Meet the Team

Gemma Beasley, originally from England, began her training in the ISTD syllabus, earning Advanced Honors in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary. After multiple recognitions from national competitions she was invited to be Ballet Scholar with The prestigious Royal Ballet School in London. She earned First Class Honors from Doreen Bird College on a dance and drama scholarship before moving to America and furthering her contemporary dance training on scholarship at The Alvin Ailey School in New York City. Her professional performance credits include An American in Paris, West Side Story, 42nd Street, and White Christmas, as well multiple contemporary companies. Gemma’s passion for dance is motivated by her desire to inspire the next generation of dancers. With over 10 years of teaching experience, she is thrilled to begin her new journey as Creative Director of Connect Dance Project.

Michael Bailey began her dance training in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she quickly developed a lifelong passion for the arts. Her performance credits include Odyssey Dance Theater’s Thriller, Let It Be, and Joy to the World, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic games, the NCAA Las Vegas Bowl, and many more. After years on the competition and convention scene, she attended Brigham Young University, serving as dance captain of the BYU Cougarettes and leading the team to an NDA College Dance Team Championship. Upon earning her BA from BYU, Michael moved to New York City to join the editorial staff of Dance Spirit magazine, where she had the opportunity to interview and learn from many of the dance world’s leading innovators. Motherhood brought a new perspective, and now, as a mom of four, Michael enjoys experiencing the world of dance as a parent, teacher, and Studio Director at Connect Dance Project.

Lindsay Lear-Nickum is a co-founder and Operations Director at Connect Dance Project, where she brings together her lifelong love of the arts with a dynamic background in business and leadership. Lindsay earned her Economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania and began her career in finance before pursuing veterinary medicine. Now a board-certified veterinary oncologist, she built a successful clinical career while staying connected to her passion for mentorship and community. In 2023, she launched Veterinary Cancer Concierge Services, PLLC, a mobile practice providing personalized cancer care for pets and their families. Inspired by her daughters’ journeys in competitive dance, Lindsay recognized the importance of creating a supportive, balanced, and enriching environment for young dancers. Drawing on her unique professional experience, she partnered with Michael and Gemma to establish a studio rooted in community, creativity, and excellence.

Anne-Marie is a Salt Lake City native and NYC-based dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She holds a degree in Modern Dance from Utah Valley University and has over 10 years of experience teaching all styles to dancers ages 2–18. Her professional credits include Hello, Dolly!, The Little Mermaid, Singin’ in the Rain, and Footloose. She’s excited to be part of the CDP family and is passionate about helping students shine both on stage and in life.

Jenna Kulacz is a New York-based dancer and choreographer with a BFA from Elon University. She has performed with companies like Pilobolus, EMERGE125, and Kristin Sudeikis Dance, with credits at the Kennedy Center, The Getty, and Central Park’s Delacorte Theater. Jenna is a company member with EMERGE125, a NASM-certified trainer, NYCDA Assistant, and teaches at Steps on Broadway.

Jenna Meilman began her training as a competitive dancer in New York. She graduated in 2023 with a BFA from USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and a Minor in Entrepreneurship. Most recently she received a certificate in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design. She worked with choreographer Adrienne Canterna for two German tours of the hit show, Rock The Ballet, and has performed works by William Forsythe, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylián, and Yin Yue. On the weekends she is an assistant at NYCDA. Jenna is building a holistic wellness practice that centers longevity, joy, and self-care as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer.

Jona Biddle a dynamic force from Atlantic City, NJ, has made his mark in NYC as a choreographer, educator, and head coach of the Brooklyn Nets Kids. Known for his high-energy, hip-hop choreography, Jona has worked with top artists like Beyoncé, Usher, Mary J. Blige, and more. Beyond training young dancers, Jona consistently prioritizes inspiring and uplifting everyone lucky enough to step into his class. We are so excited to have Jona on our faculty!

Julia is a Long Island native who grew up dancing in New York City. She earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she received the Humanities and Fine Arts Achievement Award and performed works by renowned choreographers including Merce Cunningham, David Parsons, Karole Armitage, and Colleen Thomas. In 2012, she was awarded a full scholarship to train at the prestigious Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School. After graduating, Julia performed professionally with several companies, including Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre, Francesca Harper Project, Davalois Fearon Dance, Mystic India: The World Tour, and in Signals by Merce Cunningham, set by Susana Hayman-Chaffey. She was also honored as Most Promising Young Choreographer by the Naganuma Dance Company. With over 16 years of teaching experience, Julia has received multiple choreography awards. Her students have gone on to receive scholarships, attend prestigious university programs, and perform professionally. In addition to her dance work, she is Pure Barre certified and passionate about integrating fitness into dance training. Julia is dedicated to helping dancers of all levels grow, thrive, and find joy through movement.

