760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA, USA
SCHOOL OF THEATRICAL DANCE Ballet Tap Jazz Modern Yoga Fitness Acro
The Power of Being That is Dance!
FACULTY
THERESA D'ALESSANDRO, FOUNDER
THERESA D'ALESSANDRO, FOUNDER
THERESA D'ALESSANDRO, FOUNDER
SOTD Founder, SOTD Director from 1980-2020, and Administrative Advisor
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Theresa was in the teaching profession for over 40 years teaching all levels of Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern.
Her formal Ballet training began in the early 60’s with Solange Binda at the Ballet Academy of Northern Virginia who she thanks for making childhood dance a nu
SOTD Founder, SOTD Director from 1980-2020, and Administrative Advisor
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Theresa was in the teaching profession for over 40 years teaching all levels of Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern.
Her formal Ballet training began in the early 60’s with Solange Binda at the Ballet Academy of Northern Virginia who she thanks for making childhood dance a nurturing and inspiring experience.
At age 9, she auditioned for, and danced in the National Ballet’s (The predecessor of The Washington Ballet) “Nutcracker”, under Ballet legend, Frederick Franklin.
At 14 she was accepted into the prestigious full time academy at the Washington School of Ballet, but chose to continue her public education while studying under WSB Founder Mary Day, Julio DeBettencourt, and Martin Buchner.
Theresa received her BA in Dance from Mary Washington University under the guidance of Sonja Dragomanovic Haydar, Jean Hunt, and Kathy Gray.
After officially opening the Studio in 1980, Theresa continued to pursue her performing career. She danced with the Washington Opera Ballet for five seasons at the Kennedy Center, working with such world-renowned choreographers as Baayork Lee, Donald Sadler and Brian Macdonald.
For ten years she was a member and soloist with the Modern dance Company, KHG Dance Theatre.
Over the years Theresa has choreographed and produced numerous original Ballets, such as “From Amber to Blue”, “Cuban Overture”, “Equisses de Royaute”, "The Little Mermaid”, “La Fortuna”, “Come Spring”, “Bach”, “Seasons”, and multi-genre productions including, “A Golden Afternoon”, and “J’Adore Paris”.
Theresa has worked in television, acting, and choreographing for the Korean EBS network, as well as being a voice actor for radio.
She was a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, registered with the Royal Academy of Dancing, and AGMA.
Theresa has a son, Tom, “My joy”.
ASHLEY CASTRO, DIRECTOR
THERESA D'ALESSANDRO, FOUNDER
THERESA D'ALESSANDRO, FOUNDER
SOTD Director, SOTD Alumna,
and Senior Instructor of Ballet and Pointe
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Ashley began as a student of SOTD with Miss Theresa and continued her studies at The Maryland Youth Ballet with world-renowned Tensia Fonseca and Eric Hampton.
Throughout her study at MYB, Ashley worked with The Washington School of Ballet, The Kirov Academy of Ballet o
SOTD Director, SOTD Alumna,
and Senior Instructor of Ballet and Pointe
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Ashley began as a student of SOTD with Miss Theresa and continued her studies at The Maryland Youth Ballet with world-renowned Tensia Fonseca and Eric Hampton.
Throughout her study at MYB, Ashley worked with The Washington School of Ballet, The Kirov Academy of Ballet of DC, and was selected to train with The Boston Ballet, The American Academy of Ballet, and received a scholarship to The Joffrey Ballet School in New York.
In 2005, Ashley graduated from the College of Charleston in SC earning degrees in Performing Arts, Ballet & Corporate Communications.
While in Charleston, Ashley was a member of The Robert Ivey Ballet Company for five seasons.
In addition, Ashley has performed with the Joffrey Ballet and Charleston Ballet Theatre in such venues as The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, and the historic Sottile Theatre.
In 2006, she returned to her SOTD family to perform and teach.
In 2015, Ashley continued her professional dance training, teaching, and performing during her four year residence on the Mediterranean island of Limassol, Cyprus.
