At Breaking Ground Dance Center we believe that every child possesses a gift that is ready to be opened.
Our staff looks forward to helping our students open and develop their own unique gifts at their own pace.
With our focus on personal growth and self-esteem, there is no limit to what a child can achieve!
"We don't just teach kids to make great dancers. We teach dance to make great kids!"
Ms Marissa has served over
thousands of families in Westchester County over 17 years. She attended Manhattanville College
where she received a performing arts scholarship and earned a degree in Psychology and Dance.
After graduating college, Marissa taught for over 30 dance schools in Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
Connecticut and New York before opening her own at the young age of 23. Her choreography has earned
her prestigious awards from NRG Dance Project, American Dance Awards, Revolution Talent
Competition and Nexstar Dance Competition. Her students at BGDC have gone on to dance in college
programs and professionally across the country. Marissa’s leadership and savvy business mindset
has led BGDC to win the Best of Westchester: Best Dance Studio, Best Party Place, and Best Business
Person awards. BGDC was most recently awarded Best Dance
Studio in 2021.
Miss Laurel has been with BGDC for 7 years and is our Operations Manager. As O.M, she manages the day-to-day life of the studio and is involved with marketing, information distribution, protocols & procedures, and maintaining client relationships, to name a few. She is also an instructor in our Beautiful Beginnings, Core, and Intensive Programs. Laurel was born and raised in Hawai’i. She attended Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY and graduated Cum Laude with a B.A in Dance & Theater, with a concentration in Dance Therapy & Minor in Psychology. Laurel has experience dancing professionally for concert artists and performed at renowned venues such as the New York City Center, Jacobs Pillow, & The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre. In addition to teaching dance, Laurel is also a Group Fitness Instructor. In 2014 she graduated from Baruch College with a M.A in Arts Administration.
Miss Stephanie has been with BGDC for 7 years and is our Staff Manager. As Staff Manager, she takes part in the hiring process and leads our staff in curriculum training. She is also an instructor for our Boppin Babies, Spin & Sparkle, Beautiful Beginnings, and Core Programs. Stephanie grew up dancing in Los Angeles, California. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of California, Irvine with her BA in Dance and a minor in Business Management. Stephanie moved to NYC in 2012. In 2013, she founded her own contemporary dance company, MachineHDance. Under her artistic and executive direction, Stephanie’s company has performed at various festivals in the tri-state area, including Dance Astoria, and Take Root.
Ms. Bailey has been with BGDC for 5 years and is our Intensive Program Coordinator. She is also an instructor for our Spin & Sparkle, Beautiful Beginnings, and Core Programs. She is originally from Buffalo, NY and grew up dancing at Time To Dance (her mom’s dance studio) and Greater Niagara Ballet. She was a competitive dancer and won many scholarships to dance conventions like NUVO, NYCDA, and Jump. In addition to dance, she did gymnastics and was part of the USA Gymnastics Club. Bailey was one of the top 5 gymnasts in New York State during her time there. Bailey moved to NYC in 2013 and studied at Peridance Capezio Center and Steps on Broadway. Since joining the BGDC team, we have been able to see Bailey get engaged, married, and become a mom to a beautiful baby girl named Olivia! She is back for our 17th season and is ready to see her students again.
Miss Christina has been with BGDC for 5 years and is our Merchandise/Costume Manager and Social Media Coordinator. She is also an instructor for our Spin & Sparkle, Beautiful Beginnings, Core, and Intensive Programs. Christina began her own dance training in Westchester County, NY. She graduated from Manhattanville College with a B.A. in Dance and Theatre with a concentration in Dance Therapy and minor in Psychology. After college, Christina danced professionally with the Gotham City Cheerleaders, the professional dance team in support of the New York Football Giants. In addition to teaching dance at BGDC, she is currently the Head Coach of the Pace University Dance Team in Pleasantville. Recently she got engaged and plans to get married in Fall 2022!
Miss Soa is from Westchester, NY, where she has been dancing since the age of 3 performing and competing in various styles. She currently attends Sacred Heart University, and has continued her dance studies as a member of the SHU Dance Ensemble where she has both choreographed and performed. Soa is also an alumni of Breaking Ground and is beyond grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her former dance teachers. You will see her on the weekends in the ofce!
Miss Skylar is new to the BGDC Dream Team this year. Skylar originates from Queensland, Australia where she worked with Queensland Youth Ballet and Ballet Theatre of Queensland. She’s been on Australian tours for Fast Love: George Michael Tribute Concert, Simply The Best: Tina Turner Tribute and numerous children's live stage shows for Nickelodeon and ABC. Skylar has traveled abroad doing commercial dance work for various pop artists around China and Macau, performed in Bollywood lms & music videos, events in India, held a scholarship for Arteles artist residency in Finland and an internship with the Forsythe Contemporary Company in Italy.