Debra Danese is the first American dance teacher to be a part of an international teaching program at the RiverPark Dance School, located in Bratislava, Slovakia. The school, which opened this year, models itself after the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, holding open classes for various levels throughout the day. Danese temporarily left her position as director of dance for Villa Maria Academy Lower School in Immaculata, PA, for a three-month stay abroad that began in September.
“I want to get the students excited about new possibilities in dance,” Danese said just before leaving. “I’m bringing an American vernacular jazz style to them, and hopefully my classes will challenge them and create a buzz.”
Photo by Ida Mouritzen, courtesy of Debra Danese