About Home | Locations | Faculty | FAQ We hope you enjoy getting to know all of our full-time instructors as well as our many student teachers and student assistants. We are a family-oriented dance studio, so we want to get to know you as well!

Caitlyn Hughes Director, Tap, Jazz, Kinderdance. Caitlyn is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, where she holds degrees in Dance and Business. During her studies, Caitlyn was chosen to perform with UB's Zodiaque Dance Ensemble. Following in her mother's footsteps, Caitlyn "grew up" along with the studio. She is a former competition student of ISD and has been teaching for over seven years, and assisted with her mother (Miss Barbara) and her aunt (Miss Dawn) for many more. In addition to her training at ISD, she has studied with tap instructor, Matthew Clark (Buffalo, NY) and participated in numerous master classes and workshops throughout her dance career.

Dawn Wood School 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.

Sherry Best Tap, Jazz, Kinderdance. Sherry is one of the original staff members and is a popular teacher with our 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 has attended a variety of dance workshops over the years to further her education; her most recent was with choreographers Mia Micheals, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Chris Judd and Brian Friedman from "So You Think You Can Dance".

Sherlyn Best Choreography, Hip Hop, Jazz Instructor. Sherlyn recently completed her B.F.A. in Dance from the University at Buffalo. She is a former ISD Competition student and has assisted her mother (Miss Sherry) for many years. During her college years, Sherlyn choreographed for various ensembles and in 2006, she was chosen to choreograph for the University at Buffalo's "Young Choreographer's Showcase". She was also a member of the "Zodiaque Dance Ensemble" and in 2004 she was chosen to perform with a small group of dancers in the "Dance and Percussion Ensemble". As a junior in high school, Sherlyn was chosen to perform as a "VIP Dancer" with the Dance Olympus Summer tour.

Shannon Campbell Modern, Ballet, Competition Faculty. This is Shannon's third year teaching with us! Bio coming soon!

Renee Frank Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Competition Staff. Renée hails from Buffalo, NY, where she was educated locally and then instructed dance for five years. She has choreographed numerous award-winning competition pieces and has won choreography awards for her tap, lyrical, hip hop and production pieces.

Kassie Gibson Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Cheer Dance. Kassie is a former competition student of ISD and this is Kassie's sixth year as part of our faculty. In addition to teaching and assisting classes, she choreographs and coaches competitive cheerleading in the Averill Park and East Greenbush School Districts.

Mary Holliday 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 choreography for the competition team is always entertaining. In 2008 her acapella tap routine won special recognition at many regional competitions.

Kristina Kennedy-Babcock 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 was most recently seen onstage at Cohoes Music Hall and at the Schenectady Light Opera Company. This is Kristina's third year as part of the ISD faculty.

Renata Memole-Gwozdz Ballet and Kinderdance. Renata is a former student of ISD and has assisted ballet classes for the last seven years. This will be her 6th year teaching with us. Prior to Isabelle's, Renata studied dance at schools in Massachusetts, Kansas, South Korea and Maryland. She had been dancing for 17 years and is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose, double majoring in Studio Art and Art Education.

Valerie Page Tap/Jazz, Hip Hop Instructor. This is Miss Val's third year as part of our faculty. Bio coming soon!

Lisa Russell Ballet, Modern Instructor, Competition Staff. Lisa has been a dance enthusiast since she has been able to stand on her feet. Lisa graduated in 2006 from Dean College in Boston Massachusetts. There 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. Currently, Lisa dances for the Albany River Rats "Ice Mice" dance team. Her love for dance has led her to teaching. She is entering her second season at Isabelle's School of Dance. She is a devoted teacher who inspires the spirit of dance in her students.

Becki Schongar 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 local Theatre groups in the area.

Jessica Stevens Tap, Jazz & Hip Hop. Jessica has been a student of the Isabelle School of Dance since she was three, and has assisted since she was thirteen. In addition to working, Jessica attends Hudson Valley Community College, where she studies Forensic Science. This is Jessica's third year as part of our faculty.

Peggy Warner Modern, Tap, Competition Staff. Peggy 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 seventh year on our staff. Peggy has choreographed numerous award-winning pieces for our Competition Team. There is never a dull moment in Peggy's classes!

Abbie White Ballet and Pointe, Advanced levels. 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.

Lisa Williams Tap, Jazz, Kinderdance, Adult Tap. This is Lisa's eigth year as part of our faculty. Lisa is a former competition student of ISD, and has assisted the faculty in the past with children's classes. She is a graduate of RPI with a degree in Chemical Engineering and is also employed by GE.

Our Office Staff Cindi Schongar (Manager) and Bev Prashaw