Pre-Professional Summer Intensive
July 29-August 2 & August 5-9, 2024
**Students can enroll for 1 or 2 week sessions**
One week $850 | Two weeks $1550
Week 2: August 5-9
9:45-10:00am: Drop Off
10:00-11:30am: Ballet with Eva (& Callie on Monday)
11:30am-12:45pm: Horton Technique with
12:45-1:15pm: Lunch Break
1:15-2:30pm: Contemporary with Roni
2:30-3:45pm: Koresh Repertoire with Melissa
3:45-4:00pm: Break
4:00-5:00pm: Yoga/Conditioning with Callie
Week 1: July 29 -August 2
9:45-10:00am: Drop Off
10:00-11:30am: Ballet with Eva (& Callie on Monday)
11:30am-12:45pm: Horton Technique with
12:45-1:15pm: Lunch Break
1:15-2:30pm: Contemporary with Roni
2:30-3:45pm: Koresh Repertoire with Melissa
3:45-4:00pm: Break
4:00-5:00pm: Yoga/Conditioning with Callie
Teacher Bios
Ronen “Roni” Koresh, Artistic Director
Roni, a native of Israel, began his career with the renowned Batsheva Dance Company of Tel Aviv. Immigrating to the U.S. in 1983, he studied in New York with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater prior to settling in Philadelphia, where he performed with Shimon Braun’s acclaimed “Waves” Jazz Dance Company. After performing internationally, his interest shifted towards choreography, and he founded Koresh Dance Company in 1991. Shortly after, in 1993, he opened the Koresh School of Dance, serving as a residence for his company and a training center for the Philadelphia dance community. In addition to receiving numerous grants, Roni is a recipient of several choreographic fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, the PEW Charitable Trusts, and the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. Roni regularly travels to conduct master classes, set choreography, conduct residencies, and showcase his company throughout the country.
Melissa Rector, Assistant Artistic Director
After studying at the North Carolina School of the Arts and Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Melissa obtained her Certificate of Dance from The University of the Arts in 1993. Following graduation, she obtained a scholarship to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. Melissa has been dancing with Koresh Dance Company since its inception in 1991 and is the company’s Assistant Artistic Director. At the Koresh School of Dance she teaches her unique style that blends Modern Jazz and Luigi technique. Additionally, Melissa is the Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Koresh Youth Ensemble. Her work has been performed locally at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival, Annenberg Center, Drexel University’s Mandell Theater, PeriDance Capezio Center in New York City, among other places. She frequently travels around the country to perform, teach master classes, and set choreography on students.
Eva Szabo
Eva was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. She was accepted into the Hungarian National Ballet Institute in 1970, graduating with honors as part of the genesis of the Gyori Ballet. Retiring from the Gyori Ballet in 1988, she took her teaching diploma and her family to Philadelphia. She is currently teaching ballet at the Rock School for Dance Education and Koresh School of Dance. You can Eva’s profile in the Marquis Who’s Who in America book, 2010.
Bernard Gaddis
Bernard Gaddis’ dance studies began in Philadelphia at the High School for Performing Arts, under the tutelage of Ms. Althea Leslie, Judy Oruska, & David Kloss. He received numerous awards and scholarships while in high school, including a full scholarship to the prestigious Governor’s School for the performing Arts. Mr. Gaddis has also received scholarships to the Pennsylvania Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Princeton Ballet, & The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Bernard’s first professional dance experience was with The Philadelphia Dance Co. (Philadanco) at the age of fifteen being the youngest male to ever join the co. quickly became a principal dancer in his second year. Mr. Gaddis also became the Founder, Artistic Director & Choreographer of Philadanco’s second performing company D2.
After leaving Philadelphia, Bernard traveled to New York City where he became the Principal Dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the artistic directorship of the renowned dancer and choreographer Ms. Judith Jamison. Bernard also Joined the La cast of The Broadway Musical The Lion King as a lead Dancer and chorus singer where he work with renowned director Julie Tamour. Mr., Gaddis is currently a Principal Dancer & Choreographer for Cirque Du Soleil’s Las Vegas shows Zumanity and Mystere. Mr. Gaddis is currently the Event Coordinator and Artistic Director for a Los Angeles based Entertainment co. (Cienega Entertainment Group).