Faculty
Rebekka Nodhturft is a passionate teaching artist with extensive experience in both performing and teaching. She is also earning her MFA in Dance from the prestigious dance program at Montclair State University.
Rebekka earned her BA from Boston University, where she graduated Magna cum Laude. She also studied in the Professional Division of The Ailey School, the official school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Orlando Ballet School, and Broadway Dance Center.
Rebekka performed with Jazz Roots Dance, founded in 2009 and directed by the legendary Sue Samuels. She has also performed at the world-renowned Cotton Club, where she tapped with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards and her line of ’Sophisticated Ladies’.
Rebekka also worked as a soloist with Keen Dance Theater (KDT), a contemporary company under the direction of John Keen. She graced the stage of Guyana’s National Cultural Center in May 2012, and the Ailey Citigroup Theater in June 2012. Rebekka has also performed extensively with Momentum Dance Theater and Marya Kennett Dance Theater.
Furthermore, Rebekka is the Founder and Artistic Director of Awaken Dance Theater, a NYC-based company that performs works about social and political issues. She recently premiered a piece about climate change, and won ‘best choreography’ in 2015 at the NYC10 Festival for a piece exploring the tragedy of gun violence.
Perhaps most importantly, Rebekka truly loves teaching and inspiring others to dance. She has taught for over 10 years at various schools in and around NYC, including private studios and in an elementary and high school setting. In addition to providing sound technical training, she strives to help dancers develop artistically, and to develop a sense of self-confidence and determination.
Rebekka earned her BA from Boston University, where she graduated Magna cum Laude. She also studied in the Professional Division of The Ailey School, the official school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Orlando Ballet School, and Broadway Dance Center.
Rebekka performed with Jazz Roots Dance, founded in 2009 and directed by the legendary Sue Samuels. She has also performed at the world-renowned Cotton Club, where she tapped with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards and her line of ’Sophisticated Ladies’.
Rebekka also worked as a soloist with Keen Dance Theater (KDT), a contemporary company under the direction of John Keen. She graced the stage of Guyana’s National Cultural Center in May 2012, and the Ailey Citigroup Theater in June 2012. Rebekka has also performed extensively with Momentum Dance Theater and Marya Kennett Dance Theater.
Furthermore, Rebekka is the Founder and Artistic Director of Awaken Dance Theater, a NYC-based company that performs works about social and political issues. She recently premiered a piece about climate change, and won ‘best choreography’ in 2015 at the NYC10 Festival for a piece exploring the tragedy of gun violence.
Perhaps most importantly, Rebekka truly loves teaching and inspiring others to dance. She has taught for over 10 years at various schools in and around NYC, including private studios and in an elementary and high school setting. In addition to providing sound technical training, she strives to help dancers develop artistically, and to develop a sense of self-confidence and determination.
Debbie Nodhturft began dancing with Marya Kennett when she was four years old. She now has more than 25 years of experience teaching ballet and tap. She created and co-directed the Marya Kennett Competition Team, and performed in and directed Nutcrackers for both the Marya Kennett Dance Center and New Generation Dance in Orange County NY.
She regularly attends conferences and workshops hosted by Dance Educators of America, and has also been invited to teach in several private preschool programs.
"Miss Debbie," as she is affectionately called by her students, is particularly known for her work with the youngest of dancers.
She regularly attends conferences and workshops hosted by Dance Educators of America, and has also been invited to teach in several private preschool programs.
"Miss Debbie," as she is affectionately called by her students, is particularly known for her work with the youngest of dancers.
Andrea Perricelli grew up dancing in Orange County New York with the Marya Kennett Dance Centre. At 3 years old she began taking classes and performing in the annual Nutcracker with the studio which she continued with through high school. In high school, she discovered a passion for teaching dance.
After high school, Andrea went on to attend Montclair State University where she is pursuing a degree in K-6 special education and 5-8th grade mathematics. In college, she participates in a theater organization working on both dance and musical theater experiences. She has performed in benefit concerts, student-directed and choreographed dance shows and a production of The Wedding Singer.
After high school, Andrea went on to attend Montclair State University where she is pursuing a degree in K-6 special education and 5-8th grade mathematics. In college, she participates in a theater organization working on both dance and musical theater experiences. She has performed in benefit concerts, student-directed and choreographed dance shows and a production of The Wedding Singer.