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WHAT WE DO... At Dance with Miss Rachel, kids ages 10 weeks and up have a place to let their creativity blossom. In unique, inspirational 45-minute classes, kids learn ballet, singing, musical theatre, and more. All classes are taught by two professionally trained instructors who sing along with a live pianist.What makes us different from other kids' programs? Just ask anyone who's taken our classes. Our individualized approach to teaching makes each child feel like a star. At Dance with Miss Rachel, we seek to educate children through storytelling, imaginative song and movement, and spark their inner creativity. Not only do we have fun, dance is the ultimate way for kids to develop balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, grace, sharing, and independence! WHO WE ARE... 
"Miss Rachel" Cantor
Owner / Director "Miss Rachel" comes to NYC from West Bloomfield, Michigan, where her love of all things theatrical began. She performed in school and community shows since age 5 before attending the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy. After graduating High School, Rachel attended The Boston Conservatory, graduating with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Upon graduation, Rachel moved to NYC and has been performing in New York and around the country ever since! In addition, Rachel is an accomplished voiceover artist with national spots for Huggies, Walmart, and McDonald's. Rachel also voiced the character of Barbie in the Barbie read-along audiobooks. Her passions for theatre and working with children have proven to be a winning combination. Over the years, "Miss Rachel" has become a downtown staple, sharing her love of song and dance with hundreds of children in the community. After several years of hard work and preparation (including a year rolling her backpack—aka "mobile studio"—around town), Dance with Miss Rachel is truly a dream realized. Read more about her story in the Tribeca Citizen and SoulCycle blog! 
"Miss Ashley" Brown Anderson
Lead Instructor "Miss Ashley" grew up in Raleigh, NC, where she fell in love with dance at an early age. She graduated from James Madison University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Dance. While at JMU, she taught dance to local students with the Dance4Life program and trained in the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center. Her favorite credits include performing in BCEFA’s 29th Annual Gypsy of the Year and a regional production of Anything Goes. She can’t wait to share her passion with young dancers at Dance with Miss Rachel! 
"Miss Lacey" Baroch
Lead Instructor "Miss Lacey" is originally from Jacksonville, Florida where she started dancing at a very young age. Her passion for dance led her to Point Park University where she earned a BFA in dance. Since graduating, Lacey danced professionally in NYC with several contemporary dance companies and artists. Her favorite experience has been touring internationally to South Korea, China, and Germany where she performed and taught young students. Lacey is delighted to be a part of the DWMR team and is excited to share her love of dance with the students! 
"Miss Brianne" Bischoff
Lead Instructor Brianne grew up in Commack, Long Island and recently graduated from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, with a BFA in Contemporary Dance. She has taught in Boston for School Moves/PreSchool Moves, Brookline Ballet School, and the Eliot School. Brianne's recent performance and choreography credits include Beauty and the Beast at CM Performing Arts Center, and serving as resident choreographer for Tea Time. She is so happy to now be a part of the Dance with Miss Rachel team! 
"Miss Isabel" Bustamante
Assistant Instructor “Miss Isabel” earned her BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama’s New Studio on Broadway, after training at the Conservatory Ballet School in Reston, Virginia. Since college, she has pursued her career as an actor, singer, and dancer, working professionally in NYC, including Off-Broadway venues. She has also worked as a teaching assistant at NYU Tisch for dancing and acting, alongside Dell Howlett, Barry McNabb, and Tiffany Rachelle Stewart. Isabel has a passion for bringing artistry into the lives of young dancers and is thrilled to be joining the DWMR team. 
"Miss Kate" Carey
Assistant Instructor “Miss Kate” is originally from Sydney, Australia where she began her dance and theatre training. She then moved to New York to complete her Bachelor of Music from New York University, where she majored in musical theatre. She first explored her love of performing in dance competitions and the children’s chorus of Opera Australia, before directing that love into musical productions like Cats with Packemin Productions and Applause, Nine, and Ordinary Days at NYU. She is so excited to be a part of the DWMR team and to help instil a love of dance and creative expression in young dancers! 
"Miss Leigh Marie" McCarver
Assistant Instructor “Miss Leigh Marie” has been dreaming of sharing her love of dance with others since she was a little girl growing up in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Performance at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. While in school, she worked as an Assistant Teaching Artist at Nashville Children’s Theatre, where she specialized in helping young artists find confidence and foster empathy. Her most recent credit is with Nashville Shakespeare Festival in Love’s Labour’s Lost. She is thrilled to be a part of the DWMR team and hopes to encourage all dancers to dream big too! 
"Miss Kimberly" Cooper Schmidt
Director of Operations "Miss Kimberly", originally from a small town in New Jersey, holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Manhattanville College. After college, she pursued a performance career that took her from one tiny Off-Broadway theatre to another all while teaching children's dance and gymnastics classes and running events for children and families alike. Her passion for theatre led to a career in production and general management before returning to her love of dance and childhood enrichment here at DWMR! When not at the studio, Miss Kimberly can be found baking or hosting one of her two Broadway-themed podcasts. 
