Dale Console

Instructor

Dale has been dancing since the age of three, beginning her training at Anita’s Studio of Dance in East Northport, NY. She was a Hauppauge High School graduate and was involved in cheerleading and gymnastics throughout all four years of high school obtaining leadership roles throughout. After graduation, she went on to pursue her academic studies at LIU Post, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Special Education. For all 4 years at LIU, she was a member of the Division I dance team, an experience that allowed her to continue pursuing her passion for dance and perform at professional venues such as halftime at the Brooklyn Nets. With her team, she proudly contributed to earning three UDA College National Championship titles, holding leadership roles in three out of her four years on the team.

She is currently furthering her education by pursuing a master’s degree in TESOL, while also teaching Accelerated Pre-K at BEST Learning Center in Smithtown. Her teaching philosophy is centered on recognizing and supporting each dancer’s individual strengths and areas for growth, while always encouraging them to challenge themselves. She strives to build an environment that is optimistic, energetic, and determined, where students feel motivated to work hard, take risks, and find joy in their progress. She cannot wait for the seasons ahead!

Jillian Lofaso

Instructor

Jillian is a graduate of Smithtown West and holds a Master’s degree in Education. By day, she is a Pre-K teacher, and by night, she is a dance teacher and lifelong dancer. This year marks Miss Jill’s 10th year teaching dance!

Miss Jill grew up dancing competitively for Michelle Cody’s Dance Center, where she had the opportunity to meet Miss Sara Jean. After graduating, she continued teaching at her home studio for three years while pursuing her education degree. Her love for both teaching and teaching dance has continued to grow throughout the years.

Some of Miss Jill’s favorite memories and closest friendships were made through dance, and she is so grateful to now be able to give the next generation of dancers those same experiences. She loves watching her students grow in confidence, discover their passion for dance, and create memories that will last a lifetime. She is so excited to have been with SJDC since season one and to watch the SJDC family grow over the years!

Marisa Piptone

Instructor

Marisa Pipitone has been dancing since the age of 5 and began teaching at 17 years old. She graduated from Long Island University Post with a BFA in Dance Studies, where she trained extensively in all dance styles and studied choreography.

She has put her performance career to the side and has fallen in love with teaching and choreographing. Today, she teaches weekly at multiple dance studios and travels throughout Long Island to teach, choreograph, and share her love and knowledge of dance with students of all ages. In addition to teaching and choreographing for studios, Marisa choreographs for multiple kickline teams and serves as the Head Kickline Coach at Maria Regina Elementary School. Her students have earned numerous high-score awards, undefeated seasons, title wins and multiple choreography awards.

Marisa strives to encourage, motivate, and inspire her students to become the best versions of themselves, both inside and outside of the studio. She believes that one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching her students grow throughout the season, saying, “Seeing my students’ progress from September to June has made me realize that I have one of the most rewarding jobs.

Alayna Bieler

Instructor

Alayna brings 12 years of teaching experience; 6 years of student teaching and 6 years as a lead instructor. and a strong competitive background to her work as a dance educator and choreographer. Her training began and she graduated from Inspirations Performing Arts Centre in Centereach, where she spent 10 years dancing, 7 years competing regionally and nationally and getting trained in various styles. She later joined the Suffolk County Community College dance team, marking a milestone by choreographing a timeout show routine—her first-ever self-choreographed performance. Alayna teaches dancers ages 5 through adults in Hip Hop, Jazz, Pom, Modern Contemporary, Tap, Ballet, and Lyrical, working with all skill levels from novice to advanced. Grounded in a “technique-first” philosophy, Alayna focuses on strong basics so students can execute complex movement safely. She creates a structured, supportive environment that prepares dancers for the stage while building confidence and a passion for dance.

Makailyn Macarthur

Instructor

Makailyn has been dancing since she was just two years old, starting her journey at Chorus Line Dance Studio in St. James and quickly falling in love with the stage. She grew up competing in dance and was a member of Smithtown High School East’s Kickline team. Makailyn studied Marketing and Accounting at Sacred Heart University. She was also apart of the nationally ranked Division I Dance Team, performing and competing at the NDA college nationals for four years. After graduating, Makailyn continued to share her love of dance by choreographing and teaching at different studios. She is so excited to be part of the SJDC family and can’t wait to inspire and cheer on the next generation of dancers!

Jainee Wertz

Instructor and Competition Director

Jainee has been dancing since the age of 3, beginning her training at Michelle Cody’s Dance Center in Smithtown. She started competing at age 8 and continued to grow as both a dancer and athlete, while also competing in track and field and coaching young athletes. Her passion for movement, performance, and mentorship has shaped her journey as a teacher and choreographer.

Jainee attended Hofstra University, where she earned her BBA in Marketing with a minor in Information Systems and Business Analytics. She went on to receive her Master’s degree with distinction in Marketing Research and Analytics and is currently pursuing her MBA. Combining her background in dance, athletics, coaching, and business, Jainee brings a unique perspective to her students, inspiring confidence, creativity, and a love for movement.

Maria Dougherty

Instructor

Maria has been dancing for 18 years. She started at the age of 3 and fell in love with the art immediately. After dancing throughout high school she graduated and went to study at the University of New Haven in West Haven, CT. She was the lead choreographer for their 5678 dance team and also got involved in other sports like rugby. She has been studying to get her personal training certification. Maria says “I have an incredible passion for dance and physical activity. I am so excited to be a part of Sara Jean Dance Company.” 

