Tony Asaro

Voice

Tony Asaro currently makes his living as a freelance musician and theatre artist in New York City. He guest lectures at NYU in the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program from which he graduated in 2007. He also teaches voice at Front & Center studio in Springfield, NJ, and teaches lyric writing workshops in New York City public schools for 4th and 5th graders through the Johnny Mercer Foundation. Tony is the recent recipient of the Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Award for 2008 for songwriting. Tony received his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University in 1998, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, and in Music. At Santa Clara, Tony studied composition with Lynn Shurtleff. Prior to moving to New York, Tony worked as a professional choral musician in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years. He conducted the Albany Community Chorus, the Ragazzi Boys Chorus Primary Group, and sang first tenor/alto with the San Francisco Choral Artists under the direction of Magen Solomon. Tony taught voice as part of the music faculty at Santa Clara University in the 2004-2005 school year. From 2002-2004, Tony was the Director of the Choral Program at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, CA. As a music director, Tony has worked on many shows with Children's Musical Theatre San Jose, and Milpitas Rainbow Theatre as well as other theatre companies around the Bay Area. Professionally, Tony served as Assistant Music Director for TheatreWorks' production of Pacific Overtures, and as Vocal Director for Santa Clara University's production of Kiss Me Kate in 2004.

Tony's new musical Our Country (with Dan Collins) is receiving its world premiere in June of 2009 through the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Tony's first musical, Family, a collaboration with Dr. Barbara Means Fraser for which he wrote music and co-wrote lyrics, has enjoyed two productions–one at SCU in 1999 and one at the Ryan Repertory Theatre in New York City in 2000. Tony's other musicals include Women of Colors (various collaborators), and Broken (with Kevin Cummines) and Going Nowhere. Tony's songs have been heard in cabarets at Barrington Stages, Goodspeed Opera House, and various venues in New York City and across thecountry. His choral music has been performed by the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims Choir, and most recently, by the Mel-O-Chords.

Laura Byrne

Office Manager

Laura Byrne holds a B.A. in Theatre from Kutztown University and has been involved in all aspects of theatre. While performing in college Laura was nominated four times by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Laura focused on Children's Theatre at Kutztown and toured Pennsylvania with a Children's Theatre Company called Sunshine Players. Through Sunshine Players Laura was able begin a theatre program, and direct productions at both Kutztown Middle and Elementary Schools. Laura has Assisted Stage Managed shows at Front & Center and had the pleasure of Assisting Renee last summer at Summit Playhouse for Kaleidoscope's production of Beauty & the Beast. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Education at Caldwell College. Laura truly feels a part of the Front & Center Family and is excited to watch all of the students here grow and learn.

Rylee Card

Musical Theatre, Voice

Rylee Card is very pleased to be a part of the Front and Center family for the second season. Originally from Pennsylvania, Rylee moved to the New York area to pursue a career in Musical Theatre. Rylee received her B.A. in Music Performance from Ramapo College of NJ and also studied Vocal Music at the School of Creative Arts in Sydney Australia where she received an advanced diploma. Rylee has been teaching Music, Theatre, and Dance to children for the past 4 years and is very pleased to make Front and Center her teaching home. Along with teaching Rylee performs professionally in the New York area. Performance credits include: Brooklyn Girls, A 60's Musical Love Story (Rose), None for the Road Tour (Tonya), Dr. Bob and the Disciples of Groove Tour (Back-up vocalists), Rye Playland (Singer/Dancer), Cabaret ( Kit Kat Dancer)

Matthew Deming

Voice

Matthew Deming (Voice) is a graduate of Boston University's School for the Arts, where he studied vocal performance, piano, and oboe. He has been teaching private voice for over nine years in Boston and New York, and is happy to be joining Front & Center Family! Musical theater credits include: The Visit with Chita Rivera (Signature Theater), A Christmas Carol (Trinity Repertory Company), James Joyce's The Dead (Huntington Theater Company), Floyd Collins (Speakeasy Stage Company), Showboat, Bells Are Ringing, JC Superstar (Allenberry Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (Carousel Dinner Theater), Joseph... (Ogunquit Playhouse). He has music directed and played piano for several productions including: Annie, Grease, Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods, Hello Dolly, and Music Man. Recordings include: Santa Claus is Coming to Town , Allegro. He is a regular singer with the New York Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, Musica Sacra, the Bard Music Festival, the Mostly Mozart Festival.

