Janice Verone - Owner & Director
Age 2-7 Combo Classes, Jazz, Tap, Tumbling, Musical Theater, Special Needs, Competition Team Choreographer
Janice Verone started dancing at the age of 3, began training in gymnastics at the age of 5, added baton, sword and fire twirling at the age of 7 and began to study singing and acting at the age of 8. During high school Janice taught dance and gymnastics at local dance schools, performed in local theater productions of No No Nannett, Music Man, and 42nd Street all while dancing and choreographing in Dance Troup. Janice was accepted into the University of the Arts where she studied under Pat Thomas, Andrew Pap, and Manfred Fishbech. Janice studied under and performed with tap legend Lavaughn Robinson. Since graduating from college Janice has had the opportunity to work for many excellent studios in the area where she choreographed award winning competition level dances. Janice’s creative choreography has won her many prestigious awards such as: The Ticket To Broadway Award for 5 years in a row, The Rising Star Award, Best in Show Award, 7 Best Costume Awards, and countless 1st Place and Overall Awards.
Janice’s greatest award is the pleasure of teaching dance and working with young people to see their skills develop, their ability to perform blossom and watch special relationships form that are fostered in a positive and exciting classroom environment.
Janice is excited to offer a quality dance school with exceptional teachers that is a place that has a heart for the community.
Melissa Caterina Chisena
Elite Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern/Contemporary Teacher, Competition Team Choreographer
Melissa Chisena had the privilege of dancing and touring nationally with North Carolina Dance Theatre and The Richmond Ballet. Currently residing in Philadelphia, PA, has danced with Jeanne Ruddy Dance and Tania Isaac Dance. She has performed nationally and internationally at venues such as Bates Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, Aaron Davis Hall-Harlem Stage, Dance Place in DC, The Annenberg Center, The Suzanne Roberts Theatre, The Wilma, St. Lucia, and numerous colleges throughout the US. Her choreography has been featured at North Carolina Dance Theatre, Richmond Ballet, American Dance Festival, Regional Dance America, Ursinus College, Richard Stockton College, Philadelphia Dance Theatre, Yes! Invitational, Come Together Festival, Grounds for Sculpture and many other venues across the Northeast. She is currently a member of the NADINE Project, a collaborative choreographic company Connecticut, Stone Depot Dance Lab, Beau Hancock, The Naked Stark, Tara Madsen-Robbins, and runs her own company, Chisena Danza. She currently teaches at Janice's DanceWorks, Philadelphia Dance Theatre and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. She has also taught at Temple University, Ursinus College, Bryn Mawr College, Eastern University, Stockton University, and Dance Elite. She was the producer of An Evening of Duets, and Norristown Dance Fest for a number of years and is currently the director and founder of The Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest and World Dance Sampler Summer Intensive. Melissa is thrilled to be a part of the JDW staff!
Allie Gee
Elite Lyrical, Elite Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, Heels, Mentorship, Competition Team Choreographer
Allie Gee started dancing at Spotlight Studio of Dance under the direction of Wyndee Hughson-McGovern. Ms. Allie traveled the competition circuit and gained many titles over the years. During her senior year in high school, Allie won the prestigious title and scholarship, Miss Dance of the United States 2010. After graduation, Allie received a merit scholarship to The Boston Conservatory. Her collegiate training refined her technique and expanded her performance repertoire. She performed works by Jose Limon, Trey McIntyre, Twyla Tharp, among many others. Allie graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2014. Immediately after graduation, Allie moved to New York City to start working freelance with multiple contemporary ballet companies. In August 2014, Allie joined the Steps Repertory Ensemble, resident contemporary dance company at the world-renowned Steps on Broadway. During her time with the Ensemble, Allie performed works by Francesca Harper, Sidra Bell, Lar Lubovitch, and William Forsythe. She had the honor to perform throughout New York City as well as at Jacob’s Pillow. In May 2016, Allie joined the Tania Perez-Salas Compania de Danza, a contemporary company based out of Mexico City. During her time with the company she performed at some of the biggest venues in North America including the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Auditorio Nacional, as well as touring with them internationally in Germany. Throughout her professional career both in the States as well as abroad, Allie continued to work with younger generations through her choreography and teaching. Her choreography has won multiple choreographic awards at regional and national competitions throughout the East Coast. Ms. Allie currently resides in Philadelphia, PA where she still dances, models, and teaches professionally.
