Question 1

Rose Caiola / Founder

Accepted Answer

Rose Caiola is the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Manhattan Movement and Arts Center (MMAC), a state-of-the-art dance and movement classroom, studio and performance facility near Lincoln Center, and Manhattan Youth Ballet. Rose has produced a variety of concerts and benefits over the last 15 years including “Hope for Haiti” and and many more.Rose began her career as a dancer and actress, and is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In 2010, Rose conceived, co-wrote, and produced the Off-Broadway premiere of Freckleface Strawberry The Musical based on Julianne Moore’s children’s book, which premiered at New World Stages and is currently being licensed worldwide by Music Theatre International. A four-time Tony Award® winner, Rose made her debut as a Broadway producer in 2011 with the historic revival of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz. During the 2016-17 theater season, Rose co-produced Dear Evan Hansen (winner of 6 Tony Awards® including Best Musical), Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Sunday in the Park with George, Significant Other, and An Act of God with Sean Hayes.  During the 2015-16 theater season, Rose was a co-producer of Fiddler on the Roof, Sylvia, Daddy Long Legs , On Your Feet , The Color Purple  (winner of 2 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival), China Doll, and Spring Awakening.  During the 2014-15 theater season, Rose was a co-producer of You Can’t Take It With You, The Elephant Man, It’s Only A Play, An American in Paris, and Nevermore — the Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. During the 2013-14 season, Rose was a co-producer of All The Way starring Bryan Cranston  (winner of 2 Tony Awards® including Best Play), The Bridges of Madison County, and The Realistic Joneses on Broadway, the 2013-14 national tour of Porgy & Bess and the London premiere of The Color Purple The Musical at the Menier Chocolate Factory.  During the 2012-13 Broadway season, Rose was a co-producer of the Steppenwolf Theater’s acclaimed revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf  (winner of 3 Tony Awards® including Best Revival of a Play), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (winner of 1 Tony Award® and 3 Drama Desk Awards), Glengarry Glen Ross starring Al Pacino, The Heiress starring Jessica Chastain, David Strathairn, and Dan Stevens, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, and David Mamet's controversial drama The Anarchist starring Patti LuPone and Debra Winger. Rose was the executive producer of the award-winning 2012 documentary First Position, a property she is currently developing for the musical stage.

Question 2

Vincent Paradiso / Artistic Advisor and Administrative Director

Accepted Answer

​Vincent Paradiso started his ballet training at The School of American Ballet in 1996. Notably, he was the first from the school's boys program, established in 1994 by Peter Martins and Olga Kostritsky, to be accepted into New York City Ballet. Upon graduating from SAB he was honored to receive the prestigious Mae L. Wein award for outstanding promise. In the Spring of 2002, Vincent was invited to serve as a guest apprentice with NYCB, and later joined the Corps De Ballet in 2004. Throughout his decade-long tenure with NYCB, he originated roles in ballets by Christopher Wheeldon, Mauro Bigonzetti, Peter Martins, Susan Stroman, Benjamin Millepied, and numerous others. Additionally, he performed multiple Soloist and Principal roles in ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Peter Martins.​Following his retirement from NYCB in 2014, Vincent began teaching as a substitute instructor with Manhattan Youth Ballet, founded Letsdutch.com (an online marketplace) and Paradiso Properties (a real estate portfolio in South Florida and NYC.) He quickly became a regular instructor and registrar for MYB. Over time, he assumed the role of administrative director, spearheading the digitization and streamlining of the school's practices. Furthermore, he guided MYB through the Covid-19 pandemic by establishing the first comprehensive virtual class and performance schedule for all those affected. During a transitional period, he assumed positions of Theater Rentals Manager, Box Office Manager, and Production Stage Manager for the MMAC Theater. He is delighted to return as administrative director for MYB where he will continue to guide the school through future endeavors.

