Our Faculty

LORI MICHAELS (CEO & Founder)

Lori Michaels (Tap, Singing for Dancers) began dancing as a young girl and discovered her passion for tap dancing as one of the original “kids” in Frank Hatchett’s Kids at Broadway Dance Center (BDC) in NYC. There, she studied closely with Horace Turnbull and had the opportunity to perform alongside her BDC friends, including legendary tap artist Savion Glover and others who helped shape her love of the art form.

Now the CEO of Peak Performing Arts Center, Lori brings that same joy, discipline, and performance experience to the PEAK PAC Children’s Program, where she specializes in performance-based tap instruction (and vocal coaching). Drawing on her professional background as a recording artist, performer, and coach, Lori focuses on musicality, rhythm, and stage presence, inspiring young dancers to build strong foundations in tap while having fun and growing in confidence.

Nancy Canning (Dance Director)

Nancy Canning is a New Jersey-based dance instructor, director, and choreographer. Originally from north of Syracuse, New York, Ms. Canning’s early artistic training included performing with BalletMet, Syracuse Contemporary Dance Company, and in Syracuse Community Theatre. At the age of 14, she earned a scholarship from the New York State Council on the Arts to attend the Summer Theatre Institute at The Juilliard School.

Ms. Canning graduated from Pace University’s Commercial Dance program, completing her degree in 3. 1/2 years. She began her professional dance career at 19, with credits that include: Principal Dancer in the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company’s production of “Swing.” American Swiss Ballet Company, performances with Larger than Life Productions, and contemporary projects with ChoreoNova. Additionally, she has performed in original works at the Hudson Guild Theatre in New York and appeared in music videos, including “Lindo Acoiris” by Lucio Fernandez.

While pursuing her professional dance career, Ms. Canning took on positions as a Rehearsal Assistant and Dance Captain, coaching both professionals and students. This experience ignited her passion for dance education. She is now certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum for levels Pre-Primary to Six, and has written curriculum for multiple dance studio’s programs. With over a decade of experience teaching ballet and dance, Ms. Canning has taught at more than 20 dance studios, public schools, educational centers, and community programs throughout the tri-state area. She has coached students who have gone on to train at prestigious institutions including the American Ballet Theatre School (JKO), The School of American Ballet, Ballet Academy East, Manhattan Youth Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She is proud to work with Ridgefield Public Schools and has choreographed “Footloose,” “Freaky Friday” and “Little Shop of Horrors” at RMHS.

Currently, Ms. Canning serves as the director of the dance program at Peak Performing Arts Center (Peak PAC). Her approach focuses on providing students with a unique educational experience rooted in professional industry standards, individual wellness, and technical as well as artistic excellence. Nancy is also a proud mother to her son. She believes strongly in the importance of a conscious and intentional approach while working with children.

Mia Evon (Asst. Dance Director)

Mia Evon is a passionate and versatile dance and aerial arts professional with expertise in Ballet, Contemporary, and Aerial Arts. Her dance journey began at the age of two and continued through the Arts Middle School Program at Middlesex Community College and the School of the Arts at East Brunswick Vocational and Technical School. Under the mentorship of Cleo Mack, Mia discovered her passion for aerial arts, further enriching her artistic foundation by studying with renowned artists such as Michelle Robinson, Carolyn Dorfman, Kelli McGovern, and Blair Ritchie.

Currently, Mia teaches beginner, intermediate, and children’s Aerial Silks classes in Middlesex and Bergen Counties in New Jersey. She is also skilled in Aerial Hoops, offering a comprehensive aerial arts curriculum for her students. Her achievements include winning first place in the United States Pole Sports Federation’s National Championships in the Amateur Aerial Silks Arts category in 2024. That same year, she placed in the top ten at the Pole Sports & Aerial Arts (POSA) World Aerial Arts Championships in Greece, cementing her status as a leading athlete in the aerial arts community. She also placed 2nd in Aerial Hoops in 2025. In addition to her aerial expertise, Mia is a certified 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and holds a specialized certification in Children’s Yoga. She also holds an acro certification through Acrobatic Arts in levels 1-6.

Mia also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Seton Hall University, where she graduated in December 2024. As a passionate advocate for mental health, she served as a peer educator for a mental health organization on campus and is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid. Mia is currently in a Masters Program at Seton Hall University for Sport & Exercise Psychology. With her new company, ME Performance, Mia offers performance coaching for individuals in the performing arts community.

Currently, Mia is the Assistant Dance Director for Peak Performing Arts Center and is the Director of the Acrobatics program at PEAK PAC as well. Her unique blend of dance, yoga, and aerial training allows her to offer a holistic approach to fitness, fostering both physical strength and mental well-being in her students.