Ms. Allie is excited to share her love of dance and creative choreography with DanceWorks’ Dancers!
Kimberly Pike
Tumbling, Pre-Dance Combo, Competition Team Choreographer
Kimberly began dancing at age four and was trained in all genres of dance at a local dance studio. Kim successfully completed a rigorous teacher’s training program which included both class time and internships and has been teaching dance and acro for the past 20 years. Over her years of dancing, Kim performed with a traveling dance troupe, who provided community service in Delaware County; she would volunteer her time to entertain the community at local malls, nursing homes and civic events during the holiday season. She was also a member of an
Award winning Competition Team that attended both regional and national dance competitions, including Star Power, Company Dance, and New York City Dance Alliance. She has also performed in Walt Disney World alongside a small group of Rocekettes and her favorite Disney original character Goofy. Kimberly attributes much of her success to “hard work” and “dedication” and she has always been truly excited to share her love of dance and performance with all of her DanceWorks students.
Maria Grandizio
Competition Team Choreographer
Maria is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer based out of the Philadelphia area. She began dancing at Janice's Danceworks at the age of 5 and performed throughout the competition circuit and was awarded multiple scholarships, overall high scores and judges awards while competing. During high school Maria attended the prestigious Center for Performing and Fine Arts where she studied choreography, dance technique as well as dance history and was a part of the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. Maria has also performed with Beat Addikts United, Turning Pages Dance Co. and at 6 Flags Great Adventure. Maria is so excited to share her love of dance with the Janice's Danceworks students!
Kali Dettore
Advanced Tap, Intermediate Advanced Tap, Tap Competition Choreographer
Kali began dancing at the age of 3 and since that time has studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop and lyrical. She was a competitive dancer for 15+ years and while she trained and competed in all styles she developed a love for tap early on. Kali trained under Darrell Williams from 2005-2015. In 2007, she was a founding member of his successful Tap Company, Footwerx. She has performed in shows at the Philadelphia Arts Bank, The Wilma Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She was also one of 75 tap dancers from around the world selected to attend Tap Kids Summer Intensive in New York. Here she trained with world class faculty and performed at Tarrytown Music Hall in New York. Kali began sharing her love for tap with her students in 2012 after graduating from Temple University. She has taught and choreographed dancers of all ages from beginner to advanced. Kali is excited to share her knowledge and love for tap with the students at Janice’s DanceWorks.
Gabrielle Impriano
Jazz, Musical Theater, Competition Team Choreographer
Gabrielle is a professional actor, dancer, and choreographer. She has been dancing for 20+ years, training and teaching at several local studios and theaters. She also works at Ridley High School, Upper Darby Summer Stage, Players Club of Swarthmore, and works with high school students on college prep/auditions. Gabrielle has performed in regional theaters like the Bristol Riverside Theatre, the Media Theatre, and the Walnut Street Theatre. She has specialized in Fosse musicals for the past 5 years performing in shows such as Cabaret and Chicago. Gabrielle’s favorite tap musicals she has been a part of are 42nd street, Anything Goes, and Crazy for You. Gabrielle is so excited to return to Janice’s DanceWorks and teach with the mantra “choreography is writing on your feet”- Bob Fosse
Amanda Jean Russo
Advanced Jazz, Advanced Hip Hop, Intermediate Jazz, Junior Hip Hop, Competition Team CHoreographer
Miss Amanda (AJ) is a dancer and choreographer based out of the Philadelphia Area, She is best known for being a part of various professional dance teams such as the Philadelphia Kixx, All Pro Dancers and the Philadelphia Soulmates where she was the captain for two seasons. She was also selected to represent the Soul at Arena Bowl XXV in New Orleans. Amanda was the director and choreographer for the first dance team in the MLU— the Philadelphia Fly Girls. In 2016, AJ was named the director and choreographer for the Philadelphia “Honeybees” Dance Team for the Philadelphia Yellow Jackets Arena Football Team. She has guest choreographed and coached many junior dance teams for the AFL, NBA and MLB in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Amanda has performed for recording artists such as Karl Jackson in the Michael Jackson “Forever tribute tour, Fat Joe and Jazz Brown and has also been featured on TV networks such as CBS, ABC, Fuse and VH1. AJ is excited to join the talented staff at Janice’s DanceWorks. Her goal is to empower each dancer to be the best they can be by creating classes filled with positivity and encouragement.
