Aubrey Cheek loves being part of the Flash Pointe Dance family! She is originally from Florida, attended Oklahoma City University as a dance performance major, and graduated summa cum laude from Pace University with a degree in Arts and Entertainment Management. Aubrey is on faculty at the Steps on Broadway Academy and The Ballet Hispanico School, and substitute faculty for open professional classes at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Aubrey has performed in numerous professional theatre productions - “42^nd Street” at the Fulton Theatre and the Fireside Theatre, and “Cats” at Interlakes Theatre. She choreographed “Sister Act” at Interlakes Theatre. In NYC, she was part of Pre-Production for “Funny Girl” Broadway (with tap choreographer Ayodele Casel), performed in “In The Groove” (choreographed by Dormeshia), and performed in “Red Bucket Follies” (choreographed by Chaz Wolcott). 

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Aubrey is an alumna of the Tap Program at the prestigious School at Jacob’s Pillow (directed by Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia). She was a student in the Dance Lab NY Broadway Choreography Intensive (directed by Josh Prince and Valerie Salgado). Aubrey was a scholarship student in the Gus Giordano Dance School College/Pro Intensive. Aubrey continues to train at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. She has presented work in several NYC choreography showcases. Aubrey travels to teach and set choreography on young dancers around the United States. Her choreography has won many high honors and special awards at competitions. Aubrey works for the Power of Dance competition as a host/awards manager, and has judged as well. 

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Aubrey deeply believes that dance can change lives. She is passionate about sharing what she loves and connecting with others through dance! 

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Aubrey teaches tap and choreographs for the FPD competition team.

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Colleen grew up an army brat living all over the world. She began dancing in Heidelberg, Germany at the age of three. She trained at various studios across Maryland, Virginia, and Hawaii before leaving home at the age of fifteen to train at Kansas City Ballet School. She was offered scholarships to attend numerous summer intensives with companies such as the Dutch National Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Houston Ballet, and many more. Upon graduation, Colleen joined the Second Company with Kansas City Ballet performing in Swan Lake and The Nutcracker by Devon Carney, as well as various contemporary works by Parrish Maynard and Chris Ruud. In 2021, Colleen joined Charlotte Ballet’s trainee program led by Laszlo Berdo and Kati Hanlon Mayo. Here she had the opportunity to be mentored by Patricia McBride and perform in Balanchine Ballets such as Union Jack, Faust, and Raymonda. Other repertoire pieces she performed at the Charlotte Ballet include the Nutcracker by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Sleeping Beauty by Matthew Hart, Lickety Split by Alejandro Cerrudo, In This Shirt by Niamah Kioski, and more. In the fall of 2023, Colleen joined Connecticut Ballet as a company member. She performed works by Lila York, Brett Raphael, Eve Chan, Carlyn Hudson and Jolet Creary. Colleen began teaching dance in 2022, and has since been the Assistant Rehearsal Director for Charlotte Ballet’s summer intensive and the assistant stager for Snow and Flowers in the Nutcracker at Charlotte Ballet. In 2024, Colleen completed Yoga teacher training and holds a 200 hour certification in yoga through CorePower Yoga.

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David started his dance training at Infiniti Performing Arts Centre under the instruction of his mother. Competing both locally and nationally, he has received numerous overall placements and titles. Feeling a need to further his classical dance training he began training at Indiana Ballet Conservatory and went on to compete in various Ballet Competitions (Word Ballet Arts Competition, Youth América Grand Prix, Beijing Ballet and Choreography Competition). Following his graduation from high school, David was offered a contract with the Orlando Ballet in Florida, where he danced from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, David relocated to New York City after being offered a contract with Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). Dancing with DTH, David has had the opportunity to work with esteemed choreographers, such as William Forsythe, and dance works from choreographers George Balanchine and Nacho Duato to name a few. Dancing at DTH, David has also had the opportunity to tour extensively throughout the country as well as perform in China, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and France!

