Our mission at MK Dance On Hudson is to offer a program that embraces all dancers from as young as 15 months into adulthood with inspiring classes that bring out the best in them. We offer a varied dance program with class options from beginner to advanced levels. Our goal is to bring the art of dance to the community in a nurturing and non-competitive setting.
MK Dance On Hudson offers an environment where everybody is a dancer. Our main focus is to instill the love of dance in our students so they can take that with them throughout their life. Our program offers classes for Tots/Toddlers, Kids, Teens and Adults. We also offer a Jr & Sr Company program for students working on more advanced training. Our weekly classes run in two semesters as well as a summer program with camps and weekly classes. We offer a variety of adult classes and workshops throughout the year.
Michelle Kelly Wurf has been teaching dance throughout New York City, Westchester and Philadelphia for over 25 years. She began dancing at the age of 11 and hasn’t stopped since. After spending many years dancing and performing in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she continued to study dance at NYU and went on to earn her BFA in Modern Dance
Michelle Kelly Wurf has been teaching dance throughout New York City, Westchester and Philadelphia for over 25 years. She began dancing at the age of 11 and hasn’t stopped since. After spending many years dancing and performing in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she continued to study dance at NYU and went on to earn her BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She danced professionally in New York City and Philadelphia with various choreographers and was a company member of Ausdruckstanz Dance Theater, Copperworks Dance Company and TeatoLocal. She began teaching for Kids Co-Motion in 1994 and became the Director of their Westchester Division for 10 years. In 2013, she opened her own studio, MK Dance, in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. In 2020, Michelle merged MK Dance and On Hudson Fitness & Dance and opened the new studio as MK Dance On Hudson. Michelle has taught throughout Philadelphia, NYC and Westchester at various studios and schools, including: the Lamm Institute Pre-School in Brooklyn; the Grafflin Elementary School of Chappaqua; the Katonah Elementary School; the Riverdale Neighborhood House; the Children's Garden Center in Tarrytown; the Temple Beth Shalom Nursery School and Hillside Elementary School in Hastings-on-Hudson; the Chabad Pre-School, the Christian Pre-School, Springhurst Elementary School in Dobbs Ferry: the Virginia Marx Children Center at Westchester Community College and the YWCA in White Plains.. She was the Division Chair (Dance for Early Childhood) at the Y Dance Academy in Tarrytown and taught at the Rivertown Dance Academy in Tarrytown. Michelle resides in Dobbs Ferry with her husband and two children.
Alex Martin graduated in 2010 from Wayne State University with a B.F.A. in Dance. Throughout Alex’s career at WSU, she performed works by Melissa Allen, Twyla Tharp, Meg Paul, Penny Godboldo, Ben Munisteri, and Nicholas Leichter. One of her choreographed works, “Area of Stability”, was selected to be featured at the American College Danc
Alex Martin graduated in 2010 from Wayne State University with a B.F.A. in Dance. Throughout Alex’s career at WSU, she performed works by Melissa Allen, Twyla Tharp, Meg Paul, Penny Godboldo, Ben Munisteri, and Nicholas Leichter. One of her choreographed works, “Area of Stability”, was selected to be featured at the American College Dance Festival East Central Gala in 2009. Invited as a guest performer in 2009, she performed with Nicholas Leichter Dance at the Joyce Theatre for the premiere of “Killa”. She is currently a member of Evolve Dance, Inc. and has recently travelled with the company to perform in California at the MixMatch Festival. Alex is also a member of John J. Zullo Dance where she has performed at the HOT! Festival, Dixon Place, and Theatre for the New City with the company. In addition to actively pursuing her career as a professional dancer, she teachers and choreographs at several dance schools throughout the Metropolitan area.
Billy Cohen, hailing from outside Boston, started his hip hop training at the young age of six at Joanne Langione Dance Center with his identical twin brother, and continued his training at Hofstra University while receiving a B.S. Degree in Dance Education. This training at Hofstra gave him the opportunity to work with artists such as F
Billy Cohen, hailing from outside Boston, started his hip hop training at the young age of six at Joanne Langione Dance Center with his identical twin brother, and continued his training at Hofstra University while receiving a B.S. Degree in Dance Education. This training at Hofstra gave him the opportunity to work with artists such as Fredrick Earl Mosley, Doug Varone, David Parker, Heather Waldon, Ellie Kusner, Bill Young, and Barbara Angeline, as well as train with Hofstra’s most notable Dance Department alumni, Larry Keigwin, on scholarship. Billy also created two works that represented Hofstra at American Collegiate Dance Association Conferences, and co-choreographed his own fully-produced evening dance show, “jux•ta•po•si•tion”. Outside of school, he continued his training with Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester and at Generation IV, learning and performing choreography from Teddy Forance, Devin Jamieson, Derek Mitchell, Emily Greenwell, Candace Brown, Jeff Lapes, Noel Bajades, Jonny Forance, and Emma Portner. Recently, Billy’s choreography was included in a segment of MTV’s Episode 2 of “Lit!” sponsored by Beats by Dre. Signed to Bloc Talent agency, Bill has worked with Reebok and was casted as a Principal Dancer in the upcoming season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, choreographed by Marguerite Derricks. Earlier this year, Billy starred in a viral video called “Student vs. Teacher Battle”, totaling over 22 million views on all social media platforms and appearing on multiple news networks, including a short segment on “Inside Edition”. With his education background, Billy Cohen hopes to have continuous success in the dance industry, and to someday travel the world doing what he loves best: creating, performing, and sharing his knowledge of dance to next upcoming generation of artists.
