Email: info@padnj.com
Francesca Crupi graduated Magna Cum Laude from the prestigious Boston Conservatory, receiving a BFA in Contemporary Dance with an emphasis in jazz performance.As a proud member of the Actors Equity Association she is currently a professional dancer at WDW. Growing up as a competitive dancer since the age of four, she has trained in various genres such as jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, tap, contemporary, African dance, salsa, musical theatre and swing dance. From the ages nine to twelve she professionally danced as a “Nets Kid” on the New Jersey Nets basketball team. Also during this time Francesca modeled for a kids dance catalog called A Wish Come True. With an interest in Pure Barre, she was certified in this technique through the American Barre Program. Along with dancing, she found a passion for choreography. She was awarded America’s Choreographer Of The Year for her piece “Between Elements” in 2021 and her piece “My Way” was awarded Elite 6 Champion in 2023.Since graduating college she has danced professionally for the Walt Disney Company. In November 2017, she had the honor to dance in the Walt Disney Worlds “Saks 5th Ave Light Show” and to perform next to Disney’s Descendants, Sophia Carson. In 2020 she was a dancer in Festival Of Fantasy Parade, Move It Shake It Mouskedance It, and Hoedown Happening in the Magic Kingdom. Currently you can find her as an equity dancer for special events at WDW. In 2022 she was apart of the inaugural cast for the Disney Wish Christening. Not only is performing and dancing her passion, but she loves to share every bit of knowledge that she gains with her students.
Kelby Brown scored simultaneous achievements on stage, film and in the television world. Kelby has performed with some of the biggest stars in entertainment including Lady Gaga, Madonna, Usher and he choreographed the feature film, " Spring Breakdown", starring Parker Posey and SNL's stars Amy Phoeler and Rachel Dratch. Some of his most outstanding dance accomplishments include roles with Ballet Chicago, State Ballet of Missouri, Hartford Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet Company and the Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center. Kelby also danced a principal role in Los Angeles Opera's production of a Merry Widow, and as the "Oiseau", in Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas production of "Mystere". The biggest highlight of his career came when he was asked to be a charter member of Celine Dion's highly acclaimed Las Vegas production of "A New Day", where he worked with Director, Franco Dragone and choreographer, Mia Michaels. He can be seen in the feature film, The Dance Flick, Transformers 2, SYTYCD, (dancing alongside Lady Gaga), Gossip Girl and the hit HBO series, Weeds. He has also worked with some of the top choreographers in the business including Mia Michaels, Dave Scott, Michael Rooney, Sonya Tayeh, Stacy Tookey and Tony Testa. Kelby has made appearances on MTV's House of Style, Good Day Live LA, the Today's Show, World Music Awards and Oprah Winfrey. Choreography credits include MTV’s “Awkward”, the opening number of the 20th anniversary Kid's Choice Awards, starring multi-platinum selling recording artist, Justin Timberlake and Opera Noire's homage to the legendary Arthur Mitchell, founder and director of Dance Theatre of Harlem. Kelby Brown began his professional dance and entertainment career at a young age, and successfully parlayed his experiences into choreography and teaching both nationally and internationally. Kelby has been on the dance faculty with Celine Dion, and at the infamous Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, Millenium Dance Complex in LA, the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in NY, as well as The School of Ballet Chicago, State Ballet of Missouri and Champs Charter High School of Performing Arts. He has taught on numerous dance conventions including Dance Masters of America, The Pulse, LA Dance Force and Urban Jamm. Kelby trained at Walnut Hill School of the Arts in Boston and continued his training at the School of American Ballet, (the official school of the New York City Ballet). At the same time, he also studied hip hop, jazz, tap and contemporary. Kelby went on to build a career that includes everything from principal roles with classical ballet companies to film, television, choreography and hosting credits.
Kelby continues to work as a dancer, actor and choreographer in numerous live industrials, commercials, stage and tv/film productions.
Jamie Salmon has over 35 years of experience as a professional dancer and educator. Jamie's classes are based on a fusion of the varied syllabus learned from her training at the finest dance academies in the USA. She trains and shares her passion for ballet with her students emphasizing details, alignment, kinesthetic awareness, musicality and phrasing, using imagery and physical, 'hands on corrections' throughout the class.
