NYPAC HAS THE MOST PROFESSIONAL, FUN AND CREATIVE INSTRUCTORS!
MEET OUR TEACHERS:
(FOR BIOS OF STUDIO OWNERS & HEAD INSTRUCTORS, MISS CYARA & MISS JACKIE, PLEASE VISIT THE "ABOUT NYPAC PAGE")
MEET OUR TEACHERS:
(FOR BIOS OF STUDIO OWNERS & HEAD INSTRUCTORS, MISS CYARA & MISS JACKIE, PLEASE VISIT THE "ABOUT NYPAC PAGE")
Miss Corey:
Miss Corey was born in Upstate New York and began dancing and performing at a young age. She studied ballet at modern at Skidmore College before moving to Oakland, California where she studied at the Shawl-Anderson Dance Center. In the Bay Area Corey discovered a love of modern release style and gymnastics. She had the opportunity to perform with Raisa Punki in Punki-Co’s production of Pick Cells. In addition to her work in dance, Corey is also an accomplished fire dancer. (And yes, she spins real fire!) Best known for her groundbreaking work in fan manipulation, Corey has taught workshops from Kiev, Ukraine to Portland, Oregon and everywhere in between. She has performed in Canada, various music festivals throughout the north-east and many local events in her upstate New York home. She enjoys fusing dance and flow arts in her artistic direction and choreography. Corey continues her creative education and is working toward a full length theatrical flow arts production. Corey’s passion for dance is fueled by inspiring creative minds and bodies. She has lead NYPAC’s Dancers to Platinum & XTreme Gold Medals at both Regional and National Competitions in Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical & Acro. Miss Corey's Choreography for "Start Your Engines" won the highest award, the XCallibur Trophy in the Spring 2017. Her Teen and Senior Soloists both won the top overall titles in recent competitions. Miss Corey's Jazz Choreography won The Golden Ticket to The World Dance Championship in 2022 and she also received the Jazz Excellence Award. She is very excited to be teaching at NYPAC for her 8th year this fall.
Miss Corey was born in Upstate New York and began dancing and performing at a young age. She studied ballet at modern at Skidmore College before moving to Oakland, California where she studied at the Shawl-Anderson Dance Center. In the Bay Area Corey discovered a love of modern release style and gymnastics. She had the opportunity to perform with Raisa Punki in Punki-Co’s production of Pick Cells. In addition to her work in dance, Corey is also an accomplished fire dancer. (And yes, she spins real fire!) Best known for her groundbreaking work in fan manipulation, Corey has taught workshops from Kiev, Ukraine to Portland, Oregon and everywhere in between. She has performed in Canada, various music festivals throughout the north-east and many local events in her upstate New York home. She enjoys fusing dance and flow arts in her artistic direction and choreography. Corey continues her creative education and is working toward a full length theatrical flow arts production. Corey’s passion for dance is fueled by inspiring creative minds and bodies. She has lead NYPAC’s Dancers to Platinum & XTreme Gold Medals at both Regional and National Competitions in Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical & Acro. Miss Corey's Choreography for "Start Your Engines" won the highest award, the XCallibur Trophy in the Spring 2017. Her Teen and Senior Soloists both won the top overall titles in recent competitions. Miss Corey's Jazz Choreography won The Golden Ticket to The World Dance Championship in 2022 and she also received the Jazz Excellence Award. She is very excited to be teaching at NYPAC for her 8th year this fall.
