Dancers will grow artistically at CVDA with the help of our expert faculty. Our teachers provide special care to our families by giving them the finest instruction available. Class instructors provide close attention to dancers in each class and build an environment full of excitement and passion for dance.
Cathy Moran, Director
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.
Rachel Beiswenger
Rachel Beiswenger started her dance training at the age of four under the direction of Cathy Moran. She continued her dance training at Towson University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. While studying at Towson she had the opportunity to work with Juan Carlos Blanco, Carlos Danaan, Stephanie Powell, Vincent Thomas, Dion Wilson and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, former principal dancer of Alvin Ailey. Upon graduation she followed her passion of theatre to NYC and began to perform regionally. Some regional theatre credits include: Media Theatre, New Candlelight Theatre, Gretna Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Riverside Theatre, the Walnut Theatre and West Chester Broadway. When not performing, Rachel enjoys teaching dance and has over ten years of experience teaching various styles of dance to students of all ages.
Allison Cardamone
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.
Rachel Carroll
Rachel Carrol began her ballet training at the Dance Center in West Chester, under the direction of Donna Muzio and Richard Hoskinson. While there she performed with The Brandywine Ballet Company and was selected to attend the Governor’s School for the Arts. She continued her career as a soloist with The Harrisburg Ballet where she performed in such works as “Firebird,” “Coppelia,” “Symphony in Three Movements,” “Swan Lake” and, of course, “The Nutcracker.” She earned her B.A. in Integrative Arts from Penn State and has been teaching ballet for the past 10 years. Rachel lives in Downingtown with her husband and three children.
Angie Cibelli
Angie Cibelli with the L.A. Dance Theatre, Inc. where she was a featured soloist both competitively and in theatrical productions. While competing as a soloist with the L.A. Dance Theatre, she won multiple talent titles. Angie continued dancing and exploring as a choreographer at West Chester University. At this time she also performed for "Under the Sun Productions" making appearances in the Sunoco Welcome America Parade, Fairmont Waterworks Gala, and Good Morning America. Angie has since continued teaching dance in area schools Phoenixville H.S., Owen J. Roberts H.S., Springton Dance Academy, St. Maximillan Kolbe, Dance Arts Conservatory, West Chester University, P.S.B.A., Kimberton Dance Academy and Chester Valley Dance Academy. For the past ten years, she has worked at Wayne Ballet and Center for Dance Arts as assistant director, choreographer, faculty member, and featured performer. Angie has been a soloist in ballet productions such as “The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Snow White,” as well as a range of other contemporary ballet pieces. Her dance education also includes classes at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and a certification in the Vaganova method of pedagogy from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. Angie is married and has two young daughters with whom she devotes her free time.
Ann Fonash
Ann Fonash has been a dance educator throughout the Chester, Delaware and Berks County areas since 1993. She has had extensive training in jazz, modern, ballet, tap, and hip hop; having studied at prestigious schools such as the University of Performing Arts, Kutztown University, and University of Southern Florida. Miss Ann has danced professionally in Philadelphia's Fourth of July Parade (televised), Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade (televised) and with the critically acclaimed "ContempraDance Theatre". Along with teaching at Chester Valley Dance Academy, Miss Ann is currently the director of Petite Performers Dance Program at La Petite Academy (Lionville) where she teaches dance to children of all ages and abilities.
