Faculty Test

Megan Castlevetere studied many styles of dance at a local buffalo dance studio before furthering her training at The University at Buffalo. She graduated with a BFA in Dance. While at UB, she performed with the Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble and the Zodiaque Dance Company under mentor, Tom Ralabate. Megan choreographed for the Young Choreographers Showcase, directed the student run performance, Dancer's Workshop, and acted as student representative in the Theater and Dance department. Upon graduating, Megan trained on scholarship with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She then traveled the world aboard Holland America Cruise Lines with Stiletto Entertainment as a dancer and Dance Captain. After years at sea, Megan is back in Buffalo sharing her love of dance with students of all ages. Outside the studio, she coaches gymnastics, teaches fitness classes, and is the process of becoming a certified yoga instructor.

Shannon grew up dancing at Fitzsimons Dance Factory, a competitive dance studio in Rochester, NY. While dancing, Shannon studied; ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, character, modern, contemporary and African. Shannon attended Mercyhurst College and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Immunology from Roswell Park Cancer Institute. While attending Mercyhurst College, Shannon danced with the Dance Department as well as the Lake Erie Ballet. Shannon served as Director of Education at the Ballet. Her responsibilities included curriculum development, dance education, recitals, costumes, programs and grant writing.

In addition to teaching at the Royal Academy of Ballet, Shannon is the owner of Fusion Fitness, a group exercise and personal training studio in Williamsville. Shannon is a Professor in the Health and Wellness Department at Buffalo State and teaches courses in anatomy, personal health, psychoactive drugs, alcohol problems and personal training. Shannon is also a Master Trainer for the ISCA and certifies group exercise instructors and personal trainers internationally.

Mandy Kellner began her dance training at Royal Academy of Ballet and David DeMarie Dance Studio. Mandy was a 2013 graduate from the State University of New York Fredonia with a Bachelors of Fine Arts for Dance as well as a Bachelors of Science in Communication. While at Fredonia, she danced with the Fredonia Dance Ensemble, Orchesis Dance Company and performed numerous times at the American College Dance Festival. Mandy has attended many intensive training programs such as, LehrerDance, Bates Dance Festival, Doug Varone and Company, River North Dance Chicago and Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company. Mandy is an adjudicator for Turn It Up Dance Competitions. She is director, coach and dancer for the Buffalo Bandettes Dance team. Along with bandettes, Mandy is the assistant director and company dancer for ConvergeDance Buffalo, Buffalo’s contemporary jazz company. She is a certified Pilates Instructor through Balanced Body and teaches at Stretch Pilates in Williamsville. Mandy also teaches at Barre Centric; barre classes and barre cardio classes. She is ecstatic to be on faculty at the Royal Academy of Ballet once again for the 2015-2016 season. She loves to bring out the girls SASS and personalities by executing jazz technique.

Emily Small is a former member of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet company and student of the Royal Academy of Ballet. Emily has trained and danced pre-professionally with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Miami City Ballet. She had the opportunity to perform roles in Etudes, Giselle, Who Cares?, Stars & Stripes, Western Symphony, as well as original choreography Vivaldious by Viktor Plotnikov and Pan Eros by Avi Scher.

While with the Youth Ballet, Emily performed lead roles in Firebird, Toyshop Fantasy, Peter & the Wolf, Three Wishes, Somewhere in Time, Reflections in Motion, and Danse Macabre. She performed variations from Don Quixote, Raymonda, La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. During her tenure as a student with the Royal Academy she also participated in summer programs at the School of American Ballet in NYC, the Boston Ballet, and the New York State Summer School for the Arts.

Emily currently teaches levels C1 & C2 ballet classes at the Royal Academy and is thrilled to be working with Miss Beth, the students, and the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet.