One of the biggest differences that you’ll see when your children are enrolled in dance classes at Fancy Feet Dance Studio is the quality of instructors that we have. The director of our studio puts effort into the training that each instructor receives so that the same approach and formatting are the same. Below is a list of the instructors that your child will be working with, and a little about their background. We know that you’ll be happy with each of these individuals and your experience at Fancy Feet.
Angela D’Angelo started with Fancy Feet Dance Studio at the age of four. When Angela was thirteen years old she became part of Fancy Feet’s Competition Team. She studied with various choreographers and has competed in many competitions.
Throughout the years Angela has celebrated the opportunities Fancy Feet Dance Studio has brought to her, including her three performances in Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, Hershey Park, various nursing homes in the Bronx, Norwegian Cruise Line and many more. Angela loves being part of the Fancy Feet Family and cannot imagine her life without it!
Alyssa Di Maggio was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and has been a part of the Fancy Feet family for over twenty five years.
Starting from when she was a toddler, Alyssa always had a passion for dance. When she was nine she became a member of the Fancy Feet Dance Company. While on the competition team she won numerous awards and had opportunities to travel with her team performing in places like Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Hershey Park and Norwegian Cruises. Alyssa credits her passion and love of dance to her teachers at Fancy Feet as they always inspired her to become not only the best dancer, but the best person, she could be. When given the opportunity to minor in dance at Iona College she leaped at the opportunity knowing it would allow her expand her knowledge of the art form and further deepen her passion.
In 2012 Alyssa was honored by the Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children with the teacher of the year award.
Alyssa strives to inspire each one of her students the way she was and still is inspired at Fancy Feet. “I couldn’t imagine my life without Fancy Feet, and I want to make sure the children I teach feel the same way. They amaze me with their progress and I love to see them having fun.”
Denica Durr, a native of northeast Ohio began dancing at the age of 8. She is a classical trained dancer and has studied at CLEVELAND CITY DANCE, THE CLEVELAND SCHOOL OF BALLET and spent two summers working with PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE. Upon being accepted to THE AILEY SCHOOL, she has recieved a certificate of dance in their two year program and spent an additional year on scholarship where she had the pleasure of working with various choreographers throughout the company. Denica has appeared on “THE DREW CAREY SHOW” has performed at CITY CENTER and helped launch a modern dance company “GRITTY CHERRIES” where she was showcased at THE JOYCE SOHO THEATRE. Denica is extremely proud to be a teacher of the FANCY FEET DANCE COMPANY and equally blessed to be a part of the FANCY FEET family, where she can share her love and passion for the art of dance.
Amanda Durst was born and raised in Erie, PA where she began dancing at the age of three. She trained in all styles of dance and was also a member of the Long’s Performing Arts Team LLC and traveled to Disney World twice to perform. Amanda also spent a year on faculty with Long’s School of the Dance, training under Long’s co-founder Marge Long.
In 2009, Amanda graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre. While attending BoCo she had the privilege of studying with and attending master classes with many world renowned performing artists. During her time in Boston, Amanda developed a dance program for a Watertown cheer leading academy, Full Out Cheer. Her Junior and Senior teams became National Champions and were invited to compete in Hawaii by the World Spirit Federation.
After graduating, Amanda moved to NYC! She has performed regionally and toured nationally with multiple productions and companies such as; The Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Trumpet in the Land, Once Upon A Time Inc., American Family Theatre Co., and The Secret Theatre. Amanda is also an Acting and Drama teacher that has worked with South Asian Youth Action, American Dance and Drama, and CloverPrep Academy to bring the performing arts to students across the Queens borough.
Amanda is proud to be a member of the Fancy Feet faculty and family.
Treasure Anne Kosits has been part of Fancy Feet Dance Studio for over twenty years. Treasure began dancing at the age of two with her very first class being creative movement taught by Miss Susan herself. Treasure gradually accelerated to taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pointe, and gymnastics and many more. At the age of ten, as Treasure’s love for dance grew, she auditioned and became part of the Fancy Feet Dance Company. To this day, Treasure still remains part of the Elite Senior Company here at Fancy Feet.
