shore dance center
staff
Meet Our Staff!
Brianne Patruno
Studio Owner & Director
Brianne has been dancing since the age of 3 and has not stopped since. She has studied all genres of dancing including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop and acrobatics. As a member of a competitive team for most of her middle school and high school years, she received many national awards from a number of dance competitions and workshops. During this time, she trained with master teachers such as Thommie Walsh, Frank Hatchett and Sheila Barker.
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Throughout these years, Brianne performed in Disney World, Disneyland, on Carnival Cruise Lines and for many athletic events. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Brianne had the opportunity to travel the country with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan working along side of many renowned choreographers.
Brianne graduated from East Carolina University where she majored in Education and was a member of their nationally ranked dance team. While at ECU she attended both UDA and NDA dance camps and competed at the NDA nationals. As a member of this team Brianne was able to perform in front of thousands of fans and became involved in many community service projects. Brianne has been teaching dance for over fifteen years and specializes in jazz, lyrical, and creative movement/preschool classes. In addition to dance she has been a certified Zumba instructor for the past several years. Brianne has choreographed many award winning competitive routines, and has had many of her students continue on with their dance education and performance after high school. Brianne was raised in Point Pleasant and is beyond grateful to be able to pass on her passion for dance in her community. She is very proud of what SDC has become over the past few years and looks forward to continuing to inspire dancers for many years to come!
julia zitarosa
Instructor, Social Media Specialist
Julia began dancing at the age of two and began training under Brianne Patruno at eight years old. She found her passion for teaching during high school as a Student Assistant working alongside our staff, and remained a part of the Shore Dance Center staff as she pursues her Elementary Education degree at Kean University at Ocean. Julia has experience working with our youngest dancers to our oldest, and brings her energy, patience and creativity to every class she teaches.
She serves as our lead teacher and choreographer for the SDC Petite Company Team, and has choreographed a number of award-winning routines for dancers across the studio.In addition to teaching, Julia helps manage SDC’s social media, and is the creative mind behind all of SDC’s custom gear. Her deep love for dance is evident in the positive and motivating space she creates for our dancers in every class, inspiring dancers to feel confident, supported and empowered to reach their fullest potential.
olivia zitarosa ricci
Instructor, Media Manager
Olivia has been dancing since the age of five and has been a part of Shore Dance Center since its opening in 2012. She has trained in all styles of dance, including tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and pointe. Olivia discovered her love for teaching at a young age while working as a Student Assistant alongside the SDC staff until she graduated from Point Pleasant Boro High School. Throughout college, Olivia continued teaching at SDC while earning her B.S in Business Administration and Marketing from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ.
While maintaining a successful corporate career, Olivia continues to dedicate her time to teaching and choreographing at SDC. She works with some of youngest to our oldest dancers on both the recreational and competitive levels, and has choreographed a number of award-winning routines. Olivia brings her energy, creativity and love for dance to every class, and takes pride in showing her students that dance can remain a meaningful part of your life, even if you choose a different career path.
In addition to teaching, Olivia helps manage SDC’s social media, website, scheduling and internal systems to keep the studio running smoothly year-round. She holds a very special place in her heart for Shore Dance Center and is proud to be a part of the SDC family.
brianna colwell
Instructor
Brianna Colwell, of Point Pleasant NJ, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ in May of 2015. She graduated with a B.A in Dance Performance and a minor in Arts Administration. Brianna has trained in many different dance genres including ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop. In January of 2014, Brianna auditioned and was signed to be a dancer on the Trenton Freedom Xtreme Dance Team for two seasons. Brianna continued her dance studies at the Princeton Ballet School throughout college.
Brianna has been teaching at Shore Dance Center since 2015. In 2018, she was assigned by Brianne Patruno to assist with SDC's Company Team. She has choreographed numerous pieces for the team and loves watching her students grow as dancers each and every year.
kristen ghidella
Instructor
Kristen has been dancing since the age of 2 and has been with Shore Dance Center since we opened our doors in 2012! Kristen graduated from Point Borough High School and Shore Dance Center in 2018. She has studied a variety of dance styles including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics and jazz. Along with taking classes at SDC and being a part of our Award Winning Company Team, she also was a Student Teacher working alongside our staff throughout high school. Kristen has been teaching at Shore Dance Center since 2019 and is excited to continue to share her passion of dance with all her students!
BROOKE KATSAFADOS
Instructor
Brooke Katsafados (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Brick, New Jersey. She began her training at Shore Dance Center before continuing at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble and is now completing her BFA in Dance with a minor in Business at George Mason University, graduating in May 2025. Brooke has performed works by Manuelle Vignouelle, Susan Shields, and Larry Keigwin, among others. Passionate about nurturing young dancers, she has been teaching since 2020 and is the founder of Brooke Ashlee Modern Movement. Her work blends dynamic physicality with emotional expression, fostering growth, confidence, and artistry in her students. Brooke’s dedication to dance has earned her recognition, including the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership and the NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award.
kristin katsafados
Instructor
Kristin has been dancing her entire life and has been teaching at SDC since we opened our doors in 2012! Kristin’s two daughters also attended SDC, both performing on our Award-Winning Company Team. Kristin has studied various styles of dance include ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. Currently Kristin assists with our Tiny-Tots and Preschool Ballet Program.
christy leckburg
Instructor
Christy has been dancing since the age of 3 and has not stopped loving it ever since! She has grown up dancing competitively at her studio, training in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and hip-hop. Christy attended Rider University and graduated in 2016 with a BA in Elementary Education and Dance Studies, and a minor in Early Childhood Education.
