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Bethany Medeiros (Faculty/Artistic Director Warren and Tiverton) has been dancing at Rosemary’
s since the age of two and has been teaching for the past twelve years. In the past, Bethany has
been an instructor for Chance To Dance, The Studio 34 Dance Company of Providence,
Renaissance Gymnastics Academy in East Providence, St. Luke’s School in Barrington, St. Mary
Academy Bay View in East Providence, Barrington Middle School, Kickemuit Middle School, The
Bristol Community Center and a summer guest instructor at Steppin’ Out in Portsmouth. Bethany
has been the director of RSDE for the past six years and is co-owner/director of our Tiverton
location. Bethany received a B.S. in Business Management from Roger Williams University where
she also completed a Core Concentration in Dance Performance. Bethany is a member of Dance
Teachers Club of Boston (DTCB), Dance Alliance of Rhode Island (DARI), Sigma Beta Delta
Honor Society for Business and Administration, National Dance Education Organization (NDEO),
The National Honor Society for Dance Arts and was nominated as a National Collegiate Business
Award Winner and was published in the USAA National Collegiate Awards Yearbook 2004. She
is a 2004 graduate of the Boston Dance Teacher Training Program. Bethany was tested and is
certified to teach by the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and the American Society. Bethany was
on the judging staff for the American Invitational Dance Competition and for the Talent America
Talent of the Year Awards.
Samantha Medeiros (Faculty/Artistic Director Warren) is a graduate of Roger Williams University
and holds a degree in Secondary Education and History. Samantha has been dancing at Rosemary’
s since the age of two and has been teaching for the past ten years. Samantha is a member of
Dance Teachers Club of Boston (DTCB), Dance Alliance of Rhode Island (DARI), National
Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and is a graduate of the Boston Dance Teacher Training
Program. She has been tested and is certified to teach by the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and
the American Society. In the past, she has instructed dance classes at the Newman YMCA and for
‘Chance to Dance’ at Hampden Meadows Elementary School in Barrington and Guiteras
Elementary School in Bristol. Samantha has received numerous awards at both the regional and
national levels and continues to teach and choreograph for the RSDE Dance Company. Currently,
Samantha is a History teacher at Lincoln Middle School. She is co-director of the Warren Studio
and also teaches dance classes at the Corliss Center in Warren.
Alissa Surkont (Faculty/Artistic Director Tiverton) has been dancing since the age of two and at
Rosemary's since the age of eight. She has been teaching at the studio for the past twelve years.
Alissa graduated from CCRI in 2002 with an associate’s degree in Fine Arts. She is also a 2004
graduate of Dance Teachers Club of Boston Dance Education Training Course. In 1999, Alissa
toured with Dance Olympus as a VIP Dancer. She was the recipient of the Fitness Award at the
1999 Junior Miss Scholarship Program. In 2002 she was nominated for the Irene Ryan Award and
was the recipient of the Theatre Award for the CCRI graduating class of 2002.Alissa has been a
dance instructor at numerous places including Renaissance gymnastics, Bay-View Academy, The
Bristol Community Center, St. Margaret's School and Sherwood Ultra Sport to name a few. She
has choreographed for the Junior Miss Pageant of RI, the Bishop Hendricken High School
Cheerleaders, and the North End 49rs cheerleaders. Alissa also teaches for Chance To Dance of
RI. Alissa is a member of The Dance Alliance of RI (DARI) and National Dance Education
Organization (NDEO). She is the co-director/owner of our Tiverton location.