Through the years, Treasure traveled with Fancy Feet to numerous competitions, winning countless awards for herself and her team. She has performed with Fancy Feet in Hershey Park, as well as Walt Disney World three times, on Norwegian Cruise Line – The Spirit, and of course in recitals for over two decades. Besides her award winning dance record, Treasure has been teaching at Fancy Feet for over eight years. With the inspiration of Miss Susan and Miss Karen, Treasure is pleased to be able to share her love of dance with her students, just as she has been taught.
In 2007, Treasure had the honor of being nominated “Dance Teacher of the Year” by the Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, for her teaching excellence. Treasure finds it rewarding and heart warming to see the smile on a child’s face and the sparkle in their eye when they grasp a step or routine.
Treasure is truly blessed to be part of the Fancy Feet Dance Studio’s past, present and future!
Danielle Lugo has been a part of the Fancy Feet Family for over 25 years, with background skills in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Gymnastics.
At the age of seven, she auditioned and become a part of the Fancy Feet Dance Company. Throughout the past 20 years, she has traveled Nationwide and won countless awards with the Fancy Feet Dance Company. Danielle had the opportunity to perform in Hershey Park, Walt Disney World in ’98, ’06 and ’08, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Lincoln Center.
She has also had the privilege of dancing and working with Hip-Hop Superstar Sean “P-Diddy” Combs, Pop-Star Christina Aguilera, Pop Group Danity Kane and Choreographer to the Stars and MTV’s Making the Band, Laurie Ann Gibson. Her dance skills did not stop there, Danielle then went on to be a finalist for the NBA”s Knicks City Dancers, Boston Celtics Dancers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils Dancers.
In 2010 she was recognized not only for her hard work, dedication and passion for dance, but for her love of teaching children in the Bronx Community. The Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children awarded Danielle with the Teacher of The Year award after 10 years of teaching at Fancy Feet Dance Studio.
She loves to share her skills and passion for dance with children of all ages and hopes to continue more amazing accomplishments in the future.
Tamika has been dancing since the age of 9. She immersed herself in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Gymnastics where she quickly progressed. Tamika auditioned for Fancy Feet Dance Company and from the minute she was in Company she began winning Gold and Platinum awards.
She has performed at WALT DISNEY WORLD, HERSHEY PARK and on NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE and has worked with amazing choreographers. Tamika believes that the foundations in dance are very important. She feels that the discipline that dance provides are life lessons that can be used in many areas of your life.
Tamika is happy to be part of the Fancy Feet Family and hopes to inspire young dancers.
Corey Wright was born in Baltimore Maryland and grew up mainly training in gymnastics. Starting dance at the age of 16 he knew the only way to catch up was to train with the best so he moved to New York right after high school. He’s completed the professional semester at Broadway Dance Center and now has just finished his 2nd season with the contemporary dance company Victory Dance Project. With his gymnastics background he loves to infuse athletic movement in his dancing.
Orit Hirsch – Professional Tap dancer and dance teacher from Israel, studied in 2 of the biggest Tap schools in Israel under the guidance of Mandy Kol, Sharon Lavi and Zvia Brumer at Ra’anana Dance Center, and Yuval Beck at Yuval Beck Tap Studio.
Orit was a member of TEMPO group and performed in the show Time2Tap (24 dancers and live musicians at the Giv’atayim Theatre in Israel, Artistic Director: Yuval Beck) and participated in international tap festivals studying with teachers from the USA and Europe. She worked with big theaters in Israel (‘Cameri’ Theatre and ‘Habima’ Theatre) as a Tap coach for the productions of ‘Funny Girl’, ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Singing In The Rain’.
Orit has been teaching in Israel for the past 5 years and currently living and teaching in NYC (trained in Tap, Ballet and Contemporary Lyrical).
Candace Jarvis, originally from Ontario, is a professional dancer now based in New York City. She graduated as a Certificate Student from The Ailey School in 2015, and since has gone on to perform works by several well-known choreographers in venues all across the US.
