The Kennedy Dancers Professional Company
performing on the J.Owen Grundy Pier
iin one of More then 50 performances there over twelve Years
A Sample of Our Pro and Junior Dance Companies!
At The FEAST!
The Kennedy Dancers perform at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast 2022
2022 Kennedy Dancers Holiday Showcase
Produced at the Kennedy Dancers Repertory Center
CAVEN POINT
An Original Choreography and Film ABout real Life Happenings during World War II in Jersey City. Based upon Diane Dragone’s mother’s recollections
The Kennedy Dancers is a non-profit Jersey City Based Professional, American Dance Company established in 1976 with a mission of bringing high quality dance training and professional performance opportunities to the NY/NJ Metro area. Since it’s inception, the company has grown to responds to the community’s special needs serving low income/at risk/incarcerated teens/senior citizens through diverse dance classes offering fun/fitness/performance opportunities.
The company was founded by Artistic Director, Diane Dragone, in 1976, to bring high quality dance performances to Jersey City, greater Hudson County, and the tri-state area. Since it’s inception, the company has responded to needs in the community, and has grown to include a community dance school, dance programs in local public school systems, including programming designed specifically for the learning disabled, physically challenged and urban youth, dance programs for the elderly, and Dance Vista, a television program reaching 20 states focusing on emerging women and minority dance artists.
The professional dance troupe performs a regular season each year in and around its home base, Jersey City. Each year the company reaches 6,500 through its public performances, with an additional 2,000 reached through touring performances. Kennedy Dancers tours have ranged the mid-Atlantic coast, from New England to Washington, DC. Video footage of the company has also been shown in international venues in France, Spain, Malta, Germany and Austria. Additionally, the Kennedy Dancers’ performance of Artistic Director Diane Dragone’s Variations on a Folk Song: Giles and Josephine, a work which portrays the American immigration.
New Jersey University certified teacher of dance by NJ Department of Education. Taught special education dance 1984-1992 at Hudson County Schools of Technology. Performer/Teacher/Choreographer Regional and National Broadway Tours and North Jersey Dance Company. Frequent guest teacher at several grammar/high schools and universities. Executive producer of award winning Dance Vista cable television program-now in its 25th season. Artistic director/choreographer for the Kennedy Dancers.
Abigail Dias
Abby Dias is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She has worked with choreographers such as Mimi Quillin, Nuo An, Mary Seidman and is currently dancing with Bloodline Dance Theater and Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theater. She has performed on stages such as Radio City Music Hall, the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, Jazz at Lincoln Center, TADA! Youth Theater, and multiple performances at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. Abby is one of the newest members of the Kennedy Dancers Repertory Company.
Mae Lever
Mae Lever graduated from The University of Arizona School of Dance with her Master of Fine Arts in Dance, where she also obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. After attending her 200hr RYT certification, Mae has been passionate about combining yoga and dance philosophies across her career. Lever has had the privilege of learning and performing works by Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Ihsan Rustem, Patrick Delcroix, David Parsons, amongst many others. Moving forward Mae hopes to work in a variety of dance styles and continue to develop her craft by learning from her peers and mentors alike.
Kat Reese
Kat is a a graduate from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts and is trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance.
Jaime Robinson
Jamie Robinson is a New York based dancer. His latest projects include collaboration and performance with choreographers Same As Sister (Kallax, This Is Not a Remount, VIR{US}) Raeman Kilfoil (Bach), Michael Buoni (Dracula), and Magda Kaczmarska (Wesele), as well as film directors, Kayla Arend (Mars) and Ryan Mitchell (Lune). Jamie earned his BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona, where he also earned a BA in English and Media Arts.
Eva Hackett
Eva 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 with a BFA from Joffrey Ballet School and NJCU in 2022. She is the newest member of our staff and teaches classes for the Inner City Youth Pre Professional and Senior programs.
Abigail Haugh
Abigail Haugh is a dancer, teacher, and personal trainer originally from the Philadelphia area. She
obtained her BFA in dance performance at Hofstra University, where she trained extensively in
modern and ballet. Additionally, she has trained in various jazz, contemporary, tap, and musical
theatre techniques. During her time at Hofstra, she performed in pieces by Max Stone, Adam
Barruch, Earl Mosley, Maxine Steinman, Rachel List, and Larry Keigwin. She continues to
perform in dance projects and companies throughout New York City. Most recently, she has been
in rehearsals with Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, Chutzpah Dance, and Anna Paterson Dance
Company! In addition to performing, she works as an independent personal trainer, a dance teacher
and condition coordinator at Divine Rhythms Dance Studio, and as an Assistant Teaching Artist
with the Mark Morris Dance Group. Abigail is excited to be dancing with the Kennedy Dancers
this holiday season!
Eliza Frye
Eliza Frye is a New York City based dancer, choreographer, and instructor. After graduating high school, she continued her education at Ball State University and received her BFA in Dance. While at school, Eliza performed with Sidra Bell, Jamie Meek, and Martha Graham’s Sandra Kaufman. She has presented her own work in Cleveland Dance Festival and created work for a Cleveland based company called, The Movement Project. Eliza continues her training in New York City. She has experience teaching multiple levels with a wide variety of styles. She loves creating movement for all her classes and sharing her passion with all her students
Dree Dray
Dree started dancing at the age of 8 at Ballet Tech in New York City after being scouted at his middle school P.S 7. Through training and dedication to the art of dance, he had the opportunity to dance at Lincoln Center with a Russian ballet company Bolshoi, performing The Pharaoh’s Daughter when he was 14 years old. Dree took a break from dancing once he joined high school and dove into music, making trumpet his primary instrument. In time, he found his way back to dance through the involvement of the marching arts where he discovered color guard, which shape and encourage him to pursue expanding his education in dance. He is currently sharing his passions by choreographing and instructing color guards in high schools and for non-profit organizations throughout New Jersey. He touches hearts and shares his passion for dance everywhere he goes. His hope is to give the minds of his audience a break from their daily lives and dive into the vulnerabilities that is being a dancer.
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.
Marquita Marie Christian
Marquita is trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Character, and West African Dance. She has trained in the Ailey School and the American Ballet Theatre Intensive to name a few. She has also starred in numerous commercials, theatre, and tv/film.
Anna Antongiorgi
Anna Antongiorgi is a choreographer, dancer, and writer from Redondo Beach, California. She received her B.A. in English from Harvard and was awarded the Suzanne Farrell Dance Award for her contributions to Harvard’s dance community. She works as a math and biology tutor and just graduated with her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School in New York City. Anna is currently performing with The Kennedy Dancers Repertory Company.
Dane Burch
Dane is a Montclair State University graduate. He is trained in Modern Dance, African Dance, Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and Ballet. Burch was a part of the Montclair State Dance Company and currently trains at the Broadway Dance Center, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, and Art of Motion Dance Theatre.
