MEET OUR STAFF

Knowledgeable Teaching Staff: Professional Accredited Teachers. Dance Pointe Performing Arts Center's teachers are affiliated with local and national performance companies, in dance, theatre arts and music programs for over 20 years, with University Training, Certifications and a wide range professional performance experience.  Our experienced instructors are committed to helping students of all ages find success both in and out of the studio.  Our instructors are passionate about helping each student build the confidence that comes from a positive dance, theatre and music training experience. 
Jennifer P. - ​Founder of Dance Pointe Performing Arts Center is a Professional Soloist and Dance Educator through Dance Masters of America, Inc.
Artistic Diretor/Dance Instructor - Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Pointe
A Bachelors of Science in legal study, educated in dance for 30 years, and a 10 year career as a professional soloist for major Northeast regional dance companies such as Albano Ballet Company and Hartford Ballet Company in Connecticut, Anglo American Ballet Foundation in New York City, the Summer and Winter Repertoires with Boston Ballet Company and Harbor Ballet Theatre in Port Jefferson.  Providing students of local communities her unsurpassed dance experience, as well as the professionalism and knowledge as an artist, director and teacher for over 15 years in performing arts education to include theatre and music training.
Angelica J.
Dance Instructor - Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Cheer, Acro and Pointe
Angelica a graduate from St. Joseph's College with a BA in Child Study and Speech Communication is a certified dance instructor with multiple NYS Teaching Certifications.  Angelica is trained in classical ballet, as well as Modern, Jazz, Tap, Cheer, Acro, Pointe and Hip-Hop, and has been instructing, and fostering the talents of many students for the past 15 years.   Angelica takes pride in passing onto her students her dedicated professionalism, knowledge and excitement of dance arts as she teaches students to develop and hone in on the detail of their dance education while keeping a positive and enthusiastic approach.  Instilling a sense of accomplishment in each student, Angelica encourages students to be the best they can be.  
Erin T.
​Dance Instructor - Twinkle Babies and Star Dance, Ballet, Tap and Jazz
Erin a Masters graduate of SUNY Stony Brook in teaching, undergraduate in Child Study and Speech Communications at St. Joseph's College and is currently a third grade elementary school teacher with Three Village Schools with teaching experience at destination science camp.  Her dance training through a local dance studio, Ginny Santangelo Dance Center contributes to her amazing talent teaching our little dancers ages 2 through 7 the beginning fundamentals of ballet, tap and jazz while keeping the classes fun and engaging using the award winning Twinkle Star Dance Curriculum that Dance Ponte is partnered with.  This combination gives little ones and young stars a well-rounded and fun approach to beginning dance.  Erin's experience also goes beyond the classroom with choreography and recital management.
Jeff D.
Dance Instructor - Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Pointe
Has been teaching locally based on his knowledge through studying with June Claire and undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.  As a former studio director on student development and choreography.  He created and updated curriculum for each dance method and level as well as organized and ran technical rehearsals, staging, lighting, music cues, and performance order.  He contributes to our studio his vast knowledge of the dance world and instruction to all ages for over 15 years and with his past experience as a teacher, professional performer, and choreographer.  As a male dancer, Jeff adds additional frame of reference when it comes to partnering.  As a professional performer, he shares his knowledge of the joy it is to perform "on stage" and helps students find that inner spirit, both through growth as a dancers, and to shine as a performers. He has a passion for choreography.  Whether it is as small as a solo/duo or trio, or as large as a production number, or anything in between, his goal is to help each student have a wonderful experience through fundamental learning techniques to become well rounded performers and individuals. 
Sara A.
Dance Instructor - Ballet and Pointe
Working towards a Degree in Environmental Science, Sara has trained under the direction of our Studio Director, a professional ballerina certified through Dance Masters of America.  Sara dancing since the age of five specializes in ballet and entricate pointe work.  Her passion for dance, ballet work especially, transcends to her students in a way that inspires and motivates them with confidence and knowledge of the art itself.