Jeff Gatti

Tap

Originally from Edmonton, Canada, Jeff Gatti trained extensively in tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet. Jeff has taught, choreographed, adjudicated and performed across North America and Europe. His performance credits range from featured roles with Princess Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises to commercials and industrials. Jeff was a cast member of "A Few Good Men Dancin" at the New Victory Theatre in New York and went on to workshop the show for the US National Tour, as well as being on tour with "Dancing On Common Ground." Now based in New York City, he continues his performing career, as well as teaching and choreographing throughout the United States and Canada at several studios including Broadway Dance Center. He is also on faculty with several national dance conventions and competitions. He was fortunate to have performed with :pushingprogress: a company in their inaugural season in Dublin, Ireland as well as New York City. Jeff is thrilled to be sharing his talents with the students at Front & Center for the first time this year.

Lynne Grossman

Ballet

In addition to teaching ballet, pointe and coaching at Front & Center, Lynne Grossman is on faculty at New Jersey Ballet, Montclair State University's dance department, and since 2005, is a guest artist at the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts in Denville, NJ. She also serves as adviser and guest teacher at Dance Institute in Austin, TX. In 1993 she received the College of Fine Arts Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Grossman studied extensively with Fred Danieli and is a protégé of renowned master ballet teacher Gabriela Darvash. She danced with the Garden State Ballet, Israel Ballet, Austin Ballet Theatre, Sharir Modern Dance Company, and the Texas National Dance Theatre in Austin as co-founder and director of the Dance Theatre Academy. Ms Grossman danced principal roles in classics such as The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Sleeping Beauty, and performed Balanchine works including Serenade, Symphony in C, Concerto Borocco, and Valse Fantasie. She also performed works by choreographers Doug Verone and David Parsons and many original works by contemporary artists. At Radio City Music Hall, Ms Grossman performed in over 300 shows as both a ballet and jazz dancer. She has taught extensively in the NJ area and nationally, including five summers at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, catering to gifted young dancers.

Miss Lynne has had the pleasure to teach and help design and nurture the Ballet/Dance Program at Front & Center since its inception. It has been a rewarding and joyful experience every step of the way. She's our biggest fan!

Chris Hale

Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical

Back at F&C, Chris Hale, currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center NYC, is Associate Director of :pushing progress and Director of the :pushing progress contemporary training program, which launched in the fall of 2009. Through his work with :pushing progress Chris and his partner Calen J. Kurka are at the helm of a revolution in the way we train dancers. Through incorporating anatomy and varied methodologies for sustainability and injury prevention, they hope to bring a sophisticated level of information into the lives of every dancer who has the drive and passion to grow as an artist.

Professional credits include KTU's miracle on 34th Street where he performed with such recording artists as Mary J. Blige, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Jackson. In 2002 he got the pleasure of performing with international singing sensation Anastasia at the FIFA World Cup Final Draw in Busan, Korea. Television credits include HBO's "Sex and the City" playing opposite Kim Catrall. He along with fellow instructor Calen Kurka, released an instructional video for the Live At BDC series entitled, "Floorwork, with Calen Kurka and Chris Hale." In the summer of 2004 he debuted a collection of never before seen works entitled "CollidE (with me) at Brooklyn's Williamsburg Art Nexus "WAX" in three evenings of sold out performances. Since then his work has appeared throughout New York in choreographer's showcases such as "The Turning Point" at NYC's Puffin Room, and "Envision This" by Enfocus Dance.

