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The Faculty

Messages can be left for any faculty member by calling the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts at 757-683-3828 or 757-683-5455.  Individual contact information can be found next to the biographies below.  

Marilyn Marloff -  Modern Dance, Beginning Ballet, Jazz, Anatomy/Kinesiology, Pedagogy, Composition, Dance Appreciation, 
                                                    Chief Advisor for Dance

Associate professor and Dance Program director, Marilyn Marloff has been with ODU since 1987. She holds a B.F.A. and a M.F.A. degree in dance from the University of Oklahoma. Her early training included study at Chautauqua Institution, Point Park College, and the Fort Lauderdale Academy for the Performing Arts. She has performed and choreographed for dance companies in New York and throughout the United States. Her video work has received awards in Europe, Canada, the United States, and South America. Ms. Marloff is the artistic director of University Dance Theatre and the chief advisor for all dance majors and minors. She teaches all levels of modern technique, beginning ballet, anatomy / kinesiology for dance, teaching principles, dance composition, dance appreciation, and improvisation.   Contact Professor Marloff at 757-683-4354 or mmarloff@odu.edu.

 

Amanda Kinzer -  Modern Dance, Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, Jazz, Composition, Dance History, Dance Appreciation

Amanda Kinzer is currently Associate Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts at Old Dominion University.  She received her M.F.A in dance performance and choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2000.  Amanda has performed with the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Virginia School of the Arts, Modernextension Dance Company, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Second Wind Dance Company, the Tidewater Dance Collective, Gravity Optional Dance Company, the CREO New Music Ensemble and as an independent artist. Her choreography has been produced at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Elon University; Old Dominion University; Salem College; the University of Virginia; in the 2004 Richmond Choreographers’ Showcase; at the 30th International Choreographers’ Showcase in Louisville, Kentucky; at the Merce Cunningham Studio in New York City; by the Virginia Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (VAHPERD); and by the Southern District of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (SDAAPHERD).  She has taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Elon University, and since 2001, at Old Dominion University.    Contact Professor Kinzer at 757-683-3002 or akinzer@odu.edu

 

Mina Estrada - Modern Dance, Improvisation and Dance Appreciation

Mina Estrada received her undergraduate degree in Dance from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas in 1995. Soon after she found herself in New Orleans, Louisiana where she performed with local contemporary modern dance companies, Happensdance and New Orleans Dance Collective, with emerging choreographers such as Jeanne Jaubert, Monique Moss, and former MOMIX dancer J Hammons.  In 2003 she moved to Philadelphia, Pa. to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Temple University.  While in Philadelphia she performed with Alley Ink Dance and Silvana Cardell.  Mina received her MFA in 2005 and is currently teaching dance technique at Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion University.  Contact Professor Estrada at mina3est@gmail.com.

 

Laura Pettibone Wright - Rhythmic Analysis

 Laura Pettibone Wright received her M.A. in Dance Education from Columbia University's Teachers College where she was chosen for the Artist/Scholar Fellowship; her undergraduate degree from Beloit College was in both Dance and Music Composition. Ms. Pettibone Wright has taught courses, workshops and master classes for over 20 years at universities, studios and schools throughout the U.S. and Europe. In addition to teaching Hawkins’ Technique, she has a special love for studying and teaching about the relationship between music and dance. A soloist with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company for twelve years, Ms. Pettibone Wright toured the U.S., Europe and Asia, and taught at the Erick Hawkins School in New York City. Ms. Pettibone Wright’s own choreography has been seen in performances and lecture-demonstrations in New York City and throughout the United States. Since moving to Virginia in 1993 she has taught at the Dance Education Program at Old Donation Center, Virginia Beach Public Schools.  Contact Professor Pettibone Wright at  Laura.Wright@VBSchools.com

 

 

Kathy Brenner-Lasakow – Intermediate and Advanced Ballet Technique

Kathy Brenner Lasakow danced for nine years as a principal dancer with BalletMet Columbus where she performed a wide variety of leading roles in the works of George Balanchine, Glen Tetley and Frederick Ashton. Prior to joining BalletMet she danced with The Cleveland Ballet and did guest appearances with the Louisville Ballet and Opera Columbus.  Kathy has taught on the dance faculties of the University of Wisconsin, BalletMet,  the School of the Atlanta Ballet, Virginia Ballet Theatre and presently at the Governor’s School for the Arts and the TRDance Center in Norfolk.  She has staged many classical ballets including Paquita, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and La Sylphide on such noted organizations as Ballet Academy East in New York City, Virginia Ballet Theatre, the Governor’s School for the Arts and The Virginia School of the Arts. She has also staged her original choreography on Terpsichord Dance Company in Chattanooga, Virginia School of the Arts, and The Carver Center for the Arts and Technology in Baltimore. Her choreography has won national acclaim at numerous National and Regional High School Dance Festivals in Miami and Baltimore. Ms. Brenner Lasakow received her early dance training at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Old Dominion University since 2001.
Contact Professor Brenner Lasakow at kbl@141.com


