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ADRIENNE CELESTE FADJO, Artistic & Executive Director, Dancer, graduated cum laude in 2001 from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a B.F.A. degree in Dance. A few months later, she started her own modern dance company, AdrienneCelesteFadjoDANCE, at the age of 22 in Boston. Thea Singer from The Boston Globe defined Adrienne as a "Young choreographer [who] rises to the challenge" following her premiere company performance in December 2001. In 2002 ACFDance relocated to NYC and has since performed at numerous venues in Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond. In October 2005, The New York Sun called Adrienne a choreographer "worth keeping an eye on." After six years since its inception, Adrienne continues to love creating dance that is "artistically complex" (The New York Times, 2007) while managing the business of running ACFDance full-time.

KAREN EISELE, Dancer, began her training at Kelly Richards School of Dance and went on to study with Paul Taylor, Roxey Ballet, Budzynski’s Studios of Ballet, and Sarasota Ballet of Florida. She later earned a BFA in Dance Performance and Education from Towson University. She toured much of the globe via cruise ship as a member of the Jean Ann Ryan Company and Princess Cruise Lines. Karen has been seen on land at the Bucks County Playhouse, where she played Dream Laurie in Oklahoma! Currently, Karen resides in Astoria while working with ACFDance, judging dance competitions, and teaching at various studios. She joined the company this February 2008.

ROB FERNANDEZ, Dancer, is a multifaceted dancer who is also a musician, painter, and set designer. He graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in Fine Arts with a minor in Dance. Since then he has studied on scholarship at the Hartford Conservatory, the Limon Professional Studies Program and the Martha Graham School. He has performed extensively throughout Connecticut as well as with Woodbury Ballet, Full
Force Dance Theater, Amerindians, Catherine Gallant, and the Limon PSP. Rob became a member of ACFDance this April 2008.

ALANNA LIPSKY, Dancer, was born in Rochester, New York where she began her dance training at The Draper Center for Dance Education, under the direction of the late Timothy Draper. She went on to attend The Ailey/Fordham BFA Program where she earned her BFA in Dance and worked with notable artists including Jennifer Muller, Joanna Mendl-Shaw, and Debbie Allen. She has performed with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, KDNY Dance company, and was chosen to perform as a guest artist at the 2004 Youth American Grand Prix Gala. Her first season as an apprentice began in February 2007, she became a company member in October 2007.

ERICA L. ABBOTT, Guest Dancer & Costume Designer, grew up outside of Rochester, New York and began her dance training at age four. She studied with Sandy Stramonine throughout highschool. From there she went on to study dance at SUNY Purchase, graduating in 2004 with a B.F.A. in dance performance. While at Purchase she performed in works by Balanchine, Jose Limon, Stephanie Tooman, and Mary Cochran, among others. Erica joined ACFDance in January 2005 and is grateful for this opportunity as a performer. She has also designed costumes for numerous dances since July 2006.

ROBERT ABRAMS, Dance Filmmaker, is the publisher and editor of ExploreDance.com. His current base dance is West Coast Swing and he used to compete in Ballroom (American Smooth and Rhythm). He studies dance with Robert Royston. He has shot and edited dance videos for Swango and the Seros Dance Company. He is a member of the board of the Dance Critics Association. He earned a Ph.D. in Education from Cornell University, and currently works for the Empire State College and the New York City Department of Education. Robert made a dance video collage for ACFDance which premiered at "Quintennial: Celebrating 5 Years of ACFDance" July 2006.

SUSAN BANCHEK, Costume Designer, is originally from Shaker Heights, Ohio. She received a BFA with a concentration in fibers and sculpture from the University of Cincinnati. After graduating, she moved to New Orleans where she began designing clothing inspired by the city's romantic beauty. She moved to New York three years ago and attended FIT, earning a degree in fashion design. She continues to blend her love of textiles and fashion in her clothing line, Esther K. Susan's designs premiered at "Quintennial: Celebrating 5 Years of ACFDance" in July 2006.

KELVIN COOPER, Guest Dancer, is presently pursuing his Masters Degree in Dance Education from New York University. He believes that dance is for everyone. That the power to identify, understand, create and express through movements can open doors to growth in all aspects of life. Kelvin has recently performed in the Equity Showcase of the Darker Face of the Earth directed by Trezana Beverly and with numerous dance theatre companies including: Elizabeth Streps at the Joyce Theatre, Joan Peters and Roots of Brazil at Symphony Space and two different projects for Douglas Dunn at St. Marks Church, New York. Kelvin was a featured dancer for the Grammy Award winning-band Arrested Development at the Madison Square Garden and has performed in Samson and Delilah at the Metropolitan House. Kelvin has also played the main role of Jesus in two films at New Your University and has worked as a dance director at the Center for Family Life. He is particularly interested in understanding the way dance and social work can be used for social justice. Kelvin joined ACFDance in July 2005.

