Jessica Odasz- Founder, Artistic Director, Head Instructor
Contact Ms. Odasz directly: JOdasz@wnyballet.com
Ms. Odasz trained at the Draper Center for Dance Education for thirteen years, under the tutelage of Timothy Draper, Sally Stepnes and Rebekah von Rathyoni. While studying at the Draper Center for Dance Education, Ms. Odasz performed multiple roles in their annual production of the Nutcracker as well as Firebird and Peter and the Wolf. At the age of 15, Ms. Odasz was promoted to the Professional Division of the Rochester City Ballet. Throughout her training, Ms. Odasz has had the opportunity to study with teachers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet of London, Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, The National Ballet of Cuba, The Bolshoi Ballet and The Kirov Ballet, to name a few. Ms. Odasz has also attended master classes with artists such as Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman, Frank Hatchett and Jason Parsons. In the later years of her dance education Ms. Odasz studied Jazz, Contemporary and Musical Theatre with Lisa Allain of the Little Red Dancing School. Ms. Odasz also performed as a soloist with The Flower City Ballet under the direction of Wayne Blatt.
Ms. Odasz began her teaching career at the age of 18 at the Little Red Dancing School as well as other dance studios in the Rochester area. Ms. Odasz was a guest teacher at the Flower City Ballet and continues to guest teach throughout the Western New York area. In 2003, Ms. Odasz founded the Odasz Dance Theatre and Western New York Ballet. As Artistic Director, Ms. Odasz has choreographed and directed several original works including Deep Waters, Hope, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Weightless. Ms. Odasz’s students have appeared performing on several local news channels as well as at many community events. Her students have won several prestigious awards at both regional and national dance competitions. In addition, Ms. Odasz’s students have been accepted into several summer intensive programs including American Ballet Theatre, Jacob's Pillow, Boston Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Her students have also received full scholarships to both Marymount College and Manhattanville College. In addition, Ms. Odasz holds a B.A. in English and will soon complete her M.S. in Education. Ms. Odasz strives to bring out the best in every dancer and looks forward to watching the Odasz Dance Theatre and Western New York Ballet continue to grow.
Erika Lindblom- Assistant Director, Artistic Coach, Head Instructor
Contact Ms. Lindblom directly: ELind@wnyballet.com
Ms. Lindblom teaches ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and dance conditioning at the Odasz Dance Theatre. She is also the Assistant Artistic Director and Development Director of Western New York Ballet. See full bio
Katie Pincelli- Director of Competition, Technical Coach, Head Instructor
Contact Ms. Pincelli directly: KPincelli@wnyballet.com
Ms. Pincelli teaches ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and partnering at the Odasz Dance Theatre. She is also the Director of Competition for ODT. See full bio
Bethany Courtwright- Ballet instructor
Laura Fien- Tap & jazz instructor
Ms. Fien teaches jazz and tap at the Odasz Dance Theatre. See full bio