Meet our team
Dawn Laviola-Schaub has been teaching children the art of dance for 30 years and has been the artistic director at the Performing Arts Academy for 28 years. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and is the proud mother of two children, Tyler and Jolie.She has performed on television’s Star Search and in MTV music videos, and has worked with the Jennifer Mueller Dance Company in NYC. Dawn has also performed throughout Belgium and France.Dawn was a scholarship student at the Broadway Dance Center, Steps and Theatre Dance in NYC, and was also on the faculty at Montclair State University. She is a member of Dance Masters of America NYC and CT chapters. She has taught master classes, and has adjudicated at numerous dance conventions throughout the US and Canada. In 1999, she was the choreographer of Dance Masters of America’s National Teen Miss and Mr. Dance of America Opening Routine.Dawn has been the recipient of numerous choreography awards over the years. In 2000, she was named America’s National Choreographer of the Year by American Dance Awards. In 2008, she was bestowed a National Choreography award by Starpower National Talent Competition, and in 2013, she was given the National Acrobatic Choreographer of the Year Award by United States Tournament of Dance.Dawn’s students have performed in MTV music videos, in Atlantic City, on soap operas, and in national commercials. They can also be seen in many Broadway shows and national tours, including Saturday Night Fever, Contact, Footloose, Wicked, Knicks City Dancers, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Artistic Director
Dawn LaViola-Schaub
Meghan Frayne
Meghan Frayne started training at the Performing Arts Academy under the direction of Dawn Laviola-Schaub at the age of 9. At PAA, she was also given the chance to train with George Lon, Chris Lee, Mary-Kate Felber, Donna Scro, Yulia Akoypan, Paris Mann, and Andre Shakhin. During her years as a student at PAA, she received numerous awards and scholarships from American Dance Awards, Dance Masters of America, NYC Dance Alliance, and many other well-known dance competitions and conventions in the United States.She has held both regional and national titles for numerous organizations. Meghan has performed with professional dance companies including The Edge in Boston, MA, and Nemesis Dance in New York City. She was a member of the “Jasper Dancers” in college, and was one of the 27 students chosen to represent the state of New Jersey in 1997 for the Dance Excellence Organization. Meghan has been the recipient of American Dance Awards’ Regional “Young Choreographer of the Year”, and she was a National nominee twice. She has earned the National Acrobatic Choreographer of the Year award & the National Tap Choreographer of the Year award from the United States Tournament of Dance for many of her routines. Her students have performed for the New Jersey Jackals and can be seen as Knicks Kid City Dancers, WNBA Lil’ Torches, and Members of United States Acrobatic and Dance team. In 2007, Meghan also took on the role of PAA’s office manager. She has a degree in Business Administration, focusing on Management and Marketing, from Manhattan College.
Yuliya Akopyan
Yuliya Akopyan graduated from the Moscow Dance Academy, after which she joined the Bolshoi Theater, where she danced for 20 years as a principal dancer and soloist. There, she had the opportunity to dance with Marina Semenova, Galina Ulanova, and Maia Pleisiskaya. During her time with the Bolshoi Theater. Yuliya starred in more than forty principal roles, in such performances as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Chopiniana, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Raymonda, Le Corsaire, and Divertissements. She toured worldwide, in places such as The United States, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Great Britain, Brazil, France, Mexico, Austria, Japan, China, Korea, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Holland. Yuliya was also selected to represent the Bolshoi Ballet in the International Ballet Competition held in Moscow. Yuliya has many years of experience as a teacher and choreography assistant, and her ballet classes provide exceptional training for young dancers.
