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	Vicky Simegiatos President, Founder, Owner Facebook Birthday: March 20th2012-03-20Birthday - Vicky Simegiatos 20120320000000
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Biography Vicky Simegiatos is the Director of The Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center. She had extensive ballet training in Greece and was a member of The Ballet Company of the National Opera of Greece. In 1970, Vicky was invited to the United States on full scholarship with the American Ballet Theatre. In 1972 she opened her first dance studio on 3rd Avenue, soon to be followed by two additional locations: on 5th Avenue and New Utrecht Avenue. Today, over 600 students attend her schools and many of them pursue successful careers in the field of dance. In 1982, Vicky became the founder of the Vicky Simegiatos Dance Company Inc., A non for profit organization. Through this company, she fulfilled her dream of offering full length ballet productions to the Brooklyn community. She also developed a scholarship program sponsored by the VSDC for young talented students with a career in mind. Vicky has dedicated most of her life instilling the love of dance into the hearts of her students. She is particularly very proud of the fact that the majority of her faculty consists of prior students of her own, including her two daughters: Matina (Ballet Mistress of VSPAC) and Despina (Director of Competition Teams).

	Matina Simegiatos Director, Ballet Mistress, Owner Facebook Birthday: March 26th2012-03-26Birthday - Matina Simegiatos 20120326000000
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Biography Matina Simegiatos is Artistic Director and an Instructor at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center. She began her training at VSDS and The School of American Ballet, where she also studied Flamenco, Character, Tap, Jazz and Ballroom Dancing. She later attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and studied Musical Theatre, Opera, Jazz Music and Chorus. At the age of 16, she was signed as a recording artist with Atlantic Records. At NYU, she earned Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Journalism. Throughout her childhood and adult years, she has appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Currently, she is a singer and songwriter with a soon-to-be released album that features alternative rock, jazz and pop mixed with classical undertones. Matina Simegiatos is Artistic Director and an Instructor at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center. She began her training at VSDS and The School of American Ballet, where she also studied Flamenco, Character, Tap, Jazz and Ballroom Dancing. She later attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and studied Musical Theatre, Opera, Jazz Music and Chorus. At the age of 16, she was signed as a recording artist with Atlantic Records. At NYU, she earned Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Journalism. Throughout her childhood and adult years, she has appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Currently, she is a singer and songwriter with a soon-to-be released album that features alternative rock, jazz and pop mixed with classical undertones.

	Despina Simegiatos Director, Competition Director, Owner Facebook Birthday: February 15th2013-02-15Birthday - Despina Simegiatos 20130215000000
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Biography Despina was born into a family of dancers and musicians in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother was a principal dancer with the Greek National Ballet, her father a tenor with the Greek National Opera and her grandmother alongside her aunt, were the founders of the Hellenic Ballet Theatre. Despina began her ballet training at the early age of two at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center and continued her studies at Broadway Dance Center, Steps NYC. She graduated from LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts under the direction of Michelle Mathesius. Despina has worked extensively with an array of high profile masters in the field including Joe Lanteri, Deborah Zall, Elisa King, Penny Frank, Jacquelyn Buglisi, David Howard, Madame Gabriela Darvash, and Brunilda Ruiz. She has also performed the works of Shapiro & Smith and Elisa King. Despina’s professional career began in 1992 when she joined Vicky Simegiatos Dance Company (VSDC) performing as a member of the corps de ballet. In 1994 she was promoted as a soloist in the company. Since then, Despina has been on the faculty as the main instructor and resident choreographer of the contemporary, jazz, and modern divisions for the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center. In 1997 she founded the VSPAC Competition Division. Since then, she has been the main director of the VSPAC Dance Competition Companies. Despina has become an extremely sought out teacher and choreographer in New York. She is credited with a sagacious and cognizant eye for intuitive talented dancers. She has a strong conceptual vision that rises through artistic purity and a passion toward artistic excellence. She has confidence in her observation that integrating accomplished performers of different techniques into a work sparks fire. Many of her students have moved on to professional careers in dance. Her students have gone on to dance for Disney, Broadway, music videos, film, School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet, Miami City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre School, Boston Conservatory, Marymount Manhattan College, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. Despina has won numerous awards nationwide for her teaching and choreography including several national titles as well as "Teacher of the Year 2009" and “Most Innovative Choreographer” at Kids Artistic Revue Nationals. In 2009 Despina, along with her sister, Matina, founded a professional contemporary dance company named the DeMa Dance Company. She has brought in choreographers Sonya Tayeh, Tyce DiOrio, Tokyo and Yesid Lopez. Additionally DeMa Dance Company possesses a cadre of notable company members including Billy Bell from Fox's hit TV show "So You Think You Can Dance". In addition to performing and choreographing, Despina has appeared on numerous covers of Body Wrappers Dancewear catalogues as their featured dance model. She has also appeared in a Nike print advertisement. Her students have also had the experience of appearing in several Body Wrappers Dancewear catalogues. Furthermore, Despina has assisted the resident Body Wrappers choreographer for various catalogue photo shoots.