Most recently his work has appeared in the :pushing progress "Showcase Series" started by Calen J. Kurka as a means to bring a wide range of choreographer's together in the shared vision of creating a memorable dance experience. As a choreographer he will continue to create work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance and hopefully bring it to the mainstream in a way that is accessible to everyone. His more than two years experience with the GYROTONIC® methodology has hugely influenced his teaching and brought a heightened awareness to his own dancing. Chris is very excited to add GYROKINESIS® to his teaching. Chris is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher training program.

Sharon Hockstein

Ballet

Sharon Hockstein is originally from New York. She received her Ballet training at the School of American Ballet, and studied on scholarship at the Joffery Ballet School and with Robert Denvers. She danced many leading roles in the School of American Ballet Workshop performances, such as George Balanchine's Serenade and Concerto Barroco. Sharon danced professionally with The New York City Ballet performing at Lincoln Center, touring the West Coast, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and Jacob's Pillow. She was also a Guest Artist with other choreographers and Ballet companies, performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop in the Nutcracker.

Sharon also choreographs the Musical Theater productions at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. Her work there includes Seussical, On The Town, Kiss Me Kate, Les Mis, Urinetown, Nine, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Sharon truly enjoys passing on her knowledge and love of Ballet to future generations of dancers. She has been teaching for over 15 years and is thrilled to be a part of the Front & Center family.

Calen Kurka

Lyrical Jazz, Stretch Leaps and Turns

Thrilled to be returing to F&C, Calen was raised in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, Calen Kurka started his training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Modern, and Chinese Dance. He then later moved to Edmonton, Alberta, furthering his training competitively. Currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, as an instructor Calen has taught across Canada, the U.S. and Japan, and more recently in Ireland at Dublin's Dance Jam '07. He is currently instructing for Dance Masters of America as one of their Master Faculty, and is also on faculty with Dance Educators of America. His choreography has been recognized as outstanding at many competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has been the recipient of many awards.

In addition to teaching in and around New York he's also assisted choreographer, director, instructor, Michele Assaf. Calen's performing credits include being an original member of the first national tour of Jeff Amsden's widely acclaimed "A Few Good Men Dancin'", and performing with recording artist Carmella in a tribute concert to Cher. He's also worked closely with choreographer/instructor Chris Hale. As a featured performer, Calen's stage credits include having spent a year on contract with Tokyo Disney as a Main Stage performer, and taking on such leading roles as Capt. Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" and Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors" in regional stage productions. In addition he can be seen in "The Live! at Broadway Dance Center" video series "Turns and Turn Combos", dancing with choreographer Danny Herman, and heading his own instructional video "Floor Work with Calen Kurka and Chris Hale": A new addition to the "Live at BDC" collection.

As founder and Artistic Director of :pushing progress a company, Calen hopes to continue his journey as an artist, instructor and choreographer. He wishes to inspire, and be continually inspired by those who so honestly give of their talent and themselves. He continues, with his company, to create work pushing new movement, strong technique, honesty, emotional commitment, and growth. It is an evolutionary journey with no boundaries, no limits, no ends.

Michael Lowney

Voice

Michael Lowney is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and studied voice with Melody Racine. Michael was the 2008 recipient of the Earl V. Moore Award in Musical Theatre. While at Michigan, Michael music directed one of the first high school productions of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL for the Pioneer Theatre Guild and directed OLIVER! for the Burns Park Players in Ann Arbor. Originally from Missoula, Montana, Michael has worked as an accompanist and camp counselor for the Missoula Children's Theatre. As a actor, Michael has performed with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, the MUNY in St. Louis, Music Theatre of Connecticut, and the Gallery Players in Brooklyn. He currently studies acting with Craig Carnelia. Michael is thrilled to be sharing his knowledge and love of the performing arts with the students of Front and Center.

