Erin Drennan, Executive Director
Erin danced with the New York Dance Theatre in principal roles including Dew Drop & Snow Queen in NYDT’s The Nutcracker, Frank Ohman’s Pavanne variation, which was set for her, and the principal role in Ohman’s Fantasia. She has also danced with the FAITH Project Dancers, Perfections Dance Company, and in many regional and local productions. Erin has performed works by Maxine Steinman, Donald Mahler, Diane Lichtenberger, Frank Ohman, Regina Hill and Gregory Youdan. Performing has come second only to her teaching and choreography career. Erin has choreographed and produced a repertoire of ballets for her students including: A Midsummer’s Eve, Fantasia, The Firebird, That Awful Cinderella, Stormy Weather, Red House, Birth of the Blues, WEST SIDE STORY, FROZEN: THE BALLET, THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA: A CINDERELLA STORY, LES MISERABLES: THE BALLET AND MORE. Erin has studied and performed under the direction of many sought-after teachers including Wilhelm Burmann, David Howard and Stacy Caddell. She has molded hundreds of students and has had the privilege of teaching many upcoming stars of professional dance. Erin began teaching dance in the West Islip public school system. Her training began as a dancer and student of master instructors Frank Ohman, former soloist with the New York City Ballet, Diane Licthenberger and Stacy Caddell.
Erin is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. As a Project Plié Partner Teacher, Erin is bringing the initiative to Long Island and to her organization, Integral Ballet. Project Plié is an initiative founded by American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2013 to increase diversity in the art form of classical ballet. In commitment to the mission of Project Plié, Ms. Drennan taught classes at The Freeport Recreation aimed at introducing children of diversity to classical ballet who would otherwise not be able to afford classes. Integral Ballet is working with Project Plié's efforts towards the crucial goal of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in America's ballet companies.
Erin received training primarily in the Balanchine aesthetic and also studied the Cecchetti and Vaganova methods. Erin has studied tap, jazz and modern dance at local and regional schools including Steps, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey, the Dance Forum, in addition to her degree program at Hofstra University. Erin holds an MA in Education from Western Governor's University.
Erin became a certified yoga instructor and registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance through Into This World Teacher Training, under the guidance of Suzanne Cardinal. Erin is certified in Acrobatique® Acro for Dancers for Pre-Junior 3 level. Erin is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique® program, bringing the best in dance education to her students. Erin is the Artistic Director and resident choreographer of the FAITH Dance Project, a professional dancer and student collaboration that donates performance proceeds to various charities including Dreas Dream, the American Lung Association and Autism Speaks, through annual performances and educational program.
Erin is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. As a Project Plié Partner Teacher, Erin is bringing the initiative to Long Island and to her organization, Integral Ballet. Project Plié is an initiative founded by American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2013 to increase diversity in the art form of classical ballet. In commitment to the mission of Project Plié, Ms. Drennan taught classes at The Freeport Recreation aimed at introducing children of diversity to classical ballet who would otherwise not be able to afford classes. Integral Ballet is working with Project Plié's efforts towards the crucial goal of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in America's ballet companies.
Erin received training primarily in the Balanchine aesthetic and also studied the Cecchetti and Vaganova methods. Erin has studied tap, jazz and modern dance at local and regional schools including Steps, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey, the Dance Forum, in addition to her degree program at Hofstra University. Erin holds an MA in Education from Western Governor's University.
Erin became a certified yoga instructor and registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance through Into This World Teacher Training, under the guidance of Suzanne Cardinal. Erin is certified in Acrobatique® Acro for Dancers for Pre-Junior 3 level. Erin is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique® program, bringing the best in dance education to her students. Erin is the Artistic Director and resident choreographer of the FAITH Dance Project, a professional dancer and student collaboration that donates performance proceeds to various charities including Dreas Dream, the American Lung Association and Autism Speaks, through annual performances and educational program.
Sara Charles, Ballet Instruction
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Sara received her BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase where she danced in the Purchase Dance Corps. Some of her favorite parts include Lead Marzipan in the Nutcracker and the Scotch girl in Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony. After graduating she danced professionally with The Columbia City Ballet and Connecticut Ballet Theater. Sara later went on to get her Masters in Elementary Education from Fordham University. She currently teaches dance in a NYC public school and studios throughout Long Island.
Sara began dancing at a young age and studied ballet, jazz, and modern at Northern Westchester for the Arts, Scarsdale Ballet, Ct Ballet Center, Hartford Ballet, Joffery Ballet, Steps, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She is excited to begin another year at Integral Ballet. |
Kerri Pearsall, Tap and Jazz Instruction
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Kerri Pearsall comes to Integral with a very distinguished background in both performing and teaching. Kerri was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette from 1979 until 1999. She performed in The Christmas Spectacular for most of these years as well as Spring and Summer shows. She toured with Peter Allen numerous times and also was toured with Can Can starring Chita Rivera. This tour lasted a year traveling across the country as well as six weeks in Japan. Kerri performed in many TV shows as well as movies including A Chorus Line and Annie. When she was not performing one could find her teaching in her dance studio. Kerri is a second generation Rockette and the studio was a shared love of dance with her mother. Pearsall Dance Centre was a staple in Bellmore for over 50 years. Kerri is the proud mother of two terrific children. Rena, a therapist at New York Presbyterian Hospital in NYC and Jimmy, a nurse in the emergency room at LIJ. Kerri has spent the last ten years working at Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County. She is an administrative assistant in the Children’s Learning Center.
