I founded Let's Dance Brooklyn now City Kids Dance! in 2005 when I moved to Fort Greene from Manhattan where I taught dance for 12 years. CKD's early childhood dance and movement program were developed after meeting many parents in the neighborhood who expressed to me their desire to put their little ones in dance classes. I wanted to give them an alternative to the overly rigid dance schools that discourage a child’s creativity and individuality. Based on my years of experience working with children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, I created a dance program for children with an emphasis on organic movement and expression rather than a specific form of dance. Dance and movement allow the child to become aware of their bodies not only as it relates to the physical experience but also the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual experience. All of CKD's teachers are trained with this philosophy in mind. Today CKD continues to provide Fort Greene and the surrounding neighborhoods with innovative and expert dance education for children in the convenience of their own neighborhoods.
– Dina Gray, Director/Founder
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Dina Gray Director/Creator/Teacher Dina Gray has been teaching dance and movement for 19 years in California and New York. She studied at NYUís Tisch School of the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School and Ballet School NY. She has been a professional dancer and actor for more than 16 years and has performed in theatre and dance companies regionally and in New York City. She was recently featured as an actor/dancer in the opera THE NOSE at the Metropolitan Opera. She has taught at NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET childrenís school, KINDERDANCE, KIDíS CO-MOTION, DANCE DEPOT in northern California and public schools in upstate New York.She developed CKD's program in 2005 and continues to work on finding unique and innovative ways to bring dance to children and their parents. She lives in Fort Greene with her husband. |
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Liz Vacco Teacher Liz Vacco is a Brooklyn-based performer, teacher and choreographer. Since moving to New York, she has been active in the New York theater and dance communities, performing and creating with Les Freres Corbusier, The Collapsable Giraffe, Fovea Floods, Gold No Trade, Sidra Bell Dance NY, the White Horse Theater company and with her own company, Immediate Medium. In addition to teaching for CKD, she teaches dance, theater and yoga through NYC Ballet's Ballet Bridges and Ballet Tales programs and at Discovery Programs on the Upper West Side. She also worked for the non-profit organization, The Children's Aid Society, implementing and expanding the after-school theatre program at P.S. 5. |
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Jessica Savage Teacher Jessica Savage has been performing professionally across the United States for the past six years and has been a student of ballroom dance, one of her passions for 10 years. She currently studies at the Michael Chekhov Acting Studio while continuing her university education with plans to enter graduate school for theater. She loves sharing the gift of physical expression with souls of all ages. |
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Katherine Rojas Teacher Katherine Rojas holds a B.A in Dance and Education from Hunter College and a 200-hour Yoga teacher Training from Dharma Mittra Yoga and Karma Kids Yoga. She has been working with children for the past three years teaching them pre-ballet, tap, creative movement and yoga at P.S. 315 and the Brooklyn Music School. As a choreographer and multimedia artist her works have been shown at Home Sweet Home Festival, Werkstatt der Kulturen in Berlin, BOS Cabaret, Open Studio Festival, 319 Sholes Space, CIO Gallery, Gelato Art Salon, American College Dance Festival at Penn State University, Kaye Theater Playhouse, Dance Theater Workshop, Movement Research Open Performances as well as other venues. She is thrilled to teach at City Kids Dance. |
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Jessie Cosentino Teacher Jessie Cosentino graduated with a BFA in dance from Western Michigan University |
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