Elisabetta Spuria
Elisabetta Spuria is originally from Italy, where she grew up and started her professional career as a dancer, choreographer and teacher.Since she moved to New York City she has had the pleasure to work and collaborate with many directors and choreographers like Joshua Bergasse, AC Ciulla, Andy Sandberg, Andrew Goldberg, Michele Assaf, Terry Beeman, Andy Blankenbuehler, Bill Castellino and many others. This has given her the opportunity to enrich her skills and become a versatile performer and choreographer, allowing her to work in all different areas of the entertainment industry, from industrials and corporate events to rock shows, music videos and classic musicals.She served as the associate choreographer and assistant directorfor Mariah Carey's “Charmbracelet World Tour” and for Michael Bolton's “Only A Woman Like You Tour”. She has been assistant choreographer, dance captain and performer in numerous theater productions : Footloose, Nights on Broadway III, the operas Carmen, Candide and Aida (Houston Grand Opera and Opera Pacific) to name a few.Elisabetta was the choreographer of the regional premiere of Spring Awakening (ReVision Theatre/TheatreC), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (LIVE Asbury Park), Hair directed by Andrew Goldberg, Chicago at the Michael D. Palm Theatre (Co), The Who’s Tommy directed by Carlos Armesto, Tess A New Rock Opera (NYMF), disOriented, a play by Kyoung H. Park (Peter Jay Sharp Theatre), the Off Broadway play Zelda at the Oasis directed by Andy Sandberg, Standby (NYMF), Madame Infamy (NYMF), Billy Lewis Jr.’s Jealousy (music video).More credits include numerous events in and outside New York City, and she was associate choreographer for Marvel’s “Jessica Jones” (Netflix), the PBS children show The Electric Company and for ABC’s 2010 One Life To Live musical episodes. In addition to that Elisabetta travels extensively to teach master classes and workshops throughout North America and across the globe. She has also been a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center and at Steps on Broadway in NYC.
Doctor of Physical Therapy David Lee is an experienced and elite gymnastics and tumbling coach. He has served as Head Coach for Strength and Development for elite nationally ranked gymnasts, and has taught gymnastics programs across several age groups. David was an All-American and New Jersey State Champion Gymnast in 1996, and was a New Jersey State Champion Coach from 2002-2008. He holds certifications from The American Heart Association and USA Gymnastics, and he recently earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
David Lee
Jolie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School in May of 2023.Jolie started her professional journey at just 10 years old when she auditioned and was selected to be a Knick City Kid. Since then she has performed at prestigious venues and events like The Chita Rivera Awards, The Goodspeed Opera House, The Guggenheim Museum, Madison Square Garden, Fashion Forward NYC, The Macy’s Parade Orlando, Isabela Moners Time Stop Launching Party Concert, The Broadway Cares Flea Market, and The Prudential Center. She also has been featured on The Today Show and WPIX 11 news.She has performed in many musicals at the University of Hartford and had the opportunity to be Assistant Choreographer and Choreographer at Hartt. She has had the opportunity to train and study under Ralph Perkins, Ricky Oliver, Dawn Laviola Schaub, KC Castellano, Yulyia Akopyan, Amber Perkins, Janelle Robinson, Forrest McClendon, Joe Tapper, Ronnie S Bowman Jr, Kevin Ramsey, Eric Trudel, and many more. She has choreographed numerous award winning numbers at Performing Arts Academy and other dance studios throughout New England. During her time dancing at Performing Arts Academy she has won numerous titles and awards. She has been crowned Petite Miss Acrobat of the United States, Junior Miss Dance of the United States, Junior Miss Acrobat of the United States, International Princess of Dance, Teen Miss Acrobat of the United States, International Queen of Dance, and Miss Acrobat of the United States. Completing a full circle, she is excited to be able to teach, create, and inspire where she grew up.
Jolie Noelle Schaub
Alicia Monaco
Alicia Monaco began dancing at the age of 2 at The Dancer’s Studio in North Haven, CT. Her early training comes from Sharon DiCrosta, and she now continues her studies in NYC with teachers such as Andrew J. Nemr and Derek Grant.Cited for her talents at the age of 9 by Gregory Hines, his words of praise and encouragement continue to motivate Alicia even today. A former Petite Miss Dance of America, she has been recognized for her performances, as well as her choreography on the national and international levels. As a member of the World Tap Dance Champion Team in 1996 and 1997, she placed 3rd highest among female soloists and captured the bronze medal in the couple’s division, with her partner, Stacy Eastman.Alicia, along with an amazing cast, performed “Tap into Peace,” created by Sarah Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and she was also a member of “Cats Paying Dues,” a tap dance company under the direction of Andrew J. Nemr. Her choreography was featured in NYC’s 2010 Dumbo Dance Festival, and most recently, she directed and choreographed the 1st annual production of “TAPOGRAPHY…..A Tap Dancer’s Journey, One Step at a Time.”In addition to performing, Alicia is currently on the faculty for American Dance Awards & Generation IV Dance, and she continues to travel throughout the country as a master teacher and choreographer.
