Monica Lessard
Monica earned her BA in dance with a double concentration in jazz and ballet from Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, PA. While studying at Point Park she was an avid performer and member of the Playhouse Dance Company as well as the Pillow Project Dance Company performing at many different venues throughout Pittsburgh. Her favorite role in college was as the evil step-sister, Prunella, in the contemporary ballet "Cinderella". Monica also choreographed for shows such as Tomorrow's Choreographers and was the dance captain for Point Park's performance of "Reefer Madness" in 2007. As a dancer and as a choreographer Monica participated in the American College Dance Festivals in 2006 and 2007. After graduation she moved to the Boston area where she became a full-time faculty member of Paula Meola's School of Performing Arts in Sterling, MA. She was a competition team choreographer and has won numerous choregraphy, performance and costume awards at competitions such as American Dance Awards, Dance Masters of America, Headliners, Dance Ovations, and The United States Tournament of Dance. Monica also taught at a non-profit Performing Youth Company in New Hampshire and has guest taught at numerous studios in the New England area. Monica moved to the New York City area recently and is so thrilled to be a new addition to the LoPresti Dance Theater!
Christine Russo
Received her BFA degree in dance from Marymount Manhattan College. She has extensive training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. Christine has over 15 years of competing experience in regional and national competitions, including the World Championships in Riesa, Germany in 1999 and 2000. Christine is formerly from Horizons Dance Center in Brooklyn.
Janine Comanducci [Artistic Director]
She has trained with the DeLouise school of dance, Landrum school of dance, American Theatre Dance Workshop, Steffi Nosen, and a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway. Janine earned her BFA in dance and a minor in ComArts at Marymount Manhattan College. She has performed with Gray Wig productions such as the Most Happy Fella, and Guys & Dolls. She has also danced with the NBS Nets and as a Firedancer for the New York Dragons AFL team. Janine has choreographed for Swing 46 nightclub in Manhattan, Dancers at Work at MMC, the Berest Youth Dance Theatre, Dance Long Island, Queens College, and for competitive dance teams and organizations throughout New York. Janine is also a member of the Long Island Dance Consortium.
Rebecca Rainone [Acrobatics Teacher]
Has been a gymnastics instructor for the past five years now at the Long Island Gym-Nest. She was a competitive gymnast for six years, but prior to competing gymnastics she studied dance for eight years. Recently she graduated from Saint Joseph’s College with a degree in business administration.
Karen M. Easton [Ballet Director]
Trained with Madame Darvash. She studied intensely with the Burklyn Ballet Theatre, the New York State School for the arts where she studied with ballet masters such as Heather Watts, Patricia Wilde, Jurgen Schnieder, and Peter Martins. While at Darvash School, she performed in the Nutcracker and the full‑length ballet, Giselle. She attended SUNY Purchase as a ballet major; following Purchase she completed her Masters degree at St. John's University in sociology. She has been teaching ballet for the past 12 years and is the ballet director of LoPresti Dance Theatre.
Erin Pascarella
Received her BFA in dance from George Mason University. Graduating early from college Erin went on to perform with the Peter Pucci modern dance company. She has performed at the Joyce Theatre and has traveled all over the country. She has also worked with the choreographer, Sean Curran at Dance Space in Manhattan, and has performed as a singer/dancer in Mexico City for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and has also danced with the New York Dragons Arena Football team, where she was also a dance captain. Erin is also an aerobics instructor for the New York Sports Club.
Danielle Sexton [Vocal Coach]
Danielle Sexton spent her high school years at the Cultural Arts Center in Syosset where she was a vocal performance major. She then attended Westminster Choir College and received her BA in music, vocal performance. She has toured Europe and performed at many amazing venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Danielle has been teaching piano and vocal lessons professionally for the past 10 years and is also a certified teacher for Music Together, a program for babies and toddlers focusing on movement and music.
Laura Beth Moon
Laura Beth Moon has sixteen years of serious dance training. Laura has been a member of the LoPresti Dance Theatre competitive dance teams. Upon graduating from H.S. Laura trained with the director of LoPresti Dance Theatre to perfect her teaching skills in creative movement and pre-funk classes. Laura has been a teacher at LoPresti Dance Theatre for the past four years. She most recently graduated from St. Joseph’s College with a degree in business.
Rose Marie Walsh
Received her BA degree from the Bernard M. Baruch College, city university of New York. She received her ballet training at the school of American Ballet and the Eglevsky School of Ballet. She has performed with Fedicheva Ballet and Lumiere Ballet. She is currently teaching with the Lumiere Ballet and throughout the Long Island area.
Camile Arnone [Drama Teacher]
CAMILE ARNONE (Drama Instructor) has taught private lessons and classes at Theatre Three for the past six years. She has her BFA in Theatre and BA in English from Adelphi University. She studied Contemporary Theatre in London through Hofstra University. A produced playwright, she directed her own work, YOU AND I, with the Epic Theatre Co., as well as RUNNING INTO MONET at the Abingdon Theatre in NYC. Other directing credits include ROMEO AND JULIET and ONCE UPON A TIME BROADWAY MET SHAKESPEARE. She’s performed with the Jelly Bean Theatre Co., teaching students about human rights. Favorite roles include: Juanita in COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME…, Rhonda in WOMEN OF MANHATTAN, Fruma Sarah in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Celia in AS YOU LIKE IT and Benvolia in R & J. Other credits include: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, RING OF FIRE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE SECRET GARDEN, TOM SAWYER, ROMEO AND JULIET, JULIUS CAESAR, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, etc. In addition to the stage, Camile sings with an a cappella group together for the Holidays. Working year round at Stony Brook University Hospital, she acts as a standardized patient, helping to train medical students in clinical skills. In addition to the theatre, Camile is a Photographer specializing in headshots and special events. Her website is CiaoBellaPhotos.net.
Heather Colucci
Heather has been studying dance for 20 years. She has been apart of many competitive dance teams and has performed -in musical productions such as Hello Dolly, Bye Bye Birdie, and the Fiddler on the Roof. She received her BA in Elementary and Special education from St. Joseph's College. Heather has also received her Masters Degree 'in Liberal Arts studies from Stony Brook University. She Is currently a fourth grade teacher at Longwood Central School District. Heather teaches all elements of dance to all levels of students, and choreographs for the LoPresti Dance Theatre's competition teams. Her choreography has scored special awards and many high score overall awards.
Michael Cowie
has studied with acclaimed hip-hop artists such as Glenn Douglas Packard, Mr.Wiggles, Poppin’ Pete, Ant Boogie (Anthony Rue), Luam, Tight Eyez, Bboy Crumbs, Mr.Freeze, and Bev Brown. He has performed on stage in concert for Hip-Hop/R&B Duo Smilez and Southstar. He has performed on stage at the World Center Marriot for Fashion Rock Week. He has also choreographed music videos for a nationally syndicated television show in Korea.
