Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Rylee Locker, also known as Rylee Prodigy, is a dance artist and educator based out of Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2019, receiving her BFA in Dance Education and ended up moving to Philadelphia to further pursue her career in the Ballroom Scene. Now, Rylee is known Internationally for her award winning performances in the Ballroom Scene. She currently serves as the Philadelphia Mother of the Iconic House of Prodigy. Rylee recently received “Mother Of The Year 2023” at the 29th Dorian Corey Awards Ball and holds Fifteen “Of The Year” titles for Women’s Performance. Rylee is also the Founding Mother of the Kiki House of Paragon, founded in 2020. Aside from Voguing at Balls, she also can be seen dancing in All Style Battles. 

As an educator, Rylee centers her pedagogical practices around how community empowers our movement. It is important to her to prioritize the accommodation of students’ needs. She teaches Vogue Femme, Heels Dance, Contemporary, Waacking, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Street Jazz. She travels as a teaching artist around the States and has taught workshops in Berlin and Toronto. Currently, Rylee is a resident teacher at Urban Movement Arts and Koresh School of Dance, both based in Philadelphia. As a Choreographer, Rylee creates Contemporary work that centers fluidity and femininity, which incorporates Contemporary, Vogue, Waacking, and Heels dance. This involves work created for the stage and intimate community settings. Altogether Rylee strives to inspire and empower others through her art and pedagogical practices. 

Follow her @ryleeprodigy to stay updated with her work. 

Janelle Holmes is a professional dancer with a passion for teaching. Janelle is from Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania where she grew up training in numerous styles of dance at Contempro Dance Theatre. During the summers, Janelle studied ballet technique at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the succeeding four years, she earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts from University of Hartford in May of 2020, with a focus in ballet pedagogy. While attending The Hartt School, Janelle performed in several main stage shows, and performed as a guest artist with Ballet Hartford.

Janelle’s time at Hartt afforded her the opportunity to study ballet, contemporary, composition, and classical modern technique, as well as perform works by Martha Graham, José Limón, Paul Taylor, George Balanchine, Michelle Thompson-Ulerich, Lar Lubovitch, Katie Stevinson-Nollet, Ralph Perkins, and Stephen Pier. In addition to her studies at Hartt, Janelle had opportunities to travel study at San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and Henny Jurriëns Studio in Amsterdam for summer programs, where she focused on Gaga and improvisation.

Additionally, Janelle has held various internships focused on teaching dance in the Hartford area. Janelle is involved with artistic outreach programs such as Spectrum in Motion and The Prism Project, practicing movement and music therapy with students with exceptionalities.
Currently, Janelle is dancing professionally with BoSoma Dance Company in Hamilton, Massachusetts, where she just finished up her first season with them. When not in company rehearsals, Janelle is teaching for both the Hartt School Community Division Dance Department and The Hartt School Theatre Division, as well as various other dance studios throughout New England. She is also pursuing her Masters of Business Administration at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. Related to the pursuit of her MBA, Janelle serves as an administrator for her alma mater, The Hartt School Dance Division, where she enjoys honing her business skills.

Skyler Lubin received her early training from The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, during which time she won third place for the Pas de Deux category at the Youth American Grand Prix Competition.

In 2008, Skyler was asked to perform in The Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala. She then continued her training at the Miami City Ballet School.

Skyler also attended summer programs at The School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. From 2010-2014, Skyler danced as a member of the Corps de Ballet with Miami City Ballet under the direction of Edward Villella and Lourdes Lopez. She has performed in featured roles including Flower Festival pas de deux, Swan Lake pas de trois, and Jerome Robbins’s Afternoon of a Faun, and has premiered pieces by Alexei Ratmansky and Liam Scarlett. Skyler joined BalletX in 2015 and has since performed in numerous world premieres.

