Diane Dragone

Diane Dragone is the founding director/choreographer /teacher for  the Kennedy Dancers Repertory  Company and the  Kennedy Dancers School since 1977.
The Kennedy Dancers is a non-profit corp.  Diane Dragone created the Dance curriculum for the Hudson County Schools of Technology. She taught the gifted and talented and special education dance programs at Hudson County High Tech and Hudson County prep schools as well as classes at the Hudson County Juvenile Detention center. She was also a returning  guest teacher of dance at Hudson County Community College. Ms Dragone is a certified  teacher of dance in the state of New Jersey. During her career she has performed and created countless choreographies for many regional dance, theater and opera  companies  The Kennedy Dancers have performed in over 400  grammar, high schools and universities  and performed  in theaters  up and down the eastern seaboard including the White House as well as U.S.O. tours.  The Kennedy Dancers are 6 time award winners of Citations of excellence from New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Diane is the executive producer of  the 8 time award winning cable television  program “Dance Vista” seen on assorted cable television systems throughout and beyond 22 states.

Kat Reese

Kathryn “Kat” Reese is a member and Co-Director of the Kennedy Dancers Professional Dance Company and Director of our Teen Inner City Youth Dance Company. She grew up in Eatontown, NJ, & began dancing at the age of 3. For 15 years, Kat studied & performed a range of styles, including modern, ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, & musical theatre. From there, Kat went on to attend Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. In 2014, she graduated summa cum Laude with her BFA in dance, after working with numerous renowned teachers & guest artists including Doug Elkins, Stefanie Batten Bland, Brian Brooks, & Manuel Vignoulle. She is currently a member of The Equus Projects, directed by JoAnna Mendl Shaw, & is in her Third year teaching for The Kennedy Dancers, Inc.

Nikola Palivoda

Nikola Palivoda began dancing at a young age with his church’s traditional Serbian Folk Dance group, Dukati, where he learned, performed and eventually choreographed professional and traditional repertory for 20 years. He trained and performed with the dance programs at Middlesex County College, Montclair State University and Raritan Valley Community College. Nikola has performed with the Nikki Manx Dance Project, T.MAJ Dance, HealthQuest Fitness, Luminarium Dance Company, for Freespace Dance, at several Dance New Jersey events and at the Koresh Showcase Series.  He also Produces and Directs two annual dance concerts. Nik is one of the newest members of Kennedy Dancers Repertory Company.

Keely Fickau

Keely Fickau is an experienced Professional Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher.
She graduated from Marymount Manhattan specializing in Contemporary dance and has studies at Broadway Dance Center – NYC , Alvin Ailey – NYC, Galen Hooks Method Workshops & Open Classes – NYC & LA as well as the “Playground LA” in NYC & LA
She specializes in Jazz, Hip hop and Heels and is well versed and practiced in many types of dance.

Imani Ippolito

Imani is an Assistant Teacher and has been a member of the Inner City Youth Perfor-mance and Competition Team for the past three years. She continues to hone her dance skills while performing and training at The Kennedy Dancers, Inc. Imani is a multi-gold medal winner at the Starbound Competition.

Heather Roberts

Heather Roberts has training in Ballet, Tap Dancing, and Gymnastics and has taught multi dance and fitness programs for years.  Heather is also a Black Belt in Tai Kwan Do as well as a nationally certified Animal Control Officer.  Heather is Office Manager for The Kennedy Dancers Inc. and teaches classes for children with disabilities, as well as multiple fitness classes including Tai Chi. 

Eva Hackett

Eva Hackett was born and raised in Spain and started dancing at a young age. She completed her R.A.D. exams from grade 1 to advanced 1 as well as Modern Dance Imperial Society exams. In 2016 she moved to New York City to attend Joffrey Ballet School. She graduated in 2020 and is pursuing a BFA. She is the newest member of our staff.