	Lauren Harrison Dance Instructor Facebook Birthday: October 5th2012-10-05Birthday - Lauren Harrison 20121005000000
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Biography Lauren E. Harrison holds a BFA in Dance from Arizona State University with an emphasis in Dance Education and Research. Harrison has been educating young dancers for twelve years in public schools, charter schools, community centers and privately owned studios throughout the nation. Beyond her commitment to teaching dance technique, Harrison encourages individuality and creativity from her students. Harrison holds the belief that dance is an artistic form of expression and a healthy outlet for emotion. She is most passionate about playing a significant role in the growth and development of human beings and believes that every student should have an equal opportunity for growth. A nurturing mentor, Harrison creates a healthy learning environment for her students through the use of positive reinforcement and individual attention. Harrison currently resides in Manhattan where she continues her artistic journey as a performer, choreographer and teaching artist. To learn more about Lauren and her professional dance experience, please visit: laureneharrison.com

	Mr. Kid Dance Instructor Facebook
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Biography Abdul Muhammad AKA Mr. Kid, was born in Trinidad and raised in Brooklyn New York. At the age of 15, he realized he had the gift of dance. Aside from being self taught, Mr. Kid knew he would need professional training in order to pursue his dance career. This led him to taking classes at Broadway Dance Center, Steps and with hip-hop pioneers. Years later, he began to broaden his horizons with different dance styles and cultures. Starting out as a street dancer, and progressing onto a well known chorographer. He has been teaching for well over nine (9) years and is currently teaching all over New York and the tri state area. His talent landed him many roles in the public eye. Mr. Kid has appeared on Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, BET, Metro Channel, Good Day New York and Good Morning America. He’s even done photo shoots for the very popular magazines such as Vogue, Trace, Breaking Grounds and The New York Post. As well as having a gift for dance, his talent expands to the stage. Mr. Kid also has the gift of acting, which landed him a role in the Lincoln Center play "The Gift Unleashing the Mystery", as an actor and head choreographer. Some of his previous accomplishments include dancing at the 2008 Disco Ball, alongside Bonnie Pointer and The Sugar Hill Gang. As a dance instructor/director, his award winning choreography has created an upstanding reputation and follows through to this day.

	Nanette Michele Dance Instructor Facebook Birthday: February 24th2012-02-24Birthday - Nanette Michele 20120224000000
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Biography Nanette Michele began dancing under the direction and guidance of Vicky and Evan Simegiatos. Without these two influential people Nanette Michele would not have continued with her dancing career. Nanette has had the wonderful experience of performing in ballets such as Coppelia, Cinderella, Stars and Stripes and of course Nutcracker. Then continuing her career in the performing arts Nanette Michele was cast in shows such as The Kennedy Center's production of Carnival, Nickelodeon's Rugrats A Live Adventure, Paramount/Vicom's Star Trek The Experience, The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Slow Dance On The Killing Ground, And Then They Came For Me: Remembering The World Of Anne Frank, and Masquerade Show In The Sky. Nanette has had the opportunity to tour the US and also resided in Las Vegas for a number of years while performing in various shows. She has also participated in a number of benefits such as Broadway Bares XVII Myth Behavior/Equity Fights Aids, Golden Rainbow and Circus Freaks where she performed side by side with Cirque Du Soleil artists. In addition, Nanette has had the opportunity to work with wonderful choreographers and directors such as Danny Herman, Rocker Verastique, Vicky Simegiatos, Tara Foy, Christopher Cilders, Deanna Duplechain, Courtney Young, Tokyo, Tyce Diorio, Despina Simegiatos, Matina Simegiatos, Yesid Lopez, Robert Longbottom and Josh Prince. Nanette Michele is currently a member of the DeMa Dance Company. She has also judged Nationals for the Turn It Up Dance Challenge Competition and is also a sought after dance instructor teaching in several performing art studios in the tri-state and NJ areas. Nanette Michele is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

	Jenna Simon Dance & Acrobatics Instructor Facebook Birthday: September 3rd2012-09-03Birthday - Jenna Simon 20120903000000
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Biography Jenna Simon in currently a member of DeMa Dance Company in NYC. She also performs with Lior Shneior & Dancers and Newsprawl R & D in NYC and abroad. She has performed with Baltimore Ballet Co., and Washington Reflections Dance Co. in Maryland. A native of Maryland, Jenna received the bulk of her training at the Mid-Maryland Performing Arts Center, City Ballet School, and Boston Ballet Lab. She has also trained at the Alvin Ailey School, Steps on Broadway, and Goucher College where she graduated with a B.A. in Communications/Media Studies and a minor in Dance. Jenna is excited to join the staff at VSPAC.

