Judges and Master Class Teachers
Alex Cruz
Alex has spent most of his life on the stage and in the theatre. He has a B.A. in Communications with a Minor in dance. Musical theatre is his first love but he has an extensive backround in ballet, tap and jazz. He has trained with Eva Pacheco, Loralee Levesque, Michael Bolger and Angelica Vescella. His performances have included: Hair, The Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, Rent, Grease, Cats, Fame and Guys and Dolls. He has also been a featured dancer for the Providence Ballet Theatre and has extensive training in acting and voice. Alex’s master classes are motivational, educational, and energetic. Currently, Alex is on tour with NYC’s touring company of “A Chorus Line”!
Lindsay Deneault
Lindsay is the director of Elite Dance Center. She has studied under Steven Boyd, Gregg Russell, Wade Robson, Brian Freidman, Dave Scott, Charlie Holbrook and Mia Michels. A graduate of Providence College, she assisted in creating a dance degree program for the college under Dr. Wendy Oliver. While at college, she studied at the Providence Ballet. Lindsay has been choreographing since the age of 14 for several schools and theater companies including Boston Ballet, Gillette Stadium and Broderick's Gymnastics Academy.
She has also had the opportunity to dance with Christina Aquilera and perform with Brian McKnight. Miss Lindsay has worked along with and adjudicated for the Miss America organization in Massachusetts, has managed Savaria Dance Studio for Ballroom and Latin dance. She has received many choreography awards and worked for many other studios and organizations in order to promote dance education.
Stephanie Flackman
Stephanie Flackman has been studying dance for 20 years with renowned
professionals in the industry, earning many national and regional
titles and high score accolades. Stephanie performed in Universal
Studios Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Walt Disney World, as well as
fundraisers for the International Red Cross, PSAHPERD, and the Joanne
Marie Cardillo Music Therapy Foundation. She choreographed for the NJ
Teen Arts Festival and was a demonstrator in the instructional pointe
video Sleeping Beauty produced by Hoctor Dance. Stephanie graduated
with honors from Muhlenberg College, where she was a featured senior
soloist and dancer in the faculty concert; taught beginner to advanced
students ages 5 to adult for the Community Dance Center; and
choreographed several pieces for annual recitals. She also danced for
Disney Cruise Line in the mainstage and variety show productions.
Stephanie teaches pre-k through competitive level dancers in NJ and is
excited to share her passion for dance by adjudicating for Take Center
Stage Dance Challenge.
Tara Iacobucci
Tara (Tommasiello) Iacobucci has been dancing since the age of
two, beginning her studies at Dance RI’s Providence location,
under the direction of Debi Cusick D'Iorio. While at Dance RI,
Tara began competing at a very young age, participating in many
conventions and master classes where she studied under such
renowned instructors as Scott Benson, Laurie Rousseau and Ron
DeVito. In 1996, Tara began focusing solely on her ballet
technique with Festival Ballet of Rhode Island under the late
Christine Hennessey. She landed the role of Clara in their annual
production of “The Nutcracker" in 1998 and soon after became
part of the Junior Company, where she went on to dance a wide
variety of roles in Les Sylphides, Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, Swan
Lake, Firebird, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Tara had the
honor of sharing a stage with Sascha Radetsky during one of
his guest performances to RI, whom is a Principal Dancer of ABT
and a lead in the film, “Center Stage”. In 2001, Tara
professionally joined the Senior Company as an
apprentice dancer under their new name, Festival Ballet
Providence, under the direction of Mihailo Djuric. Since then,
Tara has attended, and continues to attend, many classes from
others in the industry including Lauren Adams, Andy
Blankenbuehler, Joey Dowling, Scott Jovovich, Mandy Moore,
Andy Pellick, Katy Spreadbury, Suzi Taylor and Stacey Tookey...to
name just a few! She is an on-going instructor and choreographer
for The Talent Factory in North Kingstown, RI where her dancers
and pieces are repeatedly recognized with Highest Overall
Scoring Awards, Choreography Awards, as well as Regional and
National Titles! Tara is a Judge and Master Class Teacher for
Turn It Around Tour, and also finds the time to visit dance
companies and studios all along the East Coast to hold master
classes and set choreography. She was a dancer for the Miss
Rhode Island Scholarship Pageant Program, and then became
their choreographer up until 2011. To learn even more about
Tara, please visit her personal website at
www.taramariechoreography.com.
