ABOUT US:
Downstage Dance is a space to build self confidence and artistry through the joy of movement. Our 10 Month Program is designed for both the recreational and serious dancer, with a variety of classes led by accomplished professionals. Summer Programs are also available.
*ALL FACULTY IS CPR-AED CERTIFIED*
HEATHER BULONE-UMHAFER
Owner/Director
Heather Bulone-Umhafer is the owner and a co-founder of Downstage Dance. She has been teaching dance for the past 25 years. Heather has an extensive background in choreography, teaching dance to children, adults, creating successful dance performances, and has 18 years experience in managing the business side of a dance studio. She worked for several years at Long Island's top radio station WALK 97.5-FM as an Executive Assistant. Her prior dance experience and employment includes Double G Productions, one of Long Island's premiere DJ companies, as a dancer/entertainer. Heather earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Mass Communications from Quinnipiac University, and is the proud mother of 3 children. She was recently elected to the Seaford School District's Board of Education as a Trustee.
KRISTEN COLLINS LEE
Faculty
Kristen Collins Lee is a co-founder of Downstage Dance, a teacher, choreographer, and certified yoga instructor with a B.A. in Dance Performance from Hofstra University. Kristen's choreography has been presented at Hofstra University, The Art House (NJ), Sullivan Hall, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Movement Research, Heckscher Park, Peridance and various colleges and festivals. Most recently, Kristen returned to Hofstra University to set original choreography for Issac Rathbone’s “100 Years in 500 Days” under the direction of Cindy Rosenthal for the university's "Artistic Expressions of the Great War" conference. Kristen has served on the faculty of the Eglevsky Ballet School as a Modern Technique teacher, and helped direct and implement their successful Educational Outreach Program under the direction of Laszlo Berdo. She has also been a guest teacher at the American College Dance Festival, Birch Theater Residency, and various dance and yoga studios on Long Island. In addition to Downstage Dance, Kristen is President of the board of the Hofstra Dance Alumni Association and is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Nassau Community College. Kristen is currently pursuing her M.F.A in Dance at Montclair State University!
CAITLIN SHEPPARD
Faculty
Caitlin Sheppard, a northern Chicago native, received her B.A. in Dance and Management from Hofstra University. Sheppard’s choreography “Catch and Release” and “[under cover] of darkness” were chosen by Hofstra Dance faculty to be performed in the 2012 and 2013 American College Dance Festival, where they were both chosen by adjudicators to be performed in the festival's galas. Since graduating, Sheppard performed with The Moveshop, Histerika Dance Company, Keigwin Company and was a company member/artistic associate for of bones|hollye bynum. Sheppard's regional musical theater credits include a national tour for “Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure” and two productions at The Fireside; "Peter Pan" and "A Fireside Christmas". Caitlin starred as Elmo in the Sesame Street Live - Make Your Magic Tour and most recently starred as Abby Cadabby in Sesame Street Live's "Let's Party" presented by Feld Entertainment. Caitlin is also company member with Amy Marshall Dance Company (AMDC). Caitlin will reprised her roll as Elmo once again on the national tour of Sesame Street Live's "Let's Party" this past year!
LINDA FITZPATRICK
Faculty
Linda has been dancing since the age of three and has been educating young dancers since 2005. She danced professionally for the NFL as a New York Jets Flight Crew Cheerleader and performed in front of 80,000 fans at every home game. During her 5 year career, Linda performed along side with the Broadway casts of American Idiot and Rock of Ages as well as the rock band Lifehouse and Lenny Kravitz. Linda was a featured model in 2 NFL swimsuit calendars and was selected to be one of the 26 cheerleaders for the 2008 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. She performed numerous times on several live television morning shows, and was featured in the Samsung/NFL "That's How I See It” tv commercial. Linda has a B.A in Fine Arts from the Fashion Institute of Technology, is a successful interior designer and is a proud mother of 3 children.
NICOLE URSO
Faculty
Nicole Urso is a professional dancer originating from Wantagh, NY. Nicole studied at West Chester University of Pennslyvania, where she received her Bachelors in Communications, and was a part of their nationally ranked dance team specializing in Hip Hop and Jazz. Nicole went on to dance professionally for the NBA Philadelphia 76ers. She has experience dancing in front of 20,000 people, and a variety of dance videos for the team and outside choreographers. Nicole has worked with well-known choreographers in the industry like Charles Smith, Shannon Perez, Rachel Reese, Bria Walton and Casie Goshow. After moving home from Philadelphia, Nicole worked for Seton Hall University as the head coach of their dance team. It was there that she fell in love with choreographing and teaching. Currently, she dances professionally for the NLL New York Riptide Dance Team. Nicole is excited to pass along her knowledge and experience at Downstage Dance.
CHAZZ MCBRIDE
Faculty/Photographer
Chazz Fenner-McBride is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He began his training at The Peabody Conservatory, The Washington Ballet and The Baltimore School for the Arts. He received his BA in dance from Hofstra University in May 2010. While at Hofstra, he had the opportunity to perform works by Trisha Brown, Giada Ferrone, Nathan Trice and Maxine Steinman. Since then, he has showcased his work at Dixon Place and Jersey City's, "Your Move". In 2014, he attended Northwest Dance Projects "Launch" in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Fenner-McBride has performed for Iyun Harrison, Robin Becker Dance, and Amy Marshall Dance Company. In the Summer or 2015, he worked with 10 Hairy Legs. He is currently dancing with Lydia Johnson Dance and Eglevsky Ballet Company and is a sought after photographer.
LINDSAY DAVIS
Faculty
Lindsay Davis trained with Heather Umhafer and Kristen Collins Lee since childhood and with the illustrious Downstage Dance faculty since the studio's opening. Lindsay currently teaches, assistant teaches and is an assistant office administrator with Downstage Dance. In addition, Lindsay operates "Camp Sunshine" with Jillian D'Oro bringing a boutique day camp experience to people's backyards. Lindsay is currently enrolled at Farmingdale State College and is continuing her dance training and mentorship at Downstage Dance and Broadway Dance Center. Lindsay most recently completed Broadway Dance Center's Teacher Workshop, 3 days of training to address the specific needs of dance teachers, learn innovative methodologies and new ways to engage students.
MORGAN HOLDEN
Faculty
Morgan Holden, a Baltimore County Native, has been dancing since the age of four. She is currently pursuing her B.F.A in Dance from Hofstra University and is projected to graduate in 2025. She has had the opportunity to dance in the 2018 and 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, as well as the Halftime of a Harlem Globetrotter’s Game with Millenium Dance Complex. Morgan has performed in a multitude of works at Hofstra University including those by Amanda Selwyn and Dyane Harvey-Salaam, and soon Janice Rosario and Kathryn Alter.
In addition, she was recently accepted into LimónPro and hopes to train with them following Graduation!
GIANNA CACACE
FACULTY - ASSISTANT TEACHER
Gianna Cacace is an alumni of Downstage Dance and trained with Heather Umhafer and Kristen Lee since childhood and with our amazing faculty since the studio's opening. Gianna is an assistant teacher with Downstage Dance. She is enrolled at Hofstra University where she will continue her dance training and will continue to be mentored at Downstage!
FORMER FACULTY/GUEST TEACHERS
Faculty