Carissa Fodera is a New York City–based arts administrator and program manager with over 12 years of experience leading educational programming, operations, and artist-centered initiatives within the dance community. She currently serves as Program Manager at the internationally acclaimed Peridance Center, where she oversees the renowned Open Class Program consisting of more than 200 weekly classes, workshops, and intensives serving artists from around the world.

Her work includes large-scale program coordination, faculty and artist relations, scheduling and operational management, event planning, and community engagement, with a focus on creating accessible, high-quality experiences for both artists and students. In addition to overseeing daily program operations, Carissa played a key role in Peridance’s 40th Anniversary Season, contributing as Gala Event Planner, Ticketing Coordinator, and Festival Curator.

She has also worked with organizations including Dance/NYC, the Stephen Petronio Company, and INSITU Site-Specific Dance Festival, and has supported institutional initiatives related to accreditation and educational programming.

Carissa holds a Master of Arts in Dance Education from the Arnhold Graduate Dance Education Program at Hunter College, where she also earned New York State K–12 dance teaching certification. She additionally received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Hunter College and her Associate of Arts in Dance from Nassau Community College.

Alongside her administrative work, Carissa has taught dance throughout the Tri-State area in both public and private educational settings and is currently on faculty at The School at Peridance.