Since it's inception in 2001, director Dana Ruggiero is thrilled to be starting her 26th season at Rooftop Rhythms Dance Studio located in the heart of downtown New Rochelle, New York!
Dana Ruggiero, Director/owner
Dana earned her associates degree in Dance and Business at Westchester Community College. Dana has been dancing since the age of two and began teaching at 14. She has been teaching dance at various studios in Westchester County and New York City. She continues to educate herself by attending dance teacher workshops and conventions to stay current to the ever evolving dance world.
She is Director of a Dance Studio at Rooftop Rhythms Dance Inc. since October 2001; She loves sharing her love of dance with her students and is so proud of the family that has formed amongst the students and teachers. Rooftop Rhythms is a safe space for students to express themselves no matter what school they go to or what group they hang out with. They are all the same and accepted amongst each other. It’s really a beautiful thing.
Rooftop Rhythms was honored with the Community Bridges Award in 2025 for Special Needs inclusion within the dance program.
Dana has accelerated the Performance Company through the years. They have received countless special judges awards at competitions as well as high achievement awards. They have performed locally for the New Rochelle community with performances in the New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade, Dancefest, honoring Robert May, and the street fair as well as local nursing homes, benefits, parades as well as Iona College and The Harlem Globetrotters.
Dana has earned Dance Awards for Choreography, and as Most Talent. 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, Riverdale Community Center at M.S. 141, and Daniel Webster.
Dana donates to local schools, breast cancer awareness, Walk MS, and Garito Manor retirement home and participates in and donates time to dance benefits and performances.
