~ Keep Your Dreams Alive ~

We invite you to discover the Retter Philosophy: a strong commitment to artistic integrity taught in a positive, nurturing atmosphere!

Join the entire staff, and us, in our celebration of R.A.D.'s 21st Season of Dance and Education Excellence.

Retter's Academy of Dance is proud to house many Master Teachers on faculty! Members of this fabulous staff not only teach in Agoura Hills, but also educate and inspire children around the country. Joe Tremaine Conventions, Dance Makers, Dance Masters of America, Encore Conventions, Tamjams, Roland Dupree, Urban Jamm, Dance Olympus, and Dance Theatre USA currently staff this group of talented educators. R.A.D.'s unique atmosphere of positive reinforcement is received with much enthusiasm by our students and parents alike! Darryl Retter, Linda Bernabei-Retter, Gina Badone, Noune Diabekirian, Aleksandra Wojda, Chris Rogers, Sierra Paige, Amanda Drake, Kelsey Ducklow, Alyssa Mandell, Winkee Krick, Ashley Alessi, Katelyn Miller, and Courtney Gray create impressions on young people's lives! Our staff at R.A.D. continually strives to make each dance experience rewarding and exciting!

FACULTY BIOS 

 Mr. Darryl Retter OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE. CO-DIRECTOR OF RHYTHM MACHINE AND BRIDGE DANCE COMPANIES. MASTER TEACHER. CREATOR OF RETTER VIDEOS, COMPOSER, LYRICIST. CO-OWNER OF MUSICWORKS. Nationally recognized by MusicWorks, Dance Masters of America, Professional Dance Teachers Association, Joe Tremaine Conventions, Hoctor’s Dance Caravan, to name a few! Darryl “grew up” in his mother’s dance studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he was “discovered” by Master Educator Al Gilbert. Mr. Retter teaches tap, jazz, and lyrical and has received numerous awards for his innovative choreography. His original children’s music is a favorite of students, parents, and teachers alike for its age-appropriate, positive, and uplifting messages. Retter Videos are sold internationally to aid teachers with their instruction at their own studios. His personalized technique assists hundreds of teachers and improves thousands of dancers. Retter’s Academy of Dance is Darryl’s most successful accomplishment. His vision to create a safe haven for children to study the art of dance is a dream come true. Daughter Renata is his inspiration. Credits also include performance and/or choreography for videos, ballet companies, television, stage, & film.

Ms. Linda Bernabei-Retter CO-OWNER AND CO-DIRECTOR OF RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE. DIRECTOR OF STARLET ACADEMY. CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF RHYTHM MACHINE AND BRIDGE DANCE COMPANIES. MASTER TEACHER. Recognized as Woman of the Year 2010 -2011 by the National Association of Professional Woman (NAPW), National Dance Educator of the Year 2010, received by Company Dance Convention, National Luminary Award Recipient 2008 (Mom's in Business Network). Creator of Stagewear L.A. Costume Collection and Powerplay Activewear 2000 – June 2010. Internationally recognized by the Joe Tremaine Dance Conventions, Dance Masters of America, Professional Teachers Association, Al Gilbert Seminars, and Hoctor’s Dance Caravan, among others. Linda has appeared in national Dance Publications Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher, Dancer, Dance and Fitness, Dance Teacher Now, and Dancer Magazine. Linda and husband Darryl Retter own and operate Retter’s Academy of Dance and it’s youth department, Starlet Academy. Retter’s celebrates its 21st Anniversary Season and has received National and local recognition including: Best Dance Instruction in Agoura Hills 2008-2011. Teaching is a constant joy in their life. Their studio is a blessing and remains the central force that gives creative birth to all she and Darryl’s many passions, businesses, and adventures. This exciting motivator, educator, choreographer, and dancer has worked with or choreographed for Bette Midler, Robert Guillaume, Lionel Richie, Billy Crystal, Tom Jones, Andy Gibb, Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, and more. Linda was a regular on the TV show The Midnight Special with Jeff Kutashs'  Dancin' Machine. She was also a Solid Gold dancer (Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas). Her goals are many. High on the list is to instruct dance in a positive manner, to create thinking and intelligent dancers who are not only technically brilliant, but creative and passionate about dance. Daughter Renata lights up her life each day. Ms. Retter has taught for the past 35 years. Many of Linda’s protégés operate successful dance studios and appear on Broadway, in films, and on television. “Keep your dreams alive.” 

