(Artistic Director, Owner, Ballet, Contemporary, Choroegraphy & Improvisation) received her early dance training at the Dancer’s Studio in Warwick, NY under the direction of Lucinda Henry. Melissa holds a BFA with honors from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College (SUNY) ,an MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London and an MFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Melissa has been performing professionally both in NYC and around the country with Forces of Nature Dance Theatre since 2005 and Darrah Carr Dance since 2006.

Ms. Padham-Maass is the Artistic Director of the Warwick Dance Collective and the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts and has co-directed The Fuller Moon Arts Festival, The Warwick Summer Arts Festival, Eros Movement Company and the Identically Different Dance Festival.

(Warwick Dance Collective Rehearsal Director, Ballet, Pointe, Adult Ballet, Variations) Gwynenn began her dance training with the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet at the age of 14. She continued her studies at Ballet Met Academy in Columbus, OH. In 1998 Jones moved to NYC where she studied at the Ailey School as a fellowship student for 2 years. She danced with Ailey II from 2000 - 2002. Jones was an original member of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet from 2003 - 2004. She was a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2004 - 2009. She returned to Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, under Director Benoit Swan Pouffer from 2009 - 2012. Jones has also danced with Earl Mosley Diversity of Dance, Fred Benjamin Dance Company, and performed with Aretha Franklin. She can also be seen dancing in the movie The Adjustment Bureau. She now resides in Orange County, NY with her husband and 2 children.

Studio Manager , Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap Combo, Musical Theatre Choreographer) began dancing as a young child, studying the classical Russian ballet syllabus under the watchful eye of Yuliya Akopyan and Andrey Shakhin; both formal principal dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet. Her early training also included classes in jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical and tap. After graduating high school Pamela was awarded an apprenticeship to one of the nations top dance programs; The Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. While enrolled in the Conservatory Pamela studied ballet under Nicholas Petrov and Nancy Schaffenbugh. She also received an education in Luigi Jazz Technique and Dunham Technique. Pamela went on to finish her degree at Ramapo College of New Jersey, and holds a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Professional Performing Arts. Pamela has danced professionally with Northwest Florida Ballet, Atlantic City Ballet and Staten Island Ballet.

(Irish Dance, Tap, Jazz, Ballet) Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Joanna Barry-Connolly began training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Irish Step Dance at the age of three. Her theater credits in Ireland include musical variety seasons in The Gaiety, The Olympia and The Point, as well as R.T.E (National Television Station). Joanna toured with the famous "Jury"s Irish Cabaret" as well as with Irish American entertainers as a solo Irish Step Dancer. She formed her own dance company "Emerald Fire" and toured Europe with symphony orchestras, appearing in the USA as special guests in "Mohegan Sun" and other festivals and theaters. Joanna has toured with New York based dance companies such as the Niall O’Leary Dance Troupe and Darrah Carr Dance, where she first worked alongside Melissa Padham-Maass. Her New York performance highlights include the Irish Arts Center, The Duke Theater and Carnegie Hall, as well as special "St. Patrick's Day" TV appearances on the "Today Show" and "Fox New York".

(WBC Junior Co & Studio Co. Director, Workshop Director) Her love for performing began early in life, as she was immersed in theater productions, various dance styles, fiddling competitions and performance groups. She attended Fredonia State University where she received a B.S. in Music Education and has been a Warwick Valley Middle School String Director since graduating in 2003. Although Christy still tours with her band Emish, with which she has recorded 6 albums and performed throughout the country as well as internationally, she has also embraced all aspects of directing and musical theater. She has been the Producer of the WVMS Drama productions for 6 years, director of the Park Avenue Drama Club for 5 years, the founder and director of the fiddle group Fiddle Frenzy, coordinator of the WV Odyssey of the Mind program as well as coached numerous world level Odyssey teams and directed two theater workshops at WCPA. Christy is excited to be a part of High School Musical Jr, this fantastic theater company and it’s cast and crew!

(Studio Admin, WBC Company Manager, Musical Theatre Workshop Director) Amy Buliung grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts. Amy studied Music, Dance and Theater at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts throughout her school years living in Franklin. She performed countless productions put on by FPAC. She is a graduate of Dean College where she majored in Business. Even as an adult she loves to perform and has performed in productions of the Tis the Season, Humbug, and Nutcracker. Amy works for the WVCSD and for the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts as a Musical Theater Instructor. She has served as the Park Ave Drama Club Producer for 5 years and also works as the Park Ave Student Council Advisor. She volunteers many hours with the WRC Theatre Company and WVMS Drama Club. She is excited to be working as WBC Company Manager and Pre-Show director for HS Musical Jr. Camp.