Candace performed in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations Cast of 50 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center and took part in Robert Battle’s New Directions Choreographers Lab at The Ailey School. Additionally, she performed as a featured guest artist in Exit Like An Animal for KEIGWIN + COMPANY’s 2015 Joyce Season.
Candace has a range of experience with company work, being a former member of Awaken Dance Theater—directed by Rebekka Nodhturft and currently entering her third season with Nai Ni Chen Dance Company. Furthermore, Candace has performed work under the direction of choreographers such as Amy Hall, Tracy Inman, Carlos Dos Santos, Norbert De La Cruz III, and Emily Greenwell.
While growing her performance resume, Candace continues to train in New York City and spread her knowledge and love of the arts by instructing weekly dance classes at area studios and workshops.
Molly McGee was raised in New Jersey where she began dancing at the age of four. Growing up she studied, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, tap, contemporary, and pointe at a competitive level. At seventeen she moved to New York City where she attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. At AMDA, Molly studied dance, acting, and singing and graduated with a degree in Dance Theatre. After graduating, Molly traveled and performed in AATMA Performing Arts, a Bollywood based dance company that put on the show “Mystic India: The World Tour.” She has also performed in a ballet version of the Indian Film, “Devdas” and has been casted in multiple concept music videos. Molly is now a proud of Fancy Feet where she gets to share her love for dancing and performing!
Melissa has been dancing at Fancy Feet since the age of 3. At the age of 8 she joined The Company and danced with them until the age of 17. She danced with the Fancy Feet Dance Company at Disney World, Lincoln Center, Hershey Park, Norwegian Cruise Line and countless competitions. She has been teaching at Fancy Feet ever since. Melissa also taught dance for the Department of Education for 6 years and worked with renowned companies like Ballet Hispanico, Dreamyard, and Dancing Classrooms. Melissa is super proud to be sharing her passion of dance with so many talented dancers and working closely with the Company team as they prepare for competition.
Alex Schmidt’s pursuit of dance began from an early age in Tampa, FL. She spent her high school years attending Next Generation Ballet’s trainee program under the direction of Peter Stark and Ivonne Lemus. During her senior year of high school, Alex moved to San Francisco where she graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in 2017. Alex currently lives in New York City where she is co-founder and performing artist in TWO IN SEVEN BILLION, and a dance artist in Michiyaya Dance. Alex graduated from University of Florida in May of 2020, with degrees in Criminology, Psychology and Sociology. Alex has taught kids through an after school dance program in New Jersey, and taught professionals through various other platforms with her collaborator Jessica.
Christine’s love for dance began from a young age in Tampa, Florida. She started dancing at the age of three and grew up training in every style. In high school, she attended Next Generation Ballet’s trainee program under the direction of Peter Stark and Ivonne Lemus. After graduating from high school, Christine moved on to attend the University of Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance. Throughout her experience here, Christine assisted professional choreographers in summer dance intensive SWAMP Dance Fest alongside Trent D. Williams, Jr, Keith Thompson, and Mark Haim. She also had the opportunity to perform in MOD Dance Ensemble, where she traveled weekly to attend workshops and perform at other colleges. During her time at the University of Florida, she spent her summers performing as well as teaching dance and fitness. After graduating, Christine moved to New York City to further pursue her dreams of working as a professional dancer. She recently became an ACE certified personal trainer to connect her love for dance with her equal love for health and fitness. Christine cannot wait to share her passion for dance with everyone at Fancy Feet!