Carmela and Andrew have a combined 27 years of experience dancing NY-style salsa. They are principal dancers with Huracán Dance Company, where they have been members since 2016. They have traveled domestically and international performing and teaching salsa. They have also performed with a wide variety of Latin recording artists.
Carmela i
Carmela and Andrew have a combined 27 years of experience dancing NY-style salsa. They are principal dancers with Huracán Dance Company, where they have been members since 2016. They have traveled domestically and international performing and teaching salsa. They have also performed with a wide variety of Latin recording artists.
Carmela is a 3x World Salsa Champion who is known for her infectious energy and skilled communication as an instructor who loves to break down the fundamentals. Andrew is known throughout NY for his skill and flavor on the “social dance” floor.
Cynthia Svigals is a dance artist and certified yoga teacher who has been leading movement classes for nearly three decades. As a student, she spent a term at the London Contemporary Dance School, and also holds a BA in Dance from Connecticut College, where her choreography was selected for the American College Dance Festival's National G
Cynthia Svigals is a dance artist and certified yoga teacher who has been leading movement classes for nearly three decades. As a student, she spent a term at the London Contemporary Dance School, and also holds a BA in Dance from Connecticut College, where her choreography was selected for the American College Dance Festival's National Gala at the Kennedy Center. After graduation, she spent eight years performing throughout the US and abroad as a member of Jane Comfort and Company. Additionally, she was a performer in various projects with Cynthia Oliver’s COCo Dance Theater and Potrzebie Dance Project, among others. Her own choreography has been presented in NYC at Dixon Place, Mulberry Street Theater, and Dance Space Inc. She currently collaborates with fellow Rivertown artists Joel Sherry and Michelle Wurf under the collective known as Teatolocal.
Davon D Chance is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer with an extensive background in modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop. This Native to Westchester County graduated from SUNY Purchase College where they double majored in Dance (BFA) and Arts Management (BA). Davon also has a background in personal training, dance fitness and sports rehabi
Davon D Chance is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer with an extensive background in modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop. This Native to Westchester County graduated from SUNY Purchase College where they double majored in Dance (BFA) and Arts Management (BA). Davon also has a background in personal training, dance fitness and sports rehabilitation. Davon has been teaching and choreographing since they were 15 years old. Davon hopes to one day have their own dance company as well as their own dance, fitness, and wellness center. Davon currently teaches in Westchester County, Brooklyn and New York City and is a dancer with DiMauro Dance Company.
Helen Clare Samoskevich is a performing and teaching artist based in the NYC area. She has worked with students from preschool through middle school ages as a dance and theatre instructor, director, and choreographer. Regional theatre performing credits include Ensemble in Sunset Boulevard (Music Theatre of CT), Lucy Van Pelt in You’re a
Helen Clare Samoskevich is a performing and teaching artist based in the NYC area. She has worked with students from preschool through middle school ages as a dance and theatre instructor, director, and choreographer. Regional theatre performing credits include Ensemble in Sunset Boulevard (Music Theatre of CT), Lucy Van Pelt in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (STONC), and Pit Singer/Darlene Cover in Honky Tonk Angels (STONC). In her classes, Helen strives to create compassionate, safe spaces where students can grow as dancers and as people. She earned her BA in Arts Management from UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Drama Therapy at New York University. Helen is excited to be joining the MK Dance On Hudson team!
Jessica Whitehorne originally hails from the Boston area. After earning a B.A. in Dance from Dean College she enjoyed dancing as a Soloist for Boston Dance Company. As a teacher, Jessica held positions at some of the areas top schools, most notably The Boston Ballet School. After leaving Boston, Jessica spent time in North Carolina where
Jessica Whitehorne originally hails from the Boston area. After earning a B.A. in Dance from Dean College she enjoyed dancing as a Soloist for Boston Dance Company. As a teacher, Jessica held positions at some of the areas top schools, most notably The Boston Ballet School. After leaving Boston, Jessica spent time in North Carolina where she performed as a Principal dancer with the Greensboro Ballet. Now settled in New York, Jessica resides in Hastings on Hudson with her husband and daughter and loves teaching ballet and modern to the next generation of dedicated dancers! She is also currently performing with the Classics Dance Theatre, Mooney Cooley Dance Company and Signature Dance Company.
