Janice Verone - Owner & Director
Age 2-7 Combo Classes, Elite Jazz, Elite Tap, Tumbling, Elite Musical Theater, Open 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, Point, Heels, Mentorship, Competition Team Choreographer
Allie Gee (Glen Burnie, MD) started dancing at the age of 3 at Spotlight Studio of Dance under the direction of Wyndee Hughson-McGovern. Ms. Gee 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 work with contemporary ballet company Ballet Inc. Shortly after she started guesting with Art Deconstructed and XAOC Contemporary Ballet. In August 2014, Ms. Gee 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. This government sponsored company allowed her to perform at some of the biggest venues in North America including the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Auditorio Nacional. She still does guest performances with the company and tours with them internationally. Throughout her professional career both in the States as well as abroad, Allie continued to give back to younger generations through her choreography and teaching. Her choreography has won multiple choreographic awards at regional and national competitions throughout the East Coast. She has worked with many studios throughout New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Allie had the opportunity to teach at two colleges in Queretaro, Mexico: the Centro Nacional de Danza Contemporanea and Facultad de Bellas Artes UAQ. Ms. Allie currently resides in Philadelphia, PA where she is the assistant director and dancer with MoDo Movement Co., a nascent aerial dance company. She is also in the process of starting her own non-profit organization, Artist Oasis, which strives to bring arts and culture into Philadelphia while creating jobs for Philadelphian artists. In the meantime, Allie continues to pursue dance performance, modeling, and teaching.
Allie is excited to share her love of dance and creative choreography with DanceWorks’ Dancers!
Kimberly Pike
Tumbling, Pre-Dance Combo, Contemporary 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
Hippity Hop, Level 1 and 2 Hip Hop, Mini Hip Hop 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!
Robin Passmore
Advanced Tap, Intermediate Advanced Tap, Tap Competition Choreographer
Robin Passmore has devoted her life to the art of tap dancing. Her love for performing has led her to perform in New York City, and Las Vegas, where she was dance captain for the closing act of Opium, at the Cosmopolitan. She is the dance captain of Chloe Arnold’s Apartment 33 and she has performed with Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies, on stage and in a Ted Talk. In 2018, she performed and taught at the UK Tapfest in London. Robin was a cast member of Jared Grimes’ Broadway Underground. Robin has performed at the Lincoln Center, for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala, and Summer at the Lincoln Center. She participated in preproduction workshops for the new 42nd Street. She was featured with Jared Grimes in the April 2015 edition of Dance Teacher magazine. She has also appeared in several Sesame Street segments and on Good Morning, America. Robin travels the East Coast teaching master classes and setting choreography.
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/Advanced Jazz, Junior Hip Hop
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
Ballet/Lyrical, Ballet/Contemporary, Teen Jazz, Teen Tap, All class Substitute
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!
Mrs. 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 / Flips and Tricks 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 Teacher, Autistic Boy’s Class, Ninja Fitness and Special Needs Classes / Birthday Party and Dance Party Director
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.
Miss Jamie McPeak
Irish Dance
Janice’s DanceWorks’ is excited to introduce Miss Jamie McPeak and welcome her to our teaching staff. Jamie will be teaching Irish Dance at JDW. Miss Jamie is a graduate of Rosemont College and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. She currently holds a PA teaching certification for grades K-6. She has been involved in Irish Dance since age 6. Jamie has competed on both national and world stages with the McDade Cara School of Irish Dance and has been teaching with McDade Cara for many years. Miss Jamie is very excited to join Janice’s DanceWorks’ teaching staff!
