LeeAri Creative
Lisa Carducci-Deringor
Lisa Ariana Carducci-Deringor has over 35 years in the performance art world as a Creative Director, Master Teacher, Choreographer and former Dancer.
A native of Detroit MI , she began her training in The Cecchetti Method where she holds grades I through VII, when she was 19 she received a scholarship to Tremaine in Los Angeles, training professionally under some of the industry's top choreographers. As a professional dancer she has worked with some of the best pop, rock and hip hop artists in the world.
After her dancing career she transitioned into choreography for pop, hip hop and rock artists alike. As a Master Teacher she has taught and choreographed pieces for different studios all over the United States where she has received awards for her choreography. Lisa Ariana Carducci-Deringor also holds credits in Costume Design for both Video, TV, Movie and Editorial projects. Lisa is now The Artistic Director at the Institute for Dance, Inc. and Creative Director of The Movement Dance Company in Williamsburg VA . Lisa has created original productions including 3016, Mental, Lost in Me, Behind Closed Doors and Finding Light. Owner of LeeAri Creative, which offers classes, workshops, and original video and stage development.
Some of the artists and companies she has had the privilege of working for are HBO, Disney, Pepsi, Adidas, CBS, NBC, Philosophy, Hard Rock Cafe and Casino, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Asylum Films, Brittney Spears, N Sync, Mandy Moore, Lenny Kravitz, James Blunt, Kid Rock, Nate Dogg, Cotton Mouth Kings, Taking Back Sunday, and The Used.
Teaching Philosophy
"You must embrace your shadow to find your light"
--LeeAri Creative
Emotion and music take just as much understanding as movement. The goal of every class is to help students understand the intention of the movement and the music. What r u trying to say? What are you trying to say with your movement? What are you trying to make the audience feel? As dancers we are taught skills and execution which it important, but equally as important is the emotion and understanding of music. Each class focuses more on the musicality and emotional expression rather than skill and ability. It is a process of helping to break down walls and to gain mental and emotional clarity. Dance is therapy. Dance is freedom. Dance is Love. We all come in different shapes and sizes, each with a unique voice that has something important to say. It is our philosophy to help the dancer find that voice and be accepting of the person they continually face in the mirror. It is our philosophy to help the dancer find their own inner strength and dedication that extends past the classroom. They dance because they receive the benefit, and they become better dancers and people through hard work, dedication and love.
"We are the paint on the canvas that creates the art.
We are the artists"
Classes and Workshops
Contemporary Soul - focuses on the contraction and release of the body and the unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed and direction. It employs floor work, fall and recovery and improvisation characteristics. It also focuses strongly on character and emotional development.
Contemporary Hip Hop - a technical approach to hip hop that uses technical dance, musicality, emotion and rhythm. It's clean, precise, and has the fall and recovery and improvisation characteristics of Contemporary dance.
Groove - a rhythm and musicality class to help develop the ear. This class focuses on different grooves and rhythmic patterns. Rhythm is the basic count of music and is the first step in moving toward musicality, and musicality is the ability to interpret and express more complex expression in music. This class helps with development of freestyle and choreography.
Production Development
We each have a vision, a voice, sometimes we just need a little help a different perceptive to make it come alive. Our production development program is a mentorship process of the development of an original production for your studio or company. From concept to completion, we will work with your team on story development, lighting, staging, transitions, costuming, music, choreography and any projection elements - a tailored show to express your unique voice and ideas. We also offer the option for full production development.
Choreography
While the focus of LeeAri Creative is inspirational mentorship through dance, Lisa is trained in multiple styles of and can create diverse choreography for your specific needs.
Testimonials
“I was a student of Lisa’s for five years and in my time studying under her, I gained the artistic insights, strength and endurance, choreography retention skills, and performance qualities necessary for a dance career in today’s industry. Her ability to fine-tune a dancer’s movement quality and expand their skill set is impeccable. I felt incredibly prepared for the dance industry as she provided me with several pre-professional opportunities that go beyond dance technique, particularly assisting and working with a camera and film. Under her direction, I had the unique experience of performing in an originally-conceptualized show annually. I felt the most fulfilled performing under her direction and vision and she heavily influenced the way I approach my creative process. I’m very grateful to have trained under Lisa and owe much of my knowledge, insights, and successes to her guidance.”
I trained with Lisa Carducci-Deringor for 6 years as a youth dancer, through weekly classes and as part of The Movement Dance Company, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lisa is a teacher with high expectations, and she holds her students to high standards to ensure that they continue to learn and grow. She strives to offer opportunities to further her students’ development as dancers.
Through my training with Lisa, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in dance, and I am now a professional dancer in New York City. I was very well prepared by Lisa to enter this next phase of my dance path.
Lisa is a wonderful teacher and an amazing person. She is talented, creative, and very passionate about what she does. And she cares deeply for her students. I wouldn’t trade my time training with Lisa for anything. Not only did she push me to become a better dancer, but also to become a better person.
I’ve been training with Lisa Carducci-Deringor since I was 10. Over the years, Lisa has always pushed me outside of my comfort zone, inspired me to always try my best, and never allowed me to give up on myself. The energy she creates while teaching is contagious! She works you very hard, but still manages to always make class super fun. Ms. Deringor’s commitment to her students is second to none! She works tirelessly to give us many performance opportunities, expose us to master teachers, and numerous dance experiences. I wouldn’t be the dancer I am today without the training I received from Lisa Carducci-Deringor"
Learning under Lisa is such an amazing experience, and I can truly say I would not be where I am today without her. She is not only an amazing dance teacher, but a mentor. She has a no tolerance policy for her dancers, making them better people as well pushing her dancers to their limits, and continuously pushing us out of our comfort zone. Her classes are fast paced and intimidating at first, but you learn how to pick up choreography quickly and start to focus on the details. Her training is fantastic, and she will never give up on a student. I almost quit dancing due to an injury, Lisa was the one person in my corner who told me to not give up, she saw something in me that I couldn’t see at the time. It is because of her that I am a dance major at The University of the Arts now. She is focused on the technique of dance, but doesn’t give up the artistry of dance for it. She made me a stronger dancer, physically and mentally. She exposed us to a side of dance that Williamsburg, VA normally doesn’t see. She lets you know your strengths, and helps you work on your weaknesses. She has truly been the person with the biggest impact in my life and is still there for me even though I am not training under her anymore.
Miss Lisa had constantly pushed me to be the best dancer I could be while simultaneously giving me advice on how to obtain a successful career in dance. Miss Lisa cares about all her students and I always felt welcomed every time I stepped into the classroom with her. She always worked non stop to give her students opportunities outside of the classroom to perform. Whether it be small community performances or full stage productions, Miss Lisa wanted to create memories that her students would remember after they move on. I'm very thankful for all the training, advice, support, opportunities, and memories I've experienced while studying dance under Lisa Carducci-Deringor.
Videography
Dance Reels, Studio Reels or Styled Dance Videos
Offset Visual, a division of LeeAri Creative, offers full video production options, from dance reels and videos to studio commercials to original concept videos.