Mary Ford-Sussman has had a varied and extensive career as a modern dancer, teacher and choreographer. Most notably she was a principal dancer with the Limon Dance Company from 1996-2004 and the Mary Anthony Dance Theatre from 1994-2006. She is recognized for her musicality, lyricism, dramatic power and luminous performing presence. Ms.
Mary Ford-Sussman has had a varied and extensive career as a modern dancer, teacher and choreographer. Most notably she was a principal dancer with the Limon Dance Company from 1996-2004 and the Mary Anthony Dance Theatre from 1994-2006. She is recognized for her musicality, lyricism, dramatic power and luminous performing presence. Ms. Ford-Sussman has taught modern dance technique and composition nationally and internationally and has been commissioned to choreograph works for Springfield College, SUNY Buffalo, and the Masters School, among others. In the spring of 2015, Mary was invited to create a new work for a RAW workshop in Tarrytown. Along with collaborator Akiko Ko, she created an original duet, PATH, which will be further developed this year. She has taught Dance and Movement for children for SummerArts Camp in the Rivertowns since 2012. Sensing a lack of dance offerings for adults in the Rivertowns, Mary began teaching Modern Dance for adults in 2012 and classes continue to grow steadily. She is happy to be asked to join the faculty of MK Dance. Mary lives in Dobbs Ferry with her husband, Bill, her daughter, Aleah, two dogs and a cat.
Sharon McCann-Doyle is trained as a classical ballet dancer. She was member of Eglevsky Ballet under the direction of Jane Miller and Paul Gifford and danced in a variety of soloist and corp rolls in both repertoire pieces as well as story ballets. As a young dancer she performed with New York City Ballet in works choreographed by Georg
Sharon McCann-Doyle is trained as a classical ballet dancer. She was member of Eglevsky Ballet under the direction of Jane Miller and Paul Gifford and danced in a variety of soloist and corp rolls in both repertoire pieces as well as story ballets. As a young dancer she performed with New York City Ballet in works choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Her training includes North Carolina School of the Arts, The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet and Mid-Atlantic Ballet. Sharon has taught both children and adults classes and relishes the opportunity to bring a sense of body awareness and joy of movement and dance to new students. Sharon holds a MS in Social Research and currently works part-time at Columbia University. Sharon is also a Pilates Instructor and the owner of inmotionny.com. She recently moved with her husband and four children to Dobbs Ferry.
Tanja Whited grew up in Santa Barbara, California where she began her ballet training with Lisa Abshere at the Goleta School of Ballet. In 2001, she moved to New York City to earn a bachelor of arts in dance and English from Barnard College, Columbia University. In 2004, she also participated in Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Professional Pr
Tanja Whited grew up in Santa Barbara, California where she began her ballet training with Lisa Abshere at the Goleta School of Ballet. In 2001, she moved to New York City to earn a bachelor of arts in dance and English from Barnard College, Columbia University. In 2004, she also participated in Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Professional Program. Since graduating magna cum laude, she has danced professionally with companies, such as Charleston Ballet Theatre, Northern Ballet Theatre, Albano Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Dances Patrelle, and others. For the past 10 years, she has been teaching ballet to all age groups, passing on her passion and love for dance to the next generation.
Carmela Muzio Dormani, PhD. is a performing artist and sociologist from New York. She has traveled domestically and internationally as a dancer and worked with a variety of Latin recording artists on both live shows and music videos. Carmela is a 3x World Salsa Champion who is known for her infectious energy and commitment to dance educat
Carmela Muzio Dormani, PhD. is a performing artist and sociologist from New York. She has traveled domestically and internationally as a dancer and worked with a variety of Latin recording artists on both live shows and music videos. Carmela is a 3x World Salsa Champion who is known for her infectious energy and commitment to dance education. She runs the "Hudson Valley Salsa Collective", which includes adult salsa classes at MK Dance On Hudson. As a scholar-artist-activist she studies and writes about the social context of grassroots community dance practices. Connect with Carmela on social media @melamuzio or at melamuzio.com.
