Meet our Faculty
Expertise and tradition.
Our talented instructors are passionate about the values of dance they instill into our students. Their classes incorporate a zealous dedication to art, form, and communication in order to relate every nuance of dance expression to our students. They are wholeheartedly committed to shaping our dancers into exceptional individuals who continue on to do great things.
Our instructors are characterized by diversity, expertise, and an appreciation of fine tradition.
Our talented instructors are passionate about the values of dance they instill into our students. Their classes incorporate a zealous dedication to art, form, and communication in order to relate every nuance of dance expression to our students. They are wholeheartedly committed to shaping our dancers into exceptional individuals who continue on to do great things.
Our instructors are characterized by diversity, expertise, and an appreciation of fine tradition.
General Class, Jazz and Tap
|
Angela Preston, Director
Angela Preston has been teaching dance since 1999 and has been choreographing since she was a teenager. She has studied dance for 30 years and is proud to be part of the third generation of BBSD's founding family. Under the direction of her grandmother, Irene Evans, her mother, Wanda Preston, and her aunt, Wanda Klaczak, she has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and lyrical styles of dance. Ms. Preston further developed her skills in both performance and choreography in musical and dance performances at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, where she also directed casts of over 100 students. In addition to earning a B.A. in political sciences at Villanova University, Angela studied dance at Temple University. Angela's creative style is fresh and innovative, and she loves teaching at BBSD. Dance is truly her passion and she feels privileged to be part of such a prestigious dance legacy. |
|
Irene Evans, Founder
The Blue Bell School of Dance was founded in 1967 by Irene Evans. Irene began her dance education at a very young age, taking classes from Louis Crescenta of Philadelphia and Jack Stanley of New York, both renowned dancers and teachers. Irene began her teaching career at the Wanda School of Dance in Philadelphia. The Wanda School of Dance was created by Irene’s sister, Wanda Fullerton Klaczak, who was an accomplished ballerina. Please visit our About Us and Our History page for further information about Irene and The Blue Bell School of Dance. |
|
Wanda Preston
For thirty years, Wanda Preston shared her love of dance with thousands of students. She began her own training in early childhood, under her aunt, Wanda Klaczak and her mother, BBSD founder, Irene Evans. Known for her warm heart and creative teaching style, Ms. Preston’s specialty was teaching the fundamentals of dance to the youngest of students. In 2007, Irene Evans passed the torch to Ms. Preston, who was the proud owner and director of the Blue Bell School of Dance for three years before she passed away, leaving the studio to her daughter. Wanda's influence on the studio still lives on through the passion being encouraged in today’s young dancers. |
Tap, Acro, General and Jazz
Maggie Carlino
Maggie Carlino had a love for dance from an early age, creating dances for family and friends long before her formal training began. Her earliest tap and ballet training was with Irene Evans and Wanda Klaczak right here at BBSD. Along with studying tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop Maggie went on to earn her BFA in Dance Theatre from Emerson College where she first studied modern dance. At Emerson, she had the privilege to work and study with Janet Taisey Craft of Ipswich Moving Company, Nicole Pierce of Ego Art Inc., Cheri Opperman, Marlena Yannetti, Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp, and other Boston based choreographers. She also trained for a semester with Elizabeth Waterhouse of The Forsythe Company founded by former Ballet Frankfurt artistic director William Forsythe. During her time at Emerson, Maggie performed in numerous student and faculty showcases and was invited to perform at the ACDFA New England Regional Conference. She also choreographed many works in this time including a collaborative piece with a composer from Berklee College of Music entitled Take My Hand.
In the fall of 2007, Maggie began teaching dance full time while simultaneously running the dance department at the Upper Main Line YMCA. This was an exciting and challenging position that she held for three years until she stepped down to return to school earning a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University. During the last twelve years, Maggie has continued to teach dance in various styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. Her work has been performed throughout the tri-state area at dance competitions earning choreographer’s awards and praise. Always looking to enhance her understanding of movement, Maggie completed her 600 hour Comprehensive Pilates training with Power Pilates in the fall of 2019. She strives to teach her students to be aware of their body’s alignment and carriage as a way to improve movement and prevent injury. More importantly, she hopes to give her students the strength and knowledge to become great technicians and individuals. Maggie is excited and humbled to be back at BBSD where her journey in dance began.
