Debra Sayles Senchak

Debra Sayles Senchak

  • IBT Artistic Director

Debra Sayles Senchak has worked as a professional performer and dance instructor since 1976. She began her academic studies with Cecchetti training under Margaret Dallman and at the Washington School of Ballet under Mary Day. Her advanced training continued at American Ballet Theater School, David Howard School and New Jersey Ballet School where she joined the faculty and became a Principal Dancer of the New Jersey Ballet Company. Noted for her versatility she has performed extensively throughout the world. She has toured with Edward Villella Dance Ensemble, Stars of American Ballet, and Kozlov and Friends. Ms. Senchak has formal pedagogy training in the Complete Teaching Method of Classical Dance developed by Vera Kostrovitskaya and based on the work of Agrippina Vaganova at the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, taught by Prof. Peggy Willis-Aarnio. She has developed her leadership as an educator in the use of the Fine Art of Classical Dance Training for developing performers. Ms. Senchak has taught on the faculty of both NCDI and CPAC in NC in addition to Director and Teacher with the Infinity Ballet Conservatory and Theatre. She currently is an active Apex Arts Council member.