Master Classes
The goal of the PYDF Master Classes is to expose students to genres of dance from across the world. This will further enhance their knowledge and appreciation of dance culture. PYDF hires Philadelphia based teachers, building a relationship with the younger generation of dancers. All of the teachers are connected with a Professional Company and /or University exposing the young dancers to the professional world of Philadelphia Dance. This, in turn, creates support on a professional level and builds a younger generation of audience members for the dance community.
2020 Guest Teachers
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Scholarship Class- Melissa Chisena
Melissa Chisena had the privilege of dancing and touring nationally with North Carolina Dance Theatre and The Richmond Ballet. Currently residing in Philadelphia, PA, has danced with Jeanne Ruddy Dance and Tania Isaac Dance. She has performed nationally and internationally at venues such as Bates Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, Aaron Davis Hall-Harlem Stage, Dance Place in DC, The Annenberg Center, The Suzanne Roberts Theatre, The Wilma, and numerous colleges throughout the US. Her choreography has been featured at North Carolina Dance Theatre, Richmond Ballet, American Dance Festival, Regional Dance America, Ursinus College, Richard Stockton College, Philadelphia Dance Theatre, Yes! Invitational, Come Together Festival, Grounds for Sculpture and many other venues across the Northeast. She is currently a member of the NADINE Project, a collaborative choreographic company Connecticut, Stone Depot Dance Lab, Beau Hancock, The Naked Stark, Tara Madsen-Robbins, and runs her own company, Chisena Danza. She is the ballet mistress at Philadelphia Dance Theatre and Janice’s Danceworks. She has taught at Temple University, Ursinus College, Bryn Mawr College, Eastern University, and Dance Elite. She is the director and founder of The Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest.
Caribbean and Hip Hop - Whedai Sheriff
Nai-Whedai Sheriff, founder of Dancing Heals Project, LLC, has been performing, teaching and choreographing dances for over 20 years. She started her training in NY in Modern dance and Afro-Caribbean movement. During her dance training, Nai-whedai received her Bachelors in Business from Baruch College, City University of New York and her Masters in Dance Education from Temple University. Professionally, her talents include teaching Hip Hop, Street funk, liturgical movement, Afro-Caribbean movement and competitive dance. While living in Pennsylvania, she has written dance curriculum and choreographed for many dance studios, after school programs and pre-professional dance programs including University of the Arts and Neumann University. Nai-whedai Sheriff has danced with companies such as Something Positive in NY and Kariamu & Company in Philadelphia. Her mission is to create opportunities for individuals that do not have access to quality art instruction and to continue to educate about African Slave history in the Americas.
Caribbean and Hip Hop - Yattah Jones
Yattah Jones, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York has been dancing and performing for over 20 years. Her training started at house parties where she developed a movement style heavily influenced by her African and Caribbean roots. After receiving her BA in Sociology from American University, Jones went on to perform and teach dance in the U.S and internationally in Costa Rica, Kenya, Anguilla and Barbados. Jones' dance performance credits of the past decade include Introspective Movement Project (2012-2015); Koresh Artists Showcase (2013, 2014 & 2019); Kariamu and Company (2013-2014) and Dancing Heals Project (2018 to present). Additionally, in 2018, Jones founded Move U 2 Dance, LLC which inspires, empowers and heals through dance and fitness. Jones is honored and blessed to share her love for dance, music and in particular that of the African diaspora with everyone at the Philadelphia Youth Festival!
Hip Hop - Reginald “Reggie.O” Oliver
Reggie.O is a Dancer/Choreographer in his Mid 20’s currently residing in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA! Reggie’s experience as a dancer stretches from the studio to the stage and even the set! He has had the pleasure of dancing for the likes of artists such as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Toni Braxton, and Keke palmer just to name a few! Reggie has also had the pleasure of helping with the development of artist like Alex B. (Upcoming pop artist featured on Nickelodeon) and Bianca Ryan (winner of Americas Got Talent season 1). Reggie has been featured in catalogs, commercials, as well as specials on CBS, PBS, Music Choice, and MTV and has also been privileged to display his own work on major networks such as VH1 and Nickelodeon! With all of these experiences under his belt Reggie’s greatest joy is teaching and sharing the art of Dance with students near and far to create great dancers and most importantly GREAT PEOPLE !