Miss Shayla:
Miss Shayla has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been trained in a wide variety of styles. She grew up dancing at Precision Dance Academy where she was instructed by Miss Cyara, Miss Jackie, and Miss Cynthia. Along with studio training, she was also a member and captain of the her middle school and high school dance teams. She has performed at many charity events as well as world famous stages such as Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer and Alice Tully Halls. Miss Shayla has won many state titles and national awards at the National Dance Alliance in Orlando/ Daytona, FL as well as Dance Team Union in Las Vegas, NV. Miss Shayla continued her dance education at Ramapo College of New Jersey where she was a member of the Ramapo College Dance Team. During her time on RCDT she performed at the Men and Women DIII basketball games as well as competing nationally. Her senior year she was given the opportunity to choreograph basketball routines for the dance team to perform during the 2017-18 season. Competing with the team she ranked as high as 3rd in the nation and had the opportunity to perform at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Miss Shayla received the “Rookie of the Year” award her first year on the team in 2015 and the “Ultimate Dedication” award in 2018. She graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Arts. Miss Shayla has been instructing dance classes ever since she graduated from high school. She also was a head coach for the West Milford Junior and Varsity dance teams. Miss Shayla's choreography has won Platinum and XTreme Platinum awards in Kickline, Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary. Miss Shayla's choreography won 2 XCallibur Trophies at Dance Xplosion in 2018 and the top Senior Solo Choreography in 2021. Her Kickline choreography won the Golden Ticket and a spot at the World Dance Championship in 2022. Miss Shayla is also the director of the Elite Dance Company of Morris County. Dance is such an important part of Shayla's life and she is so excited to share her passion at NYPAC for a 8th year!
Miss Shayla has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been trained in a wide variety of styles. She grew up dancing at Precision Dance Academy where she was instructed by Miss Cyara, Miss Jackie, and Miss Cynthia. Along with studio training, she was also a member and captain of the her middle school and high school dance teams. She has performed at many charity events as well as world famous stages such as Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer and Alice Tully Halls. Miss Shayla has won many state titles and national awards at the National Dance Alliance in Orlando/ Daytona, FL as well as Dance Team Union in Las Vegas, NV. Miss Shayla continued her dance education at Ramapo College of New Jersey where she was a member of the Ramapo College Dance Team. During her time on RCDT she performed at the Men and Women DIII basketball games as well as competing nationally. Her senior year she was given the opportunity to choreograph basketball routines for the dance team to perform during the 2017-18 season. Competing with the team she ranked as high as 3rd in the nation and had the opportunity to perform at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Miss Shayla received the “Rookie of the Year” award her first year on the team in 2015 and the “Ultimate Dedication” award in 2018. She graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Arts. Miss Shayla has been instructing dance classes ever since she graduated from high school. She also was a head coach for the West Milford Junior and Varsity dance teams. Miss Shayla's choreography has won Platinum and XTreme Platinum awards in Kickline, Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary. Miss Shayla's choreography won 2 XCallibur Trophies at Dance Xplosion in 2018 and the top Senior Solo Choreography in 2021. Her Kickline choreography won the Golden Ticket and a spot at the World Dance Championship in 2022. Miss Shayla is also the director of the Elite Dance Company of Morris County. Dance is such an important part of Shayla's life and she is so excited to share her passion at NYPAC for a 8th year!
Miss Becky:
Miss Becky grew up in the small historic town of Owego, NY, where she began dancing at the age of 3. As a student of dance, she has participated in numerous dance competitions such as the United States Tournament of Dance national competition, where she placed second overall as Miss Dance of the United States. She was also selected to be on the United States Dance Team, and participated in and was crowned Miss Dance of New York as well as achieving many other dance titles, throughout her career. She decided to further her dance career after graduating from high school as she attended The College at Brockport. While at Brockport, Miss Becky was a member of the college dance team and took classes with choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio and Shane Sparks. After graduating from Brockport with a dual major in arts for children and dance, she was presented with the opportunity to tour with "Sesame Street Live", across the United States. Miss Becky's awesome choreography has won Platinum & XTreme Golds in Regionals & Nationals with NYPAC in Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary & Jazz. She has also won the prestigious award of the Most Entertaining Choreography in 2016. Miss Becky's choreography won a Golden Ticket and a spot at the World Dance Championship in 2022. She is excited to share her love and knowledge of dance with the students at NYPAC for her 9th Year this fall.
