About Us

Core Company Members

Rosa Barnaba

began dance classes at an early age with the Olga Dunn School of Dance and in high school performed extensively as a member of the Dunn Junior Co. Rosa continued her love of dance at Springfield College where she performed in works by Maureen Shea, Kodee Van Nort, Didy Veldman, and Monica Bill Barnes. After college, Rosa has continued with the Olga Dunn Dance Co. where she nurtures her passion and love for dance.

Kate Chester

received her early dance training from the Olga Dunn School of Dance, where she also spent time teaching. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Cardozo Law School. Kate is an inspiring and longtime member of the Olga Dunn Company, performing with the group at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Mahawie Performing Arts Center, Saint James Place, and more.

Hope St Jock

received her training with the Olga Dunn School of Dance and then went on to teach and choreograph extensively for the Dunn School. She has been a member of the Olga Dunn Dance Co. since graduating from high school and has performed with the group at the Colonial Theater, Shakespeare and Co.'s Tina Packer Stage, Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, and more. Hope's choreography has won awards. While Hope also devotes her time to teaching her kindergarten class, she considers dance to be a continuing force and influence in her life.

Collaborating Musicians

Jay Shulman

Joaquin Pachano

Adjunct Company Members

Jamal Ahamad

Ava Girard

Marla Robertson

Jane Singer

Olga Dunn |Photo Credit: Burke

Olga Dunn

Olga was born in Paris, France, of Russian origin. Being immersed in dance since the age of five, she began her studies at the Richmond Academy of Ballet in Virginia, under Marjorie Faye Underhill. After studying at the Royal Canadian School of Ballet, Emerson College in Boston, and George Washington University in Washington D.C., she pursued dance in New York City with Erick Hawkins, Peter Gennaro, Maggie Black, Fred Benjamin, Thelma Hill and others at studios such as the Igor Youskevitch Ballet Studio and the New Dance Group Studio. She credits her work in New York City with helping her crystallize her personal ideas about dance.

Olga became acquainted with the Berkshire area through two summers of a Boston University program at Tanglewood headed by Carla Maxwell, with the Jose Limon Dance Company. What began as a one year stay to teach dance at area schools as well as working and teaching with Frank Hatchett in nearby Springfield evolved into a permanent residence here in Western Mass.

She founded the Olga Dunn Dance Company, a non-profit professional dance company that was legally organized two years later. During her time in the Berkshires, Olga has guided her company to five Merit Aid awards from the state of Massachusetts, and placed the company on approved Pass funding school listing, was named choreography state finalist and received a choreography fellowship from Jacob’s Pillow.

In addition, she has also served as a local Arts Lottery panelist and was a long time reviewer of the Pillow summer season for the Berkshire Courier Berkshire Record.

In the early 90’s, she was on the dance faculty for the Berkshire Theater Festival’s Internship Program in Stockbridge, MA. Ms. Dunn was also chosen and served as a Massachusetts Cultural Council panelist in Boston. Olga Dunn is married to Dr. Brian Burke and are both the proud parents of son, Yon Burke.

Board of Directors

Brian Burke

Catherine Chester

Olga Dunn

Pat E. Flinn

Wray Gunn

Pamela Ivey

Cora Portnoff

Ani Shaker

Patri Wilson

Advisory Board

Maureen Ward Barnaba

Karry Bengtson-Brothers

Jody Burkle

Tim Eustis

Kate Knapp

Sue Kormanik

Cheryl Raifstanger

Gun E. Stanley

Carmen Tagle

Wayne Gunn

Credits

Website content provided by:
OLGA DUNN DANCE COMPANY

All photos for the website provided by:
Dunn Files

Website design by Karry Brothers

Google Sites

Report abuse