(* Current, ** Past)
Professional Teaching:
*Broadway Dance Center NYC Ballet and Pointe All Levels/ages
*Peridance Capezio Center NYC Ballet All Levels/ages, Certificate Program Faculty
*Ballet Academy East NYC:
All Levels Open classes
*Prestige Academy of Dance NJ Ballet and Pointe All levels 7-18 years
**The Ailey School,
**The Joffrey Ballet School, **Irine Fokine Ballet,
**For Dancers Only
Competitions/Conventions/Workshops
*Dance Theatre USA/International,
*Sheer Talent,
*Dance Educator Development, *The Pulse,
**DMA,
**DEA,
**Dance Caravan
**Professional Dance Teachers Association
**Stars of Tomorrow
Boards/Mentoring/Coaching
*Faculty Board Member , Mentor and Coach in all Education Departments, Masterclasses at Broadway Dance Center NYC
*Mentors and Coaches all genres for dancers
Competitive, novice and professional nationally and internationally.
Training:
Began with Melissa Hayden, Dana Kennedy Paul Mejia, Juan Anduze
*North Carolina School of the Arts ( now UNCSA)
*School of American Ballet
(Sponsored and mentored by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon)
*The Joffrey Ballet School NYC
*Finis Jung, *David Howard
Acting/Theatre:
Betty Cashman
Professional career
Started with Joffrey Ballet Concert Group and continued extensive performance career dancing and acting in Industrials, Regional Theatre, Commercials and Film
Has danced classical, neoclassical, contemporary and commercial works in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary Jazz, Musical Theatre and with a range of Choreography by Fokine, Petipa, Balanchine to Luis Falco just to name a few.
Francesca Nieves began her training as a young girl under the tutelage of Zelma Bustillo, Lisa Lockwood and later Leslie Browne. She grew up studying Tap, Jazz, Modern, Flamenco, Ballroom Dance and Ballet. Ms. Nieves is a graduate from the University of Michigan (UM) where she received a BFA in Dance and a BA in Sociology. At UM she studied with Amy Chavasse, Bill DeYoung, Daniel Gwirtzman, Judy Rice and Sandra Torijano. As a pre-professional she performed with the Ballet Hispanico Ensemble under the direction of Zelma Bustillo where she performed for Mayor Blumberg, City Hall in NYC, Good Morning America, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, JP Morgan Chase, Plaza Hotel, Grand Hyatt, the Walk to Cure Diabetes (Queens, NY and Battery Park, NY), the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Hispanic Society of America. As part of the UM dance company, she performed works such as Merce Cunningham's Minevent, Carolyn Dorfman's Cat's Cradle, Laura Dean's Impact as well as other faculty pieces. In 2009, Ms. Nieves traveled to Costa Rica to perform for the nationally renowned band, Editus in the Auditorio Nacional de Costa Rica. Francesca Nieves started her professional dance career at at age 16 at Ballet Hispanico in 2006; in 2008 she became full Company member. With Ballet Hispanico, she has performed works by Tina Ramirez, Willie Rosario, Pedro Ruiz, and Alexander Magno. She joined New Jersey Ballet in 2011 and has performed in Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Death and the Maiden, Giselle (Full length), Nutcracker, Pinocchio, and Sleeping Beauty. Francesca is currently freelancing and devotes much of her time to teaching in studios in and around the tristate area.
Mia DiLena, originally from Toronto, graduated from the Certificate program at The Ailey School (NYC). Mia performed on tour with Travis Wall in his company, Shaping Sound, in the shows “After the Curtain” and “Dance Reimagined”. She also performed Travis’ choreography for Jennifer Lopez at the American Music Awards (LA). In 2019, Mia performed in the original Off-Broadway Musical “Alice By Heart” where she was the dance captain. Mia has worked with Stacey Tookey on the original creation of DANCER, A Musical in Ten Furlongs and additionally as an assistant at her Camp Protege (CAN). Some of Mia’s film and television credits include Disney’s The Music Man, and several music videos including The Jonas Brothers and Blake McGrath. Mia has danced in a number of Toronto-based companies including Helix Dance Project, Bridge To Artists, Conteur Dance Company, and TOES FOR DANCE. Mia has judged for many competitions including JUMP, Nuvo, Radix, 24/Seven, and On The Floor (CAN) and she has been teaching and choreographing at dance studios across North America for over a decade.