"Miss Bridget" Crisonino
Lead Instructor "Miss Bridget" earned her BFA from NYU, Tisch School of the Arts, from the New Studio on Broadway. Raised in Berkeley Heights, NJ, she grew up surrounded by a family of musical artists and was taught by talented and supportive teachers who continue to serve as her artistic role models to this day. Bridget first brought her love for song and dance to the stage through piano, dance competitions, and participating in Paper Mill Playhouse's All-Star Company. Bridget's affinity for theatre magic followed her as she appeared in roles such as Ariel, Snow White, Belle, Little Red Riding Hood, and JoJo in Seussical. She made her first NYC appearance in the Off-Broadway musical, Evergreen. Bridget continues to perform with the NY Pops in Carnegie Hall Gala Concerts, as well as appearing in various workshops, readings, and television shows. Bridget is so excited to be joining the DWMR team and to share with her students all the joy, love, and friendship from the many years of dance in her own youth. 
"Miss Suzanna" Dupree
Lead Instructor & UWS Studio Manager "Miss Suzanna" is ecstatic to join the Dance with Miss Rachel team. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Suzanna has trained in both voice and dance since she can remember! She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory and began touring with A Chorus Line (US, Canadian & Japanese companies), and most recently with QUEEN's hit We Will Rock You. Her favorite NYC/Regional credits include, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, 42nd Street, Cinderella, and frequent performances at Rockwood Music Hall. She is a regular judge for multiple dance competition circuits and teaches at studios around the city. Miss Suzanna is grateful for the opportunity to share her knowledge and joy of dance with the promising talent of tomorrow! 
"Miss Annaliese" Hall
Assistant Instructor “Miss Annaliese” is originally from Sydney, Australia, where she grew up singing and dancing at every possible moment. She moved to New York City, where she earned her BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama’s New Studio on Broadway. During her time at NYU she gained such valuable insight from being a teacher’s assistant to Barry McNabb and dance captain for Dell Howlett. Since college, she has started to pursue her professional acting and choreographic career across NYC including New York Theatre Festival. Annaliese is very passionate about bringing the joy of theatre and dance into the lives of young future artists and is delighted to be a part of the DWMR team! 
"Mr. Andrew" Hanley
Pianist/Baby Bop Music Leader Andrew J. Hanley is a New York City-based composer/lyricist originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His works include Still Life In A Mile-Deep Bathtub (with Anderson John Heinz), Look (with Jessica Bedford), and The First Six. Other credits include musical contributions to the New York Neo-Futurists’ The Great American Drama as well as "Clown Zer0", a musical podcast. Andrew is an alumnus of the Writers Group at Musical Theatre Factory, a resident company of Playwrights Horizons. His work has been featured at Joe’s Pub, Feinstein’s/54 Below, LA’s A Little New Music, Musical Theatre Factory, New York Musical Theatre Festival, and more. Andrew is a member of the Young Artist Board at New York City Center Off-Center and has worked as a music assistant and copyist for Powerhouse Theater, New York Stage & Film, Disney Theatrical, and Ambassador Theatre Group. 
"Mr. Canaan" J. Harris
Pianist Canaan J. Harris is a NYC-based pianist, music director, and composer originally from Binghamton, NY, who was part of the inaugural class of the Musical Creators' Institute. His works include: Boys, Boys Behave!, Elaine!?, (both with Jacob Iglitzin) and Plane Girl (with Hayley Goldenberg & Julia Sonya Koyfman). He has music directed at Theater Aspen, Cortland Repertory Theater, Bristol Valley Theater, 54 Below, The Green Room 42, Chelsea Table & Stage, and the Laurie Beechman Theater. He was also awarded the SUNY PACC Prize to fund his Pocket Opera Project (POP) that develops 15-minute operas based on middle schoolers' short stories with composers and librettists from Binghamton University and are performed at Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY. 
"Mr. James" Harvey
Pianist "Mr. James" studied music composition at NYU Steinhardt and the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. His original musical, The Crack in the Ceiling, was produced at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and the New York International Fringe Festival. His one-man comedy show, The Bald Faced Truth, continues to play to sold-out audiences in New York City. As an educator, James has worked for such organizations as Tada Youth Theatre, American Musical Theatre Academy, and A Class Act NY, and is experienced in teaching musical theatre performance, songwriting, and piano. 
"Miss Sarah" Haynes
Lead Instructor "Miss Sarah H" is a dancer from Toronto, Ontario, now living in New York City. She began dancing at a young age and continued her studies at Pace University in NYC where she received a BFA in Commercial Dance and a minor in English Literature. Since graduating, Sarah has been working professionally as a dancer in the United States and Canada. Select credits include Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, the Greg Frewin Magic Show in Niagara Falls, Canada and the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. She has had the pleasure of working with many notable choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Jeremy Duvall, and Patti Colombo. Sarah is so excited to be a part of DWMR and share her passion for dance with all the young dancers. 