Carly Herbert

Instructor

Carly has been dancing since the age of 3 with most of her time being spent ant TJE Dance Force and has been teaching at SJDC since 2021. Growing up, she was a competitive dancer and gymnast and also played field hockey giving her a diverse background in both the performing arts and athletics. She began teaching at 16 and currently teaches solos and specials in lyrical, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre. Carly attended Stony Brook University, where she was a member of their Division I dance team for five years. She was able to proudly represent her university for all five years at UDA College Nationals. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Exercise Science, she is now currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Athletic Training while also working clinically for the program. For Carly, teaching is about much more than dance. She loves giving her students the freedom to be creative, helping them find confidence in their own movement, and watching them grow both as dancers and as people. Her favorite part of teaching is the relationships she has built with her students and the bonds she has formed with the other teachers at the studio.

Juliana Ranaldo

Instructor

Juliana started dancing at two years old and started competition dance at five. She grew up dancing at Dance Xtreme in Hauppauge. Juliana has had the opportunity to work with amazing choreographers like Shannon Mathers, Gianna Martello and Blake McGrath. Juliana was also a member of the St. Anthony’s Varsity Kickline team in high school. Juliana attended Towson University, where she was a member of the Towson University Pom Squad. Currently, Juliana is working towards her MA in Secondary Education. She is so excited to be a part of the SJDC family!

Megan Connell

Instructor

Megan Connell has been dancing since the age of four and starting dancing competitively at twelve years of age. She studied various styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical and hip hop. During her years of study, she received many awards and honors from various regional and national competitions. Megan earned a college degree in Graphic Design. She continued to study dance at the same time, including classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City with master teachers/choreographers such as Mia
Michaels, Rhonda Miller, Slam, Dan Karaty, Mandy Moore, & Tre Holloway. Megan’s choreography has earned her numerous awards including outstanding technical execution, presentation, entertainment and choreography. In 2009 Megan became a licensed Zumba instructor, certified in Basic and Zumba Gold training. She also worked two summers as a dance instructor at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, where she taught Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and Hip Hop. Megan believes that structure and discipline builds self confidence in her students, helping them grow as dancers and individuals.

Deanna Barnes

Instructor

Deanna has been dancing for 17 years and is a Sara Jean Dance Company Alumni. She has experience dancing, competing, and teaching in a variety of styles, including jazz, lyrical, hip hop, pom, musical theater, and acro. She is entering her 4th year teaching at the studio, and also has experience coaching tumbling and teaching acro skills.

Deanna graduated from Sachem North High School in 2022, where she competed with the Sachem North Arrowettes dance team for three years, serving as a captain for one year. She later continued her passion for dance as a member of Stony Brook University’s Division I Dance Team for two years.

Deanna graduated from Stony Brook University in May 2026 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Mathematics. She is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at Stony Brook University, while working as an Academic Success Coach with Stony Brook’s football team and a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs.

Emmalee White

Instructor

Emmalee started dancing at Legworks Dance Studio when she was 2 and started competed age 8-19. She became a teacher assistant when I was 14 and that’s when she discovered her love for teaching. Emmalee started teaching independently at age 19. She completed the summer dance program at Broadway Dance Center in 2019. Emmalee graduated with an associate degree in fitness and applied science as well as earning a degree as a physical therapist assistant at Suffolk community college. While at Suffolk she was on the dance team 2019-2020. She enjoy working with all age groups but specialize in toddler/pre school classes as well as technique and strength and conditioning for competitive dancers. Emmalee wants to provide a space for her students that is non judgmental, kids are always free to ask questions, and also work hard and have fun doing it.

Grace Tarsa

Instructor

Grace has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She was apart of her dance studio’s competition team from ages 8-18. She has experience in all styles of dance but her favorites are HipHop and Lyrical! Grace took her passion of dance with her to college at SUNY Oneonta where she received a Minor in Dance Studies and majored in Communications with a concentration in Production. She joined the Oneonta State Kickline Team as a freshman and became Captain in her sophomore year and President during her senior year. She was also apart of the Oneonta State Terpsichorean Dance Company since her freshman year. Her sophomore is when she started choreographing Hip-Hop routines and Open style routines. She became President of the company during her senior year. When Grace isn’t dancing or teaching dance, she works for Long Island’s top radio stations, 106.1 BLI & 102.3 WBAB! She is beyond excited to be apart of the Sara Jean Dance Company family!

Bree Simon

Instructor

Bree has been teaching dance and theater at various studios and programs across Long Island since 2018. She graduated from Adelphi University with her Masters in Childhood Education in 2023. Bree is a 2nd grade teacher in South Huntington. This is her second season with SJDC and she is so excited for another great year!

Kayla Burke

Instructor

Miss. Kayla started dancing at the age of 2. Growing up in Queens, she was a competitive dancer at Moves and Motions school of dance where she trained in all styles of dance. Miss. Kayla attended Frank Sinatra High School of the Arts as a dance major studying pre-conservatory ballet and modern. She then went to further her academic career and is currently attending Molloy University as a nursing major. She is on the University’s dance team. This fall, Miss Kayla has been given the opportunity to dance for team USA in the contemporary sanction which will be taken place in Poland. Miss. Kayla is so excited for an amazing first season teaching at SJDC!!

Sheryl Amorosino

Instructor

Sheryl has been dancing since the age of three, training and competing for seven years at Diane’s Dance Center in Lindenhurst, where she built a strong foundation in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and more. Over time, her love of performing grew into a passion for teaching, and she has since choreographed and instructed dancers of all ages, from toddlers taking their very first steps to teens preparing for the stage. Sheryl’s teaching style blends structure and creativity, focusing on building confidence, encouraging individuality, and creating a supportive environment where every dancer feels inspired. Her vision for the studio is to provide a welcoming space where children can grow not only as dancers but also as confident, expressive individuals who carry the joy of movement with them throughout their lives.