Karly Burton
Originally from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Karly began her training at the age of seven. She is currently New York City based, where she is training,
teaching, coaching and judging dance. Growing up, Karly trained and performed across New England, often traveling to New York to supplement her studio training. As a young student, Karly performed at the Massachusetts Dance Festival, The Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, the Brooklyn Dance Festival at BAM, and as the opening number for the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular in Boston, Massachusetts. In December
of 2007, Karly danced as Clara in Albany Berkshire Ballet's The Nutcracker.
Karly furthered her training under the Artistic Direction of Katie Langan at Marymount Manhattan College where she received her BFA in Dance with a Concentration in Ballet and a minor in Political Science. During her time at Marymount, she performed works by David Parker, Nancy Lushington, Michael Thomas and Maria Torres, among others. She studied under the direction of Juan Carlos Penuela, Elena Comendador, Catherine Cabeen, Elisabeth Motley, Adam Barruch and Tito del Salz. Karly has summered with Peri Dance Summer Sessions with Vim Vigor and Sidra Bell, the Joffrey Ballet School and the American Ballet Theater and North Carolina School of the Arts where she trained extensively with Sidra Bell. Karly began her professional career as a company member with Albany Berkshire Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet and as a Demi Soloist. Most recently, she performed at the Cape Playhouse, as 'Tricia' (U/S Val & Bebe) in a production of "A Chorus Line."
Cheryl Downey
Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Montclair State College. As a member of their dance repertory company, she has performed all over the country including the Gala Concert of the American Dance Festival in North Carolina. She has studied all forms of dance with such esteemed talents as Vincent Wineglass, Jaclyn Villamil, Nancy Lushington, Sara Pearson, Danial Shapiro & Joanie Smith, Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, Debbie Dee, Greg Russell, Doug Caldwell and tap legend LaVaughn Robinson. Cheryl has been teaching tap, ballet and jazz for 28 years at several schools throughout New Jersey. She has developed her own style and curriculum, bringing an atmosphere of positivity and encouragement to each class, which has made her very popular with her students of all ages. Cheryl continues to attend workshops and seminars to enhance her dance knowledge and maintain the highest standards of teaching. She recently became certified by the state of New Jersey to teach dance in public schools. Her choreography has been recognized at many competitions and her students have won many awards including High Score, The Entertainer Award, Outstanding Choreography and National Grand Champions. Some of Cheryl’s students have gone on to dance professionally for the NFL, NBA, and the Rockettes, and many have become sought after dance teachers themselves. While she is very proud of all of her students’ achievements, Cheryl feels her greatest accomplishment has been raising her two children.
