Dance Innovations, Inc. Faculty and Staff
Susan McCutcheon Coutts, Studio Director/Artistic Coordinator
BA in Dance and Movement Therapy from University of Maryland, Post-Graduate Certification as Dance Therapist from U of MD; Pennsylvania Ballet Co.; Scholarship studies in NYC; Choreography awards throughout the east coast; DEA “Teacher of the Year for Ballet Excellence”, teacher of Master Classes in NYC and Florida. Extensive performing experience for both Sea World/Orlando, and Universal Studios. Fourteen years of Performing Experience for Walt Disney World ‘s Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Choreographer for Disney’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Video consultant for Walt Disney World. Outstanding Performer’s (Choreographer) Of The Year Award from Sea World, Orlando. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) selected Susan for Sponsorship for a Youth Performing Company, Dance Innovations Performance Co., for a repeat engagement with 6 Performances in May 2005 for NJPAC “Dance Jam”. Chosen to choreograph a piece for Millennium Film “Morris 2000” aired on both NJ Network and Nationally. Dance representative for the Arts Council of the Morris Area and NJ State scholarship Committee. Dance Chairman and respected member of The National Society of Arts and letters. Arts Council of the Morris Area 2001 Joyce Talbot Outstanding Arts Educator Award. Local delegate for International Children’s Day. Internship supervisor for Master program at Drew University. National recognition on outstanding teaching methods Dance Teacher Magazine 2004. Director of Arts In Education performances for The Dance Innovations Performance Company for both the Morris Arts Council and Project Impact. Choreographer for the Independent Production of “Dobdinob” a story for children of all ages, which premiered in March 2005. Chosen as the Overall Best Choreographer by Cathy Roe Productions, and was commissioned by Cathy Roe to oversee and star in a teaching video for distribution in both the USA and Europe filmed in summer, 2004. Respected member of Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey.
Zakiya Atkinson
BA from Temple University Communications/ Theatre. Currently attending New York University graduate program in Dance education Former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader. Dance Ensemble Rejuvenation. Performing Arts choreographer/instructor for school district of Philadelphia and NYC.
Nicole Betz
BS in Education from University of Delaware (Cum Laude). Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate. University of Delaware Dance Team (National Champions). Teacher at Greenbrook Middle School.
Sarah Carothers
BA in Dance (Magna Cum Laude) from Point Park College. Performed and choreographed with Allian productions, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Make A Wish Foundation and Aids benefit, Pittsburgh PA.
Bridgit Cusato
BA from Drew University. Currently pursuing law degree from New York Law School. Choreographed for Drew University Dance and Theatre programs. Teacher at Dr. William H. Horton schools Newark, NJ, where she initiated a dance program. Attended International seminar in Spain. Member of the Honor Society.
Tracy Dante
Graduate of Stafford Hall School of Business Training coordinator and conference planner assistant – CIBA Geigy. Dedicated mother of three to Dance Innovation dancers. Boutique personnel. Scholarship Liaison Dance Innovation Performance Foundation.
Emily Eger Donahue
BA in Dance from Muhlenberg College (Cum Laude). Master from New York University in Dance education. Internship with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. Recipient of Muhlenberg College’s Dorothy and Dexter Baker Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts.
Linda Frasciello
BA in dance from Stockton State College; Performed and choreographed for CCM Dance Theatre group; Stockton Dance company; Office manager/ Boutique personnel.
Patricia Foote
Certified fitness instructor with Aerobic pipeline for almost 20 years. Fourteen years of corporate experience with Spraying Systems Company. Office/receptionist personnel.
Loretta Gassert
BA in Psychology. Former nursery school teacher. Retail and management experience. Office/receptionist personnel.
Connie Jessie
BA Rutgers University .Horizon Dance Company. Performer for numerous charity benefits and at the Harvest Moon Ball at Madison Square Garden. Workshop studies with NYC teachers.
