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MEET OUR ARTISTS
Sue Skaddan
Founding Director and Dancer
Sue Skaddan is a dance instructor, artist, dancer, and lover of the arts. She has had a lifetime involvement with dance, music, community theater, and the visual arts. She earned a B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy from SUNY Oswego, and a M.S. in Human Resource Management from Chapman University. She founded HHA in 2013 after serving several years on the Mason Arts Board of George Mason University and helping to establish the GMU School of Dance’s “Friends of Dance” for student scholarships. She began HHA with the intent to support and promote the arts and spread goodwill, especially with seniors. She has produced over 75 dance-based community programs and performances at over 25 venues to inspire life-long movement and foster a love of the arts in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Adolfo Matto Traverso
Associate Director, Choreographer, and Dancer
Adolfo Matto Travero a native of Peru, has been choreographing for HHA since the 2020 pandemic on an exceptional talent Visa. He has been an instructor and choreographer of dance for more than 12 years. Adolfo danced professionally as a soloist and in the corps de ballet of the Ballet Municipal de Lima and the Ballet Nacional del Peru, and as a contemporary dancer with Yvonne von Mollendorff, winning numerous awards for his dance skills. He has created and staged over eight new dances for HHA and has helped produce over 35 performances for area senior-care facilities, senior centers, festivals, and at venues including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner.
Company Dancers, listed in alphabetical order
Kathy Haffey Bova
Kathy Haffey Bova earned a B.A. in Dance and a B.A. in American Studies from the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Va. After graduation, she performed with Dancin’ Unlimited, Harty/Hampton Dance Ensemble and Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theater. Her dance experience provided an entree into local musical theater and as a principal dancer in TV commercials (her favorite one was choreographed by Mickey Rooney’s son, Michael). Gaining acting experience and film contacts, she was cast in a number of film productions and eventually joined the Screen Actors Guild (her most memorable film experience was sharing a hair and makeup trailer with Frances McDormand and being on set with George Clooney). Kathy volunteers at a senior center teaching tap lessons, continues to take dance classes and enjoys performing with HHA
Sally Freeland
Sally Freeland is a lifelong dancer, classical soprano, and dance fitness professional. She holds a Doctor of Music in Voice from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has recently been a guest soloist and recitalist at the Washington, D.C., Temple Visitors’ Center and a soloist with The Woodlands Chorale. Previously, she appeared as Muffin in the collegiate premier of William Bolcom’s A Wedding and as Velma in West Side Story with IU Opera Theater, as well as being a recurring soloist with IU New Music Ensemble. Sally is also a church choir director and a hobby baker. She resides in Sterling, Va., with her husband Jon and their three daughters.
Rachel Goldberg
Rachel Goldberg began ballet and tap lessons at age 8 and has been dancing ever since. She joined HHA in 2016 and is grateful for this community of creative women. Previously, Rachel danced with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland (formerly Ballet Theatre of Annapolis), Harrisburg Ballet, Ballet Theater of Pennsylvania, and Scranton Civic Ballet, performing classical ballet, contemporary, modern, and jazz works. Believing that everyone can
dance, Rachel enjoys teaching students ages 4 through adult, including the Dance for
PD® program.
Grace Lalonde
Grace Lalonde began ballet lessons at age 6 ½ . She received a B.A. in Dance from Mary Washington College and during college took the Royal Academy of Dance Major Elementary Exam earning a “Commended” score. After college she performed with Hampton-Harty Dance Company and Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theatre. She was later admitted to the University of Oklahoma for graduate work in dance and performed with the university dance company. She has taught dance in Fairfax and Montgomery counties. Grace served as a member and Vice President of the Board of Directors for Hope Garden Children’s Ballet Theatre in Poolesville, Md., and performed with the group. She currently takes class at Greater Washington Dance Center.
Patricia Langan
Patricia Langan is happy to be back dancing again after a 30-year break and is thrilled to be a member of the Helping Hearts Through the Arts dance company. She holds a Master’s of Public Policy degree from Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University. While attending these schools, Patricia danced in their modern repertory companies. She is a founder and principal of Consulting For A Better World, a global boutique consulting firm. For over 20 years she has lived and worked throughout the world providing strategic management and fundraising consulting to global and local non-profits, most notably in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Japan, and Ukraine. Patricia’s most recent passion, in addition to dance, is ethical fashion. She is the founder of Women for Women’s Wear, a network of women who love clothes and care about who makes them.
Claudia Maloney
Claudia Maloney is a native Arlingtonian, and along with her husband Paul, raised three sons there. Claudia enjoys sharing her love of the arts, baking, discussing current events, and is a retired Arlington Public Schools elementary teacher. While spending 20 years sharing her love for learning with her students, she was also able to study different forms of movement, including ballet, modern, and liturgical dance. She and her husband are active in their neighborhood association where they plan yearly activities, including a Veteran’s Day dinner that raises funds for Fisher House and Wounded Warriors. Dancing and playing piano for audiences with HHA is a joy and a treasure to Claudia, and it fills her with happiness and gratitude.
Susan McQuade
Susan McQuade has loved taking ballet classes since age 5, and received Cecchetti training in the Chicago area. She was in a dance company in Michigan, and really enjoys sharing her love of dance and music wherever possible. In addition, Susan has been playing clarinet for over 55 years. She studied clarinet at the National Music Camp (currently known as the Interlochen Arts Camp) and at the University of Michigan. She is a former member of the Capital Wind Symphony and the National Concert Band of America and has played in many orchestras in the Washington, D.C., area.
Peg Schaefer
Peg Schaefer has danced with HHA since it was founded in 2013. She was a Montessori teacher for 27 years and has three adult sons and four grandchildren. Peg has always loved dance but only started taking ballet and modern dance classes in her 30s when her three boys were out of their “baby hood.” She has performed with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Jane Franklin Dance, Nancy Havlik’s Performance Group, Gin Dance and AFTA’s Quicksilver group, and continues to take adult ballet and modern dance classes.
Our Musicians
Carol and Sid Dunn
Sid and Carol Dunn are the flute and guitar duo Musaic. They have been making music together for over 50 years, which fills their lives with joy! They have played for weddings, receptions and all types of functions in the DC area, and have had the pleasure of being involved with Helping Hearts Through the Arts since its founding. Sid has been playing guitar since he was 13 years old and put himself through college playing in various bands. He now plays multiple instruments including the cello and fiddle. Carol plays flute, sings and was a modern dancer for over 25 years. Carol also is currently dancing with Jane Franklin 40+ and Helping Hearts Dance.
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