Back, left to right: Andrea Marshall (instructor), Carla Menchinella (instructor), Krystin Paci (assistant teacher), Susan Ayson (co-director), Dana Ruggiero (co-director), Liz DeMatteis, Ashley DeRaffele (assistant teacher), Lisa Giannotti (teacher). Front, left to right: Stacy Hanson (assistant teacher), Danielle Segno (assistant teacher).
Susan Ayson, Co-Director
Susan began dancing at the age of three and landed her first professiona role at the age of 15! She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, where she had the opportunity to study with some memorable teachers such as Lee Theodore, Ann Reinking, Gus Solomons Jr., Maurice Hines, Erin Martin, Phil Black, Randy Skinner, and Frank Hatchett. Susan continued her professional career performing with the national/international tours of 42nd St. and Sophisticated Ladies. She has appeared in the dinner theater circuit in shows such as Pippin, The King & I and Anything Goes. Her regional credits include performer/choreographer in Big River, Beehive, A Chorus Line and Grease. Susan has television and industrial credits to her name and has appeared as a featured dancer in cabaret venues . She has been active in the pageant/dance competition circuit both as choreographer and judge. She is also a certified aerobics instructor. Married to husband Paul, she is "mom" to two beautiful children: her daughter Jillian, and her son Christopher. Rooftop Rhythms is a long time dream of Susan's which has finally come true!
Dana Ruggiero, Co-Director
Dana has been dancing since the age of two and began teaching at 14! She graduated with an Associates Degree in Dance. Being trained in all forms of dance, Dana has been teaching dance at various studios in Westchester County and New York City. She is extremely active in the New York School system, having taught dance at schools such as Hutchinson School in Pelham NY, The South Side Boys & Girls Club, Horace Mann School in Riverdale, and Riverdale Community Center at M.S. 141. Since she became an award-winning performer/choreographer in the Dance Competition Circuit, her Hip-Hop classes are in high demand. Dana is thrilled to call Rooftop Rhythms her new home!
Jessica Tyler Speer, Instructor
Jessica hails from San Diego, where she grew up dancing under the guidance of Jocelyn K. Wilson and Susan Gilson. She attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Dance in 2006. She as worked with such notable choreographers as Debbie Allen, Mia Michaels, and Michael Foley. She currently dances with Gehring Dance Theatre. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of Rooftop Rhythms.
Stacy Hanson, Instructor
Rooftop Rhythms is thrilled to have Stacy Hanson join our family/staff here at Rooftop Rhythms. Look familiar? Maybe that’s because Stacy is an alumni of Rooftop Rhythms Dance Studio! Stacy is a dancer, instructor and personal trainer who began dancing at the age of 4. As a professional dancer, Stacy has several commercial/performance credits which include her role as choreographer for NBC's "Wednesday’s Child" episodes to name a few. She has also been a featured dancer at Fashion Week in NYC and can currently be seen in Tina Parol's latest video "Who's Got Your Money?" choreographed by none other than SYTYCD's (So You Think You Can Dance) Tyce Diorio. She is active as a dance instructor in the NYS school district which includes Colonial School, P.S. 24, and the Riverdale YMHA. As a personal trainer/fitness instructor, Stacy teaches Pilates, Boot Camp, and Total Body Sculpting classes in Westchester. She is currently an English Major at Hunter College. Stacy is so excited to be back "home" as part of the Rooftop Rhythms Family.
