Intensive Schedule

Week 1: July 8-12, 2024

9:45-10am Drop Off

10-11:30am Ballet with Eva

11:30-1pm Jazz with Ryan

1-1:45pm Lunch Break

1:45-2:45pm Koresh Repertoire with Melissa

2:45-3:45pm Hip Hop/Street Jazz with Rylee

3:45-4pm Break

4-5pm Yoga/Conditioning with Courtney

KYE 2024-25 Season Audition

Exact date is to be determined

Melissa Rector, Assistant Artistic Director

After studying at the North Carolina School of the Arts and Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Melissa obtained her Certificate of Dance from The University of the Arts in 1993. Following graduation, she obtained a scholarship to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. Melissa has been dancing with Koresh Dance Company since its inception in 1991 and is the company’s Assistant Artistic Director. At the Koresh School of Dance she teaches her unique style that blends Modern Jazz and Luigi technique. Additionally, Melissa is the Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Koresh Youth Ensemble. Her work has been performed locally at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival, Annenberg Center, Drexel University’s Mandell Theater, PeriDance Capezio Center in New York City, among other places. She frequently travels around the country to perform, teach master classes, and set choreography on students.

Eva Szabo

Eva was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. She was accepted into the Hungarian National Ballet Institute in 1970, graduating with honors as part of the genesis of the Gyori Ballet. Retiring from the Gyori Ballet in 1988, she took her teaching diploma and her family to Philadelphia. She is currently teaching ballet at the Rock School for Dance Education and Koresh School of Dance. You can view Eva’s profile in the Marquis Who’s Who in America book, 2010.

Ryan Tuerk

Ryan earned his MFA in contemporary choreography and classical pedagogy from Temple University (2016) and his BFA in jazz/theatre dance from the University of the Arts (2005) in Philadelphia.  He has held faculty appointments at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, Temple University’s Musical Theatre Department, Montgomery County Community College’s Dance Department, Rowan University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, The Ngoma School’s summer danceLab, and Circadium College for Circus Arts. In addition, Ryan has been a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland for ACDA discussing topics such as Jazz studies and Queerness/representation in dance. He tours the United States as a Director and dance Adjudicator for Starbound National Talent Competition. Highlights from Ryan’s classical repertoire include performances of Grand Pas Classique, The Flower Festival of Genzzano, and excerpts from Raymonda and Giselle. Ryan specializes in the Vaganova method of classical pedagogy, Jazz and modern techniques, and Contemporary choreography.

Rylee Locker

Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Rylee Locker, also known as Rylee Prodigy, is a dance artist and educator based out of Philadelphia, PA, and NYC. During her time in Arizona, she graduated from Arizona State University, receiving her BFA in Dance Education. As an educator, she teaches Vogue Femme, Heels Dance, Contemporary, Waacking, Jazz, and Street Jazz. Rylee is known internationally for her award-winning performances in the ballroom scene. She was recently promoted as the Philadelphia Mother of the Iconic House of Prodigy and currently holds Ten “Of The Year” titles for Women’s Performance. Rylee is also the Founding Mother of the Kiki House of Paragon, founded in 2020, which now has three chapters in Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Aside from Voguing, she is also focused on creating Contemporary work that centers fluidity and divine femininity, which incorporates Contemporary movement, Vogue, and Heels dance. Altogether Rylee strives to inspire and empower others through her art and pedagogical practices. Follow her @ryleeprodigy to stay updated with her work. 

Courtney Fickes

Courtney is a Drexel University Alumni based in Philadelphia and has trained in various dance techniques for 20+ years under the direction of Adrienne Canterna, Ashley Canterna-Hardy, Roger Lee, David Parsons, Roni Koresh, and more. She has been active in the Health & Fitness Industry since 2014, accredited by International Sports Sciences Association as a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor. She has worked with diverse clientele at all levels and ages to reach their health goals. Courtney uses a multi-dimensional training approach to ensure lean muscle growth, increased stamina conditioning, and injury prevention.