Lillian Smith

Lillian Smith is a dancer, performer, and choreographer from Teaneck, NJ. Her dance journey began at the age of three with training at the School of Performing Arts at BergenPAC and the New Jersey Ballet School. She later continued her education at Nunnbetter Dance Theatre under the artistic direction of Leath Nunn and Ernie Prinz. During her time at NDT, Lillian performed principal roles in both classical and contemporary works, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, and Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite. She also participated annually in the Youth America Grand Prix, earning scholarships to prestigious summer intensives at the North Carolina School of the Arts and Boston Ballet.

After graduating, Lillian joined the trainee program at BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, under the guidance of Academy Director Maria Torija. While at BalletMet, she performed in iconic works such as George Balanchine’s Walpurgisnachtand Western Symphony, as well as The Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. Her experience extended to BalletMet’s professional productions, where she performed in The Nutcracker and Edwaard Liang’s Giselle. It was during her time at BalletMet that Lillian began exploring choreography, debuting her first full choreographic work, Old Fashioned, in April 2022.

Now based in New York City, Lillian continues to expand her professional career. She has performed with Chevalier Ballet, the When Waves Collide Dance Festival, and is currently a company dancer with CityDanceNY and Hudson Ballet Theatre. Her recent performances include Sarah Knight’s Joplin, Michael Buoni’s Javanaise, The Snow Queen, Marika Brussel’s By a Thread, and Aaron Thao’s Iago v. Ot.

“Miss Lillian” is a featured Peak Elite Performance Instructor and Choreographer with Peak PAC’s Ballet Academy and Competition Team. Her diverse experience as a performer, choreographer, and educator enables her to provide students with an enriching, well-rounded dance education.

Marianna Tsartolia

Mrs. Tsartolia was born in Athens, Greece, where she earned her BFA in Dance from the State School of Dance. As a recipient of scholarships from the Alexander Onassis and Merce Cunningham Foundations, she graduated from the Merce Cunningham Studio in New York City in 1997. Her performance career spans both the U.S. and Europe, where she danced with esteemed companies such as Mandafounis Modern Dance Company, Octana Dance Theatre, Connecticut Ballet, and Analysis Dance Company. In 1998, she joined RIOULT Dance NY, performing numerous world premieres and repertory works as a soloist and lead dancer until 2014.

From 2000 to 2017, Mrs. Tsartolia played a pivotal role in RIOULT’s Arts and Education program, “DanceREACH,” serving as a teaching artist, Educational Artistic Advisor, and eventually Director of Youth Programs. Her educational impact extends to teaching technique and repertory workshops in the U.S., France, Greece, and Bermuda. She has restaged RIOULT’s choreography for institutions such as the Frank Sinatra School, Civic Ballet in Bermuda, and the Hellenic Dance Company in Athens, Greece. Additionally, she served as assistant to the choreographer for children’s roles in productions like “Small Steps, Tiny Revolutions” (2008) and “Fables” (2011), restaging them multiple times in both the U.S. and France.

In 2010, Mrs. Tsartolia created the “RIOULT Summer Dance Camp” program, followed by the launch of the “RIOULT Modern Dance Series” in 2013, serving as a master teacher and choreographer. She has choreographed and presented work for the Youth Ensembles of RIOULT and Civic Ballet. Her creative pursuits also extend to costume design, holding a Certificate in Fashion Design from Parsons. She designs costumes for several choreographers, including ARIEL RIVKA Dance Company.

Currently, Mrs. Tsartolia is a featured Peak Elite Performance Instructor with the Ballet Academy at Peak PAC. She also serves as the Director of the Westfield Y Dance Academy, a contemporary dance teacher at Wyckoff Y Studio, and the Director of enrichment programs for danceART.

Dale Britton, Jr.

Dale is a competitive dancer, performer, and comedian whose passion for dance runs deep. Growing up in a family of dancers, Dale struggled to find his own unique path until he discovered Hip Hop—a style that resonated with him on a personal level. The movement, style, and music of Hip Hop gave him the freedom to create and express himself in ways that brought joy not only to him but also to those who watched him perform.

As a featured PEAK Elite Performance Instructor, Dale aims to introduce younger and newer dancers to the world of Hip Hop. His goal is to foster an inclusive environment where students can explore the genre at their own pace, build confidence, and discover their own creative voice. Through his guidance, students are encouraged to branch out into various other dance styles, broadening their movement vocabulary and artistic perspective.

Gianna Avino

Gianna Avino is a dancer, performer, choreographer, and instructor from Hamilton, NJ. She has recently graduated and received her BFA in Dance from Rutgers University, Mason Gross, in 2025. During her studies, she performed in works by choreographers including Nicolette Alberti, John Evans, Kruti Shah, and Ricky Evans. These experiences strengthened her skills, shaped her artistry, and deepened her understanding of diverse dance styles. Beyond her academic pursuits, Gianna is an instructor who shares her love for movement with students of all levels, fostering a passion for dance in her community.

