in the RDA Festival performance in March. All interested students should first speak with the RDA faculty regarding joining Adult Jazz Ensemble and the requirements. Cost: $600 per season.
Adult Ballet Ensemble: Adult Ballet Ensemble is open to adult students with a background in dance who wish to take part in the choreographic process on a larger scale. Rehearsals begin in October and culminate in the RDA Festival performance in March. All interested students should first speak with the RDA faculty regarding joining Adult Ballet Ensemble and the requirements. Cost: $600 per season.
Adult Modern Ensemble: Adult Modern Ensemble is open to adult students with a background in dance who wish to take part in the choreographic process on a larger scale. Rehearsals begin in October and culminate in the RDA Festival performance in March. All interested students should first speak with the RDA faculty regarding joining Adult Modern Ensemble and the requirements. Cost: $600 per season.
Hip Hop Workshop: This performing ensemble introduces dancers 10+y/o to the contemporary & commercial hip hop world with guest artists focused on developing their rhythm, style, and stamina. Hip Hop is a unique and vibrant dance style that explores self expression and creativity. (Not Currently Running)
Tap Workshop: Tap Workshop invites youth and adult students, Tap level III+, by audition only, to participate in tap choreographer residencies aimed to deepen their skills, knowledge and rhythm in tap performance. Requirements include one tap class and one technique class per week. (Not Currently Running)
Ballet Repertory: Youth ballet enthusiasts in our advanced Ballet level E work with RDA Faculty to learn classic ballets, ranging from the Nutcracker, to Sleeping Beauty, to Don Quixote. Requirements include three ballet classes per week. (Not Currently Running)
Modern Lab: Modern Lab allows youth students in Modern level III & IV, by invitation only, to work collaboratively and independently to develop their personal style and choreographic choices. With the guidance of RDA Faculty, dancers learn through trial and error how to express their voice and connect with the creation of movement. Requirements include two ballet classes and one modern class per week. (Not Currently Running)