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Allison Schindler, Ballet Instruction
Allison Shindler is a multi-hyphenate performing and teaching artist based in NYC. She holds a BFA in dance and acting from Adelphi University. She performs regionally in various concert dance and musical theatre productions, as well as in films.
She is an ABT® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique: Junior, Senior and Advanced Programs. Allison is excited to join the Integral Ballet community and share her love of the arts with her students.
She is an ABT® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique: Junior, Senior and Advanced Programs. Allison is excited to join the Integral Ballet community and share her love of the arts with her students.
Michael Buoni, Ballet Instruction
Mr Mike hails from Philadelphia and trained with Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet and Brandywine Ballet. He was contracted with Ohio Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater, and Dayton Ballet. He has guested with Eglevsky Ballet, Maryland Ballet,Pennsylvania Ballet and Michael Mao Dance.
Mr Mike is an actor and has appeared in many national and local commercials as well as in TV and film projects.
Mr Mike is an actor and has appeared in many national and local commercials as well as in TV and film projects.
Falyn Katzman, Ballet Instruction and Early Childhood Instructor
Falyn received her Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Old Westbury in Public Health. She is currently studying Epidemiology at CUNY School of Public Health where she is a graduate student.
Ms. Falyn teaches early childhood through advanced level classes at Integral Ballet. Ms. Falyn has also taught with Baby Ballet Long Island, bringing her love of dance to even the littlest of new dancers.
In addition to ballet training at Integral, Falyn studied closely with Frank Ohman, former soloist with the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine, at the Ohman School of Ballet. Falyn's performing experience includes corps roles in New York Dance Theater as well as performances with FAITH Dance Project's "Stormy Weather" and "Red House" at the Dance Forum, NYC. As a student, Falyn participated as a soloist in the FAITH Dance Project, Integral’s student ballet company. She has danced lead roles in several FAITH Project productions including Titania in A Midsummer's Eve, a maiden in The Firebird, and Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis, in Giselle. Falyn continues to dance leading roles as the company needs her, including lead mother in 'A Merry Mini Nutcracker' as well as other corps and soloist roles. Falyn started dancing when she was 3 years old, studying ballet, tap, jazz & lyrical.
Ms. Falyn teaches early childhood through advanced level classes at Integral Ballet. Ms. Falyn has also taught with Baby Ballet Long Island, bringing her love of dance to even the littlest of new dancers.
In addition to ballet training at Integral, Falyn studied closely with Frank Ohman, former soloist with the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine, at the Ohman School of Ballet. Falyn's performing experience includes corps roles in New York Dance Theater as well as performances with FAITH Dance Project's "Stormy Weather" and "Red House" at the Dance Forum, NYC. As a student, Falyn participated as a soloist in the FAITH Dance Project, Integral’s student ballet company. She has danced lead roles in several FAITH Project productions including Titania in A Midsummer's Eve, a maiden in The Firebird, and Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis, in Giselle. Falyn continues to dance leading roles as the company needs her, including lead mother in 'A Merry Mini Nutcracker' as well as other corps and soloist roles. Falyn started dancing when she was 3 years old, studying ballet, tap, jazz & lyrical.
Lisa Rudin, Theatre Playground
Lisa Rudin is the Executive Director of Theatre Playground. She has worked in the industry in both Los Angeles and NYC, and in a variety of different roles: as an actor, director, choreographer, casting director, arts administrator and teaching artist. She is currently on staff as an actor, choreographer and teaching artist at the Long Island Children’s Museum Theater. Career highlights include performing at Madison Square Garden, working at The Pasadena Playhouse on pre-Broadway runs including Sister Act, and casting for indie films in LA. She has taught at professional acting studios, after school programs, summer camps, and workshops from toddler to adult. She holds a BFA in Acting from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Victoria O'Shea, Tap and Jazz Instruction
Bio coming soon!
Danielle Field, Ballet Instruction
Ms. Danielle began her dance training at 5 years old, studying ballet for most of her life. She is an alumni of Integral Ballet and has also studied with Joffrey Ballet School and with ABT soloists Irina Dvorovenko & Maxim Beloserkovsky. She is currently studying dance at Hofstra University where she is a member of MoVoM, a club for dance majors to display one another’s choreographic work. Danielle has danced in multiple roles in the Nutcracker including Toy Soldier, Older Cousin, Polichinelle, Clara, Chinese Tea, Snow Corps and Flower Corps. Danielle will debut as the lead in Sugarplum Fairy in the 2021 2022 Merry Mini Nutcracker. Danielle is very excited to share her knowledge and passion of ballet with her students and loves working with our young dancers.
Senior Student Teachers
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Isabella Dragovcic, Ballet & Acro student teacher
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Athena Silver, Ballet & Early Childhood student teacher
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2021-2022 Board of Directors
Erin Drennan
Randi Katzman
Jackie Drennan
Fred Brandenberger
Lisa Drennan
2021-2022 Advisers to the Board of Directors
Irina Yanpolski
Kathy Garcia
Nina Marten
Erin Drennan
Randi Katzman
Jackie Drennan
Fred Brandenberger
Lisa Drennan
2021-2022 Advisers to the Board of Directors
Irina Yanpolski
Kathy Garcia
Nina Marten
516-442-1590 · 1842 Merrick Road, Merrick · www.integralballet.org
