Meet Our Team

ERIN MALLON 

Originally from Staunton, Virginia, Erin moved to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue a career in dance. Erin has received training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop from renowned instructors across the United States, making her a versatile choreographer and teacher. Her resume includes performances for major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Pepsi, as well as appearances alongside R&B artist Lee Charm, Reggaeton artist Tyna Q, and on MTV. Erin has also been featured in promotional material for popular TV shows like “America’s Best Dance Crew” and the film “Step Up 3D,” dancing alongside Randy Jackson. Erin currently teaches full-time in New Jersey, where she finds joy in mentoring young dancers, guiding them as they shape their artistic and athletic aspirations.

CAREY COLACURCIO

Carey has been with DDA since the studio opened 15 years ago serving as both an instructor and front office staff. At the age of 2 1/2, she began creative movement and tumbling classes and then trained in tap, ballet, acro, lyrical, hip hop, jazz modern and pointe through age 18. In 2013, in pursuit of her teaching goal she graduated from Broadway Dance Center’s training program in NYC. Carey has also trained with Freespace Dance Company and continued on to their junior company. Carey also serves as head choreographer and assistant director for Maywood Avenue Schools drama and recreation department programs since 2011. Carey thrives on passing her passion of love for the performing arts to DDA students of all ages. 

GABRIELLE MAYER 

Gabby has been a part of DDA since 2009. She is a graduate of BCC with a Degree in Musical Theatre Arts and the founder of the Thespian Alumni Association. She was in over 20 theatre productions including “Cabaret”, “Rent”, “Shakespeare As You Like It” as Ceilia, “Legally Blonde”, “The King and I” as Eliza, “Beauty & the Beast” and “A Fosse Tribute” Director, Producer, Choreographer, and Performer. When she was not performing in stage productions, she choreographed over 15 musicals for local theatre companies and high school productions. Gabby enjoys bringing her passion, excitement, and love of dance to the tiniest dancers. Her greatest joy is watching her students grow and continue to dance through life. 

COURTNEY JORDAN 

New York native Courtney Jordan is a soloist member of the Eglevsky Ballet Company, where she also serves as Régisseur/Répétiteur. She earned a BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, under the direction of Katie Langan, performing works by Christopher D’Amboise (as a soloist), Murray Louis, and Anthony Ferro, among others. Ms Jordan has performed and instructed throughout the country, and has appeared on film and television in Valentine with Leslie Browne, Starz channel’s Flesh and Bone, and Jeopardy! (seriously). She has danced by special request with The American Chamber Orchestra and Trinity Dance Company (for which she also choreographs). Ms. Jordan currently teaches throughout the tri-state area, drawing on her extensive knowledge of Human Anatomy and Kinesiology to focus on solid technique and musicality. Her students have attended The School of American Ballet, Marymount Manhattan College, Boston Conservatory, and Fordham/Ailey, as well as summer programs with SAB, ABT, Complexions, and Kaatsbaan. In 2014, she was a contestant on Jeopardy. She taught Alex Trebek the ballet positions, and he LOVED her shoes. 

AUDREY HANNAH 

Audrey was born and raised in Bentonville, Arkansas who grew up training and competing in ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and lyrical. She has a degree in Early Childhood Development and pursued a professional semester at Broadway Dance Center in 2017. Before making her way to Jersey City. She taught dance and choreographed for 7 years in her hometown and moved to North Carolina where she taught and choreographed for 3 years. Audrey has Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) training and was a member of UnTapped Professional Tap Company and non-profit organization. With a passion for working with children Audrey loves working on the fundamentals of dance with all ages and enjoys encouraging and supporting them along the way. In pursuit of all that she loves, Audrey believes in a strong work ethic, versatility, and fun atmosphere. 

JENNIFER CICHINO 

Jennifer has been dancing since the young age of 3. She entered the competitive world when she was just 9 years old. Since then she has gained numerous national titles and placed top 5 in various solo performances. Some of these top awards were gained at Beyond the Stars, Starbound, Nexstar, Revolution Talent, and the World Dance Championships regional and national competitions. She has studied all genres of dance throughout her career including jazz, contemporary, ballet, acro, tap, pom, and hip hop. She was the captain of her varsity high school dance team at Paramus Catholic and went on to become a part of the Montclair State Dance Team. Through her career on the team, she has gained two collegiate National Titles for Division III at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) Collegiate Championships in Daytona, Florida. She also held a captain’s position on the team’s Executive Board throughout her time on the team. She graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in public health. Jennifer is eager to continue to share her love for dance with her students at DDA while instilling confidence and joy into each and everyone of them. 