Dannie Winters
Dannie began dancing at the age of 3 years old. She grew up dancing in her hometown Lincoln Park. She started training with the competitive team at the age of six. Dannie had the opportunity to be able to work with many well trained dance instructors that left a big impact on her life. She traveled all around the U.S to different dance competitions. She was able to attend master classes in New Jersey as well as New York. Throughout her dancing career she was honored to receive scholarships and awards towards her dancing.Dannie started assisting teaching alongside her dance instructors at the age of 10 years old. She was given the opportunity to teach her own class her Senior year of High School where she fell in love with teaching and sharing her passion for dance. After graduating high school she then joined the Ramapo College Dance Team. Dannie competed in the NDA Dance Nationals in Daytona Florida, where her team was announced NDA national champions. She competed against many competitive college teams all over the U.S. She then continued to get her Bachelor's Degree at Berkeley College for Business Management.Dannie began dancing at the age of 3 years old. She grew up dancing in her hometown Lincoln Park. She started training with the competitive team at the age of six. Dannie had the opportunity to be able to work with many well trained dance instructors that left a big impact on her life. She traveled all around the U.S to different dance competitions. She was able to attend master classes in New Jersey as well as New York. Throughout her dancing career she was honored to receive scholarships and awards towards her dancing.Dannie started assisting teaching alongside her dance instructors at the age of 10 years old. She was given the opportunity to teach her own class her Senior year of High School where she fell in love with teaching and sharing her passion for dance. After graduating high school she then joined the Ramapo College Dance Team. Dannie competed in the NDA Dance Nationals in Daytona Florida, where her team was announced NDA national champions. She competed against many competitive college teams all over the U.S. She then continued to get her Bachelor's Degree at Berkeley College for Business Management.Dannie loves to teach kids of all ages, she enjoys sharing her love of dance with her students. She looks forward to seeing her students each day and loves watching them improve as the year goes on. Dannie teaches different styles such as Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acro.
Heather Downey
Heather Downey is a dancer, choreographer, and high school mathematics teacher from New Jersey. In May 2020, she graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A./B.S. Dual Degree in Dance and Mathematics. She has been dancing since age three, graduated from PAA in 2016, and grew up in the competition dance world studying ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical under Tracy Badini, Morgan Friedman, Robin Passmore, Dawn LaViola-Schaub, Yuliya Akopyan, Alicia Monaco, and more. In college, she performed in multiple Muhlenberg College concerts and was the captain of both the Perkulators Jazz Team and the Copacetic Rhythms Tap Team. She focuses her time in dance on her modern & tap choreography, which was showcased at Muhlenberg in addition to the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange’s Dance EXposure Showcase 2019. Heather is now a company member and choreographer for Extensions Dance Project based out of Madison, NJ, having danced in both “Premiere” (2022) and “Ballare” (2023). She currently teaches math at James Caldwell High School full-time and has helped to pioneer the school’s Dance Team. She has been teaching ballet, tap, and jazz for the past few years for both children and adults. Miss Heather is looking forward to a successful year teaching at PAA!
Ali Corrado was raised in Kinnelon New Jersey and started her dancing career at Performing Arts Academy at the age of 2. Throughout her years at the studio she studied lyrical, jazz, acrobatics, tap, modern, contemporary, ballet, and hip hop under Dawn Laviola-Schaub, Meghan Frayne, Daniella Cavalieri, Ed Phelan, David Lee, Alicia Monaco, Amber Perkins, KC Castellano, Devon Smith, Yuliya Akopyan, and Shawnda James. Ali joined the company at the age of 7 and competed for 10 years. During these years she was crowned Petite Miss Acrobat of the United States 2016, Junior Diamond Dancer 2018, and International Queen of the United States. Ali also received highest scoring 13-15 solo in 2023, many regional dance and acrobatic titles, and was a member of the United States Dance and Acrobatic Team from 2016-2023 Ali is still a company member at Performing Arts Academy and hopes to encourage the younger generations to love and enjoy dance as much as she does!
Ali Corrado
Lily Schneider has been dancing at the Performing Arts Academy since she was 2 years old. She has been part of PAA’s competition team since the age of 5. She has studied ballet, hip-hop, tap, modern, acrobatics, contemporary, jazz, lyrical at PAA under the direction of Dawn Laviola-Schaub, Yuliya Akopyan, Shawnda James, Alicia Monaco, KC Castellano, Meghan Frayne, Amber Perkins, Devon Smith, Ed Phelan, Daniella Cavaleri, and many more talented teachers. Lily has performed at Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Intrepid. She has also been a member of the United States Dance Team for many years. Lily is very excited about spending her senior year teaching kids her passion. She hopes her passion is passed onto her students and they love dance as much as she does!
