Faculty - Casali School of Dance

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Anna Marie Casali began dancing at the age of 4; she received her basic training from Rita Willoughby, a former New York City ballerina. Anna knew early on that she wanted to dedicate her life to dance education; in 1979, with the help of her family, especially her mom (Angela Casali), she opened Casali School of Dance. During her early years as a studio owner, Anna established the Kaleidoscope Dance Company, which later turned into the Casali Holiday Dancers. Anna caught the competition bug in 1991 when her dance “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” won the studio’s first national title at a DanceAmerica national competition. The studio’s winning ways continued, and over the years her dances received many more national titles and special awards, including the Teacher’s Choice Award for “Tango Seduction” in 2011. In addition to teaching at her studio, Anna has taught master classes and helped other studios develop their tap, musical theater and competition programs. She has choreographed many local musicals, worked with marching bands and choirs, and was a guest lecturer at Regina High School. Anna developed and taught for the Grosse Pointe continuing education program, she taught hip hop during the lunchtime enrichment program for the Grosse Pointe PTA, and for 9 years she taught modern movement to the 8th grade girls at the University of Liggett Middle School. Anna was beyond thrilled to meet Oscar Award-Winning Actor and Dancer, Rita Moreno, when she, along with Patrice Iannace, choreographed and staged “America” for the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story. Anna’s students are teaching all over the country, many have studied with Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theater, Gus Giordano, and The Rockettes, some have even worked for Disney, Kings Dominion, and Busch Gardens to name a few. Casali School of Dance students have also continued their dance studies in College. Dancers have attended University of Michigan, Oklahoma City University, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Hope College, Oakland University and Wayne State. Anna has also had the honor of choreographing for The Cotillion Society of Detroit Educational Society for the past 5 years. Anna believes that in order to give her students the best dance experience she must continue her own education. Her studio has always been a place that welcomes all types of dancers, from recreational to pre-professional. She wants everyone to feel like they are a special part of the Casali Dance Family. As she has said so many times, “Once a Casali Dancer, Always a Casali Dancer”.
Patrice Iannace  has been a member of the Casali teaching staff for over 30 years. Before coming to Casali, she performed in many community and dinner-theatre musical productions, where she received training from the amazing Dennis East and David Allen. After joining the Casali dance family, Patrice became a competitor and for many years was part of an award winning national competition team. Her choreography has awarded her many Dance America regional and national titles. During the 2015 Dance America National Finals, her senior production musical theatre dance, “Godspell” received the award for Best Presentation. She was also the recipient of the Richard DiSarno Directors Award for her large group jazz dance, “Trommeltanz”. For the past 18 years, Patrice has choreographed for and is a proud supporter of the Casali Holiday Dancers. For the past 5 years she has been the artistic director and teacher of the 8-week summer dance program at Grosse Pointe Farms’ Pier Park. Alongside Anna Marie Casali, Patrice co-choreographed a dance to "America" from West Side Story for the 50th anniversary celebration at the Redford Theatre; Miss Rita Moreno herself attended the event. Patrice's goals for her students are to help them grow as dancers while creating a fun and enjoyable learning experience.
 
 
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