Back, left to right: Andrea Marshall (instructor), Carla Menchinella (instructor), Krystin Paci (assistant teacher), Susan Ayson (co-director), Dana Ruggiero (co-director), Liz DeMatteis, Ashley DeRaffele (assistant teacher), Lisa Giannotti (teacher). Front, left to right: Stacy Hanson (assistant teacher), Danielle Segno (assistant teacher).
Susan Ayson, Co-Director
Susan began dancing at the age of three and landed her first professiona role at the age of 15! She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, where she had the opportunity to study with some memorable teachers such as Lee Theodore, Ann Reinking, Gus Solomons Jr., Maurice Hines, Erin Martin, Phil Black, Randy Skinner, and Frank Hatchett. Susan continued her professional career performing with the national/international tours of 42nd St. and Sophisticated Ladies. She has appeared in the dinner theater circuit in shows such as Pippin, The King & I and Anything Goes. Her regional credits include performer/choreographer in Big River, Beehive, A Chorus Line and Grease. Susan has television and industrial credits to her name and has appeared as a featured dancer in cabaret venues . She has been active in the pageant/dance competition circuit both as choreographer and judge. She is also a certified aerobics instructor. Married to husband Paul, she is "mom" to two beautiful children: her daughter Jillian, and her son Christopher. Rooftop Rhythms is a long time dream of Susan's which has finally come true!
Dana Ruggiero, Co-Director
Dana has been dancing since the age of two and began teaching at 14! She graduated with an Associates Degree in Dance. Being trained in all forms of dance, Dana has been teaching dance at various studios in Westchester County and New York City. She is extremely active in the New York School system, having taught dance at schools such as Hutchinson School in Pelham NY, The South Side Boys & Girls Club, Horace Mann School in Riverdale, and Riverdale Community Center at M.S. 141. Since she became an award-winning performer/choreographer in the Dance Competition Circuit, her Hip-Hop classes are in high demand. Dana is thrilled to call Rooftop Rhythms her new home!
Tiffany Rose, Instructor
Tiffany was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She has been dancing her whole life and has been teaching dance classes since the age of 15! While attending the University at Buffalo, she became the choreographer for the Hip-Hop dance crew, SicWidIT for two years. In addition to being a choreographer, she was the director and one of the dance instructors at the Buffalo Future Stars After-School program. All of Tiffany's Hip-Hop classes will incorporate not only her knowledge and training of Hip Hop but Belly dance, Break dance, West African, and Dancehall Reggae. Her love for dancing and teaching is demonstrated in every dance move she does and how she interacts with every student she has! She is so grateful to be able to share her love and enthusiasm for Hip-Hop with this year's Rooftop Rhythm dancers!
Jessica Tyler Speer, Instructor
Jessica hails from San Diego, where she grew up dancing under the guidance of Jocelyn K. Wilson and Susan Gilson. She attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Dance in 2006. She as worked with such notable choreographers as Debbie Allen, Mia Michaels, and Michael Foley. She currently dances with Gehring Dance Theatre. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of Rooftop Rhythms.
