Amanda Rose Belmont Center for Arts and Movement
Directors, Teachers and Staff Biographies
Sam Arena – Founding President/Chief Financial Officer
Sam Arena was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He graduated from Bishop Kearney High School and then St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY where he obtained a bachelor’s of arts degree in history and business. Sam was employed with Ciber, an international systems integration and outsourcing company, for more than a decade where he held various roles within business development and sales. He was a member of Ciber’s President Club since 1997 having been awarded for outstanding service to the company. He was twice the recipient of Ciber’s National Pinnacle Award which recognizes the company’s top-ranked business development executive in the country. In his role as executive director of the Dance for Joy Studio and the Yahweh Ballet, Sam will provide financial and strategic direction of the organization. They have three children, Alexis, Caleb and Annaliese. He is proud to serve the Lord, as well as work with and assist his wife in this important ministry.
Sandy Arena – Founding Vice President/School Director
Sandy Arena is the founder of the Dance for Joy Studio and the Yahweh Ballet following a heartfelt request by her daughter Alexis Gaetano who asked her to open a Christian dance studio in Rochester, NY in February 2006 for her so that she would have a place to study her love of classical ballet and dance at a studio where she would be free to express her love of the Lord while telling others about Jesus through dance. Prior to this calling from the Lord, Sandy was the founder and owner of Envisage Public Relations based in New Jersey where she offered publicity and marketing services, specializing in pubic relations and special event services for restaurants and chefs. It was during this time that she worked extensively with the food media garnering publicity opportunities for her clients in magazines, newspapers and the radio and television broadcast media including the TVFN. Prior to this time, she worked as a freelance journalist for several weekly newspapers; served as the lifestyle editor for a weekly newspaper group; as well as worked as an account executive for PR Newswire, a commercial newswire in their Philadelphia branch. Sandy has also worked for many years as a fitness instructor in gyms and fitness centers in New Jersey, taking a three year hiatus from teaching until she began teaching her Fit for Christ and Fitball classes which focus on exercising to contemporary, Christian music while incorporating scriptures and prayer. Sandy and Alexis moved to Rochester, NY in 2002 after Sandy met and married the love of her life, Sam Arena. Joining their family are siblings Caleb and Annaliese, who are respectively 9 and 11 years younger than Alexis! Sandy’s heart in managing the Dance for Joy Studio and The Yahweh Ballet are to seek God in all that she does following His guidance and direction. She gives God all the glory and honor for the many great blessings in her life, most important of all are her husband and her children. In addition to overseeing Dance for Joy's current programs, Sandy's current role at the Amanda Rose Belmont Dance for Joy Center for Arts and Movement is Ministry Development/Public Relations and Marketing where she will be developing new projects for the ministry including the Rhythms of Joy Outreach Program; Healthy Start program for Single Moms and the Destinies Lost show she co-wrote and directed along with Amanda Ladwig of Next Generation Theatre Inc. -- all under the Isaiah 58 arm of the school. Her other projects include developing the school to become more of a Christian arts center by establishing relationships and partnerships with other Christian artists, organizations and fellowships in the Upstate New York Area; and mentoring other Christian dance organizations that are being opened in our upstate New York region. Her heart is to see the city of Rochester transformed through the saving grace and love of Jesus Christ. Sandy and her husband Sam are the blessed parents of Alexis, Caleb and Annaliese who are all very active in the ministry with their parents either as teachers, choreographers, members of the Yahweh Ballet and/or students. Isaiah 54; My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Tracy Belmont - Board Member
Biography to come.
