Relevé Dance Centre Instructors

Kristan Brodie

Kristan is a classically trained ballet dancer. She studied at Seiskaya Ballet Academy where she became a featured soloist performing multiple soloist and principal roles in their Nutcracker and was Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty Pas de Deux. Kristan has spent many summers with the Kirov Academy in Washington, the Joffrey Ballet and ABT in New York. After leaving Seiskaya, Kristan studied intensively with the world renowned Maggie Black who she attributes all her qualities as a dancer to. She also was a guest teacher at American Dance Theatre of L.I. and performed Snow Queen and Sugar Plum for three years in their Nutcracker. Kristan will be teaching ballet and pointe to our students.

Renee Collazo

Renee comes to us from Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey and teaches Hip Hop. Renee’s understanding of the hop hop culture has come from studying with some of the greatest legends in hip hop such as Rennie Harris of Pure Movement, Ynot of RSC and Honey Rockwell. Events such as “the Philly Gathering” and the “House Dance Conference” in NYC, are just a few spots where you can catch her. In addition, Renee has been to London, England, where she had the opportunity to meet many amazing dancers. In 2003-2004 she performed with Chosen Dance Company under the direction of founder Mr. Clyde Evans Jr., and in 2004 made TV appearances with Versatile Dance Company. Renee was a part of Face Da Phlave Dance Company, New Jersey/Philadelphia 2005-2008, touring around the tri-state area. Her other accomplishments include hip hop theatre pieces, lecture demonstrations, performing on B.E.T. 106 & Park TV shows along side of Nick Cannon, Ciara, John Legend and Philadelphia’s Freeway, just to name a few. She teaches throughout the Philadelphia/Jersey areas. Most recently (Spring/Summer 2008) she has expanded internationally to include Malaysia. She spent two months with Martel VSOP Absolute/Rise Above Dance Tour where she taught hip hop workshops at local dance events. In the Kuala Lumpur area Renee was a guest judge at bboy battles Tour, teaching hip hop workshops, going to local dance events. In addition she was a guest judge at bboy battles in Kuala Lumpur area, such as Floor Combat II at Cineleisure Damansara, Floor Fever’s event at Sports Komplex Stadium at Bukit Jalil and eye of Malasia Ferris wheel park bboy jam./p>

Charlyn Di Lorenzo

Charlyn began her training at the age of 11 and never stopped. She has studied acrobatics under the direction of former Rockette Frances Landrum, “circus strongman” Ted Magnum and 1976 Olympic hopeful, Dennis Bastian, at Landrum School of Dance in Queens. She has also taken tumbling classes at Chelsea Piers Field House taught by Link Blake. She has competed for and on the gymnastics team at St. Agnes Academic High School, Landrum School and the Loupakis Family Acrobatics and Karate Studio where she also choreographed routines for competition. Miss Charlyn is affiliated with Antigravity Dance & Gymnastics Co. a terrific talent company who promotes dancers and gymnasts and also perform themselves (many of her students are also affiliated with Antigravity for possible work in commercials, ads, off-Broadway, etc). She began her teaching career in 1980 at the age of 17 as a student acro teacher at Landrum School of Dance in Queens and continued her career teaching at various studios in Queens. Miss Charlyn has been teaching at Relevé Dance Centre since 2003 where she has built a successful acro program.

Jeanne Dickerson

Jeanne has studied with Frank Hatchett, Luigi, Germaine Salsberg, Brenda Buffalino, Alexander Filipov and Finis Jung. In addition to classes she has studied at workshops with world renowned teacher/choreographers such as Gwen Verdon, Gus Giordano, Maurice Hines, Peff Modelski. She is a member of Dance Educators of America and the former Brookhaven Theatre Dance Guild. Jeanne has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Performance with a minor in dance at SUNY Fredonia and has performed with the Orchesis Dance Company in many productions. Jeanne has been a teacher on Long Island since 1986. She has been teaching at Relevé Dance Centre since 1996. Her experience includes teaching pre-school through adults at all levels in jazz (Luigi, Lyrical, Classical and Funk), tap (various styles), and ballet (Cecchetti and Vaganova). She also teaches and choreographs the intermediate and Junior A companies who have won many awards.

