volunteer spotlight
May 10, 2011
Verun Rahimtoola
Web Committee Member
“Just the feeling that I did something not for monetary gain but because it was for a truly good cause.”
How did you first stumble upon Dance Parade?
I had just moved to NYC and was looking to get out and meet some ppl. I had the idea to volunteer, and heard about TimeBanks NYC which is a city government volunteering service. Found the ad for DanceParade’s web team on there, and got in touch with Joon. It took him a while to get back to me, but from the first meeting onwards I found myself sucked in hehe.
What is your current role in Dance Parade?
I (occasionally) assist Hal in debugging and fixing code for the website as well as help out with all tech issues when needed.
What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?
A girl dancing to house music 
Nothing more captivating and mesmerizing than the rhythmic movements of a beautiful woman’s body synced up with deep, progressive house with its thumping beats! I would love to actually dance myself, however I have two left feet in this regard haha…
What is your dance background?
I don’t really have one, other than a degree in head bobbing
If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself…who would it be?
Ah tough question. I don’t know, maybe someone really cool from American Idol??
What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures” mean to you?
Well to me it just means Dance Parade is open to accepting any/all forms of dance from across as many different cultures as possible, which is super cool IMO.
What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?
Dance 4 Life (Zumba) actually has my interest piqued…
Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills....if you were to pick a volunteer of the month...who would you choose?
I’d pick Hal! Actually I can’t really say because I haven’t met alot of the new ones, but Hal’s been kickin ass…
If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?
I’d pick Brazil!
Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?
Just the feeling that I did something not for monetary gain but because it was for a truly good cause.
Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?
This will be my second DP, the first one was awesome, I actually remember the day of quite vividly, at Thompkins Square Park where the parade ended and then all of the DP crew got up on stage and danced. That was pretty memorable
What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the magic that is Dance Parade?
I think the one parade/many cultures line is pretty good.
May 2011
Sarah Haley
"Dance Parade gives me the opportunity to work the right side of my brain more"
- Sarah Haley
Sarah Haley was first introduced to Dance Parade at a networking event a few years ago when she met DJ, our Volunteer Outreach Coordinator. He was on the hunt for volunteers in the technology space and Sarah was excited to learn more about the organisation and find out where she might be able to help. Sarah currently holds the position of Committee Chair for Special Events and is responsible for spearheading our upcoming International Dance Day Celebration this Saturday, April 23rd at Dance New Amsterdam.
What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?
To Participate… anything. To watch… I love ballet, but Krumping is insane to see. I wish my body moved like that!
If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?
Well...Charlie Chaplin's birthday just had a birthday recently!! But if I had my druthers, I'd dance with Old Blue Eyes. Frank Sinatra
What does the Dance Parade slogan "one parade, many cultures" mean to you?
That we and dance is a timeless expression.
What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?
I love to see all the little kids perform. You can't help but smile!
If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year's parade....who would it be?
Madonna
Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills....if you were to pick a volunteer to spotlight...who would you choose?
Jordan Reese or Chauncey! They've saved my life helping me produce the past few events!
If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival….which would it be?
Germany… they'd love us!!
Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?
Well I’m in finance… which isn't exactly a "creative" field. Dance Parade gives me the opportunity to work the right side of my brain more
Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?
Yikes… who could pick just one?
What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the family that is Dance Parade?
Dance Parade showcases the unique genres of dance, gives dancers a forum to express their art, and welcomes the public the ability to learn and participate at whatever level they choose! All this while giving you the opportunity to work with immensely creative people, and have fun giving back to our community!
April 2011
Ilya Kushnirsky
Chair, Legal Committee
How did you first stumble upon Dance Parade?
I was a director of the Astoria-based Wonderland Collective until it closed down in February. Wonderland had roots in the underground dance and nightlife culture. I met Dance Parade founder Greg Miller through that network. As an arts lawyer, I also knew about New York's cabaret laws.
What is your current role in Dance Parade?
I'm the chair of the legal committee, which in some organizations is called general counsel. I oversee and handle the organization's general legal needs, like permits, vendor contracts, insurance, and intellectual property. For specialized issues like artist visas, we have immigration counsel and outside assistance.
What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?
To watch, definitely b-boying / breaking, when it's done intelligently, with a sense of humor and a sense of history. The master of my undergraduate residential college was a hip-hop scholar, and he often invited Crazy Legs and the original Manhattan Rock Steady Crew to perform for us in his living room. So I got to start at the top. A lot of the hip-hop dancers you see on the dance competition shows on TV are technically proficient but lack heart and cultural awareness; it's just forced attitude - it's not true to hip-hop. If you want to see hunger and innovation, spend time in the subways, go to some parks.
What is your dance background?
