Rolann has trained dancers for 40 years. Former students are currently starring on Broadway: Tony Yazbeck, nominated for a Tony Award for his role of Gabey in ON THE TOWN, is now the lead in NEVERLAND on Broadway and Michael James Scott, who performed the cover/lead role of “Genie” in ALADDIN and the Witch Doctor in THE BOOK OF MORMON, is now the Jester In SOMETHING’S ROTTEN. Lauren Gibbs is a Rockette and a Spokesperson for the Company. Alice Rietveld is the star of the new film, EXHUME, directed and produced by Rolann’s student Scott Poiley, a former Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Rolann’s vast knowledge of Music Theater and dance has made her one of America’s foremost teachers; appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Presidential Scholar Teachers Award Committee. She began her dance education in Buffalo, New York, where she was the childhood partner of Michael Bennett, choreographer and creator of A Chorus Line, Nine and other musicals. Her advanced dance education includes Bachelors and Master’s Degrees from The Juilliard School. Beginning her professional career while still in high school, she was a member of the original Broadway casts of My Fair Lady, Li’l Abner, and Destry Rides Again. Television dance credits include The Perry Como Show, The Gary Moore Show, The Jackie Gleason Show (with the June Taylor Dancers) and the Miss America Pageant, as well as national TV commercials. Rolann has choreographed for the Miss New York State Miss America Pageant, Holiday on Ice, The Ice Follies, the U.S. Olympic Team Ice Skating Pairs and National Ice Skating Pairs, and has prepared the Croatian Formation Tap Team for the World IDO competition. At home in Florida, she counts numerous shows for Walt Disney World among her credits and has also served as Disney World’s College Program dance director. At the acclaimed Passionspielhaus in Erl, Austria, Mrs. Owens has choreographed the world premiere of the Jürgen Doetsch opera, Altes Testament. Rolann chaired the Tap Committee of the International Dance Organization for over ten years, and also served on the juries of the IDO’s World Championships in Riesa, Germany. Rolann currently maintains an active studio where her staff teaches a full curriculum of ballet, tap, jazz, lyric and contemporary dance, as well as musical theater voice and dance. She is currently dance director for Musiktheater Bavaria, a non-profit organization for emerging young artists, founded by her husband, Richard in Oberaudorf, Germany in the year 2000.

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