Antonio Rosario was born in San Francisco De Macoris, Dominican Republic. At the age of 15, he began his dance training at Ballet Hispanico in New York City. In 2010, he received a full scholarship to study at Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet under the direction of Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov. In 2013, he graduated from the Academy and became a founding member of the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, where his repertoire included Pas de Trois from Swan Lake, Peasant Variation from Giselle, Pas d’Esclave from Le Corsaire, Four Boys Dance from Raymonda, Pierrot in Harlequinade, excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty, Prince and Spanish Lead from The Nutcracker, as well as works by Danish choreographer August Bournonville including La Ventana and Napoli. In 2014, Antonio won Second Place in the Flamenco Certamen USA held at Lincoln Center, NYC. In 2015, Antonio danced with Ballet Fantastique as a lead dancer in original work by choreographer Donna Marisa Bontrager. He also performed with the Eugene Symphony at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. From 2016 to 2019, Antonio joined Ballet 5:8 in Chicago as lead dancer. There he danced original works such as Four Season of the Soul, Compass, The Space in Between, 4501, Shades of Refrain, and Scarlet based on the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter. From 2019 to 2022, Antonio’s freelance repertoire included Cavalier and Snow King in The Nutcracker, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, and original work by Ricardo Moyano. He also debuted with the Chicago Sinfonietta alongside Wendy Clinard and Nino de los Reyes. In 2022, Antonio joined First State Ballet Theatre, where his repertoire includes Fairy Doll Pas de Trois, Espada in Don Quixote, Solor in La Bayadère, and the Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, and world premier ballets including Viktor Plotnikov’s Unwound, and (Contra)dance and Sélo by Zachary Kapeluck. This is Antonio’s second season with FSBT.

The Oxford Center for Dance was the launching pad for Miss Julie’s LOVE of dance 40 years ago. She began her training at OCD and has continued to study under numerous professional instructors. Her commitment to Quality Performance continues with 24 years of Nutcracker Performances at Oxford Center for Dance. She serves as Judge, Performer and Choreographer and in 2013 was the Co-Creative Director for Nutcracker. Staying fresh and informed about ballet, teaching techniques and pedagogy is very important. Miss Julie attended the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teachers Intensive in 1995 and 2002 and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Teacher Intensive in 2000 and 2007. Both programs lead intense training for teachers in ballet methods. Her love of teaching is endless and she adores coming to work each day to nurture her beautiful students and watch them progress.

Angela Bates Majewski started dancing at the age of five at the Anna Marie Dance Studio. She has been trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap, and musical theatre. She continued her performing education with The Young Americans in CA while touring with them around the US for 2 years. She has also worked with Ann Reinking and the Broadway Theatre Project in FL. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Music and Mathematics from West Chester University. She has been performing all over the area in many musicals, and has also done some industrial work including performances at Radio City Music Hall. Favorite roles include Judy Turner in A Chorus Line, Lola in Damn Yankees, Babette in Beauty and the Beast, Mazepa in Gypsy, June in Chicago, Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret, DeLee in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Phyllis and Annie in 42nd Street, and many others. She has also had the privilege to choreograph “Damn Yankees”, “The Full Monty”, “Footloose” and “Black Patent Leather Shoes” at the New Candlelight Theatre, “West Side Story” at Three Little Bakers, “The Wiz”, “Seussical”, and “Urinetown” at the Wilmington Drama League, and many other musicals at local high schools. She has been teaching all styles of dance for different levels and ages all over the Delaware Valley for the past 17 years. She has received prestigious awards for her choreography at many national dance competitions. When she is not teaching, choreographing, or performing, she is being a mommy to her two little boys, Charlie and Max & her daughter Claire, and helping her family run the family farm business. The support from her family and husband Mike is like no other. Angela is extremely grateful and blessed.

Alexa Meissner Chambers originally from Media, Pennsylvania began dancing at the age of three. She studied at the Academy of Notre Dame’s performing arts program and continued her training at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she obtained her BFA with honors in Jazz Dance Performance in 2013. Throughout her college dance career, she has been privileged to work with top choreographers such as Roni Koresh, Brian Sanders, Helen Simoneau and Forsythe legend, Douglas Becker. Formerly a dancer under Xhale Dance Company, Alexa performed throughout Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and for Synthesis Dance Project in New York City. Alexa began her professional career in Chicago dancing for Giordano Dance Chicago, working with Chicago’s best-known instructors and choreographers including Nan Giordano and Homer Bryant. In addition, she was on faculty at Joffrey Ballet. After returning to the east coast, Alexa performed with Michael Susten & Company in New York City followed by four seasons with Philadelphia’s Project Moshen, a female Jazz dance company set out to revive the style of Jazz. Her passion to create and teach inspires her to work with dancers throughout the Philadelphia area. Alongside teaching dance, she is also a certified Barre Instructor. She recently returned to her alma mater on faculty, The Academy of Notre Dame in Villanova, PA to expand the Dance Department. When Alexa is not dancing or teaching she proudly holds the title of Mommy to two busy little boys, Jack and Cors, who continue to keep her on her toes!

