Linda Monari and Rhonda Haldis have life-time training, passion and talent in their arsenal. Both are notable members of the Northeast Philadelphia community because of their work at local high schools, grade schools and community centers.
Linda Monari is a second generation member of the original DeFino family. Linda was exposed to dance at a young age as she began teaching classes at 13. Most of her dance education is from the original DeFino Dance Studio; she also studied dance at Temple University. She received her Teacher's Certificate from Jay Dash in 1982 and was the first dance intern in the U.S. for KYW. Linda is also a member of Dance Masters of America. She has taught dance throughout the Northeast Philadelphia community at Father Judge High School, Cardinal Dougherty High School, Nazareth Academy High School, St. Jerome School and Nazareth Academy Grade School. In addition to her classes at DeFino II, Linda currently runs the summer theater and dance camp at Nazareth Academy Grade School and the after school dance programs at Nazareth Academy Grade School, St. Jerome School and Nazareth Academy High School; she also choreographs the schools' annual plays.
Rhonda Haldis has accumulated a wide variety of dance experience during her 45 years of teaching. She has studied at Mary Reid Highland Dance, Stanova School of Dance, DeFino Dance Studio, Mt. Laurel Ballet Company, Philadelphia Civic Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet Company, Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and The Jazz Studio. She received her Teacher's Certificate from Jay Dash in 1982. Rhonda holds memberships to The Philadelphia Dance Alliance, the American Aerobic Association and Dance Masters of America. Before becoming the co-owner of DeFino II in 2005, Rhonda was the co-owner of the Rhonda-Lind Dance Studio for eight years. In the past, she has taught at Nazareth Academy High School, St. Jerome School, Holmesburg Recreation Center, St. Luke's Nursery/Preschool, Holy Child Grade School, St. David's Christian Nursery School, Hope Day Care Center and St. Timothy's Grade School. She has previously choreographed for Archbishop Ryan High School, Cardinal Dougherty High School, the Irish American String Band, and the Salvation Army Citadel in addition to her classes at DeFino II.
Linda Monari is a second generation member of the original DeFino family. Linda was exposed to dance at a young age as she began teaching classes at 13. Most of her dance education is from the original DeFino Dance Studio; she also studied dance at Temple University. She received her Teacher's Certificate from Jay Dash in 1982 and was the first dance intern in the U.S. for KYW. Linda is also a member of Dance Masters of America. She has taught dance throughout the Northeast Philadelphia community at Father Judge High School, Cardinal Dougherty High School, Nazareth Academy High School, St. Jerome School and Nazareth Academy Grade School. In addition to her classes at DeFino II, Linda currently runs the summer theater and dance camp at Nazareth Academy Grade School and the after school dance programs at Nazareth Academy Grade School, St. Jerome School and Nazareth Academy High School; she also choreographs the schools' annual plays.
Rhonda Haldis has accumulated a wide variety of dance experience during her 45 years of teaching. She has studied at Mary Reid Highland Dance, Stanova School of Dance, DeFino Dance Studio, Mt. Laurel Ballet Company, Philadelphia Civic Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet Company, Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and The Jazz Studio. She received her Teacher's Certificate from Jay Dash in 1982. Rhonda holds memberships to The Philadelphia Dance Alliance, the American Aerobic Association and Dance Masters of America. Before becoming the co-owner of DeFino II in 2005, Rhonda was the co-owner of the Rhonda-Lind Dance Studio for eight years. In the past, she has taught at Nazareth Academy High School, St. Jerome School, Holmesburg Recreation Center, St. Luke's Nursery/Preschool, Holy Child Grade School, St. David's Christian Nursery School, Hope Day Care Center and St. Timothy's Grade School. She has previously choreographed for Archbishop Ryan High School, Cardinal Dougherty High School, the Irish American String Band, and the Salvation Army Citadel in addition to her classes at DeFino II.
