Dance and Music
At Wagner College Theatre, we are committed to training well-rounded performers who are equally skilled as actors, dancers, and musicians. Our dance and music offerings are designed to build versatility, discipline, and expressive range. Through rigorous coursework, performance opportunities, and individualized instruction, students develop technical proficiency and artistic confidence across all three areas. Whether on stage or in the studio, our goal is to cultivate dynamic artists prepared for the demands of a diverse and evolving industry.
Dance
The program offers study in a range of disciplines, including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Pedagogy, Movement Analysis, Choreography, History, Criticism, and more.
Professional dancers and choreographers regularly offer guest workshops and are hired to participate in the program. The program cultivates dance artists of the highest caliber who will be multidimensional in their scope of dance studies and pedagogy, and who will work towards building a diverse and inclusive dance community.
Music
The program offers courses and performance opportunities for students to develop their artistry through instruction in Musicianship, Music Direction, Private Voice Instruction, and Opera.
Wagner College Opera is committed to teaching the fundamentals of musicianship, diction, stage craft, and vocal performance through the masterpieces and hidden gems of the operatic repertoire. Wagner College Opera is proud to nurture a class of over 30 students producing full evenings of opera, including full-length shows, scenes concerts, cabarets, intimate soirées and more.
UP NEXT:
WCO presents CINDERELLA, told through the many variations and setting this classic tale has inspired. Throughout history, the story of Cinderella has captured our hearts and this imaginative production weaves together scenes from some of the most beloved operatic and musical theatre interpretations of the fairy tale, including selections from Cendrillon by Jules Massenet, Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot, La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and a sprinkle of Disney magic to bring it all together. Presented in English, Wagner College Opera invites audiences of all ages to rediscover a story they know by heart and to hear, perhaps anew, why it continues to inspire storytellers and dreamers everywhere.
Saturday, May 9th at 7:30PM and Sunday, May 10th at 4:00PM on Wagner College’s Main Stage. MORE INFORMATION
Follow us on Instagram @wagnercollegevocalperformance View past performances.Â
Meet Your Dance Faculty
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Rusty Curcio
Rusty Curcio, CMA, RSMT, RSME, is Head of Dance at Wagner College Theatre and has performed internationally in classical ballet, contemporary works, and musical theatre. As a director and choreographer, he has staged over 55 theatrical and original dance productions. In addition to his work as a somatic therapist and educator, he is a Certified Movement Analyst and Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist, bringing a holistic approach to training the next generation of performers.Courses taught by Professor Curcio include Pedagogy, History of Dance, Choreography, Dance Pedagogy, Ballet, Movement, and Experiential Anatomy and Kinesiology.
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Jasmine Canziani
Jasmine Canziani, Adjunct Professor, is an aspiring professional choreographer born and raised in New York City. Over the last decade in the arts industry, Jasmine has worked as an actor at regional theatres in New York, on an international tour, and as an Assistant Director for various theater education programs across the country. Jasmine has an MFA in Choreography from the University of Roehampton in London and most recently premiered new, original dance work with the Mark Morris Dance Center, Re/Venue NYC, Interim Dance Collective, and Garret Theater Company. She is currently the Co-Artistic Director of the Free Mind Dance Collective in Brooklyn, NY and is gearing up for an artist residency with Take Root at Green Space in collaboration with Dance Entropy this November!Courses taught by Professor Canziani include Musical Theatre Dance, Jazz, and Musical Theatre Styles.
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Lisa Karlin
Lisa Karlin, a Kansas native from Overland Park, has built a dynamic career that spans Broadway, national tours, and top regional theaters across the country. Her Broadway credits include 1776, The Addams Family, and Ragtime, with touring highlights such as the First National Tours of Pippin and 1776, the 25th Anniversary Tour of Cats, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. She is also featured on the original concept album of Ladyship, originating the role of Abigail Gainsborough. Regional favorites include performances at The Paper Mill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, The 5th Avenue Theatre, The MUNY, and more, where standout roles have included Florence in Chess, Mother Gothel in Tangled the Musical, and Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show. https://www.lisakarlin.com/Courses taught by Professor Karlin include Musical Theatre Dance and Jazz.