Rahmael Magny

Hip Hop

Rahmael Magny is immensely excited to be returning to the Front & Center family for his 4th season. As a recent graduate of Rider University, Rahmael received his a B.A. in Theatre with minors in Radio & TV, and Dance. During his time at Rider, Rahmael was a dedicated member of the Rider University Dance Team for all four years, becoming male captain his last two. As a member of the Dance Team, Rahmael went on to help them win third place at the Tri-state Area Dance Competition (Feb. 2005) and first place at the Southern Regional Dance Competition (March 2006).Rahmael also trained with the Princeton Ballet School, which is part of the American Repertoire Ballet.

Rahmael's in-college performance credits include Antonio in The Twelfth Night, Joe/Slang Talk Man in Spunk, Judge/Prisoner in Bang Bang, You're Dead, Improv and Sketch Comedy Shows, Dance Concerts, and countless Dance Team performances. His professional credits include NY Mets/New York Water Taxi Commercial, and currently an actor/performer in the Winceyco Entertainment Tours. Rahmael is also a certified Zumba instructor.

Cathy McGregor

Dance Combo, Show Time

Cathy McGregor is thrilled to return to Front & Center, once again working with the younger students. While performing Children's Theatre productions of Sleeping Beauty and I'm the only Me, she discovered the positive effect theatre can have on children and knew that teaching would be an area of great fulfillment. Cathy studied dance, voice, acting and musical theatre at studios including Gus Giordano Dance Center, River North Dance Studio, and Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. A few credits include The King and I, Company, Grease, La Cage Aux Folles, Pippin and The Odd Couple (female version.) She also has appeared in several industrial films. Behind the scenes she has directed, choreographed and produced shows such as Guys and Dolls and Witness for the Prosecution. In addition to her performing arts background, Cathy holds an M.S. in computer aided design from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Page O'Connor

Business Director, Company Manager, Owner

Page is very happy to be involved at Front & Center and has played an active role since its inception 9 years ago. As a parent of a very devoted student at F&C, she was willing to help out in whatever capacity was needed and spent most all of her free time at the studio. As a Director of the studio for over 3 years, things haven't changed all that much!!

Page brings a very unique and valuable skill-set to the studio by combining her extensive business background (which included an 8 year stint on Wall Street at Merrill Lynch) with her ever-expanding knowledge of performing arts. Because Page has been completely immersed in the arts world for over 10 years and understands the creative process, and she also utilizes her strong organizational and interpersonal skills acquired from her business background, Page provides a cohesive crossover and a complimentary balance to help support Front & Center. She would like to be regarded as a (somewhat) level-headed point person in a very artistic environment and not the business buzz-kill!

Because of her own parenting experiences, her love of theatre and children of all ages, Page is an expert in working with the Performing Arts and Dance Companies as Front & Center's Company Manager. Given the popularity and the major growth of the F&C companies, this "go-to" position has been most beneficial to the faculty and staff, as well as the parents and students. Page particularly enjoys her time with all of these students as an advisor and mentor in whatever arena they happen to need at the time. The scope of counsel runs the gamut from helping students chose and prepare audition material, to managing academic/arts schedules, to handling social conflicts, to helping research theatre camps and colleges, to even advising on fashion and make-up tips! Page takes serious pride and joy in her role as "den-mother" as she feels very strongly in F&&C's motto that they are a " home away from home."

Page plays real-life Mother to Kaela, 17, who has motivated her beyond belief and helped her immensely in this exciting new chapter in her life. Billy is her loving husband and best friend of 23+ years. She thanks him for his unending support, sense of humor, and his ability to "roll with it."

