Kelly Burke-Fitzpatrick (Owner and Artistic Director):

Kelly Burke-Fitzpatrick, Artistic Director of WDA, has been and remains to be the driving force behind the success of the studio. Her dream of opening her own studio was first realized in 1997 in Harrison, NY, after her final public, solo performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The studio grew quickly in both size and reputation and was expanded five years later with the help of a larger space at our current location in Port Chester, NY. Kelly has been able to combine her years of extensive professional training – including the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theater – and her love of teaching, to create a unique experience in dance education for all of her students. Additionally, her personal experience and pervasive success in the competition industry has played a pivotal role in the consistent accomplishments of the WDA Troupe. Kelly has also been recognized with countless awards for her celebrated choreography and role as a dance educator.

 

Daniella Cavaleri (Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theater):

Daniella Cavaleri has been teaching and choreographing for WDA since its inception in 1997. She has trained extensively in all styles of dance and her performance credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Fosse (International/National Tour), Rolling Stones Tour, benefits such as Nothin Like a Dame, and industrials for Walmart, Viacom, and SONY, among others. She has additionally performed with companies such as Mia Michael’s R.A.W., Notario Dance Company, Morgan Scott Ballet, and American Dance Company. Her professional credits and training have contributed immensely to her success with the WDA Troupe and has led to numerous recognitions for her choreography and for her students. She consistently sets high standards for all of her students, pushing them to test their limits and eventually reach their goals, which is why she has been and continues to be a major motivating factor behind the success of the Troupe and the studio.

 

 

Lauren Hubela:

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAMMY MacDonald- (Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap)

Tami has been a dance educator for over twenty years. She was the owner and director of her own studio in Leominster Massachusetts, Tami’s Dance Connection, for 17 years and now enjoys being a freelance teacher and choreographer.

Tami is a current member of the Dance Masters of New England and Connecticut Dance Masters. Tami has served as the President of the New England chapter from 1999-2001 as well as the program director for the chapter. She has also been on the National Board of Directors for Dance Masters. She is a certified member with the Dance Teachers Club of Boston of which she was a High Honors graduate of the Teachers Training School program.

Tami grew up on the competition dance circuit and through her studio developed dancers that had a respect and understanding of the competitive dance world. Her students have been overall high score winners at the National level and Tami has received numerous awards for her different and innovative choreography. She has had students hold both regional and national titles and go onto wonderful professional dance careers.

Tami finds nothing more rewarding than passing on her knowledge and love of dance to the children that she encounters through her teaching and judging experiences.

 

 

Prince Riley (Hip Hop):

Prince Hairston joined the WDA faculty in 2005 facilitating the introduction of hip-hop instruction to the studio.  His professional credits include MTV Awards, a Nike industrial, and the Apollo Theater, among others, and he has worked with such esteemed choreographers as Rhapsody and Jermaine Brown.  He has a unique ability to translate this experience to his students, which has made his classes some of the most consistently popular since he joined the WDA faculty.

 

 

 

Grace Buckley (Ballet , Lyrical, and Jazz):

A recent graduate of Colgate University, Grace Buckley returns to teach at WDA with a distinctive combination of extensive training, college education, and love of teaching. Having trained and competed under the guidance of the WDA faculty, she has been the recipient of numerous regional and national titles and scholarships from prestigious organizations across the country.

 

 

 

Lauren Strigari (Lyrical/Jazz):

Lauren Strigari has been teaching for WDA since 2003, bringing her extensive training and personal competition experience to her teaching.  Her film/television credits include the NBA All-Star Game and a VH-1 special feature, and her performance credits range from the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and tours of Grease and Footloose, to the MTV Movie Awards.  She has also been honored with awards and scholarships from some of the most prestigious organizations in the competition industry.  Her extensive training in both Los Angeles and NYC greatly contribute to her ability to transfer that experience to her students.