Musical Theater- Kristi Smith Bement
Kristi originally hails from Allentown, PA but has been a NYC based dancer and actress for the past 13 years. Her most recent theatre credits include: On the Town(Waxler Productions), Mamma Mia! (Riverside/Walnut Street Theatre), The Music Man(Theatre by the Sea), Beauty and the Beast(Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Billy Elliot(The Media Theatre), Catch Me If You Can(Woodminster), and Mame(Bucks County Playhouse/Media Theatre). She has worked with many NYC choreographers such as Al Blackstone, Richard Stafford, Josh Walden, Chip Abbott, as well as performed at Madison Square Garden as a dancer with PHISH. She was a member of the contemporary ballet company Ballet Noir and an apprentice for TAKE Dance Company. She has also had the pleasure of supporting BC/EFA in the Saks Window Holiday Reveal and Gypsy of the Year.
Kristi is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department and studied at the Laban Conservatoire in Greenwich, England. She is a guest teacher and choreographer for studios in the New York/Philadelphia area as well as a teacher for Motivated Movers in NYC. Motivated Movers is a premier program for professional artists seeking beginner dance training in a safe, supportive, encouraging environment. She also is a judge for VIP Dance Competition. Kristi is represented by LDC Artist Representation and a proud member of AEA.
Kristi is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department and studied at the Laban Conservatoire in Greenwich, England. She is a guest teacher and choreographer for studios in the New York/Philadelphia area as well as a teacher for Motivated Movers in NYC. Motivated Movers is a premier program for professional artists seeking beginner dance training in a safe, supportive, encouraging environment. She also is a judge for VIP Dance Competition. Kristi is represented by LDC Artist Representation and a proud member of AEA.
Musical Theater-Dann Dunn
DANN DUNN (Director/Choreographer) has created and maintained professional works as a Director/Choreographer, Associate, and Dance Captain around the world with Tony, Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Winning Artists. Broadway/NYC: Miracle On 34th Street (Madison Square Garden), Sesame Street On Broadway! (MSG), The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer (Symphony Space), First Date (Workshop). National Tour: CATS, The Music Man, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, Sesame Street Live!. International: CATS, The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber, La Traviata. Regional: Fiddler On The Roof (w/ Eddie Mekka), Mame (w/ Lea Delaria, Bucks County Playhouse), Chicago (w/ Justin Guarini), Hello, Dolly! (w/ Andrea McArdle, Media Theatre), Spamalot (w/ Sally Struthers, Riverside Theatre), The Best Little…Texas (w/ Loretta Swit, Forestburgh Playhouse), Walnut Street Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, PGLTF, Arden Theatre, The Kennedy Center, The Kimmel Center, Ogunquit Playhouse, Cardinal Stage, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Weathervane Repertory Theatre, Prather Entertainment, Totem Pole Playhouse, Jenny Wiley Theatre, Wohlfahrt Haus Theatre, Society Hill Playhouse, Resident Theatre Company (Barrymore Nomination), The Eagle Theatre (Barrymore Nomination), Dallas Summer Musicals. Ocean City Theatre Company. Contributing Choreographer: Norwegian Cruise Lines, The Red Cross, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Merck Pharmaceuticals, The National Liberty Museum, Circus Circus Las Vegas, Sesame Street Workshop, Macy’s, and The X Games. Dancer: Mariah Carey, Mark Kanemura (Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, So You Think You Can Dance?). Resident/Assistant Dir/Chor on Duncan Sheik’s Pre-Broadway musical Because of Winn-Dixie (Delaware Theatre Company). Original Cast: Created the role of ‘Tennessee’ in YANK. Recording: The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber. TV/Film: Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Emmy Award-winning PA Cardiovascular Health Project, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Repetition Rhapsody. Dann was fortunate to join the Fosse legacy by training in the style under Gary Flannery, a principal Fosse dancer (Pippin, Dancin', All That Jazz), dancing back-up for Chita Rivera, and working beside Debra McWaters, Gary Chryst, and Ann Reinking in preparation for the National and International companies of CHICAGO. Proud Member, Actor’s Equity Association.
As an Educator, Dann has had the pleasure working with performers of all ages, both professional and aspiring professionals. Dann is an Guest Artist alumni of New York City’s famed ‘Camp Broadway’ where he worked with children around the world, as well as side by side with some of Broadway’s biggest names, With Camp Broadway, Dann taught Musical Theatre in New York City and in cities around the world on their National and International tours. On Broadway, Dann worked as an Educational liaison with Camp Broadway for the productions of Legally Blonde and The Drowsy Chaperone. Additionally, Dann has appeared as a Guest Artist with Temple University, Swarthmore University, Drexel University, West Chester University, Arizona State University, and University of Pennsylvania. Dann is currently on faculty in the Musical Theatre Dance Department at University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is the Artistic Director of Music Theatre Philly (www.MusicTheatrePhilly.com), a professional training ground for children in Center City. www.DannDunn.com.