I don't dance much myself. For me it's more of a first amendment issue and an educational outreach issue - people should be able to express themselves through dance, and people need to know the historical context. Dancing in New York has a long and troubled legal history. A lot of people - even lawyers I talk to - don't realize the cabaret laws are still in effect. The cabaret laws are a set of local laws dating back to the Prohibition that prohibit dancing in bars and restaurants - unless the establishment buys an expensive cabaret license from the city. Remember when New York used to be a global center for nightlife? When Giuliani ran on a platform of “cleaning up” the city, he basically stopped issuing licenses and the nightlife dried up, and it hasn't really recovered. The city is only allowed to regulate dancing because “social dancing” doesn't receive first amendment protection - the courts don't consider it expressive. Until 1988, you couldn't have live music in bars or restaurants either. It's time to retire these laws. New Yorkers like to think we live in a progressive city, but you won't find a “No Dancing Allowed” sign in a bar in Akron, Ohio.
If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?
I'll leave the dancing to the dancers. I'm happy playing a support/empowerment role.
What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures” mean to you?
It's a smart slogan because it reminds us that dancing is natural. Go back 10,000 years, and you'll find evidence of people dancing. Go around the globe, and every culture has its dance traditions. Ultimately, you can't regulate human nature.
What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?
I love the drum lines. They're perfectly suited for the street parade format, and they're classy and organized. They're a calming presence.
If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year's parade....who would it be?
Purely from a publicity standpoint, Lady Gaga is the obvious choice. She went to Tisch a couple blocks from the grandstand, and she started out playing some of the clubs on the parade route. She's also a good spokesperson, and she's huge, obviously. I’m not crazy about her music though, so from a selfish perspective, I'd go with Kylie Minogue or Madonna, or even Beyonce. Any of those would be a coup.
Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills...if you were to pick a volunteer of the month...who would you choose?
Everyone answers Greg Miller, right? Greg is the founder and mastermind behind Dance Parade. Most volunteer organizations go nowhere. Dance Parade gets the greatest city in the world to close off part of its most iconic street and people come from all over the world to dance down it. It sounds like a fever dream. Pulling that off takes vision, dedication, and pragmatism.
If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?
Anywhere in Europe really. The problem in America is that religion inevitably seeps into government, and as a result you have these laws prohibiting dance. Europeans respect the separation a bit more, so the government isn’t as interested in telling people what they can or can't do with their bodies. I've gone to music festivals in England and Hungary, and the kids just go completely crazy. There's not that social pressure to hold back to avoid being judged.
Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?
I've worked at companies with seemingly unlimited resources and manpower, and it's not any easier, just different. With Dance Parade there'’s an opportunity to build something and make history. It shows the early signs of a successful grassroots movement.
Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?
I remember walking into Tompkins Square Park for the Dance Fest, and seeing it just packed with people. This was before I was involved with the organization, and I just wasn't expecting that turnout. There's a symbolism there too: as early as the nineteenth century, Tompkins Square Park was a center for activism and protest - in fact, it was rebuilt to better divide and manage crowds of protesters. In the late 80s, the park was in a bad place - heroin, riots, and the Butcher of Tompkins Square (look it up) - so the city shut it down for a year in 1991, and all of the activists moved to Union Square, where they still are. It's good to recapture that feeling of people getting together in a positive, community-minded, activist-oriented way in Tompkins Square.
What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the cult that is Dance Parade?
The first thing I'd do is assure them it's not a cult. But seriously, it's easy to participate, and you don't even need to be a dancer - I'm not. Just ask yourself whether you think dancing is expressive. If you answer yes, then do you have a couple hours to help get the message across? It's up to you.
March 2011
Chauncey Dandridge
Chauncey, our spotlighted volunteer for March has a long history with Dance Parade. Back in 2007, the very first year Dance Parade occured, he was a member of the original NY Dance Police and helped by Assistant Stage Managing the Festival that took place in Washington Square Park. Every year he gets more involved with the Parade planning and execution. Currently the Social Media Chair, Chauncey is responsible for the publication of STEPS! the official newsletter of Dance Parade. He oversees our Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Youtube accounts as well as Event Producing, Marketing, Creatives and more. Funnily enough, Chauncey has never actually witnessed the entire Parade because he wakes up bright and early each year to set up Tompkins Square for the Festival that follows the Parade and Stage Manages the main stage of performances.
Aside from some Musical Theatre in High School and College, he has had no formal dance training but has been an NYC DJ for over 8 years and has been hitting the club scene since he was 16. Chauncey will be celebrating his birthday a few days early this Saturday at our FUN-raiser at Alpha Lounge. Come by and have a drink with him!
