Kristina Wozniak Leitenberger
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kristina Wozniak, born and raised in Briarcliff Manor, NY began dancing at age 3. Growing up in the competition circuit, Kristina was exposed to endless master teachers and choreographers such as Joe Tremaine, Ray Leeper, Joe Lanteri, and Stacey Tookey, that helped shape her technique and style. Winning countless regional, national, and international awards and scholarships, Kristina continued her training at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA.
Kristina received the prestigious Presidential Scholarship all four years and graduated with honors in 2011 receiving her BFA in Jazz Dance Performance. During school, Kristina performed across New York City at Marymount Manhattan, New Dance Group, and the Hudson Guild Theater. Throughout her four years, Kristina was also able to travel abroad to Bari, Italy to study and perform under Desmond Richardson and Michele Assaf, and to Reisa, Germany to compete in the World Dance Championships. Kristina was trained as a Jazz Performance Major at University of the Arts under the direction of Molly Misgalla and Wayne St. David along with Scott Jovovich, Roni Koresh, Ginger Cox, Anthony Burrell, and Gary Jeter.
Upon graduation, Kristina moved to Las Vegas to continue her teaching and performing at various world-renowned hotels. After a year in Las Vegas, Kristina was offered a contract with world famous ballroom dancer and magician, Rick Thomas, to travel to Asia with her Las Vegas Family. Kristina's television credits include ABC's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Skinny Cow Ice Cream commercial, and Fox's hit show "Raising Hope." Besides performing, Kristina has always enriched her dance life by teaching all levels and ages of dances, but most specifically in jazz, contemporary, and lyrical. Kristina's choreography has been performed at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, the opening number of the Thanksgiving Day Parade, has won numerous awards across the country. Kristina is so excited to be seeing her dream come true at Artistry Dance Project, the "Best of Westchester" studio in Pleasantville, beside long time friend Lori Spada, in sharing their knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation.
Lori Spada Lynch
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Lori Spada born in Wilmington, Delaware, began her dance training at the age of four, under the direction of James Jamieson and Victor Wesley. By the time she had reached her early teens, she was a part of both The Wilmington Ballet Company and Brandywine Contemporary Company, while also studying at The Boston Ballet Summer Intensives. She continued training at Towson University where she received a BFA in Dance Performance, working along side choreographers such as Alonzo King, Peter Pucci, and David Parsons. She was also the recipient of the Jim Snyder Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement in Dance.
Upon graduation, she was contracted with Rincones and Company, a contemporary ballet company in Washington D.C., under the direction of Juan Carlos Rincones. During her four years as a company member, she performed all over the D.C. area, including several Kennedy Center performances. Her career eventually moved her to NYC where she has resided since 2002. She has been an active choreographer in New York, featuring works at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Alvin Ailey Studios, Madison Square Garden, New Dance Group, Hudson Guild Theater, Harkness Studios, Grammercy Theater, Spoon Theater, and Chelsea Piers. Off Off Broadway credits include New York Jazz Choreography Project and "They Walk Among Us." Regional choreography credits include: Waterbury Regional Theater.
Along with performing she has been an active ballet, jazz, and contemporary teacher in both Washington DC and New York since 2001, as well as, director, assistant director and choreographer for several different companies within the schools. She has also been a part of numerous outreach programs that have allowed her to share her talent and knowledge with under privileged kids throughout the different communities. Teaching credits include: DC Dance Studio, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Langley Performing Arts High, Key School of the Arts, Anacostia High School, Lab School for the Performing Arts, North Shore Dance, Half Hallow Hills High School, Academy of Dance Arts, City Center Dance, Edge School of the Arts and AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy NYC.)
