Instructors

Michele Sasse is the founder and artistic director of Enso Ensemble. She graduated in 1993 from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Modern Dance. Michele has established herself as an accomplished performer, choreographer and instructor. She made her debut in New York City performing in the Off-Broadway play "Sisters Dance" under the direction of Maja Lorovic. She worked for many talented choreographers including Henning Rubsam of Sense Dance, Robert Battle and Patricia Kenny of the Parson’s Dance Company and Peter Pucci of Peter Pucci Plus. Michele has performed for Blue Moon Enterprises at New York City’s Symphony Space, the Akzent Theater in Vienna and The Nederlands Theatre in Holland in the Modern Dance Musical "Listen to the Colors." She toured with Peter Pucci Plus in Colorado, San Diego, Dubai (U.A.E.) and Thailand and was a company member of Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends based in New York City. Michele’s performances with Isabel have been seen in New York, Toronto, Athabaska, Winnipeg, San Francisco, Mexico and Germany. Michele’s own choreography has been graciously recognized throughout New York and Canada in many dance festivals and she has taught in several studios throughout New York including The Ballet Arts of Forest Hills, The Sandra Cameron Dance Center and Queens Dance Academy. In addition, Michele directed and choreographed the children’s program for the Isaac Chauncy Public School in Glendale, NY and was an adjunct faculty member of Rowan University’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Michele has choreographed for the Ritz Theatre Company’s production of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Purley” and recently submitted choreography for ReMix Theatre’s Hip-Hop production of “The Nutcracka” and “Romeo & Juliet” as well as The Terry Meyers Showcase.

Jeanette Dovas has been dancing since the age of 5 in the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas. She first attended The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and later The University of the Arts where she earned her BFA in performance and choreography, with a concentration in ballet. After graduation she spent two years teaching at a local studio and choreographing for school musicals before making the big move to New York City. While there, she worked with both established and new dance companies, including The Morgan Scott Ballet and One World Symphony. In addition to performing, she worked for Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. You can see her wedding in the Summer 2007 issue! After the birth of her first child, she moved back to New Jersey and began working at The Dance Connection. She has more than eight years of teaching experience in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary.

Danielle Volpe started her dance training at the age of three. During her years of training she took part in many benefits and community performances. She has also had the opportunity to dance with the 76ers Dance Team, perform in Walt Disney World, and for the University of the Arts. After graduating from high school, Danielle attended Montclair State University and earned her BFA in Dance. While at Montclair, she had the pleasure of working with several talented choreographers such as, Joelle Vansickle, Robert Battle, Lori Katerhenry and Nancy Lushington. Danielle had the honor of being chosen to perform a solo by Joelle Vansickle called Vanity Scare, and her own choreography was selected for several Montclair performances. She currently performs at the Borgata Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City and teaches at several local studios. Danielle is thrilled to be a part of The Dance Connection this year.

Jen’s inspiration began when she first started dancing at the age of three. She spent her early years of dance training studying mostly under the instruction of Michele DiCola, Shaun Doyle, and Viktor Yeliohin, concentrating on her ballet technique. She continued her study of dance at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD for one year before transferring to The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. During her college experience, Jen grew much more diverse as a dancer, studying all dance forms and concentrating seriously on modern dance. At The University of the Arts, she had the opportunity to perform at the Merriam Theater and at the Drake Theater, where she also showcased her own choreography. She has worked with choreographers Silvanna Cardell, Matthew Neenan, Andrew Pap, Brian Sanders, and Joyce Herring of the Martha Graham Company. Jen graduated from UArts in May 2006 with her BFA in Dance Education, with a concentration in modern dance. She is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleading Squad for her second season, where she has had the opportunity to perform in the 6ABC Thanksgiving Parade and make numerous television appearances. She also enjoys performing for Enso Ensemble, under the direction of Michele Sasse.

Jen has attended the Dance Masters of America Teacher’s Training School in Buffalo, NY as well as the Pilobolus Teacher Workshop in Washington Depot, CT. She is very excited to be a part of The Dance Connection in 2011.

Erin first started her dance training at the age of 13 and quickly fell in love with ballet. She began her training at the Hanover School of Ballet in Hanover, PA before attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. During her college career, she had the opportunity to perform at both the Merriam Theatre and The Drake Theatre, even showcasing her own choreography at the latter. Erin graduated with honors in 2006 with a BFA in Ballet Performance. She has worked with choreographers Matthew Neenan, Andrew Pap, Roni Koresh, Molly Misgalla and Scott Jovovich. Erin recently spent the summer training as a trainee at the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. She is the current “poser” for the yearly Costume Gallery costume catalog and is on staff at Camden County College teaching Ballet and Dance Appreciation. She also works at numerous studios throughout the South Jersey area spreading her love for ballet to many aspiring dancers. Erin is very excited for her first year teaching at The Dance Connection.

Fred is an extraordinary dancer, actor and choreographer with over 12 years of experience as a Professional Hip Hop Dance Instructor. Certified in Movement Therapy, Fred fuses his love of original Urban Dance Styles; Breakdancing, Popping, Locking, House and Freestyle into his dynamic choreography and teaching style.

