Archives: Faculty

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.

Maddie Rodrigue is a multi-hyphenate performer, choreographer, and educator from Maryland, based in New York City. Maddie made her debut as a Radio City Rockette in 2019, and has since been performing with the company in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and for live televised events and appearances. Maddie has been a featured performer in multiple seasons of Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and can be seen dancing in Lionsgate’s new film, “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret.” As a teacher and choreographer Maddie is inspired by collaborative, creative processes and prioritizes interpersonal connection and empathy in her approach to leadership. She has been recognized regionally and nationally for her choreographic achievements, and has created and presented work for Pace School of Performing Arts, HIVHERO’s Broadway & Ballet, and full length musicals for Young Artists of America. Maddie is a proud graduate of Pace University and holds a BFA in Commercial Dance, with concentrations in Choreography and Pedagogy, as well as a minor in Arts & Entertainment Management.

Justina Aveyard is a professional dancer and choreographer hailing from Toronto, Canada. Justina continued her dance training at The Ailey School in New York City where she trained with and performed works by acclaimed choreographers. Upon graduation, Justina became a dancer with Broadway Dance Lab where she collaborated with Broadway choreographers to help create innovative choreography for upcoming musicals. Justina also works with RWS Entertainment Group on creating productions for Holland America, Azamara and MSC Cruise Lines. Justina has performed in the Tony award winning musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The Muny, toured internationally with Step One Dance Company, and continues to perform annually in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Additionally, Justina has also been seen dancing in commercials for iconic brands like Kate Space and Audi. Justina absolutely loves teaching at conventions and studios across the United States and Canada as well as being an assistant to numerous Broadway and TV/Film choreographers.

Born and raised in South Africa, Nathalie moved to the US to attend Joffrey Ballet School. After graduating from Boston Ballet School, she danced with Boston Ballet, English National Ballet, Synergy Dance UK before moving into theatre. Credits include Radio City, Dirty Dancing UK, An American in Paris Broadway Tour (Swing), My Fair Lady Broadway Tour (Dance Captain), Schmigadoon, Night At the Museum & Step Up franchises, Kate Spade, Michael Buble and many other creative artists around the world. Nathalie is inspired to teach and encourage the next generation of dancers by strongly emphasizing technique while keeping the energy fun and supportive.

Nicolas received his dance training at The Joffrey Ballet, School of American Ballet and Miami City Ballet School. Afterwards he danced professionally with Charlotte Ballet, and the Los Angeles Ballet. He has been in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for the past six seasons. His regional theatre credits include recently A Chorus Line playing ‘Butch’ while understudying ‘Paul’ and ‘Greg’; Bobby in Cabaret ; ‘Dream Curly’ in Oklahoma! ; La Cage Aux Folles ; Jerome Robbins Broadway; Mame ; and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . He was also in the national tour of Saturday Night Fever. Nicolas has made television appearances in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 3, Halston, and Feud season 2. His commercial credits include Estee Lauder Holiday and the Kate Spade Summer Campaign. . Nicolas has worked closely with the Verdon/Fosse Legacy. He has also danced with Charlotte Ballet and The Los Angeles Ballet.