About Ballet Caliente
Ballet Caliente was founded by Sheryl-Marie Dunaway in 1996. Our school is located in
Lexington Park, Maryland at 21615 S. Essex Drive.
SHERYL-MARIE DUNAWAY, Artistic Director
The owner and Artistic Director, of Ballet Caliente, for 13 years Mrs. Dunaway has taught dance
for over 30 years. She began her training at the tender age of 3 with the British Ballet Academy
studding RAD. At 16, she was invited to become an apprentice with the San Francisco Ballet
Company and danced with it for five consecutive summers. She attended the National Academy
of Dance in Champaign, Illinois, a performing arts boarding high school that was a feeder
school for the American Ballet Theater. During the summer months, she furthered her dancing
interests by attending dance sessions at several famous dance schools and companies. Mrs.
Dunaway has received scholarships to study with an extensive list of well-known dance
organizations. Some of the most prestigious are the San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Dance Aspen and the School of American Ballet. She has studied with
world-renowned teachers such as Lupe Serreno, Violette Verdy, Michael Maule, Harold and Lew
Christiansen, Bene’ Arnold, Gus Giordano, and Joe Termaine. Mrs. Dunaway attended college
on a dance scholarship at the University of Texas, El Paso, for one year then transferred to
Southern Methodist University and received her BA, majoring in dance. Mrs. Dunaway has also
performed as a professional dancer and a guest artist with several regional dance companies
including Ballet El Paso, Ballet de Las Americas in Mexico, Ballet Fantastique, and the Monterey
Peninsula Arts Company.
Mrs. Dunaway enjoys writing and choreographing story ballets. Locally, she choreographed
pieces and her troupe has performed with the St. Mary’s River Concert series in collaboration
with Jeffery Silberschlag. Additionally, her group has performs the Nutcracker annually in
conjunction with COSMIC orchestra, and the National Ballet of the Ukraine. The wife of an active
duty Navy man, she has moved 17times in 26 years of marriage and has taught several
hundred students everywhere the Navy has taken her family, including Japan. Although many of
her students are dancing professionally, or are enrolled at highly accredited dance schools and
universities, Mrs. Dunaway feels her greatest success is in touching others.. Her fondness for
children has led to her greatest joy . . . teaching.
Gayle Gardiner, Instructor
Mrs. Gardiner received her early dance training in the Washington, DC area. A graduate of the
University of Utah, she studied under Bene’ Arnold. For 17 years she was the Artistic Director
and owner of Dance Dimensions in Milford, Delaware as well as the Artistic Director of the
Dance Dimensions Youth Ensemble Performing Company. Since 1974, she holds a certificate
with the Cecchetti Council of America as and instructor of Cecchetti Method. She is also a
former member of the Dance Educators of America. This is her ninth year with Ballet Caliente.
Her kind and gentle manner, expert teaching of clean and clear technique, are very valuable
assets to Ballet Caliente.
Julie Daley, Instructor
Mrs. Daley received her early Cecchetti training in Massachusetts from Irene Merrill, DMA, and
former director of the Cape Cod Conservatory. She later studied the Russian method at the
Performing Arts School of Worcester, the Dance Academy Westport, and the Hartford Ballet.
Julie began teaching ballet in high school for various studios in Massachusetts. Additionally,
she enjoyed dancing in musical theater productions and performed with the Southern Maryland
Modern Dance Collective. Julie earned a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts
University, and combines her love of teaching, dance, and science. This is her fifth year with
Ballet Caliente. Her knowledge of kinesiology, French, and expert teaching makes her a
valuable member of our teaching staff.
Katherine Harris, Instructor
Katherine Harris hails from Miami, Florida and received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a
Dance Major at Florida International University and her Master’s degree in Education from Barry
University. She taught dance at the middle and high school levels for the Miami Dade County
Public School System for six years where her students competed at the national level and
received many awards in jazz and modern dance. She relocated to North Carolina where she
continued to teach various dance techniques such as ballet, lyrical, hip hop, modern and jazz. It
is our good fortune that she relocated to MD and re-invigorated our Jazz program. This is her
second year with Ballet Caliente.
Jean Brown, Instructor
Mrs. Brown began her dance training at the American Contemporary Ballet School (currently
National Ballet) in Prince George’s County, and holds certification from the Cecchetti Council of
America. Perusing her love of dance at Hollins University she concentrated on Modern Dance in
the Graham technique and was president of the college dance company. She received her B.A.
with a double major in Biology and Theater Arts. While attending University of Miami’s graduate
school for a master’s degree in physical therapy, she taught dance and creative movement to
pre-school children. Locally, she taught and performed with the Southern Maryland Modern
Dance Collective. This is her third year bringing her enthusiastic personality with Ballet
Caliente.