Billy Cohen, hailing from outside Boston, started his hip hop training at the young age of six at Joanne Langione Dance Center with his identical twin brother, and continued his training in ballet and modern at Hofstra University while receiving a B.S. Degree in Dance Education. This training at Hofstra gave him the opportunity to work with artists such as Fredrick Earl Mosley, Doug Varone, David Parker, Heather Waldon, Ellie Kusner, Bill Young, and Barbara Angeline, as well as train with Hofstra’s most notable Dance Department alumni, Larry Keigwin, on scholarship. Billy also created two works that represented Hofstra at American Collegiate Dance Association Conferences, and co-choreographed his own fully-produced evening dance show, “jux•ta•po•si•tion”. Outside of school, he continued his training with Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester and at Generation IV, learning and performing choreography from Teddy Forance, Devin Jamieson, Derek Mitchell, Emily Greenwell, Candace Brown, Jeff Lapes, Noel Bajades, Jonny Forance, and Emma Portner. Billy has had opportunities to teach, set, and perform choreography for multiple studios and showcases in NYC, including Broadway Dance Center’s Training Program, Peridance’s Apex Faculty showcase, Mark Morris Dance Festival, and the NYC Comedy in Dance Festival. His choreography was included in a segment of MTV’s Episode 2 of “Lit!” sponsored by Beats by Dre, and was the director of Peridance Capezio Center’s iReP crew. Since signing to Bloc Talent agency, Billy has worked with J Balvin and Bad Bunny for the MTV VMAS, Reebok, was casted as a Principal Dancer in the season 2 of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, choreographed by Marguerite Derricks, and more! With his pursuit in Education, Billy Cohen hopes to have continuous success in the dance industry, and to someday be a college professor doing what he loves best: creating, performing, and sharing his knowledge of dance to the next upcoming generation of artists.
Billy Cohen
Shannon Reynolds holds her BA in Health Science and Dance from Russell Sage College and an MPA from Mercy College. Shannon grew up in Western Massachusetts and trained at All-Stars Dance Center, New England Dance Conservatory, and Pioneer Ballet Performing Arts Charter High School (PVPA). During this time Shannon attended the Regional and National High School Dance Festivals and performed throughout Western Massachusetts in addition to assisting with classes at both studios and PVPA. Moving to the Hudson Valley Region for college, Shannon began performing as a demi-soloist with Nacre Dance Company, was treasurer for the Russell Sage College Dance Ensemble, performed with as a freelance artist and taught dance to recreational, competitive, and pre-professional students. In 2013 Shannon moved to New York City where she continued to teach children and adults through the New York City, Westchester, and Rockland County including at Bronx House, Studio B Dance Center and Vicki’s Dance Studio among others. In 2017, Shannon co-founded eSKay Arts Collective, a small collaborative who supports NYC based artists through sharing resources and engaging the talents and support of fellow artists. She currently works full-time as the Company Manager for STREB, Inc. located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has been subbing at Fancy Feet for the past year and is looking forward to teaching regularly at the Studio starting this fall.
Shannon Reynolds
Jacqueline Agrusa … comes from Manhattan, where she is pursuing a career in musical theatre. She most recently was an associate choreographer for the off broadway musical Only Human and danced for Arts for Autism at the Gershwin theater. Jacqueline worked at the Tuacahn Ampitheater, a regional theater in Utah, where she was a part of the casts of Newsies, Shrek, and Mamma Mia. She graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in Performing Arts. This dynamic young lady grew up competing and was a national top overall junior, teen, and senior soloist and has won numerous convention scholarships. Growing up, she trained at Deborah’s Stage Door in Rochester Hills, Michigan where she studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, contemporary, modern, and musical theater. She was a Radio Disney dancer, and opened for Corbin Bleu, The Cheetah Girls, Raven, and the Jonas Brothers. In addition, Jacqueline has danced for Bernadette Peters, Chubby Checkers, appeared on Star Search with Arsenio Hall. She has 20 years of dance experience and is a dance teacher in the city, as well as a choreographer, who works with kids of all ages. Jacqueline loves sharing her knowledge and passion for the arts with children!
Jacqueline Agrusa
Connor Bermingham is a graduate of Pace University’s Commercial Dance Program. Notable credits include: US National Tour of CATS, All Shook Up, Broadway Bares, Broadway Dance Lab, Jacob’s Pillow and partnering Misty Copeland in front of the National Symphony Orchestra for the Leonard Bernstein Centennial Tribute. His choreography has been featured in the prestigious Young Choreographer’s Festival. Connor is represented by CESD Talent Agency and has years of experience teaching, judging and choreographing all over the East Coast.
