FACULTY
North Shore Performing Arts Center is thrilled to be in its 26th year of business. The entire staff prides themselves on helping children and adults gain self-confidence, coordination and self-expression. The instructors at NSPAC teach more than just how to dance, they teach their students the art of dance.
RHIANNON BRADLEY
Choreographer/Instructor
Rhiannon Bradley has had a passion for dance since the age of 2. She began competing at age 4 in tap, musical theatre, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, company productions and was trained in ballet. She competed many times at regionals and Nationals through DanceXplosion. After a pause from dance to train for college, Rhiannon committed to LIU Post where she was on the Division 1 Cheerleading team and competed at UCA Nationals. She continued taking open classes at Brickhouse NYC where she trained in Hip-Hop and street jazz . Rhiannon is excited to be teaching this year at NSPAC to share her love of dance.
JENNIFER CESTARO
Choreographer/Instructor
Jennifer Cestaro was trained at North Shore Performing Arts where she danced throughout high school and college. Her training also includes Broadway Dance Center, where she has danced with many professionals including Dan Karaty, Germaine Salsberg, Alex Hasbany, and Chris Hale. She has additionally attended events such as the Rockette Dance Experience, the Broadway Dance Experience through the Nederlander Theatre, as well as the Annual Dance Teacher Summit where she has worked with choreographers such as Mandy Moore and Travis Wall. Jennifer also has extensive experience in competitive dance. She has placed high score overall and won titles at National Dance Showcase, Legacy, Footloose, Starpower, Starbound, and Headliners, and was chosen to represent the US at the World Dance Championship in Germany. She has been choreographing high scoring routines for North Shore Performing Arts since 2005. Jennifer has a wide-ranging background in Musical Theatre as well. She participated in the Usdan Center for Performing Art’s Musical Theatre program for six years. Some of her experience includes playing Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Arielle in Footloose, the Artful Dodger in Oliver, Sarah in Guys and Dolls, and Jeanie in Hair. She graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in May 2011, magna cum laude with a Government and Economics degree, where she was the Assistant Director of the Georgetown University Dance Company, a concert repertory dance company that performs diverse works in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, as well as other styles. She received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law magna cum laude in 2014. Jennifer loves being a part of the NSPAC family and is looking forward to another great year!
CASSIDY FERREIRA
Choreographer/Instructor
Cassidy Ferreira has been dancing for the past sixteen years. She started off taking combo classes at NSPAC and worked her way into becoming a dance teacher. She is trained in many styles of dance such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. After participating in several dance competitions, she won platinum awards and first place trophies. Cassidy also participated in the Joffrey Ballet School and the Karen Lynch School of Ballet summer intensives. She also took classes at The Ballet Center to further her knowledge and expand her passion for dance. She is currently in college and is a member of the Nassau Dance Team. Cassidy is looking forward to another great year teaching at NSPAC!
MARIA KIRIAZIS
Choreographer/Instructor
Maria Kiriazis has been dancing for the past nineteen years. She started her formal dance training at North Shore Performing Arts Center. She competed in hip hop and tap for many years, while teaching recreative and competition dance classes during her senior year of high school. Maria attended SUNY Oneonta, where she just graduated with her Bachelors degree in early childhood/childhood education. Maria was on Oneonta’s dance company since her first semester in college. She choreographed contemporary and hip hop works for four years at SUNY Oneonta and was the secretary on the executive board for two years. Dance has always been a passion and something Maria looked forward to doing everyday. She can’t wait to be back at her second home with her NSPAC family. She is so excited for such an awesome year and is blessed to be working with so many amazing dancers!
JAMIE KLEINSCHNITZ
Choreographer/Instructor
Jamie is a freelance artist, performer, choreographer, and dance instructor based in NYC. Originally from Long Island, NY, Jamie received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Adelphi University with a major in Dance and minor in Psychology, and studied abroad at the London Contemporary Dance School in the UK. As a choreographer, she has set works at Adelphi University, for music videos, and on various dance studios. As a performer, she has danced works by Ohad Naharin, Azure Barton, Alexander Ekman, Paul Taylor, Manuel Vignoulle, Alice Klock, Florian Lochner, William Briscoe, and Wesley Ensminger, among others. Jamie has been a movement artist with Mathew James’ Urban / Tribe, Valeria Gonzalez’s VALLETO Dance, John Zullo’s Zullo/Raw Movement, Emily Greenwell’s Cloude.nyc, Rudy Abreu’s Radiance, and currently, Thryn Saxon’s SAXYN Dance Works.