Corinne Karon
Corinne Karon a professional tap dancer and dance teacher, graduated from the University of the Arts in 1996. Since then she has danced on every continent in the world, including Antarctica. Corinne is celebrating her 27th year with Tap Team Two, of which she is the Executive Director, and her 12th year as “Founder and Artistic Director” of Uniting Colleges Through Tap. Corinne won a “Rocky” award in 2010 for her work with Men On Tap, received the “University of the Arts Faculty Enrichment Grant” in 2011 and for a new project in 2015, where Corinne embarked on a 2 week tap residency in Taiwan with her dance partner, Robert F. Burden Jr. to help pass on the traditions of Tap Master LaVaughn Robinson, she spent a three year term (2010 – 2013) on the Advisory Committee for the Dance USA – Philadelphia branch, and is part of an assembly program, with Tap Team Two, that was selected and honored as the #1 “Artist of the Year” from the National Trusties of Young Audience during the 2000-2001 school year. For the past ten years Corinne has been able to perform with and learn from Germaine Ingram, especially as part of the “Philadelphia Learning Community” where there was a focus on using movement to convey history and social issues. After engaging in this process, Corinne began a series of open discussions called “Philly Needs To Talk Tap!” These discussions are based on tap dancing's place in Philadelphia's history. In February 2016, Corinne traveled to Brazil with 18 students and performed in Sao Paulo's "Carnival," in an effort to continue a long term collaboration with Christiane Matallo. That collaboration continued in the Fall of 2017 when Corinne, Christiane and Dr. Leslie Elkins co-produced the Rowan University's “Main Stage Winter Production” called “House of Murals,” a 2 hour production that played with the intersections of Tap Dance infused with Samba rhythms, Improvisation, Modern Dance and Theater. In the Fall of 2018, Corinne produced a four sectioned suite called “Colors: The Flight of Song” with Tap Team Two in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival which had a focus on visual color based on a costume idea by NY artist Greg Lockhart. Corinne performed and helped design movement for “RE:figuering” a 2019 Philadelphia Fringe piece produced by Dr. Leslie Elkins/foursome performance. Corinne expects to return to Brazil in 2019 to continue her 18 year artistic relationship with Christiane Matallo. Corinne teaches on a regular basis for the University of the Arts, Rowan University, Bryn Mawr College, the Chester Valley Dance Academy and the Wissahickon Dance Academy.
Kim Martin
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
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.
Christy Mich
For more than 30 years, Christy Mich has taught dance with enthusiasm, positivity, and compassion to students of all ages. She has been an instructor at multiple studios in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. At age 7, Christy discovered her love of dance after watching The Nutcracker ballet with her grandmother. Inspired, she began her training at Longwood Dance Studio. She went on to take classes at Anna Maria’s Dance Studio, The Dance Center, and Jazz Dance Center in Philadelphia before continuing her higher dance education at West Chester University. She received extensive training in jazz, ballet, tap, and modern. Christy began her career as a professional dancer in various shows by renowned theatrical producer Greg Thompson including Viva Las Vegas and That’s Entertainment. She’s performed with legendary country music star Loretta Lynn and has been featured in various charity events in the region. In addition to performing and teaching, Christy staged numerous productions from West Side Story, Mamma Mia!, and A Chorus Line, to name a few, and choreographed many award-winning competition pieces. Her choreography talents also spread to both the small and big screen with her footwork in national television advertisements and independent films. Christy has utilized all this experience in her classes at Oxford Center for Dance where she has been a dance instructor for the past 25 years. And now, she looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her newest students at Chester Valley Dance Academy.
Mike Nguyen
Michael Nguyen is a passionate dance instructor, choreographer, and entertainment artist. He received his MFA in Choreography and Performance at Temple University where he has had opportunities to perform for many guest artists such as Kyle Clark and Jenifer Weber. Michael is also a member of Balance Dance Company, D2D: Dare 2 Dance, and is a choreographer for Beat Addikts United. His love for dance grew as a student at West Chester University. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with a focus on Health Science and a Dance minor from West Chester University, Michael began working on his career as a choreographer, teacher and performing artist. He enjoys sharing his artistry by teaching for several dance studios throughout the local communities. Michael is inspired by other artists for their unique works with a means to continuing the exploration of methods for collaborating and building communities through dance.
