Kurt Adametz, originally from Northampton, MA, began his dance training at the Hackworth School of Performing Arts. While studying there, he traveled to Europe twice as a member of the United States Tap and Jazz Teams, winning two gold medals and the title of Junior Male World Tap and Jazz Champion (Slovenia, 2001), and a gold medal and title of Male World Tap Champion (Germany, 2002). Kurt then went on to attend Wheaton College near Boston, where he received a BA in Hispanic Studies. During this time, he continued his training by participating in intensives at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Upon graduating in 2008, Kurt accepted a full scholarship to study at the Giordano Dance School in Chicago. While in Chicago, he went on to dance for one season with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago II, and as a principal dancer for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Kurt is thrilled to be in his second season with LehrerDance.

Rachael Humphrey is originally from Buffalo, NY, where she studied dance at  the American Academy of Ballet with Maris Battaglia. Rachael is a 2010 graduate of SUNY Potsdam and has performed pieces by many professional companies including Bridgman/Packer Dance, Configurations Dance Theater and Danny Grossman Dance Company. Rachael is excited to be back home in Buffalo dancing in her second season with LehrerDance

Theodore Krzykowski is from Marcellus, NY and began formal dance training at the age of 19 with Absolute Dance Company in Auburn, NY. Prior to this, Ted studied gymnastics at CNY Gymnastics and West Side Gymnastics in Syracuse, NY. In 2006 Ted spent the summer in Seattle, WA at the United Stuntman Association where he earned his certification as a trained stuntman from the world renowned David Boucher. This varied training has enhanced Ted’s reputation as an accomplished break-dancer performing in many events, competitions, and promotions throughout the world. Ted is honored to be a fourth year company member of LehrerDance, and is proud that his diverse background contributes to the growth of the company.

Immanuel  Naylor (Associate Director) a native of Maryland, is a 2006 graduate of Elon University in North Carolina. Manny moved to Buffalo, NY in 2007 to become a founding member of LehrerDance. Prior to joining LehrerDance, Manny performed as a guest artist in Elon University’s Spring Dance Concert, Walkerdance’s The Nutcracker in Burlington, NC, American Dance Festival’s Acts to Follow in Durham, NC. Manny was also a founding member of Kearns Dance Project based in North Carolina. Since moving to Buffalo, Manny has performed in Musicalfare Theater’s production of Aida and All Shook Up at Artpark and American Rhapsody in Amherst. He has also performed in Dancenter North’s production of The Nutcraker as Soldier Doll and Russian at the beautiful Genesee Theatre  in Waukegan, IL. Manny is extremely excited to be living in Buffalo and working with such great artistic talents.

Phillip Wackerfuss grew up in Palatine, a suburb of Chicago. There he studied dance at Dorene’s DancExpress, a studio started by his Mother and built by the family. Receiving his BA in Theatre Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, Phil studied dance and movement under Jean Kerr, and performed in a range of styles from musicals to Shakespeare. While there, he enjoyed working with guest artists Otis Cook of Pilobolous, Li Chiao-Ping of the University of Madison, WI. Post-undergrad, Phil has expanded his knowledge of the body with training in massage therapy at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and is a licensed and practicing massage therapist. As a professional dancer, his work began with a summer in the mountains of North Carolina at The Cherokee Historical Association’s “Unto These Hills”. Dancing in Chicago, he performed in several productions with the Valerie Alpert Dance Company (VADCO). With VACDO, Phil also performed in the Chiwaukee Dance Festival at the Genesee Theatre, the St. Louis Dance Festival, and Madison Intercontinental Dance Festival where performances were simultaneously webcast across seas. During this time he also acted in First Folio Shakespeare Festival’s 50min productions of Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In Chicago,  Phil was a performing apprentice with Inaside Chicago Dance for 2 years, Now, he is very excited to take his dancing to the next level as a second year company member with LehrerDance.

Colleen Walsh was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and began her training at Steppin’ Out Dance Academy at the age of 4, where she currently teaches. In 2010 Colleen received her BFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo. While at UB, she was a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company for three consecutive years, beginning her freshman year in the Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble. In her Senior year, Colleen was awarded the first LehrerDance Observership which was established through the partnership with LehrerDance and the University at Buffalo’s Department of Theatre & Dance. Colleen is tremendously excited to be in her second season with LehrerDance.

Marideth Wanat is originally from Harrisburg, PA, and received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Spanish from Illinois State University, where she was a member and featured performer of the Illinois State Dance Theatre, directed by Laurie Merriman. Marideth began her professional career dancing for Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago’s Giordano II company. After two seasons with Giordano II, Marideth continued her career by performing in Thodos Dance Chicago’s “New Dances”. Soon after, she accepted a performing apprentice position with Inaside Chicago Dance for one season. In addition to her company experience, Ms. Wanat has also performed professionally in Dancenter North’s production of the “Nutcracker” and “Cinderella”. She has expressed her passion off the stage as well by teaching dance throughout the Chicago and Buffalo area. In January 2009, Marideth was honored as one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch – Who Will Shine in ’09″. Marideth is a founding company member and Rehearsal Director of LehrerDance, and is proud to be spreading the innovative style of LehrerDance to audiences and students around the world.

Kristen Zgoda is from Gurnee, IL and began her dance training at age 12 at the Summers Academy of Dance in Crystal Lake, IL. Kristen attended Columbia College of Chicago to pursue a BFA in dance. After two years at Columbia she switched directions and received a full-merit dance scholarship to the Giordano Dance Center, where she trained with the top teachers in Chicago. In 2005 Kristen went to Salt Lake City, Utah to be an apprentice with Odyssey Dance Theatre, learning the work of many renowned choreographers such as Dee Caspary, Liz Imperio, and Bonnie Story. In 2007, Kristen was one of the top 17 girls on the Fox TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Kristen is still involved in the commercial word of dance having most recently performed in a fashion show for New Era in Las Vegas. Kristen is very excited to be dancing in her 4th season with LehrerDance in Buffalo NY. She would like to thank Jon for giving her this opportunity to be part of something so wonderful.