LEAL ZIELINSKA

FOUNDER, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Born and raised in Gdańsk, Poland. She began her training with private ballet coaching from Bogna Ostapiuk, studied at Codarts Rotterdam Dance Academy and graduated from the Independent Program at The Ailey School in New York City in 2015. Upon graduation she spent three seasons working with Sidra Bell Dance New York, during which Dance Magazine named Leal as one of 25 to Watch “Breakout Stars of 2018” and was featured on the January 2018 cover.

Mario Ismael Espinoza, LCSW (they/them), is a Mexican immigrant born to native Mexican people in Kumeyaay territory, currently in the early stages of their career in social work. Mario currently works with performing artists at the Entertainment Community Fund, providing clinical case management and short term mental health services in group and individual settings. Mario is also a marriage and family therapist at Ackerman Institute for the Family in their Latinx Youth and Family Immigrant Project, partnering with Spanish-speaking families who have been impacted by systems that are intended to be protective. Mario’s clinical focus is derived from a deep commitment to social justice and mental health, which gives rise to an anti-oppressive approach to delivery of clinical services.

For more information about services and contact information, please visit www.miespinoza.com

Catherine Drury, LCSW, (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in supporting dancers through injury, stress, burnout, and career change. At her Manhattan-based private practice, Catherine treats adolescents and young adults with eating disorders, anxiety, and histories of trauma using cognitive behavioral and evidence-based treatment modalities. She also delivers workshops and lectures to the American Ballet Theatre JKO School and Studio Company, The Ailey School, and the Princeton Ballet School, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence among pre-professional dance students. In partnership with organizations such as The Actors Fund, Gibney Dance, and Dance/NYC, Catherine empowers dancers and dance communities to better care for themselves, navigate change, and obtain the guidance and resources they need at all stages of their dance careers. She has published on her work with injured dancers, presented at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Annual Conference, and contributed to articles in Dance Magazine and Dance Informa Magazine. Catherine has a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where her training and research is dedicated to eating disorder treatment and athletic performance enhancement for dancers.

THUY WYCKOFF

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

In 2018, Thuy Wyckoff graduated from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance having earned her BFA in Dance Performance with a Minor in Arts Management. During her time at Purchase, Thuy performed works by Taryn Russell, Kimberly Bartosik, Gary Jeter, Stuart Loungway and multiple works by George Balanchine. Additionally, Thuy has trained at San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, BalletX, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell and The Washington Ballet among others.

Anginese Phillips (she/her) is a licensed creative arts therapist and board-certified dance/movement therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association. As the co-director of Full Force Wellness Repertory, LLC and founder of Creative Clarity, LLC Anginese has helped thousands navigate through professional and personal life-changing transitions. Anginese has served as a guest workshop facilitator at St. Francis College, Gibney Dance, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Lutheran Social Services of New York, and WeWork.

Recently featured in Dance Magazine, Anginese’s clinical experience, as well as her theoretical framework in using dance/movement therapy, has become the catalyst for supporting each individual in learning more about their mental, physical, and emotional needs.

Beth Silverman-Yam, DSW, LCSW (she/her) has championed Gibney’s Community Action work in domestic violence shelters since its inception in 2000. Dr. Silverman–Yam has recently retired from her 20-year tenure as Director of Clinical Programs at Sanctuary for Families where she was responsible for crisis shelters, individual, group counseling, and advocacy services for adults and children who are victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. A social work clinician, program developer and administrator for more than 40 years, she was a full-time member of the faculty of Columbia University School of Social Work where she taught Advanced Generalist Practice, Advocacy and Clinical Practice in the World of Work. She has an MSW from Columbia and a doctorate from the City University of New York and is currently Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University. In addition to advising Gibney Dance Company during international residencies and trainings, Beth will now be joining our Community Action Hub, offering ongoing clinical expertise to the larger community concerning the development of new projects that link the power of movement and social action.