Professional Faculty
Diane L. LaBruzzo (Artistic Director) holds a BS degree in Dance Education and Performance from the State University of New York at Brockport. After graduation she joined the faculty of The Dance Center of Queensbury, under the direction of Barbara Tebeau Merlino, as tap and jazz instructor and choreographer. In 1999, she became Artistic Director of The Dance Center of Queensbury and has been Artistic Director for the Adirondack Ballet Theater and now serves on the board. She is a member of Dance Alliance. She has trained in master workshops with Debbie Dee, Al Gilbert, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo and Cathy Roe. She has choreographed numerous tap and jazz works for the Dance Center's recitals and regional competitions, dancers received many first place awards in various competitions throughout the northeast.
Caroline Beaty (Co-Artistic Director-Adirondack Ballet Theater) an alumnus of the Dance Center of Queensbury, is in her second year teaching ballet and jazz, and taught pointe classes during the summer intensive program and will continue in the fall. A graduate of, Glens Falls High School, she attended Springfield College. She began her training under, the direction of Barbara Tebeau Merlino in the preschool program. During her course of training she accomplished Cecchetti levels of ballet and is currently training to take her Grade I Teacher's Cecchetti examination. Caroline has danced many principal roles in our "Nutcracker" and spring performances including Dew Drop, Spanish, Kissing Doll, Reed Flute Soloist in addition to corps work. She has performed ballet works in Russia.
William Otto is a New York City Ballet alumnus who joined the Dance Center of Queensbury to teach all levels of ballet/pointe. Mr. Otto trained at the School of American Ballet before becoming a New York City Ballet corps de ballet member. During his twelve years with the company, he performed in many works choreographed by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, Rudolph Nureyev and Twyla Tharp. He has also danced with the Zurich Opera Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet and the Ballet Repertory Company (ABT2). Other professional venues include Phantom of the Opera, West Site Story Suit, Cabaret, and The Nutcracker. He performed on Broadway, film and television. He has taught ballet at the Albany Dance Institute, Capital Ballet Company, Stanford City Ballet, NYSSSA Program, Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet, Garden State Ballet and New Haven Ballet.
Kiera Stewart our graduating senior from Hudson Falls High School began her training at the Dance Center at age 3. She has joined the faculty of the Dance Center in teaching our acrobatics program. She has studied acrobatics at the Dance Center until last season. She has danced principal roles in ABT's Nutcracker such as dew drop, snow queen, harlequin doll, Chinese, in addition to corp work. She is in her fourth year as an advanced dancer at the studio.
Stacey Girard is in her third year teaching ballet, tap and jazz to our younger dancers and started our all new hip hop program. A graduate of Glens Falls High School, Stacey teaches at the YMCA and works with children at Abraham Wing School. She began her early training in the Glens Falls area before training at the Dance Center of Queensbury.
Guest Artists
- Jennifer DePalo-Rivera - Dance Center Alumnus - Martha Graham Dance Company
- Eric Rivera - Ballet Hispanico
- Melissa George - Dance Center Alumnus - Ellen Sinopoli