Lyrical, Contemporary Jazz, Theater Dance and Musical Theater Bios
Jerome Vivona
Artistic Director: Jerome Vivona began his training on Long Island as a ballet dancer eventually landing in Ali Pourfarrokh's class in Port Washington. Shortly afterwards he was accepted on Scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC and made his debut with the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group. During that time Jerome was highly sought after for his portrayal of the Blue Bird in the pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty. He was then cast as the Nutcracker Prince in the New Jersey Ballet's holiday production under the direction of Carolyn Clark and Edward Villella. As a Soloist with the NJB he had the privilege of working with Agnes DeMille on "Rodeo", was cast as the lead in Robert North's "Let's Go South" and danced in Antony Tudor's "Jardin aux Lilas" among others. Jerome would then travel to Edmonton, Canada to join the Alberta Ballet under the direction of Ali Pourfarrokh. While there he featured in both new works and classic ballets such as: "Games", "Tango", "Coppelia" and the Nutcracker. He moved next to California to dance with the Oakland Ballet under the direction of Ronn Guidi. Jerome was featured in many new and contemporary ballets including the world premieres of "Gypsies" and the reproduction of the Nijinsky ballet "Le Train Bleu" featured in Dance Magazine. He returned to the NJB and began auditioning for Musical Theater. His first role was that of Paul in A Chorus Line at the Bucks County Playhouse, which led to him being cast in the National Tour of Jerome Robbins' Broadway where the legendary Jerome Robbins himself rehearsed him. Jerome then joined the Paris Company of West Side Story. Returning home, Jerome toured the US and Japan in Guys and Dolls Directed by Jerry Zaks and Choreographed by the late Chris Chadman, starring Lorna Luft. Jerome made his Broadway debut in the same show starring Nathan Lane. Soon after, Jerome opened on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying Directed by Des McAnuff and Choreographed by Wayne Cilento, starring Matthew Broderick, Megan Mullally, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Stamos. As Dance Captain, he took the show on the road with Ralph Macchio. Jerome assisted Wayne Cilento on his next Broadway project Dream, a Johnny Mercer Musical starring Leslie Ann Warren. Jerome went on to feature in the original Broadway casts of Seussical, the Musical Directed by Oscar Winner Rob Marshall and Choreographed by Tony Winner Kathleen Marshall, and then Kiss Me,Kate Directed by Tony Winner's Michael Blakemore and Kathleen Marshall. Jerome was then featured in the Kander and Ebb musical Curtains, directed by Tony Winner Scott Ellis and Choreographed by Tony Award Winner Rob Ashford, and starring the Emmy and Tony Award Winner David Hyde Pierce.
During that time, Jerome went on to become an award winning Director/Choreographer staging such shows as: How to Succeed…, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Sweet Charity, Footloose and The Producers. While also writing/directing and choreographing the original shows An American Canteen in Paris and Spotlight Broadway for the James L. Nederlander Organization and Celebrity Cruise Lines, respectively.
THERESA DIAZ-DILALLO
Theresa Diaz-DiLallo graduated cum laude from Queens College with a BA in Dance and has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Theresa has performed nationally and internationally with the Circle of Dance Repertory Co. for over two decades and is currently artistic director. She has also danced with Patricia Kenny Dance Collection and the Dany Holdstein Dance Company. Over the years she has had the pleasure of working with choreographers: Nancy Brier, Carl Paris, Diane McCarthy, Jennifer Weaver, Ben Munisteri, Orion Duckstein and Patricia Kenny Reilly to name a few.
Ms. DiLallo teaches Modern, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz and Tap at several Long Island studios and enjoys sharing her love of dance with students beginner to advanced. Theresa is also a teaching artist for Circle of Dance bringing dance to students in elementary schools throughout Queens and Long Island. Theresa has taught workshops for school teachers on how to integrate movement into the academic curriculum, based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences at Dellecave Institute and Dowling College. During the spring of 2016, Ms. DiLallo was faculty at Nassau Community College teaching Modern Dance to dance majors.