Caitlin Barton
Originally from Alabama, Caitlin (Parish) Barton grew up dancing competitively and went on to receive a minor in dance at Troy University where she traveled and performed with Troy Dance Repertory Ensemble, later named Troy Dance Theatre. While in school, Caitlin choreographed yearly for every TROY Dance performance, having twice been selected to set pieces in faculty concerts. In the spring of 2012, she was called upon to fill in for a full semester for a university professor on maternity leave and served as the first intern with the Troy University Dance Department in the summer of 2013. Since 2011, Caitlin has taught and choreographed independently for competitive dance studios and toured with Kids Artistic Revue National Dance Competition before moving to New York City in March, 2015.
Caitlin has danced in and choreographed for numerous festivals in New York, including MachineHDance Festival, Six Degrees of Separation: Reflections, NACHMO, WAXWorks, Queensboro Dance Festival, Young Choreographers Festival, Anthology33, and more. Other highlights include: "Wrestles With" parts I & II (film), Dance into Deliverance (dancer/guest choreographer), DanceWorks New York City (dancer/choreographer), and RAW Artists NYC and Washington, D.C.
Michael Cusumano
Michael Cusumano began dancing at the age of 6. At the age of 14, he won the Bronze Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, the youngest male dancer to medal in the competition's history at the time. That same year he went on to win the special Jury Prize at the Prix de Paris 1994. Michael then joined the American Ballet Theatre at the age of 15, the youngest male dancer in the Company's history.
After ABT, Michael danced as a principal with Alabama Ballet, then as a soloist with the Boston Ballet. He went on to perform in the original cast of All Shook Up on Broadway, then most recently starred as "the jury" in the smash hit, Chicago The Musical on Broadway. Michael competed and won the title of "Mr. Broadway" in the Broadway Beauty Pageant in 2011. Other credits include The Most Happy Fella at New York State Theater, On The Town at Encores, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, ABT Now for PBS, Le Corsaire for PBS, and the feature film Center State. Michael is currently on faculty at Pace University and so excited to be working with the talented dancers at ADP!
Danny Venini
Danny Venini is a working dancer in New York City, he graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2019 where he achieved his BFA in dance concentrating in ballet and Jazz. He grew up dancing in Philadelphia at a completion studio as well as training at The Rock School For Dance Education, a ballet school in connection with the Pennsylvania Ballet.
He grew up in the competition and convention world attending JUMP, Artists Simply Human, Dance Masters of America, Groove, the Pulse, and many more. He recently started judging for Ticket To Broadway over the last 2 years.
Danny currently tours with SweetBird Productions, formerly known as the Bad Boys of Ballet. He has traveled to and performed in multiple cities in Germany and France
Kevin Raponey
Kevin Raponey is a Certified Dance Educator from Connecticut now residing in New York City! Kevin attended school at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After college, Kevin started working professionally at Theme Parks such as Six Flags, Sea World and Hershey Park. After, Kevin jumped on Holland America Line Luxury Cruise Liners as a Singer/Dancer traveling the world and performing at sea! Cruise Ships opened the door to moving to New York City and pursuing a Musical Theatre career. You may have seen Kevin in the National Touring companies of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes, Nice Work If You Can Get It, A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde! Kevin has also performed regionally across the Country at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ (Ever After, West Side Story) and Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC (Kiss Me Kate) just to name a few. Kevin has been teaching Master Classes and Choreographing for prestigious and established dance studios in the Tri-State are for many years and is so happy to be sharing his passion for dance with the students of Artistry Dance Project!!!
Erica Barton
A Westchester County native, Erica Christine Barton is a New York City-based performer. She graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance, along with a History Minor. She has also studied many years with well-known artists in New York City such as Michelle Dorrance, Jimmy Tate, Tracie Stanfield, and Jim Cooney. Additionally, she is a alumna of Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Internship, the American Tap Dance Foundation’s “Tap City”, and Broadway Theatre Project. Erica was most recently seen dancing in the RWS and Associates production of “Dance, Dance, Dance: America” at the Music Box Theatre of Hersheypark, where she was the dance captain. She is excited to be returning to Artistry Dance Project for another year with her hard-working, passionate students!
