Amanda Bassett: Owner/Director/Instructor

Amanda received her B.F.A degree in Dance/Ballet at Point Park University under the direction of Susan Stowe. She has performed for many choreographers such as: Kiesha Lalama, Peter Merz, Gina Patterson, Francesca Harper, Megan Doyle, and also had the honor of performing Balanchine’s version of the Raymonda Variations. Amanda performed at City Center as a YAGP NYC Finalist. She has performed all over NYC including Carnegie Hall for choreographer Bill Hastings, and at Central Park for choreographer Ofelia De Mola and Yellow House Productions, and was a Lead Company Member with Community Dance Project NYC from 2011 to 2016. She has performed at Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Mark Morris Dance Center, 92nd St. Y, Peridance, Steps on Broadway, Dance Teachers Summit, DNA, Dixon Place, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Bridge for Dance, and more. Amanda is the Co-Founder of AGile Dance Collective, which is a dance company based in NYC and Westchester County. With the company she has choreographed several pieces of work that have been showcased throughout Manhattan and Westchester. Amanda has been teaching dance for over 10 years, and along the way has taught many notable students such as Hillary & Bill Clinton’s granddaughter (Charlotte Mezvinsky), Jimmy Fallon’s Daughter (Winnie Fallon), Alec Baldwin’s Daughter (Carmen Baldwin), and Martha Stewart’s Granddaughter (Jude Stewart). Amanda has also created and implemented a complete ballet curriculum for all ages 2-18. Amanda is honored to take all her years of training, performing, teaching and dedicate it all to On My Toes Dance Academy as the owner and studio director!

Cassie DeNisco: Assistant Director/Instructor

Ms. Cassie began dancing at only 18 months, as soon as she could walk, here at On My Toes Dance Academy. She has trained in various styles of dance and was asked to be a lead teacher as soon as she graduated high school. She has now been teaching dance for almost 8 years and has loved every minute of it.

Ms. Cassie’s passion for dance stemmed from her experience at On My Toes where the atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive for all dancers. She is excited to continue providing that experience for other dancers and sharing her love of dance in her new role. Ms. Cassie will continue to run our social media accounts, handle administrative work and support Ms. Amanda in whatever the studio needs!

Cynthia Alonzo: Elite Team Choreographer

Cynthia originally from Dutchess County, NY has been dancing for over 20 years. A 2013 graduate from Manhattanvile College, Cynthia received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance & Theater (concentration in Dance). In 2016 she was accepted into, and completed Broadway Dance Center’s prestigious Professional Semester. Cynthia has trained with some of the best in the business and has performed at such venues as Madison Square Garden, New York City Center, Walt Disney World, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Her choreography has been featured during pre-game and half-time for the New York Knicks, New York Liberty and the Brooklyn Nets. Cynthia is grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as an artist, and to share her knowledge and experiences with all of her students.

Simon Alexandris: Hip Hop

Rachel Shaver: Lyrical & Advanced Jazz

Rachel grew up dancing in Chesterfield, Virginia and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the Conservatory at Shenandoah University. She was fortunate to perform with Washington D.C. based contemporary dance company Christopher K. Morgan & Artists while still in school and was later presented as an independent artist in the D.C. dance scene. She moved to New York City with the goal of broadening her dance education and fell in love with teaching. She has continued performing for various NYC based choreographers while exploring her own choreographic voice. Rachel teaches at numerous Westchester local studios, and has recently been added to the faculty at Broadway Dance Center in the Children and Teens Program. She has been teaching Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, improvisation, composition, and more for 10+ years. She holds a certificate in Personal Training from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and enjoys coaching her fitness clients in private and group classes. Rachel is currently studying to obtain her doctorate in Physical Therapy in the coming years. Her deepest passions are in movement and connecting with others through creativity

Micki Bless: Instructor/Front Desk Assistant

Micki began her dance training at the age of 6 at Dance Works in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, she attended the Fordham University/Alvin Ailey American Dance School’s BFA program. During a hiatus from college, Micki was a featured dancer and magician’s assistant for The Bart Rockett Magic Show in Branson, Missouri. Micki completed her BFA at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, California. Immediately following her time at CalArts, she produced and choreographed, along with other CalArts alumni, shows in both Studio City, California and Edinburgh, Scotland. Micki has performed for various industrials and independent projects in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. In 2019 Micki was invited to perform in “Oceans of Violet” A Tribute to Prince, a charity fundraiser event in Portland, Maine to benefit the Recovery Community. Micki continues to dance and perform with the band Rubix Kube: the Ultimate 80s tribute band, across the country and internationally. She believes passionately in teaching dance to the younger generation and has been doing so for over 20 years.

Kristen Alleva: Instructor & Event Host

Kristen started dancing at the age of 3 and has been at On My Toes ever since. Over the years, Kristen has trained in various styles of dance and her love of dance kept growing. Kristen was an original member of the elite competition team at On My Toes. She has also been a dance assistant at the studio since the age of 13 and continues to help out with studio events. Kristen is currently a full time student at Sacred Heart University and is also a student choreographer for the dance program. Kristen’s biggest passion in life is dance and she loves to share her love of dance with others.

Tiffany: Musical Theater & Acting

Tiffany’s journey in the world of dance began in Georgia at the age of 3. Under the guidance of the facility of The Gainesville School of Ballet, she delved into classical ballet, eventually becoming a member of their pre-professional company during high school. Her passion for the performing arts led her to Brenau University, where she pursued a BFA in Musical Theater with a minor in Dance Performance. There she broadened her interests beyond ballet to encompass the dynamic realm of Musical Theatre. Upon graduating, Tiffany moved to NYC, where she continued to explore various dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. Her talent caught the attention of choreographers, earning her a coveted spot performing in the NY Jazz Choreography Project with STEPS. In addition to her performance endeavors, Tiffany has honed her choreography skills, contributing to high school productions of The Wizard of Oz, Junie B. Jones, and The Music Man, as well as children’s theatre productions of Once On This Island Jr., and Annie Jr. While taking a fulfilling hiatus to focus on motherhood, Tiffany relocated from NYC to Westchester, where she discovered On My Toes. Through enrolling her daughter in classes and re-joining the dance community, her passion for dance was ignited once again.Tiffany is excited to join the esteemed team of teachers at OMT, and is eager to share her love of dance while nurturing the next generation of dancers.

Lauren: Front Desk Assistant

Lauren will be at the front desk on Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm!

Sarah: Jumps & Turns/Conditioning

Sarah Nelson is a professional dancer from NYC who honed her skills while growing up competing at Robin Dawn Academy in Florida. She graduated from Pace University in 2018 with a BFA in Commercial Dance and has been working professionally ever since. From performing with Step One Dance Company to touring with Holland America Line and joining RWS Global, Sarah’s talent and passion for dance shine through in every performance. She’s worked with choreographers like Melanie Lewis, Adrian Lee, Brooke Wendle, Josh Assor, Kellen Stancil, and many others. With a deep passion for dance, Sarah is not only dedicated to her own artistry but also to educating and inspiring the next generation of dancers.