EDS Teachers & Staff

Jackie McGinn

Owner

Jackie’s passion for dance didn’t end when her girls grew up and went to college. Jackie desire to mentor and encourage young dancers be confident and have high self-esteem. You won’t find a better mentor and cheer leader! Jackie finds it exciting to be able to help understand the value of discipline, commitment and work ethic. Self-confidence develops as young people overcome challenges to master new goals, learning to apply themselves and accomplish any task put before them. Jackie is taking her business management skills and coupling them with the very best talent in the industry to run the day to day operations and creative direction of the studio. She understands the value of our team by supporting and encouraging them with continuing professional development. Jackie is a firm believer that we are should be “life-long learners”.

Miss Cassie

Director

Miss. Cassie, from Medford, NY, began her dance journey at the age of 2. She has received extensive training in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theater, open, lyrical, and technique, and has competed at both regional and national levels. Her expertise has been further refined through numerous master classes and conventions with leading choreographers across the country.

With 6 years of experience teaching both recreational and competitive dance, Miss Cassie has successfully guided her students to achieve titles and high scores. She is passionate about sharing her love for dance with children and finds immense satisfaction in helping them reach their full potential both on and off the dance floor. Her commitment to enriching young lives has also led her to pursue a career as an elementary education teacher.

Ms. Melanie

Instructor

Ms. Melanie’s passion for dance began at the age of 7, and she has since immersed herself in every style of dance. With over 20 years of experience in teaching and choreographing, she has made her mark in both recreational and competitive dance settings. Beyond her dedication to dance, Ms. Melanie treasures her role as a mother to two wonderful children and cherishes her supportive husband. She is incredibly proud to be a part of the Elegant Dance Studio family.

Ms. Pam

Instructor

Ms. Pam has been dancing for over 20 years with training in various styles of dance. She received her Bachelors in Theatre from Binghamton University where she was also a member of the University’s dance team. She has choreographed and taught dancers of all ages in a variety of styles. Pam’s favorite thing about teaching is watching her students have fun and gain confidence in performing and she is so excited to be teaching at Elegant Dance Studio!

Miss. Kayla

Instructor

Miss. Kayla has been dancing since the age of 2, beginning her training at her local studio before expanding her expertise in New York City with Peri-Dance and Broadway Dance Center. Her extensive training has equipped her with a deep understanding of various dance techniques and styles. As a competitive dancer on Long Island, Kayla earned multiple national titles and high scores.

At 19, Kayla began teaching across the Northeast, with some of her students advancing to programs at The Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway’s The Music Man, and Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts. Outside the studio, she has danced in commercials and films, including Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and has collaborated on numerous projects with NYFW.
Dedicated to providing safe and technically sound instruction, Miss. Kayla ensures her students leave feeling both accomplished and confident. Now residing in Medford, she is thrilled to be teaching at Elegant Dance Studio.

Miss Toniann

Instructor

Miss. Toniann started dancing when she was three years old. Dance has always been an immense passion of hers. Over the last 12 years, she has taught various styles such as lyrical, hip hop, ballet, jazz, and contemporary in both a recreation and competition setting. Teaching dance holds a permanent place in her heart and she thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with her students. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness the joy and growth of each dancer as they explore the world of dance alongside her. She loves this studio and everything it stands for. She is extremely proud to be a teacher here at EDS!

Colin

Instructor

Colin aka Bboy Boyo of floor militia crew NY. Breaking since 2005 and focused on bringing the Bboying culture to Long Island as well as training the next generation of dancers to the breaking scene.

Miss. Malina

Instructor

Miss. Malina has been passionate about dance since she was 3 years old. She has competed at both regional and national levels across various dance styles, with a particular love for tap. In high school, she was a member of the Patchogue-Medford Raiderettes dance team. Currently, she is studying Linguistics at Stony Brook University. Miss Malina is thrilled to join the studio and is eager to share her enthusiasm and love for dance with her students.

Ms. Gina

Instructor

Ms. Gina she has been dancing since the age of 2 and has trained in a range of styles, with a special love for tap, hip hop, and jazz. Throughout middle and high school, she competed with the Sachem North Arrowettes and went on to dance with the NY Cosmos Girls for three seasons after graduation. Outside the studio, Ms. Gina teaches kindergarten, enjoys Peloton classes, and loves spending time at Disney World! She is thrilled to share her passion for dance with your children and looks forward to watching them develop into beautiful talented dancers.

 

Ms. Genalin

Instructor

Ms. Genalin has been passionate about dance for as long as she can remember, mastering a wide array of styles including tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, acro, and hip-hop. Her competitive dance background includes being part of a college dance team, and she has also worked as a gymnastics instructor and choreographed middle school musical theater productions.

After a period away from dance to work as a Therapeutic Recreational Therapist, Ms. Genalin followed her true calling and became a licensed Zumba and Dance Fitness Instructor. She is now thrilled to fulfill her dream of teaching dance at Elegant Dance Studio. Ms. Genalin is excited to share her love for dance with your children and help them grow into skilled and confident and graceful dancers.

Ms. Kerri

Instructor

Ms. Kerri is from Selden, NY. She is married with 2 kids. She works at an elementary school during the day and teaches dance at night and on the weekends. Kerri has been dancing since the age of 3 and was a member of her studio’s competition team growing up. This is her 22nd year teaching. She specializes in Acro but has taught Hip Hop and Jazz for many years. She is excited to share her passion with the students at EDS and work to achieve their goals.

Miss. Bella

Instructor

Miss Bella has been dancing for 13 years, and her passion for dance has always been a driving force in her life. Growing up, her dance studio was a second home, a place that consistently brought joy and brightness to her day. She specializes in contemporary and hip-hop dance, and she particularly enjoys working with young children, as it allows her to provide them with a strong foundation in something that is very close to her heart. Teaching these students is incredibly fulfilling for her, and she cherishes the opportunity to watch them grow. Miss Bella feels privileged to be a part of her students’ dance journey and looks forward to seeing them flourish as dancers in the future.