Question 3

Marina Stavitskaya / Artistic Advisor and Head of Classical Repertoire

Accepted Answer

Ms. Stavitskaya graduated from the Kirov School in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1960 and was accepted as Soloist in the Kirov and Maly Theatre Companies. During her fifteen-year performing career, she danced many principal and soloist roles from classical ballet repertoire. In 1970, upon completing the pedagogical training course under Vera Kostrovitskaya, she joined the faculty of the Vaganova Choreographic School in St. Petersburg where she taught classical technique, repertoire and character dance.Ms. Stavitskaya immigrated to the United States in 1976 and continues an illustrious teaching career. Among her positions, she has been a faculty member of the School of American Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre School, Studio Maestro and an instructor with Ballet Arts, Carnegie Hall and the Harkness Ballet School. She has been a teacher with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company, the American Ballet Theatre Company, American Ballet Theatre II, and guest teacher for the Vienna Ballet Company, the Royal Swedish Ballet, the Cullberg Ballet, Stockholm, Sweden, the Finnish National Opera, Helsinki, HET National Ballet, Amsterdam, the Stuttgart Ballet, Germany, and Le Groupe de Huit in Paris. She has taught master classes for the Southwest Regional Ballet Festival, the Pacific Regional Ballet Festival, the Academie de Danse Classique, Princess Grace, Monte Carlo, the Kuopio Dance Festival, Finland, the Mid-States Regional Ballet Festival, and the Southwestern Regional Ballet Festival.In addition to her teaching career, Ms. Stavitskaya has staged works from the classical repertoire worldwide, including the Coteburg Ballet Company, Star Dancers Company, Japan, the Tampa Ballet Company, and for the Studio Maestro Gala Concerts as well as Les Sylphides for the Nureyev Festival at the London Coliseum. Ms Stavitskaya has received recognition as a gifted choreographer of ballet and character dance. Marina can also be seen in the feature film, Black Swan.

Question 4

Brian Reeder / Artistic Advisor and Resident Choreographer

Accepted Answer

Brian Reeder was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and began his dance training with Marcia Dale Weary at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. After attending American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Program, he studied at the School of American Ballet. Before joining American Ballet Theatre (1994-2003), Brian performed as a soloist with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt (1990-1993), and also danced with New York City Ballet (1986-1990).Over a four-year period, Brian created five original works for American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company. In 2005, he choreographed a full-length Nutcracker for Ballet Pacifica. In collaboration with the Washington Ballet, Mr. Reeder was the recipient of the New York Choreographic Institute Fellowship Grant (2005). He has created works for the Washington Ballet and it’s Studio Company, including a production of Peter & the Wolf. In 2006, he was commission by the Guggenheim Museum in NYC to create two new works for their "Works & Process" series. Mr. Reeder was artist in residence at Brown University, Emory University, and St. Paul’s School where he taught and created works for student dance companies. He was involved with the ABT Education Department’s "Make a Ballet" program (2004-2006), and is currently on staff at ABT’s Summer Intensives in NYC. He served as the Coordinating Director of the ABT International Summer Dance Intensive in Bermuda (2006) and has been a guest teacher at the Alvin Ailey School and Icelandic National Ballet Company and school. Brian has been recognized by Time Out New York as one of it’s “Ten Best” in dance for 2002, and was selected as a “25 to watch" in 2005 by Dance Magazine. His ballets have been viewed by dance-going audiences worldwide, in places such as London, Costa Rica, Bermuda, and throughout the United States.

Question 5

Fredrick Earl Mosley / Artistic Advisor and Faculty

Accepted Answer

Fredrick Earl Mosley was born in Raleigh, NC and began his dance training at the North Carolina School of the Arts. He trained at The Ailey School and Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York. He has performed with Ailey II, Gus Soloman Dance, and Ronald K. Brown Evidence, and has choreographed works for Dallas Black Theater, Edge Works Dance Theater, Ailey II, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, for which he received critical praise from dance critics and audiences alike. Mr. Mosley has taught at some of the most noted conservatories and institutions of higher learning, among them The Ailey School, University of Oklahoma, University of Kansas City, Wesleyan University; S.U.N.Y. Purchase, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, Long Island University, Ohio University, Santa Fe Community College, Yale University, New York University, Tokyo School of Music in Japan, and the Sadler Wells Theater Senior Citizen Ensemble in London. He was named Teacher of the Year by Dance Teacher magazine in 2005. He is the artistic director of the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment program, Life Dance Company - A Vision Reborn, a student-led dance company in Waterbury, CT. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Diversity of Dance, Inc., and the Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts (EMIA).

Question 6

George Sanders / Artistic Advisor and Faculty

Accepted Answer

Born in Durham, North Carolina and growing up in New York City, Mr. Sanders received his training from Ballet Academy East, The Rock School of Education, E’Cole Ballet (Australia) and UNCSA. From there Mr. Sanders went on to dance Principal, Soloist roles and also guest in companies such as Ballet Memphis, Carolina Ballet, National Ballet of China, West Australian Ballet among others. He has performed many of the classics including repertoire from: George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, Mark Godden, Dwight Rhoden, Trey Mcintyre, Ana Lopez Ochoa, Matthew Neenan. He won a Gold Medal at Sydney Contemporary Competition, Silver Medal at ABC, Top 8 at YAGP and performed on the BET tour. He’s delighted to be with MYB!