Gina Badone MASTER TEACHER. RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR, Gina Badone, originally from Yuma, Arizona, is currently dancing, teaching and choreographing in Los Angeles, CA. Gina came to LA in 2000 as a scholarship student at Retter's Academy of Dance and is now working closely with the Rhythm Machine Company, the co-director of the R&B pro company, and is also teaching ballet and jazz to many levels of dancers.  Gina is a very energetic and versatile teacher, teaching ballet at the “Dixie” Dance Masters of America Convention, Lyrical at Southern Association of Dance Masters, to hip hop at the New Brunswick Al Gilbert Dance Convention. She assists Linda Bernabei-Retter at Tremaine Conventions and is a new addition to the elite Music Works faculty. She has also had the privilege to assist other dance legends such as Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, and Terry Lindholm to name a few.  Gina’s choreography has been featured in many of LA’s local dance venues, such as Keith Clifton’s “Friends in Dance”, Hep Creative's  “Works in Progress”, Deborah Brockus’s “ New Perspectives”, and more. She was also recently featured as a choreographer and dancer on New Wave Entertainment's "American Girl, Molly" Movie/ Special Features.  Her innovative pieces of choreography have been selected and performed often at the University of Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase.  Gina’s variety of performing experiences include the Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet Company, LA’s  first  live billboard for Moulin Rouge, WB’s Christmas at the Grove, Hurley’s Spring ’05 Fashion Event. Gina is also a faculty member for Dance Makers Inc. (DMI) Conventions and is represented by Go 2 Talent.

Noune Diarbekarian BALLET MISTRESS, INSTRUCTOR RETTERS ACADEMY OF DANCE,  Ms. Noune began her professional career at the age of 16 when she joined the Armenian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet as an apprentice.  She worked with the company for three years, dancing in almost in every classical ballet and in many operas.  Noune began studying the Vaganova Technique when she was 9 at the Yerevan Choreography School in Armenia—there she studied ballet, pas de deux, variations, character/folk dance, history of theatre and ballet, piano, music literature, mime, and make-up.  After moving to the United States, Noune danced and assisted Marla Bingham at the Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet since its inception in 1996.  She has also performed with the Francisco Martinez Dancetheatre, Ballet Ventura, Bethune Theatredanse in Southern California Youth Ballet Nutcracker, has danced on the WB channel television series Angel, and has appeared on the Classic Arts channel.  Ms. Noune has been teaching for over fourteen years in the region, and we welcome her expertise and wisdom to R.A.D.!

Aleksandra Wojda RETTERS ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR Aleksandra Wojda was born in Pretoria, South Africa, but grew up dancing in the Chicagoland area. She graduated from Northwestern University in June 2006 with dual degrees in Communication Sciences & Disorders and International Studies. While attending Northwestern full-time for four years, she trained at the Giordano Dance Center as both a work-study and scholarship student. She has performed in Dance Chicago under the direction of Nick Pupillo and Tracy Marrion. In the summer of 2006, she was seen as a top twenty dancer on the second season of Fox's hit show, So You Think You Can Dance, and it was a truly life-changing experience to have made it to the Top 16 dancers of that season. She returned back to Chicago after the show to continue her dance career full force. After ending a run at the Lincolnshire Marriott's production of All Night Strut, she joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago's second company, which she enjoyed for a year. She has been featured in industrials for Jockey, Panasonic, Barton G., Sebastian/Graham Webb/Wella, Pepsi, and the Red Hawk Casino. Currently residing in Los Angeles, she has kept busy working in music videos, television, and feature films. Along with performing, she continues to teach and inspire students across the States by choreographing competition pieces and teaching master classes. She feels so blessed to have had such an amazing dance journey thus far and is thankful for all who have supported her and inspired her to keep on moving!

