Faculty

Amanda Bassett

Owner/Director

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

Ms. Cassie began her dance journey at just 18 months old, taking her very first steps here at On My Toes Dance Academy. From a young age, she developed a passion for dance and went on to train in a variety of styles throughout her years as a student. Shortly after graduating high school, Ms. Cassie was invited to join the teaching staff at On My Toes, beginning what has now become more than 10 years of teaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers. Her passion for teaching comes from her own experience as an OMT dancer and the welcoming, inclusive environment that makes every dancer feel valued and supported. With a strong background in Acro, Ms. Cassie has played an instrumental role in developing and building the Acro program and curriculum at On My Toes. What began as a small program of just one class has grown to nearly 75 students, ranging from Intro to Acro through Level 4 with multiple class options at each level. She takes great pride in helping dancers build not only their strength, flexibility, and technical skills, but also their confidence. In addition to Acro, Ms. Cassie has a passion for working with preschool-aged dancers through the OMT Preschool Curriculum and enjoys creating engaging, age-appropriate classes that inspire a lifelong love of dance. She also loves choreographing award-winning competition pieces and helping dancers bring their creativity, artistry, and individuality to the stage. Ms. Cassie is passionate about creating a positive, encouraging environment where dancers can grow both technically and personally, and she is proud to continue sharing her love of dance with the OMT community.

Cynthia Alonzo

Instructor

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.

Micki Lovelady

Instructor

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

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.

Simon Alexandris

Hip Hop Instructor

Currently finishing his last year at NYU, Simon expects to graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and two minors in Spanish and Dance. Training Street Style dance since age eleven, by age fifteen he fell in love with all aspects of the creative endeavor due to his world class mentors. Performance credits include: Symphony Space, 92nd street Y, Westchester Arts Council, NYU Masters’ Dance Concert, Tarrytown Music Hall. Fast forward eleven years of performing professionally on stage/camera and teaching Hip Hop/Bboy workshops all over New York State for nonprofit organizations and public schools; Simon wishes to empower the next generation with all the love, respect, and support that was entrusted to him as a young boy. “I want my students to feel safe and appreciated before anything else”. Most recently, Simon was chosen to participate and learn from some of the Hiphop community’s most prominent trailblazers and industry experts at New York City Center. Training with the likes of Buddha stretch, Charlene Chi-Chi Smith, Adesola Osakalumi, and Jon Lock to name a few. The multitude of dance foundations and cultural knowledge Simon experienced through the program only reasserted his profound passion to teach. Thanks to his time at NYCC, he is more than ready to get back to sharing the formative values of HipHop to those artists willing to learn. As a newly endorsed Street Dance ambassador, Simon is ecstatic to continue the Street Style movement that his mentors pioneered in good faith.

Tiffany de Bruyn

Instructor

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.

Gianna Cusato

Instructor

Born and raised in Albany NY, Gianna became signed to her talent agency at the age of 17 after being scouted by MSA. She attended SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance in 2021 earning a BFA in dance performance. She values her collegiate training for providing her with the tools to develop her own artistry. During her time at Purchase, she was given the opportunity to study abroad and spend a semester training at Korea National University of the Arts in Seoul, SK. She began her professional career soon after graduating. Some of her credits include modeling for the Walmart/Zeekit Virtual Try On, Lil Uzi Vert’s music video Demon High, and a featured dancer in Step One Dance Company on board Holland America Line. Aside from her professional career, she loves to experience multiple fields of artistic work and prides herself on always learning a new skill, whether it be dance or not. She absolutely loves teaching classes and workshops in local studios as well as sharing spaces with other artists to collaborate on fun projects.

Emelia Sikorsky

Instructor

Emelia Sikorsky is a 2024 graduate of Adelphi University. Emelia has a strong passion for arts in education, she started her teaching journey at 11 years old and has continued to lead classrooms throughout high school and college. She teaches creative movement, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. A creative approach to the arts and accessibility are the roots of her teaching philosophy. Emelia has interned with Alvin Ailey’s PR team, house management at Jacob’s Pillow, and has worked as a group leader for AileyCamp; a free program supporting life skills through dance to New York City residents. Emelia’s background in patron services translates into her work of supporting and meeting community needs. Keeping dance as a holistic way to learn discipline and greater life skills students will take with them into the world.

Kayla Fields

Instructor

Kayla Fields began dancing at 4 years old and never stopped. She trained under Lisa & Peter Naumann at the New Paltz School of Ballet. At age 10, she was chosen to dance with the New York City Ballet in Coppelia. She later trained privately at Ballet Academy East with Tara Mora while taking class throughout the city as well as performing with the Dances Patrelle company in their Nutcracker. Kayla then moved to Boston to further her training at the Boston Ballet under the direction of Margaret Tracey. With the experience of learning from many different teachers, she started teaching and training dancers after moving back to upstate New York. Kayla continues to perform and take class so she is always learning. She is excited to continue sharing her knowledge and passion with these dancers.

Emma Pisciotti

Instructor

Emma Pisciotti graduated from St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. in May 2024, with a Bachelor’s degree in childhood education and a concentration in psychology and pursued a Master’s degree in special education through their 5-year program, graduating in May 2025. Emma worked as a substitute dance teacher at her home studio, Dance for Joy, where she would teach dancers of all ages. Emma danced at Dance for Joy for fifteen years, training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and pointe. Additionally, she choreographed dances for their student choreography showcase and was a company team captain. Alongside her experience at Dance for Joy, Emma became a member of Motion Dance Company at St. John’s University, working as their Treasurer and Vice President for two years. She held workshops for dancers of all levels and created routines that were performed in addition to being part of in Alpha Psi Omega’s Dance Concert at St. John’s University, acting as a choreographer for two years. Emma is excited for the opportunity to work with the OMT dance community.