Weekend Manager

Gemma DeRiso is currently a 2nd Grade teacher. She grew up on the stage from just three years old. She loves all types of dance and has 18 years of ballet and jazz training. Gemma taught our pre-k students in 2025 and led our summer camp for ages 5-10 in summer 2025 and is returning as our weekend manager this Winter 2026 at our new location.

Ariana Dickerson is from Dayton Ohio. It is her second season as a company member at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She just completed her Bachelors Degree of Science in Ballet with an outside field in Media Advertising. She has experience teaching contemporary, pointe, and ballet classes.

Samara is a current student at Montclair State University majoring in stage management. Samara has been involving herself in the Arts since she was 3 years old. Current works include Aviva RD and Mujeres VIP Congress with Dasha Dance Ministry. Styles she loves to dive in and teach are Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Street Jazz.

Miss Kaylee is an elementary school resource room teacher here in Bogota. She started dancing at the age of two and began dancing competitively at the age of six. She lived in the competitive dance world until she graduated high school in 2019. After graduating, she attended Rider University where she studied Elementary Education and Psychology. She was also an active member of Rider Dance Ensemble, one of the many dance clubs on campus. In her four-year experience there, she was able to dance in over thirty pieces and choreograph four. She is grateful to spread her love of dance with you!

Ms. Wanthani is a certified ZUMBA® fitness instructor, with a passion for making fitness fun and accessible for all levels. She incorporates both modern and classic Latin, Reggaeton, Hip Hop and Pop songs with dance movements into her classes.  

Ms. Wanthani is a local Bogota resident and mom, and holds a Master’s Degree in Education. Her career has focused on international education programming, and more recently, in healthcare administration. With a lifelong love of dance, fitness, and education, Ms. Wanthani became a certified ZUMBA® fitness instructor to share her passion with our local community. Come join the fun and check out Ms. Wanthani’s classes! 

Dayana is a passionate dancer from Lima, Peru, with training in ballet, contemporary, and urban styles. She discovered her love for K-pop, Hip-hop, and Reggaeton after attending to D-1 and TFS Urban Dance Academies and winning 4 K-pop contests in Peru.

Now based in the U.S., she performs Peruvian folkloric dance and teaches urban dance styles across New Jersey. Dayana holds two bachelor's degrees from Montclair State University and uses dance to empower and connect with children and adults from diverse backgrounds.

Edwin is a New York City–trained dancer and choreographer who studied at the School of American Ballet, the High School of Performing Arts, the New York School of Ballet, and with David Howard. He has worked at every level as a dancer (coach, ballet master, core, soloist, demi-soloist, etc) and has performed in over 60 professional productions with companies including Kansas City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Albany Berkshire Ballet, and Dances Patrelle.

Edwin is especially passionate about working with teenage dancers who are serious about their training. He has taught and coached teens, pre-professional, and professional dancers at STEPS and Ballet Academy East, and brings decades of experience from Ballet for Young Audiences, where he has staged over 40 productions and choreographed more than 20 ballets. Edwin creates a supportive and inspiring environment.