Dedicated to her growth as an artist, she continues her training at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, focusing on a variety of commercial dance styles. In addition to her teaching and training, Gianna is a member of the hip hop company Urban Dance League (UDL), directed by AntBoogie, embracing the slogan “Dancers are Athletes.” Through this work, she pulls from her craft while advocating for the athleticism and dedication required in dance. Her involvement in the company allows her to explore new dimensions of movement and performance, broadening her creative and professional horizons.

Gianna has various live performance experiences, ranging from Carnival and Club NYC to backup dancing, which have allowed her to travel and perform across the country. Gianna’s dance journey is fueled by her desire to inspire others. She views dance as a unifying and transformative art form that connects people across experiences and diverse backgrounds. Through her work as a performer and choreographer, Gianna strives to share her passion, energy, and commitment to dance, encouraging others to explore their own creativity and embrace the joy of movement.

Clara Kim

Clara Kim is an NYC native K-POP cover dancer and instructor with training in ballet, theatre, jazz, and tap. She co-founded EVERMORE Dance Team in 2015 and is currently the director of the ALL NIGHTERS Crew. Clara has grown her YouTube Channel to over 100,000 subscribers -sharing K-POP dance cover videos.

Clara Kim is the Peak K-POP Dance Director leading classes/master classes, workshops, and 8-week series at PEAK PAC for kids, teens, and adults.

Sophia Torres

Sophia Torres is a SAG bi-coastal actor, voice artist, and performance coach with over a decade of experience spanning television, film, commercials, and voice-over. Her dynamic range, multilingual fluency, and captivating on-screen presence have made her a versatile and in-demand talent across entertainment platforms.

Sophia is best known for voicing Dora the Explorer and Jada on Nick Jr.’s Made by Maddie. She has earned over 15 voice-over credits and appeared in more than 15 national commercials for major brands. On screen, she can be seen in her recurring guest star role as Vero Cruz on Netflix’s Pulse, as well as in FOX’s 9-1-1:Lone Star, ABC’s Quantico, and multiple appearances on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. She also was named one of the Breakout Talents of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival by IndieWire for her lead role in the film “Run Amok”.

In addition to her acting and voiceover work, Sophia is a well-respected performance coach who has helped her students book major projects across television, film, commercials, and animation-including productions for Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Nickelodeon, and top commercial campaigns. Known for her keen insight and compassionate, kid-focused teaching style, she excels at recognizing each performer’s unique strengths and guiding them toward confident, sustainable growth in their careers.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Sophia brings authenticity, warmth, and emotional depth to every role-on camera, behind the mic, and in the classroom/studio- while continuing to inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Sophia Torres is at PEAK PAC providing Voiceover Coaching and Acting classes (1:1, small & large groups) for kids, teens, and adults.

Kaitlyn Jauregui

Kaitlyn Jauregui is a dedicated dancer, performer, and instructor who began her dance journey at the age of four. She trained in a wide range of styles, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and acrobatics. A former PEAK PAC student, Kaitlyn had the opportunity to train, perform in showcases, and participate in community events—experiences she cherished deeply. She also performed featured roles in PEAK PAC’s productions of Coppelia and as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker at Peak Performing Arts Center.

In 2021, Kaitlyn began assisting classes and made the transition to teaching for PEAK PAC’s youth program. She is currently pursuing a degree in nursing with a minor in substance use disorders at Ramapo College of New Jersey, having graduated from North Bergen High School. Kaitlyn is actively involved in her college community, serving as a Peer Facilitator to mentor first-year students. She is also a member of the Concert Band, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Nursing Student Organization. Most notably, she is an Executive Board leader for Ramapo’s student-based Dance Company, where she continues to integrate her passion for dance into her college experience.

Kaitlyn’s love for dance and teaching is reflected in her role as a Peak Elite Performance Instructor. She finds great joy in sharing her passion for dance with her students, helping them grow as dancers while building self-confidence, developing proper technique, and nurturing a lifelong love for the art of dance.

Olivia Wang

A recent graduate, Olivia Wang holds a BFA in Dance from the Julliard School. Her professional dance experiences include performances at Sadler’s Wells East, the Peridance Capezio Center, Springboard Danse, Orsolina28 Open, and work in dance films.

A celebrated choreographer, she is the recipient of the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreographic Promise in 2026. Olivia is a finalist for the 2026 A.C.E. Awards, a 2026 Princess Grace Award through the Julliard School, and multiple Julliard Choreographic Honors.

Olivia has taught at Manhattan Youth Ballet, the Columbus Modern Dance Company and is also completing her Pilates Certification.

