Dazzle 2023 VIP Dancers
Porché Hardy
Porché Hardy is an arts administrator and philanthropic professional who brings deep expertise and experience working with teams in both government and non-profits. She works to develop programs to help build a stronger arts sector and a more equitable pathway to social change through arts funding and sector leadership. Her work bridges arts organizations and arts education. Porché is also a singer, actress, and coach who has spent over fifteen years combining her love of performing on stage with her passion for arts advocacy, equity in the arts, financial wellness, and public policy.
“I chose to dance for Young Audience’s Dazzle to amplify the importance of arts education for all.”
Joe Fruscione
Joe Fruscione is the Managing Member of The Fruscione Company L.L.C., a commercial real estate development and management firm based in Hamilton NJ. Joe is a trustee of The Fruscione Foundation, a non-profit foundation focused on enhancing the educational opportunities available to Mercer County preparatory high school and college candidates. He is a former trustee of the Hamilton Area YMCA, on which he served for 12 years and was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2007. Joe is also an active member of the Union League of Philadelphia.
“Raising a daughter whose life has been shaped by the arts aligns me very closely with YA’s mission. As someone who has taken dance lessons in the past, this event is a great opportunity for me to support YA and give back to arts education and have a great time performing as well.”
Dr. Pamela Pruitt
Dr. Pamela Pruitt is the executive director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Rider University. She currently serves as the chair of the Northeast Tri-State Chapter (NY, NJ, PA) of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE). Dr. Pruitt is also the president of The Next Level Consulting LLC as well as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University and lecturer at Rider University. She is an accomplished author and songwriter having written songs for Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, and others. Dr. Pruitt is a recognized community leader in the City of Trenton and serves on boards and committees for local and national organizations.
“I love that Young Audiences NJ is committed to young people and expanding learning through the arts, so I am dancing to benefit this mission and to advocate for this important mission and goal.”
Cindy Carson
Cindy Carson graduated from Temple University with a BA in Communications, and a minor in dance. After college, she worked for Viacom in the Merchandising, Pay TV and Cable TV sales groups, and then moved back to NJ to Webcraft Technologies. While raising three sons in Hopewell, Cindy was active in community organizations. She served on the boards of Cherry Valley Nursery School and the Hopewell Valley Soccer Association, and was involved in the original Hopewell Valley Recreation Foundation. Cindy then obtained her teaching credentials and started teaching at Hopewell Valley in 2000, and then worked in Flemington Raritan School District in 2005. She taught general education for grades K-5 before switching to her current position, teaching gifted and talented programs, coordinating reading intervention programs, and coaching literacy.
“In my role as a teacher, I strive to help students stretch their ability to think critically and creatively. Integration of the arts is an integral part of this process. Over the years, many of my students have learned so much from Young Audience’s presentations, so by becoming a Dazzle dancer I can support this wonderful organization and model risk-taking for my students. As a lifelong learner, I am extremely excited to learn a new form of dance!”
