the Paul taylor Dance Company has announced additions to the organization. Jessica ferretti and Austin Kelly have joined the world-renowned company, and Michel Apuzzo and former student Richard Chen See will join the administrative team.
Jessica ferretti is from Port Chester, New York. She began her dance training at the Westchester Dance Academy. She graduated magna cum laude in 2019 from Marymount Manhattan College, where she performed works by Larry keigwin, Jessica lang, Michel Thomas, Loni Landon, Nancy Lushington, Pedro Ruiz, Chase brock and Tito Del Saz. Ms. Ferretti attended the Paul taylor Summer intensive in 2016 and 2018 and the Martha graham Intensive in 2017. She joined Taylor 2 in fall 2019, and the Paul taylor Dance company in the summer of 2021.
Austin Kelly is originally from Overland Park, Kansas where he started dancing at the Jody Phillips Dance Company and then attended Hartt School at the University of Hartford where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA. in Performing Arts Management with minors in Dance and Business Management. 2021. Mr. Kelly performed works by Paul taylor, José Limon, August Bournonville, Lar Loubovitch, and Stephen Pier. While graduating, he simultaneously studied Mr. Taylor’s style through the intensive winter, summer and virtual classes at Taylor School during the Covid-19 pandemic. Austin danced with Alison Cook Beatty Dance after graduating and joined the Paul taylor Dance company in the fall of 2021.
Ms. Ferretti made his Music Center debut in Los Angeles, California in August 2021. Mr. Kelly made his Oculus debut in New York City in September 2021.
“I am delighted to welcome Jessica and Austin to the Taylor Company,” said Artistic Director Michael novak. “They are both dynamic and expressive artists who will make wonderful additions to our incredible business.”
Member of the Taylor Society Michel Apuzzo will have his final performances at the inaugural City Center Dance Festival in New York City from March 24-31, 2022. Following his performance, he will join the Taylor Foundation’s development team as a development specialist working to secure the company’s resources.
Michel Apuzzo grew up in North Haven, Connecticut. He studied economics and theater at Yale University and graduated with Distinction Magna Cum Laude in 2005. Growing up in musical theater, he began his dance training in high school, then danced and choreographed in undergraduate companies. After being a dance captain for an original production of Miss Julie choreographed by Peter PucciMr. Apuzzo made his professional debut at the Yale Repertory Theater. Since then he has performed in numerous musicals at equity theaters across the country and in the nationwide tour of Twyla Tharpthe Broadway show, Movin ‘Out. He is a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, author of Flying Through Yellow, certified personal trainer and co-producer of the new Hamptons Dancers For Good charity event. He joined Paul taylor Dance company in the fall of 2008.
Richard Chen See, who retired from PTDC in 2008, joins the Director of Worldwide Licensing organization and as a coach of Mr. Taylor’s dances.
He has performed Mr. Taylor’s dances in renowned companies and schools around the world, including Piazzolla Caldera on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (2015) and Ballet San Jose (2014); Company B on Beijing Dance Academy (2013) and New Zealand School of Dance (2011); Roses on Rambert Dance Company (2011) and Airs on the New Zealand School of Dance (2009).
Mr. Chen See has been teaching modern technique and ballet and choreography classes / workshops for over thirty years. He is a Fulbright Specialist and an MA in Fine Arts from Hollins University / American Dance Festival, and has remained fully involved in the management of dance and the arts in New York, working on advisory boards, consulting for arts organizations and serving on non-profit boards.
As a Master Artist Teacher, Mr. Chen See has served as the Principal Instructor for the Taylor Teen Ensemble and teaches the professional-level daily class at the Taylor School. He has led Taylor-focused programs for Dance St. Louis (2015), Young Dancemakers Company (2014), New Orleans Ballet Association (2012), American Dance Festival (2010 and 2011) and Taylor School Intensives (1998 to present) ). As a choreographer, his work has been commissioned and presented nationally in the United States.
The Taylor Foundation has a long history of recruiting alumni to support the Foundation because of their institutional knowledge and dedication to its mission. As announced earlier this year, Carolyn Adams has been appointed Director of Education for the Taylor Foundation; Laura Halzack, who retired from the company in 2019, is responsible for digital and social content; and Amanda Stevenson, who retired from Taylor 2 in 2019, is the principal of Taylor School.