Katia Raj is a New York City-based professional ballet dancer who began her career as a soloist with the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet and later joined Yacobson Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. Throughout her career, she has performed in hundreds of ballets, dancing on stages around the world including the legendary Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. Katia has worked closely with renowned artists such as Ulyana Lopatkina, Irina Kolpakova, Gelsey Kirkland, and Ivan Nagy. She recently appeared in the television series “Etoile” and is currently attending Harvard Extension School. Katia is passionate about sharing the joy of dance and the beauty of classical art through both her teaching and her dancing!

Katie is a Metro Detroit native who turned her childhood dream of dancing in New York City into a reality. She trained in multiple styles, with a focus on jazz and character heels, and was one of only seven dancers hired at 18 through the iconic Rockette cattle call audition. As a Radio City Rockette, Katie has performed in over 500 shows, appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, and Forbes. In her off-season, Katie teaches, adjudicates, and co-runs Train with the Twins, a dance coaching business she founded with her identical twin. She also mentors young dancers through the nonprofit We Are Queens, helping them navigate the professional dance world. Katie is passionate about sharing her journey and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Kani “NIKEE” Kee is a hip hop professional with 15+ years of experience in commercial dance, popping, and grooves. A 3x Joffrey Ballet School Summer Hip Hop alum, his credits include performances with recording artist Taylor Dayne, Snowprah, the WNBA LA Sparks and Connecticut Suns, and choreography for 2x Platinum artist Fitch Means and UDA Nationals. Kani is the Assistant Director of Kee2Dance Dance Company (New Haven) and Hip Hop Director at New England Dance (Cromwell), known for cultivating confident, expressive, and technically strong dancers throughout the greater New England area.

Londyn Alexander is a Dallas native and graduate of Booker T. Washington HSPVA and USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. She has performed works by William Forsythe, Desmond Richardson, and more, and has worked commercially with artists like Brandy, Chance the Rapper, and Todrick Hall. She recently earned her MA in Choreography, Fashion, and Cinema Studies from NYU.

Madi Mac is a professional dancer and choreographer living and training in New York City. She is a professional assistant for NYCDA and was nominated for best jazz choreography at The Dance Awards in 2024. She is the Co-owner of Madi Mac Fashions and was Miss Michigans teen in 2020.

Matthew Schroeder is a New York City based dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Matthew received his BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University, and is currently a company dancer with Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. He has worked with choreographers such as Igal Perry, Lar Lubovitch, Ido Tadmor, Dwight Rhoden, Jessica Lang, Roderick George, Talia Paz & Mats Ek, and others. Matthew has taught all over the country, and has had choreographic works premiered at Chapman University, various studios and competitions, and at galas & concerts both nationally and internationally. Matthew is also currently signed with Go2 Talent Agency in Los Angeles, CA.

Michelle, an Arizona native and mother of six, began her teaching career at Club Dance in Mesa, AZ. With years of experience instructing young dancers, she specializes in early dance education, focusing on flexibility, foundational technique, and building stage confidence. Michelle has a remarkable talent for inspiring young dancers to discover a passion for dance and a lifelong love of music and movement.

Ryan Vyskocil is a dancer, choreographer and teacher prioritizing versatility and storytelling within movement, pushing stylistic and physical capability. He trained at Dawn Crafton Dance Connection and the Akhmedova Ballet Academy, and assisted at Tremaine Dance Convention as a title winner throughout high school. Ryan attended USC Kaufman, learning and performing works by innovators; William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Ohad Nahrin. Ryan has most recently worked with director Adrienne Canterna on two German tours of Rock the Ballet. He has performed with Andrea Miller’s GALLIM at the Joyce Theatre 2023, and the premiere of “Prelude” by Jodie Gates at the Laguna Playhouse.

Wyatt Oswald is an award-winning dancer and choreographer from Savannah, GA, known for his versatility and standout tap technique. A three-time performer in the Broadway National Tour of A Christmas Story, he wowed audiences with featured tap solos and multiple roles. Wyatt has trained with top tap masters, earned numerous national titles, and been part of several elite teams. Now based in NYC, he continues to perform and teach across the country with Revel Dance Convention

Yasmine Litachevsky is a graduate of the Open World Dance Foundation in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she trained in and now teaches the Vaganova Method of ballet. She has performed on major stages in St. Petersburg, most recently co-producing and performing in Cinderella alongside Isabella Boylston and Aran Bell. Yasmine is passionate about sharing her knowledge to help students build beauty, consistency, and safety both in and out of the studio.