Connor Bermingham
Tiffini Jones is a dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer based in New York City. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where she began her training at age 3. In 2015, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Goucher College with a double concentration in Dance History and Dance Performance. At Goucher, she performed in works by Jon Lehrer, Amy Seiwart, and Doug Elkins, restaged Doris Humphrey’s Air for the G String from a Labanotation score, was one of two candidates to study abroad for a semester at Taipei National University of the Arts, and was the Dance Captain and a cast member in The Producers and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In 2017, she earned her Master of Arts at NYU Steinhardt in Dance Education in the Teaching Students K-12 track. At NYU she performed in multiple student and faculty works and gained her student-teaching experience at P.S. 506 and The Beacon School. Post-graduation, she has taught dance at various institutions such as At Your Beat Brooklyn, Rutgers University, New York University, and University of North Texas. She was also a Teacher’s Assistant, Demonstrator, Rehearsal Director, and Dancer for Kim Elliott Dance. She currently teaches at the Steffi Nossen School of Dance, Steps Youth Programs, Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance. Tiffini has choreographed and continues to choreograph many stage and screen projects. Her works include Broadway Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and Heels pieces performed by the Beacon Dance Company at The Beacon School as well as music videos for Lord Baltimore and Brittaney Delsarte Chatman. Tiffini is so excited and thankful for the opportunity to teach at Fancy Feet Dance Studio!
Tiffini Jones
Sydney Foley
Sydney Foley is a twenty-two year old from Chicago, IL. She began dancing at the age of three through the Chicago Park District. Growing up, Sydney trained at Ballet Legere, Le Ballet Petit, and Universal Language Dance Company. By the age of fifteen, Sydney began dancing at Extensions Dance Center under the mentorship and guidance of Lizzie MacKenzie.
Sydney attended Marymount Manhattan College in NYC where she received her BFA in Dance with a concentration in modern (’22). During her time at Marymount, Sydney had the privilege of working with Peter Chu, Andrea Miller, Adam Burruch, Katie Langan, Nancy Lushington, Alberto del Saz, Caroline Fermin, Dan Walczak, Troy Ogilvie, and many more. Sydney was accepted into the “MMC Dance Company,” a year long “Residency,” for the 2021-2022 season. In addition to performance, Sydney was able to present her own choreography (“OCD”) in Dancers At Work Fall 2021 with the help of her amazing mentor, Tymberly Canale.
Sydney was accepted to and attended numerous summer programs, including Hubbard Street and River North Dance Chicago. In addition, Sydney was chosen to perform in Ron De Jesus’ “The Osiris Legend” in 2016 and was an apprentice for Dance in the Parks in 2019. Furthermore , Sydney will be joining CoreDance Contemporary for their 2022-2023 season where she will be a company member.
Sydney has been a dance teacher for several years now, teaching ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and acro. She is currently working at Starz on Broadway where she teaches class and choreographs for their competition team. Sydney is so excited to be joining the Fancy Feet Dance Studio family for their upcoming season where she will be teaching gymnastics and mommy and me classes.
EvanMatthew Stewart, originally from Buffalo, NY, began his dance training at Miss Barbara’s School of Dance and at the age of ten continued to advance his training at David deMarie Dance Studio in styles varying from contemporary to tap and ballet to jazz. Evan also attended the Royal Academy of Ballet (Buffalo, NY) under the direction of Beth Waddell and while in college, attended the Joffrey School of Ballet New York City summer intensive to further his skills in ballet. In 2016, Evan graduated from the University of Buffalo with his BFA in dance and minor in counseling. During his time at the University at Buffalo, Evan was a member of the dance program’s pre-professional company, Zodiaque, under the direction of Thomas Ralabate and Tressa Groman-Crehan. Evan is currently living in New York City and is a senior member of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, an Asian American modern dance company. He was an adjunct dance teacher at New Jersey City University for non-majors along with being a guest teacher and choreographer at various studios within the Tri-state area. He has also had the opportunity to work with Ebony Williams and perform for her at Jacob’s Pillow. Evan was also a dancer in the film “In the Heights” directed by Jon Chu and choreographed by Chris Scott.
