Faculty

Santa Rosa Dance Theater faculty members have many years of professional experience, both performing and teaching.

• Tamara Statkoun (Artistic Director)
• Gina Ness
• Michele Camozzi
• Connee Lutz
• Bernadette Alverio

Tamara Statkoun (Artistic Director)
Ms. Statkoun received her training at the famed Vaganova Ballet Academy and was a principal dancer with the Maly Ballet Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia.   She also danced and toured with the Kirov Ballet and with the Kremlin Ballet of Moscow.   Honored Artist of Russia, Ms. Statkoun danced numerous leading roles during her 20 years as a professional.   She holds a Masters Degree in Choreography and Ballet Technique from St. Petersburg State Conservatory.

Gina Ness
Ms. Ness received her early training in San Francisco and was awarded a Ford Foundation Scholarship to study at the San Francisco Ballet School at age 15.   She also studied under scholarship at Harkness House in New York City. Ms. Ness went on to a 13-year career with the San Francisco Ballet Company including 2 years as a soloist and 9 years as a principal dancer.

Michele Camozzi
Ms. Camozzi trained at the San Francisco Ballet, which led to an accomplished performing career from San Francisco to New York City.   She currently teaches master classes, and adjudicates nationwide for Talent on Parade dance competition.   In addition to her dance training, she holds a BA degree in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley.

Connee Lutz
Ms. Lutz began her dance training with Merriem Lanova in San Francisco.   Over the years she has studied ballet, character, modern dance and flamenco.   She holds a BA degree in Fine Arts from Sonoma State University.

Bernadette Alverio
Ms. Alverio is a choreographer, dance educator and performer whose background includes hip hop, jazz, ballet, African dance, Afro-Cuban dance, modern dance and contact improvisation. She is currently the director of Expressive Motion Modern Dance Company.