Debra Punzi , Artistic Director
Debra Punzi is a teacher, choreographer and artistic director. She has helped hundreds of dancers start their careers. She has a Masters Degree in dance and her early training includes Joffrey Ballet School, Paul Haakon and Valentine Froman. She has trained as a Lincoln Center Teaching Artist. She has studied Cecchetti method and Royal Ballet School. Ms Punzi performed in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Mid Summer Nights Dream, Snow White, Swan Lake, La Corsaire pas de deux, Don Quixote pas de deux, Giselle, The Nutcracker and many orginal ballets. In the year 2000 she was named "Women of the Year" by the Town of Brookhaven.She has worked as a Dance Competition Judge. Her career as a choreographer she has with Bessie Schonberg and Regional Dance America National Choreography Intensive.
Laurie Solomon, Teacher & Dancer
Ms Solomon has a BA in Therapeutic Recreation and has studied ballet for over 30 years. Her earliest training was under Debra Punzi and she currently attends weekly ballet class with Ms Punzi. She has performed with Ballet Long Island in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow White, Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, Multicultural Celebration and many more ballets. She is an incredible staff member at The Ballet Center and aspires to pass on her love of ballet to her students.
Debra Punzi is a teacher, choreographer and artistic director. She has helped hundreds of dancers start their careers. She has a Masters Degree in dance and her early training includes Joffrey Ballet School, Paul Haakon and Valentine Froman. She has trained as a Lincoln Center Teaching Artist. She has studied Cecchetti method and Royal Ballet School. Ms Punzi performed in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Mid Summer Nights Dream, Snow White, Swan Lake, La Corsaire pas de deux, Don Quixote pas de deux, Giselle, The Nutcracker and many orginal ballets. In the year 2000 she was named "Women of the Year" by the Town of Brookhaven.She has worked as a Dance Competition Judge. Her career as a choreographer she has with Bessie Schonberg and Regional Dance America National Choreography Intensive.
Laurie Solomon, Teacher & Dancer
Ms Solomon has a BA in Therapeutic Recreation and has studied ballet for over 30 years. Her earliest training was under Debra Punzi and she currently attends weekly ballet class with Ms Punzi. She has performed with Ballet Long Island in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow White, Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, Multicultural Celebration and many more ballets. She is an incredible staff member at The Ballet Center and aspires to pass on her love of ballet to her students.
Kasey Flath, Teacher & Dancer
Ms Flath has studied dance for over 10 years. She has been awarded many scholarships to study dance. Her studies have been at The Ballet Center, The Joffery Ballet School and The Rockette Experience. She is a beautiful classical ballet dancer. She performs with Ballet Long Island in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas and many other ballets. Kasey loves to work with children and her passion is to get everyone to dance.
Nora Boyd , Teacher & Dancer
Nora has studied classical ballet, modern and Irish Step dance. Ms Goodman has recieved many scholarships to study ballet. She has studied at The Ballet Center, Corvino Ballet , Mahatten Youth Ballet and Next Generation Ballet in Tampa , Flordia. She is a teacher who is energetic, positive, and gives specific feedback to each student, not just general comments. She has performed lead roles with Ballet Long Island in many ballets including The Nutcracker, Snow White, Pas de Quatre, Swan Lake, Pocahontas, Firebird, A Mid Summer Nights Dream and many more. In addition to dancing, Nora plays the piano and sings.
Ms Flath has studied dance for over 10 years. She has been awarded many scholarships to study dance. Her studies have been at The Ballet Center, The Joffery Ballet School and The Rockette Experience. She is a beautiful classical ballet dancer. She performs with Ballet Long Island in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas and many other ballets. Kasey loves to work with children and her passion is to get everyone to dance.
Nora Boyd , Teacher & Dancer
Nora has studied classical ballet, modern and Irish Step dance. Ms Goodman has recieved many scholarships to study ballet. She has studied at The Ballet Center, Corvino Ballet , Mahatten Youth Ballet and Next Generation Ballet in Tampa , Flordia. She is a teacher who is energetic, positive, and gives specific feedback to each student, not just general comments. She has performed lead roles with Ballet Long Island in many ballets including The Nutcracker, Snow White, Pas de Quatre, Swan Lake, Pocahontas, Firebird, A Mid Summer Nights Dream and many more. In addition to dancing, Nora plays the piano and sings.
Tanya Trombly,Dancer
Tanya Trombly is an extraodinary dancer a true balleina. She performs with her heart and soul with beautiful technique.After earning a B.A. in dance and business from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, Tanya Trombly has performed and toured with several professional companies across the country, including Northern Plains Ballet in Bismarck, ND and Atlanta Festival Ballet in Atlanta, GA. Tanya currently lives in New York City and she has been a principal with Ballet Long Island , Neville Dance Theatre,Covenant Ballet Theatre, Ballet,inc and Xaoc Contemporary Ballet . She has enjoyed performing lead roles in ballets such as A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Spartacus Pas de Duex, Firebird, Paquita, The Little Mermaid, and The Nutcracker.
