Cecil Dancenter

Anya Ivanova - Bojko

Choreographer

ANYA IVANOVA began her ballet studies at the Perm Ballet Academy in the former Soviet Union and later studied at the Frunze Ballet Academy. Upon graduation from Frunze, she performed with Cheliabinsk Opera and Ballet Theater as principal dancer. After accepting an invitation to become a principal dancer with the Donetsk ballet, Miss Ivanova toured the eastern United States. From 1994 to 1999, she was a principal dancer with the Russian Ballet Theatre of Delaware, and in 1998 she was a finalist in the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. Miss Ivanova is a featured guest artist and ballet mistress with ballet companies throughout the United States. Noted for her lyrical style, Miss Ivanova performed roles in many of great classical ballets, including Swan Lake, Giselle, Paquita, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet and more. Her repertoire also includes many contemporary works by choreographers, including Daniel Baudendistel, Leslie Browne, Robert LaFosse, Scott Joovovich, and Matthew Neenan. For over ten years, Miss Ivanova has been teaching advanced level classes in ballet companies throughout the Mid Atlantic States, including Oxford Center for Dance, Russian Ballet Centre, Longwood Performing Arts, Brandywine Ballet Company, Anna Marie Dance Studio, and she has also performed master classes in many other ballet schools and academies.

Tina Travers

Director

TINA TRAVERS is the owner of Cecil Dancenter, as well as the administrative director of Cecil Junior Dance Troupe and Cecil Dance Theatre.  She received her B.A. Degree in Dance Education from Goucher College in 1989 and has been teaching dance for over 30 years.  Mrs. Travers taught at the Baltimore Actor's Conservatory, Harford Gymnastics and Dance Center, Ballet Studio of Glendon, Harford Community College, and Cecil College’s Kids in Kollege. She has also choreographed for Cecil Dance Theatre, Dulaney Dance Company and Harford Dance Theatre.  She was a dance specialist for the Cecil County Public Schools through the CREATE grant and assisted in writing their K-12 dance curriculum and the integrated arts curriculum. She has attended intensive dance teacher conventions in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Mrs. Travers has studied at Body Arts and Science International in Washington, DC, where she received intensive training in Pilates.  She is active in providing extra-curricular performance opportunities to dedicated dancers as well as opportunities to enhance their technique and experience through scholarship opportunities, multi-cultural programs, Maryland and Delaware dance festival participation, community out-reach events, master workshops, and organization of ‘professional company’ field trips.  Her prestigious nominations for Cecil County’s 2006 ‘Most Beautiful Person’ and the 2013 Cecil County Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award is an indication of the joy she receives from bringing her love of dance to our community.  She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Council for Dance and has taught teacher training workshops for the Maryland Dance Festival and Davy Dance Academy in Annapolis.

Lee Ellen VanVoorhis

Costume Manager

Lee Ellen Van Voorhis, a native of Morgantown, WV, received her master's degree in computer science from West Virginia University but she has always enjoyed participating in artistic outlets helping to foster her love of the arts.  Lee Ellen has been a part of Cecil Dancenter activities for over 10 years and has served as costume manager for our performing companies since 2011.  As a former dance student herself, she understands the importance of how costuming can help to bring characters to life and ensures that all of our dancers look their best on stage.  Lee Ellen's volunteer efforts also extend to coordinating many activities such as the production of promotional t-shirts for each company performance as well as helping to manage the social media groups that keep our dancers informed of company activities.  Lee Ellen's desire to serve reaches into many other organizations such as New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Monarch Recovery Ministries, and Providence Christian Academy.  Her passion for service is greatly appreciated by all those who are touched by her talents.

Bob McKinnon

Financial Manager

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