Yvonne Setlock, a New Jersey native, graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Business. While at Montclair State University, Yvonne studied many different modern techniques such as Limón, Taylor, Horton, and O’Donnell. She also performed in works by various choreographers such as Jessica DiMauro, Lynne Grossman, Christian Von Howard, Nancy Lushington, Frederick Earl Mosley, Mark Morris, Antony Tudor, and an original work by Larry Keigwin. In 2015, Yvonne had the opportunity to perform José Limón’s A Choreographic Offering at The Joyce Theater in New York City. In 2016, Yvonne had the opportunity to perform Martha Graham’s Panoramaat the Martha Graham Studios. In 2017, Yvonne accepted a performing contract with Norwegian Cruise Lines to join the Norwegian Gem vessel. She performed in three main stage shows: Swing! The Broadway Musical, Get Down Tonight, and Blazing Boots. Yvonne was fortunate enough to even work with the director and choreographer of Swing, Lynne Taylor-Corbett. While in rehearsals, Yvonne also trained in being a Bungee Dancer for Swing as well as being the “West Coast Swing” feature couple. Yvonne is now a NJ Certified Teacher of Dance for grades K-12 for public schools. She currently teaches middle school students in East Rutherford, NJ. Yvonne continues to teach and choreograph all styles of dance such as Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary/Lyrical. She is the choreographer of Candance’s Junior National Champs 2019 group “Hanuman”. Yvonne loves teaching at Prestige Academy of Dance, and it will forever be her home.
Patrick Daniel is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer living in Brooklyn, New York. While attending high school he had extensive training with Orlando Ballet, ABT Austin, The Rock School, and Joffrey Ballet. Upon completion of high school he attended the University Of The Arts in Philadelphia on full scholarship for 2 years. After his second year in college Patrick began touring with Bad Boys of Ballet for 5 years across Europe and performing at various industrials. Patrick has also danced with Stacey Tookey’s Still Motion Dance Company, shot a music video for Logo TV and shot a commercial for the brand OPPO. Most recently in 2021 Patrick worked in Dubai at the Expo 2020 for a residency show with a Stacey Tookey. Now residing in New York he teaches and choreographs for professional and preprofessional students globally and signed as a dancer with MSA Agency
For the past 23 years I have coached the sport of gymnastics and sports alike. I have had the pleasure to teach not just artistic gymnastics from recreational to level 9 but power tumbling (levels 4 to 9), sports acrobatics (level 4 to 9), beginning rhythmic gymnastics (floor only) Diving, Trampoline, powerlifting and olympic weightlifting. Due to my expertise and experience in the world of gymnastics, I have been teaching dancers for the past 18 years. This experience has allowed my skills and knowledge to grow, understand and create a curriculum specially for the needs of any dance level.
In addition to my experience as a teacher/coach I have worked as an Athletic Performance Enhancement Specialist for over 12 years, allowing me to be a more aware coach to an individual's physical abilities, creating a well rounded teaching experience.
Alexa, a Native of Wayne New Jersey, has been dancing since the age of 2 in styles such as tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, modern, musical theater, and hip hop. By 5, she was competing across the US and won various awards and was recognized for her many technical dance abilities.
A proud student of Dina Crupi, she was not only taught the fundamentals of the art of dance, but also was inspired to become a teacher and choreographer. At age 12, she began assisting, learning and growing under her guidance.
Her dedication & passion to dance continued into college, where she was a member of the Monmouth dance team and had the incredible opportunity to perform at prestigious venues across the US.
As an academic achiever, she earned a degree in Business from Monmouth, which further enhanced her skill set and opened doors for professional growth in a corporate setting.
She surrounds herself with all aspects of living a healthy, fit lifestyle & actively participates in various fitness classes from Pilates to boxing, yoga, and conditioning. Alexa is honored to be a staff member at Prestige Academy of Dance, and looks forward to sharing her love and passion of dance with young dancers.
Haley Connington is a New Jersey native, who started dancing at the age of three, and began competing at the age of seven. She trained in various styles of dance such as, ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop. Haley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. At FSU, she performed works choreographed by Anjali Austin, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Donna Uchizono, Yayun Li, and Aigars Larionovos. During her fall semester of senior year 2019, Haley interned at Broadway Dance Center working with the marketing team, learning the ropes of how to run a business. She is the fitness model for the 2020 Dance Spirit Magazine promoting exercises to help dancers, and athletes who have gone through a growth spurt, and also a model for the Broadway Dance Center’s 2020 marketing brochures for their upcoming summer professional semester. Haley choreographed a piece called Do You Remember for the BDC summer professional semester performance, showcased at the Dixon Place in New York City. Along with performing and modeling, Haley enjoys teaching dance to the younger generation of dancers. She has always been inspired by choreographers who test the limitations of gravity, and pushes dancers to be their very best by stepping outside of their comfort zone. She believes in the importance of dance education, and allowing her students to be creative and know how to represent their individuality. Haley is honored to be a staff member at Prestige Academy of Dance, and looks forward to sharing her love and passion of dance with young dancers.