During her time at Rider, she choreographed and performed in many Rider Dance Productions, as well as continued her dance training at the Princeton Ballet School throughout all 4 years. Christy has choreographed many pieces for Shore Dance Center’s competition team, as well as being the resident choreographer for Princeton Junior School, where she is currently an elementary school teacher. Christy loves being able to share her passion for dance with her students and is excited for each year spent with the wonderful dancers at SDC!
felicia Martin
Instructor
Felicia Catney graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2016 from Westminster College of the Arts of Rider University, with a BA in Dance Performance, as well as a minor in Popular Music Studies. Felicia is an active member of NDEO, the National Dance Education Organization. Felicia has choreographed and performed in dance festivals such as the Biomorphic Festivals, in N.Y.C. and Philadelphia Fringe Festival. During her time at Rider, she choreographed and performed in many Rider Dance Ensemble productions as well as performed in all four of the dance department’s mainstage Rider Dances shows.​ During these four shows she has worked with experienced choreographers.
Felicia has also performed in many musicals and theater productions at Spring Lake Community Theatre. She is beyond thrilled to step out into the real world and use her art to perform, choreograph, teach and share her passion!
CAITY MCGULLAM
Instructor
Caity McGullam has been dancing since she was 3 years old training in jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, modern and was a member of the Shore Dance Center competition dance team. She is an SDC 2020 alumni. Caity received her Bachelors Degree in Dance and Education from DeSales University. Caity is a member of XTE Dance Honor Society and graduated with the 2024 Dance Ensemble Award. In the Summer of 2024 she studied with the Staibdance Company in Sorrento, Italy. Caity has taught various dance styles and techniques from beginner to advanced. When not dancing, Caity enjoys going to the beach, traveling, and hanging out with her friends. She is also training to get her yoga instructor certification. Caity is thrilled to share her love for dance with her SDC students.
taylor moslowitz
Instructor
Taylor has been dancing since the age of 6 and has been dancing with Shore Dance Center since 2013! She has studied various genres of dance including tap, ballet, lyrical, and jazz. Taylor started with us as a Student Assistant before graduating from Point Pleasant Borough High School in 2017. Taylor graduated from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ in May 2021 with her B.A in English Education. Taylor’s love for dance shows in each class she teaches and she loves being a part of the SDC team!
kelly paton
Instructor
Kelly has been dancing since the age of 3 and has not stopped since. She has studied all genres of dancing including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop and acrobatics. As a member of a competitive team from the age of 10, she received many national awards from a number of dance competitions and workshops. Throughout those years, she auditioned and was accepted into prestigious dance programs such as The Rock School of Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Shake the Floor, Broadway Bound International, Tap Kids, etc.
Kelly graduated from Penn State University where she majored in Education and Dance and was a member/ head choreographer of the Whiplash Dance Team. After college, she joined the SDC team and has been teaching now for three years. Although she teaches 2nd grade during the day, Kelly can’t wait to see her dance students after school to pursue their own careers in dance. Teaching children has always been her passion and she is thrilled to continue giving her all to the SDC students and seeing them grow into wonderful dancers!
CECELIA ZITAROSA
Instructor and Front Desk
Cecelia has been dancing since the age of 4 and has been dancing with Shore Dance Center since the studio’s 2012 opening! She has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, pointe, modern and musical theater. Cecelia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Baldwin Wallace University in 2020 with her BFA in Acting. During her time at BW, Cecelia continued to dance as part of her program curriculum, particularly deepening her training in ballet, jazz, and exploring the intricacies of modern dance.
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While Cecelia has worked professionally in regional theater and the indie film scene, her greatest passion is educating children through the arts. When Cecelia is not teaching dance class or helping with in-house operations at the front desk, she visits schools with Lead U, a performance-based leadership and empowerment educational program. Cecelia prioritizes building resilience, integrity and confidence in each of her dancers, giving them the foundations they need to forge a healthy and successful path as an artist. We love having Cecelia as a part of the SDC Family!
valerie alcantara
Office Manager
Valerie has lived in Point Pleasant her whole life and is our Office Manager here at SDC! She is the first face you see when you walk in, and the last face you’ll see as you leave. Valerie herself danced growing up, giving her extensive knowledge of the dance industry and the ins-and-outs of working in a dance studio. Her daughter has danced with SDC since we opened our doors in 2012 and is a proud member of our Company Team. We are so grateful to have Val with us!