Miss Becky grew up in the small historic town of Owego, NY, where she began dancing at the age of 3. As a student of dance, she has participated in numerous dance competitions such as the United States Tournament of Dance national competition, where she placed second overall as Miss Dance of the United States. She was also selected to be on the United States Dance Team, and participated in and was crowned Miss Dance of New York as well as achieving many other dance titles, throughout her career. She decided to further her dance career after graduating from high school as she attended The College at Brockport. While at Brockport, Miss Becky was a member of the college dance team and took classes with choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio and Shane Sparks. After graduating from Brockport with a dual major in arts for children and dance, she was presented with the opportunity to tour with "Sesame Street Live", across the United States. Miss Becky's awesome choreography has won Platinum & XTreme Golds in Regionals & Nationals with NYPAC in Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary & Jazz. She has also won the prestigious award of the Most Entertaining Choreography in 2016. Miss Becky's choreography won a Golden Ticket and a spot at the World Dance Championship in 2022. She is excited to share her love and knowledge of dance with the students at NYPAC for her 9th Year this fall.
MISS HEATHER
Miss Heather started dancing at the age of 3 at a small studio in Marlboro, NY and has trained in several different styles of dance. She was a member of the Advanced Dance Company at Newburgh Free Academy throughout her high school career, with whom she had the honor of performing in Disney World among other venues and at various charity events. She recently received her BA in dance from Hunter College where she studied ballet and modern dance. While at Hunter, Heather was one of five dancers chosen to restage works by choreographer Merce Cunningham under the direction of several renowned Cunningham dancers. She also had the opportunity to take classes with previous Trisha Brown and Jose Limon company members, as well as several Broadway performers. Miss Heather's Sparklette Girls Competition Team won the highest awards at Power of Dance Competition in 2021. Miss Heather's Lyrical choreography won a Golden Ticket to the World Dance Championship in 2022. Miss Heather is so excited to share her love and knowledge of dance with the students NYPAC for her 5th year.
Miss Heather started dancing at the age of 3 at a small studio in Marlboro, NY and has trained in several different styles of dance. She was a member of the Advanced Dance Company at Newburgh Free Academy throughout her high school career, with whom she had the honor of performing in Disney World among other venues and at various charity events. She recently received her BA in dance from Hunter College where she studied ballet and modern dance. While at Hunter, Heather was one of five dancers chosen to restage works by choreographer Merce Cunningham under the direction of several renowned Cunningham dancers. She also had the opportunity to take classes with previous Trisha Brown and Jose Limon company members, as well as several Broadway performers. Miss Heather's Sparklette Girls Competition Team won the highest awards at Power of Dance Competition in 2021. Miss Heather's Lyrical choreography won a Golden Ticket to the World Dance Championship in 2022. Miss Heather is so excited to share her love and knowledge of dance with the students NYPAC for her 5th year.
Miss Keala
Miss Keala has been training as a dancer since she was three years old due to encouragement from her mother who was a professional dancer and dance teacher. She started dancing with a highly competitive team at the age of eleven and continued training with that studio in ballet, jazz, breaking, hip hop, and popping. She was trained by Quinell Dixon in Krump, Marc Cleary in Hip Hop, B-Boy Juice in breaking, and Omeed Simmatob from The Body Poets in popping. She also studied dance at her high school for four years where she served as head dance captain. Miss Keala continued to assistant coach and assistant choreograph for the dance and performance team for three years; while continuing to teach in local studios. She has competed and taken her teams to World's Hip Hop International, Showstoppers, Jump!, Buildabeast, and TSC. She has trained at various studios such as Culture Shock, Millennium, and ImmaSpace. Miss Keala has won many top awards and honors for her hip hop choreography at NYPAC and she is excited to be starting her 4TH year teaching competitive & recreational hip hop with us!
