SRM Dance!
Classical Ballet ~ Tap ~ Jazz ~ Hip-Hop ~ Lyrical ~ Pointe ~ Voice ~ Drama
Staff & Students
Michelle Gasper - Co-Creative Director & Owner
Michelle has been dancing since the age of eight. She has done extensive study and training of Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap and Hip-hop. Along with being a NADAA* member, Michelle attends dance workshops and Master classes regularly. Some held by the legendary Frank Hatchett and Jeff Shade. She has also choreographed for the Binghamton High School Dance Line and Swing Choir, and performed with the Rock Bottom Players as a featured soloist, dancer and choreographer. In September 2004, Michelle became the new owner of the Sherry Russo School of Dance. In September 2005, the studio became known as SRM Dance. The "SR" stands for Sherry Russo and the "M" is for Michelle. This is her way of honoring the past as the school moves into the future.
Sherry Russo - Co-Creative Director & Founder
In 1944, at the age of three, Sherry took her first dance lesson. In her early teens she began teaching. In 1982, the Sherry Russo School of Dance moved to Main Street in Binghamton.Over the years, Sherry continued to study dance by attending workshops and conventions regularly, and has always encouraged her students to do the same. She has either studied or taught just about every type of dance there is. From Classical Ballet and Tap, to Jazz, Pointe and Partnering, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Disco, Swing and much more. Sherry is currently teaching a variety of adult classes. On June 19, 2006 Sherry was presented with a star on "The Sidewalk of Stars" in Downtown Binghamton.
Caroline Cunningham - Assistant Director & Teacher
Caroline has been dancing for over 20 years. Over the years she has studied Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip-hop and Musical Theatre. Along with being a NADAA* member, Caroline attends dance workshops and Master classes regularly. She has studied under Frank Hatchett as well as Jeff Shade. She has choreographed for musicals arranged by the Liberty Partnership Coordinator at Binghamton High School. And in 2005, she created the Broome Community College Dance Club and choreographed for it regularly. Caroline is a great asset to our SRM Dance family.
Emily Nickerson - Teacher & Choreographer
Emily has been an SRM Dancer since the age of four. Throughout the years she has studied Classical Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip-hop. Emily also attends dance workshops regularly. As a graduate of our Assistant Teachers Program, we welcome Emily to our staff.
*NADAA - National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists
Candee Cunningham - Studio Secretary
Candee, who is Mom to our own Miss Caroline, has been around the dance scene for over two decades. As a longtime "Dance Mom" she knows the ropes, and is a great asset to our SRM Dance staff.
Jackie & Matt Edwards - "Triple-Threat" Instructors
Jackie and Matt have a wide range of experience in the performing arts. Both received their Bachelor degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music and their Masters' degrees from Louisiana State University. Their students have been accepted to musical theater schools including Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Hartt School of Music, and Boston Conservatory and to vocal performance programs at Julliard, Curtis, and the Manhattan School of Music. Former students have gone on to achieve professional success performing on movie soundtracks, television, and on the stage including Pacific Overtures on Broadway.
Our students come from throughout the Southern Tier
and they range from 3 to 68 years old. We're proud of them and all they do;
from school to work, from volunteering to sports, and of course, their commitment and dedication to the art of dance.