	Skate Hip Hop Instructor Facebook Birthday: February 22nd2012-02-22Birthday - Skate 20120222000000
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Biography SKATE, a dancer/choreographer and skateboarder is one of the dance industry’s most promising new talents. The styles of dance in which he performs and instructs include, Breaking, Freestyle, Street Jazz, and Hip Hop. He is known for his ability to fuse various styles together creating an elixir of techniques and complex moves that demands the attention from his audience. SKATE began taking a strong interest in dance at the age of 15, it was during this time he discovered his gift and purpose. He made a conscious decision to nurture his talent by training at some the most highly respected dance studios in the United States, including Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles and New York’s Broadway Dance Theatre. Now 10 years later, SKATE has accomplished making a strong presence in the industry performing across the country and reaching international audiences, as well as teaching various levels and age groups.

	Nicole Sorrentino Dance & ZUMBA Instructor Facebook Birthday: January 19th2013-01-19Birthday - Nicole Sorrentino 20130119000000
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Biography Nicole Sorrentino was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she began dancing at the age of 5. She was a competitive dancer for 10 years, winning multiple awards including the Title of Miss Dance USA. As a student, Nicole has studied with masters of the dance industry including Bev Brown, Dee Caspary, Debbie Dee, Frank Hatchett, Mike Minery and Roberta Raymond, to name a few. Early on, Nicole discovered her passion for choreography and has been teaching ever since. During her 11 years of instructing she has produced more than 100 pieces ranging in styles from Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary to Hip Hop, Funk and Belly Dance. Her diversity in dance styles, innovative choreography and perfect eye for detail has made her into the successful teacher she is today. Nicole was the recipient of the Director's Choice Award for Best Choreography in 2005 from Dance X-plosion Talent Competition. She also continues to be a guest choreographer for Edward R. Murrow High School's Dance Ensemble program. Because of Nicole's passion for "staying in the know" she participates in many national and international dance conventions and workshops as well as taking class on a regular basis in New York City. She most recently traveled to Italy in the Summer of 2011 where she received a scholarship from Hip Hop Instructor Tony Testa, choreographer for Michael Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, etc. Nicole has also broadened her capabilities to the world of dance fitness. She is a Certified ZUMBA Fitness and ZUMBATOMIC (ZUMBA for Kids) Instructor. Nicole is absolutely delighted to be working at VSPAC where she can fulfill her love of teaching and creating. Her style of teaching is set to bring out the best dancer in every student, whether they are interested in a career in dance or just as a recreational activity. Nicole is constantly inspired and thankful of the knowledge of her colleagues and the dedication of her students.

	Dana Athens Liatsis Dance & ZUMBA Instructor Facebook Birthday: April 30th2012-04-30Birthday - Dana Athens Liatsis 20120430000000
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Biography Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to a family deeply involved in the arts, Dana Athens has been dancing and singing her entire life. She began her dance training at VSPAC in 1992, entering their scholarship program by the following year and performing with their company as a featured dancer and soloist in productions of The Nutcracker, Copellia, Cinderella and various other performances and revues. Dana also studied in the first Musical Theatre class VSPAC offered under the instruction of Matina Simegiatos, performing the role of Dorothy in VSPACs first full-length musical production of The Wizard of Oz, igniting a love for singing and acting as well. For high school Dana attended the Professional Performing Arts School in NYC, where she majored in Musical Theatre. During these years, Dana honed in on the arts as a whole and began writing, composing songs, and taught herself to play the guitar. While attending Hunter College in 2003, Dana really began to focus on her songwriting while continuing to audition for Broadway roles on the side. Dana Athens started teaching at VSPAC in 2001 until 2008. From 2008 to 2010 Dana began getting jobs as a session singer for several recording/production companies around NYC. During this time she worked on commercials for PEPSI, HBO & ESPN 2010 USOPEN (for which she performed her rendition of 'NY, NY'). After a 3 year break, Dana is thrilled to back at Vicky's teaching Lyrical/Modern or whatever they may need, and is also a ZUMBA instructor at locations all over Brooklyn. She is the lead singer and songwriter in two incredible, up-and-coming, New York based musical groups: DAMAGE CONTROL, a bluesy, funky, rock band of all family members, and BROOKLYN35, a dynamic hip-hop group of different artists collaborating to create something fresh and soulful. Both groups will be releasing new material in early 2012. "To breathe is to be..to dance is to be..alive."

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