Micheal Seaman , Teacher & Dancer
Mr Seaman began his training under Olga Vazar and the studied at the Eglevsky Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center and The Ballet Center. He has studied classical ballet, tap , jazz, and gymnastics. He has over 25 years experience as a teacher. He has dance professionally in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Firebird, Snow White, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty and other works
Tanya Trombly is an extraodinary dancer a true balleina. She performs with her heart and soul with beautiful technique.After earning a B.A. in dance and business from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, Tanya Trombly has performed and toured with several professional companies across the country, including Northern Plains Ballet in Bismarck, ND and Atlanta Festival Ballet in Atlanta, GA. Tanya currently lives in New York City and she has been a principal with Ballet Long Island , Neville Dance Theatre,Covenant Ballet Theatre, Ballet,inc and Xaoc Contemporary Ballet . She has enjoyed performing lead roles in ballets such as A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Spartacus Pas de Duex, Firebird, Paquita, The Little Mermaid, and The Nutcracker.
Micheal Seaman , Teacher & Dancer
Mr Seaman began his training under Olga Vazar and the studied at the Eglevsky Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center and The Ballet Center. He has studied classical ballet, tap , jazz, and gymnastics. He has over 25 years experience as a teacher. He has dance professionally in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Firebird, Snow White, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty and other works
James Williams - Dancer
James Williams trained in ballet, hip hop and contemporary and is a Uptown Dance Academy dance consultant at Sisulu Academy and Featherbed Lane School, and is a UDA Recital Studio teacher of hip-hop. He has performed in The Black Nutcracker, Mulitcultural Celebration, Princess Tea Party and The Nutcracker. He is a current dancer with Uptown Dance Company and Ballet Long Island.
Tyr Throne, Teacher Mr Throne is a master teacher and choreographer that has worked world wide.
He studied dance/theater at UC Santa Cruz and Alvin Ailey School. He performed with Jennifer Muller The Works, Ballet Long Island, The Tribe, Tyr Throne Dance Theater and White Wave Young Soon Kim Dance Company. Mr Throne creates works that blend dance, theater, visual arts, puppetry and music. He is a recipient of National Endowment for The Arts funding for his work. He danced principal roles in Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, as well as other ballets and contemporary works.Mr Throne inspires students and uses vivid imagery to illustrate technical elements.
Carmella Spanerelli , Dancer, Teacher
Carmella Spanerelli has been dancing since the age of 5. She has been awarded scholarships to study dance and acting. During her time as a student, she has enjoyed learning many forms of dance including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She has held many featured roles in Ballet Long Island performances including Peter in Peter Pan, The Evil Queen in Snow White, and many roles in The Nutcracker. She has performed at Disney’s The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
Carmella has a love and passion for working with young children. She has over 4 years of experience as a teacher to young children.
Ava Torre, Dancer & Teacher
Ava Torre has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and contemporary . She has been awarded scholarships to study dance. She has attended Ballet Boot Camp, ABT Summer Ballet Intensive and Joffrey Ballet School. She has performed with Ballet Long Island in The Fairy Garden, Snow White, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and other works. Ms Torre is a dancer of great beauty and grace. She has been dancing all her life and developed a love of teaching early in her teens. Ms Torre's classroom is a positive environment where students can grow. She hopes to share all the benefits of dance with each and every student .
Carly Mulherin, Teacher & Dancer
Began her dance training at The Ballet Center at age 5. She has taken Ballet, Pointe,Tap, jazz, Contemporary, and Lyrical She attended the world famous Joffrey Ballet School. She has performed at Disney World. As a dancer in Ballet Long Island she has performed lead roles in The Nutcracker, A Mid Summer Night's Dream, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Cinderella, Fantastic Toy Shop and many more. In Musical Theater she has performed in Mary Poppins, Matilda and Beauty and The Beast. She is excited to bring her experience and expertise to the dance classroom where she teaches young dancers.
Shannon Grant, Dancer
Shannon Grant floats across floor in graceful movements as she prepares to perform with Ballet Long Island in “The Nutcracker”. Ms Grant has performed throughout the United States and internationally with Ballet de Printemps, City Ballet of San Diego, Ballet New England, Media City Ballet, BalaSole, Ballet Magique, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Scottish American Ballet and in the Ovation winning musical Shag With a Twist. Shannon danced in music videos for Velvet Revolver, Avenged Sevenfold, Dame Fortune and commercials and fashion shows. She graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor’s in American Studies and holds an Associates with Honors in Business Administration. Shannon has taught ballet classes in Los Angeles and New York.
