Faculty for 2024!
Maria loving working with our teens from our 2023 event.
ZOEY SLOANE
Zoey has a BFA in dance from The Ohio State University. She was a proud member of the dance company at OSU, Dance Connection. She was a graduate of the Fine and Performing Arts Center of Howell High School. She is a fitness, nutrition, and health guru, and currently teaches contemporary in Howell, NJ.
COURTNEY AND CAITLIN SULLIVAN
Courtney and Caitlin identical twins, fitness models and professional dancers signed with MSA talent agency. They graduated from Rutgers in May of 2020 and while they waited for the world to open back up, they took to social media to share their passion for dance. Overnight, they gained the attention of creators and fans by the millions, praised for their unparalleled synchronization and mirror image, often mistaken for a filter at first glance.
MARIA CHERNISKE
Maria took her first dance class at the age of 3 and has been hooked ever since. She has worked with choreographers such as Lisette Bustamante, Dana Foglia, Rhapsody James, Luam Keflezgy, Kelly Peters, Derek Mitchell, James Jackson Jr. and Tanisha Scott. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, on national television, in commercials, and has done work for Nike and Adidas. Maria was the assistant choreographer for Rob Thomas’ music video “I Trust You”. She was the assistant choreographer for the New Jersey Lotto “Cash Pop” commercial and co-choreographed for the Off-Broadway hit “La Cancion.”
Maria is passionate about dance education and loves helping dancers build their confidence and find their voice as an artist. She has taught dance to students of all ages for the past 23 years. Maria is on guest faculty at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and in 2021 became a member of the staff at Acrobatic Arts as a course conductor and adjudicator.
MCKENZIE MCGRATH
McKenzie McGrath started dancing at the age of two at Straub Dance Center in Westerville, Ohio where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics until graduating in 2017. McKenzie has been a Radio City Rockette for five years starring in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City. As a Rockette, she has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC’s The Today Show, Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas to All, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Rockefeller Tree Lighting, and featured in a 2023 Google Pixel 8 National Commercial. McKenzie can also be seen demonstrating for Acrobatic Arts, including several episodes of content for CLI Studios in Los Angeles.
McKenzie is a former Miss Dance of Ohio, as well as the winning recipient of Distinguished Young Women of Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University until 2022 where she received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Specialization in Finance. When she is not performing, McKenzie continues to train at Broadway Dance Center & Steps in NYC. McKenzie always strives to incorporate passion, precision, and FUN into each of her teaching and adjudicating opportunities.
ANTHONY LO CASCIO
Anthony Lo Cascio, a native New Yorker, made history as the first American to secure a standing role in the renowned 'Tap Dogs' production. For over 15 years, he dazzled audiences and shared his passion for teaching while touring with the show. Anthony has continued to teach across North America and at such prestigious institutions as Steps on Broadway & Broadway Dance Center, as well as, nationally recognized conventions such as Dance Masters of America & Hoctor's Dance Caravan.
As Artistic Director of #Taplife Company, he's produced original shows and music videos while paying it forward to tap dancers and musicians. For 25+ years, he's mentored students and recently expanded accessibility through the #Taplife Remote Mentorship. Anthony is a health advocate for dancers. He and Staci wrote the best Selling and Award Winning book Food As a Prescription addressing their own challenging journey with food while teaching others how to tap into their own best health.
Co-founder of Taplife Hero Foundation, Anthony champions tap culture, earning grants for community engagement and a variety of educational programs.
KAYLA JANSSEN
Originally from Belgium, Kayla Janssen has lived in Tokyo, Hong Kong and London all before university. Having such a diverse upbringing has influenced her choreography and style as a dancer. With over 20 years as a choreographer and dance educator, Kayla is excited to continue sharing her love for dance around the world. Her recent choreography credits include Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, G-Eazy and The Disney Channel. She also teaches weekly in the world famous Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. Starting her professional career in London, UK at the iconic Pineapple Dance Studios, this experience pushed her to apply for the prestigious Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center, NYC where she trained further in Broadway and Commercial Dance under Jermaine Brown and Joanna Numata. Kayla has also won the Global Adidas competition: Dancers Wanted Challenge in 2012. As a choreographer, Kayla is dedicated to making music visually exciting through dynamic movement informed by the human experience. As an educator, she wants to share her passion for dance with students around the world.
MICHAEL CUSUMANO
Michael Cusumano grew up in Long Island New York. He began dancing at the age of 6. At the age of 14 he won the bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, the youngest male dancer to medal in the competition’s history till then. That same year he went on to win the special Jury Prize at the Prix de Paris 1994. Michael then joined American Ballet Theater at age 15, the youngest male dancer in the company’s history. With ABT Michael danced in all the full length classics as well as works by Twyla Tharp, John Neumeier, Agnes DeMille, and Lar Lubovich to name a few. After ABT Michael danced as a principal with Alabama Ballet, then as a soloist with the Boston Ballet. He went on to perform in the original cast of “All Shook Up” on Broadway and then to star as “the jury” in the smash hit “Chicago” the musical on Broadway. Michael won the title of Mr.Broadway 2011. Other credits include “The Most Happy Fella” at New York State Theater, “On the Town” at Encores, “Live with Regis and Kelly”, “The Today’s Show”, “ABT Now for PBS”, “Le Corsaire for PBS”, feature film “Center Stage”, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", “SNL.” Michael’s alter ego Madame Olga was featured on an episode of “Joan and Melissa Joan knows Best” dancing the Black Swan coda for WE TV. Madame Olga is currently a highly sought out teacher nationally and internationally. IG @madameolgav and Madameolgatv.com . As a singer Michael performed as the lead in the BBC up-fronts performing David Bowie’s “Changes.” He appeared in the original production of "An American in Paris" on Broadway. Most recently Michael is the subject of the award winning short documentary “When I’m Her” for PBS which has been the #1 short doc since it’s release. He is currently on faculty at Pace University where he has taught for eight years, and also teaches at world renowned institutions including Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, and Ballet Arts at City Center. Michael is an ABT certified teacher levels pre-primary thru level 3.
ERIN POMPA
Erin Pompa is a speaker & empowerment coach helping audiences navigate fear and strengthen resilience. She graduated from Montclair State University with a B.F.A. in Dance and received her Masters in Dance Education from New York University. Erin uses her journey and 14 years of experience in arts education, performance, and curriculum design to deliver educational and inspirational presentations and coaching. She has been featured in Dance Magazine, Dance Business Weekly, and won the Toastmasters Area and District 83 Table Topics Competition in 2022. Erin is on a mission to help inspire & empower audiences with the tools to overcome limiting beliefs that are stopping them from excelling in their life.
BRITTANY COHEN
As a knowledgeable dance educator, seasoned performer, researcher in dance science, and active dance medicine/wellness specialist, Brittany inspires and supports young dancers. Through her work with BC Aritstry LLC, she helps competitive studio dancers raise confidence, release fear & improve technique by understanding their bodies & building awareness. Brittany holds a Master's in Dance Education and is a Mason Gross School of the Arts alumni. She is also a Certified Human Movement Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer specializing in Strength & Conditioning, and a Yoga Therapeutics Instructor. Brittany works with other local dance medicine and wellness specialists as the team leader for the Bridge Dance Project New Jersey Chapter and a member of Doctors for Dancers. Brittany merges her passions for dance, science, and education with her 27 years of experience to advocate for dancer wellness.