Donald Aversa was born and raised in New York, where he started dancing at 11 years old. His intense study allowed him to quickly start competing, and soon he was winning numerous 1st place overalls and titles at several regional and national events. While training at Elite Dancers, under the instruction of Camille Leax, Donald ventured out into New York City where he studied with Frank Hatchett, Joe Lanteri, Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano, Mia Michaels, Brian Freidman, and Chris Jacobson. Additionally, Donald studied with the Long Island Ballet Company where he was exposed to several international ballet talents. Donald trained with the Giordano Jazz Dance Company, in Chicago for several months, and performed in several shows at Universal Orlando and in charity events, including one for the Tsunami benefit. Donald currently works at several dance studios where he is teaching and choreographing. He has received numerous recognitions for his outstanding and innovative choreography. Donald has won an Federation of Dance Competition (FDC) Judges Choice Award, which can be voted on by viewers all across America, and several of his dances have been inducted into the Hall of Fame Dance Competition web site.

In the fall of 2018, Donald choreographed and coached Aydin Eyikan through the duels on World of Dance, after having done the same for Aydin with SYTYCD.  Donald is still dancing, creating nationally acclaimed choreography throughout the triplex, and managing the FPD Competition Team.

Donald teaches Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Leaps & Turns and is the FPD Competition Team Manager.

Elizabeth studied at Long Island Academy of Dance in all disciplines and was a competitive lead dancer for their company.  

Elizabeth graduated from Sacred Heart University with a degree in psychology and continued to perform and compete in college while a member of the Sacred Heart University division one college dance team.  She later received her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Fairfield University.  Elizabeth’s theatre credits include lead dancer/dance captain in local productions of Peter Pan, Once Upon a Mattress, Guys & Dolls, Gypsy, & Bye, Bye, Birdie.  Currently, Elizabeth is teaching and choreographing for Flash Pointe Dance and manages the FPD Competition Dance Team.  She also has created several nationally acclaimed pieces of choreography for our FPD Competition Team, which she has been managing since 2010.  She continues to share her love and passion for dance with her students and audiences and hopes to inspire young dancers to follow their dreams.  Liz is the proud mother of 2 children and her daughter is currently following in her mother’s footsteps at FPD as a competition dancer.  

Liz teaches Jazz, Musical Theater, and manages and choreographs for the FPD Competition Team.

Jacqueline found her true passion and love for dance during her high school years. After joining the Don Bosco Dance Team (NJ) in 2000, her focus became hip hop, pom, jazz and contemporary. Jacqueline was eventually appointed captain of the team, leading them to become 4th in the nation in small pom and 8th in the nation in hip hop at UDA high school nationals. After high school, she attended Sacred Heart University where she danced on the SHU Dance Team and was appointed captain her Junior and Senior years.  She led the team to 4th in the nation and was awarded innovative choreography for team dance at NDA college nationals.  After graduation, Jacqueline was asked back to be the assistant coach of the SHU Dance Team, all while traveling as an instructor for the National Dance Alliance (NDA).  Being an NDA instructor has opened many doors for Jacqueline, including judging local/state competitions and choreography opportunities.  Jacqueline has also had the opportunity to choreograph for a variety of musicals, including Kiss Me Kate, Footloose, Into the Woods and Seussical: The Musical.  Most recently, Jacqueline has been the manager of the FPD Company Team.

With a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, minor in Psychology, and master’s in occupational therapy, Jacqueline is able to teach her students proper body mechanics, static and dynamic stretching techniques, effective core strengthening and a better understanding of the mind-body connection. Currently, Jacqueline is a special education advisor, demonstrating proficiency in teaching dancers of all abilities and differentiates instruction to help any dancer, at any level, succeed.  Jacqueline is thrilled to be a part of the Flash Pointe Dance community and is excited to continue her dance journey!

Jacqueline teaches Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Preschool Ballet/Tap and manages and choreographs for the FPD Company Team.

Jenille's love for dance blossomed from her first tap class at the age of eight at Steps on Broadway dance studio, studying tap, jazz, street jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. By high school, she found The Bridge Academy’s Royal Heat, an after-school dance program where young students not only explored dance but also developed confidence. Voted team captain, Jenille led Royal Heat, choreographing routines and guiding the team to success in performances and competitions across Bridgeport and New York.

Jenille graduated from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in Arts and Science, and a concentration in Graphic Design. While at Sacred Heart, Jenille joined SHU F.O.R.C.E Dance Ensemble (now SHU Dance Ensemble) and choreographed during her 4 years on the team. As a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Jenille choreographed for her sorority’s Greek Sing and Greek Skit competition events.  As a member of MegaHurtz Entertainment Company, New Haven, she showcased her abilities on prestigious stages, such as World of Dance and Prelude.