Khristine O’Donnell
Open Ballet/Lyrical, Open Ballet/Contemporary, Intermediate Jazz, Teen Jazz & Tap, Musical Theater, Competition Team Choreographer
Khristine began dancing at the age of 3 and immediately fell in love. She trained for 15 years in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and musical theater. During those 15 years Khristine competed in regional and national level competition across the country. During her high school years, Khristine created the high school’s very first dance team and held the positions of Captain and Choreographer. She was master choreographer for the Performing Arts Youth Theater for 12 years staging and choreographing children’s musicals. She branched off with the theater creating and teaching additional hip hop and jazz classes. Her daughter, Tessa, is following in her footsteps and falling in love with dance just as she did. Khristine is and always will be excited to share her passion for dance with her students at Janice’s DanceWorks!
Nai-Whedai Sheriff
Hip Hop, Caribbean Dance, Endurance, Competition Team Choreographer
Nai-Whedai Sheriff, founder of Dancing Heals Project, LLC, has been performing, teaching and choreographing dances for over 20 years. She started her training in NY in Modern dance and Afro-Caribbean movement. During her dance training, Nai-whedai received her Bachelors in Business from Baruch College, City University of New York and her Masters in Dance Education from Temple University. Professionally, her talents include teaching Hip Hop, Street funk, liturgical movement, and competitive dance. While living in Pennsylvania, she has written dance curriculum and choreographed for many dance studios, after school programs and pre-professional dance programs including University of the Arts and Neumann University. Nai-whedai Sheriff has danced with companies such as Something Positive in NY and Kariamu & Company in Philadelphia. Her mission is to create opportunities for individuals that do not have access to quality art instruction and to continue to educate about African Slave history in the Americas.
Mr. Kenny Hudson
Advanced level Tumbling , Multi-Level Tumbling
Kenny Hudson has over 30 years of experience in competing and coaching boys’ and girls’ gymnastics. As a gymnast Kenny was coached by Miles Avery the 2004 and 2008 USA Olympic team coach. He is a 2 time Pennsylvania State All Around high school champion, Division 2 college All American at East Stroudsburg University and All Around competitor for Temple University and “EIGL” finals qualifier on several events. He has coached numerous state, regional and national champion gymnasts at several gymnastic school including Kehlers Gym, Macey’s Gym, Germantown YMCA, and The Delco Gym. Mr. Kenny has sent several former students to college on scholarships to schools including Temple University, Oklahoma University, Illinois University, Penn State University and James Madison University. He has coached NCAA All Around competitors and Olympic trials competitors! Mr. Kenny is looking forward to working with the competition team members to achieve their highest potential in the upcoming competition season!
Mr. Mike Grandizio
Superhero Boys Class, Special Needs Classes
Mr. Mike is A Certified Youth Fitness Trainer and a professional entertainer who has been captivating audiences of all ages for over 15 years as a professional wrestler as well as with his company Grand Family Parties! Mr. Mike entertainment talents have been sought out for special functions organized by schools, churches, libraries, benefits and festivals throughout the Tri-State area. Mr. Mike’s unique ability to entertain and engage children of all ages has brought him fame from his specialized birthday parties to his balloon artistry to his work in local libraries throughout Delaware County. Mr. Mike achieved his teaching experience assisting physical education and as a personal trainer. We are excited to have Mr. Mike’s creating and developing our All Boys’ Superhero Dance and Tumble classes incorporating physical fitness, dance and tumbling along with his special creative touch to teach boys ages 4-7 strength, agility, self discipline and team work.
Erin Moran
Hip Hop, Hippity Hop, Mini Hip Hop Team Choreographer
Erin Moran studied at Janice’s DanceWorks Inc. for 15 years and is trained in several genres such as Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Modern, Ballet, Pointe, and Tap. She was an assistant teacher at JDW for 5 years with dancers age 3 and up as well as beginning and intermediate tumbling classes. Erin's teaching experience includes beginning and intermediate level Hip Hop, Hippity Hop classes and Summer camps. Erin has performed in the ABC Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade, Philadelphia Youth Festival, and Dance Down Main Street in Walt Disney World. Erin was an award winning competition dancer who received the sportsmanship scholarship as well as the Believer's Dance Scholarship for aspiring dancers. She attends Cabrini University majoring nursing and has been chosen to dance on the Cabrini University Dance Team. Erin is excited to return to Janice's DanceWorks and share her love of dance.