Heather Gaffin

Heather comes to us from NYC and teaches Jazz and Contemporary classes. She has trained with Clarity in Motion Dance Company of New York City. In addition she has studied with many world-renown teachers, including Sheila Barker, Joe Lanteri, Tracie Stanfield, Doug Caldwell Calen Kurka, Liz Imperio, Karen Cleighton, Laurie Johnson, Andrey Silantyev to name a few. She has performed on the stages of New York City with companies such as the Exchange: New Dance Group; International Dance Festival; Broadway Dance Center Showcase; Alvin Ailey Professional Program Her teaching credentials include Mulford School of Dance; Breaking Ground Dance Center; Le Danse; Stars Studio of Dance. She gives master classes to students in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Her choreography has received many Overall High Scores at the regional and national competitions.

Kristy Hill

Kristy has studied dance at various studios on Long Island and furthered her education at Broadway Dance Center under the tutorial ship of Frank Hatchett and Germaine Salsberg. Kristy has worked at Relevé Dance Centre since 1994 as a choreographer and instructor for tap, jazz and lyrical competition teams. Her choreography has won many awards. In addition, Kristy has implemented full developmental control in classes of tap, jazz and lyrical for students ranging in age from 3 years to adulthood. Kristy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and an Associate of Science degree in fitness specialist. As an OT she has worked with pediatric through elementary population with varying diagnoses.

June Martino

Miss June has studied under the tutorialship of Frank Hatchett of Broadway Dance Center, Luigi’s, the former Jo-Jo Smith’s Dance Factory and Melissa Hayden, all in New York City. She has also taken classes with and from Wayne Celanto the Tony Award winner for best choreographer of the Who’s “Tommy.” She continues her studies in New York City as well as numerous conventions for dance teachers learning new trends and techniques in dance education. She is a member of PDTA, DMA and was a member of the Former Brookhaven Theatre Dance Guild since the Guild’s formation in 1981, and also served on the board.

Miss June has appeared in a production of the Tree Artist, directed by Tazwell Thompson, and performed at the Gateway Playhouse and the John Drew Guild Theatre in Southampton. She has performed in Dance Spectrum (BTDG summer performance). In addition to performing, Miss June also choreographed plays for local schools.

Miss June has danced professionally for many years and for the past 25 years has been teaching the beautiful art of dance to all ages and all levels from pre-school classes to advanced company (competition classes). She teaches the love of dance to her students through encouragement, praise, hard work and understanding.

Stephanie Miller

Stephanie has been trained in tap, jazz, ballet, broadway, and lyrical styles of dance. She attended June Claire Dance Center for 13 years, where she was selected to perform in their Junior and Senior ballet, jazz, tap, and kickline companies. She has performed at televised events such as the EAB Treelighting in Uniondale and at the Westbury Music Fair for a charity Christmas concert with Father Charles Mangano of the Telecare Network. In addition, she was asked by Disney to dance on the 101 Dalmatian float in the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and in the production of A Bug’s Life the following year.

Stephanie has also been trained at the Seiskaya School of Ballet. She has been featured in ballet instruction videos and an assistant at seminars with professional ballet dancer, Robert Christopher. In addition to this training, Stephanie also received training at Releve Dance Centre. She competed with the Releve Dance Company for five years and received first place for her performances in solos, duets, and group numbers. At the age of 17, she won a choreography award for a duet she choreographed and peformed in. She continues to produce dancers that take home first place medals at competition, along with other special awards for their outstanding abilities. Stephanie has been a teacher at Releve for 6 years and is very dedicated to her students.

Ray Vazquez

Ray is a multi-faceted dancer with over 7 years teaching experience. Specializing in break-dance Ray began his training with The Next Level in New York (a crew that spawned some of the most talented breakers today). His passion and talent have earned him many prestigious awards in both break and dance competitions, such as Starpower, Ticket to Broadway and the popular Miami Pro-Am. Ray’s strength and originality has led to performance credits with recording artists such as: Usher, Pharell, Ciara, Ludacris, Pitbull and 50 Cent.

Lauren Walsh

Miss Lauren has been with Relevé Dance Centre since 2001. Miss Lauren has danced and competed in several different competitions all along the east coast. Before coming to Relevé, Miss Lauren taught parent and me classes, and ballet, tap and jazz classes to students ages pre-school to teen. She was director and teacher of the dance program (developing her own curriculum) at Matss Kids Gym. She was also the dance instructor, coordinator of dance camps and birthday parties at Matss, Debbie’s Gym, Kovacs and Let’s Bounce.