Platinum Performance - Dance Studio

Platinum Performance has an innovative professional Staff that is well trained with many years of teaching experience. Many of our teachers can be seen working within the public and private schools and various other prestigious dance schools throughout Long Island. All Platinum Performance instructors are professional choreographers holding many degrees, certifications and awards.

	Director: Ms Lora Ayala Lora Ayala graduated with a BA in Child Study from St. Josephs College and is in her 8th year Head Coaching the Huntington High School Dance Teams and Kickline. As a dancer Lora has recently Performed in the opening ceremonies of the US Open and was a Principal dancer for the DHTW Modern Dance Company. Lora was also a background dancer for the pop music group 98* and the Venga Boys. She performed at the Nassau Coliseum as a NY Dragon’s Firedancer (Cheerleader) and at the Meadowlands Arena as a NJ Gladiator Girl (Cheerleader) and has recently choreographed a NY Knicks pre-game. Lora is a Regional and National Judge for Olympic Miss Dance Competition, Dance Arts Plus Dance Competition and That’s Entertainment Dance Competition. This year under her direction, the Platinum Performance Dance Company was Awarded Top honors by being named Kids Artistic Revues 2008 Top Studio f or the second year in a row. Lora is very proud to have won two “Best Choreography Awards” and two “Best Costume Awards” this year among many other awards. Lora has completed Dance Teacher Workshops by Dance Masters of America, Dance Teacher Magazine and Broadway Dance Center.

	Jessica Treubig Jessica graduated with a BFA in Dance and Accounting from the University of Massachussetts at Amherst. Jessica can be seen in several music videos by up and coming artists. She has worked for MTV, Fox kids and has performed all over the United States including, Walt Disney World Florida, and Cape May New Jersey. Jessica has studied with companies such as Paul Taylor, Alvin Ailey, Eglevsky Ballet and worked with Top choreographers like Christopher Scott (Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk). Jessica has taught at various dance schools throughout Long Island and at the University of Massachusets.

	Heather Gaffin Heather Gaffin currently lives in NYC where she is pursuing her professional career in dance. She has recently been performing with Clarity In Motion Dance Company in NYC at The Exchange, Uptown Performance Series, DRA “CT Dancers for Good” and their own company concer t, “Falling Awake.” She has also performed numerous times at International Dance Festival and Broadway Dance Center Performance Outlets. Heather grew up training and competing at local dance studios, Koresh School of Dance, The Rock School, Broadway Dance Center and STEPS On Broadway and has also attended the Alvin Ailey Professional Program, NYCDA Summer Intensive and recently lived in Los Angeles for a month to train at EDGE with various well-known teachers and choreographers. Heather traveled with Tremaine Dance Conventions as an apprentice for the Tremaine faculty and has also assisted many programs and classes at Broadway Dance Center. She currently teaches and choreographs at various dance studios and is on faculty at American Dance Training Camp, an overnight summer dance program held throughout the country. Heather’s choreography and students have received a lot of accomplishments in the past few years at dance competitions and also professional dance shows. Heather does work study for The Pulse On Tour at Broadway Dance Center and continues to audition and train to further her dance career.

	Kati-Ann Ashworth Ms Kati has a BFA in Dance from C.W. Post College and was the recipient of the PostConcert Dance Company “Outstanding Senior” Scholarship. Kati currently performs with the New York Based Immersion Dance Company.&n bsp; Ms Kati’s has been awarded many prestigious choreography awards including “Most Entertaining Act 2007” by Kids Artistic Revue. She has had the privilege to work with great performers and Choreographers such as Merle Hollaman, Raphael Boumalia and Kanji Segaw a of the Mark Morris Dance Company. Not only is Ms. Kati a qualified dancer, but she is also a Graduate of the Dance Educators Teachers training Course.

	Christine D’Aquila Christine D’Aquila, a former competitive dancer and gymnast recently graduated from Hofstra University where she was Captain of the Hofstra Cheerleading Team. Her team has won first place in Disney World Florida two years in a row. Ms. Christine’s soloists have won highest overall scoring soloist at the very prestigious Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, and this year one of her routines won “Most Entertaining Act 2008” From Kids Artistic Revue. As a dancer Ms Christine has won numerous awards including National Champion20at the Contest of Champions in Florida. She has performed at Madison Square Garden, Disney World Florida, Wildwood NJ and in TV pilots.

	Deyra Johnson Deyra Johnson has taught Ballet at Manhattan’s very own STEPS on Broadway in New York as well as the Istanbul State Conservatory in Turkey. She has performed at the Istanbul State Opera House and Ballet Theatre and in many classical ballets including Giselle from the Ballet Sleeping Beauty. Ms. Derya has also been featured in various Dance Books and magazines and has studied dance at Ballet conservatories including the esteemed Royal Academy of Dance i n England.

	Danielle D’Aquila Danielle D’Aquila is a former competitive dancer and gymnast. In 2007 Ms. Danielle and the Hofstra Cheerleading team won first place at20Nationals in Disney World Florida for the second year in a row. As a dancer she has won numerous awards including National Champion at the Contest of Champions in Florida. She has also performed at Madison Square Garden, Disney World Fl, Wildwood NJ and TV pilots.

	Samantha Natallelo This year Ms Sam completed her dance teaching training program at the Dance Teacher Summer Conference and Interned at St Patricks Catholic School in Huntington. She was selected out of hundreds of dancers to become a Universal Dance Association Teacher and began her training this summer. Ms Sam has won numerous High Score Awards for her dances as well as routines she has choreographed. Ms Sam frequently attends Broadway Dance Center in NYC and has attended dance workshops like “So You Think You Can Dance” and has performed numerous places like Walt Disney World Florida. Ms Sam will be attends Dowling College majoring in Education and Dance.

	Melana Tysowsky Melana Tysowsky is currently on scholarship for a BFA in Performing Arts Dance at Adelphi University. She has trained at the American Academy of Ballet and the Quinte Ballet School of Canada; a professional ballet school where she passed the grade IV-Advanced Ceccheti exams. She has had performed various roles in Paquita, Swan Lake, La Bayadare, Coppelia, Flower Festival, Pas de Quatre, the Nutcracker, as well as many original works. Melana has a background in Ukranian, character, and modern dance along with the experience of working with students at various dance studios and summer programs. She is also a certified ballet teacher through ABT’s National Training Curriculum.