(Tap) is an actor/singer/dancer who has worked in New York, regionally, and internationally for 20 years. Her Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas, Dames at Sea, and The Play That Goes Wrong. On TV, musical theatre-lovers might recognize her as Daisy Parker from NBC’s “Smash.” Other TV credits include “FBI,” “The Blacklist,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Prodigal Son.” Mara is an acting coach, a member of the acting faculty for The Lexington Theatre Company, and a dance instructor at Your Dance Closet in Cornwall, NY. Mara is also a proud member of the Broadway Green Alliance: www.broadwaygreen.com.

(Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap Combo, Ballet) A native Texan now living in New York, Tracy has been coaching young performers since 1978. That year, encouraged by her Houston teachers, she and her family opened a pioneering full-service performing arts studio in suburban Houston, fostering a love of performing in many young talents. As her career evolved to include dance, choreography, theater, and television, Tracy specialized in training and promoting young actors and singers, discovering and developing exceptional talent. Her acting classes, seminars, and artist management company have helped launch the careers of stars like Hilary and Haylie Duff and many others.

Tracy also identified a need for better performance understanding in competitive dance and developed the "Acting of Dance" program, blending acting techniques with dance instruction. This approach has significantly improved dancers' performances and competition results. Her students often secure roles, scholarships, and top program placements.

Dedicated to helping clients reach their full potential, Tracy enhances their communication skills and self-esteem. Now living in Warwick with her family, she enjoys watching her granddaughter develop a passion for the arts at the Warwick Center for Performing Arts.

(Acting, Acting the Song) Noreen is thrilled to be a part of the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts. With over 24 years of experience as a choir director at the Warwick Valley School District, she has not only nurtured countless young voices but also founded and developed the Warwick Valley Middle School Drama Club. Noreen has been a dedicated theater and improv instructor at the Dancers Studio and the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts for the past 22 years, sharing her passion and expertise with aspiring performers. As a versatile performer, Noreen has showcased her talents both as a singer and an actor in numerous theaters across the area. Her dynamic range extends to the comedy scene, where she has delighted audiences as a stand-up comedian and improv performer at various venues, including Characters Stand-Up, Slaughter Standup, and Levity Live Comedy Club. Noreen’s extensive background in performing arts and her commitment to teaching continue to inspire and entertain her community

(WBC Director, Acting the Song, Acting) For over 20 years, Chuck Ragsdale has served on the acting faculty of CAP21, the former musical theatre conservatory of Tisch/NYU now owned by Molloy College. Classes under his instruction include Audition Technique, Audition Repertoire, Monologues, The Business of Theatre, Musical Scene Study, as well as serving on the advisor board for the senior industry showcase. He was the Director of Education for several seasons at Maine State Music Theatre where he ran the summer intern program and directed fully staged productions of Spring Awakening, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast. As an Equity performer, he has appeared in several national tours- the most recent being the Tony Award-winning First National company of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, as well as multiple off-Broadway productions and principle contracts at numerous regional theaters across the country.

Chuck is a professional actor with over 30 years performance experience, having worked contracts ranging from Production to Casino. As an arts educator, he maintains a position on the acting faculty of CAP21 Conservatory/Molloy College in NYC. He splits his time between NYC and Greenwood Lake, NY.

(Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Ballet Conditioning, Pointe) holds a B. F. A. in Dance from Belhaven University with additional summer studies at American Ballet Theatre and the American Dance Festival. Janette started her professional career in Kansas City with Stӧrling Dance Theater, performing in the large productions Underground and The Little Match Girl. In Houston, Janette danced with Earthen Vessels: Sandra Organ Dance Company and appeared as a guest artist with FrenetiCore, Jhon Stronks, and for several commercial dance and modeling projects with Dance Houston. In the northeast, Janette worked with Catapult on international tour after their feature on “America’s Got Talent." She has also toured with Elements Dance and currently performs with Warwick Dance Collective. Janette has over ten years of teaching experience including teaching at the collegiate level, for summer intensives, at conventions, and in performing arts schools. She is certified in Stott® Pilates and holds an ABT® National Training Curriculum teacher certification in primary through level five. Janette currently teaches in the New York/New Jersey area, and serves as the administrative director, production manager, and occasionally as a dancer for Emotions Physical Theatre. She is currently an MFA candidate at Fei Tian College Middletown.

