FACULTY

Meet Our Staff

Angela Paolino-Thompson

Owner/Director

Angela started her dance career at the young age of 3 in Brooklyn, NY. She pursued her passion for many years to come, training in NYC at The Joffrey School of Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and several other NYC and local studios. At a very young age, Angela was selected to be the lead singer in a music group and travelled the Nation performing and competing. Always loving the entertainment industry, Angela went on to perform with young artist throughout the states who were looking for their big break. Angela Choreographed for many such groups, as well as, performed with them on the circuit promoting their demos. In her career Angela has not only taught dancers, but has choreographed routines for womens Fitness contests, Mens Muscle Building contests and various Gym advertisements. Very much a part of the fitness world at the time, she love d venturing into this world, one totally different from the stage she knew. No stranger to teaching all levels and ages, Angela was sought out by the NY public school system to enhance their school programs by incorporating dance. "Teaching non-dancers was a challenge, but one that showed itself to be very rewarding". With her studio taking off and being one of the top studios on Staten Island, Angela became very busy giving all her time to her students and studio. They won championships Nationally and performed in various community events. Judging many major dance/talent competitions throughout her career, Angela was able to bring that knowledge back to her studio creating a Dance Team in NY that soared. Even today these competitions continue to contact Angela to judge, however over the last 10 years, her children, family and studio were enough to fill her plate. Now in 2019, recharged, re-energized and always re-inventing herself, Angela is 100% focused on her new venture in Colts Neck, NJ.

Where she aims to provide the Absolute Best Dance, Piano ,Vocal and Acting training available.

Ssmantha Ballero
Managing Director

Samantha started her journey as a dancer at age 3, and has been a dancer at L.A .Dance for over 10 years. Here is where she trained in various styles including Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, and Contemporary. Throughout her years of competitive dancing, she has also had experiences with workshops, conventions, being part of the Nets All Star dance team, performing at sporting event, performing at the Barclays Center, and being part of video projects / music videos. On top of training at L.A. Dance, she has attended the Joffrey Ballet School summer intensive, and spent her High School years at Ocean County Vocational Technical School Grunin Performing Arts Academy, Here she trained daily with various choreographers and artists around the world. She received upscale and professional training in styles such as Modern, Ballet, and Jazz, and participated in many showcases including the Nutcracker.

As a teacher at L.A. Dance, Samantha wishes to share her love for dance with her students, and encourages creativity, hard work, uniqueness, and passion in her classes.

Meet Our Staff — Elise Klinger in Colts Neck, NJ

Gianna Innucci
Administrative Assistant

Gianna has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has been a part of our L.A Dance family for the past 14 years.

She is trained in various styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. She danced competitively for many years and has attended numerous workshops, one of her favorite being the Rockette Experience in New York City.

Gianna was a member of her high school dance team and has also performed at community events.

Currently a graduate student, Gianna is pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy.

Congratulations to Ms. Gianna on her most recent accomplishment, Progressing Ballet Technique Certification - PBT.

Janine Negron

Dr. Janine Negron PT, DPT is the Co-Owner of Thryve Healing and Performance, a Sports/Dance Medicine and Rehab/Recovery facility in Colts Neck, NJ. She graduated from Seton Hall University in 2017 earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Prior, Dr. Negron earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education at the University of the Arts in 2006 and danced professionally with New Jersey Music and Dance Company. She is a Board Certified Physical Therapist and NJ State Certified Dance Instructor as well as a Member of the National Dance Education Organization, International Association for Dance Medicine and Sciences, and the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Negron discovered her passion for Physical Therapy following a series of injuries sustained during her years as a professional dancer. After undergoing extensive therapy she realized there was a need in the healthcare industry for more practitioners who understood dancers, gymnasts, and the active population.

Dr. Negron has treated dancers and performers from New Jersey Ballet Company, Papermill Playhouse, and various local dance studios in the tri-state area. In addition, she has worked with professional and pre-professional athletes at New York Sports Science Lab and with NJFassst. Dr. Negron uses her unique background in ballet, contemporary, modern, acrobatic, Pilates, and yoga to provide tailored, creative, and effective treatment plans, exercise programs, master classes, workshops, and seminars.

