Elmira Dance Force LLC
Instructors
Miss Jamie has been dancing since the young age of six. She began her dance career at Filippetti's Academy of Dance Arts. She has competed in numerous competitions both regionally and nationally. She won awards such as 1st and 2nd Grand Champion, Best Choreography, Best in Show, Most Entertaining, a scholarship to 74th St. Steps in New York City, and was asked to travel with Hoctors Dance as a Caravan Kid.
Miss Jamie started choreographing solos, duets, trios, and small groups at the age of 15 for the younger students at her studio earning them numerous high achievement awards. She has choreographed for local school district Show Choirs and has started after school dance clubs. In addition to Miss Jamie's choreography and teaching, she has appeared in musicals such as 42nd St. (Phyllis Dale), Once on this Island (Andrea Understudy), and The Secret Garden (Rose), and was a member of the Southside High School Madrigals and Show Choir. She was also awarded the Elmira Little Theatre Outstanding Performer award in 2000.
Miss Jamie has earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport. There she studied styles of tap, jazz, ballet, Irish, and various styles of modern and contemporary such as Jose Limon and Martha Graham from the amazing faculty at Brockport. She also had the opportunity to take master classes with professional dance companies such as Giordano Dance Jazz. While at Brockport, Miss Jamie choreographed and performed in several dance shows. Miss Jamie also studied African and Afro-Caribbean throughout college and performed with the Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble for three years under the direction of Clyde Alafiju Morgan. Miss Jamie then brought African and Afro-Caribbean dance to the area three years ago when she began teaching it in Horseheads and Corning.
Miss Jamie was a member of the Competitive Dance Team which performed at half time of sporting events and competed in national competitions. After graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue her dancing career. There she danced with a Contemporary/Jazz company and took classes as Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center.
In 2006, Miss Jamie then moved back to her hometown of Elmira to continue her education at Elmira College. She is now has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and is Kindergarten teacher in the Elmira City School District. Miss Jamie is extremely excited for a new year of Dance Force to begin at our new studio! Robyn has performed and competed at both the Regional and National level for many years; Winning awards such as Grand Champion, Most Entertaining, Best in Show and Best choreography. Miss Robyn danced and sang in both Europe & Iceland, Sang back up for "Barry Manilow" in concert; Danced in the 1997 halftime show at the NFL ProBowl in Hawaii, was a Caravan Kid and toured the east coast with professional dancers; and Danced at Walt Disney World. Robyn has also played the roles of "Anytime Annie" in 42nd ST, "ASAKA" in Once on This Island and "Yonah" in Children of Eden. Robyns Teaching experience includes, Binghamton University's Summer Intensive Dance program, Summer Seminar for the performing Arts, Tap Teacher at NADAA- National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts and 5 years with the Kathy Hansen School of Dance. Robyn began choreographing at the age of 14 for Kimber Billow at Southside High School along with Rick Pirozzolo. She is the staff Choreographer for SHS Footlighters shows, Concert Choir, Show Choirs and Pops Concerts. Robyn has choreographed over 18 Musical Productions for both the SHS Footlighters Club, and Broadway Theater Players of Elmira.
Miss Robyn was born in NYC and started dancing at the age of 5. She continued her dance education here in Elmira with Donna Brooks Youmans and Debi Youmans Warfe. Robyn has also studied dance and vocal in both NYC and Boston. She has attended master dance classes with Savion Glover, Barry Youngblood, Andy Blankenbuehler, Gregory Hines, and So You Think You Can Dance choreographers: Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Brian Friedman, Dave Scott, Chris Judd, Desmond Richardson, Gil Duldulao and LaurieAnn Gibson!!
Miss Robyn resides in Elmira with her Husband Josh and her two beautiful girls Ella and Emilyn. Who she lives each day for!
She is so very blessed to be doing what she loves...and is excited for what this adventure will bring!!!