JED DOWNHILL, Guest Dancer, has studied with Jeremy Nelson, Kathleen Hermesdorf, at the Merce Cunningham Dance School and most recently at the Mark Morris Dance School. He has choreographed solo dances and does contact and other improvisation. He is happy to dance for Adrienne. He is recovering from plantar fascitis and slowly gaining weight. Jed has worked with ACFDance since Fall 2005.

CAMERON LAWRENCE FADJO, Pianist & Composer, (and Adrienne's brother) graduated in 2004 from Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in Music Synthesis. A trained vocalist, Cameron has spent a majority of his career either behind the microphone, on the piano, or with his electric guitar. He focuses on industrial and hard rock music while infusing his works with melody and space. This current collection has more romantic undertones. During the daytime, Mr. Fadjo is a Computer teacher in Derry, New Hampshire. Cameron has performed with the company in seven shows since Fall 2004.

BRIAN FEIGENBAUM, Guest Dancer, has performed professionally since 1977 with several companies in New England and New York, including: the Spencer/Colton Dance Company, the award-winning, Boston-based companies of Marcus Schulkind and Nicola Hawkins, the Opera Company of Boston, the Granite State Ballet of NH, and the New York-based Doug Varone and Dancers. A New Yorker himself, Brian holds an M.F.A. in Dance from Tisch School of the Arts. Mr. Feigenbaum is now in his tenth year as Artistic Director of the Dance Department at Lawrence Academy, a co-ed college preparatory high school in MA. By way of nomination, the LA Dance Department performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland this August to much acclaim. Brian is a former teacher, long-time friend, and lifetime inspiration of Adrienne. It is an honor to have had Brian perform as a guest artist with ACFDance since December 2002.

ISABELLE GARBANI, Sculptor, exhibits regularly in New York City. She studied sculpture at the Massachusetts College of Art, and has received an MFA in sculpture from the New York Academy of Art in New York City. You can see her work at www.garbanisculpture.com. Her collaboration with ACFDance in "The Muse" involves the creation of a body cast made live onstage during the course of the piece which premiered at "Quintennial: Celebrating 5 Years of ACFDance" in July 2006. Isabelle continues to work with ACFDance as Adrienne expands "The Muse" to an evening-length work.

DAVID HOMAN, Composer, is dedicated to live composition for theatre, dance, chamber music, and musical theatre. Recent projects include commissions with choreographer Davis Robertson for BalletNY and with Mary Seidman and Dancers for works at the Joyce Theatre and as part of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, respectively. David’s music has been performed at Weill Hall/Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, CAMI Hall, the Thalia at Symphony Space, the Joyce Theatre, and the Harmione Club. The Da Capo Chamber Players and the American Symphony Orchestra have also performed his works. He is the founding director of the Live Arts Collaboration, a non-profit dedicated to producing multidisciplinary works in NYC, and the Executive Director of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation. New projects include producing and scoring A Slight Headache for playwright/actress Alyson Pou, and developing Send, the musical (written by both David and Daniel Homan), among others. For samples of his work, or more information, visit www.homanmusic.com. David's work is being used by ACFDance for the first time this July, with future collaborations being planned for 2007.

JORDAN KOH, Guest Dancer, was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He came to the US to pursue a career in fine art and fashion a decade ago. He holds a BS from University of Georgia and AAS from Fashion Institute of Technology. Jordan is artist, designer and dancer. He uses dance as a medium along with other artistic skills to explore creative movement through choreography and performance. He has training in ballet from Bil Badolato, Pascal Benichou, Ayuko Hirota, Eric Hoisington and Igal Perry. He has studied and performed with former Erick Hawkins dance company principal Gloria Mclean. Jordan is currently working on his own choreography and new works by Bil Badolato. He has also danced for choreographer Gloria Mclean, Eva Wieland and Airi Suzuki. He is excited to be working with ACFDance, beginning November 2006.

ALLISON MARINOFF, Guest Dancer, graduated in 2002 with a BFA degree in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Following college, she has worked with choreographers Mary Seidman, Beth Portnoy, and Fania M. Tsakalakos-Elezi. Allison has taught dance in central New Jersey for Princeton Ballet School's Educational Program, Dance Power, and as a substitute teaching artist for Randy James Dance Works where she was also the Executive Director for two years. Allison is a personal trainer for New York Sports Clubs at Water Street. Allison was a Dancer with ACFDance, and also served as the Company Manager since October 2003.