Laurie Bruce, Instructor
Associated with Ballet Caliente for more than 13 years in one capacity or another, Mrs. Bruce
began dancing at the age of three and studied various forms including ballet and modern
through college and beyond. As an adult Mrs. Bruce studied with Mrs. Dunaway and teaches
pre-ballet, kinder-ballet and Ballet 1 presently. She is a certified yoga instructor with the
National Yoga Alliance and specializes in therapeutic and yoga for scoliosis. She is also an
extremely talented professional artist who paints many sets, backdrops, and artwork for our
performances.
Julie Sacco, Instructor
Julie Sacco began her dance training with the Memphis Ballet School in Memphis, TN passing
several of the Royal Academy of Dance exams with Honors. She performed with the Company
dancing several lead roles including Clara and Cinderella partnered by Gregory Huffman of the
Joffrey Ballet. Mrs. Sacco then became the assistant director of Dance Theatre Express for
fours years where she choreographed several pieces including the Memphis Children’s
Theatre production of the VELVETEEN RABBIT. Additionally trained in Ballroom Dance under
Sarwat Kaluby, she won the First Coast Classic Rising Star Competition. This is her first year
with Ballet Caliente.
Assistant Teachers: Natasha Barlow, Ashley Springer, Amanda Porter
Apprentice Teacher: Grace Paglierani
Administrative Staff
Christine Wojcik, School Manager
With a degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, Christine
handles administrative aspects of Ballet Caliente, including registration, volunteer coordination,
and director’s assistant. Her extreme organizational skills are a valuable asset to our school.
She will help you with answers to all manner of questions except those that are dancer specific.
For example: she can describe the various classes to you but she can not tell you how your
dancer is performing in class. She is the mother of 4 dancers: Jacqueline, Emily, Alexandra
and Audrey and often you can find her at the studio when she drives the various carpools. You
can reach her at 301- 997-0439 or schoolmanager@balletcaliente.com
Karen Breslauer, Bookkeeper
Mrs. Breslauer is a Graduate of SMU and a licensed C.P.A. She handles all aspects of billing
for Ballet Caliente. The yellow copy of your Tuition Agreement contains your account number
and installment amount as applicable. Invoices for costumes and performance fees are sent
via email using Adobe Acrobat (a free download). All invoices are sent to the email address you
provide at registration; please remember to contact us with any changes and add our email
addresses to your safe-senders list on any spam blocking programs. Billing related questions
about your account can be answered by Karen at (301) 475-1666 or billing@balletcaliente.com.
Ballet Caliente was founded by Sheryl-Marie Dunaway in 1996. Our school is located in
Lexington Park, Maryland at 21615 S. Essex Drive.
SHERYL-MARIE DUNAWAY, Artistic Director
The owner and Artistic Director, of Ballet Caliente, for 13 years Mrs. Dunaway has taught dance
for over 30 years. She began her training at the tender age of 3 with the British Ballet Academy
studding RAD. At 16, she was invited to become an apprentice with the San Francisco Ballet
Company and danced with it for five consecutive summers. She attended the National Academy
of Dance in Champaign, Illinois, a performing arts boarding high school that was a feeder
school for the American Ballet Theater. During the summer months, she furthered her dancing
interests by attending dance sessions at several famous dance schools and companies. Mrs.
Dunaway has received scholarships to study with an extensive list of well-known dance
organizations. Some of the most prestigious are the San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Dance Aspen and the School of American Ballet. She has studied with
world-renowned teachers such as Lupe Serreno, Violette Verdy, Michael Maule, Harold and Lew
Christiansen, Bene’ Arnold, Gus Giordano, and Joe Termaine. Mrs. Dunaway attended college
on a dance scholarship at the University of Texas, El Paso, for one year then transferred to
Southern Methodist University and received her BA, majoring in dance. Mrs. Dunaway has also
performed as a professional dancer and a guest artist with several regional dance companies
including Ballet El Paso, Ballet de Las Americas in Mexico, Ballet Fantastique, and the Monterey
Peninsula Arts Company.
Mrs. Dunaway enjoys writing and choreographing story ballets. Locally, she choreographed
pieces and her troupe has performed with the St. Mary’s River Concert series in collaboration
with Jeffery Silberschlag. Additionally, her group has performs the Nutcracker annually in
conjunction with COSMIC orchestra, and the National Ballet of the Ukraine. The wife of an active
duty Navy man, she has moved 17times in 26 years of marriage and has taught several
hundred students everywhere the Navy has taken her family, including Japan. Although many of
her students are dancing professionally, or are enrolled at highly accredited dance schools and
universities, Mrs. Dunaway feels her greatest success is in touching others.. Her fondness for
children has led to her greatest joy . . . teaching.
Gayle Gardiner, Instructor
Mrs. Gardiner received her early dance training in the Washington, DC area. A graduate of the
University of Utah, she studied under Bene’ Arnold. For 17 years she was the Artistic Director
and owner of Dance Dimensions in Milford, Delaware as well as the Artistic Director of the
Dance Dimensions Youth Ensemble Performing Company. Since 1974, she holds a certificate
with the Cecchetti Council of America as and instructor of Cecchetti Method. She is also a
former member of the Dance Educators of America. This is her ninth year with Ballet Caliente.