Brooke Paulsen RETTERS ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR, Brooke Paulsen hails from Toledo, Ohio where she learned how to dance from her masterful mother Brenda Paulsen.  She has worked with tap heavy weights such as Jason Samuel Smith, Chloe Arnold and Fayard Nicholas.  She is one of the most respected female tappers in Los Angeles.  She continues to travel the world sharing her knowledge and love for dance. She assisted Al Gilbert and Darryl Retter on Stepping Tones, now known as Music Works.   Today, Brooke continues to transition from dancer to upcoming choreographer.  She works as an associate choreographer to Kevin and Marcel Wilson.  Together they choreograph industrials, commercials, music videos and stage shows.  Their latest endeavors include the Rio Hotel & Casino: The Show in the Sky, the Bellagio New Year’s Eve show, The Nefful Industrial, Jery Sandoval music video and VIV Magazine commercial.  They recently choreographed the “James Brown Tribute” starring Wayne Brady on “Dancing with the Stars. Brooke continues to push herself to create and grow as a teacher and choreographer. Her mission is to help create well-rounded artists, not just technically proficient dancers.  She realizes that not every student will become a professional dancer but that hopefully they will all love dance throughout their lives.

Chris Rogers MASTER TEACHER, RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE HIP HOP INSTRUCTOR. Chris started dancing at the age of 3, was signed to an agency at 9 and hasn't looked back since. As a convention kid he received numerous national scholarships from L.A. Danceforce, L.A. Dance Magic, Co. Dance, LA Underground, Urban Jamm and Dupree. Chris was a member of nationally ranked Rhythm Machine Company for eight years. Chris did work for Wade Robson in creating the “The Wade Robson Project” on MTV. He has directed numerous dance variety shows on Sunset Blvd including the Choreographer’s Carnival. Chris was part of the creative team on the B2K National Scream III Tour and was Assistant Director and Assistant Music Director for Michael Jackson's 45th Birthday. He worked with Britney Spears’ on her World Tour ‘The Onyx Hotel’ as the Assistant Director and even provided original music for the show. In the past season Chris developed two shows for MTVs fall season, one titled twentyfourseven and one named Dance Life starring Jennifer Lopez.  We are thrilled to have Chris Rogers’ amazing energy, his fantastic style, and his passion to educate your dancers in the Art of Hip Hop. Mr. Rogers is also a guest faculty member of Dance Makers Inc. (DMI) Convention.

Sierra Paige RETTERS ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR, STARLET ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR Sierra Paige hails from Charlotte, North Carolina. Recipient of numerous regional and national awards and recognitions, including the R&B Professional Scholarship in 2008, Sierra is very familiar to studio and competition dance. Her scholarships include: Joffrey Ballet School, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Edge Performing Arts Center, Company Dance, West Coast Dance Explosion and LA Dance Force. Ms. Paige is a guest member of the Bridge Dance Company and assistant to Linda Bernabei-Retter at Tremaine Dance conventions. Performances include Keith Clifton’s “Friends in Dance” Concert, Kids Helping Kids: Help for Haiti Benefit, Believe in Girls Expo, Legal Aid Benefit. She has been backup dancer for Nickelodeon star, Ashley Argota, a featured dancer in the movie #1 Cheerleader Camp, assistant to Tyce Diorio on Season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance?, and is represented by Go 2 Talent Agency. Sierra most recently starred in an episode of Disney’s So Random as a backup dancer for Coco Jones.