Paige Leigh DeAngelo is a recent graduate of Drexel University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She spent four years on Drexel's Division 1 dance team and captained the team for two years. Notably, Paige's team secured third place in the D1 Pom division at the 2023 Battle of The Northeast.

Paige is now making her mark as a professional NHL dancer and cheerleader for The Philadelphia Flyers as a rookie member of the Ice Team. Her dance journey includes several unique performances such as backup dancing at a Flo Rida concert in 2021, dancing as a guest to the cast of the reality TV series, “Dance Moms” for a Dancers Care charity benefit, along with years of competitive experience pre-college, where she individually earned four national and six regional titles.

Beginning her studies at Ovations Dance Studio at just 2 years old, Paige has 20 years of training across genres like Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Pointe, Acrobatics, Contortion, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Pom. Paige also excels in teaching and choreography, particularly in Jazz, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Pom. She has choreographed several collegiate level routines, competition group routines, and choreography-award-winning solos.

Natalie began dancing at a young age. While training and dancing with ASH II, directed by Braham Logan Crane, she became versatile in many styles. Natalie has performed on “Good Morning America” for the Oscars After Party, “Knowledge Crossing Borders” in Costa Rica, “Choreographer’s Ball” in New York City, “Come Together” presented by Koresh Dance Company, as well as competing and performing at many other venues in Las Vegas, Florida, Atlantic City, New York, and Pennsylvania. Natalie’s choreography has won many awards and she continues to create and choreograph throughout the region. Most recently Natalie has showcased her choreography at The Fillmore Philadelphia, Theatre of Living Arts, The Trocadero, Revolution Live, American Swiss Ballet Company Studio Showcase, Peridance Capezio Center’s Choreographers’ Showcase, and Koresh Artist Showcase.

Stanley hailing from Chicago, Illinois, holds a BFA from University of the Arts. Stanley performed as a principal dancer on the Las Vegas Strip in Cirque du Soleil’s production of Mystère. Also a 2019 Princess Grace Dance fellowship award recipient. Pointe magazine and Dance Magazine featured Stanley as one of their 2019 “Standout Performances” and “On The Rise”. Stanley was a company member at BalletX for 3 seasons. Stanley can be seen on season 2 of Legendary on HBOMax with the Haus of Tisci. He was a top-20 contestant on FOX’s, So You Think You Can Dance and currently plays recurring co- star Travell on Fox’s The Big Leap. Stanley recently wrapped on Rosalia's Motomami world tour.

In 1974, at the age of 11 Val Gontcharov successfully competed against 40 other applicants for the one opening in the Kieu Ballet School. After graduation in 1982, five different companies offered him positions, but he chose the Donetsk Ballet to be closer to his parents' home. As a principal dancer with the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre from 1982-1992, Valery toured the United States four times, danced at the Nervi International Ballet Festival in Genoa, Italy and completed numerous tours of Europe. He was also the Medal of Honor winner at the Ukrainian International Ballet Competition. From 1992 to 1999 he became a principal dancer with the Ballet Theater of Pennsylvania and later with the Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware.

Tanina Urbanski’s dance training began at Chester Valley Dance Academy in Exton, PA. There, she was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and pointe work. She is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she received a BA in Dance and Media and Society with a minor in Computer Science. During her time at the Colleges, she was a Janet Seeley Arts Scholar and a recipient of the Jean W. Reeves Arts Scholarship and performed at the American College Dance Festival. She was a member and Co-President of the Koshare Dance Collective, performing, choreographing, and producing the annual concert each year. Through Koshare, she pioneered the Day of Dance Workshop for high school and middle school students in the Geneva, NY area to visit campus and experience a convention-like environment with various genres of dance taught by college dancers.

As a dance educator and choreographer, her work has received awards at dance competitions and international dance festivals. In addition, she has directed dance programs at various high schools in the Philadelphia area, most notably spearheading the advanced Dance Company at Villa Maria Academy.

She is currently pursuing her technology career in Massachusetts and is teaching dance at Joanne Langione Dance Center in Newton, MA. Miss Tanina stays connected to the CVDA family through managing the studio website and social media platforms and photographing shows throughout the year.