Her kind and gentle manner, expert teaching of clean and clear technique, are very valuable
assets to Ballet Caliente.
Julie Daley, Instructor
Mrs. Daley received her early Cecchetti training in Massachusetts from Irene Merrill, DMA, and
former director of the Cape Cod Conservatory. She later studied the Russian method at the
Performing Arts School of Worcester, the Dance Academy Westport, and the Hartford Ballet.
Julie began teaching ballet in high school for various studios in Massachusetts. Additionally,
she enjoyed dancing in musical theater productions and performed with the Southern Maryland
Modern Dance Collective. Julie earned a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts
University, and combines her love of teaching, dance, and science. This is her fifth year with
Ballet Caliente. Her knowledge of kinesiology, French, and expert teaching makes her a
valuable member of our teaching staff.
Katherine Harris, Instructor
Katherine Harris hails from Miami, Florida and received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a
Dance Major at Florida International University and her Master’s degree in Education from Barry
University. She taught dance at the middle and high school levels for the Miami Dade County
Public School System for six years where her students competed at the national level and
received many awards in jazz and modern dance. She relocated to North Carolina where she
continued to teach various dance techniques such as ballet, lyrical, hip hop, modern and jazz. It
is our good fortune that she relocated to MD and re-invigorated our Jazz program. This is her
second year with Ballet Caliente.
Jean Brown, Instructor
Mrs. Brown began her dance training at the American Contemporary Ballet School (currently
National Ballet) in Prince George’s County, and holds certification from the Cecchetti Council of
America. Perusing her love of dance at Hollins University she concentrated on Modern Dance in
the Graham technique and was president of the college dance company. She received her B.A.
with a double major in Biology and Theater Arts. While attending University of Miami’s graduate
school for a master’s degree in physical therapy, she taught dance and creative movement to
pre-school children. Locally, she taught and performed with the Southern Maryland Modern
Dance Collective. This is her third year bringing her enthusiastic personality with Ballet
Caliente.
Laurie Bruce, Instructor
Associated with Ballet Caliente for more than 13 years in one capacity or another, Mrs. Bruce
began dancing at the age of three and studied various forms including ballet and modern
through college and beyond. As an adult Mrs. Bruce studied with Mrs. Dunaway and teaches
pre-ballet, kinder-ballet and Ballet 1 presently. She is a certified yoga instructor with the
National Yoga Alliance and specializes in therapeutic and yoga for scoliosis. She is also an
extremely talented professional artist who paints many sets, backdrops, and artwork for our
performances.
Julie Sacco, Instructor
Julie Sacco began her dance training with the Memphis Ballet School in Memphis, TN passing
several of the Royal Academy of Dance exams with Honors. She performed with the Company
dancing several lead roles including Clara and Cinderella partnered by Gregory Huffman of the
Joffrey Ballet. Mrs. Sacco then became the assistant director of Dance Theatre Express for
fours years where she choreographed several pieces including the Memphis Children’s
Theatre production of the VELVETEEN RABBIT. Additionally trained in Ballroom Dance under
Sarwat Kaluby, she won the First Coast Classic Rising Star Competition. This is her first year
with Ballet Caliente.
Assistant Teachers: Natasha Barlow, Ashley Springer, Amanda Porter
Apprentice Teacher: Grace Paglierani
Administrative Staff
Christine Wojcik, School Manager
With a degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, Christine
handles administrative aspects of Ballet Caliente, including registration, volunteer coordination,
and director’s assistant. Her extreme organizational skills are a valuable asset to our school.
She will help you with answers to all manner of questions except those that are dancer specific.
For example: she can describe the various classes to you but she can not tell you how your
dancer is performing in class. She is the mother of 4 dancers: Jacqueline, Emily, Alexandra
and Audrey and often you can find her at the studio when she drives the various carpools. You
can reach her at 301- 997-0439 or schoolmanager@balletcaliente.com
Karen Breslauer, Bookkeeper
Mrs. Breslauer is a Graduate of SMU and a licensed C.P.A. She handles all aspects of billing
for Ballet Caliente. The yellow copy of your Tuition Agreement contains your account number
and installment amount as applicable. Invoices for costumes and performance fees are sent
via email using Adobe Acrobat (a free download). All invoices are sent to the email address you
provide at registration; please remember to contact us with any changes and add our email
addresses to your safe-senders list on any spam blocking programs. Billing related questions
about your account can be answered by Karen at (301) 475-1666 or billing@balletcaliente.com.
About Us
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Ballet Caliente
Classical School of Dance
Classical School of Dance
Sheryl-Marie Dunaway
Ballet Caliente
Artistic Director
Ballet Caliente
Artistic Director