Maggie Carlino had a love for dance from an early age, creating dances for family and friends long before her formal training began. Her earliest tap and ballet training was with Irene Evans and Wanda Klaczak right here at BBSD. Along with studying tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop Maggie went on to earn her BFA in Dance Theatre from Emerson College where she first studied modern dance. At Emerson, she had the privilege to work and study with Janet Taisey Craft of Ipswich Moving Company, Nicole Pierce of Ego Art Inc., Cheri Opperman, Marlena Yannetti, Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp, and other Boston based choreographers. She also trained for a semester with Elizabeth Waterhouse of The Forsythe Company founded by former Ballet Frankfurt artistic director William Forsythe. During her time at Emerson, Maggie performed in numerous student and faculty showcases and was invited to perform at the ACDFA New England Regional Conference. She also choreographed many works in this time including a collaborative piece with a composer from Berklee College of Music entitled Take My Hand.
In the fall of 2007, Maggie began teaching dance full time while simultaneously running the dance department at the Upper Main Line YMCA. This was an exciting and challenging position that she held for three years until she stepped down to return to school earning a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University. During the last twelve years, Maggie has continued to teach dance in various styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. Her work has been performed throughout the tri-state area at dance competitions earning choreographer’s awards and praise. Always looking to enhance her understanding of movement, Maggie completed her 600 hour Comprehensive Pilates training with Power Pilates in the fall of 2019. She strives to teach her students to be aware of their body’s alignment and carriage as a way to improve movement and prevent injury. More importantly, she hopes to give her students the strength and knowledge to become great technicians and individuals. Maggie is excited and humbled to be back at BBSD where her journey in dance began.
Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz Company, Tap Company and Wedding Preparation
|
Sandra Davis
Sandra Davis has been teaching dance with The Blue Bell School of Dance since 2007 and has been assisting in classes for thirteen years. She started dancing at the age of three at the Anastasi Dance Studio in Northeast Philadelphia, where she received most of her early training. Sandra graduated with a B.F.A. in Ballet Performance from the University of the Arts in May 2007. While at UArts, she studied the art of ballet under the direction of Anastasia Babayeva, Christine Cox, and Eva Szabo. Sandra also trained in jazz under the direction of Ronen Koresh and Donald Lunsford at Wayne St. David; in modern under Kim Bears-Bailey and Jennifer Johnson; and in tap under Karen Cleighton and Nicole Hockenberry. Sandra performed in numerous ensembles and productions at the Merriam Theater and the Drake Theater while at the University of the Arts. She has also had the honor of performing with Philadanco for “Danco-on-Danco” at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia. Sandra is delighted to be a faculty member at the Blue Bell School of Dance, where she can teach the love and joy of dance! |
Ballet and Jazz
Kat Gonzalez
Kat Gonzalez was raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where her passion for dance began at a very young age. Starting out as a heavily competitive dancer and performer, Kat shifted her focus to more technical training by joining The Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts as a full-time company member in 2008. Performing at the Philadelphia Fringe Fest and at ComeUnity in collaboration with Lustig Dance Theatre, she has studied dance under Kristin Scott Naylor, Richard Pierlon, Denise LaPoint, and others. Eventually Kat began Classical vocal training under the tutelage of soprano Maria Pappas, later to perform in a production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as Esmerelda. Kat is excited to again be part of the Blue Bell School of Dance family, as well as encourage and guide her new students!
Kat Gonzalez was raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where her passion for dance began at a very young age. Starting out as a heavily competitive dancer and performer, Kat shifted her focus to more technical training by joining The Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts as a full-time company member in 2008. Performing at the Philadelphia Fringe Fest and at ComeUnity in collaboration with Lustig Dance Theatre, she has studied dance under Kristin Scott Naylor, Richard Pierlon, Denise LaPoint, and others. Eventually Kat began Classical vocal training under the tutelage of soprano Maria Pappas, later to perform in a production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as Esmerelda. Kat is excited to again be part of the Blue Bell School of Dance family, as well as encourage and guide her new students!