Today, Jenille continues her training through attending local classes and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. With over 15 years of dedication to tap, jazz, street jazz, and hip-hop, Jenille's journey is defined by unwavering commitment and passion.

As part of the Flash Pointe Dance community, Jenille looks forward to inspiring others through movement and self-expression.

Jenille teaches Hip-Hop, Jazz, Musical Theater and choreographs for the FPD Competition Team.

Growing up in New York City, Judy was privileged to be trained weekly with leading professionals in the dance industry including Lloyd Culbreath (Current Lead Instructor for the Fosse Master Class Series sanctioned by the Verdon Fosse Legacy), Lynda Gache’ (Former Radio City Rockette and June Taylor Dancer), Juan Sanchez (Current Director of Education for Dance Educator of America Teacher Training Program), and Bill DeRicco (Teacher and Adjudicator for Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America and Dance Olympus).  Under their direction she studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, and musical theater. At 14 years old, Judy became the youngest member invited to audition and perform for the JC Lynn Dance Company and JC Lynn Kick Line where she enjoyed participating in performances over many years.

Judy attended Fairfield University where she was a member of the dance ensemble for four years. While studying at the university, she also taught dance through after-school programs for Fairfield Public Schools.

As a mother of two children, Judy understands how to inspire children to embrace and fully participate in dance class. Full of enthusiasm and dedication, she hopes to inspire the love of dance in her students – striving for moments in class that build their self-esteem, pride and confidence.

Judy teaches Mommy & Me, Tap, Preschool Ballet/Tap, Jazz/Tap, Storytime Ballet, and Tiny Tutus, and choreographs for the FPD Competition Team.

Juliette Rafael is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in New York City, originally from Kansas City, MO. As a performer, she has had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers including Gabrielle Lamb, Devon Carney, Amy Seiwert, and Ryan JolieCoeur Nye. Her choreographic work has been presented at The Mark O’Donnell Theater, The Tank Theater, Dixon Place, and Ballet Arts.

Juliette received her early training at Kansas City Ballet’s Daytime Program before joining Sacramento Ballet’s Second Company. She earned first place in the Pas de Deux category at Youth America Grand Prix and later graduated summa cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance (Ballet/Choreography), where she received an honorable mention for the Ballet Key Award.

Having been shaped by great mentors, herself, she is dedicated to passing on that same sense of artistry, discipline, and joy to her students.

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Kelley started dancing at the age of 2 in Plano, Texas. She became a competitive dancer at the age of 7, and continued until the age of 18. At 14 years old, her mother, Victoria Carey, opened Flash Pointe Dance and Kelley trained under many of the teachers on faculty today, including Pamela Giordano, Donald Aversa, and Elizabeth Caskin. After graduating high school, she continued her training at the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase College. Here she became well versed in different techniques and approaches to modern, ballet, contemporary, composition, and somatic practices. Her modern training included the following techniques: Graham, Horton, Limon, Cunningham, and Farber under the direction of Stephanie Tooman (Martha Graham Dance Company), Meghan Williams (Mark Morris Dance Group), Jean Freebury (Merce Cunningham Dance Company), Larry Clark (Viola Farber Dance Company), and Kevin Wynn (Jose Limon Dance Company). She also received classical ballet and pointe training from Betty-Jane Sills (New York City Ballet), Ted Kivitt (American Ballet Theater), Joseph Marlbrough (Chicago City Ballet), Rosana Seravalli (American Ballet Theater), and Wallie Wolfgruber (Mark Morris Dance Group).

Contemporary dance was one of the pinnacles of her time at SUNY Purchase, leading to opportunities to dance with founders, choreographers, and members of the Batsheva Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, Loni Landon, Lar Lubovich Dance Company, and many more. Her summer intensives and workshops were spent with Complexions Contemporary Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Group, San Francisco Dance Conservatory, and Matthew Bourne Dance Company.