Miss Andrea started dancing at age 10. Her passion for dance led her to dance competitively from the age of 11 until she graduated high school. Miss Andrea went on to further her education in dance at Montclair State University where she graduated in 2002 with Bachelors of Arts Degree in Dance and Bachelors of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition. She went on to further her education and holds Masters of Science degree in Health Systems Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. Miss Andrea has continued to support her passion for dance and healthy living by been teaching the youngest of dancers for over 20 years. Miss Andrea believes in the artistic potential of each student. She encourages creative expression, hard-work, and FUN through every genre of dance!
“As a teacher I want to foster an environment that creates wonderful memories for you and your dancer! I am honored to be a part of the PAD family.”
Michelle Young was born in Freehold, New Jersey where she started dancing at the age of three years old. Michelle started her pre-professional training under the direction of Lisa Twamley and Melanie Kramer at the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Howell High School. Additionally, she trained and attended dance competitions with the Freehold Academy of Performing Arts. After high school, Michelle decided to pursue her dance career in Boston, Massachusetts. In May of 2019, Michelle graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance Performance. While at the conservatory, Michelle performed in mainstage works by Tommie Waheed Evans, Yury Yanowski, and Jon Ole Olstad. In addition to performance, Michelle took on the role of assistant rehearsal director for a piece choreographed by Uri Sands. This experience inspired her to explore possibilities regarding the coaching of movement for performance. Since graduating, Michelle has practiced her knowledge of dance by teaching and choreographing award winning pieces for dance competitions across New Jersey. Not only does she teach dance but she has further educated her understanding of the anatomy of movement by becoming a Pure Barre fitness instructor. As a teacher, Michelle feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times. Michelle wants to see all of her students succeed and empowers the children and adults she teaches to be the best version of themselves.
Kamryn Spagnuolo has been dancing since the age of 2 in styles such as tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, modern, musical theater, hip hop and some forms of ballroom. In addition to her dance training, she’s also been trained in singing, acting and is a self-taught contortionist since the age of 13. Kamryn spent some time training in NYC at a dance conservatory and has also done numerous workshops, drop-in/master classes and dance conventions. She has since choreographed/co-choreographed dances, co-choreographed musicals some in which she also performed in since the age of 12 and has been teaching for now 5 years. She’s also helped choreograph for up and coming artists as well as dance alongside them for music videos and performances amongst doing other dance performances for Honda and event at MetLife stadium. Kamryn continues her dance training today at places like Broadway Dance Center, Peridance Capezio Center, Steps On Broadway. She has even gotten to take from big name dancers like Guy Groove, Tiler Peck, Gianna Martello, Chantelle Aguirre, Eva Igo, Lisa La Touche and Chloe Arnold. Currently she is apart of a dance company called Transcendence Dance Company where they have performed at a variety of places one being World Of Dance. Kamryn hopes to bring the same passion she feels for dance to each of her students while building each and every one of them up!
Jillian Widmayer received her BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University in NYC and spent over a decade as a professional performing artist all over the globe. As a proud member of the Actors Equity Association she has performed in prestigious NYC and regional theaters including The Theater at St Clements (off-Broadway), Music Theater of Connecticut, and The Papermill Playhouse. Additionally, she was a National Anthem singer for the NY Knicks, spent a year headlining a luxury cruise liner, toured casino’s worldwide, and performed as 80’s popstar Debbie Gibson’s swing in a large scale Cirque production. Jillian is a certified early childhood educator and has been teaching musical theater for the past 8 years in NY and NJ. She is also a preschool teacher and mom of 2. Jillian is extremely passionate about using her talents and experience to work with children of all ages and help them experience the joys of artistic expression and performance!
Victoria Agrifolio is from Fairfield, New Jersey and began dancing at age three. She studied at the School of American Ballet for five years, and while at the School, she danced in student workshops and performed roles in multiple productions with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center, including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Mozartiana, amongst others. Victoria had the opportunity to dance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, perform during the Lincoln Center Tree Lighting, and appear in the movie Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake. She was a member of New Jersey Ballet’s Junior Company and performed major roles with their main company including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Giselle, and others. She spent her summers training with the Miami City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Victoria graduated with degrees in both dance and journalism from New York University in 2017. While there, she had the opportunity to perform works by Trisha Brown, Stefanie Batten Bland, Giada Ferrone, Cherylyn Lavagnino, Jeremy Nelson, and others. She performed in the Santa Fe Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus with choreography by Seán Curran and was also part of the domestic and international tours of “Isadora” starring Natalia Osipova with choreography from Vladimir Varnava. Victoria continues to take class, perform, and teach.