Catalina Diaz, Teacher & Dancer
Ms Diaz has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She has been awarded scholarships to study dance. She has attended Ballet Boot Camp.She attended the world famous Ballet Hispanico Summer Intensive.Ms Diaz completed the Ballet Long Island Apprentice Program and was offered a position as a professional dancer with the company. She has performed with Ballet Long Island in Cinderella, Snow White, The Nutcracker, A Mid Summer Night's Dream, Fantastic Toyshop, Pocahontas, Swan Lake and other works. Ms Diaz is a dancer of great beauty and grace. She has been dancing all her life and developed a love of teaching early in her teens. Ms Diaz's classroom is a positive environment where students can grow. She hopes to share all the benefits of dance with each and every student .
James Williams trained in ballet, hip hop and contemporary and is a Uptown Dance Academy dance consultant at Sisulu Academy and Featherbed Lane School, and is a UDA Recital Studio teacher of hip-hop. He has performed in The Black Nutcracker, Mulitcultural Celebration, Princess Tea Party and The Nutcracker. He is a current dancer with Uptown Dance Company and Ballet Long Island.
Tyr Throne, Teacher Mr Throne is a master teacher and choreographer that has worked world wide.
He studied dance/theater at UC Santa Cruz and Alvin Ailey School. He performed with Jennifer Muller The Works, Ballet Long Island, The Tribe, Tyr Throne Dance Theater and White Wave Young Soon Kim Dance Company. Mr Throne creates works that blend dance, theater, visual arts, puppetry and music. He is a recipient of National Endowment for The Arts funding for his work. He danced principal roles in Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, as well as other ballets and contemporary works.Mr Throne inspires students and uses vivid imagery to illustrate technical elements.
Carmella Spanerelli , Dancer, Teacher
Carmella Spanerelli has been dancing since the age of 5. She has been awarded scholarships to study dance and acting. During her time as a student, she has enjoyed learning many forms of dance including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She has held many featured roles in Ballet Long Island performances including Peter in Peter Pan, The Evil Queen in Snow White, and many roles in The Nutcracker. She has performed at Disney’s The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
Carmella has a love and passion for working with young children. She has over 4 years of experience as a teacher to young children.
Ava Torre, Dancer & Teacher
Ava Torre has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and contemporary . She has been awarded scholarships to study dance. She has attended Ballet Boot Camp, ABT Summer Ballet Intensive and Joffrey Ballet School. She has performed with Ballet Long Island in The Fairy Garden, Snow White, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and other works. Ms Torre is a dancer of great beauty and grace. She has been dancing all her life and developed a love of teaching early in her teens. Ms Torre's classroom is a positive environment where students can grow. She hopes to share all the benefits of dance with each and every student .
Carly Mulherin, Teacher & Dancer
Began her dance training at The Ballet Center at age 5. She has taken Ballet, Pointe,Tap, jazz, Contemporary, and Lyrical She attended the world famous Joffrey Ballet School. She has performed at Disney World. As a dancer in Ballet Long Island she has performed lead roles in The Nutcracker, A Mid Summer Night's Dream, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Cinderella, Fantastic Toy Shop and many more. In Musical Theater she has performed in Mary Poppins, Matilda and Beauty and The Beast. She is excited to bring her experience and expertise to the dance classroom where she teaches young dancers.
Shannon Grant, Dancer
Shannon Grant floats across floor in graceful movements as she prepares to perform with Ballet Long Island in “The Nutcracker”. Ms Grant has performed throughout the United States and internationally with Ballet de Printemps, City Ballet of San Diego, Ballet New England, Media City Ballet, BalaSole, Ballet Magique, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Scottish American Ballet and in the Ovation winning musical Shag With a Twist. Shannon danced in music videos for Velvet Revolver, Avenged Sevenfold, Dame Fortune and commercials and fashion shows. She graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor’s in American Studies and holds an Associates with Honors in Business Administration. Shannon has taught ballet classes in Los Angeles and New York.
Catalina Diaz, Teacher & Dancer
Ms Diaz has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She has been awarded scholarships to study dance. She has attended Ballet Boot Camp.She attended the world famous Ballet Hispanico Summer Intensive.Ms Diaz completed the Ballet Long Island Apprentice Program and was offered a position as a professional dancer with the company. She has performed with Ballet Long Island in Cinderella, Snow White, The Nutcracker, A Mid Summer Night's Dream, Fantastic Toyshop, Pocahontas, Swan Lake and other works. Ms Diaz is a dancer of great beauty and grace. She has been dancing all her life and developed a love of teaching early in her teens. Ms Diaz's classroom is a positive environment where students can grow. She hopes to share all the benefits of dance with each and every student .