A staunch gay and civil rights activist, he is overjoyed that “Tom and Zach Get Married” is a part of this year’s Parade. The couple, along with 100 disco dancers dressed all in white, will shimmy and shake their way down Broadway on the 21st to celebrate their most perfect union!
February 2011
Hal Lamster
Hal Lamster was searching for a brand new volunteer adventure one day and found a website featuring organizations that were looking for help. Dance Parade NYC was on the list and Hal responded! Currently the Acting Chair for The Web Committee, Lamster is responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of our main website. (danceparade.org)
Hal’s previous volunteer experience includes various committees of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Advertising Research Foundation. Now that he is retired, the recipient of his skills and free time is Dance Parade, the New York City Ballet and the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. We asked Hal a few questions about his background in dance and how he feels about working with the Dance Parade Team and being a part of such a major NYC all inclusive event. Here’s what he had to say :
What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?
I love to watch all dance, but especially ballet… and especially the New York City Ballet. We go to over 20 performances a year of just NYC Ballet. We also go to see David Parsons, Paul Taylor, and many others at the Joyce, DTW, City Center, etc.
I like to do some ballroom dancing at weddings and bar mitzvahs now. My knees aren’t what they used to be. :-(
What is your dance background?
I took tap and ballroom dancing lessons at Charlie Lowes studio in what I believe is now where David Letterman’s show is broadcast from. I did that for just two years but loved it. We moved from the Bronx to Bayside and the trip in was too long and stopped going.
If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?
Well if it when I was a child definitely Hal LeRoy the great tap dancer. In my teens Gene Kelly or maybe Leslie Caron (big American In Paris fan). If it was when I was in my twenties or thirties it would have been Suzanne Farrell (former principal dancer with NYC Ballet) and if it was today I just especially enjoy watching Maria Kowroski (principal dancer with NYC Ballet).
What does the Dance Parade slogan ‘one parade, many cultures’ mean to you?
That dance is universal. That almost every culture has some form of dance. I love the fact that we display so many diverse dance styles.
If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year’s parade...who would it be?
My first choice would be Benjamin Millipied. He is a principal dancer with the NYC Ballet. He is also a famous choreographer having done works for NYC Ballet, ABT, Paris Opera Ballet and many others. And most interestingly he is engaged to Natalie Portman and would certainly bring excitement, buzz and hopefully Ms. Portman to the event! Other dance luminaries that I would love to honor include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Eliot Feld, Christopher Wheeldon, Peter Martins, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Judith Jamison, … the list is endless. There are a lot of great people involved in dance.
Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills...if you were to pick a person to be chosen for the next Volunteer Spotlight…who would you choose?
Has Greg Miller been one yet? He is amazing. But he is really the Volunteer of the last 5 YEARS (and hopefully many more)!
If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival...which would it be?
France. Other than the language issue (I don’t speak much French) it is a country that is steeped in dance tradition. And because of the association with their former colonies they would have a lot of world dance tradition to promote as well
Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding...what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?
I like the people that are involved and I like the purpose of Dance Parade. I think the parade and festival are brilliant ideas and I am thrilled to be a part of them.
Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?
Last year was my first Parade and I loved having my granddaughter with me to view the festivities. She had a wonderful time. I look forward to her coming to the 2011 Parade.
What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the cult that is Dance Parade?
If you are interested in promoting all dance genre’s then Dance Parade is probably the best volunteer activity that you could do. The people are great, the cause is wonderful.
I have always done some volunteering. I find that working with these groups is profoundly satisfying. I feel like I gave something back to the industry I prospered in and now, to organizations that I want to be a part of. It is an amazing feeling to see things happen when you work as a volunteer.
January 2011
Mike Israely
“It’s something you have to see to believe!”
Mike Israely, Chair of Dance Parade’s Finance Committee, was first introduced to Dance Parade by Board member Trevor Honchman. Other than forced Cotillion at age 13, Mike has no formal dance training background but loves to participate in any style of dance provided, deciding on Hip Hop as his favourite style to watch. Living in New York for over a decade, Michael now considers himself a ‘native New Yorker”. Having an extensive background in business and advertising, Michael is currently the Director of The Keiretsu Forum New York Tri-State Chapters, part of the worlds largest network of Angel Investors. 2011 will be Mike’s second year involved with Dance Parade. We asked Mike a few questions regarding his interaction and involvement with the Parade which is now entering its fifth year. Here’s what he had to say!
If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not,
living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine
choreographed by yourself...who would it be?
Mata Hari
What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures” mean to you?
It highlights the true diversity of dance - all cultures have some kind of dance.
If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and
Festival....which would it be?
England
Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting
and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is
it that keeps you coming back for more and more?
The other volunteers
Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?
The thrill of seeing Tompkins square park jammed with people. The groups with no official space just setting up along the paths and dancing where ever they could.
