Shawnda James Caulfield has been the director for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for several years. Prior to that she worked for Radio City as an assistant choreographer and dance captain in several of their productions across the country. Shawnda has also worked in various regional theaters both […]
Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz, Acro, Choreographer Meghan Frayne started training at the Performing Arts Academy under the direction of Dawn Laviola-Schaub at the age of 9. At PAA, she was also given the chance to train with George Lon, Chris Lee, Mary-Kate Felber, Donna Scro, Yulia Akoypan, Paris Mann, and Andre Shakhin. During her years […]
Pre-School, Ballet/Tap Combo Tumbling For Tots & Acrobatics Jasmine Calhoun has always loved both children and the art of dance. She grew up in Teaneck, NJ, where she started dancing at the age of four, and began assisting her teachers at the age of 10. She taught at the Y in Massachusetts and Ohio […]
Tap Alicia Monaco began dancing at the age of 2 at The Dancer’s Studio in North Haven, CT. Her early training comes from Sharon DiCrosta, and she now continues her studies in NYC with teachers such as Andrew J. Nemr and Derek Grant. Cited for her talents at the age of 9 by Gregory Hines, […]
Yuliya Akopyan graduated from the Moscow Dance Academy, after which she joined the Bolshoi Theater, where she danced for 20 years as a principal dancer and soloist. There, she had the opportunity to dance with Marina Semenova, Galina Ulanova, and Maia Pleisiskaya. During her time with the Bolshoi Theater, Yuliya starred in more than forty principal […]
Luke Bermingham was born and raised in East Granby, CT studying dance in his early years under the direction of Brenda Barna in Southwick, MA. Upon graduating magna cum laude from the Hartt School, under the direction of Stephen Pier, Luke had the privilege of performing classical works by choreographers such as Jose Limon, Martha […]
Laurel Izzi Laurel Izzi has been dancing since she was three years old, and she is trained in all forms of dance, as well as acrobatics and tumbling. As a child, she trained with Dawn Laviola-Schaub, Chris Lee, Mary Kate Felber, Yuliya Akoypan, and George Lon. She is a former Junior Miss Dance of the […]
Danika became a member of the Performing Arts Academy family at the age of 2 and joined the competition team at age 6. She is trained in various styles of dance including hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, musical theatre, tap, and acrobatics. Throughout her time competing, Danika won numerous titles and scholarships including, ADA […]
CHERYL DOWNEY Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Montclair State College. As a member of their dance repertory company, she has performed all over the country including the Gala Concert of the American Dance Festival in North Carolina. She has studied all forms of dance with such esteemed talents as […]
Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary Daniella Cavaleri has trained extensively in all styles of dance and her performance credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Fosse (International/National Tour), Rolling Stones Tour, benefits such as Nothin Like a Dame, and industrials for Walmart, Viacom, and SONY, among others. She has additionally performed with companies such as Mia […]
Andrey Shakhin (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Ballet, Variations, Pas de Deux, Co-owner and Director) Andrey graduated from the Moscow Dance Academy in Russia. In 1979, Andrey joined the Bolshoi Theatre as principal dancer and soloist. He worked with many world class dancers, including Yuri Grigorovich, Marina Semenova, Galina Ulanova, Michael Lavrovsky, Shamil Yagudin, and Vladimir Vasiliev. […]
Tap Chris Lee is an energetic and widely sought-after dance teacher and choreographer. His skill and versatility in both tap and jazz/lyrical, combined with a creative choreographic style, have kept him both very busy and very happy. Chris is a certified member of Dance Masters of America. His teaching credits include Steps on Broadway and Broadway […]
Hip Hop Christina Pioli was born in Bogota, Columbia and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Christina has been dancing for many years, and plans to dance for 100 more. Growing up doing competitions and teaching since she was 16, Christina wanted to make her passion for dance a career. In 2005, she graduated from St. […]
Jazz, Hip Hop, Tumbling for Tots, Ballet & Pre-School Adriana Griffin began dancing at the early age of 3. At the age of 10, she began her training at the Performing Arts Academy, where she trained with some of the best in the dance community. She became a member of PAA’s dance company and traveled […]
Lyrical/Contemporary KC Castellano is currently living in New York, working as a professional dancer and choreographer. Her unique approach to movement and musicality has made her a very sought-after choreographer. Her classes focus on strength, dynamics, and emotional connection. KC is trained in all styles of dance, with a focus on contemporary and hip hop. […]
Christine Rossiello, a native of New Jersey, trained for fourteen years at the Performing Arts Academy studying ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, contemporary, acrobatics, hip hop, and performing on the competitive level. She is fortunate to have trained with PAA’s renowned faculty including Dawn LaViola-Schaub, Yuliya Akopyan, Chris Lee, Mary-Kate Felber, KC Castellano, and Alicia […]
Jazz/Lyrical/Technique Mary Kate Felber is a very well rounded performer, teacher, and choreographer, with 30 years of experience and training in ballet, jazz, acrobatics, tap, hip hop, musical theater, drama, and voice. Her diligence and innovation have made her a highly sought-after choreographer and teacher. Mary has had the opportunity to perform all over the […]
Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop Amanda Egan has been dancing at PAA since the age of three. Over the years, she has earned various awards and honors, including the George Lon Memorial Scholarship, Membership to the United States Dance Team, International Queen of Long Island, Miss Dance of Northern New Jersey, and most recently, first […]
Alexa’s Bio will be up shortly.
Doctor of Physical Therapy David Lee is an experienced and elite gymnastics and tumbling coach. He has served as Head Coach for Strength and Development for elite nationally ranked gymnasts, and has taught gymnastics programs across several age groups. David was an All-American and New Jersey State Champion Gymnast in 1996, and was a New […]