Dancing Arts Center Leadership Change Offers New Experiences for Staff and Students

After more than three decades of growth, the Dancing Arts Center is entering another phase as it moves forward.  DAC ballet instructors Patrick Notaro and Gregg Saulnier have become the school’s new leadership.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce accepting the leadership role of the Dancing Arts Center,” says Director Gregg Saulnier, “We look forward to bringing our extensive and rich background as professional performing artists and successful record of school administration to the Dancing Arts Center.”

Patrick Notaro's primary responsibilities will be directing the school’s training and leading the artistic vision with a supporting role in administration.  Gregg Saulnier will direct administrative and production aspects with a supporting role as faculty and ballet master.


Gregg Saulnier began his dance career with Festival Ballet Providence under the direction of co-founder Christine Hennessy during which time he also performed with Island Moving Co. of Newport, RI under the direction of Miki Ohlsen. He later joined Ballet Internationale, Indianapolis under the direction of Russian Ballet stars Eldar Aliev and Irina Kolpakova where he danced a variety of classical and contemporary roles. His most recent dance credits are with Cincinnati Ballet, where he retired from full time performing in 2004 when he was appointed to direct the Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet.


In 1999, Mr. Notaro became an instructor at the Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy.  He brought his students to regional acclaim by taking “Best Ensemble” and “Outstanding School” honors at the Youth America Grand Prix Ballet Competition in Chicago. Notaro established The Patrick Notaro Dance Project in 1999, and premiered his company at The Great Friends Dance Festival in Newport, RI in 2010. He brought his troupe to Provincetown, MA in August, 2011 as his first stand-alone production. He received rave reviews and an invitation to return to the Provincetown Theater in 2012.
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“Mrs. Edison has dedicated the past 34 years faithfully developing the Dancing Arts Center into the thriving artistic gem it is today,” says Director Patrick Notaro. “We are honored to be her successors to continue the outstanding tradition of this wonderful artistic organization and lead the school into the future.”

Karyn Edison will now be the school’s modern dance department head and Principal of the Children's Division (Movement Expressions through Pre Beginner) and the Dancing Arts Academy.  She will continue leading the beginners of the main division in classical ballet, character and modern dance, and will assist with the administrative transition through the 2013-14 year.

“The continued excellence of this school remains one of my greatest priorities. I am pleased to have found my directing successors and DAC's new owners right here within our staff. They will continue the outstanding tradition of this wonderful artistic organization and lead the school into the future.” Edison says. “Now, I am looking forward to teaching, choreographing and coaching, and working more intently with the Massachusetts Dance Festival, Children's Dance Festival and some special projects at the collegiate and international level.”