Mary Ann Weed – Honorary Founding Servant
Born and raised in a Catholic family, I never had a personal relationship with Christ. In 1985 when I was 19, my mother passed away after a long battle with cancer and it changed my life. I met some new Christian friends through a high school friend and I saw a joy in them that I needed in my life. I struggled with mourning the loss of my mother and with being a young adult and not really knowing who I was. I began to spend a lot of time with my new friends who had a Christian rock band and were all very much committed to Christ. After one of their practices on a cold snowy February night we stood out in the cold as we were saying goodbye and I felt an overwhelming sense of God and He was tugging at my thoughts and heart. I accepted Christ there in the snow, and I love the snow! God truly turned my sadness into joy. He put a smile back on my face and made me realize that it was okay to enjoy my life even though my mothers' life had ended. I had a period of time where I wasn't as close to God as I should have been and my life started to change and not for the better. But then I married a Christian man and now have two children – Angelina, age 5, and Elijah, age 3. They are the joy of my life and all that I do now is for them. I renewed my relationship with God a few years ago and He has been everything to me. I have a relationship with Him that I cannot have with
anyone else. He is my shelter, comfort, strength, provider, husband, father and one true love (Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want). Last summer (2005) I met a new, very dear friend and she has opened up a whole new world to me -- the world of dance. Sandy asked me to join the Amanda Rose Belmont Dance Center as an Office Manager, since then I have learned so much and grown in my skills and in my spiritual life. I am so much closer to God now and I have been hearing from Him so vividly. He put it in my heart to write a daily devotional and to share it with as many people as possible. So now I not only work for an amazing Dance Ministry, God has given me a ministry with Him. Through the dance school I have met so many wonderful and amazing people who have been such an inspiration and blessing to me and my family. I am so honored to be a part of this ministry that God is orchestrating. I am now able to work and be a full time Mom to my children and have a relationship with God. What more could anyone ask for? I look forward to assisting Sam and Sandy Arena as they continue on in this ministry, and to serving all those who God brings to the Amanda Rose Belmont Dance Center.
Dance Teachers/Choreographers
Jillian Rechlin Collins – Ballet/Yahweh Ballet Choreographer
Jillian has been dancing since age three. The majority of her training has been under Nancy Burhyte in Royal Ballet technique. She began her college career as both a dance and a physical therapy major at Shenandoah University and Conservatory in Virginia, where she studied ballet under Erica Helm and modern under John Mead as well as taking master classes in various dance forms. Jillian felt that God was calling her back to Rochester, to Nazareth College where she is currently studying physical therapy and psychology, and that He was going to bring about opportunities in dance for her here. Jillian also participated in Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive this past summer training under some of the top Christian ballet instructors in the country as a Level 9 dancer. Dancing for the Lord is something that has been on her heart since a young age, and she is so excited to be a part of what God is doing through the Amanda Rose Belmont Dance for Joy Studio and the Yahweh Ballet. Jillian is also a dancer with the Yahweh Ballet.
Trish Curnick-Expressive Worship and Flag Teacher
Trish remembers dancing before the Lord early in her conversion experience, simply because He asked her to dance. And out of that experience she fell in love with the worship arts. She furthered her training at Living Word Bible College in Pasadena, CA. There she studied under Todd & Marilyn Farley. She attended for two years, earning the title of Journeyman Apprentice. She has a heart for missions and has traveled to Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, and New Zealand ministering in the arts. She felt led to come back to Rochester and train others in the worship arts ministry. She is very involved at her church doing choreography that is intergenerational using flags, mime, and dance. Her heart's desire is to see others discover their God-given creativity and then use it to glorify God with all their hearts.
Telesta Featherstun Rice - Afro/Caribbean Rhythms
Telesta Featherstun Rice is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While growing up in the Steel City, she studied ballet, jazz and tap, later adding Graham and Dunham technique to her repertoire. Telesta's love of movement continued with additional studies in Limon and Horton technique while an undergraduate student at Connecticut College. She continues to study Dunham based dance and ballet to this day. Telesta has danced with the Pittsburgh Symphony's Woodwind Group, performed with Hendrick Dance Project at the Merce Cunningham Theatre and performs locally with Frances Hare's African-Caribbean Dance Ensemble. Telesta's heart is to impart the joy of praising and worshipping God in the dance to all those who desire to enter in to a more intimate movement communion with our Lord.
