Kids Instructors

David Ellis

David Ellis is originally from Washington DC and currently lives in New York City. A graduate of Oberlin College, he earned a BA in Mathematics and Theater. Mr. Ellis has acted in numerous theatre productions across the country. Favorite roles include Orlando in As You Like It, Bassanio in Merchant of Venice and Judas in Godspell. He also performed as a juggler, improv artist and clown with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Krooze Komics and at the KimTom International Clowning Festival in Shanghai, China, and at the New York Renaissance Festival in Two Stoopid Guys, a juggling and magic show that he co-created.

As a teacher, Mr. Ellis enjoys bringing theatre arts to children through workshops and classroom teaching. He worked as an Actor/Teacher for Ohio's Great Lakes Theater Festival. With this theatre company, he made classic literature come alive in the classroom during week-long residencies. Mr. Ellis also taught for the Summer Arts Education program of the Cleveland Public School District and created the curriculum that combined theatre and juggling. In New York, he has worked with Circus Minimus teaching juggling skills to young children.

Edwin Fion

Artistic Director and teaching artist for NY Dance Residency. Choreographer and versatile dancer. Originally from Guatemala City, Edwin's style, technique and passion for teaching and movement have led him to teach at different universities, dance festivals and dance schools across the nation including State University of New York, Tap City and Kaatsbaan International Dance Center. Edwin's favorite performances as a dancer have been held at Jacob's Pillow, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, and Lincoln Center Plaza. He has appeared in the soap opera "One Life To live", multiple commercials including, Verizon, Captain Morgan, and Colgate. He has shared his love for life and movement with thousand of students, performers and teaching artists in the U.S.A, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic and Bulgaria.  Edwin holds a BA in Advertising from University Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City and studied T.V / Radio Production and Psychology.

Erin Fogarty

Erin Fogarty studied both theatre and dance at Marymount Manhattan College.  After graduating with a BFA in Dance, she joined Carolina Ballet where she performed roles in a number of George Balanchine’s most famous works as well as works by Lynne Taylor-Corbett and Robert Weiss.  After moving back to New York City, she joined Ballet NY and performed in their Fall season at The Joyce Theater. She also recently made her New York theatre debut at Theatre Row in Heiress productions’ production of THREE MOVEMENTS, a play by Martin Zimmerman.

Alka Kuruvilla

A graduate from the University at Buffalo with a B.A. in biology and a minor in education, Alka Kuruvilla’s love for educating young minds is limitless!   She most recently taught at a well-known children's program in New York City and  will be continuing her education to become an elementary school teacher in the New York City public schools.  

Karen Lacy

Karen Lacy is a teaching artist in the New York City public schools with American Ballet Theatre and teaches ballet and modern dance classes to ages 3 through adult. She graduated from Skidmore College with a B.A. in dance and English. Selected dance credits include work with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, New York City Opera, Neville Dance Theatre, Eglevsky Ballet, John Passafiume Dancers, and Covenant Ballet Theatre. Her choreography credits include La Traviata, Once Upon A Mattress, Romance Romance, The Big One, and 14 years of work with the School of the Garden State Ballet in New Jersey. Karen also choreographs each summer at the LucyMosesSchool for Music and Dance in Manhattan. Karen enjoys her work as a senior fitter and dance teacher liaison at Gaynor Minden.

Gerren Liles

Educating children and physical fitness have been a part of Gerren's life since high school. Holding a B.S. in elementary education from Morgan State University, Gerren has been a public school teacher for over six years. Beginning capoeira in 2001, he has trained under various instructors of the renown Grupo Capoeira Brasil and brought his love for the art into city schools, where he has taught children's capoeira for over 3 years. Incorporating a variety of athletics and fitness regiments (including pilates, strength and weight training, long distance running, yoga) into his classes, as well as making the classes fun and engaging, Gerren hopes to inspire children to push the limits of their physical and mental abilities to propel them to achieve their dreams.

Jacquie Militano

Jacquie is a New Jersey native whose love of theater, laughter and adventure is contagious.  After spending the better part of her childhood onstage at Worth Tyrrell Studios, playing in the London theater scene, and graduating from George Mason University with a BA in Theater and Best Actress award, she eagerly jumped into the NY industry.

In Spring 2005, she began performing with Walt Disney Entertainment at Disney World and continued at World of Disney NYC until Spring 2009. Currently, she teaches children’s theater with KJK Productions and performs with Strategic Entertainment’s interactive comedy group.

Melanie Pasignajen

Melanie Pasignajen is a dancer, choreographer, and early childhood teacher. As director of the MMAC Kids Program, she believes that there are infinite possibilities to nurture the creative mind of a child. Melanie's studied psychology and social work at Rutgers University. Her studies, coupled with her passion for dance, inspired her more than 11-year devotion to teaching in the dance studio and classroom. She learned urban street dancing and various dance forms at age 4, and was choreographing by age 11. Melanie's work has been performed by college teams, in multiple showcases, and in the other competitive arenas.

Polly Solomon

Polly has always loved the feeling that comes from connecting with an audience.  While working on her BA in Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz, she started taking aerial acrobatic lessons in preparation for a dance concert.  This was her introduction to the wonderful world of circus.  Life hasn't been the same since.  When she's not bringing circus into the lives of children or acting, Polly also coaches figure skating and does work in all aspects of theatre.

Sandi Weinthal

Sandi teaches dance and music in both New York City and New Jersey to children of all ages and abilities. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in theatre and dance from the University of New Hampshire. Sandi has worked with and performed for such renowned choreographers as Wayne Cilento, Marc Robin, Vince Pesce, Brett Smock, David Marquez, Alan Onickel, Rick Atwell and Ann Reinking.

Among Sandi's favorite credits are West Side Story (Clarice), Irving Berlin's WhiteChristmas (Ensemble), Singin' in the Rain (Ensemble), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ruth), Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl/Dance Captain), Evita (Ensemble/Dance Captain), Singin' in the Rain: 50th Anniversary National Tour (Dora Bailey/Miss Dinsmore), World of Disney NYC (Face Character) and Celebrity Cruises (Featured Dancer).