EMpowered Dance
& Wellness Center
Setting the Barre
for Excellence
EMpowered Dance and Wellness Center Faculty
Faculty and Staff
Emily Norris
Founder and Artistic Director
Emily is the owner and artistic director of the EMpowered Dance Center. Emily has professional dance experience as well as education to create a strong, technically sound program. Professionally, Emily worked as a trainee with the elite Joffrey Ballet Company under the direction of Edith d'Addario and performed as a soloist with the Baltimore Ballet Company, under the direction of Cem Catbas. Contemporary professional experience, with Surge, under the direction of Ken Skrzesz. Beginning her dance education at Peabody Conservatory she was awarded a full scholarship to the Arts for Talented Youth Program. Emily performed with the Washington ballet as a student, under the direction of Rudolph Kharatian, and as a soloist in the Pas de Trois in Kharatian's original ballet, Into the Light. Receiving scholarships for summer programs including Virginia School for the Arts, Joffrey Ballet, and Hartford Ballet, Emily attended American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Burklyn Ballet, and Virginia School of the Arts for summer intensives. Emily graduated from Carver Center for Arts and Technology and holds an AAS in both Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant. Completing her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and ultimately her Masters of Science in Kinesiology and Wellness Management from SUNY Plattsburgh. Emily holds certifications as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Brain Injury, Neuromuscular Developmental Techniques, and is LSVT BIG certified for Parkinson's Disease. She is also certified in Pilates technique, Adaptive Dance, Progressive Ballet Technique, Massage Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Yoga, and CPR. Emily always looks for ways to introduce dance to everyone and created a wheelchair dancing program at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute (formerly Kernan). Emily manages both Chapters of Dance Honor Society for the studio, through the National Dance Education Organization and is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science.
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Proudly, Emily's students have attended Alvin Ailey School, Kirov Academy, Burklyn Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Washington Ballet, The Rock School, Ballet West, and Kaatsbaan Summer Intensive Programs. Professionally, students are working as trainees and corps de ballet members in Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Rochester City Ballet, Ballet West, and Ballet Theatre of Maryland. Sharing a love of anatomy and kinesiology in the classroom many students are pursuing degrees in the medical field and often choose to work specifically in sports medicine.
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Emily's pedagogy is that every student in the classroom is the best student in the classroom. ALL are welcome here and dance is truly for EVERY BODY.
Caitlin Varipatis
Director of Modern
Ballet, Modern, Yoga, Jazz, and Contemporary Instructor
Caitlin received her B.A. degree in Dance Education from Goucher College graduating Cum Laude. While there, she performed in numerous student, faculty, and guest artist pieces. As a senior, she produced and choreographed her own concert. She followed that with a Masters in Education degree (also from Goucher) and has work experience in the many aspects of the developing dancer/student. For seven years she worked as an Integrated Arts Specialist with Cecil County Public Schools where she also headed an after-school dance program to further dance experience and performance opportunities for students. She also was involved in dance curriculum writing and development for the school system. Ms. Varipatis has been involved with Goucher's Moving Classroom Project which educates students and teachers on techniques for incorporating movement and the arts within the classroom setting. She has also taught at the Baltimore Actor's Conservatory, The Park School, Carver Center for the Arts, Parkville High School, Cecil Dance Center, and the Moving Company Dance Center. She is thrilled to be joining EMpowered for her ninth season!
Hayley Broad
Hayley Broad is an alumni from MJ Dance Center in Bethlehem, PA and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts as a dance major.
During her time at Charter Arts, she choreographed showcased concerts piece and was a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
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As a teacher at the MJ Dance Center, Hayley wanted to continue her pursuits in dance education. She is currently studying dance performance and choreography from Towson University where she will receive her BFA.
Hayley enjoys all styles of dance as an artist but her favorite style to teach is jazz. She is excited to get to know the students at EMpowered Dance & Wellness Center this season.
Ava Lerew
Musical Theatre, Ballet, Tap, Jazz
Ava Correlli has been performing for nine years in both dance and theatre. Ava performed for Disney World as a character performer showcasing both her technique in dance and vocal performance. Ava holds a B.S. in Dance Education from the renowned Goucher College. Ava performs professionally with Urban Pirates as your favorite pirate friend, Judy Doubloon and Falling Star Parties LLC. Ava has taught for the Jewish Community Center dance and theater programs and choreographed for local music videos. A firm believer in positive reinforcement and sharing experiences with her students, Ava has fallen in love with the core values of EMpowered and is thrilled to be a part of the team!
Kennedy Williams
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary
Kennedy Williams passion dancing began at the age of eleven at her hometown studio. Throughout the years, she has enjoyed training in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and more. Kennedy grew up dancing in Maryland. She competed in various competitions, winning first-place placements and receiving many special awards in regional and national competitions. She has auditioned for multiple NFL and NBA teams, making it to the finals/ training camp in all auditions. Kennedy started teaching Jazz at the age of eighteen at two different studios and that is what started her passion for choreographing, and her choreography has earned various placements. Aside from teaching, she is a senior at Towson University majoring in Dance, Performance, and Choreography. Throughout the years, Kennedy has learned from multiple accomplished teachers, Troy Brown, Gloria Hampton, Vincent Thomas, Linda Denise Fisher-Harrell, Caroline Rocher Barnes, to name a few. Excelling in Modern and Ballet, Kennedy has dreams of dancing in New York City and opening up a dance studio of her own someday. She is optimistic and ready for what the world is ready to offer her!
Business Staff
Dr. Jenn Norris, M.S. PA-C, PhD
Patti Norris
Patti is the reason behind EDWC as Emily's FAVORITE mom and major supporter. Patti is ready to help with bumps and bruises as well as give an encouraging word to all the students. Patti is also an account services manager and looks forward to bringing her grandchildren to the studio.
Dr. Jenn is Emily's FAVORITE sister, the office manager, organizer and resident medical staff for EDWC. Jenn is the assistant stage manager and professional 'quick change' guru helping students get on-stage, on time. Dr. Jenn can't wait for her new edition, Elliana to join the dance team!!