General Information
Our Faculty
Instructors
Jody Anderson-Miller (Miss Jody) started her serious ballet training at age 14 at the North Carolina School of the Arts and continued at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York City on full scholarship. She was invited to join the Kansas City Ballet at age 18 and was promoted to a principal dancer by age 19. As a principal dancer with the Kansas City Ballet for 16 years, Jody had the honor of performing some of the greatest works of the 20th Century. She had the privilege of dancing the steps of such esteemed choreographers as George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Agnes DeMille, Anthony Tudor, Todd Bolender and Anne Reinking. Another highlight of Jody’s career was to be handpicked by Alvin Ailey to perform his ballet Flowers, and to perform as a guest artist with his company, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Jody also performed and was the Associate Choreographer and Community Chorus Director with Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre. She also performed with St. Louis MUNY Opera, Atlanta Theatre of the Stars and Houston’s Theater Under the Stars. Jody and her husband Bob are the owners and producers of the New Candlelight Theatre in Arden De., and she also teaches ballet technique, pointe, variations and musical theatre at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia and West Chester, PA. Jody is proudest of her finest production yet, daughter Julia, born this year. Jody has choreographed for DDC, and is so happy to be on the faculty.
Joan Beatson (Miss Joan) is a native of Wilmington, Delaware and a cum laude graduate of Butler University with a B.A. in Dance. After graduation, Joan studied dance in New York with Michael Vernon, Ann Reinking, Sharon Romeyko, and Peff Modelski, among others, and danced professionally in such shows as West Side Story, Cabaret, Chicago and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. After moving back to the area, she continued her ballet studies with Jody Fugate and began teaching ballet, jazz, partnering, tap and lyrical to students of all ages. In the summer of 2007, Joan received a Delaware Division of the Arts Opportunity Grant to attend the Teachers’ Workshop at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) in Carlisle, PA. In the summer of 2008, she was invited to be a guest ballet teacher at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Joan is thrilled to be part of the DDC faculty.
Melissa Bessent-Rivera (Miss Melissa) graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance education, with a concentration in modern dance. She danced professionally with Philadelphia modern based company, the Anna Marie Mulgrew Dancers and Company. As a company member, she performed at Martha’s Vineyard and the Painted Bride Theater in Philadelphia. Miss Melissa was involved in outreach/education programs for schools in New Jersey and Philadelphia.
She choreographed the Modern version of “Little Red Riding Hood” for Tales from the Enchanted Forest and most recently the modern piece “The Distance from Point A to Where You’d B” for DDC’s Spring Gala this past March. Miss Melissa and her husband Adolfo reside in Wilmington with their children Azrael, now 2 and Mercy, born in May.
Allyson Cohen-Sherlock (Miss Allyson) has trained at the Delaware Dance Company since she was four years old. She joined the Performing Company in 1985 and rose through the ranks to principal dancer. Her many and varied roles include “Princess Aurora” in “Sleeping Beauty” and the “Sugar Plum Fairy” in the annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Miss Allyson has also studied at the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Vermont, University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Boston Ballet School and the Hartford Ballet School. In addition to her teaching and dancing duties for DDC, Miss Allyson has also contributed as a choreographer for the Performing Company with a jazz ballet “Swingin’ and Jumpin’”, a classical ballet “Vivaldi”, and a solo piece, “Waterfall,” in the contemporary ballet “Elemental Rhythms” that was performed at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in August 2002. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a certification in Special Education. Miss Allyson teaches high school dance at Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington. She and husband Adam are the proud parents of Hayden and Ava Rose.
Alicia Diener (Miss Alicia) ) received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Education from the University of the Arts, with a concentration in jazz dance. While there, she received the award for “Outstanding Student Teacher.” Miss Alicia has performed and presented choreography at the Merriam and Drake Theatres in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Arts Bank and the Keswick Theatre in suburban Philadelphia. Throughout her career, she has been a dance educator in the public schools and private studios in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Los Angeles, California, and is a member of the National Dance Educators Organization. She has been the choreographer for award-winning competitive and performance dance ensembles, and has studied voice and theatre. Miss Alicia joined the DDC faculty in 2006 and choreographed a jazz piece entitled “A Quick Change” for the Spring Gala. Most recently, she danced her first role with DDC as one of the Stepsisters in the premier production of “Cinderella” in the spring of 2008.
Kathleen Gallant (Miss Kathleen) began her dance training in New Jersey and continued in Paris, France through an international study program. She earned her B.A. from Skidmore College and an M.A. in Literature and Pedagogy from the University of Delaware. She has worked extensively with children and adults in summer camps, after-school programs, and community theatre groups. Miss Kathleen joined the DDC faculty in 1982 and is also the Dance Coordinator of the Western Family YMCA School of Dance. Because of her affinity for all things French and her love of ballet history and vocabulary, in 2005 she received the French Advocate of the Year Award from the faculty of the University of Delaware. Miss Kathleen and her husband John reside in Old New Castle and love to travel.
