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 BROWN

Bio coming soon!

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!

MADELINE HALL

Maddy Hall is a NYC-based contemporary dancer and teacher, originally from Northern VA, where she began her dance training at the age of two. Maddy then went on to attend George Mason University and received her BFA in dance in May of 2020. It was during college that Maddy realized her love for teaching alongside performing and decided to focus on both. As a teacher, she loves seeing growth in her students and helping them understand how to utilize their bodies! In addition to being a performer and choreographer, she also coaches fitness and loves to cook!

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…