Amanda Furnari –Ballet
Amanda started dancing at a local dance studio on the west side of the city when she was 6 years old. After moving back to Webster she started taking lessons at Burlow School of Dance in Webster, where her mother had taken dance as a girl. There she learned a variety of dance types: Ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and musical theater. When Brenda retired in 2006 Amanda and her mother went on a quest to find another studio. They were brought to many secular places that just didn’t seem to fit right. When they heard about the Amanda Rose Belmont Dance for Joy Studio from a friend, they felt the Lord directing their path directly to Dance for Joy where Amanda has been training for two years. Amanda is now part of the Yahweh Ballet and enjoys working with the level 6 girls. Amanda and her family have attended Koinonia Fellowship in East Rochester since 2000 where she works with the 5-7 year olds. Amanda also volunteers with the youth group ministering to the homeless and recently took a missions trip to NYC.
Alexis Gaetano – Ballet
Alexis began dancing at the age of two at Ovations Dance Academy in southern New Jersey where she studied all forms of dance including ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz until the age of nine when her family relocated to Rochester, NY. While dancing with Ovations, she joined their competition team at the age of 9 traveling throughout New Jersey to compete, as well as showcasing her talent in a performance at Disney World in the summer of 2002. Alexis continued her study of classical ballet at the Draper Studio of Dance Education (the training school for the Rochester City Ballet) at age 10 where she performed for several seasons as a cast member in The Nutcracker. While studying at Draper, she trained intensely in classical ballet technique up to 12 hours per week while also being a full time student at Rochester Christian School, maintaining an A average and receiving academic honors. She was named to the National Junior Honor Society. She participated in three summer dance intensives with Draper studying for six hours daily, Monday through Friday, during the entire month of August. Alexis also participated in Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive in 2005 and 2006 spending two solid weeks in Mississippi. Additionally, she has studied with Ashley Rollinson, of Light of the World Ballet School in Syracuse. Ms. Rollinson formerly danced professionally with Ballet Magnificat. It was as an eighth grade student at Rochester Christian School that Alexis heard a message by her Bible teacher and Principal Mr. Paul Theule about standing firm in your Christian faith, that she asked her parents Sam and Sandy Arena to open a Christian dance school for her where she would be free to express her love for the Lord and tell others about Jesus through dance. Alexis now studies as a Level 6 dancer with Theresa Roesser and others at the Amanda Rose Belmont Dance for Joy Studio. She is a dancer with the Yahweh Ballet. She also directs our pre-ballet program, teaches choreography classes for our lower school Yahweh Ballet program, and teaches ballet to our Special Needs Students. Alexis handles all of Dance for Joy's artistic and creative design for event marketing materials and our website.As a homeschool student she will be finishing her highschool studies early and plans to attend Monroe Community College through an early entrance program, in January 2009. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a future. Jeremiah 29:11.
Anna Seaman Gilbert - Ballet/Yahweh Ballet Choreographer
Anna is the youngest of three children and her parents have traveled extensively throughout the world doing medical missions. Her sister is a public health doctor and works for Survivor Corps, helping people who have been victims of landmines. Newly married is her brother who works for a graphic design, promotional company, creating their special effects. Her father is a pediatrician and has his own not-for-profit organization called Hope Extended which trains people for disaster response. Anna’s mom home schooled all three of her children and now helps her husband in training people for disaster response. The first two years of Anna’s dance education were spent in private lessons with Melissa Fortunato, studying ballet and gymnastics. Afterwards her parents felt like she needed to go further with her training and she spent nine years continuing her instruction in ballet and also learning tap, lyrical, jazz, and pointe, at A Different Dance and Theatre Co. For the last four years at the studio she became an assistant teacher and then a main instructor for the studio. She was a company member for five years and went on two tours of the East Coast performing both “Out of Captivity” at the Disney Epcott Center during their Magic Music Days, and “For My Father.” They performed at numerous venues around NY State including, fairs, churches, and outdoor concerts. During the 2003 Arts Reconnect conference in Chili, NY Anna was asked to participate with PUSH Physical Theatre as they opened for Ron Connoli. In the summer of 2004 she was grateful to be accepted as a summer intern with PUSH Physical Theatre and went on tour with them. The fall of 2004 saw her becoming co-president and member of Express Arte a locally founded dance company. It continued in honor and memory of Claudette Vergara-Chavez for the rest of 2004. At Belhaven, a liberal arts college, Anna received two years of undergraduate training for a degree in dance and studied the Vaganova technique of ballet as well as Jose Limon, and Martha Graham, modern techniques. There she received in depth training and performed pieces in modern, ballet, and pointe. She has choreographed for dance studios, dance companies, church dance groups and also theatre productions locally here in Rochester, NY as well as Jackson, MS. In her spare time she has traveled extensively overseas and performed and taught workshops in the US as well as Berlin, Germany, Romania, Macau China, and Singapore.
