MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Chelsy D'Antono
Owner &
Artistic Director
Chelsy began her dance career at a very young age, as she began taking classes at the tender age of two. Her love for performing on stage and her passion for dance helped her to excel as she began her pointe and jazz classes soon after. Her classical dance training helped her not only excel on the dance floor, but also as a successful competitive gymnast, as well as a member of the Minisink Valley competitive cheerleading team. Chelsy continued her gymnastics career at SUNY Cortland, where she also was a member of the Danceworks competitive dance team.
Whether it was performing at the football game or in college dance competitions, Chelsy loved the various aspects of dance competition and became a teacher at YMCA gymnastics camps. She also began choreographing floor routines for gymnasts as well as competitive dancers and has enjoyed doing it ever since.
Chelsy has been active in the competitive dance scene in Orange County for over 10 years, and has been a studio owner now for 8 years. DDA has competed in various regional and national competitions over the last 8 years, earning numerous top 3 finishes for solo, duo, trio, small group, and large group numbers, as well as a national championship dance in the 2021 competitive season. Whether a dancer aspires to some day make it to Broadway, win competitions while in school, or take classes recreationally, Chelsy hopes to share her passion and love of dance with every student.
After graduating from Dean College with a BA in dance, Danielle was accepted into Broadway Dance Center’s professional semester. While there, she studied and performed with professional choreographers and teachers from throughout the country. Danielle worked professionally in dance theater productions and a ballet/contemporary company in Boston and New York City . Realizing how important it is for students to have a quality education in this art form , Danielle decided to teach and share her passion and knowledge with students at D'Antono dance academy and is an intricate part of their education recreationally and competitively. Danielle has been a part of DDA as an instructor and choreographer for 5 years and loves to inspire our dancers to pursue their love of dance in every way.
Danielle Alifano
Instructor & Competition Choreographer
Daryn’s love for dance began at age two when she was enrolled in kinderdance. The following year she took her first ballet class and has had a passion for dance ever since. She studied ballet, pointe, tap and jazz at a local studio for fifteen years. Daryn graduated from SUNY New Paltz where she was a member of the New Paltz Dance Team for four years. During her junior and senior year, she had the privilege of being the Dance Team’s co-captain. She choreographed numerous jazz and lyrical dances throughout the year for campus events, basketball games and the team’s annual performance.
Daryn is thrilled to have been teaching at DDA for the past 7 years and to share her love of dance with her students. As a teacher, she encourages technique, creativity and most of all, a positive environment. A successful class is one where her students leave smiling and feeling good about themselves and their progress.
Daryn Arielle
Instructor & Competition Choreographer
Anushka began dancing at the young age of two at Vickie's Studio. Dance was always a passion of hers that carried on throughout middle, high school and college before becoming an instructor. Her love of performing came later when she began competing with Northeast Dance Movement's Sr. Team at competitions like Turn It Up and Believe. During this time at NDM, she was instructed by Chelsy and even competed her choreography as a trio in 2015. After graduation, Anushka brought her found confidence and passion for stage performance to Sacred Heart University where she completed a marketing degree and danced as a member of the SHU Dance Ensemble, Hip Hop Crew, and theater productions mentored by seasoned choreographers like Maria Cherniske and Simone DePaolo.
Anushka has been an instructor at DDA for the past 4 years, as well as administrative manager of the studio. She thoroughly enjoys interacting with DDA dancers and their families on a daily basis and encourages open lines of communication between parents and staff. As an instructor, her goal is to help dancers build a strong technical foundation, become well-roundedperformers and create a positive environment.
Anushka Chowdhuri
Instructor & Administrative Manager
Jaqueline Fama
Instructor
Jacqueline Fama began dancing at the age of two and grew up training extensively throughout Westchester County before continuing her dance education in Dutchess County. She studied and performed in all styles of dance throughout her life, developing a strong technical and performance foundation. Jacqueline attended SUNY Oneonta, where she was a captain and choreographer of the Terpsichorean Dance Company. Throughout college, she continued teaching dance at all levels. Following graduation, Jacqueline taught dancers ages 2 through adult in both competitive and recreational settings across a wide range of styles. Her choreography has earned numerous awards, and many of her students have gone on to train and perform at the professional level. In addition to teaching, Jacqueline served as the Dance Company and Competition Manager at the Dutchess County Performing Arts Center for over 10 years. Jacqueline also competed professionally in ballroom dance for several years, specializing in American Smooth. Beyond dance, Jacqueline is a New York State–certified teacher (Grades K–6) with over 10 years of experience in education and currently serves as a school district administrator. Teaching is her passion, and she brings a strong educational lens to her dance instruction—developing disciplined, confident, and well-rounded dancers.