Joni Petre-Scholz - Intermediate and Advanced Ballet Technique

Joni Petre-Scholz is a former member of the Berkshire Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet and Manhattan Ballet. Joni toured internationally and performed in over 12 countries dancing works by Vincente Nebrada, Robert North, Gary Pierce, Billy Wilson and others. She began working with Dances Patrelle in 1988 appearing in many Patrelle ballets including The Yorkville Nutcracker, Adieu with a Handshake, Madame X,  Rhapsody in Blue, American Dreamer, Romeo and Juliet, the world premiere of Notturno for Strings and Harp and as Lady Macbeth in the 2001 revival of Macbeth.  In addition, Ms. Petre-Scholz was rehearsal director as well as assistant to the managing director. She has also re-staged many Patrelle ballets for Dances Patrelle as well as other companies. In 2002 Joni was a featured performing artist at The Lyric Recovery Festival at Carnegie Hall appearing in excerpts of Beauty and the Beast with original choreography by Ginger Thatcher and original score by Paul Winston. Ms. Petre-Scholz was a principal dancer in the world premiere of “POP” as well as Glad to be Unhappy choreography by Francis Patrelle. Joni has also appeared as a guest artist with Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater. A former member of the faculty of Ballet Academy East in New York City, Joni has recently joined the adjunct faculty of the Old Dominion Dance Department. She also teaches in the dance department of Virginia’s Governor’s School of the Arts as well as the TR Dance Center in Norfolk.  Contact Professor Petre-Sholz at Jatdscholz@aol.com

 Jessica Page    -   Jazz

Jessica Page began her training at the New Jersey Governor’s School for the Arts and The New Jersey Dance Theatre Guild.  After obtaining her BFA in Jazz/Theatre Performance Dance in 1993 from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Jessica continued her dance education at STEPS on Broadway in New York.  Her professional career in commercial dance began in Atlantic City, NJ, performing on stages such as The Sands and The Taj Mahal.  Represented by The Bobby Ball Talent Agency based in  Los Angeles, she started booking industrial jobs in NYC for Aveda, Toyota, and American Express, to name a few.  Once relocating to LA in 1995 and becoming a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild, she consistently worked in the competitive Hollywood Film & TV Entertainment Industry for over nine years.  Performance credits include The Flintstones ‘Viva Rock Vegas’, B.A.P.S.,, George of the Jungle, Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame Premier, E!, The Nanny, Two Guys and A Girl, L’Oreal, Keystone, Puma, Mattel, among others.  She’s danced with musical artists like The Back Street Boys, 98 Degrees, Shaggy, Montel Jordan, Julio Iglesias, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, as well as professional Dance Teams such as the NBA’s Los Angeles Laker Girls and the AFL’s A-Team.  A personal highlight of her career was in 1997 when she performed for the US Armed Forces on a European USO Tour.  Since 1999, she has traveled around the world installing musical revue shows on international cruise ship stages as the Artistic Director/Choreographer for Radisson and Holland America cruise lines.  As a Choreographer, her most recent TV and Film endeavors include ‘Griffith Park’, MTV, Budweiser, TiVo, Bayer and Shoe Pavilion.  Currently, Jessica teaches jazz dance Old Dominion University in Norfolk,VA where she has launched a production company, To The Nines Productions specializing in commercial dance, musical theatre and specialty talent entertainment for corporate clients.  More information can be found at www.TTNproductions.com.  Contact Professor Page at ttnprods@cox.net


Tami White       -      Dance and It's Audience, Jazz, Introduction to Dance Technique
Tami White (adjunct faculty and guest artist) has studied dance at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Virginia School of the Arts, University of Richmond Summer Governor's School, Old Dominion University and the Virginia Governor's Magnet School for the Arts in Norfolk.  She holds both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Education degrees from Old Dominion University.  Tami has taught dance locally for the past eight years at The Starting Pointe, Creative Energy, the Jewish Community Center, and others.  She currently teaches dance at the YMCA and teaches two sections of Dance and Its Audience here at ODU.  She is also employed as a teacher for Norfolk Public Schools.  Contact Professor White at tmwhite@odu.edu



 Bellamy Eure -   Modern Dance

Bellamy Eure is originally from Norfolk and began her early training with Evelyn Ott’s School of Dance and The Governor's School for the Arts.  She graduated with a BFA in dance performance from University of Arts in Philadelphia and was the recipient of the distinguished “Blumenthal Service to the School” and “Outstanding Performance in All Styles of Dance” awards. She toured nationally and internationally with Philadanco for three seasons and has taught and choreographed on the competition circuit for the past six years.  Bellamy has recently returned home and teaches for The Governor’s School for the Arts, Old Dominion University and the TRDance Center. belleeure@hotmail.com  



Christina Yoshida -  Tap,  PILATES® private lessons

Danny Charles   -    Ballroom Dance

Penelope Haws  -   Yoga