ARIANA ACOSTA 

Ariana Acosta has been dancing for 19 years and competitively for five years. As a senior in high school, Ariana self-choreographed her senior solo placing top 10 and winning special judges awards as well as earning competition scholarships. Ariana started teaching/choreographing at 18 years old, where she won regional, national and world championships. In 2016, Ariana won a choreography award for her junior elite team and many more special judges awards. At 17, Ariana was a main dancer in the Cleopatra Clubs “Ride the Night” music video. In 2017, she was a part of Jacqulyn Buglisis’ “Table of Silence Project”, a tribute to those fallen during the 9/11 attack. In the fall of 2018, Ariana was invited to perform a contemporary piece at “Voices of Dance” in NYC as guest company member with Emotions Physical Theatre. Ariana continues to teach and choreograph for classes involving, tap, ballet, hiphop and jazz and continues to take regular classes at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Ariana graduated as a Psychology major with a focus on Dance/Creative Movement Therapy. Her focus is to help others positively express their feelings through dance. 

ROBERT MCBAY

Bio coming soon!

BELLA CRESCENZI 

Bella Crescenzi is a New York-based dance artist, from Staten Island, New York. Her dance training began at Dance Xpress Dance Studio directed by Alison Betso and Daniel Montera, where she competed regionally and nationally. She continued her training with Broadway Dance Center’s Children/Teen Program (CTP) and performed with the BDC Youth Company: Arts In Motion. She travelled with Unique Soulz The Company created by Megz Alfonso of So You Think You Can Dance shortly after and began assisting at masterclasses and dance conventions along the East Coast. Bella continued her dance education at the University of the Arts where she earned her BFA in Dance, under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Bella has performed in numerous artistic works by artists including Josh Assor, Jamal Abrams, Paul Matteson, Netta Yerushalmy, Katie Swords-Thurman, and Curt Haworth. She is currently training professionally at Peridance Center, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway and is a multi-genre movement instructor at various dance studios. Bella is also a 200 HR RYT Yoga Instructor in NYC. Bella is largely passionate about creating a supportive and fun environment for her students to grow into their most expressive selves!

JADE MCFARLANE

Jade has been trained in many dance styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop and musical theatre. She has taught ages 2 1/2 through teen at dance studios, fine arts events, churches, elementary schools and camps. Prior to teaching Jade danced professionally for Hershey Park -PA, Moranz Entertainment at the Charleston Music Hall in South Carolina and onboard Norwegian Cruise Line with Jean Ann Ryan Productions and NCL Productions. She was a featured dancer at the American Music Theatre of Pennsylvania. Jade loves bringing joy, fun and encouragement to children through sharing her love for dance! She is also an Advanced im=x Pilates instructor. 

JONATHAN PENA

Jonathan Manuel Peña who is popularly known as Shwing; is a young dancer who started his performance career in the rough and competitive yards of Greek life. He has won numerous step and stroll competitions and later on continued his passion for performing arts by pursuing dance. He has been dancing professionally as a commercial Hip Hop and Reggaeton dancer for 4 years and has toured with renowned choreographer J Romeo 2 times in both Miami and the Tristate Area. He is also a brand ambassador/Athlete for New York based Urban Dance League and has opened up for Urban Latin sensation Nicky Jam and has performed for El Duo Perfecto. Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Winter, Jingle Ball 2019 and more. “Shwing” has performed on major televised programming like Telemundo and several music videos and is currently choreographing within the Urban Latin Reggaeton industry and teaching in the tristate area. 

SARAH JEAN KAYE-HINDERHOFER

Originally from Freehold, NJ, Sarah Jean Kaye has hung 40 feet in the air upside down, danced around the world, and performed for/opened for Bon Jovi, the Dali Lama, Ice T, and John Legend. In an industry like the performing arts, versatility matters and has blessed Sarah with a diverse career.

Spending 7 years on and off with Celebrity Cruises Line, Sarah helped to open several ships as an inaugural cast member, rehearsal swing, and Aerial Captain and later moved into a behind the scenes position as a Rehearsal Director and Aerial Boot Camp Trainer.

On land, she has toured the US as a company manager & dance captain, performed in countless award ceremonies, industrials, & grand openings, worked as a Trampoline artist in an ad campaign for Hotel Tonight, and danced in numerous casino productions & burlesque shows around the country. Off Broadway credits include Coco & The Vanity Vixens and Broadway Bares.

Aerial performance apparatuses include group, duo, and/or solo work on hoop/lyra, bungee, dance trapeze, Spanish web/chandelier spinning, harness, cloud swing, silks, cubit, dodecahedron, diamond, moon, and statue body balancing.