Lily Schneider
Calli's love for dance started at the age of three and has only grown since! Her training began in the Chicagoland area and continued all over the country, which landed her in New York City! So far Calli has performed all over the city, danced for a sold out Prudential Center, and has even danced on Nickelodeon! Calli is currently, and proudly, a member of TreadFAST Commercial Dance Company. Calli uses her experience as a professional dancer to create a motivating and cutting edge class. This of course bleeds into her work as a choreographer where she has been honored with 2022 Top Choreography awards and Industry Dance Award nominations. She hopes to instill confidence in her dancers and nurture their love for dance, as many teachers have done for her! “Perseverance, hard work, and grace: The recipe for achieving anything you dream.”
Calli Chafin
Matthew Mancuso is originally from East Haven Connecticut. He began his training at the age of 8 at Gloria Jean’s Studio of Dance under the the direction of Stacy Eastman. In 2018, Matthew and his teammates traveled to Riesa, Germany for the World Tap Championships where they were awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. He was also awarded America’s Male Dancer of the Year in 2021 where he was the first male to win all four national titles. Matthew then moved to NYC and just recently graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where he earned a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Entertainment Business. While at school, Matthew got to learn and perform repertoire from Sidra Bell and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He also was chosen to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic at The National Theatre. Matthew most recently performed at the Carnival Choreographer’s Ball, New York Fashion Week, Battery Park Dance Festival, and for the Steps Beyond Foundation. He loves teaching and choreographing, as well as passing his love for dance onto the next generation.
Matthew Mancuso
Emma Schneider
Emma Schneider was born and raised in Ringwood, New Jersey. She started dancing at the age of 3. She studied ballet, tap, modern, acrobatics, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical at the Performing Arts Academy with Yuliya Akopyan, Shawnda James, Alicia Monaco, Amber Perkins, Meghan Frayne, Devon Smith, KC Castellano, Daniella Cavaleri, Ed Phelan, and Dawn Laviola-Schaub. She has studied four-year program training in Ballet, Horton, Contemporary Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop Residency, West African Drum, Dance and Song Residency with Marafanyi Drum Dance and Song. Worked with guest artists: Carolyn Dorfman, Jay T. Jenkins, 10 Hairy Legs, Daniel Padierna. Emma has been featured in performances at PCTVS shows, Universal Studios, Disney World, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and the Intrepid. She is a member of the Performing Arts Academy Company, The Company By USTD Contemporary Performance Group, National Honor Society of Dance Arts, and The United States Dance And Acrobatic Team. She won Teen Miss Acrobat of the United States 2017, Junior Miss Acrobat of the United States 2014, and Technical Excellence in Acrobatics 2014. Emma hopes to continue improving as a dancer and a human.
Taylor Wagner
At 3 years old Taylor began dance classes at a local competition studio, “Performing Arts Academy,” in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, where she learned an array of dance techniques. Taylor then joined The Ailey Schools Certificate program where she had ascertained pieces via choreographers such as Tina Bush, Carlos Dos Santos, and Earl Mosley. Ray Mercers’ “Vision Excerpts” and Darshan Bhullers’ “Curious Dream” were pieces she presented at The January Explosion. Taylor danced “Ma Maison” and “The Envelope” at the Parsons Dance Company summer intensive, and part of “And at Midnight, the Green Bride Floated Through the Village Square...” from the BODYTRAFFIC repertoire, at the Peridance Capezio Center’s summer intensive. Alvin Aileys’ “Memoria,” was a performance Taylor will not forget, presenting the ballet with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre multiple times at City Center theatre. In February of 2020 she was accepted as an apprentice with I KADA Contemporary Dance. Taylor is grateful for this next journey as a virtual apprentice with Parsons Dance Company.
