Faculty

Tamara is the owner of Pilates Loft Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has been a dancer most of her life so knows first hand the benefits a ballet dancer experiences when incorporating Pilates into the training routine. Ms. Aprea holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and was introduced to Pilates while studying dance at Virginia School of the Arts 18 years ago. She is also certified in Hatha Yoga from the prestigious Kripalu Center and has been a guest teacher with Interlochen Arts Academy and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Dance Department. This is her sixth year teaching at Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive.

Ms. Brown grew up in Montclair, New Jersey and trained at the New Jersey Ballet School. She performed with the New Jersey Ballet Company form the ages of 15 through 18 and then went on to New York to further her training on full scholarship at the American Ballet Theater School. Patricia danced professionally with Joffrey II Dancers, Cleveland Ballet, Elliot Feld Ballet and as a soloist with the Joffrey Ballet Company. She now teaches and choreographs at various school in the Philadelphia area and also offers private instruction. This is Ms. Brown's third year teaching at Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive.

Ms. Darkenwald holds her MFA in Dance with an emphasis in Choreography from the University of Arizona as well her BFA in Dance Performance and BS in Exercise Science form the University at Buffalo in New York. Prior to moving to North Carolina, Teal taught at the University of Arizona, Glendale and Scottsdale Community Colleges and Ottawa University. Additionally, she served as Co-Director and Resident Choreographer for Physical Graffiti Dance Company. She performed with 32 Flavors Dance Company, the Arizona Dance Ensemble, Zodiaque Dance Company and has served as guest choreographer throughout the country. In addition, she has had the honor of presenting choreography and performing in several of the regional gala performances hosted by the American College Dance Festival Association.

Currently, Teal teaches jazz, ballet, improvisation and modern technique classes as well as Kinesiology of Dance and Introduction to Dance at East Carolina University. The 2011 Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive will be her second teaching in Flint.

Karen Mills Jennings is the Chair of the Dance Division at the Flint School of Performing Arts where she supervises a curriculum of creative dance, ballet, modern and three performance Ensembles. She is Artistic Director of the Flint Institute of Music's production of The Nutcracker and that organization's Outreach Coordinator. She danced professionally with Ballet Michigan under the direction of Gayla Zukevich while teaching full time at FSPA. In 1987 she founded the Flint Youth Ballet to provide qualitative performance experiences for the area's intermediate and advanced dance students. Ms. Jennings holds a BFA in dance/theatre from Marygrove College in Detroit and has been consultant for Magnus Midwest Dance since its inception in 1996.

Erica is currently enjoying her 11th season as ballerina with The Joffrey Ballet. Ms. Edwards holds an Associate’s Degree from Butler University in Indianapolis where she studied on merit, academic and leadership scholarships. In addition, she has participated in summer intensives at School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Bryant Ballet, Salt Creek Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Royal Winnipeg Ball and Ruth Page Foundation. Since joining The Joffrey Ballet, Erica’s vast repertoire includes works by Arpino, Ashton, Balanchine, Graham, Lubovitch, Robbins, Tharp and Tudor. She also teaches and choreographs at community, school and outreach programs throughout the Chicagoland area. The 2011 Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive is Ms. Edwards’ first as ballet instructor.

Mr. Stocker is an internationally renowned professional acting coach and accomplished director. He opened his acting studio in New York City in 1978 and his clients can be seen today performing on the Broadway stage, television and in motion pictures. The 2011 Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive is Mr. Stocker's third as a faculty member.