EvanMatthew Stewart
Emily J. Sanchez was born and raised in Texas. She received her formal training at the Ballet Conservatory of South Texas. Emily was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in (2019). While studying at UNCSA, she performed the works of Doug Varone, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, and Douglas Dunn, as well as choreographing her own pieces for student showcases. Emily has been a resident of New York since 2019 and presently resides in the Harlem area. In addition to her performance career, she pursues a profession as an art educator, teaching dance and creative movement to students all across New York City. Along with her teaching post, Emily performs as a freelance entertainer and holds residencies as an artist with two New York-based dance companies. She continues to grow as a dancer and educator, sharing the art form that she loves in an environment that encourages authenticity.
Emily Sanchez
Debi Klein is a dance professional with over 40 years of Teaching Experience. Debi loves teaching Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. She is familiar with all ages and levels of dance and believes recreational or competitive dance is a positive goal for all ages. Debi has studied with many famous Tap Teachers, Hillary Marie, Ray Hesselink, Mark Albrecht, and Mike Minery, among others. Debi is excited to bring her dance creativity to Fancy Feet Dance Studio.
Debi Klein
Jamie is a freelance artist, performer, choreographer, and dance instructor based in NYC. Originally from Long Island, NY, Jamie received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Adelphi University with a major in Dance and minor in Psychology, and studied abroad at the London Contemporary Dance School in the UK. As a choreographer, she has set works at Adelphi University, for music videos, and on various dance studios. As a performer, she has danced works by Ohad Naharin, Azure Barton, Alexander Ekman, Paul Taylor, Manuel Vignoulle, Alice Klock, Florian Lochner, William Briscoe, and Wesley Ensminger, among others. Jamie has been a movement artist with Mathew James’ Urban / Tribe, Valeria Gonzalez’s VALLETO Dance, John Zullo’s Zullo/Raw Movement, Emily Greenwell’s Cloude.nyc, Rudy Abreu’s Radiance, and most recently, Thryn Saxon’s SAXYN Dance Works. Jamie is so excited to be a part of the Fancy Feet family this season and share her love for all things dance!
Bettina Mahoney is a serial entrepreneur, keynote motivational speaker, dance educator, producer, creative director, and award winning choreographer. Mahoney was recruited as a dancer to Dean College where she graduated with a B.A in Dance & Psychology, Cum Laude. In 2017, Bettina developed the prototype for her company Fortitude a week after she endured a life changing adversity. Mahoney wanted to bridge the gap between the performing arts and empowerment. During the same year, Bettina was a backup dancer for Flo Rida at the New England Patriots Season opener at Foxboro Stadium. Cut to 2019 when Bettina brought Fortitude to NYC it became the only triple threat (dancing, acting, voice) convention in the country. Bringing together the most sought after master teachers to hundreds and thousands of aspiring artists around the country. During the 2020 global pandemic, Bettina started a mentorship program called “ICONS” which was a virtual learning & development program for artists aiming to work in the entertainment industry. During the same year Bettina created “Fortify TM” which is a subscription based app designed to be the powerhouse of all fitness and performing arts classes to improve mental health functioning and accessibility to certified and licensed therapists. Fortify is solving a major mental health defecit globally by providing master class courses and affordable healthcare. Fortify is set to launch Feb 1st, 2023. Mahoney can be featured in Dance Informa Magazine, Medium Magazine, Broadway World, and more for her work as a dance educator, choreographer and entrepreneur! Recently, Bettina produced a casting clinic program called “Book It Summit” in NYC bringing everyone from Take 3 Talent, Amanda Jane Cooper (Longest running Glinda in Wicked on Broadway), Desi Oakley ( Wicked ,Waitress, Chicago on Broadway), and so many more! Bettina is so excited to join the Fancy Feet team, and train the next generation of dancers!
Bettina Mahoney