As a teacher, Sarah’s belief is to always be a forever student, continuing her education with certifications from Progressing Ballet Technique, Acrobatic Arts, Sugarfoot Physical Therapy dance training, and Long + Lean Pilates. 

TARYN WENNERSTEN

Ms. Taryn has been teaching acrobatics & dance classes for the past 17 years. She grew up competing in the world of both dance and gymnastics, training in NJ, NY & CA. She later went on to become Captain of the 1st place National Rutgers University Dance Team and the Head Coach of the renowned Bishop Ahr High School Gymnastics Team.

Ms. Taryn feels most at home in the studio teaching children acrobatics & dance. Her engaging teaching style emphasizes a strong work ethic as she pushes the students to achieve their goals in a fun & positive way. Ms. Taryn hopes to pass on her passion, strength & determination to all her students. She is also the proud mother of four children, in which her 2 daughters have been competing in the world of gymnastics & dance for the past 6 years.

Ms. Taryn feels blessed to be joining the DDA Team surrounded by the young talented stars of tomorrow! 

PRINCE DESROCHES

With over 8 years of professional dance experience, Prince Desroches is a master of Hip Hop, House, and Krump. At 24 years old, his Haitian, French, and Latino heritage brings a unique cultural richness to his dance style.

Prince has been teaching for 6 years, including 2 years at DDA, and was recently signed with the renowned Bloc NYC talent agency. His career highlights include winning the Furia Urbana 2018 Freestyle Battle and securing 2nd place in the Adult Division of Hip Hop International, Dominican Republic, in 2017.

As a teacher, Prince emphasizes positivity, focus, and creativity, guiding his students to find joy and playfulness in their movement.

MACKENZIE POPIELARZ

Mackenzie Popielarz has been dancing since the age of 3, spending 15 years as a competitive dancer, holding a regional and national title while there. She received her undergraduate degree in Communications and Media Arts and a minor in dance from Montclair State University. Mackenzie began assistant teaching dance classes at the age of 16, and has continued teaching dance all throughout her undergraduate career and beyond. She loves to share her enthusiastic excitement for dance to the next generation of dancers!

GREGORY LILES

Greg is a New York City-based dancer, singer, and actor who began his career in his hometown Phoenix at Tempe Dance Academy and Southwest Classical Dance Institute. From there Greg graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance as a Medici Scholar. He has studied with American Ballet Theatre, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago just to name a few. He has danced professionally with Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah, and toured internationally with the company all over Europe. Favorite recent credits include “Footloose” at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, performing with the band “Phish” at Madison Square Garden, and “Head Over Heels” on Broadway.” 

MALISSA LEMANSKI

Growing up immersed in dance, cheerleading, and gymnastics, I developed a deep appreciation for the artistry and discipline of performance. For the past 13 years, I’ve channeled this passion into teaching English as a Second Language to K-5 students in a public school setting, honing my ability to communicate and inspire learners of all ages. Since 2016, I’ve shared my love of dance as an instructor at DDA, where I foster creativity and technique in aspiring dancers. Additionally, my coaching role in recreational cheerleading allows me to instill teamwork and spirit in young athletes. With a diverse background in education and performance, I am dedicated to empowering students to express themselves through movement while fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

KAILENE LAGA

Kailene Laga has been dancing for over 25 years. She has been trained by several top performers in the dance industry. Throughout her dance years, she has received various titles and awards. She was elected an All-American Dancer and Top Gun Turner for the National Dance Alliance, as well as holds five National Titles to her name. She graduated from Ramapo College in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Kailene is the Head Choreographer and Recruiter for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band who performs at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year. She has choreographed and worked with several teams throughout New Jersey and New York. Kailene has always had a passion for dance and is so grateful to be a part of the DDA Faculty!

MEGAN “MEGZ” ALFONSO

Megan “Megz” Alfonso was raised in the Bronx and then moved to Long Island where she began training at Michelle Ferraro’s Dance USA. For the past 34 years she has dedicated her time to teaching dance classes. One of her many accomplishments was the television show “So You Think You Can Dance” where she became one of the Top 6 finalists. She has assisted choreographers Nick Zobrowski at Adrenaline Dance Conventions, Shelia Barker at MPAC, and Cynthia Geffon and Nick Zobrowski at the Choreographer Ball in LA.  Megz has traveled all over the US and UK touring with Deca Dance Company and Matrix/Loreal.  Megz was an extra in the movie Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, danced in the iDog commercial 2009, and appeared in the Step Up movie. She has choreographed and danced for singer, Raquel Castro, from “The Voice”. She also appeared on Fox 5 where she danced for her crew “Decadance Company ” and performed at the Apollo Theatre. In addition, she performed a piece entitled “Four Seasons” at the hip hop festival for London brought to New York. Now, she’s traveling around teaching at conventions and at in studio workshops. Megz aspires to continue training and bettering herself as a dancer, teacher and choreographer so that she can achieve all of her goals for her future and inspire others to do the same.

