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Faculty
Miss Kailey
Owner/Artistic Director
Instructor/Choreographer
Kailey Blair began dancing at the age of 5 and continued pursuing her passion for dance for 15 years after. She studied each genre of dance at the Marya Kennett Ballet Theatre which included ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop & modern. Kailey entered into the Dance Company at age 13. She has attended the American Academy of Ballet, as well as studied under master teachers at NYC’s Broadway Dance Center. She has danced with Brian Loftus, Olga Dvorovenko, Nailah Bellinger, Jean Wenzel, Kelly Peters of Brickhouse NYC, Chio, Bev Brown & Bill Hastings. Being well versed in all genres she continued her studies at Dean College School of Dance where she majored in Dance and Sports Management. She became Captain of the Dean College Hip Hop Dance Team by her sophomore year. After years of teaching and choreography opportunities she then followed her dreams and opened her own studio Northeast Dance Movement in Florida, NY in 2012 where she directed 21 productions and 3 competition team levels. Entering into her 11th year of owning and directing a studio, Kailey is honored and privileged to be able to do what she loves and excited to see what lies ahead!
Miss Vallet
Ballet Mistress
Instructor/Choreographer
Miss Vallet has been teaching ballet to young students for over 50 years. Ms. Vallet was born in France. She studied with The Paris Opera Ballet and joined their traveling ballet company at the age of 18. After moving to the states, she started working with Marya Kennett in Goshen, NY. She started teaching for Joanne Thompson Ray in 1998 and then for Miss Danielle. Miss Vallet is a highly respected ballet teacher and pushes her students to be their very best. She instills discipline while being encouraging and supportive. Miss Vallet plays a vital role in the production and choreography of the Nutcracker and other classical ballet pieces. She has also coached and arraigned classical variations for the Youth American Grand Prix ballet competition.
Miss Kaycee
Competition Coordinator
Instructor/Choreographer
Kaycee Wright started studying dance at the age of three in Orange County, New York and has continued to do so for the past 20 years. A natural performer and competitor, Kaycee has performed and competed in many events throughout the years. Some including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Disney World and many more! Kaycee has also obtained IMDb credit from web series Spirit Hunters-The Series and Level5Cheer.. After high school, she continued sharing her love of dance with students down south and has choreographed the Mrs. North Carolina International Pageant, and Sister Act The Musical for early college students. She has graduated from Craven Community College with an Associates in Arts, and is a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through National Academy of Sports Medicine. Kaycee is also an Active Training Coach for Range Movement. Most recently, Kaycee has completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with emphasis in Sports Management from Eastern New Mexico University.
Miss Lauren
Instructor/Choreographer
Lauren Olmo is originally from Monroe, New York and grew up dancing at Marya Kennett. She went on to study Dance and Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin. Upon returning to New York, Lauren co-founded a modern dance company, Anahata Dance. The company performed at many festivals and events such as Judson Church, Dumbo Dance Festival, and Joyce Soho. She also began teaching Zumba, Pilates and Dance at Mark Morris, Reebok Sports Center, and Bodystrength Fitness. In 2011, Lauren received her Masters in Dance Education at NYU and her preK-12th NYS teaching license. She founded the dance program at KIPP NYC College Prep High School and after 12 years there, she recently started a new role as Student Life Coordinator and Dance Teacher at Chappaqua Central School District. Dancing has always been Lauren's passion and she is thrilled to be joining the Thrive Family!
Miss Brianna
Instructor/Choreographer
Brianna Blair began dancing at the age of 5 and continued on for 17 years. She studied and trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap, and lyrical at Hudson Valley Conservatory in Walden, NY. Throughout her time in Walden, she taught jazz, modern and tap. Brianna’s main focus of training was on the art of performing; she performed in four productions per year at her home studio. She further pursued dance at Sacred Heart University as a member of the professional dance company for three years. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and recently graduated with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy.
Miss Lisa
Instructor/Choreographer
Lisa Annicaro began her dance education at the age of 5. She studied hip hop, acro, ballet, and tap while also participating in competitive gymnastics and cheerleading for many years. She continued onto collegiate level competitions. Post college, Lisa began instructing hip hop and Zumba at Fly Dance Fitness and LA Fitness while she resided in Sarasota, Florida. Lisa moved back to the area continuing her studies at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Lisa is super excited to bring her dance style and expertise to the Thrive dancers!