Question 7

Craig Salstein / Artistic Advisor and Faculty

Accepted Answer

Born in Miami, Florida, Craig Salstein trained with Mia Michaels, Ballet Academy of Miami, completing his studies at the Miami City Ballet. In 1995, he was the Grand Champion of Ed McMahon’s Star Search. ​Salstein joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in 2000 and joined the main company in April 2002, and in 2007 was  promoted to soloist. He is also one of a set of triplets. Salstein’s repertory with the Company includes Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, the first sailor in Fancy Free, the Bronze Idol and the Head Fakir in La Bayadère, Birbanto in Le Corsaire, Gamache in Don Quixote, Puck in The Dream, the peasant pas de deux and Hillarion in Giselle,  the Champion Roper in Rodeo,  the Neapolitan Dance inSwan Lake, Eros in Sylvia, the Devil in Three Virgins and a Devil and leading roles in Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes,  In The Upper Room, Sinfonietta and Symphonic Variations,  He was an ensemble member and dance captain of the revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel on Broadway. Salstein was the associate choreographer to Justin Peck for West Side Story directed by Steve Spielberg, and Netflix’s Maestro directed by Bradley Cooper. Recently, he was ensemble member and Dance Captain for the Broadway show ILLINOISE choreographed and directed by Justin Peck.

Question 8

Allegra Herman / Artistic Advisor and Faculty

Accepted Answer

Allegra Herman is a native New Yorker and Bessie Award-winning dancer based in Brooklyn, NY. She trained classically at both Manhattan Youth Ballet and the School of American Ballet, where she performed in numerous productions with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center. She furthered her contemporary training at prestigious programs such as the Nederlands Dans Theater summer intensive, Springboard Danse Montreal, and b12 Berlin. ​Allegra currently performs at The Metropolitan Opera, appearing both as a dancer and an actress. She is also a member of Pigeonwing Dance, under the direction of choreographer Gabrielle Lamb, with whom she’s performed at The New York Botanical Gardens, Wave Hill, The Moody Center at Rice University, Harvard University, and The Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA. Allegra has danced with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Little Orchestra Society, and Trainor Dance. She has performed works by Crystal Pite, Doug Varrone, Fernando Melo, Roy Assaf, Peter Chu, George Balanchine, and Jerome Robbins, among others. From 2018-2019, she toured the US with the first national tour of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Bartlett Sher and choreographed by Hofesh Shechter. Allegra serves as the Head of Contemporary Curriculum and is on the ballet faculty at Rye Ballet Conservatory, and is also a guest teacher at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She holds a degree in French Language and Literature from Columbia University.

Question 9

Brittany Pollack / Artistic Faculty

Accepted Answer

Brittany Pollack is a Soloist ballerina with New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center. Performs principal roles in ballets choreographed by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Justin Peck, Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky, Mauro Bigonzetti, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, August Bournonville, Angelin Preljocav, and more. Standout roles include West Side Story (Anita), The Nutcracker (Sugarplum Fairy, Dewdrop, Marzipan), Symphony in C, Opus 19: The Dreamer, Western Symphony, Who Cares?, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, Concerto DSCH, Dances at a Gathering, Interplay. Broadway: Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel (Louise) - 2018 Revival at The Imperial Theatre Film/TV: Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (Mack)- December 2020, Camp, NY Export: Opus Jazz, The David Letterman Show, Live from Lincoln Center’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Great Performances New York City Ballet in Paris. Choreography: New York City Ballet First Steps Choreographer (2025, 2021), School of American Ballet Toulmin Institute Choreographer (2025, 2023) Other Credits: NYC Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Clara), Cover of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” Issue, Cover of Ballet (Henry Leutwelyer), Opening Ceremony model, PUMA model/ambassador. Ms. Pollack holds a BS from Fordham University and MBA from Colorado State University.

Question 10

Kurt Froman / Artistic Faculty

Accepted Answer

Kurt Froman is a distinguished ballet pedagogue, choreographer, and former member of the New York City Ballet, widely recognized for his specialized work in training actors for physically and technically demanding roles in film and television. Noted for his ability to translate classical ballet technique to non-dancers, Froman has coached prominent actors including Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Rooney Mara, and Christina Ricci in major productions such as Red Sparrow, Black Swan, and Z: The Beginning of Everything. His contributions to Black Swan were formally acknowledged by Natalie Portman in her Academy Award acceptance speech, underscoring his impact on performance authenticity in cinematic dance.Froman’s performance career encompasses significant contributions to both ballet and musical theater. He was the first recipient of the Rudolf Nureyev Scholarship, awarded to him by legendary teacher Stanley Williams, which allowed him to study at the School of American Ballet. He performed with New York City Ballet for over seven years, dancing senior corps de ballet and soloist roles, and appeared on Broadway in productions including Movin’ Out, Pal Joey, and An American in Paris, where he also served as Dance Captain. He was the Resident Choreographer of the Broadway and 2nd National Tour of Billy Elliot, The Musical, overseeing all of the ballet and modern dance elements of the show. His choreographic and pedagogical work extends internationally, with commissions for institutions such as the Paris Opera Ballet and Ballett Dortmund. In addition to his creative work, Froman has held faculty appointments at leading institutions including the New York City Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, where he served as Head of the Men’s Division. His career reflects a sustained engagement with the intersection of classical ballet, performance studies, and screen acting. He has given lectures on ballet in film at the School of American Ballet, University of Michigan, and Yale University.

