Guest Artists

Haley is a Connecticut native who graduated Magna Cum Laude with her BFA in dance, from SUNY Brockport. Haley had the privilege of working with Bill Evans Dance Company, former Trisha Brown Company dancer, Mariah Maloney and former Merce Cunningham dancer, Andrea Weber. Haley is currently a teaching artist through Judy Dworin Performance Project. She also teaches dance at EdanSe Company and Ballroom, The Ethel Walker School, and Stafford Academy of Dance. She previously taught at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive, Brockport School of Dance, and New England Dance Conservatory. Haley performs with DanEnlight, Judy Dworin Performance Projects, and The Legible Bodies. Haley also has been showcasing her own work around the Northeast.

Katie Pustizzi is the founder and artistic director of Aurora Borealis Dance Company. She received her MFA in Choreography from Wilson College in PA and her BS in Dance from Salem State University in NH. Katie is currently an Adjunct Professor of Dance  at Dean College, teaching modern-contemporary and improvisation classes. She is also the dance faculty at the independent high school Gann Academy.

As the director of ABDC, Katie has worked with young pre-professional dancers to bring exploration, embodiment, and identity work to the lives of these inspiring artists.

Debra is thrilled to join the students at Art In Motion, the same studio where her son, Odin, takes hip hop! Debra started dancing at the age of 4 and basically never stopped. She earned her BA in Dance Performance/Theater, traveled the world as a musical theater professional, and lived in NYC for 10 years dancing on Broadway and as a Radio City Rockette. Debra has taught throughout her career, now over 30 years.

In addition, Debra is the co-founder of Vega Yoga Mobile with her husband Aaron, bringing yoga to businesses, community organizations, or to you, virtually!

Susan is a musical theater educator and performer, with a deep connection to Western Massachusetts. Since 2005, she has been a part of the music and theater scenes as a student at Northampton High School and later at UMass. In 2014, Susan moved to Oklahoma City to complete her Master’s degree in Musical Theater from Oklahoma City University.Since 2013, Susan has been co-directing the Summer Musical Theater Workshops at the Academy of Music and she is excited to continue her work with the Youth Program as Education Director.

Kate is a dance artist and Alexander Technique teacher based in Wester Mass on Nipmuc and Pocumtuck land. She enjoyed 15 years dancing in NYC with choreographers Laura Peterson, Nicole Wolcott, Nora Stephens, Rebecca Brooks, Luis Lara Malvacias, and Sarah White-Ayon, among others. Her choreography has been presented by SCDT, Women In Motion, Movement Research at Judson Church, and Center for Performance Research at Purdue University. She has been on faculty at Adelphi Univ., Western CT State Univ., and Westfield State Univ.

She earned her BA from Goucher College in Dance Education and an MFA in Performing Arts from Univ. of Wisconsin.

Heidi is a multi-talented theater educator and clinical social work from the Pioneer Valley. She connects with her clients and theater students with ease, and encourages children to tell their own stories through improvisation. Heidi offers theater improv classes for students of all ages at local summer camps, as well as coaching the Northampton High School’s Improv Troupe, Funktionlust. Heidi also offers theater classes for children ages 6-13 in sessions throughout the school year.

Nick Anthony is a dancer, choreographer, educator, & coach from Los Angeles, CA. Nick took what he learned from his Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management degree, as well as his years of dance training & dove into the LA dance scene in 2011. He has been represented by Bloc Talent Agency, Clear Talent Group & The Movement Talent Agency. Some of his credits as a performer & choreographer include: Dance Moms, Kidz Bop, Disney, Coca Cola, Ryan Seacrest Productions, GAP, & the NBA D-League. As an educator, Nick has worked with hundreds of studios, colleges, conventions, and competitions. Currently, Nick is focused on his newest venture, NAKOA Coaching, a business that helps educate, motivate, & inspire artists to effectively navigate & manage their careers & finances. While Nick frequently finds himself on the road, he spends most of his free time at home with his wife, Taylor, their dog, Arrow, & the newest addition to their family, their son, Asher.