The Pixie Pods Squad!

Instructor

venmo: @AlexisDawkins510

Hi! I’m Teacher Alexis or you can also call me Teacher Lexi!  (she/her). Based in Sunnyside, Queens. Raised in Buffalo, NY, I recently moved to NYC to further my career. I started dancing at the age of 6 at a local dance studio taking classes in tap, jazz, ballet, acro, hip hop and lyrical. I participated in numerous musicals and ballets such as “Annie” and “The Nutcracker” while in high school. I then went onto college and graduated from The College at Brockport with Bachelor’s degrees in Dance and Childhood Education. While in college I got to perform in North Carolina, NYC various venues around Rochester, NY. I was also on my school’s dance team: “Brockport Dance Team Emeralds” and performed at football and basketball games throughout the year. I competed regionally and nationally with the team placing 1st -3rd at regional competitions and 4th in the nation at National Dance Alliance Collegiate Nationals.

After college I began teaching at Studio J, a studio based in Buffalo, NY. For 8 years I taught toddler classes, pre-ballet, ballet and acro classes. I specialized in teaching most of the children who were under the age of 6. I was frequently known as everyone’s “First dance teacher”. I have also taught dance at numerous after school programs and have been fortunate enough to teach dance classes for the Girl Scouts of WNY to help girls earn their dancer badge. When I’m not teaching dance, I’m a full time Preschool teacher during the week. I’m so excited to now be with Pixie Pods and bring my love of dance to children all over NYC! Can’t wait to meet and dance together soon! 

Instructor

venmo: @Dan-Reardon-1

Hey there! I’m Dan (he/him) , and I’m really looking forward to creating some magical creative memories with your little ones. I’m a professional actor, singer, and dancer. I graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, and also hold a Certificate of Excellence from Broadway Dance Center. I’ve performed on television and at theatres across the country. You can find out more about my performance work at my website, DanielReardonOnline.com     

When I’m not performing, I love spreading my passion for the performing arts via teaching. I began my teaching artist journey as an assistant at the theatre school I first attended as a kid. Since then, I have taught for public school systems, pre-professional training programs, professional theatres’ education departments, and online and in- person as a freelancer. I have taught drama, dance and movement, and music for children as young as one to as old as eighteen. I am so looking forward to exploring the wide world of creativity with your kiddos!

Instructor

venmo: @BriannaFragomeni

Hello NYC families! My name is Teacher Bri! (she/her) I am an actor, singer, dancer, and educator currently residing in Sunnyside, Queens. My love for the arts began at the age of 3 when I took my very first dance class! I was selected at age 10 to represent the United States in the Tap Dance World Championships in Germany. Being a quick commute to NYC from my hometown of Guilderland, NY, I decided at age 11 to audition for my first Broadway show, Billy Elliot, and… I booked it!! I performed in the whole run of the show as a Swing and eventually as the principal role of Debbie. After the show completed its run, I continued my training in NYC studying acting under the late Ann Willis Ratray and dance under the renowned Anthony Morigerato.   

At the age of 17, my college career began in a dual program with St. John’s University & The American Academy of Dramatic Arts from which I earned an A.O.S. in Acting and B.S. in TV & Film simultaneously. My passion for teaching was sparked 8 years ago when I began working as the Assistant Director of Retter Entertainment’s performance-based dance group, NYC Tap Crew. Fun fact: we performed with RUN DMC! I soon got into program design, designing and implementing a Musical Theater summer program for the Boys & Girls Clubs of NY. After graduating, I started working as a Preschool Enrichment Specialist leading music and movement-based classes. I remain active in the performing arts to this day. Highlights include voicing 2 episodes of Emergency Call on ABC and being nominated as Outstanding Female Vocalist (MAC Awards) for my performance in “How I Got my Equity Card” at The Duplex. 

I am a certified Zumbini instructor and ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor with a specialization in Youth Fitness. I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing my passion of the arts and for early childhood education to PixiePods! I truly cannot wait to share joy, excitement, energy, and growth with your family!