Ava Lovsin is a New York City based Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer. She started her dance journey at Joanne’s Dance Extension in Canton, Michigan, where she trained and competed in various styles of dance. Ava furthered her dance education under the mentorship of Thomas Ralabate at the University at Buffalo, where she earned her BFA i
Ava Lovsin is a New York City based Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer. She started her dance journey at Joanne’s Dance Extension in Canton, Michigan, where she trained and competed in various styles of dance. Ava furthered her dance education under the mentorship of Thomas Ralabate at the University at Buffalo, where she earned her BFA in Dance in 2022. In her time at the university, Ava performed and choreographed in many shows and even directed Dancer’s Workshop her senior year. Ava also held the title of Social Media Director for the dance program.
Paired with her degree, Ava has studied from Dance Masters of America; Cecchetti Council of America; Joffrey Ballet School; Broadway Dance Center; Steps on Broadway; Entity Contemporary Dance; Take Dance Company; and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. When Ava is not dancing, you can catch her teaching fitness classes at Pure Barre around New York City.
Samantha Siegel's dance journey began at a young age at a competition dance studio in the Bay Area of California before eventually heading to NYU / Tisch School of the Arts to major in dance. At Tisch, she studied ballet and modern but found her true joy while taking classes at the NYU Swing Dance Society, an extracurricular club on campu
Samantha Siegel's dance journey began at a young age at a competition dance studio in the Bay Area of California before eventually heading to NYU / Tisch School of the Arts to major in dance. At Tisch, she studied ballet and modern but found her true joy while taking classes at the NYU Swing Dance Society, an extracurricular club on campus. After college, her specialty in swing dance led to a career performing, choreographing, directing, and instructing in a multitude of industries including film & television, musical theater, cruise lines, and Lindy Hop events around the world. Notable accolades include dancing in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Blues Clue's Big City Adventure, Mrs. America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Red Hot Chili Pepper's music video "Go Robot", and directing the Broadway show Swing! for Norwegian Cruise Lines to 8 different casts. She has traveled to teach Lindy Hop to students in England, Paris, Costa Rica, and India and is so excited to share swing dance with MK Dance On Hudson!
Olivia graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, where she performed as a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company. This past year she moved from Michigan and is currently performing as a member of the Mo.vement Dance Company. Olivia is also passionate about teaching and choreographing which she has been
Olivia graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, where she performed as a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company. This past year she moved from Michigan and is currently performing as a member of the Mo.vement Dance Company. Olivia is also passionate about teaching and choreographing which she has been so fortunate to do for various dance studios, conventions, and workshops around the country. In addition to dance, Olivia is a certified fitness instructor and loves teaching Pure Barre classes around New York City.
Described as “awesomely fiery” by the NYTimes, Rebeca is the artistic director of A Palo Seco Flamenco Company, which she founded in 2010 after performing for other well-known Flamenco companies throughout the U.S. (Flamenco Vivo, Noche Flamenca). For her choreographic work, Tomas has received support from Arts Westchester, Lower Manhatt
Described as “awesomely fiery” by the NYTimes, Rebeca is the artistic director of A Palo Seco Flamenco Company, which she founded in 2010 after performing for other well-known Flamenco companies throughout the U.S. (Flamenco Vivo, Noche Flamenca). For her choreographic work, Tomas has received support from Arts Westchester, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Jerome Foundation, Connecticut Office of the Arts, and she is a two-time recipient of the NYFA/NYSCA Artist Fellowship in Choreography (2013 & 2019). Tomas and A Palo Seco have performed throughout the U.S. at venues such as New York Summer Stage, (le) Poisson Rouge, the Chicago Flamenco Festival, Eastman School of Music’s World Music Series, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s Pocantico Center, and the New Victory Theater. A firm believer in Arts-Education, she conducts workshops, residencies, and Lecture Demonstrations to students of all ages and backgrounds throughout the country. Rebeca began her formal dance training in Granada, Spain and later moved to Madrid, where she studied at the internationally renowned Flamenco Academy Amor de Dios.
Dorina Dilullo received her B.A. in Theater Dance from Queens College. She taught dance and worked in show business professionally for over 20 years. Dorina danced with Gail Conrade Dance Company at “Theatre For New York City,” performed in San Francisco at Kmel Summer Jam with Mariah Carey, and has worked all over the tri-state area in
Dorina Dilullo received her B.A. in Theater Dance from Queens College. She taught dance and worked in show business professionally for over 20 years. Dorina danced with Gail Conrade Dance Company at “Theatre For New York City,” performed in San Francisco at Kmel Summer Jam with Mariah Carey, and has worked all over the tri-state area in various musicals and children’s theater. She continued to perform as a dancer, singer, and actress all over the country. Dorina taught dance at On Hudson for over 15 years.
Unfortunately Miss Dorina Domenica Dilullo passed away suddenly and tragically in March of 2013. We feel very lucky to have had her as part of our family for so many years and are so very sad to have lost her. We will all miss her exuberant and gentle spirit. We will always remember and love you forever, Miss Dorina.