Archives: Faculty

James Alonzo White is a North Carolina native, who received his Master of Arts in Dance Education at New York University. With a strong background in Street Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Contemporary and Commercial Dance, James is one of the most acclaimed choreographers and dance teachers in today’s industry. Currently, he is a teaching faculty member at world renowned Broadway Dance Center, Brickhouse NYC and Peridance Capezio Center. In addition, James has taught all over the world in places like France, Norway, and Los Angeles .

His professional dance credits include: Travis Scott, Cardi B, Rotimi, New York Fashion Week, Tostitos, and The Soul Spot (directed by: Candace Brown). In 2020, during the global pandemic James released a visual entitled “Brand New Day” featuring NYC’s finest dancers, inspired by the iconic film, The Wiz. With a pure intention to spread joy during uncertain times, Brand New Day took on a life of its own by quickly becoming a viral success garnering attention from acclaimed artists like Diana Ross, Evan Ross, Jennifer Garner, Octavia Spencer, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Todrick Hall, Billy Porter and Deborah Cox.

James’ choreography credits include: Mad Apple – Cirque Du Soleil, Disney Cruise line, Norwegian Cruises, MSC Cruises, Footloose, Dream Girls, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and the Knicks City Dancers.

He currently works with rising artist, Alex Mali, as her leading choreographer. James worked on several of Mali’s music videos including: “Control “+”Good Good” (two singles off her Phenom EP) and “Start It Up” (2019 single). He also choreographed- “Carol the Bells” and “I’ll Meet You There”- two music videos for pianist Chloe Flower.

Cassy Surianello is originally from Buffalo, NY where she began dancing at the age of 2. She left Buffalo to attend Point Park University receiving her B.F.A in dance. Professional performance credits include; First National Tour of “Fiddler on the Roof”, Principal Dancer for SweetBird Productions International Tour of Rasta Thomas’ “Rock the Ballet” (Bad Boys of Dance), Dance Lab New York (Josh Prince), Dance Break (Stacey Tookey), “In This Life” (Film), The Orsano Project, Madison Square Garden and MTV Live. Modeling and film credits include: MAKEUP FOREVER, Sephora and HBO.

Katelyn Gaffney has been a Radio City Rockette for the past 13 years. In her rockette career she has performed in both the Christmas Spectacular, New York Spectacular, Spring Spectacular, and a variety of live performances and televised events. Along with dancing as a Rockette, Katelyn has danced in a variety of commercials and film including Rebel Wilson’s “isn’t it Romantic”.

When she isn’t on stage she loves to share her passion for dance through teaching. She has been teaching in all varieties of dance for over a decade now at studios and conventions across the country. She believes a strong foundation and versatility is of the upmost importance and ensures her students get the most out of every experience with her.

Becca “Bex” Robinson has been passionately dancing since the young age of 2. Growing up in San Diego, CA she made her way to the east coast to train at Broadway Dance Center for the Professional Semester Program in 2015. Upon moving to NYC, she is now signed to MSA Talent Agency in NYC and LA. Bex has performed at the VMAs with Taylor Swift, High School Musical, Chloe Flower, The Macy’s Day Parade and can also be seen in hit films such as; “Isn’t It Romantic” and “In The Heights”. Becca has had the opportunity to work with brands such as Amazon, Puma,MembersOnly, Degree, and Universal Standard. Over the past few years, Bex has consistently been performing for shows and events that include: Netflix “Halftime” “LIMBO” “DayDreamers “B_TTERLAND” & “The Soul Spot”.

Along with dancing Becca has taught and choreographed for numerous artists, studios, and companies around the world, with her most recent trip bringing western dance to Saudi Arabia with Spears Academy. Her most recent collaborative work with Bo Park, “Scarlet Night”, is an all new immersive theatre show, showcased across all Virgin Voyages Ships. Bex has continued to push through boundaries and has created “IM-PROOF”. A creative-experiment intensive that is dedicated to unlocking young artists’ potential and focusing on the “Unlearning” process through authentic movement.

Matthew Winnegge- Broadway: Chicago (Harry and The Jury), New York Theatre: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Dancer), National/International Tours: Chicago (The Jury), The Wizard of Oz. Regional Theatre: Arkansas Rep, Stages St Louis, Fireside Theatre, Surflight Theatre, Gateway Playhouse. Industrials/Dance: Kate Spade NY Commercial/Summer Ad Campaign, Samsung 4G Promotional, Broadway Follies- New Amsterdam Theatre NY. In addition to performing Matthew has been teaching all over the country with Deviate Dance and Broadway Connections, as well as setting choreography for various studios. He is also a judge/adjudicator for Starpower National Talent Competition.

Laura Edwards grew up studying all styles of dance during her childhood. It wasn’t until after high school when her professional dancing career jump started as a featured dancer in a music video for hip hop artist Lil’ Mo. Shortly after she took part in the feature film Step Up, filmed near her hometown, she developed a new attitude towards the dance industry and moved to Los Angeles to enhance her skills and take on new opportunities.

Since her new beginning, she has been featured in the movies: Footloose, Hairspray, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Step up 2: the Streets, Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son, and Hannah Montana: The Movie. Aside from the big screen, she was a dancer in the Britney Spears Circus tour, appeared in season one of America’s Best Dance Crew and has had the pleasure to perform with others such as Beyonce and Miley Cirus.

