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 studied Child Study at St. Joseph’s College. Jillian is a teacher by day and a dancer by night. She danced for over 10 years at Michelle Cody’s Dance Center where she met Miss Sara Jean. Jillian danced competitively as well as taught at her studio for three years after she graduated. She has a passion for dance and teaching. She made her best memories and met some of her best friends dancing. She is thankful to be a part of the SJDC where she can see the new generation of dancers get to have to same experiences.

Marisa Piptone

Instructor

Marisa Pipitone has been dancing since she was 5 years old and teaching since she was 17 years old. She graduated from Plainedge High School, being on the kickline team all 4 years. She was the teams captain her senior year. Marisa graduated from Long Island University Post with a BFA in Dance Studies. She has put her performance career to the side and has fallen in love with teaching and choreographing. Now, she teaches at a few studios, choreographs for the Plainedge kickline team, receiving an “Innovative Choreography” Award and is the Maria Regina Elementary School’s Kickline Coach. Marisa says, “seeing my students’ progress from September to June has made me realize that I have one of the most rewarding jobs”. She hopes to share her love and passion for dance with her SJDC family!

Joe Dilegge

Instructor

Joe is on the New York Knicks Dance Team, Brooklyn Nets and the New York Mets Dance Team. He is a trained dance instructor and gymnastics coach. He is the captain of the boys break dance competition team and the lead instructor for the boys recreational break dance classes.

Arielle Park

Instructor

Arielle was born and raised on Long Island and began her dance training at local studios. She did competitive dance as well as Smithtown high school east kickline. While on kickline, her team won two National Titles. She also participated in the Rockette Summer Intensive workshops to learn from the Rockettes she’s looked up to since she was a kid. She also had the privilege of being taught by a former Rockette at Art In Motion Dance Studio.

Arielle studied Fashion Merchandising and Communications at Marist College. She was the captain of the Marist College Dance Team in 2021/2022 where she choreographed halftime routines for Football and Basketball performances. While in school she was an instructor at Just For Kicks dance studio and shared her passion for dance with her students. She hopes to encourage the Sara Jean students to embrace their artistic abilities and inspire others with their creative movement.

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 Gabrielsen

Instructor

Jainee has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She danced at Michelle Cody’s Dance Center in Smithtown during this time and started to dance competitively at age 8. While dancing Jainee was also a competitive track athlete and coached young kids for many years in the various areas of track and field. 

Jainee attended Hofstra University where she received her BBA in Marketing with a minor in Information Systems and Business Analytics. She went on to receive her Masters with distinction in Marketing Research and Analytics. Jainee is going on to pursue her MBA to gain managerial skills that will only enhance her professional repertoire. While attending Hofstra University Jainee was on Club Lacrosse and the Club Dance Team. 

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 is a full time student at Stony Brook University where she is majoring in health science. She is a member of the stony brook dance team and has been dancing for 16 years and competition for 5. On top of that she was also a competitive gymnast for 15 years. Her favorite styles are contemporary and jazz but she has trained in lyrical, open, character, ballet, pom and hip hop.

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 styles such as jazz, lyrical, hip hop, pom, and musical theater. She graduated from Sachem North High School in 2022, competing with the Sachem North Arrowettes dance team for 3 years, with 1 year as a captain. She is a full time student starting her junior year at Stony Brook University, majoring in secondary mathematics education with a minor in communications. She is also a new member of Stony Brook’s D1 dance team.
Sara Jean Haas

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.