(Ballet, Ballet Partnering, Contemporary) Jacob Taylor received his formative training at Boulder Ballet School and in the summer programs of American Ballet Theater, The School of American Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Kaatsbaan, and Perry Mansfield. Mr. Taylor is a graduate of the Ballet Performance Program at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where he was coached by Violette Verdy and Michael Vernon. At IU he performed in works by George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Agnes de Mille, Dwight Rhoden, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp and Antony Tudor. His professional performance career includes dancing for such companies as Boulder Ballet, FJK Dance, Indianapolis Ballet, and New Jersey Ballet. Mr. Taylor has taught for Peridance Capezio Center, Brooklyn Ballet, Colorado Ballet Academy, and 92NY. He has been commissioned to choreograph new works for Boulder Ballet, Colorado Ballet Academy, New England Ballet Theatre, IU Opera Theatre, SoCal Choreography Festival, and Philadelphia Ballet.

(Vocal Director, Voice Lessons) was born and raised in Warwick, New York where she began her training at three years old. Her deepest love and passion has always been for Musical Theater performance. After she graduated college from AMDA with a Bachelors degree in performing arts, she has worked at multiple equity and regional houses on both the East and West coasts performing in shows such as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Ragtime”, and “Sister Act”. In most recent years she is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to perform with multiple cruise line companies starring in shows such as “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” while also getting the opportunity to travel all over the globe.

Although she misses the adventures of traveling, she is elated to have some time off in her hometown to spend with her family and to be given the chance to teach these amazing students. Stephanie will be teaching on Wednesdays - 10 & up beginner Ballet at 4:30 and 6 -8 Jazz Funk at 6:30. Stephanie also offers private voice lessons at WCPA.

(Musical Director) started as a classical pianist. He has a BM in Piano from Manhattan School of Music, an MA in Music Composition from Montclair State and a CAS from SUNY New Paltz. Along with playing classical recitals, he got hooked in high school on theatre, his first show being Jacques Brel. He has done stock and regional theatres, off Broadway and A Chorus Line on Broadway, National Tour and in Berlin, Germany. He also did National Tours of They’re Playing Our Song and The Magic Show. He has conducted, arranged and orchestrated numerous club acts and performed throughout the United States. He worked for Yamaha International as an instructor and was also a music teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal in several school districts, recently retiring.

(Musical Theatre Dance, Jazz/Tap Combo) Katie is an actor, singer, and dancer who had been performing professionally for nearly 20 years. She began her early dance training in her hometown of Houston, TX, and received additional training at American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet summer intensives. Katie has a degree in Musical Theatre from American Musical and Dramatic Academy and The New School University, and has since worked in the industry as an actor, director, producer, and choreographer. In 2016 she co-founded Greenwood Lake Theater, an Equity professional theater company in the Hudson Valley. She currently serves as Co-Artistic Director of the company, producing and performing in both plays and musicals.

(Acro) Caterina Pleva has been a dancer at WCPA since she was 12. She is now in Senior Company of the Warwick Dance Collective at WCPA and has been dancing altogether for 14 years. Coming up on 18 years old this fall, she is in her senior year and attends Warwick Valley High School. Caterina has experience in many forms of dance including acro, ballet, contemporary/modern, choreography/improv, tap, jazz, and pointe. She has performed in many shows with WCPA, including the roles of The Scarecrow in Oz and an evil step sister in Cinderella. She also was accepted into and attended the 5 week Alvin Ailey Professional Division Summer Intensive in 2024. Caterina has experience teaching pre-ballet ages 2.5-4, acro for all ages, and has volunteered for the fairytale camps at WCPA for kids ages 4-7.

(Choreography/Improvisation) Lucia Meehan is a current senior at WVHS and a current member of the Senior Company division of WCPA’s Warwick Dance Collective. She has been dancing for 13 years, joining company in WCPA around the age of 10 and is now 17 years old. She takes weekly classes including Ballet, Pointe/Variations, Jazz, Choreography/Improv, and Contemporary. She has participated in the annual full-length ballet and contemporary productions by WDC and has received lead roles including Clara in the Nutcracker and Gerda in The Snow Queen. Her experience includes subbing for classes throughout the year for ages 3-4 and teaching dancers ages 2.5-4 during WCPA’s summer fairytale camps. She is excited to join the team as junior faculty this year!

(Children’s Musical Director) Emily began her musical journey at 2 years old with the Little Music School. Since then music has played such an important part inEmily's life. She currently plays the piano, cello, and ukulele and studies classical voice. Emily's passion has always been musical theater; she has been lucky enough to perform as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Miss Honey in Matilda, Niki Harris in Curtains, and Kira in Xanadu. When she isn't on stage performing in musicals you can find her performing with Fiddle Frenzy or her rock band Identity Crisis. Emily is a sophomore at the Crane School of Music where she studies Music Education with a dual concentration in cello and voice.