Hi I'm Danielle Gatto, a professional performer. I love what I do but I must say that it is a labor of love. There are so many wonderful things about being a world traveling entertainer but it all of course comes with lots of hard work and sacrifice. I'm extremely blessed to have a wonderful family, friends, and my little frenchie Mojo that support me all the way. Thank you and I love each and every one of you.
Growing up some of my family were involved in theater as musicians, singers, painters, and dancers so it was only natural that I would take an interest in performing arts at a young age. I started studying dance from around the age of 10 and participated in various dance competitions and theatre performances. Growing up dance and gymnastics played a big roll in my life. I carried titles like "All-American Cheerleader" by the National Cheerleading Association(NCA) and Universal Dance Association's(UDA)"All-Star." I was one of the very few asked to choreograph and audition for them and chosen to be an instructor for the UDA and perform at the Super Bowl and Macy’s Day Parade. I also trained, traveled, and competed with my Oklahoma-based dance company for many years to places like Tremaine and Dance Masters of America(DMA), two very reputable dance organizations. I was elected captain of my dance and cheerleading squads based on audition scores and votes from the coaches and teammates. A lot of hard work, dedication, and having a keen-eye helped me lead my teams into National Championships in Dallas and Orlando, televised by ESPN.
These experiences paved a road for me leading to many offers for dance scholarships at Cowley College, Southwest Missouri State University, Southwestern College, Wichita State University Theater Departments as well as others around the country. I was then chosen to coach, choreograph, & judge college and university dancers and cheer squads at both Cowley and Southwestern College. As time passed I knew I wanted to pursue my passion of performing dance to an even higher level by becoming a professional dancer.
I worked as a character dancer in many production shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Branson, Nashville, Biloxi, and abroad. I have performed everything from hip-hop, countrywestern, ballet, modern, tap, soft shoe, jazz, swing, irish step dancing, partnerwork, & foye-rig flydancing, as well as making appearances in music videos. Dancing as my main emphasis, I also worked as a soloist, dance captain, magician's assistant, choreographer, and model. While working in Atlantic City, I was promoted to Company Manager for a grand scale magic show. As company manager, my duties included being a personal assistant to the star of the show, making notes for the show and coordinating and directing rehearsals and meetings, keeping lines of communication between the producer, hotel/casino management, cast and crew members and the star.
In 1999, I joined my husband, Anthony Gatto's, world- class juggling act. Together we combined our talents and performance skills and have worked in some of the best variety and cabaret theaters, casino production shows, circuses, competitions, and television appearances around the world. I decided to do my own solo acts, along with the help of Anthony, choreographed an aerial ring routine as well as a hula hoop act. These acts were performed in Casinos right along side of Anthony. Together Anthony & I have done a lot of entertaining and traveling going all over the U.S., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Monaco, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and China, most places more than once.
Somehow amongst my busy schedule, I searched for something even more by earning a Bachelors Degree in Finance graduating with honors as a Magna Cum Laude from Madison University and I'm a Certified Personal Trainer(CPT) from NESTA, the National Exercise & Sports Training Association.
Having over 20 years of training & 13 years of professional performing experience I hope to always continue to learn, grow, and re create myself as an artist and first class entertainer.
This year Anthony & I have both joined a new production of Cirque du Soleil called "KOOZA." It's an incredibly dramatic, funny, entertianing show with extremely talented artists and management/creative teams. We're on tour in North America at least through the end of 2008. We hope you all will come our show!
Thanks for stopping by :)
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