What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into
the cult that is Dance Parade?
It’s something you have to see to believe.
December 2010
BARBARA ANGLISZ
Barbara saw an event listing in Time Out New York a few years ago for Dance Parade, but unfortunately was not able to attend that year. Being able to watch a variety of dancers representing many cultures got her excited and she became interested to get involved. With her extensive background in Marketing, she was offered the Marketing Committee Chair position in 2009. This is her second year as Marketing Chair which oversees all of Dance Parade's creatives, public relations, promotions, STEPS! and the website. It is the largest Dance Parade committee.
Barb loves to watch all styles of World Dance especially Indian Bhangra, Belly Dance and Flamenco. Occasionally, she even participates in Salsa and Polka dancing. She has trained in American Tribal Belly Dancing and for fun and great stress relief, she heads out to local Goth/Industrial clubs in New York City for some very lively, dark, stomping music! She studied Ballet and Polish Folk Dancing when she was young, but since and early age she has always enjoyed heading out to dance clubs to dance the night away!
If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?
I always fantasized being part of a huge Bollywood movie number. Sharing a stage with Priyanka Chopra would be so exciting with all the amazing moves and upbeat music.
What does the Dance Parade slogan "one parade, many cultures" mean to you?
The Dance Parade is about celebrating the diversity of many cultures through dance. The parade showcases many cultures and art forms to educate and entertain the New York community.
What does this year's campaign slogan "FIVE YEARS AND DANCING" mean to you?
This year's Dance Parade will be 5 years old! The Parade is only getting bigger and more popular every year.
If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year's parade....who would it be?
I would pick DJ Rekha, who does so much to promote Bhangra music and dancing in New York City.
Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills....if you were to pick a volunteer of the month...who would you choose?
There are many amazing dedicated volunteers on the marketing team. The person who deserves to be recognized for their dedicated work is Hal Lamster, crucial volunteer for the Web Committee.
If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?
In Toronto, Canada. I am originally from Toronto which also is a very rich and diverse multicultural city. Toronto hosts a massive annual Caribana parade each July along the City's Lakeshore Blvd. The lakeshore would be a perfect venue for bringing all types of dance together in the city.
Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?
I really enjoy connecting with dedicated people that have a vision and passion to create an amazing event for the people of New York and support the Arts. We are a diverse group of fun-loving people both from the corporate and art world. By combining and sharing our experiences and talent, we all work towards a common goal of hosting the best dance parade and festival in the County.
Describe your most special memory from Dance Parade's past?
At the 2010 parade, I was stationed at the grandstand to ensure our VIP's and media guests were looked after. The grandstand turned out to be the best spot on the parade route to interact and watch dancers go by and perform. Most of the dance groups stopped in front of the grandstand and performed for us. It was awesome. I was able to get up close to the dancers and take great pictures. I will definitely be back on the grandstand again. The festival at Tompkins Square Park in the East Village was packed with people with performances taking place everywhere. It was tough to decide which dancers to go and see.
What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer to participate in the Dance Parade?
Our volunteers are essential to the success of the parade and festival. We encourage anyone with an interest in dance and world cultures to bring their expertise to the Dance Parade team. They will be able to witness their hard work and dedication on Parade Day come to life while having a blast learning from other team members and making friends for life.
to become a volunteer please email
November 2010
NATASHA GRIGORIEV
“- join DP team and change the World!”
Natasha first stumbled upon Dance Parade as a Dance Parade participant.
Now, she works with Mike Israely as Dance Parade Treasurer. Natasha
took her very first dance class three years ago learning how to dance
in House style. Currently, she is a dance student at Peridance recently
beginning her second year specializing in Modern, House, Vogue and
Waacking. These are dances she loves to watch as well as participate
in. We asked Natasha a few questions about her experiences with
Dance Parade and the dance community in general.
1. If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or
not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a
routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?
Bruce Lee
2. What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures”
mean to you?
Diversity and unity brought together
3. If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year’s parade
who would it be?
joe Wilson, a legendary House dancer
4. If you could pick another country or place to hold a
Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?
Moscow in Russia
5. Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be
daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited
funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more
and more?
The sense of being a part of a shared passion for Dance
6. What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer
into the ‘cult’ that is Dance Parade?
Make people dance, make people smile, create a positive energy
— join DP team and change the World!
to become a volunteer please email
For previous volunteer spotlight entrees go to our STAPS blog - click here: STEPS blog
Every month, the all volunteer staff at Dance Parade New York will choose a particular volunteer to spotlight. We ask them a few questions about how they heard about Dance Parade, their background in Dance and much more. This section will give you an opportunity to learn a little bit more about one of our volunteers and understand their devotion to the group and why they keep coming back. If you’d like to become a volunteer please email DJ at for more information.