Bette-Ann Monti Rossi
Bette-Ann Monti-Rossi is from Rhode Island where she has owned and operated “Atwood Performing Arts Center,”
one of the largest and most successful dance studios in New England, for over thirty years. She is a member of Dance
Masters of America and was on the Board of Directors for Chapter 18 – Connecticut. Bette-Ann is a former Miss
Dance of New England, semi-soloist with Rhode Island Ballet Theater, and North American Ballroom Champion.
Her students have won many prestigious awards including titles in Petite and Junior Miss Dance of Connecticut and
New England; regional and national titles, as well as dance-off winners; the Christina Richmond Award; and the
Gold Family Award of Excellence. Her students were gold medal World Champions representing the United States
of America in Riesa, Germany. In addition, her students have also won numerous regional and national scholarship
auditions including the Dance Spirit Magazine Future Star Scholarship. Most importantly, APAC dancers are
attending colleges all over the country with very impressive dance scholarships. Bette-Ann is a nationally recognized
choreographer in dance, gymnastics, and figure skating, and adjudicator at prestigious dance competitions. One of
her greatest joys is educating and inspiring young dancers. Bette-Ann is especially proud of her former students who
are now incredible teachers, award-winning choreographers, and dance studio owners here in Rhode Island and
throughout the country.
Frank Musso
Frank Musso is a New Jersey native who grew up training at studios For Dancers Only and In The Spotlight. As an avid competition dancer, he trained under well-known choreographers like Dan Karaty,Ray Leeper, Mike Minery, Gil Stroming, Frank Hatchett, and Lisa Danias. While attending Montclair State University, Frank had the privilege of dancing in many concert shows and began a performance career. Some of his credits include back-up dancing for pop singers Mister Chase and Brian Kent. He also played multiple characters and danced in Dream Along with Mickey, Live! performances at Studio Nick, and nightly parades at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Most recently, he just came off a contract dancing for Dublin Worldwide/Spirit Productions in shows such as Hooray for Hollywood, and Rock Around the Clock at the Palace Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC. In 2011, Frank toured Spain with “The Aluminum Show,” a cirque-like, contemporary dance extravaganza. More of his credits include dancing for ABC television, Flashmob America, Fringe NYC and in various shows in the metropolitan area. Frank has extensive dance education experience and has been a dance instructor for seven years and loves teaching and sharing his passion with young aspiring dancers.
Rose O'Hara
Rose has danced professionally for the last 16 year. After having trained at the Interlochen arts Academy in Michigan and Gus Giordano in Chicago, she danced
for Second City Ballet and Joel Hall dancers. A proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, Rose has performed in 46 states. Most recently, she has performed in Chicago’s Ravinia Festival in Annie Get Your Gun, NYC: La Traviata and Cyrano with Placido Domingo at The Metropolitan Opera. Las Vegas: Showgirl in Jubilee! At Bally’s Hotel and Casino. O’Hara has also appeared with Theatreworks USA at The Kennedy Center
Brianne Perdue
Brianne Perdue is in demand as a choreographer and dance educator. She choreographs for individuals and dance teams as well as teaches workshop classes throughout the country. Starting her training at her mother's studio, Suzanne Perdue's Dancer's Edge in MA, Brianne has trained in Boston, NYC, and LA, and assisted some of the top teachers in the country, including Doug Caldwell, John Crutchman, Joe Lanteri, Joe Tremaine, Wade Robson and other notables. During her competitive career, Brea received many scholarships, high score and overall high score awards at both regional and national levels. She performed in an Off-Broadway show at age 13, with Dan Karaty of So You Think You Can Dance, toured with ballet company Dance Prism and was a member of Synergy Dance Theater for 10 years. Her choreography has been recognized receiving Top Choreographer Awards.
