LAMBARRI DANCE ARTS

FACULTY

Alexa Sanniola has been a dance educator for over 15 years, advocating for "smart" dance training. Alexa graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts 2014 with a B.F.A. in Dance and received the University Dance Works Scholarship & Dance Express Choreography Award. Alexa is a Relative Motion Master Teacher, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with Corrective Exercise, Youth Exercise, & Performance Enhancement Specialties & is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (Level 3), Progressing Contemporary Technique & is a T Spheres Certified Teacher. She has taught workshops across the country at various conventions and competitions and as a guest at studios including prestigious locations like Broadway Dance Center. Her students have gone on to perform in the National Tour of Matilda, the North American Tour of Mean Girls, North American Tour of Hadestown, and attend Boston Conservatory, UArts, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Montclair State, Alvin Ailey and more! Alexa has worked with Larry Keigwin, Brian Brooks, Julia Ritter, Ginger Thatcher, Pamela Levy, Stefanie Batten Bland, & Sidra Bella & performed at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington D.C.). As a member of Zella Dance Company, Alexa performed across the United States & she toured internationally with the production Uma Saudação à Whitney Houston. In 2017 Alexa founded Lambarri Dance Arts, in memory of her grandmother Nilda Lambarri who passed from Dementia, to provide a space for young dancers to grow as artists while developing their technique incorporating functional methods to train in "smart" and more efficient ways. 

ALEXA

Gabrielle is currently a senior at Mason Gross School of the Arts completing her BFA in Dance under Gerald Castel. She plans to pursue a career in the concert and commercial world while also continuing to teach. She has been a competitive dancer from the age of 12 training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, etc. After her training at Lambarri Dance Arts she received the chance to train in multiple styles such as Limon Technique, Pilates, Hip Pop, Bollywood, yorcha, amongst much more. She has worked with choreographers including Julia Ritter, Nicolette Alberti, Andres Zachery, Ani Javian and John Evans. She recently trained abroad at the Italian program Academia dell’Arte under Alessio Trevisani and Helena Fernandino. She has had the honor of performing in pieces showcased in Koresh Artist Showcase, Yang Lin Inhale Showcase, and at Steps on Broadway’s Spring Lab Choreographers showcase.

GABBY

Marlon Santana is a professional teaching artist, dancer and creative from Elizabeth, NJ. After being self-taught for many years, he began his formal training at the age of 19 studying Hip Hop, Commercial Jazz and Contemporary Fusion. His credentials include: BTS, “The Soul Spot” Directed and Choreographed by Candace Brown, Carnival NYC, Club Jeté in LA, Sybarite and many more. Past dance companies: Motus, Royal Thieves, Kreativ Mndz, and Enigma Dance Collective. For the last few years, his main focus has been towards teaching and bettering the NY/NJ community in studios such as Broadway Dance Center, Peridance Capezio Center and Brickhouse NYC. Marlon is looking forward to more opportunities facilitating safe environments where people can grow in ways they never thought possible.

MARLON

Jess grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and has recently relocated to New Jersey from Chicago. She started dancing at the age of three and emerged into the competition world at age 10. Over the years Jess has trained and danced with Jason Samuel Smith, Lady Di Walker,Savion Glover, former Rockettes, and many others. She is an energetic dance professional with over 16 years of teaching experience in multiple disciplines and various ages. She is proficient in various styles, including, tap, jazz, lyrical, and strength and conditioning and has extensive experience working with children and adults with special needs. She is certified in Sugarfoot Thearapy. Jess is also an adjudicator and director for One Beat Dance Brands. 

JESS

Adair Keener is a passionate dance educator, choreographer, and performer from Richmond, Virginia with many years of training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and contemporary styles. A proud alumna of West Virginia University, she holds dual degrees in Dance and Communication Studies, where her choreography was featured in multiple productions. Adair recently earned her Master of Arts in Dance Education from New York University with a concentration in ABT Ballet Pedagogy and is fully certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Her choreography, Infix, premiered at the Frederick Loewe Theatre, where she also performed in several NYU productions. She is a current member of the Tap Fusion Company and brings both performance and pedagogical experience into the studio. Known for her warm approach, Adair integrates technique, musicality, and expression to foster growth both technically and artistically. She is thrilled and grateful to bring her dedication and creative energy to Lambarri Dance Arts.

ADAIR

Melanie Sanniola, through over a decade of teaching, continues to put technique first while furthering her own education to provide science-based, proven training to all of her students. A graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2016 with a B.F.A. in Dance, cum laude, Melanie was a recipient of the prestigious James Dickson Carr Scholarship.
She has worked with choreographers Jessica Lang, Nick Bruder, Kate Weare, Jennifer Freeman, Kim Gibilisco, Keith Thompson, Pamela Levy, Doug Elkins, and Julia Ritter. As a member of the Movement Playground, she has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Jacob’s Pillow, and other noteworthy NYC venues.
Melanie is a Relative Motion Master Teacher, T Spheres Certified Teacher, and certified in Alixa Flexibility (Level 3), Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Level 3, and Flexistretcher (Advanced). She has taught workshops across the country at various conventions and guest-taught at studios including prestigious locations like Broadway Dance Center.
Most recently, Melanie was selected as part of the first inaugural class of the Ailey Horton Teacher Training Program, continuing her dedication to advancing her craft and passing on the Horton legacy to future generations of dancers.

MELANIE

Ashley Agrusa has been dancing for 20+ years. She is originally from Michigan, where she trained at Deborah’s Stage Door on their competitive team. She is trained in jazz, tap, ballet, acro, musical theatre, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary! She is a proud graduate of Cap 21 Conservatory at Molloy University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Her professionally career has lead her to perform shows including The National Tour of My Fair Lady as assistant dance captain, Anything Goes (PCLO) Beauty and the Beast and School of Rock (Tuacahn), Catch Me If You Can (The REV) and many more! One of Ashley’s passions in life is to spread knowledge and help foster the next generation of artists! 

ASHLEY

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