Debra Jo Hughes
HVAPA Director
Ms. Hughes currently
instructs all Ballet Program Classes (Pre-Ballet through Ballet 3), Fitness, and Jazz.

Ms. Hughes has danced with several ballet companies such as Capitol City Ballet, the Terri Lewis Dance Ensemble, Bay Ballet and Ballet Theatre International. She has also danced in films, theatrical productions and television, working with choreographers such as Michael Smuin, Debbie Allen and Chet Walker. Debra is currently on the faculty of STEPS on Broadway, teaching ballet and stretch/strengthening for the School at Steps and adult open classes. READ MORE

Jeff Hughes
Heads the Drama and Fitness Departments

Jeff Hughes teaches acting, Trainer-Fit classes and maintains a private fitness training program here at HVAPA.

Jeff has been a professional actor since 1987 when he began his career working for Marvel Comics. Jeff's credits include a variety of roles on television including over 40 commercials. He has appeared on the Soap Operas: "All My Children", "As The World Turns" and on "Days Of Our Lives" where he had a recurring role for 7 years. Jeff has earned roles in feature films as well, and considers himself extremely fortunate to have worked with and observed some of the world’s leading directors such as Sir Richard Attenborough and Spike Lee.
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Jane & Art Frederick
Ballroom Dance

Jane and Art Frederick have been dancing for 25 years. They studied many years at Lorraine Michaels Studio in Albany and Kinderhook;they have since sharpened their technique at the Fred Astaire Studio in Latham. Their philosophy of teaching dance is not to make students follow a rigid line of instruction. Rather, they stress the social aspects of dancing through an emphasis on steps that can be used in a number of different dances. Their goal is to have you enjoy yourself on the dance floor without being self conscious about it.

Donna Barrett
Belly Dancing

Donna first taught belly dance in Homer, Alaska, then performed with a troupe in her hometown, Austin, Texas. Donna has performed at Caravan Restaurant on Atlantic Avenue and Lafayette Grill in New York, Stella’s in Catskill, Olana and at events for both Columbia County Council on the Arts and Greene County Council on the Arts. She is also a member of the Catskill Bellydance troupe. Donna studied cabaret with Amaya in Austin, Amar in NYC, Shamira and Rayhana in Woodstock; traditional middle eastern dance with Carolyn Kay Wheeler in Columbia County; and American tribal with Naima in Catskill. She holds a Certificate in Arts Administration from NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies, a MA from the University at Albany, and a BFA and a BSN from the University of Texas.

Patricia Charbonneau
Children and Adult Acting Workshops

Ms Charbonneau has been a professional actor for over twenty years. Patricia's training began with Fred Karamen from the acclaimed Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, as well as with Winn Handman of the American Place Theater. Ms Charbonneau has been seen in over thirty films and television series; she has worked with Oscar winning directors William Friedkin and Michael Mann. Ms Charbonneau was nominated for the Independent Sprit Award for her ground-breaking performance in the film Desert-Hearts." Patricia has co-starred with William Peterson, Stanley Tucci, Julie Andrews, Sam Waterston, Diane Weist, and James Garner. READ MORE

Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts
957 Route 82
West Taghkanic, NY 12502

Telephone: (518) 851-5501
Fax: (518) 851-5505
E-Mail: info@hvapa.com