KELLY MILONE
Choreographer/Instructor
Kelly Milone (formerly Vaghenas) holds her BFA in Dance from Montclair State University, where she performed works by artists including Martha Graham, José Limón, and Larry Keigwin, and assisted professor Maxine Steinman with choreography courses post-graduation. She won a full scholarship to the Rockette Summer Intensive at age 16 and served as an assistant for the program in summers following. Professional credits include: Choreographer for the original musical, “THEY Call it Gravy; WE Call it Sauce!,” Backup dancer in the 2018 Bollywood Oscars and 2019 Dabangg: Reloaded U.S./Canada tour; Dancer/Singer at Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort in Greece; Dancer in Unleashed, a Vegas circus show at Six Flags Great Adventure/Fright Fest. Kelly is currently the lead tap and jazz teacher at USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts here on Long Island.
KERI MINICOZZI
Choreographer/Instructor
Keri Minicozzi, Long Island born and raised, has been dancing since she was two years old. Keri danced and competed both regionally and nationally for a highly competitive studio on Long Island, until she was 18. Upon graduating high school, where she danced on her school’s dance team, Keri attended Hofstra University. At Hofstra University, Keri was a Physical Education major with a minor in Dance. She was also on the Hofstra dance team, who was back-to-back national champions in the hip-hop division, in 2012 and 2013. Besides competing for Varsity Brands, Keri worked for Varsity and was a UDA instructor from 2009-2016. Keri was also a New York Cosmos Girl for three years, a dance team for a professional soccer team, and was captain in her last year.
FABI RENOIS
Choreographer/Instructor
Fabi Renois is a dedicated and passionate dancer/instructor with years of experience in a variety of dance styles. She started her dance journey at the age of three and hasn't stopped since. For years she trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop as well as varsity cheerleading. In high school she was captain of her varsity cheerleading team, where she helped curate dance routines. She then went on to study dance, business and liberal arts at CUNY Queens College and dreams to teach dance in public schools. She's proficient and committed to making a mark on the world and impacting students from all around. She values embracing the authentic self as well as cultivating a sense of community for students. She's motivated with a great understanding of people. Fabi is devoted to making real world contributions and expanding knowledge through hard work and dedication. After taking a year off from teaching, she's very excited to return to her passion and work with student of all skill levels.
ALLY SLAVIN
Competition Director
Choreographer/Instructor
Ally Slavin was born and raised in Long Island, NY. Ally started dancing at North Shore Performing Arts Center, at the age of two. She studied and trained in all styles of dance at NSPAC, while competing in regional and national competitions. In high school, Ally was also a member of the nationally ranked Syosset Varsity Kickline Team. After high school, Ally attended Ohio State University where she continued her education and love for dance. She was on a dance team, her sophomore year of college, for Alpha Phi. Ally recently graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Criminology. Ally is very excited to be back at NSPAC, teaching the next generation of dancers!
LOLA VOLKMAR
Choreographer/Instructor
Lola Haven Volkmar is ecstatic to join the staff at North Shore Performing Arts Center! Lola has trained in numerous styles that include, but are not limited to; Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, African dance, and Lira! Lola is currently a BFA dance major at LIU Post and has had the pleasure of serving as Co-Company manager of the Post Concert Dance Company (PCDC). She has had the opportunity to perform with PCDC in numerous performances. She was most recently seen in the guest choreographer showcase 'Rhapsody' at Symphony Space. Lola performed in pieces by Croix Dilenno, Lloyd Knight, Natalie Lomonte, Yoshito Sakuraba and many others! Dance challenges the social norm. It gives the hopeless hope. Opening minds, opening hearts, giving insight, offering understanding, and demonstrating empathy are all aspects of dance Lola loves!
KATHRYN
WINKLER
Social Media Manager
Choreographer/Instructor
Kat Winkler started dancing when she was only two years old, giving her twenty five+ years of experience in the dance world. She was trained at many studios in jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical and modern and danced competitively for eight years, competing at multiple competitions on Long Island, including; KAR, Revolution, and Legacy. She started teaching dance when she was sixteen and continued to teach/choreograph for her high school Kickline Team, College Dance Team, and College Dance Company. After graduating Loyola University Maryland, Kat started working in Advertising in NYC and is continuing her passion of teaching dance and choreographing at NSPAC!
SYDNEY ZELIN
Recital Director
Choreographer/Instructor
Sydney Zelin was a student at NSPAC for 16 years before heading off to college. She trained at
NSPAC in all styles of dance. For 11 years, Sydney competed in hip-hop, jazz, and tap. During
her time at NSPAC, Sydney was dancer in award-winning dances. She was also a member of the
nationally ranked Syosset Varsity Kickline throughout her four years in high school. While on the team, they placed third in the nation! Sydney recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Ohio State University, earning a B.S. in Education and Disability Studies. Sydney took multiple dance classes at OSU, taught by professional and well-known instructors. She competed on Ohio State’s Movement Variations dance team in 2017 and was a member of her award-winning sorority, Delta Gamma, dance team. During her final two years of college, Sydney earned the captain position of her dance team, in which she choreographed and trained highly competitive dancers. Sydney is so excited to officially join the NSPAC staff and be back in her second home!