Our Faculty
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT
- OUR FACULTY -
The faculty at the DanceLife Teacher Conference are experienced business professionals, master teachers, inspirational speakers and people who share your passion for the art of dance. Each year, DLTC brings together amazing educators with expertise for the business and classroom.
Agostino, Belinda
Belinda is a co-founder of Ready Set Dance, the leading preschool dance program Worldwide. The program proudly created by studio owners for studio owners, has seen such success that Nickelodeon turned it into a TV show. With her degree in Business, majoring in Marketing and experience as a dance educator, Belinda understands connecting class marketing…
Boyd, Joshua
Joshua Boyd is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in children, teens, and young adults. He also is a former dancer and gymnast who has coached and taught for the last 17 years. Alongside his job as a therapist, Josh is currently a high level gymnastics coach and acro skills teacher for dancers. Through high…
Brettingham-Filice, Rebecca
Rebecca Brettingham-Filice is the owner and artistic director of Dance Extreme Inc. located in London, Ontario, Canada. Teaching and managing the studio since inception in 1997, Rebecca has taught many students. With over 600 students attending the school annually, she is kept busy with her faculty of 30. She brings with her over 20 years…
Burgess, Drew
Ohio native, Drew Burgess made his industry debut on Live with Regis during Amazing Kids Week. Upon relocating to California, he trained at L.A.’s best studios including EDGE, Millennium, Fusion, and the PAC Annex. Drew is highly sought after as a performer, choreographer, guest teacher, dance supervisor, & dance captain. Drew can be seen on…
Canino, Jessica
Jessica Canino is the owner and artistic director of Creative Dance Studio in Plantation, FL. After receiving her MBA in Entrepreneurship in 2014 she opened the doors to her studio where she currently manages the business, teaches students of all ages in a variety of dance styles, produces two productions a year, and runs the…
Canterna-Hardy, Ashley
Ashley Canterna Hardy received her ballet training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC on full scholarship. At 14, she was the winner of the junior division at the Youth America Grand Prix Ballet Competition. That same year, she represented the United States at the 2000 International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria winning…
Carter, Angela
Angela Carter is an award-winning choreographer, highly sought out international master teacher, and creative entrepreneur. She is Co-Owner and Director of Tap Into the Network, a touring tap dance intensive alongside Ryan Lohoff. Started by longtime partner Gregg Russell, TITN is now in their 14th season, providing exclusive training experience for both students and teachers.…
Dever, Sean
Sean Dever is a CPA and financial planner based on Massachusetts. He provides tax planning & preparation, accounting, payroll, consulting, business valuation and financial services to Dance, Swim, Gymnastics and other child sport centers throughout the United States. His specific areas of expertise include taxes, payroll, bookkeeping, financial planning, tax planning and business valuations for…
Duncan, Sandi
Sandi Duncan has been a dance educator in the New England area for over 35 years working with students of all ages. She owned and directed Dance Productions in Woburn, Ma for 9 years before becoming a senior faculty member at the Melissa Hoffman Dance Center in Hudson, NH. Sandi has taught, choreographed and adjudicated…
Elszy, Richard
Richard Elszy is passionately dedicated to training the next generation of dancers through his technical expertise and inspiring them with inventive and picturesque choreography. In his current endeavor, Richard has created “Building Blocks of Dance” an online dance technique program for teachers. As a Los Angeles-based choreographer, Richard’s classes at the esteemed Edge Performing Arts Center…
Gold, Rhee
Rhee Gold is a dance field pioneer who has led a movement that continues to change and improve the face of dance education. Teachers and studio owners from the United States, Australia, Canada, Grand Cayman, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom and more flock to his retreats, seminars, keynote speeches, and conferences to gain…
Gudat, Diane
Diane Gudat is a freelance writer, teacher and choreographer from Indianapolis, Indiana. She now teaches at the studio she owned, The Dance Company for more than 28 years and has been a dance educator for more than 45 years. She is the author of seven dance books specifically designed for the dance teacher: The Time…
Hoffman, Melissa
Melissa is the director of one of the largest schools in New Hampshire, the Melissa Hoffman Dance Center, an 8,000 square foot facility, which she designed and built. Her more than 30 years of teaching experience combined with her business savvy have led her to a very successful career in dance education and presenting for…
Hubela, Geo
With over 20 years experience in the Entertainment Industry, GEO Hubela is a Choreographer, Artistic Director, Dancer & Teacher. He also is Co-owner and Director of one of New Jerseys leading Dance Education facilities, ICON DANCE COMPLEX, home of the ICONic Dance Company. GEO has choreographed internationally for stage and screen in France, Germany, the…
Imperio, Liz
Liz Imperio has established herself as a major director and choreographer in the entertainment industry. Some of her credits include the staging and choreography for Jennifer Lopez’s most recent world tour Dance Again; director/choreographer of Gloria Estefan’s last 3 world concert tours; and two world tours for Madonna – the Re-invention Tour and the Confessions…
Lemenager, Nancy
Growing up at the Charlotte Klein Dance Studio in Worcester, MA, Nancy took all subjects, participated in dance competitions and was named Miss Dance of America by Dance Masters of America. Nancy’s theatre credits, as a performer, include the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (Lincoln Center Theater). Her Broadway…
Mangiaratti, Teri
Teri Mangiaratti is the owner and artistic director of In Sync Center of the Arts in Quincy, Massachusetts. In Sync teaches over 1,500 students weekly in various dance, toddler, music, theater, and art programs. In Sync opened in 1996 in Weymouth, MA, and is celebrating its 24th year in business. She added another location in Milton,…