Ryan Scott Oliver

Workshop Teacher

Ryan Scott Oliver is a 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient and wrote the music and lyrics for Mrs. Sharp (2008 Richard Rodgers Award Winner, at Playwrights Horizons July 2009 starring Jane Krakowski, dir. by Michael Greif), Darling (Pace New Musicals 2009), the song cycle Out of My Head, Quit India (commissioned by UCLA), and the music for Angus Oblong's The Debbies. A collection of his work, Rated RSO, was recently seen at Joe's Pub, where it will return January 2010 following an engagement at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). His work has also been heard on the hit YouTube TV show The Battery's Down ("This is Your Life" among others) and in showcases presented by Summer Play Festival (SPF), The York Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, William Finn & Barrington Stages, New York Theatre Barn, Monday Nights New Voices, and the Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles.

Currently he is the Executive Director of the Pasadena (PUSD) Musical Theatre Program in California, produces The Spotlight Cabaret in New York City, and is at work developing a commission by Broadway Across America as well as We the People for TheatreWorksUSA, directed by Alex Timbers, which will premiere Off-Broadway in 2010. B.A. Music Composition, UCLA; M.F.A. Musical Theatre Writing, NYU-Tisch, a proud member of A.S.C.A.P. He is currently represented by Jessica Sarbo at The Gersh Agency. Ryan has taught voice and musical directed numerous productions across the country. Last season, Ryan musical directed both Working and Once On This Island here at Front & Center. He is very excited to be sharing his professional knowledge with the students at Front & Center on a weekly basis as a permanent member of the vocal department.

Andrew Palermo

Choreography and Directing

Andrew Palermo is the Artistic Director of dre.dance, an NYC based contemporary dance company that he founded with childhood friend, Taye Diggs, www.dredance.com.

Outside of dre.dance, Andrew's direction and stage choreography credits include performances at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre, Carnegie Hall, The Public Theater, 37 Arts, New York City Festival of Dance, Hudson Theatre, The Old Globe, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Prince Music Theatre, Music Theatre of Wichita, Sacramento Music Circus, Wichita State University and University of Cincinnati-CCM.

Teaching credits include dance and/or acting instruction at University of Cincinnati-CCM, University of Michigan, Pepperdine University, Wichita State University, SUNY Potsdam, Oakland University, Music Theater Italy, Rochester School of the Arts, Broadway Dance Center, The Edge P.A.C., Millennium Dance Complex, Dance New Amsterdam and numerous national conventions, studios and performing arts camps.

Andrew's performing highlights include original Broadway casts of Wicked and Annie Get Your Gun, and the Broadway revival of How to Succeed... He has toured nationally and internationally with West Side Story, and performed Off-Broadway in Michael John La Chiusa's Little Fish. Other performing credits include Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Hollywood Bowl, and numerous regional theatres. Andrew is very excited to join the teaching staff at Front & Center this season.

Renee Palermo

Artistic Director, Owner

Miss Renee comes from a very diverse background that includes being a director, choreographer, teacher, performer, writer, and mom! Renee has been teaching for over 15 years and has been the Artistic Director and owner of Front & Center for Performing Arts in Springfield, NJ for the past 7 years. She teaches all disciplines as well as directs FNC's many productions. Renee's students have been seen on Broadway, in National Tours, and have won numerous awards at Competitions all across the state and Nationally. Renee is extremely proud of the many achievements of the students at the studio. She is thrilled to have everyone at FNC as a second family! As a director and choreographer, her credits include productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, RENT, Beauty and the Beast, Working, Once On This Island, Godspell, CATS, Into the Woods, Seussical, The Pajama Game, and Annie. In the summer, Renee can be seen directing at the Summit Playhouse.

Renee began her ballet training at the Rochester City Ballet in Rochester, NY. She began training in voice and acting at age 10. After graduating from the Rochester School of the Arts, she attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. There she earned a BFA in drama with a minor in Dance Education. She is an Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a long time member of the Actor's Equity Association. She has attended as well as presented at many teacher training programs including Dance Masters of America, Leap 'N Learn Teacher Training, Finis Jhung's Ballet Training, Broadway Dance Center's Teacher Training, Dance Teacher Magazine's Teaching Summit, NYCDA, Rhee Gold's DanceLife Convention, and Broadway Teachers Workshop. A specialist in teaching Musical Theatre for young children, Renee is the author of Leap 'N Learn for Musical Theatre, a young children's curriculum which was recently released to teachers nationwide and in Canada.

