Meet The Dance Spot of North Jersey's Staff

Get to know: LAUREL IZZI

With over 20 years of experience in both competitive and recreational dance, Laurel believes in providing a dance space that promotes positive reinforcement, encouragement and a fun and fulfilling environment. 

With years of experience in the studio, Laurel has recently done some work as a paraprofessional. A job that allowed her to focus on individuals who have developmental disabilities or behavioral challenges. 

Trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical / Contemporary, Acro and Hip Hop Laurel has helped to form dancers into Award Winning Competitors and National High Score Winners.

Get to know: SARAH MARINO

Adelphi University Class of 2025

• Bachelor's Degree  of Fine Arts in Dance
• Minor in Communications

Sarah Marino has had the opportunity to pursue a diverse range of training and performance experiences throughout her dance career. She began her training in a competitive setting and continued her education at Adelphi University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She is currently working as a freelance professional dancer in New York City while also teaching at the Dance Spot of North Jersey. Sarah extends her congratulations to all the dancers on successfully completing their first season at TDS.

Get to know: QUINCY HINES

Drexel University Class of 2025

• Bachelor's Degree in Dance
• Minor In Psychology
• A 4 year member of both Drexel Dance Ensemble and Drexel Touring Ensemble 

Quincy Hines has been dancing since age three, training in a variety of genres. Growing up at a competition studio, she fell in love with dance and later continued her studies at Drexel University as a dance major with a minor in psychology. After graduating in June of 2025, Quincy has continued dancing in both Philadelphia and New York City while simultaneously teaching at The Dance Spot of North Jersey. She is excited to celebrate a successful first season with all of the dancers!

Get to know: LEXXY SENA

St. John's University lass of 2026

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing 

 Hi! My name is Lexxy Sena, and I recently graduated from St. John’s University in May 2026. As a member of the St. John’s University Dance Team in Queens, New York, I hdid things such as performing at Madison Square Garden, entertaining crowds of up to 20,000 during halftime and media timeouts.

I also competed at UDA Nationals and proudly represented the university at performances and events throughout the year. 

I grew up doing competitive dance and have always had a strong passion for performing and teamwork! I love to share my passion for dance and watch students grow!

Get to know: LILY REILLY

Gettysburg College Class of 2026

• Bachelor's Degree in Business and Management and Public Policy

I look forward to returning back to my TDS family this Summer and Fall, continuing my journey with dance as an artist, teacher, and choreographer. Ive been dancing since I was a young child, learning all different styles, but ballet was something that always felt most important to me. At 13, I took the step to further my ballet career and started dancing at Petrov Ballet School. I performed in the corps of Vivaldi Concertos, and traveled to New York to perform in the Nutcracker. At 16, I joined the New Jersey Ballet School, and the following year got promoted to the Junior Company, where I trained under Artistic Directer and retired New York City Ballet Principle ballerina, Maria Kowroski. As a Junior Company member, I traveled with the company in their production of the Nutcracker.  Where I danced in the corpe de ballet of Snow and Waltz of the Flowers.

Get To Know: SABRINA IRVOLINO

Stockton University Alumni

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
• Minor In Dance

Sabrina has been dancing since the age of two where she developed a foundation across all styles of dance. She continued to pursue her passion of dance training at Stockton University. Along with dance, she was a collegiate cheerleader. Now she is a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist who finds joy in teaching and inspiring her students at The Dance Spot each week.

Get to know: Michelle Freer

Get to know: MICHELLE FREER

Montclair State University Class of 2025

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
• Michelle is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Montclair State University 

Michelle has been dancing for 20 years with training in all styles of dance. She continued her dance career as a member of the Montclair State University Dance Team, winning two national titles. Michelle is currently pursuing a Masters in Counseling. She has over five years of experience teaching dance and loves to bring positivity and fun to every class.

Get to know: MADDIE BARRY

Adelphi University Class of 2024

• Bachelor's Degree in Dance
• Minor In Forensic Anthropology

Maddie Barry is a 2024 graduate of Adelphi University, earning a BFA in Dance with a minor in Forensic Anthropology. In Fall 2023, she studied abroad at London Contemporary Dance School as part of their BA Dance program. Maddie is currently based in New York City, working as a freelance contemporary dancer. She has taught and assisted at studios throughout New Jersey and New York, including Steps on Broadway, Queens Dance Academy, and Broadway Bound Dance Center, and is thrilled to begin teaching at The Dance Spot!

Beginning his teaching career at the age of 15, Nick DiNicolangelo has become one of the most in-demand tap choreographers in the country. With his unique and energetic approach to teaching, Nick hopes to inspire students across the country to embrace tap dancing and explore its rich history and community.  Nick was a charter member and captain for the New Jersey Tap Ensemble and was an original member of Mike Minery’s Tapaholics. For the past two decades Nick has traveled the country on faculty at numerous dance conventions. He also is grateful to the many studios he teaches and choreographs for nationwide.  Nick founded the popular, Syn.co.pate Tap Intensive in 2008, bringing together many of the most talented tap dancers in the nation. In 2012 Nick created the  “Hands Down Tap Project”, an inspiring collaboration of young tap artists dedicated to creating performance opportunities for tap dancers.

Santino started dancing at 16, with a strong passion for the art, he quickly gained technique and knowledge of multiple dance styles. Santino trained in Ballet, Acro, Musical Theater, Tap, Jazz and Latin Dance at studio in NY & NJ. Training with Al Blackstone, Lane Napper, Laurel Izzi (Miss Laurel), and Derek Mitchell, Santino’s work has taken him across the United States from Los Angeles to Florida. Making appearances in “Dead Man’s Party” at Six Flags Great Adventure and “Global Citizen” concerts in NYC, Santino is excited to start his journey with The Dance Spot.