Amanda Drake RETTERS ACADEMY OF DANCE AND STARLET ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR, Amanda Drake was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin where she studied dance at West Side Performing Arts and Ballet Madison. She moved out here in 2006 as the R&B Pro scholarship recipient. She has won various awards and scholarships from American Ballet Theater, Tremaine Dance Conventions, WCDE and Jump conventions. This summer she was asked to be a National Judge for Rainbow Dance Conventions. She has worked with many choreographers but has been working closely assisting Heidi Anderson Jarrett, choreographer/music producer/RAD faculty member, on events and music videos. She is also very busy dancing for Ashley Argota, LuLu on Nickelodeon's hit show True Jackson V.P, along with many other local recording artists. When she is not dancing she enjoys working on the set of Nickelodeon show True Jackson V.P!

Kelsey Ducklow RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR, STARLET ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR Kelsey Ducklow is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, where she studied with the West Side Performing Arts for 15 years. She grew to become part of their faculty teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and children’s classes. She has danced leading roles in ballets such at “Coppelia” and “The Sleeping Beauty”. Along with receiving scholarships from Tremaine Dance Conventions and Ballet Chicago, she trained with the Milwaukee Ballet in their summer intensive program. In addition to instructing and dancing, she is currently pursuing a degree in public relations. Kelsey is honored to be a part of the RAD and Starlet Faculty.

Alyssa Mandell RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR, Alyssa Mandell is currently dancing professionally and teaching Pilates in Los Angeles, California. In 1996, Alyssa came over to Retter’s Academy of Dance and fell in love with the RAD philosophy of dance. She was a part of Rhythm Machine from 1997-2006, working under the direction of Mr. Al Gilbert, Heidi Jarrett, Lara Lacey, just to name a few. From 2006-2010, Alyssa attended the University of California, Irvine where she got her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and her minor degree in Education. While attending UCI, she was faced with an injury that led her to discover her love of Pilates. She underwent an extensive 9-month Pilates Certification Program, and teaches out of her home and in Simi Valley. She is currently a professional dancer with Go 2 Talent Agency, and has worked on various projects with the Disney Channel such as “So Random” and music videos with the new rock group, Diamond Baby. Alyssa just recently finished a 10-day long tour across east coast starting in New Jersey and ending in Florida dancing with two talented singers on the No Bully Tour to stop bullying across America.

Winkee Krick RETTER’S ACADEMY OF DANCE INSTRUCTOR, STARLET ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR Winkee Krick is originally from Grand Rapids, MI was raised in the family dance studio, Retter’s Dance Center, under the ownership and artistic direction of Betty Retter and Sonya Krick. She began taking classes on her first birthday and never looked back. Winkee’s dream since the age of twelve has always been to move to California to pursue her career as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, and to share her passion for dance with others. Now, living in California, Darryl and Linda have made her dream reality. Winkee had trained intensively in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary. She has won several scholarships from many conventions including Co. Dance and Shock the Intensive, and won the title of “National Tap Champion 2008” at the Star Systems National Finals. Winkee has been seen around the country assisting Darryl Retter, Keith Clifton, and Tom Alexander at regional and national DMI conventions. This summer she has traveled to set competition pieces on some of the Nation’s most prestigious studios! Winkee is honored to be a member of the RAD faculty.

Ashley Alessi STARLET ACADEMY & RAD CO-TEACHER Ashley Alessi is a new addition to the amazing Starlet Academy faculty. Her energy, patience, and love of dance will be a great asset to the Retter’s Academy of Dance and Starlet Academy program. She was a 2009-2010 assistant teacher and the recipient of the 2007 Summer Scholarship for the Retter’s Summer Workshop. Ashley Alessi has studied under the artistic direction of Darryl Retter and Linda Bernabei-Retter for the past 13 years. She is currently a junior at Cal State University: Northridge. Ashley also participated as a dancer in the No Bully Tour, choreographed by Heidi Jarrett. Ms. Alessi was back up dancer to MoHo artist, Diamante.

Courtney Gray STUDIO MANAGER 

GUEST FACULTY: Thommie Retter, Becca Retter, Lilian Manansala, Heidi Anderson-Jarrett, Jennifer Parsley, Megan Luquire, Ferly Prado, Rhonda Miller

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: Courtney Gray, Sierra Paige