Dance composition was another central part of her training at Purchase College. After three years of composition, Kelley developed a passion for choreography and came back to Flash Pointe Dance to set pieces for their competition team. Around this time, Kelley received a 500-hour Pilates certification and used her practice to rehabilitate her own body. Along the way she found a love for helping others rehabilitate from injuries and health concerns such as osteoporosis, scoliosis, pre/postnatal conditions, post-surgery rehabilitation, neuropathy, and more. Something unique about Kelley’s background is her education and experience in the field of psychology. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from CUNY Hunter College and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Clinical Psychology and Research from Fielding Graduate University. She spent a few years specializing in neuropsychological evaluation and treatment for people with Traumatic Brain Injuries. Today, Kelley is back at Flash Pointe Dance teaching dance and Pilates, and choreographing for the competition dance team.

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Lillian Procopio is so excited to join the FPD Faculty! She was a Flash Pointe Dance student for 11 years, training under Pamela Giardino, Aubrey Cheek, Jackie Carr, Donald Aversa, Liz Caskin, Judy Costa, Becca Picone, and Stephanie Serenita. She studied many styles of dance, focusing most on Ballet and Tap. Lillian had assisted in teaching a Preschool Ballet/Tap class with Jenille McIntosh throughout the 2024-2025 dance season. She has also assisted Pamela with many Preschool and Ballet 1 classes in years prior. She graduated from Lauralton Hall in Spring of 2025 and is now a Freshman at Sacred Heart University. There she will continue to dance as a member of their dance program and study in the College of Arts and Sciences. Lillian has spent the summer teaching all levels of summer camps here at FPD and is so grateful to continue teaching!

Madilyn Messineo is a student at Fairfield University from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. She has been dancing for 17 years, growing up at Rhythm Dance Company as a competitive dancer for 15 years. She competed in Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Currently, she is on the chair as the Events Coordinator for the Fairfield University Dance Ensemble (FUDE) and had the opportunity to choreograph both the Jazz and Contemporary pieces for FUDE. She is also on Fairfield University's competitive dance team, Fairfield Dance Fusion. Dance has been the most amazing outlet for her and she is so grateful to be able to teach a new generation of dancers.

Pamela Giardino began her training at the School of American Ballet, under the direction of George Balanchine.  From the age of 8-18, Pamela expanded her dance knowledge with teachers such as Suki Schorer, Stanley Williams, Suzanne Farrell, and Alexandra Danilova. Through her studies, she performed in New York City Ballet’s performances such as, The Nutcracker, Firebird, Pulcinella, Harlequinade, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Pamela also performed for workshop performances of Symphony in C, Episodes, Polovtsian Dances and Coppelia. After her training was completed at the School of American Ballet she continued her studies at Broadway Dance Center under the guidance of Finis Jhung.  During her professional career, Pamela performed in such companies as the Chicago Ballet, Connecticut Ballet Theater’s Acanthus Ballet and The Tribute to the Ziegfeld Follies. One of the highlights of her career was dancing in the opera “Nixon In China,” choreographed by Mark Morris which aired on PBS Television. Nixon In China was performed at the Kennedy Center, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, the Amsterdam Music Theater, Frankfurt Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. In addition to these performances and venues, Pamela cherished the experience of dancing for the Metropolitan Opera, appearing in Faust, Fledermaus, Turandot, Parsifal, Samson and Delilah, and La Gioconda.  During her teaching career, Pamela has taught at Manhattan Ballet in New York, schools in Westchester and Greenwich, as well as instructed for the Broadway Dance Center’s Children’s program. Pamela currently shares her gifts of teaching and love of ballet at Flash Pointe Dance since the opening of the school. She has choreographed the annual Nutcracker for Flash Pointe Dance at the Burr Mansion. Pamela has also coached multiple dancers for the YAGP competition. Pamela loves to share her knowledge and experience of ballet with the enthusiastic students of Flash Pointe Dance.

Pamela teaches Classical Ballet, Pointe, Storytime Ballet, and Adult Ballet.

