BERNADETTE ERLON-REYES (Ballet, Pointe, Primary Ballet) trained as a scholarship student full time at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre for nine years, where she studied under George Balanchine, Suki Schorer, Mme Tumkovsky, Mme Danilova, and Valentina Peraslavic. She also trained with David Howard and Maggie Black. Bernadette danced with the New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet West, and the Stars of American Ballet, associated with NYCB and directed by Peter Martins and Suzanne Farrell. She holds a degree in Performing Arts and taught at Coupé from 1980 into the early 1990’s, where she also danced the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Grand Pas de deux in their original“Nutcracker” performances at the Coach Light Dinner Theater. Bernadette was also an Adjunct Professor at Rockland Community College, teaching courses in ballet, modern, and exercise. She is an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher, having successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensives in Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

JULIE McDONALD (Tap, Jazz, Kinder I and II) has been teaching at Coupé Theatre Studio for 14 years. She teaches tap, jazz, and acro to students ages six through adult. Julie also has a background as a certified Pilates instructor. She has volunteered her time to local elementary schools, where she directed original musical theatre productions and taught dance classes for after school enrichment programs. Julie has traveled the world performing professionally in various musical theatre productions (Will Rogers Follies, Bye Bye Birdie, A Chorus Line, Tokyo Disneyland) and is proud to be a former Radio City Rockette. She had the honor of performing those famous eye high kicks at Radio City Music Hall for nine years. Julie is a certified Rhythm Works instructor for children with special needs, and looks forward to sharing the magic of music and dance with all different types of learners!

CLAUDIA MEIENHOFER (Ballet, Creative Modern, Jazz, Tots, Kinder I and II) received her training from Jan Hanniford Goetz, and earned her BFA from Adelphi University, under the direction of Norman Walker. She performed and choreographed with the NY Dance Theatre, Huntington Ballet Theatre, Carol Rioux Dance Ensemble, and was a member of Blanco Dances, a NYC based modern dance company. She was a faculty member at Adelphi University, BOCES Cultural Arts Center, Huntington School of Ballet and Steps Performing Arts Center in Connecticut.

NICOLA ROYSTON (Tots, Kinder) is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University School of Drama receiving her BFA in Acting and Musical Theater. Her movement training includes ballet, jazz and tap as well as study in kinesiology and Alexander Technique.  She spent her early career on the New York stage, national tours and several stints on daytime television. She was inspired to switch focus and spent sixteen years on the competitive dance circuit winning national championships in Showcase and Cabaret divisions. She traveled nationally and internationally as a judge as well as performing and teaching at events such as the Euro Dance Festival (Germany), US Open Championships (US), USA Grand Nationals (US), UK European West Coast Swing Championships (UK), Sunny Side Dance Camp (Spain). She combined her love for acting and dance in her performance for the 2009 national theatrical release of the film LOVE n’ DANCING (Billy Zane, Amy Smart).  Nicola matured into her passion for movement and the mind/body connection acquiring her RYT 500hr Yoga certification. She also holds certifications in Yin Yoga, RCYT in Children’s Yoga with primary focus in Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy for youth. She spent two years sharing the practice of yoga and mediation with children across Rockland County in schools, summer camps and community spaces. She currently continues her acting career in industrial and commercial work while teaching and sharing the practice of yoga throughout New York and New Jersey. She is the Lead Teacher at YogaSix, heading up the training and certification of teachers as well as teaching her own classes. She is thrilled to be part of the team at Coup’ Theatre Studio.

LOUISE RUCK (Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Tots, Kinder I and II) was a member of the Gateway Ballet Company at age 9, where she worked her way up to the role of Sugarplum Fairy in their production of The Nutcracker. She received scholarships to the Joffrey Ballet and to the Hartford Ballet. She was also a member of the Fort Worth Ballet. Ms Ruck’s Broadway credits include the original cast of Crazy for You, and Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public. She also performed in Anything Goes and A Christmas Carol and as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. Her teaching experience includes the Beutelo School of Dance in St. Louis with students from age 2 through adult.