As an Educator, Dann has had the pleasure working with performers of all ages, both professional and aspiring professionals. Dann is an Guest Artist alumni of New York City’s famed ‘Camp Broadway’ where he worked with children around the world, as well as side by side with some of Broadway’s biggest names, With Camp Broadway, Dann taught Musical Theatre in New York City and in cities around the world on their National and International tours. On Broadway, Dann worked as an Educational liaison with Camp Broadway for the productions of Legally Blonde and The Drowsy Chaperone. Additionally, Dann has appeared as a Guest Artist with Temple University, Swarthmore University, Drexel University, West Chester University, Arizona State University, and University of Pennsylvania. Dann is currently on faculty in the Musical Theatre Dance Department at University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is the Artistic Director of Music Theatre Philly (www.MusicTheatrePhilly.com), a professional training ground for children in Center City. www.DannDunn.com.
Dance Injury Prevention- Robin Bandura
Robin Garland Bandura, DPT, owner of OnPointe Physical Therapy at Balance has more than 20 years of orthopedic preventative and post-operative rehabilitative experience. In her physical therapy practice she treats a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries in a diverse patient population including professional athletes, division 1 college athletes, and professional dancers. Robin is a Certified Graston Technique Provider and Certified Pilates Mat Technique Instructor. She has more than 4 decades of dance training and continues her study of orthopedic and dance medicine at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries (NYC), and utilizes that knowledge in her private Pilates training at Balance. She has also served as the on-site physical therapist for the Broadway musical touring productions of Book of Mormon, Flashdance, Cinderella and Pippin; for the film, Limitless; and has worked with dancers of Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet X, Philadanco, Koresh, and Limon Dance Company; and for the USTA Men's National Grass Court Tennis Tournament.
Robin believes in empowering and educating clients to become proactive in maintaining healthy and injury-free lifestyles, in order to maximize their full athletic and performance potential through her personal training and physical therapy practice at OnPointe Physical Therapy. For more information, visit OnPointe Physical Therapy at www.onpointept.com.
Robin believes in empowering and educating clients to become proactive in maintaining healthy and injury-free lifestyles, in order to maximize their full athletic and performance potential through her personal training and physical therapy practice at OnPointe Physical Therapy. For more information, visit OnPointe Physical Therapy at www.onpointept.com.
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2019 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2018 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2017 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2016 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2015 Master Class Highlights
2019 Guest Teachers
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Afro Cuban Dance- Leilani Chirino
Patricia "Peaches" Jones
Yoga- Alex Holmes
Contemporary Technique- KC Chun
Contemporary Technique- Beau Hancock
House/Street Dance- Gary W. Jeeter II
House/Street Dance- Aaron Mitchell
2018 Guest Teachers
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Contemporary- Megan Mazarick & Tara Madsen-Robbins
African- Shaness Kemp & Jeannine Osayande
Pilates- Jennifer Morley
Indian- Anwesha Dutta
Contact Improvisation- Curt Haworth, Brandi & Vuthy Ou, Shannon Murphy
2017 Guest Teachers
Contemporary- Daniel Mayo
Caribbean- Adanna Jones & Sanchel Brown
Hip Hop- Clyde Evans Jr.
Dance Injury Prevention- Shannon Murphy
2016 Guest Teachers:
Contemporary- Shannon Murphy
Eclectifunk- Charles Tyson Jr.
Flamenco- Elba Hevia y Vaca
2015 Guest Teachers:
African Dance: Jeannine Osayande
Ballroom Dance: Kate Rast
Contemporary: Colby Damon
2014 Guest Teacher:
Contemporary- Chloe Felesina
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Afro Cuban Dance- Leilani Chirino
Patricia "Peaches" Jones
Yoga- Alex Holmes
Contemporary Technique- KC Chun
Contemporary Technique- Beau Hancock
House/Street Dance- Gary W. Jeeter II
House/Street Dance- Aaron Mitchell
2018 Guest Teachers
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Contemporary- Megan Mazarick & Tara Madsen-Robbins
African- Shaness Kemp & Jeannine Osayande
Pilates- Jennifer Morley
Indian- Anwesha Dutta
Contact Improvisation- Curt Haworth, Brandi & Vuthy Ou, Shannon Murphy
2017 Guest Teachers
Contemporary- Daniel Mayo
Caribbean- Adanna Jones & Sanchel Brown
Hip Hop- Clyde Evans Jr.
Dance Injury Prevention- Shannon Murphy
2016 Guest Teachers:
Contemporary- Shannon Murphy
Eclectifunk- Charles Tyson Jr.
Flamenco- Elba Hevia y Vaca
2015 Guest Teachers:
African Dance: Jeannine Osayande
Ballroom Dance: Kate Rast
Contemporary: Colby Damon
2014 Guest Teacher:
Contemporary- Chloe Felesina