Stephanie Serenita started dancing at the age of 2 at Lorna Del Maestro Dance Studio in Merrick, New York. She studied many different genres of dance over the years, including ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, musical theatre, and lyrical. Stephanie became an assistant teacher at Lorna Del Maestro, teaching children ranging from 4 years old to 14 years old. And within two years, she started teaching her own classes at the studio.  In addition, Stephanie was a member of the Calhoun Colt’s Varsity Kick Line Team, and co-choreographed several of their performances, including their Long Island Kick Line Association’s Championship performance in 2005. Stephanie continued her education and graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Media Studies. During her 4 years at Sacred Heart University, she was a member of SHU FORCE Dance Ensemble and was President of SHU FORCE for her junior and senior year.  Stephanie received her Master’s in English Literature from Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT. During her first semester as a graduate student, Stephanie received a fellowship to teach an English Composition course at SCSU. She continued to teach English Composition at SCSU, and then afterwards at Gateway Community College in New Haven for over ten years. Stephanie loves teaching her students at Flash Pointe Dance, where she has been a faculty member since the business opened. She loves to inspire dancers whether it is their first class or they are a seasoned dancer. Although she wears many hats, her favorite one is being a mom to her daughter, Charlotte.

Stephanie teaches Hip-Hop, Tap, Preschool Ballet/Tap, Preschool Jazz/Tap, Preschool Hip-Hop, and choreographs for and is FPD Hip Hop Crew Team Manager.

Alison Cook-Beatty attended the Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee, earning a BFA in Dance with high honors. She was the selected recipient of the Ruth Sandholm Ambrose Scholarship Award and the Jan Veen Scholarship. She moved to New York City and danced with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Taylor 2, among other dance companies. In 2012, Ms. Cook-Beatty founded Alison Cook Beatty Dance, a classically based modern dance company based in New York City, whose mission is to create and share accessible and emotionally engaging dance for all. Companies including Ballet Next, Carolina Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet School, The Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee, Steffi Nossen School of Dance, Columbia Ballet Collaborative, New York University, The Ailey School, NYSSSA, Infinity Dance Theater, and Marymount Manhattan College have commissioned her. She was awarded the 2013 sjDANCEco Award for Artistic Merit. Under her direction, the Company has grown into an artistically reputable and productive 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance company with local impact and international esteem. The company has performed throughout the United States, has been featured on ABC News for its prolific and creative efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was awarded grant support from Dance/NYC’s Coronavirus Dance Relief Fund, the New York Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council of The Arts, and was a recipient of the NEST Grant Award for NEFA Arts. The Company has just celebrated its twelfth anniversary.

Artistic Vision For Alison Cook Beatty Dance, the purpose of art is to connect human beings more deeply to themselves and to one another. The Company remains proudly oriented by traditional techniques of modern American dance, which serve as a shared language between modern dancers worldwide. At the same time, the Company values artistic risk and the exquisitely unexpected. Alison Cook Beatty Dance finds true grace in emotionally honest work and challenges both the dancers and audiences through mutual vulnerability.

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Elissa DeMaria is an actress and educator residing in Fairfield, CT. Her regional performing credits include: White Christmas (Judy Haynes), They're Playing Our Song (Sonia), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Swing), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey - CCC nomination; best actress), Kiss Me Kate (Lois/Bianca), Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy), Falsettoland (Cordelia) among many others. Elissa has the privilege of teaching and choreographing at Music Theater of CT and Black Rock Theatre for the past five years. Elissa earned a BFA in Musical Theater from Point Park University. She is most proud to be Mom to Louise and Harriet.

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Rebecca (Becca) is a 2023 graduate from Marymount Manhattan College’s (MMC) vigorous and selective dance program, located in New York City. She graduated cum laude with a BA in Teaching Dance Arts and a minor in Business Management. In her student years, Becca danced competitively at the Connecticut Classics and the Youth American Grand Prix while also participating in the Rockette Summer Intensive. Becca has studied a variety of dance techniques, including ballet, pointe, contemporary, improvisation, jazz, tap, musical theater and swing dance. She has gravitated towards modern dance, particularly the Graham and Horton techniques. Becca regularly takes classes at Broadway Dance Center and enjoys learning from different teachers while advancing her knowledge about different techniques. During Becca's time at MMC, she was provided with the opportunity to train under Ashley Bouder, principal dancer with New York City Ballet, and took part in Marymount Manhattan Dancers at Work performances. Becca is educated and certified to teach all levels of dance, including preschoolers, for whom she incorporates elements of creative movement to broaden children’s capacity for communication and expression through non-verbal means. Becca has previously been a student and competitive dancer at Flash Pointe Dance. She is thrilled to rejoin the school as a teacher, where she can share her passion. Becca has been with Flash Pointe Dance since 2019, teaching classes while also choreographing pieces for the competition team.

Becca choreographs for the FPD Competition Team and Company.