Adult Dance Faculty
Nina McKim (Ballet) trained extensively with the Washington School of Ballet and received a BFA in dance from
Tally Frieder (Ballet) is a former member of the San Francisco Ballet under the direction of Helgi Tomasson. Her performing experience includes ballets by Balanchine, Robbins, Tudor, and Ashton. Ms. Frieder also danced with Oakland Ballet. Her early training includes the National Academy of the Arts in Illinois, Joffrey Ballet School, and the Chautauqua Institute. Ms. Frieder holds a BA in Creative Arts Therapy from George Washington University.
Jen Michaels (Ballet) is a Chicago native who holds a B.F.A. in dance performance from Northern Illinois University. She studied on full scholarship at the Ruth Page School of Dance under the tutelage of Larry Long, as well as with Anna Paskevska at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Ms. Michaels danced with the Chattanooga Ballet as a principal dancer for 5 years, and held the position of resident choreographer at the Center for Creative Arts in TN, a performing arts magnet school. Her performing experience includes classical ballet, modern, opera, and musical theatre.
Lisae Jordan (Stretch) received her early dance training in upstate New York and at the School of the Hartford Ballet. She was a principal dancer with several regional companies, including Ballet North, Schenectady Civic Ballet Company, Womenwerks, and the Hartford Ballet's student group. Including performing, teaching, and taking class, Lisae recently celebrated 30 years of dancing. She brings an interest in anatomy and somatic studies to the Institute, having participated in workshops in Feldenkrais, Anatomy for Dancers, and the American Dance Festival seminar for dance educators.
Anna Menendez (Flamenco) is a flamenco dancer, teacher and choreographer. She has performed as a soloist dancing her own choreographies with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Haddonfield Symphony, Ocean City Pops Orchestra, Pan American Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony. Anna is also a dancer for the Washington Opera. She dances regularly with other local flamenco artists in area venues and works frequently with "Arte Flamenco." Since moving to the DC area in 1997, Anna has taught master classes and workshops in flamenco at area schools and universities.
Cecilia Beatriz Terrasa (Flamenco) originates from Galicia and Mallorca, Spain. She was a founding member of Micaela Mar's "Danzamarina" and has performed in such venues as The National Theater and The Filene Center at Wolf Trap for the International Children's Festival in 2003 and 2004. Ms. Terrasa began her studies with Micaela Mar and Ulrika Frank, currently studies with Anna Menendez, Edwin Aparicio and Genevieve Guinn, and has taken workshops with Manuel Linan, La Chiqui, Carmela Greco, Nelida Tirado and La Truco. Ms. Terrasa has performed at many local universities, festivals and tablaos. She is currently a member of Anna Menendez's flamenco group Pastora," having participated in "Pastora: Peña Flamenca I & II." She had the honor of performing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a group number on the opening night with Maestra Marin Aslop in 2007. She is currently also a member of Edwin Aparicio's dance company having performed in several venues in Washington, DC and Maryland. Ms. Terrasa resides in Maryland with her husband and two children.
Behzad Habibzai (Flamenco Guitarist) was born in Hamburg, Germany, of Afghan descent. He has been a classical percussionist for ten years and a flamenco guitarist for six. He has taught private and group classes since he was thirteen. He currently is taking time off from school to deeply study, teach, and perform flamenco. Behzad has also been spending this time extensively studying the solo marimba, and its often difficult repertoire.