Suzanne Perdue
Suzanne Perdue danced professionally in Boston, NYC and LA for many years. Her credits include Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Disneyland, Dance Captain for Jesus Christ Superstar, concert dance companies on both coasts, film, television and videos including Earth, Wind, and Fire. Suzanne directed Suzanne Perdue's Dancers Edge in MA for 17 years and also developed dance programs for private and public schools. Some of her students are Broadway veterans, have performed in Off-Broadway shows, and also include regional and national scholarship recipients and title winners. She is in demand as a workshop and master teacher and adjudicates dance competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Jacqueline Rodrigues
Jacqueline Rodrigues
has been teaching since
the age of fifteen. She
and her students have
won numerous high score
and special awards. She
studied dance at the
University of Delaware
where she was an
integral member of the
Delaware Dance Fever
Company. She served
on the Company's board
and was responsible for
creating the annual
showcase,
choreographing
numerous award
winning pieces, and
teaching dance classes
open to all students
of the University. While a
member of Delaware
Dance Fever, Jacqueline
performed at various
events both on campus
and off, including at a
Philadelphia Phillie's
Major League Baseball
Game. Outside of her
involvement with her
company and in local
studios, she also has
competed in various
talent competitions
and choreographed for
University wide events.
She placed second in
the University of
Delaware's Miss Greek
pageant and also was a
Rhode Island's Got Talent
finalist. Jacqueline
continues to improve
her teaching skills and
dance technique by
participating in master
classes and taking class
at various studios. Currently, she works as an instructor for dancers aged five through eighteen at a studio in her new home of Virginia!
Cheryl Russo
Cheryl Russo began her dancing career in North Haven, CT under the direction of Sharon Dicrosta. Over her twenty years of dancing, she has been awarded numerous awards, honors and titles, her most memorable being awarded in Italy and Slovenia. In Slovenia, Cheryl represented the USA to place third in the world of the North American Tap Dance Festival. She furthered her dancing education in Rhode Island to receive a Bachelors of Arts in Dance Performance from Roger Williams University. Today she resides in North Branford, CT, sharing her love of fitness and dance as a personal trainer, and continuously teaching tap, jazz, lyrical and hiphop throughout the New England Area.
Dante Sciarra
Dante has trained with the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Scholarship
Program (Jose Meier), Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Fancy
Dancer (John Medeiros, Gene Aguirre) New Dance Group, Jeanette Neal
Dance Studios and The Gold Studios. He has performed in productions for
the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Broadway/National-
International Tours: "Chicago", "Sunset Boulevard" and "Hello Dolly!" He
has choreographed for several productions including Walnut Street Theatre
(Asst. Choreographer, "Rags"); Theatre-By-The-Sea ("My Fair Lady");;
Rhode Island College ("Pippin", "Mame", "The King & I", "Gypsy", "42nd
Street", "My Fair Lady", "The Pajama Game"); Dance/Fight Captain for
several prestigious regional theatres throughout the U.S. - currently Dante is
on faculty at Brown University and the University of Rhode Island teaching
Dance for Musical Theatre and having choreographed their productions
of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", "The Rocky Horror Picture
Show", "Pippin", "Cabaret" and the upcoming production of "Gypsy" for Providence College. Dante
belongs to several Dance education organizations and has adjudicated for several competitions such
as StarQuest and Bravo. Dante is also ECA/ECITS World Fitness certified as a Personal Trainer and
Group Fitness Instructor. Dante stresses warming up the whole body with a true technique class
utilizing Cole, Mattox, Fosse, funk and/or lyrical. He focuses attention on the individual and the chance
to develop skills while getting a great and challenging workout!
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