Miss Keala has been training as a dancer since she was three years old due to encouragement from her mother who was a professional dancer and dance teacher. She started dancing with a highly competitive team at the age of eleven and continued training with that studio in ballet, jazz, breaking, hip hop, and popping. She was trained by Quinell Dixon in Krump, Marc Cleary in Hip Hop, B-Boy Juice in breaking, and Omeed Simmatob from The Body Poets in popping. She also studied dance at her high school for four years where she served as head dance captain. Miss Keala continued to assistant coach and assistant choreograph for the dance and performance team for three years; while continuing to teach in local studios. She has competed and taken her teams to World's Hip Hop International, Showstoppers, Jump!, Buildabeast, and TSC. She has trained at various studios such as Culture Shock, Millennium, and ImmaSpace. Miss Keala has won many top awards and honors for her hip hop choreography at NYPAC and she is excited to be starting her 4TH year teaching competitive & recreational hip hop with us!
MISS JACKIE W.
Miss Jackie began her dance training at age three with Stagelite Centre of Performing Arts in Pequannock, New Jersey. There she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and contemporary and started competing at the regional and national levels by age six. Jackie went on to study at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2012 with honors, receiving a B.A. in Dance and Theatre. While at Muhlenberg, Jackie had the opportunity to study under Karen Dearborn, Charles O. Anderson, and Corrie Franz-Cowart, while performing in many faculty and student concerts. She also had the pleasure of choreographing several modern and ballet pieces of her own for the student concerts and was a member of the Copasetic Rhythm tap group. In the summer of 2011 Jackie worked as an intern at Dance Place in Washington, D.C. with Carla Perlo and Deborah Riley. She continues her education and performance in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Jackie wants to share her passion for dance and the arts with all of her students. She will be teaching both competitive and recreational lyrical, jazz, ballet, and contemporary this upcoming fall.
Miss Jackie began her dance training at age three with Stagelite Centre of Performing Arts in Pequannock, New Jersey. There she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and contemporary and started competing at the regional and national levels by age six. Jackie went on to study at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2012 with honors, receiving a B.A. in Dance and Theatre. While at Muhlenberg, Jackie had the opportunity to study under Karen Dearborn, Charles O. Anderson, and Corrie Franz-Cowart, while performing in many faculty and student concerts. She also had the pleasure of choreographing several modern and ballet pieces of her own for the student concerts and was a member of the Copasetic Rhythm tap group. In the summer of 2011 Jackie worked as an intern at Dance Place in Washington, D.C. with Carla Perlo and Deborah Riley. She continues her education and performance in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Jackie wants to share her passion for dance and the arts with all of her students. She will be teaching both competitive and recreational lyrical, jazz, ballet, and contemporary this upcoming fall.
Miss Nani
Miss Adrianna, also known as "Miss Nani", started her dance career when she was just 4 years old at New York Performing Arts Center! Miss Nani was moved up to the NYPAC company when she was just 6 years old! Miss Nani has moved up in each company level, making her way up to the highest level, the Senior Xtreme Team and was also part of the first ever Junior Xtreme Team when she was 11 years old. Miss Nani was also on the very first Petite Competition Hip Hop Team at NYPAC too. She has performed at Lincoln Center twice and has won the Xcalubur award 3 times along with 1st overalls in many competitions! Miss Nani was awarded many acting and dancing lead roles throughout her years at NYPAC such as one of Santa’s elves, a lead Wind up doll, Olafina, The Chinese Queen, A wishing star, The train conductor, and most recently the Sugar Plum Fairy! As an up and coming actress, she has also appeared in films such as Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler, Manifest, Rise, Happy, Dead of Winter and many more! This past year, Miss Nani was the 2020-2021 Miss NYPAC! Miss Nani was chosen as a NYPAC protege when she was just 8 years old and she was a teaching assistant this past year. Miss Nani's hip hop choreography won a Golden Ticket to the World Dance Championship in 2022 and she competed at the World Dance Championship with the NYPAC Kickline Team. Miss Nani will be attending Mount St. Mary's College and she is so excited to be teaching for her 2nd year at NYPAC.
