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.
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*ALL FACULTY IS CPR-AED CERTIFIED*
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HEATHER BULONE-UMHAFER
Owner/Director
Heather Bulone-Umhafer is the owner and a co-founder of Downstage Dance, now in it's tenth season. She has been teaching dance for over 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. Heather also works on a part-time basis for More Than Music Events, Ltd, as an Event Coordinator. 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 currently serves as Vice District Clerk and Trustee of the Seaford School District Board of Education.
MICHAELA MCGOWAN
Faculty
Michaela McGowan, a Virginia native, received her early dance training at The Louden School of Ballet, and went on to receive her BFA with honors from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, class of 2012. She is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center, guest faculty at Steps on Broadway in New York City, and is on faculty with Dance Device Lab and OneBeat Dance Brands.
As part of DanceLab New York, Michaela has worked with Josh Prince (DLNY Artistic Director), Robbie Fairchild, Loni Landon, Ray Mercer, Kristen Carcone, John Carrafa and Helen Simoneau. Additionaly, she's worked with Mia Michaels (Mia Michaels LIVE), Kristen Carcone (Dinner is Served, 2019 Governor's Island Residency), Josh Bergasse (Tisch Gala 2010, Jazz at Lincoln Center), Greg Graham (Tisch Gala 2012), Lisa Shriver (PHISH at MSG, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade), Katarzyna Skarpetowska (Jacob's Pillow with Periapsis Music and Dance), Ray Mercer (Hudson Valley Dance Festival), Aszure Barton (NYU SADC'12) and Larry Keigwin (If/Then).
Michaela is represented by CESD for Dance and Commercial Print and is also a NASM-certified personal trainer, teaching group fitness formats at Equinox locations throughout New York City!
TAKAKO WALSH
Faculty
From Kobe, Japan, Takako Walsh moved to Canada where she performed at the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. She then moved to New York City, where she received her BFA from
Long Island University in 2014. Mrs. Walsh has performed works by artists such as Ronald K. Brown, Twyla Tharp, Jennifer Muller, Doug Varone, and Earl Mosely. She also performed a solo by Anya Clarke that was taken to the American College Dance Association. Currently, Takako works choreographing ballet, jazz, and contemporary pieces while teaching ballet technique.
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. Morgan just graduated with her B.F.A in Dance from Hofstra University. 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!
RACHEL DONATO
Faculty
Rachel Donato grew up right here in Seaford, New York and has been dancing for 29 years, 8 of those competitively.
Rachel attended the University of Florida (USF) in Tampa where she was a member of the"Game Day Glamorous" - a dance and cheer production company that performed at events around the city and hosted various kid's camps. Rachel went on to earn her Master's Degree at John Jay in New York City and currently works as a Cybersecurity Engineer. She also works for the Garden City Recreation Dance Program and this will be her tenth year teaching and choreographing there. Rachel is the proud mother of a 1 year old daughter, who she hopes inherits her love of dance!
FORMER FACULTY/GUEST TEACHERS
Faculty / Former Owner