In 2020, Ashley was promoted to Director of SOTD. Ashley is grateful to Miss Theresa, her childhood dance teacher, mentor, and friend.
“Thank you for taking me under your wing and opening my eyes to new stages of opportunity and strength. I’ve learned something new from you every single day, and I treasure everything you’ve taught me. I’ll be forever grateful to you for trusting me with your SOTD vision.”
Ashley has a lovely daughter, Evelina, who is already following in her mother’s footsteps!
LINDA McLEAN
THERESA D'ALESSANDRO, FOUNDER
FLORIAN ROUILLER
SOTD Senior Fitness Instructor
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Linda graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri earning degrees in Theatre Arts and Social Science for Secondary Education.
She has been certified by AFAA and ACE and has CPR/AED certification.
Linda started teaching Aerobics at School of Theatrical Dance in 1982, and has taught at a variety of lo
SOTD Senior Fitness Instructor
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Linda graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri earning degrees in Theatre Arts and Social Science for Secondary Education.
She has been certified by AFAA and ACE and has CPR/AED certification.
Linda started teaching Aerobics at School of Theatrical Dance in 1982, and has taught at a variety of local health clubs in Reston and Mclean over the years.
Linda has been a beloved and legendary member of the SOTD family for over 40 years!
FLORIAN ROUILLER
FLORIAN ROUILLER
FLORIAN ROUILLER
SOTD Senior Instructor of Modern Dance, Ballet, and Pointe
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Originally from Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Rouiller received his early training with Ecole De Danse Contemporaine and the Stuttgart Ballet School.
He has danced with, among others, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Ohio Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet and Goteborg
SOTD Senior Instructor of Modern Dance, Ballet, and Pointe
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Originally from Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Rouiller received his early training with Ecole De Danse Contemporaine and the Stuttgart Ballet School.
He has danced with, among others, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Ohio Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet and Goteborg Ballet.
He has performed the Ballets of such choreographers as Balanchine, Butler, King, Prokovsky, Goh, North and countless others.
JENS LEE
FLORIAN ROUILLER
JOANNA LUNDQUIST
SOTD Master Teacher, Guest Artist
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Mr. Lee, a native of New Castle, Pa, is an internationally known and acclaimed Professional Dancer/Teacher/Choreographer in dance styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Modern (Horton), Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Ballroom.
Starting at a young age in Theatre, Jens has been in over 100 productions through
SOTD Master Teacher, Guest Artist
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Mr. Lee, a native of New Castle, Pa, is an internationally known and acclaimed Professional Dancer/Teacher/Choreographer in dance styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Modern (Horton), Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Ballroom.
Starting at a young age in Theatre, Jens has been in over 100 productions throughout the East Coast.
He recently was highlighted in the 100th year Gala for the Cleveland Foundation.
Jens' training in dance started with Classical Ballet with the Cecchetti style under the guidance of Gigi Hazan, Kathie Halbert and the Cecchetti Council of American to become certified in Cecchetti Teacher I.
Later on to Vaganova and French styles of ballet from Richard Dickinson (Boston Ballet, Verb Ballets, Great Lakes Ballet), Robert Steele (Boston Ballet, Lake Erie Ballet), Anita Lin (Ballet Western Reserve) and Debbie Parou (New Castle Regional Ballet).
Jens is also a trained medal winning Triathlete/Marathon runner.
Certified in the 13 styles of American Ballroom/Rhythm, Jens was personally trained and coached by the World Ballroom/Theatre Arts Champion, George Hendricks and the Former 10 Dance Champion, Martin Lamb.
As a Professional Instructor and trainer, Jens has taught thousands of students all around the world from age 3-92.
JOANNA LUNDQUIST
FLORIAN ROUILLER
JOANNA LUNDQUIST
SOTD Alumna, Instructor of Jazz and Tap
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Joanna began dancing at School of Theatrical Dance at age 6 and was part of the SOTD family until she graduated from The Madeira School in 2018.