Instructor

venmo: @Kelley-OMalley 

 Originally from Fishers, Indiana, Kelley began her dance training at the age of three and went on to study various styles of dance through high school. She attended the University of South Florida where she earned her BFA in Modern Dance, along with a BA in Communications. Kelley also studied abroad in Paris, France under the tutorage of Michael Foley. Some highlights of her performing career include dancing at the Colt’s Half Time show, Kings Island and Walt Disney World. Kelley is also a graduate of the Broadway Dance Center’s professional semester program. Kelley began working and choreographing for local studios in high school and fell in love with teaching 

Instructor

venmo: @Madison-Hertel 

Hello! My name is Madison Hertel. I am originally from Traverse City, Michigan, where I very first fell in love with theatre (thank you, local production of Les Misérables). I spent my summers growing up at Interlochen Arts Camp which helped foster my hobby turned passion. I also site those experiences as the source of my love of Theatre for Young Audiences! I began doing regional theatre, and continued taking arts courses that lead to my collegiate decision. I moved to upstate NY to earn my BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College and graduated in the spring of 2022. I’m now based in Brooklyn, NY, where I am learning to squash my midwestern urge to smile at strangers when they get on the train.

I am a dancer and choreographer as well! I am trained extensively in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. In my choreography, I enjoy playing with collaboration and experimentation. In one of my more most recent works for RockHard Dance Company, my piece centered around a balance test that determined who the soloist would be for a given performance.

In the odd hours that I am not creating or performing, you can find me watching horror movies, reading some of my favorite Vonnegut novels, or trying my hand at a new recipe.

Instructor

venmo: @Forzadance

Hey! I’m Teacher Michaella! (She/Her). Based in Hell's Kitchen. I moved to New York City to attend the Ailey School/Fordham University BFA dance program and I also double majored in International Political Economy with a concentration in Italian Language. Since being in NYC, I have been honored to perform works by Manuele Vignoulle, Martha Graham, Jessica Lang, Andrea Guajardo, Earl Mosley, Jaclyn Buglisi, Chalvar Monteiro, and more!

I’ve enjoyed teaching for the Junior Division at Alvin Ailey, Pointe Academy Dance Center, the JUNTOS Collective, and I developed my own movement practice called Movement Empowerment. I also co-created the virtual community platform Artist After Hours based on discovery, versatility, and discussion of the dance field. I’m excited to be a part of the Pixie Pods Squad! Looking forward to dancing with your little one!

Instructor

venmo: @Victoria-Preisman

Victoria Preisman (she/her) is so excited to start teaching for Pixie Pods! Victoria has a BFA in musical theatre from NYU/Tisch and has done regional theatre all over the U.S. She leads sensory classes and babysits children ages 3 months-3 years. Victoria has done many Theatre for Young Audiences shows at the 92NY and has been teaching dance since she was 11 years old. She has taught dance and music ages 2-62 and loves being silly with children and people of all ages!

Instructor

venmo: @lakeria-Robinson

 Lakeria Robinson, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is a BFA graduate student from New World School of the Arts College. She is trained in ballet, modern, Jazz and Afro dance techniques. Lakeria is an alumni of the School at Jacob’s Pillow Dunham Legacy  and Afro Latin intensives. Having been a part of programs like Archcore40 and the Overtown Youth Center, she is also well versed in commercial styles like  Hip Hop, Jazz Funk and Musical Theater. Lakeria has had the opportunity to perform works by Tina Santos, Robert Battle, Ronald K. Brown, Darshan Singh Bhuller, and several others who influence her creative process today. 

Instructor

venmo: @Sharonzulay6

 Sharon Moreno is a multidisciplinary artist born in Panama City. She began training in dance at 18 and quickly realized a passion for modern dance, teaching, and performance. Staying true to her roots, she also teaches multiple Afro, modern, aerial dance and conditioning classes. She graduated from undergrad at the University of Panama and the National School of Dance in Panama in 2020. In 2021, she moved to New York City to study at the Martha Graham School, recently graduated from the Two Year Certificate Program. She has since performed at Lincoln Center's "Table of Silence," at Judson Church with Movement Research. And performs with the "Pajarito Pinta'o" company by Daniel Fetecua, Company Redacted, Fruto Ancestral company, Sur dance company, and now is performing as company artist with Modarts Dance Company along with many more freelance performances ranging from theaters to festivals and parades, teaching all ages in academies like Super Star Dance Studio, Xin Dance Studio and participating in after school programs in Harlem's public schools. Sharon dedicates her life to sharing the skills she has been honored to learn by teaching in Latinamerica, where there is less access to specific dance techniques. She has taught in Chile, Panama and Colombia with plans to continue sharing affordable and accessible workshops through the educational project 'Compartiendo por Latam' created and founded by Sharon Moreno.