Allyssa Millar
Allyssa Millar trained at Paul Klocke Studio of Dance in Aston, PA in ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, and contemporary. Over the years Allyssa has trained with Angela Bates Majewski, Robyn Brawley, Paul Klocke, Kim Klocke, Mary Beth Powell, Angela Boyd, Katie Speicher, Trish Ryan, Maegen Pruitt, and Heidi Jarrett. Allyssa graduated Summa Cum Laude from Midland University in Fremont, Ne with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management. During her time at Midland Allyssa was a member of the Premier Dance Company, Jazz competition team, choir, theater department, and a cappella group. Before attending Midland University, Allyssa was a member of the non-profit international organization, The Young Americans based in Corona, Ca. With the Young Americans Allyssa toured to over 12 countries performing and teaching music and dance to people of all ages. Allyssa is very passionate about teaching students. She has taught at Paul Klocke Studio of Dance in Aston, Pa, Angela Bates Dance Academy in Newtown Square, Pa, Studio of Dance Arts in Omaha, Ne, Julie’s Creative Movement & Camp; Dance Studio in Fremont, NE Arlington High School in Arlington, Ne, and Create 308 in Grand Island, NE. Allyssa is excited to return to the East Coast for a while.
Roderick Phifer
Roderick Phifer was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He found his love for movement while training at Miss Donna’s School of Dance at 7 years old. Roderick later furthered his pre-professional training at North Carolina Dance Theatre under the direction of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux and finished his training at Dance Productions under the direction of Lori Oxendine. Roderick graduated high school from Northwest School of the Arts in 2013, and recently received his BFA in dance from the University of the Arts in 2017. Roderick has had the amazing opportunity to perform works by Matthew Neenan, Roni Koresh, Dwight Rhoden, Jodie Gates and other world renowned choreographers. Roderick is in his second season with BalletX under the direction of Christine Cox.
Kenzie Reid
Mackenzie Reid was competitively trained at Contempro Dance Theatre in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip-hop from the age of four until graduation. During high school, Mackenzie was a captain for the Neshaminy High School Gym Night in all four of her years, where she choreographed, organized, and taught hundreds of classmates themed performances including “When Opposites Collide: Good vs. Evil (2020)” and “Neshaminy Nominates: Harrison Ford (2019)”. She was also a performer in Sesame Place’s extensive shows and parades during her high school years. Mackenzie is gifted in her ability to work with kids as evidenced by her positions as Camp Director at Newtown Township's summer camp and counselor at Ravens Run Visual and Performing Arts Camp. Now, in her senior year at Thomas Jefferson University, Mackenzie is a co-captain of the Jefferson Ramettes Dance Team where she is responsible for choreographing jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and lyrical routines for the team that they perform at the school’s basketball games, university events, and at the Evolve dance competition. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health science and will become dual certified in X-ray and computed tomography. At the Chester Valley Dance Academy, Mackenzie assisted in choreographing the 2023 spring recital’s Opening Number “Grease”. Miss Kenzie loves being able to teach at CVDA and hopes to inspire a love of dance to students of all ages.
Christine Swarm-Kusnierczyk
Christine Swarm-Kusnierczyk attended the West Chester University as a Physical Fitness Major and dance minor. Also has taken classes at the University of the Arts, as well as numerous teacher's workshops and conventions such as Star Power, Stepp Stewart, Gus Giordano Jazz Conferences to keep up with her dance training. She was the dance Program Coordinator/Director for Body Quest Fitness and Dance Center for 7 years. While being dance director, her students successfully auditioned and performed in Walt Disney World (Florida), Princess Cruise Lines, as well as numerous area mall performances. She has performed professionally with Barley Sheaf Playhouse, Forge Theatre, and WCOJ Cable.
Tanina Urbanski
Tanina Urbanski is an alumna of Chester Valley Dance Academy. There, she was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and pointe work. She performed featured roles in the studio’s annual Nutcracker productions as Clara, Dew Drop, and Sugar Plum Fairy. She has received additional dance training at the Joffrey Ballet School. She is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS). During her time at HWS, 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 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 come to campus and take a day of dance classes taught by HWS Dance students. She has worked for various high schools teaching dance and choreographing musicals including West Side Story (2016), Into the Woods (2017), 9 to 5 (2018), Mamma Mia (2019), Chicago (2020) and Mary Poppins (2022). Most notably, she founded and directed the Villa Maria Academy High School Dance Company. She is currently pursuing her career in technology in Massachusetts and is still 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.