Dr. Allison Cardamone is an alumnus of Chester Valley Dance Academy. Following graduation, she attended Drexel University where her dance education continued as she was a part of the Drexel Dance Ensemble performing in contemporary, jazz, and ballet. Allison also was a part of the Division I Varsity Dance Team while at Drexel, performing at basketball games and campus events. Following undergrad, Allison attended Temple University to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. While studying PT, she was a member of the Jim Bunting Dance company regularly performing jazz and contemporary across the Philadelphia area. While teaching Allison likes to integrate the concepts learned in PT to improve technique, strength, flexibility, and load management to minimize injury.

Kimberly Martin grew up in Tampa, FL and studied ballet at a young age with the Classical Ballet Center under the direction of Haydee Gutierrez.  She was invited to be an apprentice with the Tampa Ballet Company while still in high school. As a teenager, she was awarded scholarships and studied with the San Francisco Ballet School and the Chicago City Ballet School. Ms. Martin is a graduate of Wake Forest University and danced professionally for many years upon graduation.  She has worked with many well-known choreographers and had the opportunity to participate in many national and international dance festivals.  She realized her passion for teaching early and since moving to Wilmington, DE,  Ms. Martin has become a resident faculty member and guest teacher for many dance studios in the tri-state area. She helped design and launch an outreach program which brought dance, music and theater to over 1,200 inner city children at the Grand Opera House.  She has over 20 years of teaching experience.  She most recently was selected to attend the Royal Ballet's Teaching Seminar.  Many of her students are accepted each year to prestigious university and summer dance programs.

Annie McGillian has been teaching modern dance for the last 14 years. She has been teaching at Chester Valley Dance academy for 9 of those years. Annie graduated from Kutztown University in 2001 where she earned her B.F.A in Related Arts/ Dance. Since graduating she has taught dance in various dance studios both in Lancaster PA and Chester County as well as performed with and choreographed for Grant St. Dance Company. Annie is also a certified yoga teacher. She received her yoga certification from Yoga Life Institute in Devon Pa. Currently she is in year 2 of training to become a yoga therapist.

Mrs. Cathy Moran has been the Owner/Director of the Chester Valley Dance Academy, LLC for the past thirty years.  Mrs. Moran has had the opportunity to enrich so many lives and is proud when alumni express to her that, because of their dance training, they were able to have the self-confidence, poise and discipline they needed to be successful in their career.

While starting her business in 1989, she continued her dance training, had a professional career performing locally and attended classes  sponsored by the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society for dance teachers at Bryn Mawr College. As C.V.D.A. grew Mrs. Moran chose a diverse faculty to make her school well rounded.  With emphasis on ballet training, Mrs. Moran developed a program which incorporates the artistry of many other styles of dance. The Academy offers master classes and workshops with experienced professionals from such places as:  BalletX, Joffrey, Broadway Dance Center, Young Americans, PA Ballet to name a few.

Many of the Alumni from CVDA have gone on to pursue a careers in dance, open their own dance schools or are the directors of a dance program within their area school districts.  CVDA graduates have also attained jobs with Disney World CA & Japan, Disney Cruise Line, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Young Americans, and various summer stock throughout the country.

As director and owner of CVDA  Miss Cathy always loves to hear and learn what the students have gone on to do both in the dance world and professional world.  Her goal is to make Chester Valley Dance Academy, LLC a true second home to all.

Roderick Phifer is a Charlotte NC native whose artistic passion is realized through choreography, dance education and performance. His experience ranges from commercial and concert dance training, which heavily influences his personal style in movement. He received early training from the North Carolina Dance Theatre under the direction of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia Mcbride, Dance Productions under the direction of Lori Oxendine, and mentorship of the late Denise Britz-Clark. As a young queer artist, expanding and exploring the language of dance outside of his home was always a major priority, which led to him training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He continued his education and earned his BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Shortly after, he transitioned and joined Philadelphia's contemporary company BalletX as a company artist for 5 seasons. 

During the pandemic, he shifted roles by joining Philadelphia’s Chocolate Ballerina Company as their rehearsal director, where he was also a part of creating and choreographing for Philadelphia's first all black cast of the Nutcracker. Roderick is currently a freelance company artist with  BIGKIDS dance, founded by Mark Caserta(2020), company artist and rehearsal director with Waheed Works, founded by Tommie Waheed Evans(2021). Dance Educator at The Rock School West for Dance Education, and Company Assistant Director at Touch of Class Dance Studio(2023).  He has most recently joined as a faculty member with the National Heat Dance Convention in (2023). 

Roderick has earned the opportunity to teach and perform on an international level, while also pouring his knowledge and passion back into the new generation of rising dance artists.