OUR STAFF

Learn more about the owners, teachers and choreographers that make Maxine’s Dance Studio successful.

Maxine Chapman

Maxine Chapman

Artistic Director and Founder

Owner, teacher and choreographer of Maxine’s Studio of Dance which she opened in 1970, Maxine Chapman also founded and became the Artistic Director of the Vineland Regional Dance Company (VRDC) incorporated in 1980 under the laws of the State of New Jersey as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation to further cultivate and develop interest in the Art of Dance. Ms. Chapman is a lifetime accredited member of “Dance Educators of America” …
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Kimberly Chapman

Kimberly Chapman

Artistic Co-Director

Is a graduate of Juilliard, and danced professionally with the Eliot Feld Ballet. She received two choreographic scholarships to Jacob’s Pillow in 1985 and 1986, received the Monticello Choreographic Award in 1987 and was the recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA Dance Scholarship in 1987. She was on the dance faculty at University of Nevada at Las Vegas from 1996-1998, and was the ballet mistress of the VRDC from 1990–1996 …

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Kassiday Gagliardi

Kassiday Gagliardi

Master Teacher

Kassidy Gagliardi began her dance training in 2001 at Maxine’s Dance Studio LLC under the direction of Maxine and Kimberly Chapman . In 2010, Kassidy joined the Vineland Regional Dance Company, a pre-professional dance company in Vineland NJ. During her time with the VRDC she performed in their yearly Nutcracker performances and danced in lead roles. She was also awarded the Johnathan Phelps scholarship where recipients are recognized for performance quality, dedication, discipline and determination during their tenure with the VRDC. As a dancer with VRDC, Kassidy was required to attend Regional Dance America Northeast (RDA/NE) yearly festivals. These festivals provide learning opportunities to foster the growth and education of dancers. She attended Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Vermont, Georgian Court University’s summer intensive, and also received a full scholarship to attend Philadelphia Dance Theatre Summer Intensive. Kassidy began her college dance training in 2015 at Montclair State University. During her time there she had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers and perform in numerous performances. While at Montclair, Kassidy was also able to attend American College Dance Assoc. (ACDA). This event is geared for college dance majors and promotes dance in higher education through conferences and festivals enabling the educational network for students to be strengthened. The ACDA event allows students to attend workshops, panels and master classes. Kassidy has taught at various dance studios throughout New Jersey while perusing her college degree. Ms. Gagliardi graduated in December 2018 from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance.
Dillon Shifferly

Dillon Shifferly

Master Teacher/Choreographer

Dillon Anthony Shifferly originally started his training at Canton Ballet School under Cassandra Crowley. Throughout his training he studied at American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Chautauqua Ballet. Dillon was a professional dancer with the North Carolina Dance, Dayton Ballet, Western Ballet Theatre of Puerto Rico, Balletfleming and Pennsylvania Ballet. Along with his company affiliations, Dillon has been welcomed as a guest artist along the east coast in performances such as Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and Dracula. He also is a choreographer and has had his work performed by several regional companies around the Northeast as well as in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He is now focusing on his new project based company FLUX Modern/Ballet based in Philadelphia, PA. Maxine’s Dance Studio LLC is excited to have Dillon on faculty for this season.

GUEST TEACHERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS

In addition to our outstanding teaching staff, upper level students regularly study with guest teachers and choreographers who maintain performing and choreographic commitments, bringing these perspectives to their classroom teaching. Many have attained graduate degrees in dance education and have won awards for their teaching. All are committed to our philosophy of dance education, which includes providing the atmosphere and training that will nurture both the potential artist and the dance student who studies only for the inherent rewards: self-discipline, physical fitness, and a greater appreciation of movement, music and the arts. These guest teachers are provided to the dancers at no additional fee.

Colby Damon: Born in Richmond VA he began his training at the Virginia School of the Arts. A former dancer with Ballet X he is their current class teacher.

Bruce McCormick: Juilliard Graduate/Former professional dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, Germany and the Bern Ballet of Switzerland/Choreographer and Master Teacher/Former VRDC Dancer

James Ihde: Principle Dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet

Angelo Lemmo: Resident Choreographer and Faculty member at Canton Ballet

Gwen Baraniecki Zwil: Former Maxine’s Studio of Dance Student and VRDC dancer; Gwen is an NYU graduate and certified in the Horton Syllabus.