Catie Meyer
Catie graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in dance and a minor in sports nutrition. Catie was a member of the honors program, graduated summa cum laude and was secretary of her sorority. During her time at Montclair Catie performed in works choreographed by Kyle Abraham, Paul Taylor, Doug Varone, Tommie Waheed Evans and various others. She was trained by teachers including Christian Von Howard, Maxine Steinman, Karen Gayle, Cameron McKinney, Christina Paolucci, Sharon Hockstein, Kai Davis and many others. Her choreographic work has been featured in the 2022 Flair Dance Festival and the 2023 Montclair Senior Projects Showcase. She loves performing and choreographing and will continue perusing both in her future. Catie attended Performing Arts Academy for 15 years, competed for 12 years and was a student teacher for 8 years. During her time at Performing Arts Academy she was part of the United States Dance Team which gave her the opportunity to perform at Madison Sauare Garden, the Prudential Center, Hershey Park, Barclays Center, etc. She won various awards such as 2017 Teen Diamond Dancer of New Jersey and the 2017 Senior Achievement Award. After graduating high school she stayed connected with Performing Arts Academy by teaching summer drop in class for the past 3 years. She loves working with and teaching the students while still learning and growing herself.
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Steven Blandino
Steven Paul Blandino has a BFA in Commerical Dance from Pace University, with a focus in Choreography. He was worked with Andy Blankenbeuhler, Cherice Barton, Mandy Moore, Rhonda Miller, Chase Brock, Lauren Gaul, Scott Jovovich, and many more. His choreography credits include Ludo's 'Broken Bride' (Off Broadway/The Duke on 42nd St.), APAP at Peridance 2015, Young Choreographer’s Festival 2015/14, Choreographer’s Canvas 2015, Hero Awards: honoring Jerry Mitchell, Alvin Ailey Dance Soiree` (Winner), and was recently nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Elise: A Musical (Off Broadway/Planet Connections Festival). He has set work at Pace University, Rutgers University, and various studios across the U.S. Steven is currently Senior Choreographer of the Year at the United States Tournament of Dance, and his work has been positively reviewed in the NY Times, Front Row Center, and by numerous Broadway Critics. Steven was recently featured in an issue of Dance Magazine, and has received many awards and recognition for his work. Steven continues to perform/choreograph in both the Commercial and Theatrical industries.
Amber Ann Perkins was born and raised in Norwich NY, where she began her dance training. She went on to the University of Brockport and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she received her BFA in dance in 1994 and her BS in economics in 1995. Amber performed with the Danscore company as a principle dancer for three years.as a choreographer, Amber has worked with various companies and dance institutions across the United States and Canada, including williams/henry dance in Kansas city. Amber is the owner of the nationally distinguished Amber Perkins School of the Arts and is also the founder and artistic director of the Phoenix Project Dance. Ms. Perkins has won many choreography awards, including the very prestigious elan award.
Amber Perkins
KC Castellano
KC Castellano is a dancer and choreographer born and raised in New York City. Known for her passionate and challenging classes, she brings style, drive, and motivation to all of her students. KC currently serves as a resident choreographer and a master teacher at dozens of studios across the US and in Canada. She is also on staff as the contemporary teacher at Groove Dance Convention. A performer at heart, KC has appeared in Lady Gaga's music videos, You and I and Marry the Night and has toured with Kat Deluna both in the US and abroad. KC was chosen to be a featured dancer on the BET reality series Born to Dance with Laurieann Gibson, and performed live on the Monique show and with Lady Gaga at the Monsterball in Atlanta. KC's choreography has been featured in the Capezio ACE Awards 2012, Choreographer Pick at the PULSE 2011-2013, Sybarite Love is Love, Jared Grimes's Run the Night, DRA's Dancin Downtown at the Joyce Top Choreographer, KTU's Beatstock and Freestylr Free for All, countless awards at various dance competitions across the nation, and a variety of stage work and music videos for up-and-coming local artists. KC has assisted Tyce Diorio on So You Think You Can Dance in the US and the Ukraine and Andrew Turtletaub with a national Budweiser Super Bowl commercial that will air this winter. Through her work, KC loves sharing her intense approach to movement with dancers, encouraging them to explore their physical and emotional range within her choreography. Her class focuses heavily on strength, musicality and performance quality. Her mission is to have every student leave the room feeling full: full of knowledge, full of motivation, full of spirit.