Jenifer Haggarty (Miss Jenifer) joined DDC in 1997 as a faculty member and a Principle dancer with the Performing Company, having danced professionally with Philadanco, Dancefusion, Swarthmore Ballet Theatre and other companies in the Philadelphia area. She has choreographed and directed the First Act in DDC's “The Nutcracker” for the past nine years, and has also choreographed various modern and contemporary pieces for the Performing Company's repetoire. She is certified in both Pilates and Balletone and is looking forward to another exciting year with all the DDC dancers. She an husband Michael are the proud parents of 3 children, Amanda, Matthew and newly arrived, Nicholas.
Sherry Hiott (Miss Sherry) Sherry Hiott (Miss Sherry) was awarded a full scholarship at the Boston Ballet School under the direction of E. Virginia Williams and at the prestigious Harkness House for Ballet Arts under the direction of international teacher David Howard. She was invited to join the American Festival Ballet for their second European tour with Rudolph Nureyev. She has performed with regional and professional companies including Mercury Ballet Company, Ithaca Ballet Company, Dance Circle, Festival Ballet of New York, Galveston Ballet and Corpus Christi Ballet Company, in all manner of roles including character and comedic. Miss Sherry also served as Ballet Mistress for both the Galveston Ballet Company and the Corpus Christi Ballet Company. She has trained to teach in the Russian method with Kirov trained ballet masters Constantin Russo, Ute Metreuter, Janina Cunova and Jurgen Schneider and has also trained in the Vagonova method and Royal Ballet style with Kathleen Crofton. She has also studied the Balanchine style. In 1998 Miss Sherry moved to Delaware with her husband David who became the captain of Delaware’s Tall Ship, the Kalmar Nyckel. She has taught at The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Rock School West. In recent summers Miss Sherry has attended the David Howard Teacher Training Workshop at the University of North Carolina, the teacher’s workshop at Julliard N. Y. , and the teacher training course at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle PA. Mrs. Hiott has two children, Eva and David, who also enjoy dancing!
Shannon Lynch (Miss Shannon) trained in ballet in New York with the Greenwich Ballet School and Lorna London School of Ballet. She taught creative movement in Westchester, NY for the White Plains Department of Recreation and taught 4 years at The Preschool Workshop in Kemblesville, PA. Miss Shannon is pleased to begin her 5th year with DDC, working with dancers in the Young Childrens’ Division. She will be attending West Chester University for an elementary education degree with a dance minor. Miss Shannon and husband Nathan welcomed new addition, Isla, to their family this past May.
Kelly Millar (Miss Kelly) was the Ballet Mistress for the Delaware Ballet. Raised in Elmer, NJ and now living in Milford, DE with her husband Jason, she began her dance training at the age of nine under the direction of Maxine and Kimberly Chapman. Kelly became a member of the Vineland Regional Dance Company and danced lead roles, including the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker”. As a dancer with the Northeast Regional Company, Ms. Millar traveled the United States for the Regional Dance America Festivals. Kelly has worked with many companies as both a guest teacher and choreographer.
Heather Reynolds (Miss Heather) graduated with honors from Wilmington University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2006. Miss Heather began her training with the Delaware Dance Company in 1991. Through the years as a Performing Company member, she participated in numerous productions including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel & Gretel, and Peter Rabbit, to name a few. Miss Heather completed DDC’s Teacher Trainee Program in the spring of 2000 and joined the faculty that fall. She currently co-directs the Youth Dance Ensemble with Miss Kim.
Jennifer Rose (Miss Jen) is a graduate of West Chester University. Most recently, she served as the associate director/choreographer for DO TAP, a youth tap ensemble in Pottstown, PA. Jennifer choreographed the Philadelphia premiere of Aida at the Media Theatre. She has served as choreographer in residence for the West Chester Summer Performing Arts project for the past two years as well as a guest artist for the University Dance Company. She received a National Commendation for Choreography from the American College Theatre Festival for her work on the production of Hair! at West Chester University. She has taught several tap master classes throughout the tri-state area and is a member of the International Tap Association. Jennifer’s choreography has been showcased throughout the east, most notably having her work presented at the American College Dance Festival, the Carnival Cruise Line, Disney World, and the Philadelphia Tap Challenge.
