JONI MICHELLE LANZA
Tap, Jazz and Musical Theater

Joni Michelle Lanza grew up training with her mother at the family's dance studio, Jane's School of Dance, from the age
of 2 in Versailles, Kentucky. Through Dance Masters of America she claimed the titles of Petite Miss Dance of Ohio, Jr. Miss Dance of Ohio, Jr. Miss Dance of Kentucky, and Miss Dance of Ohio. She went onto place in the top 5 in the
Miss Dance of America Pageant. Joni began assistant teaching at the age of 10 and ran her own classes from the age of 12. After training, competing, and teaching most of her life, Joni attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy after high school specializing in Broadway Musical Theatre Performance and Audition Technique. Joni
enjoyed a 13 year career on and off Broadway in Radio City
Music Hall's "Christmas Spectacular," the Broadway revival of "42nd Street," and the Tony award-winning "Thoroughly Modern Millie." She toured the U.S. with Barry Manilow's
"Copacabana," and tapped in Japan for Mikimoto. Joni is now raising her three young boys with her husband Louie on a Maple Syrup farm in Garrison, New York, and is thrilled to be sharing her lifelong passion for the art of tap dancing with the students of Hudson Valley Dance Studio in Cold Spring, New York.

JENNIFER HERSH
Creative Movement and Ballet

Jennifer Hersh began her dance training locally at the age of 5 at the Westchester Ballet Center under the direction of Rose Marie Menes. She studied dance for over 12 years with Westchester Ballet Center. In 1996 she majored in
Dance at the University of Arizona. Later she received her professional training at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (The Ailey School) in New York City. Jen then danced
with the California Ballet in San Diego. Turning her direction
toward teaching, she began studying with Stephan Wenta in Los Angeles. In 2001 Jennifer returned to New York and performed locally with the Dance Theatre in Westchester. Soon after Jennifer began teaching in Peekskill and Garrison, New York. In 2005, Jen opened the doors to Hudson Valley Dance Studio to enhance the performing arts in Cold Spring and the surrounding areas.

CONNIE ROTARDIER
Classical Ballet

A 12-year member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Connie is very excited to begin teaching at HVDS sharing her knowledge of dance with our students.