Miss Danielle
Owner/Artistic Director
Instructor/Choreographer
Danielle Adamo began dancing at the age of 5 as a student of Joanne Thompson Ray and Claude Vallet. Danielle was a member of the Joanne's Dance Studio senior company and student taught since the age of 12. She graduated from Hofstra University where she studied Business Marketing and Dance. She has also studied at numerous dance and theatre schools in the NYC area including: American Theatre Dance Workshop, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Camp Broadway, and more. At ADTW, she studied under former Alberta Ballet Director, Ali Pourfarrokh. She continues to expand her repertoire by attending master classes and workshops with industry leading teachers and choreographers. Danielle is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique in levels Junior, Senior, and Advanced. In 2020, Danielle completed the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries' Dancer Wellness and Injury Prevention program through NYU Langone Health. Danielle is the former artistic director of New Generation Dance in Blooming Grove, NY where she directed yearly spring and winter productions.
Miss Alyssa
Instructor/Choreographer
Alyssa has been dancing since the age of 3. She began her career in Allentown, Pa., where she was trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, hip hop and musical theater. She has attended both regional and national competitions. She was a member of her high school dance team performing at all major school events, and became captain her senior year. She was awarded the Arts Ovation Award in high school for her excellence in dance and was able to train at the college level in ballet and jazz. When in college at SUNY Cortland, she was a member of Cortland Danceworks, the hip hop dance team performing during halftime of sporting events, as well as attending UDA regional competitions. She held the position of Captain/Vice President her junior and senior year. She also continued her ballet training with the Theater Department at SUNY Cortland. After graduating, she has continued to dance and teach while attending graduate school. She has obtained a M.S. in General Psychology and is currently working towards a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Mercy College
Miss Kim
Instructor/Choreographer
Kimberly Eckerson has had a life-long passion for ballet and began dancing at the age of four. She studied at Garden State Ballet, entered the Youth Company at age seven, and began performing annually in the company’s Nutcracker. She danced both corps de ballet and lead roles, including Snow Lead, Dew Drop, and Sugar Plum. With the GSB Youth Company, Kim also performed at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJPAC alongside American Repertory Ballet, and at various schools and public venues throughout NJ. She later branched out to study other styles of dance including modern, jazz, tap, theatre, and basic ballroom styles. She studied theatre at Bergen County Academies (AVPA) and danced in their productions of Guys & Dolls, Les Miserables, Pippin, and Urinetown. Kim went on to graduate from Indiana University with a B.S. in Arts Management and a Minor in Dance and Psychology. She has taught at various summer programs including Newark Symphony Hall’s Summer Performing Arts Academy and IU’s Pre-College Ballet Program, has taught at Infinite Motion Performing Arts Academy and their GSS programs, and subbed at various studios throughout NJ. She also interned with ABT, choreographed for their Make A Ballet Program, and was a counselor for both their NY and California Summer Intensives. Kim currently manages at Capezio (Center Stage Wyckoff location), and is very excited to be joining the team at Thrive Dance Company!
Miss Chrissy
Instructor/Choreographer
Chrissy Maher is an acro instructor who started her dance and gymnastics training at Marya Kennett Dance Centre and Kennett's School of Gymnastics at the age of 3. At Kennett's, Chrissy was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip-hop as well as a competitive gymnast. While at Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY), Chrissy continued her love for dance through the Le Moyne Student Dance Company and Le Moyne Dance Team. By the end of her four years, Chrissy became President and choreographer for the company and Head Choreographer of the team. Her favorite styles to perform are modern and hip-hop, and loved choreographing intricate modern pieces with acro elements. She loves watching her students grow in every class, and hopes each student leaves confident in themselves and their new skills!
Miss Emma
Instructor/Choreographer
Emma Cernuto has been dancing for 14 years and as a competitive dancer for 10 of those years. Emma trained under Northeast Dance Movement and Thrive Dance Company. Her dance focus has included ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop and heels. She is actively chasing her dreams as a Dance Major at Rockland Community College. She is so eager to share her love and passion for dance with all of her students here at TDC!
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