Our Faculty

Kim Crispino is the Artistic Director and co-founder of Dance Central Performing Arts. A lifelong dancer, Kim began her training at age five, studying jazz and tap locally with Adrienne Logan—who was a student of the legendary tap dancer Fred Kelly—and continuing her training with prestigious programs including Alvin Ailey through Fordham University. After college, Kim taught jazz and tap at numerous schools in Rockland and Bergen counties. She is certified in tap through the Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey and continues to refine her skills by training with Karida Griffith and  iTap with Hillary Marie. Inspired to create a dance environment that supports both students and their families, she partnered with Miss Annie to establish Dance Central. Passionate about teaching, Kim delights in guiding her students as they learn, grow, perform, and develop into confident, accomplished young dancers.

Annie Paratore is the Administrative Director and co-founder of Dance Central Performing Arts. With a deep passion for dance and a commitment to nurturing students’ growth, Annie partnered with her longtime friend and instructor, Kim Crispino, to build DCPA. As Administrative Director, she oversees all operational and administrative aspects of the school, ensuring that every student enjoys a seamless, rewarding, and enriching experience. Her dedication and attention to detail make her a valuable part of the DCPA team, supporting both students and families alike.

Melissa Behler brings over 20 years of gymnastics experience, along with a strong background in jazz, ballet, and tap. Beginning her dance journey as a student at Fancy Feet Dance Studio in 1990, Melissa’s dedication and passion for gymnastics led her to achieve advanced skill levels and earn numerous competitive accolades. Driven by a desire to share her expertise, she joined Dance Central as an instructor and has been teaching for over 15 years, guiding students of all ages through beginner, intermediate, and advanced floor gymnastics.

Melissa’s students have achieved notable successes, including performances on “30 ROCK,” highlighting the high caliber of her instruction. She holds certifications from Dance Educators of America, the United Gymnastics Federation, Acrobatic Arts—a professional acrobatic dance curriculum—and is a certified Zumba instructor. In recognition of her outstanding teaching, Melissa was awarded “Teacher of the Year” by the Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She is proud to be an integral part of the Dance Central family, inspiring students to develop skill, confidence, and a love for movement.

Miss Allie has been dancing since the age of three and brings extensive expertise in Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Creative Movement, Tap, Pointe, and Lyrical. She has trained in New York City and Lafayette, Louisiana, earning certifications through Dance Educators of America and the Leap and Learn Childhood Development program. With fourteen years of experience teaching and choreographing in dance studios across the tri-state area, Miss Allie has received numerous choreography awards, including the title of “Platinum Winning Choreographer” in four competitions from 2014–2016.

Continuing her own training at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Miss Allie combines her professional experience with an upbeat and engaging teaching style, inspiring her students to develop skill, confidence, and a love for dance.

Bridget Fenton Clark teaches musical theater at Dance Central. A member of the studio family since its opening, she has been "The Voice of Dance Central," serving as the emcee for all recitals, and is a proud DCPA Company Mom.

Miss Bridget has extensive experience in musical, dramatic, and improv theater, both on stage as a performer and off stage as a director/producer. A member of Elmwood Playhouse for nearly 20 years, she has also performed in several Antrim Playhouse productions and collaborated with Music For Life Creative Arts Therapy.

Her favorite roles include Ilona (She Loves Me), Doralee (Smokey Joe’s Cafe), Graziella (West Side Story), and Hope (Urinetown). In addition to her time on stage, she has directed productions at St. Thomas Aquinas College and was nominated for Performer of the Year by the Arts Council of Rockland.

Jasón Wells is a New Jersey-based performer, choreographer, and dance educator dedicated to developing artists both technically and creatively. A graduate of Montclair State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Dance Minor, Jasón brings professional performance experience and a passion for storytelling into every class.

His teaching philosophy centers on creating strong, versatile dancers who move with intention, confidence, and authenticity. Drawing from extensive experience in contemporary, lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, and commercial styles, he encourages students to explore artistry while building a solid technical foundation.

Harper began his career at the age of eight years old in a summer musical in Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas panhandle. He moved to Fort Worth for three years after high school, dancing with Fort Worth Ballet. He then moved to New York City and began a five-year career with Field Ballets NY, rising through the ranks to the level of soloist. He performed for five years in the off Broadway aerial production of De La Guarda. He also performed across Europe with West Side Story, eventually assuming the duties of Asst Company Manager, Dance Captain and ultimately Production Stage Manager for a special opera production that also toured Japan.

He returned to New York to run operations in art galleries and auction houses. He now lives with his wife in Stony Point and in his spare time enjoys teaching, gardening, and playing music.

Emily López Pastin is a dance educator and choreographer with a diverse background in various dance styles. She began her training at Premiere Dance Studio near Philadelphia and holds an MBA in Organizational Management and a BS in Dance and Business Management from Eastern University. There, her studies focused mainly on modern techniques (Horton and Graham), jazz, ballet (RAD curriculum), and dance anatomy. In addition to her academic training, Emily has held various leadership roles, including Executive Assistant for The Fine & Performing Arts at Eastern University and Interim Creative Arts Director for The Salvation Army Potomac Division. 

Her performance and teaching highlights include dancing with MOVE Dance Company, performing at the O2 Arena in London, leading workshops in South Africa, adjudicating TSA’s Star Search competitions, and having her choreography featured at the American College Dance Festival Mid-Atlantic Conference. Emily is passionate about sharing her love of dance with young artists and is excited to be part of the Dance Central family!

Jade Jevnik received training with The New York Ballet Institute, Valentina Kozlova’s Dance Conservatory of New York and Irine Fokine’s School of Ballet. To pursue her dance training further, Jade left home at fourteen to attend ballet boarding high school at Bossov Ballet Theatre and The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, where she was the recipient of the Donna Neri Scholarship Award. Jade’s summer intensives include the Kirov Academy of Ballet, Ballet Austin, American Ballet Theatre (New York City), The Academie Americaine de Danse de Paris (France) and the Angel Corella Ballet Program (Spain). Jade’s highlighted performance credits include dancing with Momix at Yankee Stadium for Pope Benedict XVI, and the Neva Rainbow Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduating from the Nutmeg Conservatory, Jade joined Rochester City Ballet as a company member in 2010 and later on joined Ballet Des Ameriques Company.

Gabriella has trained for 15 years in a wide range of dance styles. She has performed in regional and national championship-winning routines, including two Top 10 placements at the World Dance Championship, and her choreography has earned numerous top placements and special awards.

As a choreographer and instructor, Gabriella inspires students to grow technically and artistically while building confidence and individuality. She has trained with renowned industry professionals and plans to continue studying dance in college.

Alyssa has trained at Dance Central since the age of two and is well-versed in a variety of dance styles. Her passion and dedication have led her to pursue dance at the college level, while earning recognition from college programs, industry professionals, and competitions, including being a two-time X Factor Award winner and Advanced Teen Title Soloist.

As an instructor and choreographer, Alyssa brings passion, positivity, and a strong work ethic to her teaching, encouraging young dancers to grow, build confidence, and reach their full potential.