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Nadine Medina
Owner, Instructor, Choreographer
Nadine Medina, Owner of Troy Dance Factory and Artistic Director of Synergia Dance Project, has over 20 years of experience teaching and choreographing. She completed the 3-day certified and accredited "Pulse Teacher Workshop" in New York City with industry icons Dave Scott, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio, Desmond Richardson, Robert Hoffman, and many others. Nadine has attended class at Millennium Dance Complex in LA and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. She had the honor of completing the 2-day "Artist Development" Intensive with Galen Hooks and was recognized in The Alt Weekly's "Best of 2018" reader's poll as Best Choreographer, as well as TDF being named Best Dance Studio. Following that, she was recognized as a "Capital Region Creatives Under 40." More recently, she has taken class with Kenichi Kasamatsu and Brinn Nicole, and completed a 3-day small group intensive with Parth Sethi, a dancer for Keone & Mari Madrid's show "Beyond Babel". Music video choreography credits include working for Half Waif, Jocelyn & Chris Arndt, Northern Faces, Girl Blue, Zan & The Winter Folk, Camtron 5000 and Mirk. Nadine was the dance columnist for Collaborative Magazine, and her Season 1 show for Synergia Dance Project, named “Dark Blue Sea”, was picked up by the prestigious venue Proctors in Schenectady, NY. She continues to be humbled and inspired by her peers, and is excited to share her passion for the art form while furthering her own dance education and refining her artistry.
DORRIE BOICE
Instructor, Choreographer
Dorothy Boice (more commonly known as Dorrie), has been teaching dance in the styles of Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, and Lindy Hop since 2008. Transformed from being a recreational activity to an emotional outlet, dancing became a huge part of Dorrie's life. Partnered dancing in particular opened her eyes to the importance of learning communication through physical connection and using dance to have a conversation, she strives to demonstrate this with every genre she teaches. Dorrie continues to expand on her own experiences through programs like CLI studios, workshops/classes at Broadway Dance Center, and various dance events throughout the country. Knowledge of dance technique and keeping current is incredibly important to her and she is devoted to sharing what she learns with her students.
NIKKI ACIERNO
Instructor, Choreographer
Nikki Acierno grew up in Rochester, NY where she began dancing at the age of 3. She trained competitively for 15 years under the direction of Cheryl Flanagan at Spins Dance Studio where she earned many regional awards while studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and Broadway styles. In 2019, she graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a B.A. in Psychology
and dual minors in Biology and Dance under Jonette Lancos and received dance scholarships for Artistic Potential in Dance Studies (2015) and Dedication to Dance Studies (2018).
Throughout her undergraduate career, Nikki performed at American College Dance Association (ACDA) at SUNY Brockport in 2016 and had her choreographic work Of a minute; (2019) chosen and adjudicated at this festival in 2019. In 2017, she attended American Dance Festival (ADF) on merit scholarship at Duke University, where she studied with Jim Sutton, Otto
Vasquez, E. Moncell Durden, and Jorge Perez Martinez. Here, she had the great opportunity to perform the reconstruction of Lucinda Childs’ early work Concerto (1993) at the ADF Six Week School.
Currently, Nikki is a practicing Doctor of Physical Therapy in Albany after earning her graduate degree from the University of Vermont in December 2021. Nikki’s evident love of dance has carried her through years of performance and teaching experiences. She is passionate
about physical outlets, exercise, and artistic expressions of the human condition.
carra forgea
Instructor, Choreographer
Carra Forgea is a versatile dancer and a dance instructor at Troy Dance Factory (TDF). Originally from the Philippines, she holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a focus on American Studies from Ateneo de Davao University. She later pursued law studies before moving to the United States in 2018.
Since joining TDF in 2019, Carra has trained in a variety of dance styles, including hip hop, open style, heels, and chairlesque. With over 10 years of hip hop training in her home country, Carra brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her dance classes.
As an enthusiastic and dedicated dancer, Carra is passionate about sharing the joy of dance with others. She is excited to begin her teaching career at TDF, where she looks forward to inspiring and motivating her students to achieve their dance goals.
When she's not teaching dance or taking dance classes, Carra works at the New York State Bar Association and volunteers at Maddie’s Mark Foundation.
JAIMIE DROZDAL
Instructor, Choreographer
Jaimie Drozdal is an accomplished dancer and dance instructor at TDF. She's been dancing since she was only 3 years old, and from the time she could read and write it has always been her dream to become a dance teacher. Jaimie danced competitively in jazz for 9 years and has also trained in several different styles of dance including, ballet, pointe, modern, and lyrical.
Jaimie is from Willington, Connecticut. She first came to Troy to receive her B.S. in Cognitive Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has remained ever since. Jaimie took her first class at TDF in the summer of 2017 and has remained a member of the TDF community since then.
When Jaimie is not taking classes at TDF, she's working on her PhD or teaching barre at Pure Barre Latham. Being a certified barre instructor since 2021 has taught Jaimie a lot of skills that she's looking forward to bringing to the dance studio. Jaimie wants to focus on creating a fun and empowering space to express and explore yourself through movement. She is dedicated to finding movement and music that can make every dancer feel comfortable to explore their energy, body, and sensuality.
MICHAELA CURCIO
Instructor, Choreographer
Michaela started dancing in 2004 and hasn't been able to stop since. She danced competitively throughout middle and high school and started her role as a Teachers Assistant in high school, which later progressed into a head teacher/choreographer role in her Junior year.
Michaela is a 2021 graduate from Roger Williams University with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Dance and Performing Art Studies. She has trained under various professional choreographers such as Heidi Henderson and Raphael Xavier. Throughout her four years at Roger Williams, she was active in her dance community where she choreographed multiple hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and modern pieces for Dance Club and Dance Theatre. As a college student, she became a Guest Choreographer teaching Hip Hop for competitive teams in the Capital Region such as Art In Motion Dance Academy and Cheer Intensity's Dance Team.
Michaela is currently living her dream by working as a Mechanical Engineer by day and a Dance Teacher at night!
brenna roets
Instructor, Choreographer
Brenna is a scientist by training, but her love for dance has been with her all her life. After moving to the Capital Region in 2019 she joined the Troy Dance Factory community, and has been a devoted member ever since! The studio’s offerings allowed Brenna to get more serious about floorwork, which has become a new passion. She is thrilled to be able to share what she’s learned with her fellow dancers!
KRISTEN WARD
Instructor, Choreographer
Kristen was introduced to the dance world when she was 11 years old. Training in styles such as tap, jazz, and ballet, she ultimately fell in love with hip hop. Kristen danced competitively for 4 years and assisted teaching classes, until she became a teacher in her own right AND competition coach in 2019.
Throughout the years Kristen continued her own growth, attending 2 Monsters Dance conventions, performing at local sports events, fashion shows, and Albany Pride. Kristen joined TDF as a student in 2023, and is eager to bring what she has to offer to the the TDF community. She strives to excel in her own dance classes so she can provide the best dance education for her students.
whitney wilson
Instructor, Choreographer
Whitney Wilson is a highly accomplished dancer and choreographer with a BFA from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and a graduate degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in the United Kingdom. Her extensive training includes studies at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, China, Ballet West, and the Martha Graham Dance Company. She is also a certified yoga instructor and holds a teaching certification with the Royal Academy of Dance.
With a rich performance history that includes the New York City Ballet, Moscow Ballet, and other prestigious companies, Whitney is well-versed in various dance genres, including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, and acro. As a result of her exceptional dancing and choreography, she has been recognized with numerous awards and scholarships around the country.
Whitney is honored and excited to join the team at the Troy Dance Factory!