RALPH DI RIENZO

Ralph Di Rienzo comes to us with more than 25 years of professional ballet performance experience, having been a member of internationally renowned companies such as Joffrey, Metropolitan Opera Ballet and several others. Additionally, he brings more than 30 years of classical ballet teaching experience. The majority of his ballet teaching experience was gained as the Assistant Director of the Baron Ballet Company, and at the Helena Baron School of Ballet where he also uniquely, taught Luigi Jazz. He is an extremely accomplished jazz dancer. With all the roles he’s preformed as a ballet dancer and jazz dancer, together with his involvement with exceptional choreographers, Ralph offers beautifully creative choreography in his classes. Ralph’s in-depth knowledge of classical ballet and his capability to teach the art form is only surpassed by his fun, endearing, gracious personality and his supportive and loving approach to teaching. He is a joy… 

VANJA ZANINOVIC 

VICTORIA GREEN

Victoria Green trained for her professional career at the School of American Ballet in New York City and went on to a 20-year career rising to soloist with New York City Ballet. Her dance credits include world tours with Karole Armitage, Jacob’s Pillow in The Berkshires, and principal dancer with Princeton Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. Victoria also performed with Raul Julia as Anjelica Houston’s dance double (Morticia) in the major-motion pictures Addams Family and Addams Family Values and provided choreography for Blair Underwood in the 1998 film, Deep Impact. She has taught at Steps, Academy of Dance Arts, Jacob’s Pillow, and other studios around the country. She currently resides in Wyckoff, NJ.

ERIN ROE

Erin owned and directed Hawthorne School of Dance for 20 years before recently closing her studio to focus on spending more time with her family. With a lifelong passion for dance that began at the age of three, Erin has trained extensively in various dance techniques. She has taught and choreographed for a wide range of students, from preschoolers to adults. Erin’s professional performance credits include Walt Disney World, Six Flags Great Adventure, Mohegan Sun Casino, NY Giants Stadium, New Jersey Devils, NJ Ironman indoor soccer, and boxing events and promotions at the Prudential Center in Newark. She has also performed with On Stage Productions and Kathy Pucci Production Company. Erin is thrilled to join the DDA dance family! 

SHOSHANNA BABITT

A Florida native, Shoshanna has been dancing since the age of 2. She is technically trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary and heels. Growing up in Orlando, Shoshanna has been choreographing for studio competitions as well dance team competitions for over 10 years. She graduated from UCF with a communications Major and Dance minor and was recognized for her leadership and artistic roles during her time in the program. Shes been apart of the Disneys very merry Christmas parade with The girls of Shake it Up Chicago, RuPauls Drag Race Show, and worked with up and coming artists such as Sami Omari, Anthony Garguila, and Miss Shugacain. She works year after year, judging and teaching at Vitality dance competition/ convention as well as a guest instructor with Sheer Elite competition. She has also had the opportunity to train under many renowned choreographers during her work study at Broadway Dance Center as well as in the group Royal Thieves under Deshawn DePrince. She is also known for her role as an athlete with Urban Dance League and teaches weekly throughout the NYC area.

MARISA MCCARTHY

Originally from New Hampshire, Marisa McCarthy has been dancing since the age of eight. She began her training mostly focusing on ballet and started dancing competitively in high school, training in ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. She went on to earn her BA in Dance from Dean College, where she further studied many genres of dance, performing in several works choreographed by her peers, college faculty members, and esteemed guest artists such as James Morrow, Steve Rooks, Todd Shanks, and Jeremy Ruth Howes. 

In addition to training and performing during her time at Dean, Marisa developed a passion for teaching and choreography. She gained experience both in setting choreography on her peers as well as teaching students of all ages at local dance studios. 

Marisa moved to New York City after graduating and continues to grow as both a dancer and an educator, taking classes and teaching students in the tri-state area. Marisa believes in creating a joyful and positive atmosphere around movement and hopes to instill a passion and love of dance in all of her students. Marisa is so excited to be a part of the DDA family!

CAMILA VASQUEZ 

ABIGAIL DUARDO