With an affinity for dance, Laura exercises her talents with choreography as well. As a reflection of her competition background, she choreographs award winning numbers for studios and dance teams across the United States. She has also assisted in choreography for Justin Bieber’s BELIEVE Tour, Jennifer Lopez, and So You Think You Can Dance in both the US and Canada. As her career moves forward, Laura remains humble and appreciative of all her accomplishments

Amy Ruggiero graduated from Goucher College with a BA in Dance with Biological Sciences. She is currently an Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain and Swing for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular’s Ensemble.

Amy got her start in the world of concert dance, performing with Ballet Austin, American Repertory Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance and the Metropolitan Opera. This evolved into a career in musical theatre, some favorite credits including: Carousel (Broadway), the 1st National/Japan Tour of Come Fly Away, Little Dancer (Kennedy Center), American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (Joyce Theatre) and Marie, Dancing Still (The 5th Avenue Theatre).

Amy can also be seen on film and TV, most recently in the Netflix limited series Halston as well as the upcoming second season of Feud for FX. She has danced in commercial campaigns for Kate Spade and Under Armour.

Amy was on faculty at the Princeton Ballet School and Lackawanna PAC during her time at American Repertory Ballet. She currently gives master classes in ballet, contemporary dance, musical theatre and anatomy for dancers at studios around the country. She enjoys teaching for Dance Device Lab and DEViATE, which has included leading the ballet classes and concert dance audition labs for DEViATE’s The Process convention series.

Amy is additionally a NASM-certified CPT and SLT instructor.

Since Chase Maxwell was born in Los Angeles he has graced stages all over the world; assisting Baayork Lee, Danny Pelzig, Debbie Allen, and many others. He simultaneously graduated, received his BFA from Boston Conservatory and moved to New York in 2016 to perform with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. This then led to him dancing for Jennifer Hudson, J Balvin, Tyler Perry and making his broadway debut in Wicked. Teaching internationally and across the country since the age of thirteen – Chase is excited to share his knowledge and excitement for dance with his students!

CHRISTOPHER RALPH was born and raised in Long Island, N.Y. He began his dance training at Holy Trinity High School, where he was accepted into the theater/dance program led by Cathy Murphy and James Whore. While training at school he simultaneously attended classes at Broadway dance center and Steps on Broadway with teachers such as Dorrit Koppel, Frank Hatchett and Sheila Barker. In 2005 he attended SUNY Purchase College to complete his B.F.A. in dance. Christopher has performed with choreographers and companies such as Gregory Dolbashian (The Dash Ensemble), Loni Landon dance projects, Aszure Barton and Artists, Janis Brenner, Doug Varone, The Metropolitan Opera, Rebecca Lazier, Patrick Corbin, Netta Yerushalmy, Jenn Freeman and Sonya Tayeh. Christopher worked with the recording artist FKA Twigs on a video project. And will be seen in the Hulu series Up Here. He currently teaches contemporary and Heels classes at Peridance Capezio Center in New York City. Also has taught and created works for New York University, Princeton university and The Hartt school of dance.

Dee Tomasetta is a Massachusetts native where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Michigan. She was honored in 2018 receiving the Emerging Artist Alumni Award from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Dee was awarded Dancer of the Decade in 2021 for her principal role in the original production of Those Dancing Feet. Dee currently serves as the Associate Choreographer for the musical The Who’s Tommy in addition to being one of the US Associate Choreographers for the 8 time Tony nominated Broadway production of SIX the Musical.
Dee played the role of Peter Pan as well as Associate Choreographer of the Broadway First National Tour of Finding Neverland. She worked on Broadway workshops of Mrs. Doubtfire, Bliss the Musical, Kalevala the Musical, and The Storm the musical.

Dee was featured on So You Think You Can Dance as a Top 15 female finalist in Season 10 where she met choreographer Mia Michaels. Dee worked as an assistant choreographer on numerous projects with Ms. Michaels including So You Think You Can Dance, the Joffrey Ballet, Mia Michaels LIVE, and performed Mia Michael’s original works at the Geffen Playhouse Los Angeles honoring Lin Manuel Miranda, Dick Van Dyke, and Diane Keaton.

Dee has been seen dancing and singing in The SpongeBob Movie, Disney’s Freaky Friday Movie Musical, the MET GALA, the NBC Upfronts, REEBOK, New York Fashion Week, AUDI Global Launch Events in Shanghai, with Grammy Nominee Aloe Blacc, Musical Artist DUMBLONDE, and Gillette Venus commercials. In addition to dancing, Dee has modeled for MAC Cosmetics, Enbrel Print, Beachbody and Openfit Pilates subscriptions, Capezio Dancewear and Hasbro Products USA.

Her favorite credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the MET Gala 2021, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 3-5, The Gilded Age Season 1 & 2, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Radio City New York Spectacular, Saturday Night Live, New Years Eve Ball Drop with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, Americas Got Talent, Transcendence Theatre, Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre, and iKADA Dance Company.

In addition to performing, Dee is currently on the Dance Faculty at the Joffrey Ballet and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) located in New York City. She continues to share her knowledge, love, and passion for the arts teaching at various dance institutions and conventions throughout the country.