Westchester Performing Arts Studio is a family-owned and operated business. We pride ourselves on our core values, beliefs and morals. Our love for the performing arts will transcend through our classes. It is important that each student feels like they are a part of a team and family. At the studio, friendships will blossom and passion will thrive. We're excited to open up our business and hearts to all of you.
studio director
Marci Meyer
Marci started her theatrical career in dance at the age of nine, with The New York City Ballet. She’s performed notable works such as The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Lincoln Center. She was cast in the 20th Century Fox movie production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well.
At around 20 years of age, she started singing and studied privately with Gina Pennzarela and vocal coach Bill Engles for 10 years. Marci performed in various cabaret clubs, a Cole Porter Review, and also performed in various musical theater shows throughout the years, including but not limited to: West Side Story, South Pacific, The Pajama Game, CATS, Les Miserable and more.
She has been teaching group and private musical theater classes for multiple years. She brings her passion and expertise into every class she teaches & looks forward to sharing her love for theater, dance and singing with all of you.
president/CO-OWNER
Gaye Giannotti
Gaye Giannotti has been a "dance mom" to one of our teachers, Mags Giannotti for 15 years and was happy to partner with Marci Meyer in opening our own dance studio.
Through the years she has watched her own child grow more confident and creative by studying and performing in dance, theater and singing and is very happy to be able to help other children grow from their love of the performing arts also.
HIP HOP, LYRICAL, SINGING, & TAP
Mags Giannotti
Mags Giannotti is an NYC-based dancer and choreographer who has been studying dance since the age of three and has been teaching since the age of thirteen. They have trained in hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, modern, dance for musical theatre, ballet, tap, pointe, and musical theatre and was a competitive dancer and singer for seven years. They have competed at and choreographed for competitions across the East Coast.
Mags has also done musical theater for twelve years, appearing in roles such as "Bebe" (A Chorus Line) and "Nettie Fowler" (Carousel), at Manhattanville College. Other credits include "Fruma Sarah" (Fiddler on the Roof) and “Amneris“ (Aida). Mags is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a minor in Technical Theatre and Communications at Manhattanville College.
They currently teach our senior competition lyrical, hip hop, singing, and recreational tap. Mags' love for teaching shows in their students’ progress and they love watching them grow in their talents and love for the arts, as well as grow as people.
HIP HOP & ACRO
Andre Lee
Known for his storytelling style performances, Andre Lee boasts a dance and choreography resume that includes superstars Rihanna, Usher, Shakira, Natalie Portman and new comer Leikeli47 to name a few. His work has appeared on television networks MTV, BET, Lifetime, as well as touched several arena and music festival stages all over the country, which includes 2018's BET Experience in association with The BET Awards. Numerous choreography awards and 2 National Championship wins via the dance competition world aside, Andre has set goals beyond personal achievement and focuses on the success of his students.
Both past and recent students have booked tours with recording artist Ariana Grande, music videos with Wyclef Jean, appeared on the mega hit dance show 'Dance Moms' and performed on music's biggest night the 60th annual Grammy Awards. Andre has cited creating the next generation of performers as a real passion, "being able to see something no one else can yet is a gift I'm honored to both have and share!"
CONTEMPORARY & TAP
Chloe Mae Kastner
New York City-based dancer and choreographer, Chloe Mae Kastner grew up in Westchester county and studied dance from 3-18 at Academy of Dance Arts. Kastner studied ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, modern, contemporary, theatre dance but took a special liking to tap. Because of her tap training, rhythm-based composition became a key component in her choreography from a young age.
Upon graduating high school, Chloe worked with the musical theatre group, Theatre MAMA, where she performed daily in Times Square working as a brand ambassador for the Radio City Rockettes as well as the broadway shows: “Finding Neverland” “Paramore” and “Chicago”. You can also see Chloe in Caitlin Dwyers music video “Games” as well as “Neck Tattoos” and "Classes" by Live Well. Chloe has modeled for Paramour on Broadway, Stand Steady Desks, and She+Sky.
May 2019, Kastner graduated with a BA in Dance at Manhattanville College where she performed for Marta Renzi, Andrei Kisselev and Takehiro Ueyama. prior to graduation, Chloe founded her own dance company in November of 2018 upon being accepted to the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. During CKDC's global debut at the 2019 Fringe, she was recognized by BBC and dance critic David Meade. Since then, Kastner has continued to tour her work globally as well as nationally. Kastner has brought her talent to the feature film screen as well where she choreographed for "Discontinued" now available on AppleTV. Chloe is truly a storyteller and wants the world to see how dance can speak the words, that we cannot find.
Hip hop and Acro, Creative Movement, Contemporary with tap
Princess Carnes
Princess Carnes is a dedicated dance educator with over two decades of experience working with children and young adults. She has had the privilege of teaching a wide range of dance styles, including African Dance, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Hip-Hop to students aged 3 to 21.
Her commitment to dance education goes beyond the studio, as she has played key roles in organizing and managing annual recitals, performances, and field trips. Princess also brings valuable childcare experience from her time at the Administration for Children Services, where she provided support and assistance during emergencies.
ACRO & GYMNASTICS
Olga Orkis
Olga started studying rhythmic gymnastics at a young age in Odessa Ukraine and worked hard to become a Ukrainian champion in group gymnastic exercises. She continued her education at the Russian Academy of Physical Education and Sports which graduated the most Olympians and world champions. During her college years, Olga participated in a teaching exchange program in both Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. Her love of dancing, music and gymnastics helped her to become the First Ukrainian Aerobic Gymnastics coach and she created her own style of teaching aerobic gymnastics.
Olga began her teaching career in the USA in 1994 at the United Nations International School and at the International Gymnastics Camp in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania where she worked closely with rhythmic world champion Anna Kochneva. She is currently working in Manhattan Club 92Y as a gymnastic coach, choreographer, and dancing instructor. She has coached many high-level competitive teams and several New York State Champions.
We are pleased to have Olga sharing her talents with the students of Westchester Performing Arts Studio as one of our Acro and Gymnastics teachers working with both beginners and advanced students.
Piano & Guitar
Roseann Tenore
Roseann has been teaching piano for almost 40 years. She has a New York State Music Teachers license, a Masters degree in Music Therapy from NYU, a Bachelors degree in Music Education and an AFAA Certification.
Roseann keeps her students self motivated by using music that the students like, as well as covering the basics. She is friendly and very easy-going and makes each lesson a positive learning experience. She does not believe in parents forcing their children to practice because this tends to dissuade students from learning. Roseann keeps her students for many years because the student’s self-motivation and success is so important to her. She has a lot of experience teaching handicapped individuals as a certified music therapist also. Music therapy has enabled to her to be a better teacher because the therapeutic aspects comes up during all lessons one way or another. Music educators focus on educational goals of music while music therapists focus on the therapeutic goals which increases concentration span and self-confidence.
Roseann teaches all styles and levels of piano, music theory, music therapy and beginner guitar.