Kimberly Schroeder (Miss Kim) grew up in Iowa where she started training in ballet, tap and jazz. She had the opportunity to study with numerous guest artists working on many different techniques including African, Fosse, Graham, Humphrey-Weidman, Limon, and Horton while completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance and vocal music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During her time at UNL, Kimberly was the Director of Dance at the YWCA Dance Academy. She moved to Delaware in 2005 after completing a 12 month tour of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Canada with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Kimberly will be starting her 4th year as a faculty member with the Delaware Dance Company. She is the co-director of DDC’s Youth Dance Ensemble and has directed their summer musical theatre camp for the past two summers. She has been a part of many dance, musical, and opera productions as a featured singer, dancer, and choreographer. One of her most recent performances was in DDC’s Cinderella as the stepsister. She is excited to be rehearsing with Loose Screws in Way Up High for the 2008 Philly Fringe Festival. She just received her AFPA pilates certification and is currently attending the National Massage Therapy Institute.
Teagan Thomas (Miss Teagan) is a current member of DDC's performing company and has danced annually in DDC's production of "The Nutcracker" among many other performances such as this past year's "Cinderella". She also attends Cab Calloway School of the Arts as a dance major. Teagan has been in DDC's Teacher Program for the past three years and is very excited to teach on her own this year. She loves working with kids and is looking forward to a great year.
James Zynda (Mr. James) ) has performed professionally with American Ballet Theatre, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Radio City Music Hall. His formal ballet training in New York City included the schools associated with American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. He has worked with choreographers, Eliot Feld, Leonide Massine, Agnes de Mille, Jerome Robbins, Michael Smuin, and Anthony Tudor as well as performing in works by George Balanchine, Birgit Cullberg, Michael Fokine, Harold Lander, Eugene Loring, and Kenneth MacMillan. Mr. Zynda has choreographed original works, restaged classical and romantic ballets and other well-known works as well as providing choreography for local and regional opera companies. His performing career provided opportunities to travel to all but one of the United States, many countries around the world, and to perform at the White House for President Lyndon Johnson. Mr. Zynda is pleased to return this year to Delaware Dance Company. Last year, in addition to teaching, he participated in DDC’s premiere of Cinderella, performing a character role as well as lending his considerable talents as a costumer to the performance.
Our Curriculum
DDC is committed to providing the finest in dance education for dancers of all ages from 2 ½ through adult. Our curriculum is designed to train dancers to reach their highest technical and artistic potential in a positive and nurturing environment. Our ballet program does not rely on one specific syllabus of training, but brings together elements of the Russian, Royal Academy of Dance and the CPYB systems of training. Focus is placed on correct body alignment and placement and on proper technique. Students’ artistic development is carefully nurtured and developed as they progress through the syllabus. DDC also offers a broad curriculum in other styles of dance including Modern, Jazz, Tap, Theatre Dance and Hip Hop. Students are encouraged to explore other forms of dance.
At the Delaware Dance Company we strive to create an atmosphere of professionalism and discipline throughout our school. Our dedicated staff work to insure that our students are being challenged according to their ability. The Delaware Dance Company counts on the commitment of both students and parents to maintain consistency in class throughout the year.
The Delaware Dance Company is a non-profit arts organization administered by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees. In-house volunteers generously contribute their time and talents to our productions. Set design and construction, costuming, promotions and box office are just a few of the all important aspects of presenting a performance and bringing it to the stage that are contributed by volunteers at DDC.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these helpful tips and policies:
The importance of attending class on a regular basis cannot be stressed enough! Students must complete 30 out of 35 classes to be considered for promotion. Missed classes MUST be made up within 4 weeks of the absence.
Please arrive early and give yourself enough time to get ready for class. If a student arrives late it is disruptive to the class and the student may miss an important aspect of the lesson.
Dress code requirements are expected to be followed. Only students who are being evaluated for placement are exempt from this rule. Please remember that dancewear is not street attire. Dancers MUST wear clothing over their dancewear to and from the school. Dance shoes are NEVER worn outside.
DDC is is an institute for learning and school etiquette is expected. Noisy behavior is extremely distracting, so please be courteous of others and remain quiet in and around the classrooms.
Please pick up students immediately after class. Children should not be left unattended at the studio. Please notify the school if you are going to be late picking up your child from class so proper supervision of your child can be arranged.
Artistic Director
Sunshine Webster-Latshaw (Miss Sunshine) began her training with Anna Schaeffer, near Baltimore, and continued serious ballet training with DDC. Ms. Latshaw also trained at the School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet School and the Burklyn Ballet Theatre, working with such noteable teachers as Lupe Serrano, Trinette Singleton and Cherie Noble. She was honored to be chosen for a Special Workshop with the late, Margot Fonteyn while training at The Joffrey Ballet. Ms. Latshaw joined The Maryland Ballet and later attended The University of the Arts, receiving a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Dance Education. While attending the University, Ms. Latshaw worked with local Modern Companies, including Archetype Dance and Koresh Dance Company, and developed a passion for modern and contemporary forms of dance. She returned to DDC as a faculty member and Ballet Mistress of the Company in 1993, before becoming the Artistic Director in 1999. As an educator, Ms. Latshaw draws on years of experience to develop her own unique style of modern, focusing on a fluid and expressive style of movement. Her choreography is featured in DDC’s annual productions and Galas and includes Snow Scene and Act 2 of The Nutcracker, Passing Through and most recently, Night Sky which premiered at last year’s Spring Gala. She recently choreographed a modern piece for the newly formed Dance Program at Cecil Community College; entitled Too Much is Never Enough and hopes this venture will lead to more projects and opportunities in the future. Ms. Latshaw is dedicated to providing a broad spectrum of dance forms and learning opportunities to DDC and the community and works to instill an appreciation and passion for the art of dance in her students. She has attended the Teachers’ Workshop at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
Theatrical Hair and
Make-up Tips
Regular Stage Make-Up
*Begin with a clean face. Apply moisturizer, otherwise the make-up will be difficult to remove.