Joanna became a Teaching Apprentice when she was in 5th grade, began substituting and Student Teaching when she was a freshman in high school, and flew sol
SOTD Alumna, Instructor of Jazz and Tap
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Joanna began dancing at School of Theatrical Dance at age 6 and was part of the SOTD family until she graduated from The Madeira School in 2018.
Joanna became a Teaching Apprentice when she was in 5th grade, began substituting and Student Teaching when she was a freshman in high school, and flew solo as an Instructor of Jazz and Tap at age 17.
In 2018, Joanna was accepted to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee where she double majored in Political Science and English Literature while continuing to expand her passion for dance.
Joanna graduated Summa Cum Laude in May of 2022, and is excited to be teaching Teen Jazz and Tap classes at her home studio, SOTD!
CAITLIN VIVES
CAITLIN VIVES
CAITLIN VIVES
SOTD Senior Instructor of Yoga and Practitioner of Reiki
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Caitlin is a mom of three close-in-age children and a sibling to a brother with highly involved special needs.
Accessibility and inclusion are paramount for her, in class and in life.
Trained and certified as an anatomically-focused, trauma-informed yoga teacher (200 RYT), Caitlin ha
SOTD Senior Instructor of Yoga and Practitioner of Reiki
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Caitlin is a mom of three close-in-age children and a sibling to a brother with highly involved special needs.
Accessibility and inclusion are paramount for her, in class and in life.
Trained and certified as an anatomically-focused, trauma-informed yoga teacher (200 RYT), Caitlin has led classes indoors and out for all ages -- from just a few weeks old to nonagenarian -- for three years.
She adores sharing the practice with others, but what she loves most is helping practitioners see that they are capable of more than they realize.
"Witnessing that light of self-recognition is truly beautiful."
RAMSEY ELIAS
CAITLIN VIVES
CAITLIN VIVES
SOTD Senior Instructor of Acrobatics, Parkour, and Calisthenics
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Ramsey has been doing Acrobatics for ten years. He loves training that facilitates the strength and balance required to do moves in Gymnastics, Parkour, and Circus Arts like partner balancing.
Ramsey's training is focused on Calisthenics and animal-mimicking movements which
SOTD Senior Instructor of Acrobatics, Parkour, and Calisthenics
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Ramsey has been doing Acrobatics for ten years. He loves training that facilitates the strength and balance required to do moves in Gymnastics, Parkour, and Circus Arts like partner balancing.
Ramsey's training is focused on Calisthenics and animal-mimicking movements which develop the whole body for functional strength and range of motion.
He has performed for audiences big and small, with his two children, fellow adult performers, and his SOTD students.
Before Acrobatics, Ramsey trained in kung fu. Similar to Ballet, the leg strength, postures and body awareness developed in martial arts lend themselves readily to Acrobatics, Gymnastics, and more.
Ramsey believes his classes should be both playful and challenging!
CONTRIBUTE
[HEART] the Arts
People expect a small, loving studio such as ours to continue to exist magically, when there are so many challenges. The reality is, post-pandemic, we need your help to survive.
School of Theatrical Dance is a Non-profit, 501-C3 Educational Institution.
We have poured our hearts, souls, and soles into our tight-knit SOTD family for 40 years. For generations, we have had the tremendous privilege of nurturing and training dancers in Great Falls, Virginia and surrounding communities.
And yet, we are SO MUCH MORE... We are a family; a beautiful, positive, uplifting, impactful staple of our community.
SOTD strives for students to develop healthy strength of mind and body, lasting connections with their peers, and powerful skills that follow them throughout their lives.
Please don’t let the Great Falls zip code mislead you. Tuition covers operating expenses and modest salaries for our Instructors.
Sadly, many of our students haven’t returned this season because of COVID-19 concerns.
Your donation, no matter the amount, will help us continue our mission...
A mission of encouraging our students to become kind, well-rounded, and conscientious citizens as well as true artists.
Please help us [HEART] the SOTD Arts.
