Anna Dragoni aka Anna D / DJ/Personality

Actress, Dancer and Singer, Anna Dragoni has a combined total of over 40 years in the entertainment business.Born in  Northern Italy (Iseo, Brescia) she performing soloist at the age of 16. Later Ms Dragoni would receive certifications as a Professional Ballet Dancer and as a Ballet Master Teacher – Primary to Advanced levels (as recognized and accredited by the University of Surrey, UK.) from Dame Margot Fonteyn, President of the Royal Academy of London. Passionate for dance she has studied various aspects of the art with teachers of world recognition such as

Ivêtte Chauviré, Riccardo Nuñez, Irina Grjebina, Arthur Turnball , Dan Wagoner, Gianine Loringett, Clyde Barrett, Chuck Wilder,  to name a few.

During this period, she would work with choreographers in theater and in television with national and international personalities such as: Gino Landi, Brad Flanagan and Celia Southern.

Taking her talents to the theater, she would work under the guidance of Stage Directors like Pino Quartullo, Augusto Zucchi and Carlo Alighiero. Performing in international productions of “Barnum” directed by Buddy Schwab and Ennio Coltorti, QUI COMINCIA LA SVENTURA DEL SIGNOR BONAVENTURA” by Sergio Tofano. Musical directed by Gino Zampieri. Produced by Teatro di Roma, Italy. (Participant in the Arts Festival of Berlin1989), “PIPINO IL BREVE” musical comedy by Tony Cucchiara. Directed by Salvatore Di Martino. Produced by Teatro Stabile of Catania, Sicily, “Italy On Stage” (Australian Tour 1988).  “A CHORUS LINE” musical by Michael Bennett. Directed by Baayork Lee for the Todi Festival 1990 and the Italian National Tour 1990-91. Winner of the “Golden Ticket Award” 1991 in the role of Sheila.

It is after the tour of “A Chorus Line” that Ms. Dragoni would be invited by Baayork Lee to be her assistant director/choreographer for the American Tour Company of the musical in Atlantic City (1991).

Ms. Dragoni’s passion for the arts has always been the basis for her studying to perfect her craft and expand her knowledge in all aspects of the entertainment business. She has studied voice with Ille Strazza (ND), Joe Brousard (NY), Flavio Colusso (IT), Annette Merriweather (USA), and acting with Susan Strasberg (Actor’s Studio) and Jacov Rafaelson, Gennady Dolganov (National Theatre of Lettonia – Method Stanislavsky).

Continuing to perform in theater and making film appearances in. “GOOD MORNING BABYLON” written and directed by the Taviani Brothers and “I PROMESSI SPOSI” (THE BETHROTED), Directed by Sergio Nocita and featuring Alberto Sordi, Murray Abrams, Walter Chiari (Production RAIUNO).

In 1997 Ms Dragoni would direct the stage production “Talk About A Child”. A dance-opera written by Shawn Logan and Produced by Renato Greco “Talk About A Child” tells the story of the influence of Gospel music on world’s music culture over modern history.

Because of her professionalism in all phases of the entertainment business Ms Dragoni has been called to collaborate on several international projects including Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Director for the annual Commemoration Ceremonies of Don Luigi Di Liegro, promoted by CARITAS and Don Luigi Di Liegro International Foundation ONLUS. (1998-2001), Assistant Stage Director and Assistant Costumes Designer for the Opera, “Le Nozze Di Figaro” by W.A Mozart. Lorenzo Regazzo Stage Director; Giovanni Battista Rigon Conductor; Riccardo Longo  Costumes Designer and Stage Coordinator for the “Concerto Ad Honorem” – Teatro dell’Opera of Rome, Italy, for the 15th World Youth Day, organized by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicary General of The Vatican for the Diocese of Rome, and President of the Episcopalian Conference of Italy. Guests included: Jose Carreras, Hong Mae, The High Spirits – Chicago Gospel Group, and the Millenium Orchestra directed by Maestro Renato Serio. (2000)

Before transferring to the United States Ms. Dragoni was the administrative coordinator of the “High Spirits- Chicago Gospel Group”, directed by Shawn Logan, preparing, and maintaining all tour schedules and responsible for the programming of over 300 tour dates in Europe (Italy, France, Switzerland, Vatican City).

In 2000 she would transfer to the United States with her family and continue in her search to expand her knowledge. She would obtain a BFA Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Choreography, Performance and Production, from Columbia College, Columbia, SC in 2007; a MS Master of Science in Business of Entertainment, Full Sail University, Orlando, FL (2013) and a Master in Opera Stage Directing at the Verona Opera Academy, Verona, Italy (2017).

Ms. Dragoni never stopped performing and is a member of the South Carolina Shakespeare Company having performed in “JULIUS CEASAR”, “MACBETH”, “ROMEO AND JULIET” and the SCSC production of “MAN OF LA MANCHA” (Housekeeper, Gypsy).

She was also seen in the Workshop Theatre of South Carolina productions of: “THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE” (Muzzy) directed by Cindy Flack, “SWEENEY TODD” (Choreography) directed by Ellen Schlaefer, “CAROLINE OR CHANGE” (Grandma Gellman and Choreography) musical directed by Jocelyn Saunders, “ANYTHING GOES” (Reno Sweeney) directed by Cindy Flack.

Ms. Dragoni also has the passion for sharing what she has learned through education and personal experience. In 2005 she joined the Dance Department faculty of Columbia College (Columbia, SC) as an adjunct professor. She was part of the Dance Department selection and placement committee, Instructor of all Ballet Technique Levels and Musical Theatre, as well as responsible for participation, preparation and choreography of faculty concerts. In 2007 she would transfer to the University of South Carolina, as a part of the dance department selection and placement committee, Faculty member of the USC Theatre and Dance Department, Instructor of all Ballet Technique levels and Musical Theatre. She also instructed classes of Introduction to Dance, History of Ballet, Dance Composition, Dance Appreciation and World Dance. Ms. Dragoni was also part of the faculty of the USC Dance Conservatory after school program (pre-K to pre-professional), as well as faculty of the USC Summer Intensive Dance program.

While at the University of South Carolina she was the Movement Coach and Language Consultant for singers and actors participating in the Opera Studies master’s Program at the USC School of Music (2009-2015) directed by Ellen Douglas-Schlaefer.

After the pandemic lockdown, Ms Dragoni was able to rejoin her family and relocated to the Chicago South Suburban area. She was most recently seen in John L Ruffin’s Theater 47 production of “Living All Alone – The Phyllis Hyman Musical” and the next will appear in the T47 production of “Imitation of Life”.