Jamie Laramee Shurtleff (Office Manager/Faculty) found her love of dancing as a child and hasn’
t stopped since. During high school Jamie danced in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom as part
of the Disney Magic Music Days Program. In 1997 Jamie received an Associates’ Degree in
Dance from Dean College where she studied various dance forms. Jamie received many honors at
Dean including a dance scholarship and acceptance to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
Summer Intensive Program in New York. While in college Jamie also performed in the Dean
Musical Theatre Ensemble and played the part of a “Showgirl” in the musical Gypsy. Subsequent
to graduating from college, Jamie completed an Internship at the Walt Disney World Resort in
Florida which incorporated a seminar in Disney Entertainment. Jamie has had the opportunity to
take classes from choreographers such as Denise Jefferson, Andy Blakenbuehler and Maurice
Hines. In June 2006 Jamie was a dance instructor at the World Scholar Athlete Games at the
University of Rhode Island. Jamie is a member of the Professional Dance Teachers Association and
the Boston Dance Alliance. Jamie was happy to choreograph for RSDEs Disney Magic Music
Days performance in 2008. This is Jamie’s eighth year on staff at RSDE.
Meredith Baer (Faculty) grew up outside of Minneapolis, MN where she began studying Jazz,
Tap and Ballet at the age of three. At age thirteen she continued her education at Ballet arts
Minnesota under the direction of Bonnie Mathis (Boston Ballet II) and Lorena Branitski (Kirov and
Bolshoi Ballet). Miss Baer attended the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program 1996-1998.
Meredith attended Hampshire College in Amherst, MA where she majored in child psychology with
a focus on Movement Therapy. Her involvement with the Five College Dance Department allowed
her to work on her own choreography and pedagogy for teaching dance. In 2002 Meredith
pursued a professional dance career with Festival Ballet in Atlanta, GA. In the fall of 2003
Meredith joined Island Moving Company in Newport, RI under the direction of Miki Ohlsen.
Since moving to RI, Miss Baer has performed as a guest artist for Spindle City Ballet (Fall River)
and Ballet Rox (Boston). As well as being a performer Meredith has been on the faculty at
Newport Academy of Ballet for the past six years. This is Meredith's fifth year on the faculty at
Rosemary's.
Brianna Carter (Faculty) is a well known singer, dancer and choreographer residing in Newport,
Rhode Island. Brianna is a self-taught hip hop dancer who didn’t start taking dance classes until the
age of 14 with hip hop dance troupe Off the Curb of Newport, R.I. Throughout her years of
dancing with Off the Curb, Brianna had the opportunity to travel and perform locally, spreading the
message of no drugs, no violence to youth of all ages. As an instructor, she helped inspire the
students in the community schools to make positive choices and encourage them to continue
dancing. Some of Brianna’s performances include opening shows for artists Lisa Lisa, Cameo,
Stevie B. and the Sugar Hill Gang as well as Crazy Legs for the 27th Anniversary of the Rock
Steady Crew. Brianna has had the experience of instructing all levels and ages, starting from age 3
to adults. She has taught at several community schools and dance studios as well as Salve Regina
University, where she earned the position as junior captain of the dance team, consisting of over
100 members. For the past year, she has been choreographing and teaching hip hop dance at the
Defying Gravity School of Dance in Cranston, RI. Leadership and inspiration are Brianna’s
continued goals for the youth in her community as well as anyone else she can affect through the
power of dance. She has learned that positive influence can leave a great and lasting impression on
children and young adults and it is her mission to continue to help lead them in a positive direction.
This is her first year on the faculty at RSDE.
Ashley Eisenhauer (Faculty) has been trained at the Boston Ballet, Patti Eisenhauer Dance
Center, Loyoloa Marymount University and The Gold School. She has received numerous titles
and high scores both regionally and nationally and has been choreographing and instructing dance
for the past 10 years. In 2006 Ashley received the ‘Young Choreographer of the Year’ at the
North American Dance Championships. She is best known for her original contemporary style.
She currently instructs dance classes at RSDE and the Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center in addition to
being a dancer for the Boston Celtics. This is Ashley’s first year on the faculty at Rosemary’s.