Michelle March - Choreographer/The Life Ballet Performer
My name is Michelle March, I am 24yrs old and have just started teaching with Yahweh Ballet this past summer at the Rhythms with Joy outreach. I have a passion for Jesus and a passion to use dance to bring glory to His name. This Ballet is the fourth company I have worked at, previous companies include; The Danse Shoppe in Red Creek and The Dance Center in HFL and Mt. Morris. This is however the first Christian company I have worked with and I am enjoying it very much! I am currently a Junior nursing student at Roberts Wesleyan College with previous schooling at Elim Bible Institute. My goal is to work with an organization or perhaps eventually start one that works to help end the injustice of Human Trafficking and prostituted people. My heart is broken for this cause, as well as other injustices and I hope to use medicine and dance to restore the men, women, and children that are brought out of brothels, to give them a future, a hope, and a new identity in Christ.
Michelle Pauly – Ballet
Michelle is a homeschooled student who loves to dance in her spare time. She has taken ballet classes since Kindergarten. Over the years, she has danced with Jubilate, Rising Talents, Devotion in Motion, and with the Yahweh Ballet. For the last four years, she was also part of the New Hope Community Church worship team (Devotion in Motion) who ministers every Sunday through the use of flags, billow clothes, streamers and spontaneous dance. She has taught basic ballet at a homeschool group, assisted teaching Dance for Joy
classes, and this summer helped plan and teach the Princess Camp at Dance for Joy, with other co-dancers. Currently, she trains in ballet, pointe and modern, with Level 6 Dance for Joy and Yahweh Ballet. Michelle serves in her home church through the children’s ministry, is active in her youth group, and has a heart for the Lord. Her life verse has been, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13 Michelle is grateful for this precious gift of dance from God and uses it to minister His love to others and to glorify His name.
Ben Rabe - Ballet
Mr. Rabe received his training from the Ballet Westmoreland Academy and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School on full scholarship.
Additionally he attended the Miami City Ballet School summer intensive under full scholarship and the Kirov Academy of Ballet summer intensive. Mr. Rabe also received summer intensive scholarship offers from the Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin, Joffrey Ballet School, Ballet Met and others. His repertoire includes roles in Stars and Stripes, Raymonda, Western Symphony, Who Cares, La Sylphide and Don Quixote. While at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Graduate Program he performed in Graduation Ball, Etudes and Tarantella and performed with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in their productions of The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliette. Mr. Rabe was a Pennsylvania State Champion in parallel bars - USAG level 6 and was ranked 5th overall in Pennsylvania and 15th in the eastern 7 state region.
He is teaching ballet technique for our advanced students and also serves as a choreographer.
