"I was literally being told where the best opportunities for my future could be, and given
networking opportunities!" Participant, Exploring Opportunities
Pentacle began developing programs for New York City public schools in 1988, expanding its services to the performing arts community to include its youngest members, those just beginning to discover their love for dance and to think about the role of the arts in their lives. Through Educational Programming, Pentacle builds on its experience and expertise working with professionals to teach young dancers about the business skills needed for success in the field and to help them understand the possibilities for careers that incorporate their passions. Our commitment to these students has been to inform and prepare them for the role dance can play in their lives moving forward, and to teach them the entrepreneurial skills they can apply in the dance world, or in any field.
Behind the Scenes has been in successful partnerships with New York City schools since 2003. 2008-2009 marks the sixth year of Pentacle's Behind the Scenes partnership with Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Long Island City, Queens; fourth year with Washington Irving High School in Union Square, Manhattan and the third with the Bronx Dance Academy (MS 308) in Woodlawn, Bronx.
The Hunter College Dance Program has partnered with Pentacle since 2005 to offer Exploring Opportunities to its dance program and college students and recent alumni throughout New York City.
The New York City Department of Education recognized Pentacle as a leading cultural partner through an invitation to design the career exploration curriculum for its Summer Arts Institute (SAI) in 2005. Pentacle created A Life in the Arts a multi-disciplinary look at careers in the arts.
Pentacle is a member of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable and the New York State Alliance for Arts Education.
Aliza Arenson began working at Pentacle in 2005 as the Administrative Associate in the Booking Department. In March 2006, she became the Director of Educational Programming. Aliza was a member of the 2006 Arts Leadership Institute (Arts & Business Council/Teachers College) and a member of the 2008 Fundraising Institute (CRE/CUNYSPAS). She formerly worked as Direct Donations Coordinator at Materials for the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. She has held administrative internships at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Williamsburg Art NeXus, Buglisi/Foreman Dance, New York City Ballet Archives and Dance Magazine. Aliza was part of the coordinating committee for Danza Washington Heights Dancenow/NYC 2004 and 2005 and has been an administrative consultant with, Adele Myers and Dancers and Von Ussar/Danceworks. Aliza wrote a combined thesis for a BA in Art History/ Dance History from Barnard College-Columbia University.
Rachelle Anthes is an artist and educator. Since 2001, she has been working within the New York City public school system designing, teaching and implementing new arts and education programs. She facilitates workshops for visual, musical, theatre, and dance teaching artists in how to use infuse yoga, alignment work, chakra, touch therapy and breathing techniques in their teaching practices. She loves to write, travel, teach and is a steadfast practitioner of life-long learning.
Brad Raimondo is a double graduate of New York University, holding a BA in Theater from the Tisch School of the Arts and a Masters in Educational Theater from the Steinhardt School of Education. He is a producer, director, designer and teaching artist. Brad is a co-founder of Dreamscape. Brad has taught and created theater with young people in Massachusetts, New Jersey and throughout New York City. Brad has taught in NYC for The Leadership Program and as a member of the New Victory Theater's Teaching Artist Ensemble and in New Jersey for Tenafly Middle School and Arts Power National Touring Theater. He also serves as the Coordinator for the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable.
Brooke Wyatt is the artistic administrator of the USA International Ballet Competition, where she is responsible for the artistic aspects of the USA IBC, competitor relations, and the USA IBC's arts education programs. Brooke received a B.F.A. in dance education from Brenau University, and studied dance at Ballet Mississippi and with Dame Sonia Arova and Thor Sutowski at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Brooke was a company member of the Gainesville Ballet and has also danced with several modern dance companies. Brooke is honored to have served as an arts educator for Pentacle, Dancewave, American Ballet Theatre, and Education in Dance.
Tiffany Mills is a choreographer, teacher, performer, and artistic director of the NYC-based Tiffany Mills Company. Her work is grounded in partnering and improvisation, and is frequently shown in NYC. Mills teaches at the Trisha Brown Studio, has taught master classes at ADF/NYC and ACDFA, as well as guest taught at colleges and universities nationally. Her work has been performed at such venues as Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (OR), Wexner Center (OH), Works & Process at the Guggenheim, and Danspace Project. Most recent support comes from Bogliasco Foundation, Jerome Robbins Foundation, and a Joyce Residency. Mills exploration is fueled by collaboration across mediums. She is currently working with composer Ikue Mori, filmmaker Ela Tryoano, and performance artist Peter Petralia. www.tiffanymillscompany.org
Adesola Osakalumi is a highly regarded leader in the world of hip hop dance. He co-founded GhettOriginals Productions Dance Company - of Jam On The Groove fame (the first hip hop theater production). It premiered Off-Broadway to rave reviews. Adesola has also choreographed and/or been featured on the MTV Video Awards (with Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and others); PBS Kids; Old Navy, Halifax Bank and Levis commercials; and in the films School of Rock, Marci X, Enchanted, and Idlewild, to name a few. In 2008, Adesola will make his acting debut in The Accidental Husband with Uma Thurman. Adesola also designs dance productions for high-end corporate clients. He is a Drama Desk Award nominee, a Bessie Award recipient, and has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Adesola is currently appearing on Broadway in Equus.
