THE DANCERS

Kelly Arsenault
Kelly began performing nationally and internationally at age 11 with the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble. She continued dancing at the University of Tennessee, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting. Following college, Kelly became a member of Circle Modern Dance Company, where she taught and choreographed until she moved to New York in 2003. Since then she has worked with Oliver Steele, Rachel Thorne Germund, and Andrea Shasgus.Kelly joined VON USSAR Danceworks in 2004 and would like to thank Astrid for this amazing opportunity.

Maya Berry
Maya began serious conservatory training in ballet and modern when she moved to Paris, France at 12 years old.She studied at the Conservatoire de Danse de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche ,L'Academie de Danse Americaine and L'Espace Pleiade de la Danse with Ballet Jazz Art de Paris. At Ballet Jazz she studied under Raza Hammadi who was the assistant to Matt Mattox in the late 70’s and 80’s. At the age of 16 she moved to NYC where she continued her ballet training in the Pre-professional division of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School and in the Junior Division at the Ailey School. She is currently a junior at New York University where she studies Anthropology, Critical Theory, and Post-colonial studies. She is very happy to be dancing with Von Ussar danceworks, and greatly appreciates Astrid’s guidance and faith.

Colleen Cintron
Colleen is originally from Iowa City, IA where her ballet training began with Diane Danheiux. She then moved to New York City to attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance school. In May 2002 she graduated from the Conservatory of dance at Purchase College with a BFA in Dance Performance. While at Purchase College, she performed the repertories of Mark Morris, Doug Varone, and Cloud Gate Dance Theater; and original works by Kazuko Hirabyashi and Nancy Bannon. Since then she has had the pleasure of working with Rotem Tashach, Honor Gherman, Megan Williams, Rebudal Dance, Esse Aficiando and is  also the Executive Director and company member of danscores by Ofelia Loret de Mola. Colleen is presently working towards her Pilates certification at the Kane School of Core Integration. She joined VON USSAR danceworks in 2002.

Seiko Fujita-Maekawa
Seiko began classical ballet training in Japan when she was 3 years old. While in Japan she worked in venues such as Tokyo Disney Land and Ballet Studio DUO. In 1997 she came to New York and studied at The Ailey School as part of The Independent Study Program. She has danced with Elinor Coleman Dance Ensemble, Footprints Dance Company and Fred Benjamin Dance Company as well as other independent New York Choreographers. Seiko has been working with Ms. Ussar since 1997.

Danon Hinty
Ms. Hinty started her career in Ohio with the Columbus Youth Ballet under the direction of Shir Lee Wu. She went on to work with such choreographers as Lin Yong Yong (artistic director, Shanghai National Ballet Company), Kevin Ward (artistic director, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company) and Alan Hineline. In 1999, Ms. Hinty studied as a scholarship student with The Ailey School. For the last three years Ms. Hinty has worked with Astrid Von Ussar as a dancer, assistant, and friend. It is her pleasure to work with such a talented and innovative choreographer.

Tina Vasquez
Tina received her primary trainging from Coupe Dance Studio; attended the New York State Summer School of the Arts for Gifted Mondern Dancers for two summers and at the age of 15, she attended the Contemporary Traditions Program at Jacob's Pillow for which only 20 students are a accepted worldwide. In 2001, she was awarded the Rockland County Executive Arts Award in Arts Education. She is a Junior at New York University/Gallatin School of Individualized Study and is currently also studying at LIMS on the Martha Myers Dance Scholarship towards receiving her certificate as a Movement Analyst - CMA. Tina has danced for TransenDance, Dancing Legacy , studied dance in Cuba through the Tisch Dance Program at NYC during the summer of 2004. Sh e joined VON USSAR danceworks that same year.