- Jun 27, 2019

Meet SunDance 2019's International Guest Faculty

SunDance 2019 is proud to welcome our guest instructors this summer, hailing from the UK and USA. These renowned and experienced teachers will bring their love of dance, artistry, technical excellence, and performance to CCDT's studios during the three-week intensive, July 2-19.

Gerard Charles

Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance

Ballet & Pointe - Programs A & B (Week 3)

Gerard Charles was born in Folkestone, England, and received his dance training from Moya Kennedy, and at the Royal Ballet School in London.

He danced professionally in the UK, Europe and the USA before retiring from the stage to serve as Ballet Master for BalletMet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Gerard was Artistic Director of BalletMet from 2001 until 2012 during which time the company continued its artistic and financial growth. The company commissioned more than 50 world premieres, and was invited to perform in Russia and New York City among others. Gerard also formed collaborations with other ballet companies and arts organisations to present pioneering and adventurous programming.

In 2012 Gerard joined the Joffrey Ballet and was promoted to Director of Artistic Operations. During his career, he has been fortunate to work with, and learn from, a wide range of choreographers and teachers. As Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance, Gerard looks forwards to sharing his experiences and to inspiring a new generation of dancers.

Dante Puleio

Modern Technique - Programs A & B

Modern Repertoire - Program A

Dante Puleio began his training in dance at the Laban Centre (London, UK) in 1994, and further trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds, UK). After earning his BFA from University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA) he moved to New York and joined the Limón Dance Company, while he also performed in the national and international tours of the Broadway shows Tommy and The Wizard of Oz. He danced on several U.S. reality based TV shows as well as in commercial work with Chita Rivera, Tony Stevens and Jason Robert Brown. Dante returned to the Limón Dance Company in 2008 as principal and soloist until 2015.

After being awarded an MFA from University of California in 2017, he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Contemporary Dance at Troy University. He currently teaches and choreographs internationally and also sets Limón masterpieces on recognised schools and companies.

SunDance 2019 Returning Faculty

Click here to learn more about our returning faculty members.

Carmen Cairns, Ballet & Character - Program C; Flamenco - Program B

Julia Cosentino, Jazz - Programs B & C

Natasha Poon Woo, Modern Technique & Modern Repertoire - Program C

Colleen Snell, Improvisation & Composition - Program A; Modern Repertoire - Program B

Lindsay Storms, Progressing Ballet Technique, All Programs