Dr. Negron brings energy, creativity, and compassion to her work and readily passes her love for dance, health, wellness, and fitness onto her patients, clients, and students.

Melody Shanley

Cassandra started dancing, singing and acting from age four at her home town studio in East Brunswick. She continued performing and competing in dance until furthering her training at Wagner College. Here, her studies were equally focused on musical theatre and dance. She became well versed in fundamentals of Choreography, Anatomy and Kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis. She studied acting under the instruction of, Tony Award winning, Michele Pawk. She has also trained with industry professionals such as Michael John LaChiusa, David Caparelliotis, Sheri Sanders, Jack Cummings III and Judy McLane. She graduated with a bachelors in theatre and a minor in dance. Prior to graduation, Cassandra has cast and choreographed an original dance piece at Stage Once in Staten Island called “Antibiosis”. She has also taught contemporary, hip-hop and jazz at two studios in New Jersey and taught Musical Theatre to after school programs in Manhattan. Cassandra is eager to be back in New Jersey to teach and share her love for dance!

Joseph Temperino

Joe Temperino is from New York. He has an extensive background that allowed him to train, be on sets for music videos, television, and concerts. He has performed in numerous styles which include Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Improvisation, Jazz, Hip Hop, West African, and Tap working with some of the best artists. He has been trained by Taylor Wickham, faculty from the Professional Performing Arts High School in Manhattan, New York, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Some of his most remarkable work consists of: Becoming the season 2&3&4 Helium the Podcast host, Nitrogen The Company Season 1,2,3,&4. So You Think You Can Dance Season 17, Casted in the Purchase Dance Company and performed work by Ohad Naharin, Marcus Jarrell Willis, and Norbert De La Cruz lll, Back up danced for the concerts Freestyle For All and Disco Ball in Atlantic City New Jersey, Casted for a TV Series Documentary of West Side Story with The Company BBC In London, Worked with Matthew Rushing along with Renee Robinson on a project and performed at Terrace on The Park and Bryant Park, Opened for World Tennis Day at Madison Square Garden, Worked with Earl Mosley on Celebration and Snow and Roses, Casted in The PPAS Musical Of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, and Casted in the PPAS musical of West Side Story playing the role of Diesel. Joe has been awarded many scholarships and titles ever since he started dance at the age of 6 while dancing in the competition world where he began to make more connections which then allowed him to not only be a dancer and actor but choreographer as well at the age of 15 where he was now given opportunities to set works on companies and studios sharing not only his dance skills but personal life experiences and artistry as well sharing everything he has to offer with those all around.

Amanda Iversen

Amanda has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has been a part of the LA Dance family for over 20 years. She has been trained and specializes in many different styles including tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop. Some of her credits include: Michael Jackson Tribute, New York 1 News, Fox News, and NY Yankee's World Series Celebration '09. Amanda has trained at Broadway Dance Center in NYC as well as numerous dance conventions such as Monsters of Hip Hop,

The Pulse, JUMP, and Ash.

Amanda's unique style has been recognized by choreographers such as Ian Eastwood and Brian Puspos. She hopes to teach her students how to love and appreciate dance as well as embrace their own creative style in everything they do. When she isn't teaching dance, Amanda works full time as an amazing pastry chef in New York City.

Tara Vecchio

Tara is currently a professional working dancer and choreographer in the Tristate area. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and HipHop/Foundation styles. Tara has danced with Jennifer Lopez for her VMA Vanguard Performance at Radio City, and her Live Concert on The Today Show. As well as with BTS on their “Love Yourself” tour stop in NYC, and a dancer in the film “In The Heights.” Most recently she has performed with Julianne Hough during her performance on NBC’s 2020 New Years Eve special and with BTS at the United Nations General Assembly. Tara performed at venues such as NY/LA Carnival, Sybarite, World of Dance, ACE Awards and more. She also has been recognized for her own choreography at competitions and got selected to showcase her work at the 2019 Young Choreographers Festival in New York. Currently signed with Clear Talent Group NY.