Theresa Roesser - Ballet/Yahweh Ballet Choreographer
Theresa Roesser is a native of Rochester NY. She attended North Chili Christian School until Junior High. She then attended Gates Chili Middle School where she graduated in 2002. She has an older brother Matthew who lives in England. He is a top sales associate at Pics Telecom. She has a younger sister who lives in New York City and attends The Fashion Institute of Technology, where she is studying fashion merchandising and design. Her father is a Veitnam Vet who is currently retired and her mother works at an elementary school where she works with special needs children. She has a very loving and supportive family who loves the Lord and puts Him first. The family attends New Hope Community Church. Theresa’s dance career started at the age of three where she studied with the Brockport School of Dance for 2 years. She then moved to study with Danceworks Academy training at this studio for 2 years. She then moved on to study with Cindy Ford at A Different Dance. Here she traveled and performed with her group ministering all over for five years. At the age of thirteen, her family decided to pursue a more professional environment for their daughter’s ballet training. She was then accepted into the Flower City Ballet under the instruction and artistic direction of Wayne Blatt who was a principal dancer with the Genesee Civic Ballet Association - the first regional ballet in Upstate New York -- and who also trained at a master level with principal dancers with the New York City Ballet including Conrad Ludlow and Arthur Michell.. At Flower City Ballet, Theresa received intensive training in Balanchine classical ballet and performed many ballets with them including Sleeping Beauty, Helen of Troy, Giselle, and The Nutcracker. After training with The Flower City Ballet, she then graduated from high school and was too old to train with the school. Roesser also studied under the direction of Dawn Steves -- the founder of Jubilate Dance Studio -- for ten plus years. She was accepted into Brockport dance program where she performed and took many classes for three and half years. Some of the highlights of her time spent there, was that she was accepted in the Exceptional Talent Dance program at SUNY Brockport, full ride scholarship. In this program, she took master classes and trained extensively in Jose' Limon, Martha Graham, and classical Vaganova ballet training. She was also asked to assist teaching college level classes. She completed the dance program and began teaching at A Time for Dance Studio. Other experiences she has had include taking master level classes with Garth Fagan Dance Company. She is trained in Celtic Irish Dance and in Somatics and Tregar Dance Massage Therapy. She was asked to join the Apprenticeship Program with Ad-deum Ballet Company (a Dallas Modern Ballet Company). "I have been training for nearly twenty one years in classical ballet, modern and Irish dance. Through the many years of dance there have been many trials and difficult times, but the Lord always seems to come through even when you feel like He won’t. There was a time when I thought I would never dance again and the Lord raised me up and gave me new strength. I thank him everyday for rescuing me from myself. I look forward to the many more adventures that He has for me," she said. “Wait on the Lord and keep his way and he shall exalt you to inherit the land.” Psalm 37:34
Sue Roesser - Expressive Worship/Flags
Susan Roesser has been teaching Sacred and Liturgical Dance in the Rochester area for approximately 20 years, having been trained in modern, ballet, lyrical and liturgical dance. She was founder and director of “Wellspring Dance Company” of Cornerstone Christian Church (now Vineyard Church of Rochester). She presently directs “Devotion in Motion” dance and flag ministry of New Hope Community Church. Through these ministries she has choreographed for and participated in the Chili-fest parade in the town of Chili for several years as well as the Homecoming Parade for Roberts Wesleyan College. She has participated in “March for Jesus” parades and outreaches in area malls. Most recently “Devotion in Motion” has participated in the Upstate New York Dance Alliance events held at the Charles Finney School. As director of “Devotion in Motion,” Susan teaches workshops on how to bring greater liberty in worship of the Lord by equipping worshippers through biblical teaching and hands on training in dance movement and the use of flags. Susan has participated in RHOP Harp and Bowl intercession since 2001. She brings a prophetic expression that is unique in the use of dance and flags in worship. Susan has been married to Peter Roesser for 29 years. They have 3 grown children, Matthew and wife Stephanie who reside in Bristol, England, Theresa who is Director of “Dance for Joy” and Yahweh Ballet Company, Holly who resides in NYC and attends the Fashion Institute of Technology. Susan is also a recent new grandmother, Matt and Steph had a baby girl, Lydia Patricia on February 26th, 2008. She is looking forward to her visit in England over the April break and holding Lydia. Susan has worked 14 years for the Gates Chili School District. She works at Neil Armstrong Elementary School as an ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) teacher assistant. Her hearts desire is to impart to others in the larger Body of Christ that which the Lord has poured into her over the years. Psalm 20:5… Then we will shout for joy at your victory and fly our flags in the name of our God.