Ballet, Pointe, Jazz Company, Acro and Contemporary Company
|
Nataly Morales
Nataly Morales has been dancing her whole life. She began her dance training at Wissahickon Dance Academy, Blue Bell School of Dance and Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia where she studied ballet and modern dance. She has had the opportunity to study and perform with renowned institutions such Ballet Hispanico in New York City and Donetsk Ballet of Ukraine. Nataly continued her dance education at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD where she received her BA in Dance with a performance scholarship. She most recently received an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Mills College in Oakland, CA. She has received an Outstanding Choreography Award from Mills College and her work has been commissioned from other University dance programs. She has had the opportunity to choreograph for and perform with Weird Al Yankovik at the Mann Center in Philadelphia, her work has been presented at the Koresh Showcase, and she has choreographed competition dances that have won her a choreographer's award and received platinum. Nataly has been a company member of professional companies like dNaga Dance Company, Mills Repertory Company, WaxPoet(s) Dance Collective and Alchemy Dance Company. |
Jazz Company and Hip Hop
|
Luke Profy
Luke started dancing when he was six taking classes in ballet and jazz. He quickly fell in love with all aspects of dance and branched out into more styles including jazz-funk, modern, contemporary, and musical theater. Luke is a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh receiving his Bachelor’s in Science in Mathematics and a minor in Dance under the advisement of Susan Gillis-Kruman. During his time at Pitt, he served on the Board of Directors for the Pitt Dance Ensemble and was a resident choreographer for the group. He has performed professionally with the Pittsburgh dance company The Blanket in their presentation of Christopher Williams’ St. Ursula and the 10,000 Virgins and worked on their production of Beth Gill’s Yolk & Grove. He has competed at various different regional and national dance competitions, such as Beyond the Stars, Starpower, Dancer’s Inc, and Headliners, placing in the top overalls for his solos and winning numerous regional title awards. Luke has been teaching dance for the past 8 years and has choreographed top overall pieces for all ages and styles of dance that have won multiple special awards and distinctions at the regional and national level. Luke currently teaches High School mathematics and statistics at Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, PA where he choreographs their Drama Society Musicals, which recently included A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Singin in the Rain, and currently Something Rotten! |
Ballet and Jazz Company
|
Rochelle Sajda
Rochelle Morello Sajda started her dance career at Blue Bell School of Dance at an early age. After her training at BBSD, she went on to receive her BFA in Dance from Shenandoah University and her MFA in Dance Performance and Education from Temple University. Rochelle has been adjunct faculty for Stockton University and Temple University instructing Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Composition and Choreography. She had the opportunity to be a resident guest artist at Stockton University and guest instructor at Rowan University. For several years, she was the Director of a local performance-based community studio. Rochelle has instructed all ages and levels of students in varied dance techniques over the years. A highlight in her choreographic career was the privilege to choreograph and coordinate several Walt Disney World performances for over 65 dance students, most recently in 2015, which was her 7th invitational participation. For many summers she was the Co-Director and Jazz, Modern & Choreography instructor for the Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp in Virginia. As a community outreach program, she was a dance workshop series presenter at Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia and at Jenny E. Smith Elementary School in Newark, Delaware. She was the dance coach for the competitive gymnastics teams from the North Penn Gymnastics Organization. Rochelle has instructed dance for after-school arts enrichment programs at local elementary and preschool programs and also for community dance programs at the YMCA. As a dance educator, she participated in Dance Teacher Conferences in NYC. Many of her students have gone on to perform in professional dance companies, Broadway, theme parks, cruise ships and become dance educators themselves. In addition to Rochelle’s teaching experience she has performed professionally with independent artists in the Philadelphia and New York City areas. She has trained under the direction of Mark Morris, Eva Gholson, Ann Vachon, Helmut Gottschild, Elizabeth Bergmann, Erica Helm, Mary Robare, and Eva Szabo, to name a few. She continued her dance training at the Graham & Cunningham studios, Steps and Broadway Dance Center. She has attended master classes with artists such as Mia Michaels, Christine Dakin, Rene Harris and Kariaum Asante Walsh. During her undergraduate studies, she was the Co-Captain and choreographer of the Shenandoah Sensations, a national competitive dance team. Also during this time, Rochelle performed faculty and student works throughout the DC area and participated as an awarded dancer / choreographer at several Mid-Atlantic ACDFA conferences. Rochelle is honored to have a career that enables her to pass along her passion for the visual art form of dance. She is thrilled to be back teaching with her BBSD family! |