KATHLEEN TILLIS
Kathleen began her dance training with the Eglevsky Ballet at the age of six and then with American Theater Dance Workshop and Huntington Ballet Theatre. She continued studying Ballet seriously and later had the honor of training with renowned ballet instructor, Maggie Black , who coached many ballet legends such as Gelsey Kirkland, Kevin McKenzie, and Natalia Makarova. Kathleen got to dance at the prestigious summer program with Boston Ballet. Directly after finishing High School she joined the Eglevsky Ballet as a professional dancer. After mostly pursuing only ballet, she later decided to cross over to jazz and began training at Broadway Dance Center and STEPS on Broadway in Manhattan. She worked for Royal Caribbean International dancing in the production shows and traveling the world. She also worked for Tokyo Disney where she was an aerialist playing the lead role of Ariel in the show, “Under the Sea.” Kathleen has appeared on the Nickelodeon show, “The Naked Brothers Band” and “Saturday Night Live” dancing in a skit with Katie Holmes and Will Ferrell. Kathleen danced for recording artist, Rietsa, and has done commercials and industrials such as Lee Jeans, Toyota, Coca Cola and Royal Caribbean. Kathleen teaches ballet and jazz for all ages. She is also a certified Pilates instructor.
ASHLEY CARRIZO
Ashley is a Long Island native who began her dance training at the age of two. She was a competitive dancer during high school and graduated from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Dance Performance. After graduating, she went on to perform in “Christmas Wonderland”, a holiday show at the Palace Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC. Since then, Ashley has had the privilege of performing in both Live Performances and Film/TV. She has had the opportunity to work on sets for Amazon Prime’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and NBC’s “Blindspot.” Most recently she had the opportunity to work with Award Winning Photographer Howard Schatz in his Motion Gesture Dance Study. Ashley is represented with The Movement Talent Agency for Dance and Acting. When she isn’t performing herself she teaches at dance studios on Long Island and judges for dance competitions across the US.
Emma Ente: (Musical Director)
Emma Ente is a classically trained pianist of over 20 years. Her passion for musical theatre began as a student at LaGuardia High School for Music, Art, and the Performing Arts where she performed in the pit orchestra of “Ragtime” and was asked to assist the Musical Director. Emma holds both a B.A. and M.S. in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College. While at Queens College, she performed as a soloist in studio recitals and served as an accompanist for vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles. She has trained extensively in both piano, vocal, and choral pedagogy. Since 2011, Emma has been a piano and vocal teacher to students of all ages and levels. Emma has also served as musical director for numerous local productions for K-12 students, and has extensive experience accompanying performers in both musical theatre and classical vocal repertoire.
MICHELLE VIVONA
Michelle began studying dance at the age of 4 at her parent's studio, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her parent's, both veterans of Broadway television and film, having worked with Luigi, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Jack Cole, Michael Kidd, Peter Gennaro, Carol Haney and many other luminaries of the time as well as featuring on the Perry Como show. Michelle followed her dreams to NYC and shortly thereafter landed her first role as the Tap Leader in the National Tour of On Your Toes starring Leslie Caron and Natalia Makarova. She then was cast as Lorraine in 42nd Street, which led to her Broadway debut in Sweet Charity directed by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon starring Debbie Allen, Bebe Neuwirth and later Ann Reinking. Anything Goes was next starring Patti Lupone, followed by working for Jerome Robbins in Gypsy with Tyne Daly and Linda Lavin.
Michelle then joined the Paris Company of West Side Story. Returning home, Michelle toured the US and Japan in Guys and Dolls directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by the late Chris Chadman, starring Lorna Luft. Soon after, they were married and moved to Long Island. Michelle joined the line at Radio City Musical Hall as a Rockette. Michelle was then cast in Thoroughly Modern Millie directed by Tony Winner Michael Mayer and choreographed by Tony Winner Rob Ashford, starring Tony Winner Sutton Foster. She has appeared in music videos, as a Westinghouse Babe on Late Night with David Letterman, One Life to Live, numerous national commercials, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, The Today Show, and was directed by Woody Allen in Zelig.
Allison Hough: Hip-Hop, Lyrical
Allison started her dance career at ATDW in 2019. Since coming to ATDW, she has flourished as a dancer because of the continuous support from the staff, students, and her classmates. She has been trained in various styles such as ballet, theater dance, hiphop, lyrical, and more. Allison is also a member of the ATDW Theater Dance Company and has been for several years. She has always had a love for teaching students of all ages and is thrilled to combine that with her love for dance. She graduated in 2022 with a BS in Childhood Education and is pursuing her MS in Literacy Education. She is a substitute teacher at Eastplain Elementary School grades K-5. Allison will be teaching Hiphop Juniors and Lyrical Juniors this year, as well as supporting and mentoring the Junior Theater Dance Company. She is so thankful to be able to teach the incredible students and be apart of the wonderful community at ATDW.