Question 11

Macy Jolie Berry / Artistic Faculty

Accepted Answer

Macy Jolie Berry (Miss Berry) is a ballet instructor and movement professional originally from Tennessee. After relocating to New York at a young age, she began her formal ballet training at age four with The Joffrey Ballet School before continuing her studies at School of American Ballet.​While training at SAB, Macy was introduced to the professional performing arts world through children’s roles with New York City Ballet, performing in productions including The Firebird, The Nutcracker, Coppélia, and Harlequinade. These early experiences helped shape her understanding of stage presence, discipline, and performance etiquette from a young age.​She later continued her training with Manhattan Youth Ballet, where she developed a strong appreciation for ensemble work, theatrical storytelling, artistry, and the discipline required within the professional dance environment.During the pandemic, Macy went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in dance science, graduating at 20 years old. Her academic training further expanded her understanding of movement mechanics, injury prevention, and the relationship between artistry and physical wellness.​Since 2021, Macy has worked as a ballet instructor teaching children as young as 18 months, with an emphasis on foundational technique, confidence-building, musicality, and structured learning environments.​After returning to New York City, she expanded her expertise in movement and conditioning by becoming a fitness instructor specializing in cardio and strength training, injury-based modifications, and corrective movement strategies. She is also stretch certified, with a particular focus on safe mobility, flexibility, and functional movement.Macy believes that an informed dancer is a safe dancer, and a safe dancer is a strong dancer. Her teaching philosophy encourages students to understand their bodies so they can move with both confidence and longevity.

Question 12

Clara Miller / Artistic Faculty

Accepted Answer

Clara studied at the School of American Ballet from 2010-2014, joining New York City Ballet as an apprentice in 2014. She was promoted to the corps de ballet in 2015. While there, she enjoyed dancing a number of roles in Balanchine, Robbins, Wheeldon, and Martin pieces. She has taught at Ballet Hawaii, The Ohman School of Dance, Little Swans, and Steps on Broadway, among others. Also a choreographer, she has choreographed for Lincoln Center, New York City Ballet institutes, and Revolve Dance Festival in recent years, as well as composed music for dance.

Question 13

Anna Greenberg / Artistic Faculty

Accepted Answer

Anna Greenberg, a native New Yorker, began her training at the School of American Ballet. She continued at the Joffrey Ballet School under the mentorship of Era Jouravlev and graduated from the JKO School at American Ballet Theater. Her first professional experience began at 17 years old with the Bayerisches Junior Ballet in Munich, Germany, under the leadership of Ivan Lîska, where she worked as an apprentice with the Bayerisches Staatsballett. She then danced with the Tiroler Landestheater’s Tanzcompany in Innsbruck, Austria before moving back to the states to dance with Miami City Ballet. Anna’s extensive experience in repertoire includes works by George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Richard Siegal, Nacho Duato, Alexander Eckman, and Jamar Roberts, Alexei Ratmansky, and Twyla Tharp. Anna has since moved back to her hometown of NYC to further pursue her dreams in theater, film, and TV and most recently, performed in Sara Mearns’ program at New York City Center where she took part in world premiere collaborations with choreographers Guillaume Côté and Jamar Roberts.  Since 2022, Anna has found a deep passion for teaching and utilizing her diverse background to challenge students to greatness! She holds faculty positions at both Manhattan Youth Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School.

Question 14

Ashley Mayeux / Artistic Faculty

Accepted Answer

ASHLEY MAYEUX (Houston, TX) began her dance training at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts and graduated cum laude with a BFA from SUNY Purchase. Ms. Mayeux continued her studies at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and went on to perform in the tour of the Broadway musical Aida. She has been featured in publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Pointe Magazine and Dance Magazine. From 2012 to 2016 Ms. Mayeux was a member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre from 2016 to 2018. She danced for Alonzo King Lines Ballet from 2018-2021. She rejoined Alvin Ailey from 2021 through 2024. Ashley is now on full time faculty at NYU as a contemporary teacher and is an adjunct professor at Adelphi teaching Ballet & pointe. Ashley joined MYB Teacher faculty in 2023.

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