Heather Johdos
BFA University of Hartford. Credits include People Ballet School (Berezinski, Russia) Jacobs Pillow Full Force Dance Theater, Mojalet Dance Collective, National Society Arts and Letters Modern Dance recipient (Washington, DC). Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education performer. Boutique personnel
Courtney Manze
BA in Fashion Design with a minor in dance from Radford University. Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate. Designer for Eva Blu Fashions. Dance Innovations Performance Company Dancer.
Dina Macaione Latoff
BA in Arts Administration and Dance from Goucher College. Performed and taught with Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Goucher College and throughout the East Coast. Scholarship Studies with Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. Attended Jacobs Pillow. Arts in Education performer.
Becky Meyer
Master degree in Audiology from University of Michigan. Practicing audiologist. Performances in Michigan for several local companies including Dance Detroit. Dance Innovation Performance Foundation Dancer. Arts in Education performer.
Gina Misko
Trained with Joffrey Ballet (NYC) and Princeton Ballet. Performed at Childwatch Benefit with O –Town, mainstage dancer at Pepsi 400 Daytona speedway and Predators Dance Team Orlando, Florida.
Kelly Mott-Sacks
Former member of Kean Dance theatre, William Chaison Modern Dance Theatre, and charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. Choreographer for Summit High School; “State Fair”, “Footloose”, and “42nd Street”.
Casey Quinlan
Has taught Dance and gymnastic throughout the Morris county area. Appeared in various Nutcracker performances with Performing Arts of NJ Company. Arts in Education performer.
Barbara Russo
BA in Dance and Psychology from Washington University, St Louis, Missouri. Sole recipient of the Ian D.W. Kramer Award for excellence in Dance. Governor School of the Arts 2000 Scholarship recipient Performed with Alvin Ailey School, The Taylor school, STEPS on Broadway, Parsons Summer Program, The Slaughter Project, Dance St. Louis’ Contemporary Moves, and Wylliams/ Henry Danse Theatre. Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate
Stacey Ryan
BA from College of New Jersey. JD from Seton Hall University School of Law. Studied tap for over twenty years from master tap teachers such as Brenda Buffalino, Debra Mitchell, Jason Samuels, and Ted Levy.
Pamela Sacco
Associate degree from Somerset College. Graduate of the Taylor Business Institute in interior design and decorating. Dedicated mother of 3 and Dance Innovation Dancer.
Elizabeth Salvas
Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate. B.S. in Public Relations, Magna Cum Laude, Ithaca College. Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer.
Pamela H. Sandler
BA and Bachelors in Administration from Bernard Baruch College of NYC. Over 20 years experience in theater has taught, performed, choreographed, and directed numerous shows throughout the East Coast. Arts in Education Program. Office personnel/studio photographer.
Erika Sullivan
Dance Innovations Performance Company graduate. Graduate from Drew University with high honors in Behavioral Science and Business Management. Performer with American Repertory Ballet, Oriental Ballet Performance and other NYC companies. Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education performer.
Jennifer Tondo
BA in dance from Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, Center Valley, PA; Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, PA; sole recipient of graduate award in dance, 1994; Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education Performer. Office personnel.
Danielle Weslock
Choreographer and performer with the Sacred Heart University Dance Team (7th in the Nation for National Dance Alliance) Performances include Hello Dolly, Wizard of Oz, Once upon A Mattress & Music Man as well as a variety of roles in Nutcracker Ballet.
Jennifer Wnuk Thompson
BS from Indiana University- Ballet major. Currently attending Centenary college for Master in instructional leadership. Studied with Violet Verde. New Jersey Ballet Company- Roles included Clara, Waltz of the Flowers, Snowflake. Performances at Papermill Playhouse.
Joanne Zullig
BFA in dance from Univ. of Mass. Masters in movement therapy UCLA. Performed/ toured on national musical tours, summer stock. Jeanette Neil’s Jazz Co. (Boston) and Redwood Empire Ballet. Dance Innovations Performance Foundation dancer. Arts in Education performer.
STUDENT TEACHERS-BOUTIQUE EMPLOYEES
Alexandra Crnoevich, Mary Gulino, Julia Herman, Lauren Martino, Megan Meyer, Gina Mogavero, Kristen Sandler, Remy Starker, Ariana Wolk.
