Our Faculty & Staff
We like to think of our studio as a big family. As we get to know your family, we hope that you'll take the time to know a little bit more about us
Our Instructors
Caitlyn Fraser
Director
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Kinderdance. Caitlyn is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, where she hold a B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Business/Accounting. During her studies, Caitlyn performed with UB's Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble and danced for football and basketball games on the "Dazzlers". Following in her mother's (Miss Barbara) footsteps, Caitlyn grew up in the studio, where she found a love for dance and a passion for teaching. A former competition student, Caitlyn has been teaching for nine years, and has assisted with her mother and her aunt (Miss Dawn) for many more. In addition to her training at ISD and UB, she continues to enrich her education with master classe including Dance Olympus and Matthew Clark (Buffalo, NY). She also performs locally at choreographic festivals throughout New York, most recently in 2010 with members of the Ellen Sinopoli dance company in Troy.
Miss Dawn
Assistant Director
Tap, Jazz, Kinderdance, Competition Staff. Dawn has taught for the Isabelle School of Dance since its opening in 1983. She was locally educated in tap, jazz and ballet. She teaches all levels of tap and jazz to children and adults. Kinderdancers love Miss Dawn! Dawn continues her education through master workshops including Dance Educators of America and Dance Olympus. Most recently, Dawn has led ISD's involvement with Equestrian Dance Theater ("RIDE") with choreographer Paula Josa-Jones.
Miss Sherry
WSL Manager
Tap, Jazz, Kinderdance. Sherry is one of the original staff members and is a popular teacher with all ages of students! She has a background in preschool education as well as aerobics. Sherry is a certified aerobics teacher for the Town of North Greenbush and has instructed St. Jude's after school program. She teaches an art class at a local nursing home where she has been a part-time Activities Director for many years. She is also an associate in the Individual Studies Department at Hudson Valley Community College. Sherry continuously attends a variety of dance workshops to further her education; her most recent was with choreographers Mia Michaels, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Chris Judd and Brian Friedman from "So You Think You Can Dance".
Miss Abbie
Ballet and Pointe, Kinderdance, Competition Staff. Abbie has studied classical ballet for over twenty years. She began her training locally with former members of the NYC Ballet, and continued training throughout Colorado, Pennsylvania and NYC. Abbie has studied and performed with dancers from Dance Aspen, The New York City Ballet, The Lake Erie Ballet and American Ballet Theater. She completed her training at Mercyhurst College, where she majored in ballet performance.
Miss Becki
Kinderdance, Tap/Jazz, Competition Staff. Becki is a former member of the ISD Competition team as well as a former assistant dance teacher. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo with a B.A. in Communication. She also received a minor in Human Resources as well as in Theatre. While at Buffalo, Becki was a member of the "Dazzlers" Dance Team, took classes with the University's dance program and studied with renowned tap instructor, Matthew Clark (Buffalo, NY). Currently, she is the choreographer for Goff Middle Schools’ spring musicals and other Theatre groups in the area.
Miss Jessica
Hip Hop, Tap & Jazz. Miss Jessica began assistant teaching with Miss Sherry in 2001 and taight her first class in 2005. This will be Jess's 21st year with Isabelle School of Dance and she is excited to be back. Miss Jessica's classes are always fun and full of energy! Jessica has been certified in CPR and First Aid. Besides dance, Jessica works as an Analytical Chemist for AMRI. She has a bulldog named Daisy Mae and recently became engaged! Jessica also organizes a charity motorcycle run each year to support the Joseph E. Stephens #33 Memorial award.
Miss Kristina 
Tap, Jazz, & Kinderdance. Kristina has studied tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical for over 25 years at local studios, including the internationally recognized NYSTI. She is also a certified Country Line Dance instructor. Kristina has danced in Nashville on the "Wild Horse Saloon" television show and has also spent several years choreographing for local theater groups, where she also performs. Kristina is the President of Capital Area Productions, a local theater group where she Produces, Directs and Choreographs all the musicals performed. She has been seen onstage at Cohoes Music Hall, Steamer 10 and at the Schenectady Light Opera Company. This is Kristina's seventh year as part of the ISD faculty.
Miss Lisa
Ballet, Modern/Lyrical, Competition Staff. Lisa has been a dance enthusiast since she has been able to stand on her feet. Lisa graduated from Dean College in Boston, MA where she earned an Associates of Art degree with a concentration in Dance. At Dean, Lisa endured a rigorous academic schedule, dancing many hours every day. Prior to her graduation from Dean, she was an avid competitor in tap, jazz, and lyrical. Her love for dance has led her to teaching. She is entering her fifth season at Isabelle's School of Dance. She is a devoted teacher who inspires the spirit of dance in her students.
Miss Mary
Tap, Jazz, Kinderdance, Competition Staff. Mary is a former student of ISD and has a master's degree in Music Therapy and Music Education from Nazareth College. She teaches all levels of tap and jazz and is a favorite teacher of our 'Kinderdancers'. She is also currently employed as a full-time music therapist with Questar. Mary's tap choreography is notorious for her intricate rhythms and fast footwork. In 2008, her acapella tap routine won special recognition at a regional competition.
Miss Peg
Modern, Tap, Competition Staff. Peg holds a BFA in Dance and K-12 Education from Marymount Manhattan College, NYC. She is a former competition student of ISD and this will be her tenth year on our staff. Peg has choreographed numerous award-winning pieces for our Competition Team and had been recognized for her outstanding and unique choreography at many local competitions. There is never a dull moment in Peg's classes!
Miss Renata
Ballet, Kinderdance, Competition Staff. Renata is a former student of ISD and has assisted ballet classes for the last nine years. This will be her ninth year teaching with Isabelle's. Prior to Isabelle's, Renata studied dance at schools in Massachusetts, Kansas, South Korea and Maryland. She had been dancing for 18 years and is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose, double majoring in Studio Art and Art Education. Renata's artwork has recently been featured in local galleries.
Miss Renee
Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Competition Staff. Renée hails from Buffalo, NY, where she was educated locally and then instructed dance for five years. Renee re-located to Upstate New York where she has been with ISD ever since! In addition to teaching hip hop, jazz and tap, Renee has choreographed numerous award-winning competition pieces for our team and has won choreography awards for her tap, lyrical, hip hop and production pieces.
Miss Sherlyn
Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Competition Staff. Sherlyn completed her B.F.A. in Dance from the University at Buffalo. She is a former ISD Competition student and assisted her mother (Miss Sherry) for many years. During her college years, Sherlyn choreographed for various ensembles including the University at Buffalo's "Young Choreographer's Showcase". A member of the "Zodiaque Dance Ensemble", she was also featured in the "Dance and Percussion Ensemble". As a junior in high school, Sherlyn was selected to perform as a VIP Dancer with the Dance Olympus Summer tour.
Miss Valerie
Kinderdance, Tap/Jazz, Hip Hop Instructor. This is Miss Val's fifth year as part of our faculty. Val is a former competition student and alumni of the Isabelle School of Dance. After high school, Val studied at Marymount Manhattan College. She continutes her dance education with local workshops and master classes.
Office Staff
Our office staff works behind the scenes to keep the studio running smoothly! If you have a question about classes, payments or even if you just need a band-aid, they will help you out.
Office Manager: Cindi
Cindi has been a part of our studio since her daughters (Miss Becki & Miss Sara) started dancing. Cindi has a background in pre-school and special education. Starting over 10 years ago as a seamstress and part-time office staff, Cindi has transformed our office into the organized place it is today!
Office Staff: Sara, Dawn, Rick