Guest Artists

Nathan Andary
Nathan Andary, Artistic Director of Andary Dance received his BFA in Dance from Ohio University in 1999 and the Merit Award for Choreography from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts in 2005. Born in Kentucky, he began dancing in 1990 with the Ashland Ballet Company, and went on to dance for the Salt Creek Ballet Company in Chicago, The Fusionworks Dance Company of Rhode Island (2000-2003), KITSUNEButoh and the world renowned Salt Imbaguines / Kan Katsura before founding his own company, Andary Dance. His performance credits include works by Katsura Kan, David Parsons, David Dorfman, Gladys Bailin (Alwin Nikolais), Michelle Geller (Merce Cunningham), Deb Meunier, Laura Bennett, and Ellen Godena. Nathan's choreography has been produced by NG Systems (Massachussets), Berwyck Research Institute (Boston), AS220 (Providence), Groundwerx Dance Company (Providence), Fusionorks Dance Company (Lincoln), Island Moving Company (Newport), the Ashland Ballet Company (Kentucky), and Ohio State University. Nathan uses life experiences and the cerebral voyage through the art of communication as a breeding ground for choreography and theater.

Nicole Cavalloro (Guest Artist)
Nicole comes from Rhode Island, where she was the owner and artistic director of “Nikki’s Dance Connection.” She now spends her time teaching, choreographing, and judging for various studios and competitions throughout the United States and Canada. Nicole’s artistry, talent, and exhaustive teaching record are best reflected by her register of successful students who have been awarded both regional and national titles, won choreography awards, and have performed at Hershey Park, Busch Gardens, Disney, and on international cruise lines. Nicole travels with the national tour for VIP Conventions and Fire & Ice. Nicole continues to be recognized for her competition choreography.

Tim Fournier 
Tim is originally from Boston where he trained with the highest level of dance educators in the country. His young training included numerous master teachers from all over the world concentrating on technique, artistry, and performance in styles ranging from tap (his first love) to ballet and jazz/hip hop. Tim’s professional career started at the early age of 9 with a performance on “Star Search.” His resume since then has included “Boys & Girls” starring Freddie Prince Jr., “Cinderelmo”, “Jerry Lewis Telethon”, Goodwill Games, “Peter Pan”, Radio City Music Hall, Tokyo Disneyland, West Side Story (European Tour), Crazy For You, Sea Doo, Reebock, Compaq, Intel, Beauty & the Beast (Walt Disney World), YM Magazine, and more. He has worked with famous stars as Debbie Gibson, Linda Eder, Bebe & Cece Winnans, Fayard Nicholas, (of the Nicholas Brothers), All 4 One, Cathy Rigby, Claire Forlani, Keri Russell, Brandy, and more. Mr. Fournier has been teaching choreographing and judging dance competitions for over 10 years. He prides himself on his innovative choreography from his unique experiences in the business. Recently, Tim has been training music artists in Korea, Japan, and Thailand, and choreographing shows with the companies GMM Grammy & RS Promotion.

Mark Harootian (Guest Artist)
A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Harootian received his early training from the Performing Arts School of Worcester dancing with the Worcester Youth Ballet and Burncoat Senior High's dance department. He attended the University of Utah on a ballet scholarship and became a member of Utah Ballet; he graduated with a BFA with an emphasis on performing and teaching.  He also performed in and choreographed many of the department's seasonal shows while dancing many leading roles with Utah Ballet. In addition, Mr. Harootian performed at Disney's Epcot Center, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics Medal Plaza and the Festival of White Nights in Pushkin Russia. Memorable roles include The Captain in Carmen, The Sailor in Con Amore and Doug Spivey in The Widow's Broom. He has also captivated Up CLOSE on HOPE audiences choreographing new works Breaking the Limits, Let it Go for a While, Mutable Air and his most recent premiere, Armenian Moves. Awarded a choreography grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts in 2007, Mark will continue to pursue his talent for choreography. Mr. Harootian’s fifth season with Festival Ballet Providence.

Karen Hughes (Finale Choreographer)
Karen taught dance at PMD from 1991 – 2007, instructing our younger dancers in tap, ballet, and jazz. She has been choreographing our finales for more than ten years. Karen is an assistant principal at Mountview Middle School in Holden. She lives in Princeton with her husband, Scott and their son, Brady.  Karen is very excited to continue to be a member of the PMD staff as their finale choreographer.

Vera Kurmasheva
After a 20 year professional performing career, Ms. Kurmasheva continued her studies at the Kazakh State Academy of Arts in Classical Dance Instruction and choreography. Ms. Kurmasheva was one of the most recognized teachers at the Almaty State Academy of Ballet where she taught Classical Ballet, Historical Dance, Ballet History, and Ballet Theory for the professional track students. She joined the Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education in 2001.

Monica Lessard (Guest Artist)
Monica is a 2007 graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where she majored in dance with a concentration in contemporary jazz.  Training and performing with the Playhouse Dance Company at Point Park, Monica showcased her professional expertise as a featured and solo dancer in various productions giving her the opportunity to work with many dancers and choreographers in the Pittsburg area.  She also had the chance to perform in American College Dance Festival performances throughout the United States.  Monica’s commitment to dance began early.  Training with studios throughout the New Hampshire area she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, acro and choreography.  She is grateful and proud to be part of the PMD family, where she has been able to share her passion for dance with so many talented young dancers.

Stacey McIntyre (Guest Artist)
Stacey began her dance training at the age of three at the Roxbury Center for Performing Arts. At the age of eight she continued her training at Sherry Gold’s Dance Studio, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. In 2002, Stacey traveled to Reisa, Germany, to compete in the International Showdance Competition and was awarded the Gold Medal in the Adult Solo Female Division. Then in 2004, Stacey was crowned Miss Dance of Great Lakes, and went on to win Miss Dance of America 2004. Stacey has been the recipient of numerous group and solo awards, including the Emily Sachs Memorial Award and the Sherry Gold Memorial Award.  In addition to her individual performance and scholastic achievements, Stacey’s students and choreography have won numerous awards, including Miss Dance of New England 2004.  Stacey graduated with a BS degree in 2003 from Bridgewater State College.  Stacey can also be seen performing with Nailah Bellinger and her phenomenal company Roots Uprising. Roots Uprising has performed in various places including Suffolk and Brandeis University.  She was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots for several years and was awarded “Cheerleader of the Year in 2008.” She lives with her husband, Carl in Florida and is happy to be a part of the PMD family.

Susie Michaud
Susie Michaud received her B.S. in Education from Fitchburg State College.  Her advanced dance studies were in New York City with the June Taylor School, Paul Draper, Al Gilbert, Brenda Bufalino, and Honi Coles.  Ms. Michaud’s teaching experience includes the Boston Conservatory, Northern Ballet Theatre Dance Centre, Groton School, Harvard/Radcliffe dance program, Mount Wachusett Community College, Jeannette Neill Dance Studio and Boston Youth Moves.  She has choreographed and performed for Community Theater, Dinner Theater, Northern Ballet Theater, and benefits.  She has directed “Theater-Dance” workshops for children and adults.  Her dance competition choreography has won both regional and national recognition.