Mary Lourdes Kalil ~ Owner/Artistic Director:
Mary Lourdes has operated the Academy for the past 26 years. Prior to this, she taught at various studios throughout the area for ten years. Mary Lourdes is a graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester where she earned a B.S. degree in Fine Arts and Elementary Education. Since the age of six she has been studying dance locally as well as in Buffalo, Rochester and New York City. Mary Lourdes has taught and choreographed for a national TV show as well as national and state dance competitions.       

Mary Lourdes is a member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, Professional Dance Teachers’ Association and the National Federation of Independent Business. She is licensed by A.S.C.A.P. and B.M.I.

Megan Sterling:
Megan has a B.A. degree in Dance/Economics from Hamilton College where she received honors in Dance. Megan has taught Ballet Classes at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, MVCC, and at St. John’s Nursery School. She is also the choreographer for Ilion High School Spring Musical productions. Some of her additional experience includes technique workshops based on the techniques and repertory of Jose Limon and Doris Humphrey as well as study and training in the Royal Academy of Dance. Megan’s professional memberships and participations include the Mohawk Valley Performing Arts Company Guild, Kirkland Arts Center Committee for Kids and the Capital Theatre Summerstage.

Sheri Molanare:
Sheri is a graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College with an A.A.S. degree in Recreation Leadership. She has been teaching dance at the Academy for over 21 years, specializing in Jazz Technique. Sheri was the choreographer for the 1997 New York State Fair Mini Grand Champions. She, herself, was a 1988 New York State Fair Maxi Grand Champion. She also won the Dance Makers, Inc. Nationals held in Myrtle Beach, SC and Dance Olympus in NYC. Along with teaching at the Academy, Sheri also hosts children’s birthday parties. Sheri is active within the community where she has choreographed and taught dance and aerobics at MVCC, YWCA, local churches and Nursery Schools and has taught for the Girl Scouts of America. Sheri is one of the Academy’s competitive directors.

Amanda Thorngren:
Amanda is a graduate of MVCC with an A.A.S. degree in Recreation Leadership, and Utica College of Syracuse University with a B.S. degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Amanda has been dancing for 25 years. She is a past member of Mary Lourdes Competition Dance Team, winning various local, state and national level competitions. She was an assistant dance instructor for seven years. This is her 14th year as a faculty member at Mary Lourdes Academy of Dance. Amanda is one of the Academy’s competition directors. Amanda is currently working at the Presbyterian Residential Community as the Director of the Social Adult Day program and activities department.

Elissa Uriarte:
Elissa is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a B.S. degree in Childhood Education, a concentration in Math as well as a minor in Dance. She is also a graduate of SUNY Cortland with a M.S. Education Degree in Literacy. This is Elissa’s fourth year as a faulty member at Mary Lourdes Academy of Dance, but she started dancing at the studio at the age of 3, and became part of the competition dance team. Elissa was part of the Orchesis Dance Company while attending SUNY Fredonia, where she performed in many shows as well as choreographed multiple dance routines for the show. She is a substitute teacher in the local school districts.

Michelle Tebsherany Grimmer:
Michelle is a graduate of Boston College where she received a B.A. in Psychology and served as a Director of the Boston College Dance Ensemble, organizing and choreographing several shows for the group. She also recently earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University Chicago. This is Michelle’s first year as a member of the Mary Lourdes Academy of Dance faculty, although she was a dancer here since the age of three and a member of the competition team since the age of 10. She has choreographed for the Elite Team for the past four years. Michelle is a teacher in the New Hartford Central School District.

Samantha Rocci:
Samantha attends Utica College and is a Communication Arts Major and Psychology Minor. She started dancing at the studio at the age of 3 and became part of the competition team at 8. Samantha started working as an assistant teacher at Mary Lourdes Academy of Dance after graduating from Proctor High School in 2007. Throughout her dancing career at the studio she studied Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Tap and Jazz. She was captain of the Elite Team her senior year. Samantha, along with her dance team, has won many various awards throughout her years as a competition dancer.