Among his extensive work with artists, both national and local, Fred has been featured in a Nike Presto live billboard commercial, Will Smith video, MTV lip service and RennieHarrisPureMovement Productions. His dynamic dance performances, scholastic enrichment programs, assemblies, workshops choreography and educational theater productions are in demand across the greater Philadelphia region, New York and Massachusetts.

Currently, Fred is the President and Founder of REMIX Theater. Critically acclaimed by KYW News Radio, the Gloucester County times, among other media, REMIX Theater has quickly become South Jersey’s source for, “must see” Holiday and Spring Productions, like, “The Nutcracka” and “Alice in Wunda’ land”, each told with a modern urban twist.

Fred Vassallo is a creative force and a dynamic voice among today’s artistic innovators.

Bridget Killion has been teaching dance for 14 years. She is trained in cheerleading, gymnastics, ballet, jazz & her speciality hip hop. As a former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader, Bridget has performed in front of 70,000+ fans and in Superbowl 39 in Jacksonville Florida. In addition, she has performed for our troops in Bosnia for the USO. She has received extensive media coverage performing on television stations such as Comcast Sports Net, ESPN, Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, Telemundo & MTV. She has performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Radio City Music Hall & Times Square in NYC. Bridget has modeled for Philly Style Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, FHM Magazine, Jersey 101.5, Courier Post & Impulse Magazine. You may have seen her walk the runway in Atlantic City at Caesars' Pier or Atlantic City's version of "Deal or No Deal" Game Show, "3 Million On The House". Bridget has recently trained with top choreographers Wade Robson, Dave Scott, Cris Judd & LaurieAnne Gibson at Broadway Dance Centers, Pulse Dance Convention.

Jessica Villano began her training in Jazz, Tap and Ballet at 4-years-old at Triplett Dance Academy. At age 16 she was honored to be one of the first Americans ever invited to attend the "Jazzart Company" summer program in France, and perform for famous choreographer Matt Mattox. She has also traveled abroad to London's Pineapple Dance studio in Covent Garden for intense training with street dancer "little Milk" and dance crews TK Spin and Dance 2XS. With over 20 years of dance experience and 8 years of teaching, Jessica continues to study all forms of dance, and blends her love of modern jazz with hip hop to create a unique and fun style. Jessica has been with The Dance Connection for 4 years and her choreography has received top honors at various competitions.

Roseann began dancing at the age of 5. In 1976, RoseAnn opened The Dance Connection and enjoyed 15 wonderful years as the owner!

During this time many of her students became dance instructors, some opened their own studios, while others went on to dance professionally.

RoseAnn has spent 30 years working with children and thanks her students for making the years so enjoyable and rewarding!

Erin Aweau grew up dancing at Let's Dance Studio in Glassboro New Jersey. At the age of fifteen, she began studying dance at the Southern New Jersey Academy of the Performing Arts. There, she studied classical and contemporary ballet under the wing of David Klaus. Graham, Horton and Lemone styles of modern dance under Althea Leslee and Dale Schmid, and classical jazz movement with Norman Taylor. While studying at SNJAPA she was able to experience various forms of dance such as improvisational movement and hip-hop, with many accredited guest artists. She has been performing in the modern dance company, Enso Ensemble, for the past five years, and is excited to be a part of The Dance Connection family.

Sean M. Courtney started his modern dance career under the direction of Melanie Stewart and Paule Turner. Since earning his degree from Rowan University, he has been performing with Paule Turner/ c o u r t and ENSO Ensemble. Sean recently had the pleasure of dancing for both companies in "On Leaves of Grass" and "A Showcase", respectively. This past winter he toured Virginia with ENSO Ensemble and plans on returning this summer for an encore performance. Sean has taught Master Classes for The Dance Connection and looks forward to becoming a permanent member of their dance family this fall.

Ashley Levin has been dancing for over 17 years and is thrilled to be back on the dancing scene after a 2-year break—and who better to make a comeback with, than TDC! While most of her early training was in classical ballet and lyrical jazz, Ashley has also studied Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop. She participated in several theatre productions during her high school years, and in college, was the only non-theatre major to participate in on-campus spring musicals. While in college in South Carolina, Ashley had the distinguished honor of being a featured back-up dancer for Jennifer Lopez, in two impromptu performances. Upon graduation, Ashley moved back to New Jersey and began teaching a few classes while preparing for law school. She then began taking classes in Philadelphia and participated in several workshops with Philadanco -where she discovered that her true love in dance is modern and lyrical hip hop. Ashley is overjoyed with her warm reception at such a wonderful studio, with such a close-knit family of dancers and parents.

Allison Blackman started dancing at The Dance Connection at the age of 5. She has studied various styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and lyrical. As well as having previously taught here for the past three years, she has been working as a theater camp counselor for five years for the Voorhees Theatre Company, working with kids on their dancing, singing, and acting skills. Allison has performed in well over a dozen musical productions, including Grease and Bye Bye Birdie, and has been the dance captain for many shows. She continues to take dance classes in college as well as at the Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia. She looks forward to another successful year teaching at TDC.