Lindsey Schweigler
Lindsey Schwigler grew up dancing locally in Putnam County, NY. She quickly fell in love with all things dance and movement. She went to college at SUNY Purchase and has had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Andrei Kisselev, Molly Anne Franzblau and Julie Ludwick. She has been teaching in the Putnam/Westchester area for over 10 years, with some of her favorite teaching opportunities being with ages 2-6.
Lindsey had completed certifications in the Tumbling Effect and traveled to Wisconsin in 2019 to complete More Than Just Great Dancing's Dance Teacher Training Program. In addition to her experience in the dance room she is also a certified Yoga Teacher and has her Kids Yoga and SUP Yoga certifications.
Kara Walsh
Kara Walsh born in New York City raised in New Milford Ct. Kara started dancing at the age of 10 at the School of Performing Arts in New Milford and instantly fell in love with dance. At the School of Performing Arts under the direction of Arlene Begelman she had the opportunity to study with many former New York City Ballet dancers including Maria Calegari and Robert Maiorano. She also studied with some of Broadways biggest stars including Elizabeth Parkinson and Mary Ann Lamb who’s she still works with today.
Kara spent summers at the Jillana Ballet Program in Taos New Mexico learning more of the Balanchine Style. At the age of 17 she moved back to New York City to study at the Alvin Ailey Independent Study Program. Shortly after that she was offered a contract with Donald Byrd’s Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle WA where she performed his works touring the west coast and worked with the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle.
In New York Kara has had the opportunity to work with Francesca Harper, Susan Misner, Mary Ann Lamb, Abdur Rahum Jackson, Benoit Swan Pouffer The Black Iris Project, and Buglisi Dance Theater, Kara has taught ballet at schools around New York and Connecticut. And is a master trainer at Ballet Beautiful in SoHo. Currently, Kara is working with The Francesca Harper Project, and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and rescue dog Stella. And soaking up as much dance and art as possible. Kara is excited to join the ADP family.
Catherine Hamilton
Catherine is an active performer, choreographer, assistant director and teacher based in New York City. She loves working with children & sharing her passion for the stage!
Catherine has spent three seasons performing with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center as both a dancer and principal artist. Her favorite role to date is Margot in Susan Stroman’s The Merry Widow, a part she premiered at both The Met & regionally at Lyric Opera Chicago. Other recent credits include her debut at Carnegie Hall in concert with Michael Feinstein & The Honey Taps, Front & Center with Kathleen Marshall at New York City Center, various programs at New York's iconic Rainbow Room, & NBC’s Saturday Night Live with host Sam Rockwell.
Her performance career also spans to TV (Lane Crawford Christmas campaign), New York Fashion Week (Hermès), regional theater (Merry Go round Playhouse/Finger Lakes MTF), voiceovers (Toyota), The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, & Robin Hood Benefit. She is a veteran company member of The Honey Taps, a touring song & dance troupe focused in jazz-aged tap & theater dance, and has traveled the world as a Principal Singer/Dancer for Norwegian Cruise Line.
Catherine has choreographed & assistant directed several large-scale musicals & operas including Parade (Marymount Manhattan College), Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merry Widow (Krannert Center), Peter Pan and Shakespeare’s The Twelfth Night (Marymount School of NY), and Fame (The Stage Theater School).
As a dance technique teacher, she has held positions with Steps on Broadway, The Stage Theater School, University of Illinois, New Canaan Dance Academy, and has guest taught for Rosie’s Theater Kids & The Ailey Studios. She holds a BFA in Dance from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Masters in Childhood Education from City College New York.
Ashley Smith-Wallace
Ashley was born in Boston Massachusetts. She began training in Irish dancing at a young age with the Smith-Houlihan Irish Dance Academy. In 2004 Ashley was crowned the World Irish Step Dancing Champion in Belfast, Ireland. At that time she was the youngest American female ever to win the world title. Ashley went on to win two more gold world medals in 2005 and her last in 2009. Ashley was also named one of the Top Irish Americans.