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Julie Ludwick
Julie Ludwick, Adjunct Professor, is a choreographer and educator whose work with Fly-by-Night Dance Theater has been presented at renowned NYC venues like The Flea Theater, PS122, and The Kitchen, as well as colleges nationwide. Her Somatic Aerial Dance Technique has been featured in Dance Magazine and Time Out NY, and she teaches at Wagner College and the Paul Taylor School. Ludwick’s innovative choreography incorporates video, theater, and live music, with notable credits including How Papa Noel Forgot Haiti at Lincoln Center starring Danny Glover.Courses taught by Professor Ludwick include Dance Appreciation.
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Emma Russo
Emma Blue Palatsidis, Adjunct Professor, is a Dominican-American artist, choreographer, and educator whose work blends Latinx cultural traditions with contemporary dance and community engagement. A graduate of Brown University (BA, Performance Studies) and NYU (MA, Dance Education), she holds K–12 certification in NY and NJ and spent seven years leading the dance program at Union City High School. Currently an adjunct professor at Wagner College and a teaching artist with NJPAC, Emma is also a founding member of AND Formation, with choreography showcased at venues including Ailey Citigroup Theater, Gibney Dance, and Symphony Space. emmabluedance.comCourses taught by Professor Russo include Contemporary and Hip Hop/Street.
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John Scacchetti
John Scacchetti, Adjunct Professor, is a New York City-based dance educator, choreographer, and Broadway performer, best known for his roles in the Tony Award-winning revival of 42nd Street and Gypsy starring Patti LuPone. He teaches Tap and Musical Theatre Dance at Wagner College, Molloy University/Cap21, Montclair State, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and has choreographed over a dozen musicals across professional and educational stages. A passionate storyteller through movement, John’s choreography has been featured in dance films exploring tap history, and his viral wedding duet with wife Emily Jeanne Phillips led to a joint performance on The Tamron Hall Show. www.johnscacchetti.comCourses taught by Professor Scacchetti include Tap.
Meet Your Music Faculty
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Hilary Baboukis
Hilary Ba
boukis is a versatile music director and collaborative artist, currently serving as Associate Music Director at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City. She has performed and recorded with renowned ensembles including Capella Romana, Artefact Ensemble, Big Apple Baroque, and the Saint Tikhon Choir. Her past engagements also include work with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar and MIOpera, showcasing her range across both sacred and operatic repertoire.Courses taught by Professor Baboukis include Private Voice Instruction.
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Joyce Yu-Cheng Chung
Joyce Yu‑Cheng Chung, a Taiwanese-born pianist, made her orchestral debut at age ten with the Hwa Kang Orchestra and went on to win top prizes including the Taiwan National Piano Competition and the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Chopin Competition. A Juilliard alumna and student of Adele Marcus, she has performed widely at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and internationally with acclaim. A dedicated educator and arts leader, Ms. Chung has held key roles with the Associated Music Teachers League and served on the faculties of Wagner College and the City University of New York.Courses taught by Professor Chung include Musicianship.
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Alyssa Click
Alyssa Click is a New York City-based performer and educator known for her “exquisite coloratura” (South Florida Classical Review) and her playful, heartfelt approach to music and storytelling. With credits ranging from Roxie Hart in Chicago to Johanna in Sweeney Todd and a knack for cabaret, Alyssa presented a February 2025 Valentine’s Day-themed show, Get Wrecked, at The GreenRoom 42. Expect a night of love, laughs, and empowerment with a cheeky twist, as Alyssa brings her signature charm to the stage in a celebration of taking charge of your heart and your life! alyssa-click.comCourses taught by Professor Click include Private Voice Instruction.