Miss Adrianna, also known as "Miss Nani", started her dance career when she was just 4 years old at New York Performing Arts Center! Miss Nani was moved up to the NYPAC company when she was just 6 years old! Miss Nani has moved up in each company level, making her way up to the highest level, the Senior Xtreme Team and was also part of the first ever Junior Xtreme Team when she was 11 years old. Miss Nani was also on the very first Petite Competition Hip Hop Team at NYPAC too. She has performed at Lincoln Center twice and has won the Xcalubur award 3 times along with 1st overalls in many competitions! Miss Nani was awarded many acting and dancing lead roles throughout her years at NYPAC such as one of Santa’s elves, a lead Wind up doll, Olafina, The Chinese Queen, A wishing star, The train conductor, and most recently the Sugar Plum Fairy! As an up and coming actress, she has also appeared in films such as Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler, Manifest, Rise, Happy, Dead of Winter and many more! This past year, Miss Nani was the 2020-2021 Miss NYPAC! Miss Nani was chosen as a NYPAC protege when she was just 8 years old and she was a teaching assistant this past year. Miss Nani's hip hop choreography won a Golden Ticket to the World Dance Championship in 2022 and she competed at the World Dance Championship with the NYPAC Kickline Team. Miss Nani will be attending Mount St. Mary's College and she is so excited to be teaching for her 2nd year at NYPAC.
MISS SAMANTHA
Miss Sam grew up in South Blooming Grove and was a Washingtonville High School graduate. She began dancing at 3 years old at Joanne’s Dance Studio all throughout her years in Washingtonville School District. She trained in all different styles including: ballet, pointe, hip-hop, jazz, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, and tap. When she graduated high school, she began teaching at her home studio for 5 years and grew her passion for teaching. She attended many workshops and professional classes including the Dance Teacher Summit and classes at Broadway Dance Center both in New York City. Simultaneously Samantha attended college locally at SUNY Orange and received her Associates of Arts in Spanish. She transferred to SUNY New Paltz where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Secondary Education. During her time at SUNY New Paltz, Samantha was a part of the New Paltz Dance Team where she performed at all of the home basketball games and also end of the year shows. Samantha then went on to receive her Masters in the Science of Teaching with a concentration in secondary Spanish education. Currently, Samantha is a 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher right here in the Washingtonville Middle School and is excited to teach some of her current, future, and past students outside of the classroom and in the studio!
Miss Sam grew up in South Blooming Grove and was a Washingtonville High School graduate. She began dancing at 3 years old at Joanne’s Dance Studio all throughout her years in Washingtonville School District. She trained in all different styles including: ballet, pointe, hip-hop, jazz, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, and tap. When she graduated high school, she began teaching at her home studio for 5 years and grew her passion for teaching. She attended many workshops and professional classes including the Dance Teacher Summit and classes at Broadway Dance Center both in New York City. Simultaneously Samantha attended college locally at SUNY Orange and received her Associates of Arts in Spanish. She transferred to SUNY New Paltz where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Secondary Education. During her time at SUNY New Paltz, Samantha was a part of the New Paltz Dance Team where she performed at all of the home basketball games and also end of the year shows. Samantha then went on to receive her Masters in the Science of Teaching with a concentration in secondary Spanish education. Currently, Samantha is a 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher right here in the Washingtonville Middle School and is excited to teach some of her current, future, and past students outside of the classroom and in the studio!
Miss Olivia
Miss Olivia is a creative director/choreographer from Orange County NY. She is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a BFA in Dance, BFA in Musical Theater, and a Dance Studio Administration Minor. Olivia’s training includes Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Kickline, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Modern, Contemporary, and Ballroom! Miss Olivia trained at NYPAC under the direction of Miss Cyara & Miss Jackie from 2009 through her high school graduation in 2017. Olivia’s choreographic, teaching, and coaching experience includes work for Playground Academy, dance competitions, recitals, and musicals like Hairspray, A Chorus Line, Annie, Seussical, Alice in Wonderland, and Pippin. Some of Olivia’s original live, digital, and Screen-Dance works include Battle of the BFAs, EBC West, The Flying Dutchman, and Mad World. Miss Olivia is a 2017 NYPAC Alumni and held many special roles at NYPAC such as Miss NYPAC, Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, protege, assistant teacher, as well as choreographing her own competiton solos and the NYPAC Opening Production. She is delighted to be returning to her NYPAC family, and is so excited for this year's classes!