Jessica Coelho Fontaine (Faculty) has been dancing at Rosemary’s since the age of two and has
been an instructor at the studio since 1998. She is a 2005 graduate of the Dance Teacher’s Club
of Boston’s Dance Education Training Course. Jessica has coached Competitive Cheerleading at
St. Mary Academy Bay View and was an instructor at Renaissance Gymnastics Academy. Jessica
has also taught Dance/Music enrichment classes at St Luke’s School, Barrington Middle School
and Nayatt Elementary School. Currently, Jessica is also a dance instructor at Studio 131 in East
Providence and is employed at RI Hospital.
Kimberly Johnson (Faculty) has been dancing at Rosemary's since the age of five and has been an
instructor for the past seven years. Kim is a 2008 graduate of Rhode Island College with a BA in
Dance Performance. In 2004 she graduated from the Boston Dance Teachers Training Program.
Kim was a recipient of the RIC dance performance Special Talent Scholarship and a 2004 recipient
of the Rosemary H. Medeiros Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Throughout her four years at
RIC, Kim was a member of the Dance Company where she worked with many professional
choreographers and attended the American College Dance Festival in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Kim
attended and received a scholarship to study at the Bates College Dance Festival in 2008 and in
2009 she participated in Frazier Festival: In Through With Around. This past spring Kim
performed in the Rhode Island College Faculty/Alumni show with choreographer and RIC faculty
member Olase Freeman. Kim is most recently dancing professionally with Lostwax, a multimedia
dance theater company, located in Providence.
Britney Lecomte (Faculty) has been dancing since the age of three. She began her training at The
Dance Center in Fall River, MA under the instruction of Claudia Creason and Cynthia Walbarsh.
She continued her classical ballet training throughout New England with numerous instructors and
studios: The Ballet Center, Festival Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Walnut Hill School of the Arts,
American Ballet Theatre, and American Academy of Dance. Britney also attended Rhode Island
College with a major in dance performance. She performed with the RIC Dance Company and
Touring Company for two years. She has danced professionally with The State Ballet of RI under
the direction of Herci Marsden and Spindle City Ballet under the direction of Lisa Bibeau. This is
Britney’s second year on the faculty at Rosemary’s.
Akeia Neves (Faculty) has been dancing and teaching for over 14 years. Akeia started dancing
with "Off the Curb" in 1993. OTC was a RI based hip hop dance troupe that used performing as a
way to get kids off the streets and away from drugs and violence. Akeia has studied under the best
hip hop teachers in the world. Akeia has backed up danced and/or opened up concerts for Britney
Spears, Busta Rhymes, 50 cent, Stevie B, Sugarhill Gang, Outkast, and Missy Elliott to name a
few. Akeia has performed in Italy, Portugal, Canada, and across America. Akeia was a featured
dancer in the documentary "In the heart of Hip Hop" and has also done voice over work for MTV.
Akeia is happy to be a part of the RSDE for the first time!
Amanda Pion (Faculty) is a graduate of Dean College with a major in Arts & Entertainment
Management with a Core Concentration in Dance Performance. She has been dancing at
Rosemary’s since the age of three and has been teaching at the studio for the past four years.
Amanda graduated from the Dance Teachers Club of Boston Teacher Training Program in August
2005 and is a 2006 recipient of the Rosemary H. Medeiros Scholarship for the Performing Arts.
Amanda had the opportunity to perform with RSDE in their Magic Music Days Performance in
Disney. During high school Amanda was the Captain of the dance team and selected to tour the
country with Dance Olympus as a VIP. At Dean College, Amanda has participated in numerous
dance performances, is part of the National Honor Society; Phi Theta Kappa, has been on the
Dean’s List for the past 6 semesters, and was the recipient of the Presidential Award 2008.
Amanda has studied with professionals such as Avi Miller & Ofer Ben: the Isreali Hoofers;
Christine Bennett, Jill Silverman, Kelly Peters, and Nailah Randall-Bellinger. Most recently
Amanda was the 2009 recipient of the Jean Guthrie Knowles Award at Dean College.