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Dr. Vincent Graña
Lauded for his rich bass voice and compelling storytelling, Dr. Vincent Graña has delighted audiences across the country. He has performed with Opera Santa Barbara as Noye (Noye’s Fludde), The Officer (Il barbiere di Siviglia), and Colline (La Bohème). He has since reprised the role of Colline with Pacific Opera Project and Dayton Opera. With Dayton Opera he also performed Zuniga (Carmen). Other previous engagements include Simone (Gianni Schicchi) with Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance, Bartolo (Il barbiere di Siviglia) with the Aspen Opera Center, and Spanish Sailor (Moby Dick) with Opera San Jose. With Teatro Nuovo he has appeared as Il Priore (La Straniera), Podestà (La Gazza Ladra), Mirabolano (Crispino e La Comare), and will be returning this season as Alessio in La sonnambula. With Opera Theater Rutgers he debuted the roles of Bottom in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pangloss in Candide, as well as reprising the role of Colline (La Bohème). With the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, he has performed Bach’s Cantata 80, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s The Creation. His concert repertoire also includes Mozart’s and Verdi’s Requiems. Since 2019 he has joined the Metropolitan Opera chorus in their productions of Götterdämmerung, Lohengrin, and Der fliegende Holländer, and will be returning this season for Aïda and Fidelio. Dr. Graña received his D.M.A. from Rutgers University. vincentgrana.comCourses taught by Dr. Graña include Private Voice Instruction, Opera Workshop, and Music Cultures of the World.
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Curtis Holtgrefe
Curtis Holtgrefe is a woodwind specialist and music educator originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Curtis has studied jazz and classical performance on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and oboe. Performing experience includes Some like it Hot, Dancin’ (2023), The Outsiders, Once Upon a Mattress, Smash, Old Friends and the first national tour of Tootsie the musical.Courses taught by Professor Holtgrefe include College Band and Jazz Ensemble.
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Dr. Thomas Juneau
Dr. Thomas Juneau, DMA is the Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies at Wagner College in New York City, where he conducts the Wagner College Choir and leads the vocal program. A graduate of Texas Tech (B.M.), CCM Cincinnati (M.M.), and Rutgers University (D.M.A.), he has conducted internationally acclaimed choirs in iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Vatican, and Leipzig’s Thomaskirche. A widely published composer with works performed globally, Dr. Juneau’s recent premieres include The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars at the Library of Alexandria, with upcoming performances at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall.Courses taught by Dr. Juneau include College Choir, Theory and Musicianship, and Orchestration and Conducting.
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Julia Lamon
Julia Lamon is a New York-based soprano praised as a “consummate artist…with vocal excellence and dramatic efficiency” (El Nuevo Herald) and is internationally recognized through recurring performances with the State Symphonic Orchestra of Michoacán. Her credits span opera and cabaret, with roles including Baby Doe, Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), and she recently premiered Modern Muse by Kevin Wilt at Opera America. Lamon, whose work also appears in the film Pandemia: Exercises in Solitude, holds a Master’s in Voice from Manhattan School of Music.Courses taught by Professor Lamon include Private Voice Instruction.
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Giovanni Longo
Giovanni Longo is an established music director, pianist, and vocal coach frequently praised for his “great sensitivity and musicality,” “orchestral pianistic color,” and “taut rhythmic control” (Opera News, New York City). A tri-lingual Italian native of Montreal, Canada he is well-known for his Italian and French linguistic coaching work in NYC and his musical specialization in the Bel Canto and Verismo styles. He has served as Assistant Music Director/Vocal Coach at Sarasota Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Dicapo Opera Theater, Indianapolis Opera, Amore Opera, Tuscia Opera Festival in Viterbo, Italy, Narnia Vocal Arts Academy in Narni, Italy, and Music Director of New York Lyric Opera Theatre, with whom he has been given multiple performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in NYC. Giovanni holds a B.A. and M.A. in Piano Performance from McGill University.Courses taught by Professor Longo include Chamber Music and Performance Hour.Â
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Indira Mahajan
Indira Mahajan has gained international acclaim performing with leading opera companies and orchestras worldwide. Praised for her “stunning” voice (Opera Wire) and “riveting performance” (Opera News). A versatile performer, her wide-ranging repertoire spans from the Baroque to contemporary works by today’s leading composers. Her performances have earned numerous awards, including the prestigious Marian Anderson Award, and the Maria Callas Award from the Dallas Opera. Performance highlights include leading roles in Madama Butterfly, Suor Angelica, Aida, Lucia di Lammermoor, La Bohème, La Traviata, Rigoletto, I Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, I Vespri Siciliani, and Porgy and Bess. Indira Mahajan was born in New York City and began her musical studies as a violinist at the age of five. She later began voice lessons with her mother, Barbara Mahajan. She holds degrees from Oberlin College and the Mannes College of Music. -
Elizabeth McCullough
Elizabeth McCullough is a soprano and educator who has taught voice at Wagner College since 2002 and performed leading roles with National Opera Company, Duke Opera Festival, and Liederkranz Opera. A dedicated teaching artist with Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble since 2004, she also presents solo recitals across NYC, featuring both standard repertory and works by women composers. A Mississippi native and graduate of the University of Texas, she has performed internationally with Cunard Cruise Line and maintains an active private voice studio on Staten Island.Courses taught by Professor McCullough include Private Voice Instruction.