Toni-Joy I
Dance Instructor - Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro
Toni-Joy having a Masters in Corporate Communications from Weissman School of Arts and Sciences and undergrad Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Dowling College brings many years of teaching and professional performance experience from various studios in Long Island to children from ages two to adult in multiple types of dance at Dance Pointe.  Toni establishes an encouraging and nurturing environment that promotes fundamental learning practice for beginners to advance students.  She provides clear communication with students and parents regarding their progression as students move through skill levels and growth in their dance art form.  Toni motivates students to achieve their goals, become successful well-rounded performers and individuals and most of all have fun.  Toni possesses a natural talent to choreograph with the understanding of each performer’s strengths to bring them to the stage, and how different forms of movement in all genres best fits a student’s ability to successfully convey their strengths as performers.  Her teachings of the all dance forms build confidence in students that experience her classes, and follows through for her students as they obtain succes not only in class and stage presence, but in everyday life.
Paige P.
Drama, Musical Theatre, Voice & Piano Instructor
Meet Paige a student of theatre arts for over 10 years, attaining her musical theatre degree and collaborating with Productions Over the Rainbow focusing on performance and backstage support.  Her attributes are Florence Hectel, Steven Kroeze, Jennifer Rowley (Metropolitan Opera), the Stony Brook University Theatre Department, Creative Ministries, Minstrel Players, Bob DePersio of Productions Over the Rainbow and Three Village Schools, Linda Contino, Jeffrey Schecter (Broadway Veteran), Alyse Arpino, Susan Auppertee, and Marie Favre.  She welcomes students into the theatre world in a creative environment that allows students to express themselves while learning the passionate aspects of theatre arts as a whole.  As part of our cirriculum, students learn how to audtiion, present themselves as a character, stage block in addition to theatre terms to prepare them for the professional world.  Students enjoy class while benefiting from cosntructive learning techniques.
Rebecca E.
Drama, Musical Theatre, Voice, Violin & Piano Instructor
Rebecca has a Bachelor degree in Music Education with focus on voice from LIU Post, as well her certification as a music teacher for students in grades K-12.  She also has experience with beginning strings as well as extensive theatrical and dance experience gained during her time as a student at Longwood School District Community Theatre, and in addition to teaching here at Dance Pointe, is also the Director of the Lloyd Harbor Theatre Arts Program.  She is currently pursuing a Master’s in special education.  She has a deep passion for music and enjoys sharing her love of music with students.  Teaching general music, she has taught at the Northport-East Northport School District K-5 and chorus grades 6-9 in theatrical performance, NYSSMA, and church talent shows.  Her professional and performance experiences combined with a strong education from LIU Post brings great expertise and knowledge to her students. 
Zack A. 
Musical Theatre, Voice, Guitar, Percussion & Piano Instructor (Baritone)
Completed requirements to attain his teaching certificate at the Bower School of Music, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in music education and vocal performance.  Zack has a high level proficiency in working as both a voice teacher, music educator and director, as well as being a singer, conductor and music composer.  Zack prides himself with the excitement of working with students, helping them to grow both as musicians and people.  His teaching experience includes varied teaching methods by way of thorough instruction in vocal pedagogy, secondary vocal methods, and choral conducting, and has taught students from ages five to adult privately for over four years.  Zack is honored to teach students in a wide range of academia areas, as well as music methods, stage acting and theatre performance.  He inspires his students by motivating them to reach their goals from class to class comprehensively developing the skills that students need to achieve and attain their aspirations in becoming great performers.
George B.  
Music Instructor (Guitar)
George has been playing the guitar for 15 years.  He began playing acoustic and electric guitar in 2001, studied classical guitar as an undergraduate at Stony Brook University from 2008-2012, and currently plays jazz guitar and  teaches Music Technology at Five Towns College.  George has a broad performance background which includes solo classical, acoustic, and electric guitar performances, numerous performances around New York and Michigan with a jazz trio, university performances in big band and chamber ensembles, and local Long Island performances with his hip hop/funk, fusion, and progressive metal bands respectively, in which he has played six and seven string guitar, drums, bass guitar, banjo, and performed lead and backup vocals.  George brings his excitement about music and the guitar to his instruction.  He is an enthusiastic and energetic mentor who enjoys teaching both group and individual lessons.  He places focus on balancing mastering techniques and concepts, and having a lot of fun. In addition, George tailors his teaching to students' interests and abilities.  Happy to teach any style of playing, he devotes his teaching to helping students progress as musicians, and offers students nothing but the best of enjoyment in their progress, so that music might become an engaging and rewarding part of their lives.