In her past life, she was seen on Broadway in The Wizard of Oz, as Rumpleteazer in the National Tour of CATS and at numerous regional theatres including Paper Mill Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, and numerous others professional theatres across the country. Renee has a true passion for sharing her love of musical theatre with children of all ages. At home, she enjoys singing show tunes with her two young children, Celeste and Lucas and her husband, Michael.

Chris Peterson

Acting

Chris Peterson is thrilled to be working with Front and Center for the Performing Arts, Periwinkle Theatre for Youth, and Disney On Broadway. He spent two wonderful seasons as the Director of After-School Programs at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. Prior to the McCarter, he was the Assistant Director of Education at the Periwinkle Theatre for Youth in New York City. Recently, he taught Styles of Acting and Directing I at New York University and Theatre History I and II at Pace University (NYC Campus). As an actor, Chris was a member of the Broadway Company of Les Miserables (Enjolras) for many years. Chris' involvement with Les Mis has taken him all over the world.

Most notably, he was chosen by Cameron Mackintosh to perform the role of Enjolras in the Shanghai premiere starring Colm Wilkinson. Regional credits include numerous shows at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, including the acclaimed production of Pacific Overtures, The Milwaukee Rep, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, and Illinois Shakespeare Festival. A Tulsa, Oklahoma native, Chris graduated from the University of Tulsa and holds his Master's degree from New York University in Educational Theatre. Chris, a member of Actor's Equity Association, is married to actress Catherine Brunell and the father of identical twin sons, Charlie and Gus.

David Spangenthal

Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre

David Spangenthal received his B.A in Musical Theatre from Weber State University in Utah, and moved to NYC two weeks later to pursue his dream of being on Broadway. After a brief Opera gig with Renee Palermo doing a fabulous production of Oklahoma!, David toured the U.S. and Canada in Crazy for You as the matinee Bobby Child. He was in the Broadway and National Touring companies of CATS (Swing), and Beauty and the Beast (Beast/ Gaston u.s.). And spent two years in the ensemble on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Favorite regional productions include Forever Plaid (Jinx), Oklahoma!(Will Parker), Dames at Sea (Dick), and 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor) with the original Peggy Sawyer Wanda Richert.

If you were lucky, you may have noticed David marching amongst hundreds as a Storm Trooper in Springtime for Hitler in the exciting Producers Movie. Or maybe dancing in Rosie O'Donnell's 100th show production number on the Circle Line Boat. Other exciting achievements include directing and choreographing Beauty and the Beast in Honolulu, HI. Cheerleading with the University of Utah Cheerleaders, owning and managing Timothy John's Salon in NYC, and clogging on Hee Haw with the Steele Family Cloggers as the Hee Haw International Clogging Champions. David is also the proud father of Lanah Lorae, who is almost two.

Kathy VanDeerdt

Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre

Kathy VanDereedt grew up dancing in Annapolis, MD at various studios on the Broadneck peninsula. Upon graduation from high school she moved to New York City to further her classical and contemporary training and became a recipient of the IAP Scholarship. She has danced three seasons with :pushing progress a company under the direction of Calen Kurka, and has also had the privilege of working with and performing under Chris Hale, Melissa Wolfe-Rosebro, Maya Escueta and Anna Vollmar. Kathy has just recently finished dancing with Shiroun Dance Company on their west coast tour. As a teacher Kathy has traveled across the country to share her passion at various workshops and studios including Broadway Dance Center, and is currently on faculty with :pushing progress a workshop. Kathy is thrilled to begin working with the students at Front & Center this year.