Curtis Robinson (Faculty) has been dancing and teaching hip hop classes throughout New
England. Curtis has studied various styles of hip hop under some of today’s most influential
choreographers including Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake), Rhaspody (Pussy Cat Dolls and
Cassie), Dave Scott (You Got Served and Stomp the Yard). He has been a dancer for Makio
from Making the Band 4. He currently performs with the Movement Specialists (Westport, Ma).
Curtis has performed at various night clubs, performances and benefits throughout the area as well
as a performance for Cassie. Curtis teaches hip hop classes throughout the area in addition to
teaching at RSDE. This is Curtis’ third year on the faculty at Rosemary’s.
Dante Sciarra (Faculty) is an exciting performer, choreographer and dance instructor. He has
performed on Broadway in Chicago starring Jennifer Holliday. Throughout the U.S. and Europe he
has been with several National Tours of Chicago with stars such as Sandy Duncan and Patti
Labelle, Sunset Boulevard with Petula Clark and Hello Dolly with Michele Lee. Dante has
performed at such prestigious regional theatres such as, Goodspeed opera House, Paper Mill
Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO and Kansas City
Starlight as well as in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Fabulous Fox in Detroit, MI.
He appeared in many shows at Theatre-By-The Sea in Matunuck, RI. Jim Seavor of the
Providence Journal said the following when Dante appeared in TBTS’s production of Oklahoma,
“Jasmine Kirby and Dante Sciarra make a top-flight Dream Laurey and Dream Curly.” He has
served as the Dance Captain and Fight Captain for several regional productions at the
aforementioned theatres as well as being the Assistant Choreographer for Walnut Street Theatre’s
production of Rags. Dante also headed the jazz portion of Stephens College Summer Dance
Intensive in the summer of 2007. Dante is also ECITS/ECA World Fitness certified as a Personal
Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. His television and film credits include, Outside Providence
with Alec Baldwin, The Soprano’s and America’s Millennium with choreography by Rob Marshall
for the Discovery Channel. Currently, Dante is teaching at the University of RI, Brown University
and Providence College. He is choreographing “Pippin” (Brown), “Rocky Horror Picture Show”
(URI) and “Gypsy” (PC) for the 2010/11 season. This is Dante’s second year on the faculty at
Rosemary’s.
Stephanie Silva (Faculty) has been dancing at Rosemary’s since the age of two and competitively
since the age of seven. This is her first year on the faculty. Stephanie has had the opportunity to
perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York with the Mike Miller and Associates
Company during the Winter of 2006. In the Summer of 2008, she performed with RSDE in Walt
Disney’s Magic Music Days along with being selected to tour the country as a VIP dancer with
Dance Olympus/Dance America. In addition, Stephanie was captain of the Mt. Hope High School
Dance Squad for one year allowing her to travel and perform with the band to Florida, Washington
D.C, and Boston. Stephanie is a 2009 graduate of the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston Dance
Education Training Course. She currently attends Johnson & Wales University as a Baking and
Pastry Arts Major.
Amanda Walmsley (Faculty) is a senior at Dean College majoring in Dance with a minor in
Business. She has been dancing at Rosemary’s since the age of three, and is recipient of the
Rosemary H. Medeiros Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Amanda had the opportunity to
perform with the RSDE Dance Company at Walt Disney’s Magical Music Days during the summer
of 2008. Amanda graduated from Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston and St. Mary’s Academy Bay
View in 2007. She performed in Bay View’s Manhattan at the Bay, "Cabaret," for four years.
Amanda is currently on the Cat Country 98.1 Elite Dance Troupe and has recently performed at
concerts for Jason Alden, Dean Brody, Jimmy Wayne and Joe Nichols. She is also featured in
Steve Azar’s music video “Moo La Moo” which is played on the CMT Country Television Station.
Amanda has most recently studied with Jill Silverman, Kelly Peters, Nailah Randall-Bellinger, and
Brian Steele.