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Elizabeth Perryman
Elizabeth Perryman is a soprano praised for her “fine warmth and color with all the emotion and then some” (Vermont Philharmonic), with credits including Mid Ohio Opera, Bronx Opera, Pensacola Opera, and the NJ Symphony. A three-time regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and finalist in the AIMS Meistersinger Competition, she holds advanced degrees from Eastern Illinois, UNLV, Mannes, and doctoral study at LSU. Perryman performs with the Newark Cathedral Choir, sang the soprano solos in Mozart’s Requiem in March 2025 and Rusalka with NJ Opera Theater in October 2025. elizabeth-perryman.squarespace.comCourses taught by Professor Perryman include Private Voice Instruction.
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Michelle Siemens
Michelle Siemens is the WCT General Manager, an adjunct professor teaching voice and courses in arts administration, and an accomplished opera singer. Michelle has performed internationally, including the stages of LA Opera, Highlands Opera Studio, Central City Opera, Yorkshire Opera Workshop, Opera on the Avalon, Halifax Summer Opera Festival, UCLA Opera, and the Manhattan School of Music. In concert she’s performed with LA Opera, Fresh Squeezed Opera, Savannah Voice Festival, Greenwich Symphony, Colburn School and Opera Exposures. Her awards include: 2020 Classical Singer Fall Competition (winner), 2018 LA Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions (winner), 2014 Canadian Opera Company Gala Competition (finalist), 2015 Ades Vocal Competition (finalist). She holds a Bachelor of Music from the the University of Toronto and a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music. michellesiemens.com IG: @michellesiemensmezzoCourses taught by Professor Siemens include Private Voice Instruction, Arts Administration, and Audience Services.Â
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Anthony Turner
Anthony Turner is a baritone acclaimed for performances with Jessye Norman in PBS’s Great Performances special Aïda’s Brothers and Sisters and with Kathleen Battle in Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey. He has sung leading roles with Cincinnati and Cleveland Opera, Opera Ebony, and American Opera Projects, and appeared at the Kennedy Center, Piccolo Spoleto, and Barbican Music Festival. His diverse credits also include collaborations with Laurie Anderson, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and major symphonies under conductors such as Jesús Lopéz-Cobos and Ted Hearne.Courses taught by Professor Turner include Private Voice Instruction.
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Amy Williams
Amy Williams, Adjunct Professor, is a singer, actor, and award-winning cabaret artist who has performed extensively in regional theatre and is currently developing a new cabaret show premiering in December. She is a MAC, Hanson, and two-time Bistro Award winner, and serves on the precollege voice faculty at the Manhattan School of Music. A dedicated educator, Amy has taught at Wagner College for over 20 years and holds an MFA from Cornell University and a BFA from SUNY Binghamton.Courses taught by Professor Williams include Private Voice Instruction, Acting, and Voice and Diction.
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Matthew Zabiegala
Matthew Zabiegala, a dynamic conductor, educator, and organist, currently serves as Director of Music and Organist at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (NJ), adjunct professor at Wagner College (NY), and Artistic Director of both the New Jersey Chamber Singers and Concord Singers. A sought-after soloist and ensemble artist, he has performed with groups such as Kinnara Ensemble, Terpsichore Ensemble, and the Riverside Choral Society in major venues including Lincoln Center and Trinity Church Wall Street. Holding degrees from Rutgers University (M.M., Choral Conducting) and The Ohio State University (B.M.E.), Matthew’s career spans international performances, ACDA conferences, and leadership in music education and community-driven programming.Courses taught by Professor Zabiegala include Stretto Singers, Theory, and Musicianship.