Miller, Rhonda
Rhonda Miller (Director/Program Head of BFA Commercial Dance Program) She was a founder and co-owner of L.A.’s premier dance studio, The Edge and was the leader for many years of its convention business, L.A. DanceForce. . Her work has also been seen in commercials and industrials for such Fortune 500 companies as Apple, Chrysler, Toys…
Mohr, Pete
Certified Business Coach Pete is the CEO of Simplifying Entrepreneurship, coaching business leaders through constant change. He helps entrepreneurs transform their frustrations into freedoms by using a variety of frameworks that help them cut through the chaos of running a business. With over 27 years as a business owner, he’s refined many of his tips,…
Moore, Becca
Confetti on the Dance Floor and Twirl were created by Becca Moore and Dani Rosenberg of Rhythm Dance Center. With more than 28 years experience, Becca and Dani are known for the fun + festive atmosphere of Rhythm, located in Marietta, Georgia. Rhythm is currently home to 1,000 dancers, as well as hundreds of esteemed…
Morgan, Stacey
Stacey Morgan is a passionate entrepreneur and small business consultant from Australia. She is the Principal of Port Macquarie Performing Arts, a dance school on the mid north coast of NSW. She is also the Director of Morgan Media, a global podcast production company that focuses on Podcasts related to Small Business, the Arts and…
Neal, Patty
Patty Neal is the passionate founder and CEO of the Dance Spectrum studio in Buffalo, New York. Currently entering it’s 43rd season, the Dance Spectrum is the home to 350 boys and girls, studying a complete dance curriculum for all ages and skill levels. Patty has always been a natural leader, a role model, and…
Perry, Brett
Brett Perry is a multi-dimensional artist who believes deeply in the transcendent power of the arts. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Brett discovered dance at the age of 4 via The Dance Co. under the direction of Diane Gudat. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Brett has performed works by acclaimed choreographers such as Aszure…
Rosenberg, Dani
Confetti on the Dance Floor and Twirl were created by Becca Moore and Dani Rosenberg of Rhythm Dance Center. With more than 28 years experience, Becca and Dani are known for the fun + festive atmosphere of Rhythm, located in Marietta, Georgia. Rhythm is currently home to 1,000 dancers, as well as hundreds of esteemed…
Ruggiero, Evan
Evan Ruggiero began dancing at the age of five in his hometown studio and by age ten, he was accepted into the famed New Jersey Tap Ensemble. Upon entering his sophomore year at Montclair State University while pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, Evan was suddenly diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer…
Scheitler, Jessica
Jessica Scheitler owns Financial Groove in New York and Las Vegas, bridging the gap between creativity and business. Providing accounting and tax expertise for arts and entertainment, Jessica works with the top recognized dance studios in the nation and has clients spanning the globe throughout prominent arts organizations including Broadway, Cirque Du Soleil, SYTYCD, and…
Simpson, Pam
Pam Simpson is the founder, president, and driving force behind Forte Arts Center, which was established in Morris, Illinois in 1993. In addition to building her business from a small, one room studio to a large, multi-location organization that offers dance, tumbling and cheer programs as well as private music lessons, Pam is a leading…
Sleight, Jackie
Jackie Sleight is fearless. Her dedication to education in the dance industry has been endless. Dance Magazine quoted Jackie as being “the teachers’ teacher,” and she has received numerous awards honoring her commitment to the industry. She spent years choreographing and directing film, television, commercials, and live performances, all while training some of the biggest…
Soutier, Michelle
Michelle is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of UNC Charlotte and has an extensive background in performing arts and education. Michelle is the Past President of Carolina Dance Masters and is a member of Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of America. Michelle also serves on the advisory board for The…
Taylor, Michael
Michael Taylor is celebrating over 35 years as a master teacher, giving seminars, setting original choreographic works and teaching dancers around the world in both the private and public sectors, in addition to college, university and fine arts programs. As a performer, some of his credits include: Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, serving as associate…
Trench, Andrea
Andrea Trench is dedicated to helping dance teachers create and deliver content that is research-based and developmentally appropriate for children under the age of 6. Her primary focus is classroom management, conceptual teaching, and foundational movement skill development in early childhood dance education. In addition, Andrea uses her 12 years of experience as a partner…
Wanner, Heather
Heather Wanner is an educator at heart. Having spent many years teaching in the Elementary and Middle School classrooms, working with children and nurturing their spirits and well-being has always been a passion of Heather’s. As a former Actor’s Equity Member spending many years auditioning and performing in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, her…
Webb, Moses
Moses has been creating and developing mobile applications for ~12 years. After officially launching Dominion and MySunday, LLC, Moses has published more than 100 custom mobile applications on the Apple Store and Google Play Store for small businesses, religious organizations, non-profits, and more. Outside of business and development, Moses is a new father and enjoys…
Yanford, Derrick
Derrick Yanford began his formal training in a local studio of his hometown Southwick, Massachusetts, where he studied ballet, jazz, tap, and acrobatics with his teacher Brenda Barna. After furthering his dance education at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Derrick began his professional career and has had the pleasure of performing with…
Yip, Mandy
As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy Yip manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 6000 dance studios in USA, Canada, UK, Australia, South Africa and over 30 other countries. She heads the Acrobatic Arts examination program, and trains and certifies adjudicators to…