Meet Our Teachers
Stephanie Fagen Urbina-Artistic DirectorStephanie grew up in New Jersey where she studied under ballet mistress, Diane Fay. At the young age of ten, she started her first "ballet school" in her parents house where she would instruct all of the neighborhood girls. While in high school and college, Stephanie found her love of dancing for a cause when she organized a company to perform at various retirement homes and sponsored a benefit which raised thousands for Hurricane Katrina victims. She went on to study with the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Gelsey Kirkland and Elisa Monte. Stephanie has performed throughout New York City(Carnegie Hall, Teatro La Tea, Steps NYC) abroad in Prague and in Philadelphia(Merriam Theater, Drake Theater). In 2007, she received her BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts graduating Magna Cum Laude. While a student at the University of the Arts, Stephanie was awarded the Promising Artist Scholarship and was elected as her student government's Class President. Throughout her career, Stephanie has performed the works of Momix, Martha Graham, Milton Myers and was recently featured in the popular workout DVD for Physique 57. Stephanie has served as an Ambassador for Lululemon and is currently a Firestarter for the Splits 59 clothing line. Stephanie has taught and judged national dance competitions throughout NJ, NY, PA and in New Orleans. Her passion has always been teaching and she could not be more excited to share her love of this beautiful art form.
Hayley Descavich Hayley began her training at Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield, Massachusetts. She graduated from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Dance Pedagogy in 2012. While at Hartt she studied ballet with Hilda Morales, Debra Collins Ryder, and Samantha Dunster. She performed works by Shannon Gillen and Charlotte Griffen. She was recently affiliated with Cirque du Solei. She has participated in intensive programs with AlivinAiley, David Parsons, and Paul Taylor. The summer of 2013 she showcased her choreography, Descavich Choreography, at the Secret Theatre in Queens. Hayley’s teaching experience includes Sorvino Dance Intensive in Massachusetts,University of Hartford Hartt School Community Division emphasis on teaching children, and the Joffrey Ballet School. She has actively volunteered in local theater and children's workshops, choreographing and teaching dance. Hayley is very excited to share her love of dance with her students!
Shannon Mulcahy DiNotaShannon Mulcahy DiNota grew up in Miami, Florida, where she attended Southwood School for the Arts and New World School of the Arts. While in high school, she trained and performed with Rotaru Ballet in Atlanta and Freddick Bratcher Company in Miami. Following high school, she studied at the Lou Conte Studio in Chicago, home of the Hubbard Street Dance Company, and performed with Jazz Theater South in Atlanta. Shannon received her BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she attended on a talent scholarship and received the outstanding modern dancer award. She was an original member of Philadelphia-based Koresh Dance Company, where she danced throughout her college years. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she studied on scholarship at the Paul Taylor Dance School. During this time, she met former Paul Taylor and White Oak dancer, Hernando Cortez, who also co-founded Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA). Shannon was an original member of New York-based Cortez Contemporary Ballet, where she danced for eight years. She performed Cortez's works across the United States, and proudly participated in numerous DRA benefits. She then relocated to Cleveland to join Cortez's new repertory company Verb Ballets, where she continued to perform his works, as well of those of Martha Graham, Paul Taylor and David Parsons. After having her first child, she performed with New York-based Amy Marshall Dance Company. Shannon has taught all ages at studios in Miami, NYC, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. She has also set works at the Belvior Terrace Performing Arts Camp in Lenox, MA, and the Chapel School in Bronxville, NY. Shannon now lives in Westchester with her husband and two daughters.
Shanna HeverlyBorn in Colorado, yet raised in New Jersey, Shanna developed her passion for dancing at the young age of 4 and was a founding member of the NJ Civic Youth Ballet. She graduated with a BFA in dance from The Boston Conservatory where she performed works by Luis Fuente, José Limon and Martha Graham. She has performed in the National Tour of CATS and regionally in “Singin in the Rain”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Kiss Me Kate”, among many others, at theaters such as McCarter Theater, Lyric Stage Company of Boston and Reagle Music Theater. Shanna has also freelanced with NJ Civic Youth Ballet, Ballet Rox, Motion DT and works with various choreographers around NYC. This summer she will be performing in Jacobs Pillow performing works of Jeremy McQueen. She also has had the privilege to dance alongside recording artist Ne-Yo. Shanna is passionate about educating the next generation of performers and is thrilled to be passing down her love for dance!
Cassie Coulas
A Kansas City native, Cassie's early training began with the Miller-Marley Youth Ballet, Kansas City Ballet faculty, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The Jillana School. Favorite performance credits include: Babes in Toyland at Lincoln Center, Neil Young's Greendale concert at Kansas City Starlight Theater, Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out Stage with Continumm Contemporary Ballet and West Side Story in NJ. Cassie graduated cum laude from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance Performance. As creator and Executive Producer for the Physique 57 Showcase Benefitting Dancers Responding to Aids, Cassie(along with staff) raised for $12,000 to help those affected by HIV/AIDS. She can be seen in The Physique 57 Volume 1, 57-minute DVD and as lead instructor for Mat 57, an online, on-demand workout. Cassie is so happy to be a part of The Dance Gallery making a return to teaching dance in lovely Westchester!