Kara Thompson- Ballet
Kara started dancing as a preschool student at a local dance studio. In 1997 the Lord did a mighty work in her family and it was at that time that they started to follow the Lord as a family and became part of Koinonia Fellowship in East Rochester, NY. From 1997- 2004 Kara participated in various dance classes, and dance outreaches provided by the church and also spent 2 years attending a Christian dance studio in Lyons, NY. Her instruction included various forms of dance including ballet, jazz, and tap. Kara has now been with Dance for Joy Studio for a year and has shown an interest in sharing her gifts with others by helping assist in teaching the younger classes. She would like to further her training by learning choreography and discipiling young dancers. Personally Kara has been walking with the Lord for close to ten years and enjoys being involved with youth group, serving at church in the children’s ministry, and has also been involved in going out street witnessing as well as serving at homeless shelters, and other church outreaches. She has a strong devotional life and is grounded in His Word. She has a true desire to serve the Lord.
Sue Wollenhaupt - Ballet
Biography to Come.
Katelynn Zimmerli - Ballet
Katelynn started dancing when she was four years old. Her training began at Ballet Theater where she danced for eight years. While at
Ballet Theater she took classes in ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe. After the passing of her dance teacher, Katelynn stopped dance training
for two years. During that break she started she started flagging and worship dancing. Having a desire to go back into dance classes her
mother told her about Dance for Joy. After a few classes at Dance for Joy during the summer, her and her family decided to stay. Katelynn is now a member of the Yahweh Ballet and is teaching a Preballet and Worship Warriors class. She also serves as a lead choreographer and dancer for our Destinies Lost Production. Katelynn is volunteers at her family's church, 4 Winds Christian Fellowship located at 630 Brooks Avenue, Rochester that is pastored by her parents Bob and Stephanie Zimmerli. There she teaches the 5-10 year old class. Katelynn also worship dances and flags at her church during praise and worship.
Music Teachers
Angela Cabrera - Kinder Keyboard
a former music teacher with a BA in Humanities with a concentration in Music. She is certified in piano pedagogy. She is a lover of God, her husband, and 3 children. Angela loves worshiping God by singing, playing instruments and dancing. She enjoys finding fun ways to teach ordinary things.
Fitness
Rosalind Walker - Victory Fitness Center
Rosalind is a resident of Rochester where she lives with her daughter Nia. Rosalind's extensive fitness experience includes teaching step aerobics, Pilates, Hi/Lo, Kickboxing, Active Older Adult Fitness, SilverSneakers, Parkinson’s, Resistance Training/Toning, and Flexibility Classes. She also teaches to a variety of populations outside the mainstream fitness classes, including youth, senior citizens and the physically and mentally challenged. Rosalind has taught at Monroe Community Hospital’s Center for Lifetime Wellness, Valley Manor Senior Complex, Jewish Community Center, YMCA of Greater Rochester, Bright Raven Gymnastics, Anthony Jordan Health Center, Baden Street Settlement, Faith Temple Church, West Avenue United Methodist Church, New Life Ministries, Southwest Senior Center, The Highlands at Pittsford, ARC of Rochester, Monroe County DSS. She enjoys bowling, dancing, theatre, comedies, international travel and learning about other cultures. Her fitness goals are to be a good steward of the body God gave you - keeping it as healthy as possible! “Exercise consistently, eat sensibly, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, and keep a positive & clean environment,” she said. Of her salvation, Rosalind explains, “Although I grew up in a church, I did not truly understand what life with Christ was until I submitted my life to Him 1991.” She has been a member of New Life Ministries since that time. She has been active in many ministries over the years such as Youth Ministry teacher, Single’s Ministry Treasurer, Dance Ministry, Mentoring, Finance Ministry, Evangelism, and more. She said, however, that she found that her two main ministry passions are helping people be good stewards of their body and their finances - the two hardest areas for many people. Rosalind’s favorite scriptures are anything from the book of Proverbs. “The one that keeps me strong,” she said, “is 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
"Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will." Psalm 103:21 - Photo by Scott Gargana
