The Company
Park Avenue Dance Company invites dancers to audition through our Advanced Contemporary Class. Artistic Director and Company members audition new dancers. The company rehearses after required classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on scheduled weekends. Members of the company who wish to choreograph have the opportunity to present their work. The company performs throughout the year at various venues.
Christine M. Fendley
Artistic Director
Christine Fendley founded the company in 1977. Originally from Rockville, MD, Ms Fendley’s mentor was Ethel Butler, original Martha Graham Company member and mentor to Paul Taylor, Dan Waggoner, among others. She holds an MA from SUNY Brockport in Performance and Choreography. Ms. Fendley is noted for her collaborations with poets, composers, sculptors, painters, actors, and videographers.
Jennifer Clausen
Jennifer Clausen joined the company in 2005. She performed with the Morning Star Dance Company In Rochester. Jen graduated from Elmira College where she studied dance. She currently teaches math at Eastridge High School and holds a Masters degree from St. John Fisher.
Marina Peters
Assistant to the Director
Marina Peters is from New York City where she studied with Carmen de Lavallade, Sofie Maslow, Donald McKayle, among others. She has danced and choreographed with the company since its inception over 30 years ago.
Cora Kannel
Cora Kannel has danced with the company since 2004. She performed previously with Orts Theater of Dance in Tucson, AZ. She studied with Timothy Draper at Rochester City Ballet and at SUNY Purchase. She is a licensed massage therapist, personal trainer, massage therapy teacher, and dance teacher.
Kimberley Daly
Kimberley Daly danced and choreographed with the company from 1995-1997 and returned in 2007. She holds a BFA in Dance from SUNY Brockport and an MA in Dance / Movement Therapy from UCLA. She is currently a Dance Therapist in Rochester.
Meredith Klus
Meredith Klus has danced with the company since 2001. She is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and holds a Masters in Education in Arts for Children. Her choreography has been presented with Park Avenue Dance Company and at RCDC, Genesee Community College, SUNY Geneseo and other venues. She currently teaches fourth grade.
Emily Kitchen
Emily Kitchen joined the company in the summer of 2009. She studied dance at the Rod Serling School of Fine Art, at Encore! Dance Studio in Binghamton, NY and at SUNY Fredonia. Emily is an environmental analyst with a private Rochester consulting firm.
Elizabeth Osborn
Elizabeth Osborn joined the company in the winter of 2010. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where she studied dance and history. She has toured nationally performing with Care Bears Live and Sesame Street Live. This fall, Elizabeth will attend graduate school in dance and choreography.