In 2006 Ashley moved to New York, where she currently resides, and attended Manhattanville College for four years: graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Dance and Theatre. Upon moving to New York, she continues to grow in all dance forms such as Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre Dance and Tap. She also continues to study voice and acting at various studios throughout the city.
Some of Ashley’s professional credits include being seen on TV as a top 30 female finalist of season seven, So You Think You Can Dance. And a featured dancer in the Oscar nominated film Silver Linings Playbook. Ashley is a member of the EMC program and has recently worked regionally on shows such as, Westside Story (Anybody’s) A Chorus Line (Kristine) Peter Pan (Wendy) Pippin, All Shook Up, Guys And Dolls, and A Christmas Carol (Ensemble.) Ashley is currently the female lead dancer on the national tour of Rockin Road To Dublin.
When Ashley is not performing professionally, she is teaching and choreographing all dance forms for studios all over the United States. She recently became a certified Irish Step Dancing teacher (TCRG).
Ginger Cox
Ginger is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center, Pace University and Sacred Heart University. She holds a MS in Kinesiology, a BFA in Dance from Temple University, and is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Corrective Exercise Specialist. She’s taught master classes in Europe, Mexico, Japan, Danse Encore festival Quebec, the Joffrey Contemporary Ballet, and studios and dance conventions throughout the U.S. As a choreographer, Ginger’s work is described as ‘absorbing and inventive, with amusing creativity,’ by the Jazz Dance E-news, and Bob Boross quotes, “the greatest exploration of the choreographic voice within jazz dance was seen in the work of Ginger Cox.” She’s choreographed for Nike, the NJ Nets Dancers, recording artist Lijie, Hanayashiki Show in Japan, the Élan Awards, honoring Mr. Lar Lubavich, Dancing Wheels Company, Earl Mosley Institute, the Brooklyn Dance Festival, Wise Fruit, Giving Tree Series, NY Jazz Choreography Project, Choreographer's Canvas, Wax Works, DRA, Independent films, industrials, and the NuDance Festival, where the NY Times quoted “the selection of choreographers was unusually good.”
Ginger is the founder of the Dancing Anatomy Workshop and has presented anatomy/movement-based seminars at the Dance Science and Somatics Conference, the Bill Evans Somatic Conference, and the Dance Educators Training Institute. Ginger was featured in Dance Informa for her integration of anatomy in dance training, and in Dancetrain Magazine for her teaching methods and dynamic style. She’s contributed to articles in Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Spirit, is on the Faculty Advisory Board at BDC and the Young Choreographers Dance Festival and developed curriculum for BDC’s ISVP program and the Dance Educator Development (DTW). Some of her many performance highlights include Saturday Night Live with Molly Shannon and Jimmy Falon, artist Lou Bega, industrials and dance concerts.
Katie LaDuca
Katie LaDuca is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in New York City. She’s traveled the country serving as Dance Captain/Female Swing on the National Tour of Saturday Night Fever, as well as a Principal Singer on Norwegian Cruise Lines with fellow faculty member, Catherine! Some of her other professional credits include: A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, Singin in the Rain, Gypsy, The Addams Family, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Beehive the 60’s Musical.
With an extensive background in competitive and professional dance, Katie is passionate about sharing her experience with her students. She has been teaching on faculties for the past several years and has been recognized for her choreography at both regional and national competitions across the country. Katie is certified with the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance and is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for the next generation of artists. She continues to train in all styles of dance with a concentration in hip hop. She has a deep love and respect for the culture and history behind its movement and is so excited to join the faculty here at Artistry Dance Project!
Mary Kate Hartung
Mary Kate Hartung is a lifelong performer and teacher specializing in jazz, ballet, musical theater, modern, and acro. Favorite performing credits include Wendy in Finding Neverland (1st National Tour), Broadway Dance Lab, PHISH's New Years Eve Concert, Wendy in Peter Pan, and Wo.man in Motion.
She has taught throughout the tri-state area and around the midwest and is a coach at Solidcore.