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 3 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, she values technique and performance for all ages. She strives to help dancers build a strong foundation, become well-rounded dancers and create a positive environment
Anushka Chowdhuri
Instructor & Administrative Manager
Nicole Gatto
Instructor
Nicole started dancing at two years old and fell in love with being on the stage and putting on performances for an audience. At the age of five she began making up her own routines and designing costumes for performances, friends, and family. This led her to dive into acting and modeling with a bright spirit. She attended the Academy of performing acts in NYC. Nicole danced at the same dance studio as the owner of DDA from kindergarten thru 8th grade. While dancing, Nicole also attended Hudson Valley Conservatory, she was coached in acting by Sam Wright (the voice of Sebastian in the Little Mermaid + Mufasa in the Lion King on Broadway). At the Conservatory Nicole also shared her passion for dancing, choreography, and acting with the younger generation. She volunteered at summer camps, teaching ballet, tap, jazz and acting techniques to the younger children. Nicole is currently a mother of boy/girl twins; her daughter attends this studio alongside all the other amazing children. Nicole will have the honor of sharing her love of the arts with your Children and the team at DDA.
Kayla Fields began dancing at 4 years old and never stopped. She trained under Lisa & Peter Naumann at the New Paltz School of Ballet. At age 10, she was chosen to dance with the New York City Ballet in Coppelia. She later trained privately at Ballet Academy East with Tara Mora while taking class throughout the city as well as performing with the Dances Patrelle company in the Nutcracker. Kayla then moved to Boston to further her training at the Boston Ballet under the direction of Margaret Tracey. With the experience of learning from many different teachers, she began teaching and training dancers after moving back to upstate New York. Kayla continues to perform and take class and is always learning. She is excited to continue sharing her knowledge and passion with these dancers!