*All make-up and lines should arch up and away from eye, never down.
1. Foundation - match skin tone
Apply make-up to the face, blending below chin line
2. Eyeshadow - medium blue eyeshadow
Apply in arc and fill in.
3. Eyeliner - black or dark brown
Apply to upper lid, extending line outward and upward slightly beyond eye. Add second line, parallel to and below first line.
May begin lower line halfway under eye.
Avoid Cleopatra look.
4. Mascara - black or dark brown
5. Blush - pink
Have child smile and apply on apples of cheeks, upward toward temples.
6. Lipstick - true red
Hair
Tip: You may want to trade children with another mother.
It works better!!
Hair must be worn in a bun (unbraided) and MUST be completely secured without any pins showing.
Buns should be centered in the back of the head slightly above the midpoint. It should not be seen from the front.
Avoid the "doorknob". Bun should be wound into a large circle and flattened.
For thin flyaway hair or layered hair, dampen hair first with a wet comb. Do not get hair too wet or the teeth of the brush or comb will leave "furrows".
Pull hair into tight ponytail and secure. Twist ponytail slightly and wind it so that it stay together like a rope. Over twisting will result in a doorknob effect. Use bobbypins around edges of bun and flatten with hairpins. Secure with hairnet. NO wisps of hair may be free.
Smooth it all down and spray entire head.
Tip: Do not touch until hairspray is completely dry. Touching it can make it sticky.
Dress Code Requirements
General Grooming
A dancer should always be carefully dressed and groomed. A neat appearance demonstrates a student's self-discipline and seriousness towards her or his training. Overall, the dancer should appear clean and neat with properly fitting leotard and shoes.
Hair
Girls should choose a neat hairstyle with long hair tied back into a bun to show the line of the head and neck. Long bangs should be pinned back to show the face clearly and no jewelry should be worn during class. Jewelry can be a distraction and cause injury during a class.
Totdance 1 & 2
GIRLS: pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, blacktap shoes
BOYS: shorts, shirt, black ballet shoes, black patent leather tap shoes
Kinderballet 1 & 2 / Kindercombo 1, 2, & 3*
GIRLS: light blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes / *black tap shoes. Hair must be off the face and in bun
BOYS: black shorts, white T-shirt, white socks, black ballet shoes / *black patent leather tap shoes
Pre-Ballet 1 & 2
GIRLS: royal blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair must be off the face and in bun
BOYS: royal blue shorts, white T-shirt, black ballet shoes
Ballet 1 & 1X
GIRLS: navy blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair must be off the face and in bun
BOYS: black tights or leggings, white T-shirt, black ballet shoes
Ballet 2 & 2X
GIRLS: red leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes. Hair must be off face and in bun
BOYS: black tights, ballet briefs, white T-shirt, black ballet shoes
Ballet 3 & 3X
GIRLS: burgundy leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes, pink point shoes.
Hair must be off the face and in bun.
BOYS: black tights, dance belt, white T-shirt, black ballet shoes
Ballet 4 & 4X
GIRLS: periwinkle blue leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes, pink pointe shoe.
Hair must be off the face and in bun
BOYS: Black tights, dance belt, white T-shirt, black ballet shoes
Ballet 5 & 5X
GIRLS: black leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes, pink pointe shoes.
Hair must be off the face and in bun
BOYS: black tights, dance belt, white T-shirt, black ballet shoes
Advanced Ballet
GIRLS: any color leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes, pink pointe shoes.
Hair must be off the face and in a bun
All Modern Levels
GIRLS: black leotard, black footless tights, barefoot, Hair off the face
BOYS: black footless tights, dance belt, white T-shirt, barefoot
All Tap Levels
GIRLS: black leotard, tan tights, NOTE new requirement - black tap shoes (not patent leather).
Hair in pony tail or bun
BOYS: black pants, T-shirt, black tap shoes
All Theatre Levels
GIRLS: black leotard, black tights, black jazz shoes
BOYS: black pants, white T-shirt, black jazz shoes