JULIA PECK, Model, is originally from Bethesda, MD where she grew up studying various forms of dance including Ballet, Modern, Ballroom and Argentine Tango. She graduated cum laude from Georgetown University in 2004 with a BA in Linguistics. In September, 2005 she moved to New York City to follow her passion for the arts and love of dance. She continues to study Modern dance and perform in the New York area. Julia is thrilled to have worked with ACFDance since January 2006 as an Administrative Assistant and now as a model in "The Muse".

Pistachio, Retro-Designed Chrome Flour Mixer, 2005,Oil on Panel,
8 x 10 in.

A new home-owner and recently married, JENNIE TRAILL SCHAEFFER, Set Designer, sees new meaning in the concept of home. After earning a BFA from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, she taught art before founding TraillWorks: Painting & Design Studio in 2005 when she realized her desire to pursue painting as a full-time career. Schaeffer, born in Easton, PA is an award-winning, emerging artist who has exhibited in the NYC metro area, with work located in a growing number of private collections including, Mountain Creek in Vernon, NJ. She was critically lauded by the Village Voice for the sets of “HOME” and recently published in the New York Times. Jennie is thrilled to have explored "HOME" with Adrienne, visually complementing the company’s movement with her collaboration which began in March 2005. To learn more about Schaeffer’s work, visit www.traillworks.com.

BREANNA SMITH, Dancer, was born and raised in Tallahassee Florida. She began her dance training at the Southern Academy of Ballet Arts and performed with their company, Pas de Vie, under the direction of Charles Hagan and Natalia Botha, formerly of the Pittsburg Ballet. In 1998 she joined the Tallahassee Ballet Company performing both soloist and principal roles until 2003. While dancing with the Tallahassee Ballet she attended Florida State University and in May of 2004 received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. During her time at Florida State she studied under and performed works by Lynda Davis, Jane Wood-Smith, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Anjali Austin, Tim Glen, Elizabeth Higgins, Jose Limon, and Suzanne Farrell. Breanna is thrilled for the opportunity to be a member of ACFDance, joining the company in January 2006.

JESSICA VATEL, Guest Dancer, was raised in Cumberland, Maine and began her dance training in ballet. She furthered her education at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her interest in modern dance began when she joined Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II. Jessica then moved to Chicago, where she danced with Melissa Thodos and Dancers and performed in the Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland. Jessica moved to New York in 2000 and works as a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness Clubs. She started working with ACFDance in April 2003.

JUSTIN MARINOFF, Audio Engineer & Videographer, is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and holds a BS in Marketing. Since graduating in 2001, Justin furthered his studies at the New England Institute of Technology where he received an additional degree in Video and Radio. Continuing his interest in every aspect of sound engineering, Justin has performed freelance work in NYC for various prestigious venues and shows such as the B.B King Blues Club and Grill, and Richard Frankel Productions’ Little Shop of Horrors and Stomp. Justin has worked as an Audio Engineer for two ACFDance seasons "HOMEwork" and "HOME", and he continues to help the company as a videographer in varies projects. When ACFDance has self-produced shows, Justin has brought all the necessary audio equipment from Professional Sound Services, where he is a sales and rental associate. He began working with the company in March 2005.

STEPHEN PETRILLI, Lighting Designer, has also designed for: Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Ailey II, Shapiro & Smith Dance, The Kevin Wynn Collection, Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends, Complexions and Performance Artist Judith Ren-Lay. In the theatre, Stephen has designed several plays for New York's Pearl Theatre Company, National Asian American Theatre Company and Second Generation Productions. He toured as Production Stage Manager for Nikolais and Murray Louis Dance Company, and spent five years touring as the Lighting/Sound Supervisor for Pilobolus. Stephen and his girlfriend Shannon had a baby boy, Liam, in December '02. Among them they also have three cats. Stephen first worked with ACFDance in January 2004.

JEFFREY E. SALZBERG, Lighting Designer, has designed the lighting for theatre, ballet, and opera companies all over the country, including such operas as Tosca and The Barber of Seville. The New York Times has called his lighting of New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Peter Boal "ingeniously atmospheric." He recently lit the Off-Broadway production of Room Service and is currently working on the Peccadillo Theater's production of Morning Star. Unknown even to his closest friends is the fact that Mr. Salzberg is an expert on European fungi; in fact, nobody knows the truffles he's seen. Jeff began working with ACFDance in November 2005.

STEVEN SCHREIBER, Photographer, based in NYC, has worked with a number of dance companies. His photographic and photomontage work can be seen on his website: www.numberedcopy11.com. Steven has photographed ACFDance since 2004.

Agnes Hughes, Esq., Interim President
Jerrald Hochman, Esq., Treasurer
Rebecca VanCordt, Secretary
Adrienne Celeste Fadjo

Charles Cohen
Brian Feigenbaum
David Jarvis
Kenny Larson
Doug Post
Aish Sinha

as of 4/27/08