December, 2016
Current News and Alumni “Catch-up” . . .
First, our Academy Alliance Dancers are deep in rehearsals for their first competitions beginning
January 6th-8th with the “Intrigue Competition”, and ‘New York Dance Alliance” Competition held
February 17th-19th!. Also many of our team members are also working towards the “Youth America
Grand Prix” Competitions which will be held February 2-5th and March 2nd-5th.
The full staff are so proud and so enjoying this wonderful preparation time with all our extremely
talented and special dancers! The Academy wishes all our Dancers continued success as they work
hard towards these very important Performances/Competitions. Please come out to support our
Dancers and their wonderful progress and development.
Secondly ….. I thought an update on some of our Alumni that are continuing their careers in dance
either in college or in a professional capacity would be of interest to all our Academy clientele. We
have so much to be proud of. This is just a small sampling of some of our current Alumni and their
on-going joy as young artists experiencing the great art of dance. Please update me on any dancer
we need to highlight for future recognition.
Marissa DeBenedictis…Our wonderful Marissa (who taught amazing ballet classes at The Academy)
has moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and joined the Twin Cities Ballet Company. She is currently
dancing soloist roles such as Snow Queen, Lead Waltz of the Flowers, and Spanish for their
upcoming Nutcracker Performances. Marissa is part of our special adjunct facility and we can’t wait
until she is in town again to share her amazing personality & talents with our dancers again.
Ava Farley ….. Ava is in her second year of study at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC as a
Dance Major pursuing a BFA degree with a concentration in Modern. Ava will be performing in
“Dancers at Work” and the “Fall Repertoire Concerts” this semester.
Jonah Delgado ….. Jonah is now in his second year of study at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC
as a Dance Major. This past summer Jonah was a guest artist with Visceral Dance Chicago in their
performance for “Dance for Life” at the Auditorium Theatre. Jonah will be performing in “Dancers
at Work” and the “Fall Repertoire Concerts” series. Jonah is also a part of the Marymount
Manhattan Dance Company this year.
Lauren Baznik ..… Lauren is currently back teaching at The Academy on Friday evenings. Lauren’s
career took her to Europe finishing her training at the Ballet de Monte Carlo. Then she joined the
Zurich Ballet Company and was dancing the lead in Swan lake ( Odette/Odile) at the tender age of
20! Upon returning to the U.S., Lauren danced for the Charlotte Ballet. She has decided to study to
become a pastry chef and is currently taking classes to achieve this new wonderful career.
Lexi Caruso ….. After achieving the honor of receiving the “Hope Award” from Youth America Grand
Prix, Lexi has danced for the Nevada Ballet and then was asked to join San Antonio Ballet under
Willy Shives (former Joffrey Principle Dancer). Unfortunately, Lexi has been side-lined with a foot
injury but we are fortunate to have her back at the Academy where she is currently
teaching/subbing classes as part of our wonderful adjunct faculty.
Teresa Marsala ….. Teresa is currently in her second year with DanceWorks Chicago Contemporary
Dance Company. The Company is returning again for a tour or Germany in early February and the
company also performs in Chicago and will tour the U.S. As her Mother, I am very proud of her
accomplishments.
Robin Gayle Benowitz ….. Robin is currently preparing to dance lead roles during the Nutcracker
Season as a guest Ballerina in Florida. We are fortunate to have Robin as part of our adjunct faculty
for subbing when her career permits.
Meghan Lynch ….. Meghan is currently a member of American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company for
the 2016/2017 dance season. This is an outstanding achievement in the professional world of
dance at the age of 19 years. She is learning & performing many of the classics as well as new
contemporary choreography especially created for the Company.
Jori Warwick ….. Jori is currently in her last year at Laurence University. Jori was instrumental in
founding a Dance Team while at school using her training at The Academy to teach & pass her love
of dance along to Laurence University Dance students.
Autumn Steed ….. Autumn is finishing her second year of pre-professional studies at the Miami
School of Ballet and is also dancing with the Miami City Ballet Company in such Ballet’s as Giselle
and Nutcracker.
Gigi Todisco ….. Gigi is currently finishing her last year in College at Loyola Marymount in Los
Angeles, CA. Gigi has been a dance major and has recently started a small company with her peers
called “Hexagon Collective.” They are performing locally and continuing to evolve the Company
with new innovative choreography.
Riley O’Donnell ….. Riley graduated this year from the University of Michigan with a B.F.A. in Dance.
She is currently teaching dance & fitness classes as a certified Personal Trainer & fitness nutrition
specialist.