About Our Staff
Kathleen Rathbun
Ms. Rathbun has extensive in-depth experience developing young
dancers' technique, strength and artistry. A former soloist with
Princeton Ballet Society of New Jersey and Dancer's Ensemble of
Syracuse, Ms. Rathbun attended Julliard on scholarship. She has
studied with David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Finis Young and other
world renowned teachers. Ms. Rathbun taught classical ballet at
Syracuse University and was the former director of the Dance Department
at Metropolitan School of the Arts. In 1997, Ms. Rathbun brought
classical ballet back to Central New York with the founding of
Upstate NY Ballet, Inc. - Central New York's only professional
ballet company - where she continues to serve as artistic director.
An accomplished professional dancer and choreographer, she has
presented ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Swan
Lake and Cinderella (with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra) to
capacity houses and four star reviews. In November and four-star
reviews. In November 2008, Rathbun returned to the Landmark Theatre
with Snow White, the ballet that launched the company more than
a decade ago.
Philosophy
I welcome you to join in the experience of dance through Ballet
& Dance of Upstate New York, Inc. Our goal is to provide professional
training and guidance in an enjoyable setting to further each
student's development both physically and mentally. The lessons
learned
through dance provide both motivation and discipline to enrich
their everyday lives.
Melissa Gould
Jazz & Tap Instructor
Ms. Gould has more than 25 years experience inall disciplines
of dance, and has been choreographing in the Syracuse area for
19 years. Her areas of expertise include lyrical - and commercial-style
jazz, funk, tap and character dance, as well as costume and set
design. Ms. Gould has appeared in Upstate NY Ballet's productions
of Swan Lake, Snow White, Cinderella and Dracula, and in Syracuse
Opera's Don Giovanni. She has choreographed and performed for
the Armory Square Candlelight Series, and has appeared on stage
with Sophisticated Productions. Dancing with such names as Gus
Giordano and Mark Santoro, Ms. Gould has performed with a number
of various schools and performing arts companies. She is a dance
consultant for local gymnastics dance teams. A devoted teacher
who emphasizes terminology, dedication and discipline in a fun
and exciting atmosphere. Ms Gould is an asset to the Ballet &
Dance of Upstate New York staff.
Maryann Page
Ballet Instructor
Raised in North Carolina, Maryann studied and performed lead and
soloist roles with the Raleigh Dance Theater. She spend her summers
engaged in top level training with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Boston
Ballet, Richmond Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet. After graduating
from High School, Ms. Page pursued a BS in Biology at Saint Mary's
in South Bend Indiana, followed by a Masters degree at SUNY ESF.
She continued performing lead roles in Southold Dance Theater's
productions of the Nutcracker, Copellia, Swan Lake and Giselle
and has appeared in numerous contemporary and original pieces.
Maryann joined Upstate NY Ballet in 2000, and had performed soloist
roles in the Company's productions of Swan Lake, The Sleeping
Beauty, Dracula, Cinderella and Snow White, and she choreographed
and performed in the Armory Square Candlelight Series in both
2002 & 2003. As well as being a multi-talented dance teacher,
Ms. Page is also a faculty member in the Biology Department at
Onondaga Community College. We are proud to have her on the staff
of Ballet & Dance of Upstate New York.