"Miss Kaitlyn" Konstandt
Lead Instructor “Miss Kaitlyn” Konstandt grew up in Amherst, New York, where she received ballet training at the American Academy of Ballet of Western NY and spent summers at The School of American Ballet, Chautauqua Institution, and as an apprentice with North Carolina Dance Theater. After graduating from FIT and working in apparel and event management, Miss Kaitlyn is excited to be back doing her favorite thing in the world—ballet! She is a certified teacher through American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum program and is thrilled to share her love of music and dance with the DWMR ballerinas! Miss Kaitlyn resides in Tribeca with her husband. 
"Miss Breana" Lochrie
Assistant Instructor "Miss Breana" grew up in Commack, New York, which is where her love of dance and theatre began at a young age. From getting to compete in all different styles of dance, to performing in musicals, to being trained by a New York City Ballet soloist who worked with George Balanchine himself. She pursued her passion and got her BFA in Dance at Point Park University, Conservatory of Performing Arts. She has performed in many productions, but her favorite will always remain The Nutcracker. Since graduating, she has performed with a professional ballet company all throughout NYC while also working on original work with other choreographers in both ballet and musical theatre jazz for stage, community outreach, and events. Miss Breana is so excited to share her love of dance with all her students at Dance with Miss Rachel. 
"Miss Gloria" Makino
Pianist "Miss Gloria" grew up in Maryland and lived in Iowa before moving to New York. She has been singing since before she could talk, and started playing piano at age six. Her first experience playing piano for a ballet class was on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. As a singer, she has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and 54 Below, and was chosen by Hugh Martin's estate to record his last song for the CD Hugh Martin: Hidden Treasures, which has been reviewed on NPR and France Musique. She is also an actress, dancer, writer, and composer, and earned her B.A. cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University. 
"Miss Julia" Mann
Front Desk Manager “Miss Julia” is an actor and singer from Philadelphia, PA. She recently received her BA in Musical Theatre from American University. She also had the honor of attending the London Theatre Program at the British American Drama Academy, where she trained in classical theatre. Before moving to NYC, Miss Julia worked as a studio manager and teacher at the Conservatory of Music and Dance. She is delighted to be a part of the DWMR team! 
"Miss Alle-Faye" Monka
Lead Instructor "Miss Alle-Faye" grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, but her passion for musical theater brought her to the Professional Performing Arts School in NYC. She went on to receive her B.F.A. in Musical Theater from The University of Michigan and has since performed at regional theaters around the country and toured Japan. Some of her highlights include A Chorus Line, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Gypsy, The Wedding Singer, 42nd Street, and Mary Poppins. You can also catch some of her performances with Starkid Productions on YouTube. Miss Alle-Faye currently splits her time as a dance instructor and fitness instructor here in NYC. She absolutely loves sharing her talents with children and feels honored to have such an impact on their lives through dance and music here at Dance With Miss Rachel. 
"Miss Danielle" Mumpower
Lead Instructor & UES Studio Manager "Miss Danielle" was born and bred in Bristol, VA, where she started her formal ballet training at the age of 3 and never looked back! She attended East Tennessee State University where she studied in division of Theatre and Dance. In 2010, Miss Danielle led the cast of Tallulah Dies at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, bringing home the Producer's Pick award. Since moving NYC in 2012, Miss Danielle was in the original cast of Raiz with Sliva Dance Company, as well as Checkit Dance! and Improbable Stage Company. She’s worked on many original projects, including features in Myselves, choreographed by Lauren Lasorda, and Roadkill from creators and choreographers Tali Custer and Lauren Lasorda, and most recently in That Which Remains at the IRT Theatre. Miss Danielle is also a teaching artist with Wingspan Arts, and an active member of House of the Roses, a volunteer dance company bringing dance classes to NYC children in community centers and shelters. She is thrilled to join the DWMR team and cannot wait to dance with you all! 
"Miss Amanda" Spencer
Assistant Instructor "Miss Amanda" grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, performing since the age of 8 years old, and is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, receiving a BFA in Musical Theater and a minor in dance. Her work as a student choreographer, performer, and teacher's aide earned her UWSP's prestigious Dr. Arthur Hopper's Outstanding Graduating Senior Scholarship. She has performed in a variety of plays, musicals, and readings at Regional and Off-Broadway venues, and her recent performance in the family musical, Petunia's Big Day, was listed as a New York Times "Top 5 Things to Do This Weekend". Miss Amanda is so excited to be able to share the magic of music, dance, and creativity with growing dancers at Dance With Miss Rachel! 
"Mr. Zack" Zaromatidis
Baby Bop Leader "Mr. Zack" is a New York-based actor and singer/songwriter. His love of music began at age 13 when started playing guitar. After graduating with a BFA from Pace University for Musical Theater, Zack led the first national tour of the Tony Award winning musical, Bandstand, and played Carl Perkins in the tour of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas. He is also a full-time guitarist, playing professionally across the country for various projects and with his band, All My Sons. |
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