Tiegan Korgel

Tiegan Korgel, originally from Austin, Texas, began her training at Austin School of Classical Ballet under the direction of Jennifer Felkner. She has spent summers expanding her training with Spring Board Danse, Ballet BC, Orsolina28, Henny Jurriëns Studio, San Francisco Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Receiving her BFA in Dance At The Juilliard School, Tiegan performed works by Studio Wayne McGregor, Alvin Ailey, Aszure Barton, Shen Wei, Pam Tanowitz, José Limón, and Trisha Brown, among others. As an artist and creator, Tiegan strives to connect and communicate. Tiegan looks forward to doing just that, sharing the joy and artistry of dance to students at Peak Performing Arts Center.

Eugene Choe

Eugene “Loose Lee” Choe is a Korean-American b-boy who has excelled in his craft at a young age. He was a former dancer for the Brooklyn Nets Team Hype. His competitive career began at the age of 12, and he has won numerous national and international titles including Under Pressure, Bboy City Finals, Ilsan Jam, and Freestyle Session NYC. He is currently the leader of his dance crew, “Prophets of the New Chapter”. As an educator, Loose Lee has collaborated with Cornell, Princeton, Purdue, James Madison, and other prestigious universities, and in 2016 he established the Loose Lee Academy. He has toured with the Harlem Globetrotters, appeared in music videos, collaborated with Nike, Adidas, and Sony, and has competed and judged in over 300 cities. One of Loose Lee’s greatest visions and goals are to create the best bboys and bgirls for the future to grow to their full capable potential.

Amy Romero

Amy is an Afro-Latina performer hailing from New Jersey. Her passion for dance and performance began in childhood and has only grown stronger over the years. Through the performing arts, Amy is grateful for the opportunity to share the rich stories of diverse cultures with audiences around the world.

Her international credits include West Side Story at Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy. Regionally, she has captivated audiences in productions such as West Side Story at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, On Your Feet! en Español at GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, D.C., On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan at North Carolina Theatre, The Wiz in Florida, and the New York City workshop of Thoughts of a Colored Man.

Amy’s tour credits are equally impressive. She has performed on the concert tour of recording artist Lisa Lisa, as well as the U.S. National Tours of Legally Blonde and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live.

In addition to her work as a performer, Amy is an experienced choreographer and dance teacher. She also serves as a judge for dance competitions, bringing her expertise and passion for the art form to the next generation of performers.

Learn more about Amy and her journey at www.iamamyromero.com

When she’s not on stage, touring, or choreographing musical theatre productions, you can find Ms. Amy choreographing for our Competition Team and Ballet Academy, as well as teaching at our intensives and masterclasses.

Isabella Gomez (Junior Instructor)

Isabella Gomez, “Ms. Bella” began dancing since three years old. She joined the Peak Performing Arts Center at 5 years old. Bella has been a part of the Peak PAC competition team for four years. She has attended many dance competitions and conventions, and received a multiple top 3 placements for her Contemporary and Ballet solos, and special judge’s Awards for technique. In the 25/26 season, Bella received a scholarship to attend Peridance Capezio Center’s Summer Intensive. Bella is a well-rounded dancer; and has studied Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Ballroom, Salsa, Hip-Hop, Tap, Acting, Acro, and Pointe. Bella was also the 2025-2026 Peak PAC Student of the Year award! She also has experience teaching dance classes at the Cliffside Park Library and has been a teacher’s assistant for 3 years.

When she’s not in dance class or rehearsal, Bella is very involved at her school. She is the president of her grade. This comes with the responsibility of planning events, attending town events, and being a voice / advocate for her peers. She has participated in 7 different clubs, with a focus on Animal Club, Dance Club, Key Club, and Student Government. Bella participated in a writing contest sponsored by State Farm in 2024, where she won 2nd place and received a scholarship for her future college savings. Bella is in all Honors classes and works hard balancing both her dance and learning careers.

Mia Allen (Junior Instructor)

Mia Allen started dancing when she was three years old and has been a student at Peak since she was six. She began training in Ballet classes and later expanded to enjoying many other styles including contemporary, pointe, hip hop, jazz, and tap. She has been a part of the Competition Dance Team at Peak since she was ten years old. Mia has been a teacher’s assistant for four years and is Peak’s Student of the Year 2025. Mia loves her teammates and friends at Peak; and has occasionally taught dance classes at the Cliffside Park Public Library.

During a production of Annie at her school, Mia was the dance captain and a member of the ensemble. She has choreographed and danced in the music video for “Go Stupid” by Nick Walter and Prince JR. She was a member of Artists Simply Human the Company on Tour in 2026 and was also a Performer of the Year Finalist at “That’s Entertainment” National Talent Competition in 2025.

Mia enjoys reading and playing piano and viola. She participates in the dance program at her high school and has been a part of their performances throughout the school year. She engages in her school community as a co-president of book club and a member of social committee to plan events and dances throughout the year.

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