Mary Pappagallo. A long time GNBC Member, Mary also teaches primary, beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate ballet for the company. She began her dance training from a young age locally in Buffalo, NY and furthered her dance education while attending the University at Buffalo graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Since graduating, Mary has had opportunities to teach in local studios to dancers of all ages and choreograph works for both stage and video. She has also performed in places from community theaters to large commercial locations. Mary is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) and holds both a Teachers and Professional Intermediate Certification in the CCA Method.
Mary Schnepf. In addition to co-directing the GNBC Mary teaches pointe, intermediate and advanced ballet for the company. She received her M.F.A. in Dance from the University at Buffalo and has completed various teacher training programs including Level 1 and 2 of Dance Masters of America and all levels of the Horton Teacher Training Workshops with Ana Marie Forsythe at the Ailey Extension in New York City. Under the direction of Beverley Feder, she completed all the Cecchetti student examinations including the Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma in April 2021. Mary currently teaches ballet, jazz and modern dance in higher education having taught at Erie Community College, the University at Buffalo, and the College at Brockport.
Mary’s main goal as a teacher of dance is to mentor proficient and innovative performers, scholars and artists who will contribute their talents to enrich and engage both the dance world and public at large. Her goal is for her students to gain a full understanding of their art and through this understanding push the boundaries of dance to reveal new ways of expression. Mary utilizes a somatic and physics-based approach with full consideration of anatomy for students to maximize their technique in a positive learning environment.