Miss Olivia is a creative director/choreographer from Orange County NY. She is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a BFA in Dance, BFA in Musical Theater, and a Dance Studio Administration Minor. Olivia’s training includes Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Kickline, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Modern, Contemporary, and Ballroom! Miss Olivia trained at NYPAC under the direction of Miss Cyara & Miss Jackie from 2009 through her high school graduation in 2017. Olivia’s choreographic, teaching, and coaching experience includes work for Playground Academy, dance competitions, recitals, and musicals like Hairspray, A Chorus Line, Annie, Seussical, Alice in Wonderland, and Pippin. Some of Olivia’s original live, digital, and Screen-Dance works include Battle of the BFAs, EBC West, The Flying Dutchman, and Mad World. Miss Olivia is a 2017 NYPAC Alumni and held many special roles at NYPAC such as Miss NYPAC, Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, protege, assistant teacher, as well as choreographing her own competiton solos and the NYPAC Opening Production. She is delighted to be returning to her NYPAC family, and is so excited for this year's classes!
Miss Monique
Miss Monique is an Acrobatics & Contortion instructor and choreographer. She is born and raised in NJ where she grew up doing dance, gymnastics, and all-star cheerleading. She started out as a gymnastic coach during her college years at Rutgers University but soon enough was presented a position teaching acrobatics. Now, it has been 9 wonderful years of traveling the tri-state area teaching Acrobatics & Contortion! Monique gives 100% of love and dedication to her dancers and hopes to see you in her class someday! Miss Monique will be teaching competition and recreational acro and Acro-contortion at NYPAC starting this fall!
Miss Monique is an Acrobatics & Contortion instructor and choreographer. She is born and raised in NJ where she grew up doing dance, gymnastics, and all-star cheerleading. She started out as a gymnastic coach during her college years at Rutgers University but soon enough was presented a position teaching acrobatics. Now, it has been 9 wonderful years of traveling the tri-state area teaching Acrobatics & Contortion! Monique gives 100% of love and dedication to her dancers and hopes to see you in her class someday! Miss Monique will be teaching competition and recreational acro and Acro-contortion at NYPAC starting this fall!
Miss Abby L.
Miss Abby has danced at NYPAC since she was just 4 years old as one of Miss Cyara & Miss Jackie’s very first students in 2008. Miss Abby was selected for our competition team and company when she was 10 years old. She held the honor of being the captain of the Jr Xtreme Team, and she worked her way up to the highest NYPAC company, the Sr Xtreme Team. Miss Abby has performed at Lincoln Center and has been a part of many award winning teams and she has won the prestigious Xcaliber Trophy two times! This past summer, she was invited to compete at the World Dance Championship with the NYPAC Xtreme Kickline team. Miss Abby has been in the NYAC protégé program for 6 years, assisting all of the teachers in all dance styles, leading the warmups, spotting acrobatics, assisting with choreography and more. Miss Abby is so excited for the opportunity to teach her own classes this year, teaching Jazz, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary.
Miss Abby has danced at NYPAC since she was just 4 years old as one of Miss Cyara & Miss Jackie’s very first students in 2008. Miss Abby was selected for our competition team and company when she was 10 years old. She held the honor of being the captain of the Jr Xtreme Team, and she worked her way up to the highest NYPAC company, the Sr Xtreme Team. Miss Abby has performed at Lincoln Center and has been a part of many award winning teams and she has won the prestigious Xcaliber Trophy two times! This past summer, she was invited to compete at the World Dance Championship with the NYPAC Xtreme Kickline team. Miss Abby has been in the NYAC protégé program for 6 years, assisting all of the teachers in all dance styles, leading the warmups, spotting acrobatics, assisting with choreography and more. Miss Abby is so excited for the opportunity to teach her own classes this year, teaching Jazz, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary.