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Staff

Natalie Rogers-Cropper [Director] joined Garth Fagan Dance in 1989.
As a principal dancer, Mr. Fagan created several major roles for her during her 14 years performing with his company and in 1992 she received the prestigious “ Bessie” award for her performances. She is also a 1993 recipient of The President’s Award from her country of birth, Trinidad and Tobago. Natalie was voted one of the top three female modern dancers in the world, by readers of Dance magazine in the 2004 “Readers Choice” awards.

Natalie has danced at the 66th Annual Academy Awards representing Garth Fagan Dance with her partner, Norwood Pennewell, and appeared in the female principal role in Great Performances production of Garth Fagan’s “Griot New York” performed live with The Wynton Marsalis Septet. Her other television appearances prior to joining Garth Fagan Dance include a season on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” as a dancer and extra. Natalie was one of Mr. Fagan’s assistants for his Tony Award-winning choreography for “The Lion King” on Broadway, as well as assisting him in constructing “Ellington Elation” for the NYC Ballet’s 50th anniversary Ellington Project, and “Jukebox for Alvin” for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ms. Rogers-Cropper has taught the Fagan technique worldwide for 15 years, and in addition to being the School director, she is also Director of the annual Garth Fagan Dance Summer Movement Institute and Assistant Rehearsal Director for Garth Fagan Dance. She is a graduate of the Juilliard School (BFA, 1984.)

Bill Ferguson who attended a GFD master class in 1989 joined the Company shortly thereafter.  Mr. Ferguson is a children’s instructor with the School and is choreographer of the student performances held during the Company’s Rochester Season and in and around the Rochester area during the year. Prior to GFD, he served in the U.S. Air Force & graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Nicolette Depass joined the Company in 1994 after graduating cum laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in dance and communications from SUNY Brockport.  A former scholarship student of the Garth Fagan Dance School, she now teaches Intermediate Fagan Technique to the teen/adult students of the school.

Lindsay Renea was born in Youngstown, OH, where she began her dance training.  This subsequently led her to pursue her dream at Howard University as a Dance major. Under the guidance of Dr. Sherill Berryman-Johnson, Ms. Benton was urged to try-out for Garth Fagan Dance. She began dancing with the company in May 2008 after graduating from college.  She now teaches beginning Fagan Technique to the teen/adult students of the school.

Wynton Rice a native Rochesterian, is a graduate of School of  Arts in Rochester, NY.  He graduated from Ursinus College with a B.A. in Dance and Exercise Sports Science and joined the company in July 2009.  He now teaches the Imaginations class at the Garth Fagan Dance School.

Melinda Phillips [Teaching Apprentice] has taken classes with Garth Fagan Dance since she was a child. She is a well-respected teacher of dance all over the Rochester area and teaches Fagan principles of movement to ages 5 through 12.

All Garth Fagan Dance School teachers have years of experience teaching the Fagan Technique outside of Garth Fagan Dance School at public and private schools, colleges and community centers.