Justine Capria Morrill a native of New Jersey, graduated from the University of the Arts in 2009, with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance. Justine was a member of The Xhale Dance Company in Philadelphia where she choreographed and danced in numerous performances including the Philly Fringe Festival. Justine was a part of Marinspired the storyteller’s, under the direction of Marinda Davis, where she performed in the company’s NYC debut “Breakable,” and also performed at the Capezio A.C.E awards. She has also performed in two APAP showcases at Peridance Capezio Center in NYC, works by Michael Susten and Marinda Davis. Justine can be seen on season 5 of The Dr. Oz show as an OZ dancer, along side Stepp Stewart. Aside from performing Justine Capria Morrill has a passion for teaching and choreographing for award winning competitive dance studios, dance teams, and performing arts high schools throughout. New Jersey where her work has received numerous choreography awards.
Ashley graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance with a concentration in studio teaching. She has worked with various choreographers and has been in multiple pieces during her time there including but not limited to, Nancy Lushington, Karen Gayle, Earl Mosely, Jay T Jenkins, and Joao Carvalho. Ashley has danced professionally for five years as an NFL Cheerleader for the New York Jets and has performed at numerous media/promotional appearances and charity events. She also has performed on various morning shows such as Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, and CBS2 NY. She has also performed during pregame at SuperBowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium and Various events in Time Square during the week leading up to the big game. Ashley is the head coach for the Raritan High School Dance Team and is the Spring Musical Choreographer. She is an award winning choreographer and has worked with students of all ages ranging from 2-18. Above all, Ashley creates a positive and dynamic class, combined with her enthusiastic personality and heartfelt energy that shows off her passion for dance! Ashley is very excited to share her passion with the students at Prestige Academy of Dance!
Michael Susten is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance and was honored with the Choreography Prize upon graduation. In 2006 Michael moved to Orlando, Florida to pursue a job offer at the Walt Disney World Resorts, where he went on to perform in “The Festival of the Lion King” and Magic Kingdom’s “Trolley” Show. He then became a seasonal employee and continued to perform over the next five years. He also had the opportunity to choreograph and perform for Disney’s ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade. While a sophomore in college, Michael created the Xhale Dance Company, a contemporary company based in the heart of Philadelphia. He produced and directed eleven shows while he was still a student. In addition to their seasonal productions, the company also performed in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, The Koresh Artist Showcase and The Choreographer’s Canvas. After graduation Michael continued producing his company, while teaching at studios in the Tri-State Area, including Dance New Amsterdam in NYC. In 2010 Michael and his dancers were selected to showcase his work in the Dance Underneath the Stars Choreography Festival in Palm Springs, California. The Xhale Dance Company also had the opportunity to perform as a guest with Tracie Stanfield’s Synthesis Dance Project, before celebrating its 5th Anniversary concert, here at the Salvatore Capezio Theatre at Peridance. Michael was honored to be a finalist in the International Choreography Competition at Jazz Dance World Congress. He was featured in Dance Teacher Magazine (November 2012 issue) and also won the video of the month. This March Michael had the debut of his new company Michael Susten & Company which was a two night sold out even held in NYC. This May Michael showcased his work in the Pushing Progress Showcase for the second time. Michael Susten is currently on the guest artist roster at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and is an adjudicator and master class teacher for regional and national competitions and continues to travel the country to educate and inspire young artists.
Kristin Seneca is one of the most diverse dancers in the industry. She has extensive commercial and conservatory based training, has a BA degree in Dance Education with a Minor in Business from Montclair State University’s College of the Arts and is a certified Zumba fitness instructor. Some of her performance credits include Kat DeLuna’s “Drop It Low” music video, The Wendy Williams Show, Crystal Waters @ Madison Square Garden, artist DOMO (The Voice – Season 3), Hip Hop Squares on MTV2, Legends of Freestyle Tours for artists Rockell, Cynthia, Joe Zangie, Noel and hip hop legends The Sugar Hill Gang, Radio City Music Hall, The Moscow Ballet’s “Russian Nutcracker”, Taj Mahal Arena, Disneyworld, World of Dance, KTU’s Beatstock at PNC Arts Center & Jones Beach, Coca-Cola, NJPAC and a private event for Madonna. Kristin is a member of Rhythm City Entertainment, Ashle Dawson’s Breaking Comformity Productions, Latin Fusion Dance Project and has been a cast member of the “Dead Man’s Party” show at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest for the past 3 seasons. She is on staff at various studios in the tristate area (teaching ages 2 through adult), teaches masters classes, is an award winning choreographer & is the co-creator of the “unbreakable” workshop focusing on injury prevention for dancers (launching this season). Kristin is honored & excited to be on staff and looks forward to sharing her passion, knowledge and experience with the talented dancers at Prestige Academy of Dance!