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Jenni Sitzman
Posted on August 8th, 2025
Jenni Sitzman
Jenni Sitzman began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Nokesville, Virginia. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, pointe, hip hop and acrobatics.
She went on to compete regionally for many years, winning overall and specialty awards. Jenni currently is studying at the Joffrey Ballet School as a Jazz & Contemporary Trainee under the direction of Angelica Stiskin and Bradley Shelver where she is also earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
Jenni aims to create a safe and inspiring environment for children to grow in all aspects of life while exploring their creativity and love for dance.
Brittini Schreiber
Posted on September 6th, 2023
Brittini Schreiber
Teacher
Brittini Schreiber began her dance training at age two, studying ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and ballroom. She trained in classical ballet and pointe at The American Academy of Ballet in Amherst, New York.
Brittini has held leadership roles as Executive Dance Director of the Summer Stock Cooperative Theatre Company and Artistic Director of the Silhouettes Dance Company. She has toured Ontario as a Special Awards Judge with the Northern Stars Dance Competition and performed with Pick of the Crop Dance Company.
From 2012–2015, Brittini served as Creative Director at ModDance Studio and helped launch ModDance Company. Since relocating to New York City in 2016, she has appeared in numerous film, television, and commercial productions, including The Deuce, Master of None, Bull, and Wonder Wheel. She also choreographs for musicians, with credits including Say She She and Glitch Cake
Sophie Smolsky
Posted on September 5th, 2023
Sophie Smolsky
Teacher
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Sophie began her competitive dance career at the age of 2. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, pom, hop-hop, tumbling, improv, and dancer pilates. Sophie is a graduate of St. John’s University, where she was a member of the school’s Division 1 Dance Team. During her four years, she won several national titles with the team, including a National Championship in Division 1 Hip-Hop in 2020.
Sophie has been teaching since the age of 18. Her classical repertoire includes The Snow Queen and The Dew Drop Fairy from the Nutcracker. She is passionate about working with kids, teaching proper technique and movement, and most importantly giving young dancers a judgement free space to do what they love.
Sophie Smolsky has been on the faculty of Rose Academy of Ballet since 2020
Melissa Wilson
Posted on January 12th, 2023
Melissa Wilson
Program Director, Teacher
- BFA University of Akron
- MFA Tisch School of the Arts
- MAT Queens College
- Preschool teacher, St. Bartholomew’s Community Pre-School
- Choreographer, Wil Rose Dance Ensemble
Melissa was a member of Dayton Ballet II, Dayton Opera, Charleston Ballet Theater and has danced with classical and contemporary companies in NYC. She has also worked on feature films, and appeared in national commercials for Aleve and regional ads for Nickelodeon. Melissa has taught at Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Academy East, and assisted classes at Ballet Tech. Melissa was formerly the After-School Program Coordinator for the Dalton Middle School in NYC for four years and has been the Program Director of Rose Academy of Ballet since 2006.
Daniella Alexis Hernandez
Posted on August 23rd, 2022
Daniella Alexis Hernandez
Teacher/Administrative Assistant
Daniella has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance with a minor in Sociology from Queens College and is a New York based dancer/choreographer with training in Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Jazz, and Hip-Hop. Daniella has performed in music videos and as a celebrated member of the Queens College Student Company. Notable Teachers include Edisa Weeks, nia love, Guanglei Hui, and Marshall Davis Jr. Daniella is an accomplished choreographer and is actively pursuing her MA in Dance Education at Hunter College.
Daniella joined the Rose Academy of Ballet faculty in 2020, working as a dance teacher, dance team choreographer and administrative assistant.
Safety Precautions
Posted on July 25th, 2020
Safety Precautions
(updated, June 2022)
Please submit this heath questionnaire before your arrival each day of attendance.
We will continue taking many safety precautions to ensure the protection of both our students and staff. Please keep in mind that safety guidelines are constantly being updated and we may update protocols We will do daily temperature checks for students and staff upon entry. As of June 14, 2022, masks will be optional for students.
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- Sanitizing surfaces between classes as well as frequently cleaning doorknobs and door handles throughout the day and providing hand sanitizer in each studio and in the lobby
- Bathrooms will be continuously stocked with soap and paper towels, encouraging students and staff to wash hands frequently
- Parents will drop off students and return at pick up
- Request that students come to class dressed and with hair completely done when possible
- Parents and family members are not allowed to wait inside the building during class time (zoom links available for viewing classes)
- Make up classes are extended to 3 per fall and spring semesters and 3 during summer semesters.
- When traveling, please be sure to follow quarantine guidelines and notify the school if you have travelled outside the country or are in contact with those in quarantine.
- We will be requiring the results of a negative Covid-19 PCR test before a child may join a camp session or workshop hosted by the studio.
- Beginning fall 2021, proof of vaccination for adult students is required to participate in classes at the studio. You can use the NYS Excelsior pass:
We use resources and health and safety guidelines from NYS, DOH, and CDC. We are continuously checking for new updates so that everyone has a safe and healthy experience at Rose Academy of Ballet!
Important
We advise that if any family member, your caregiver, or your child feels ill, or if your child has been in contact with someone who exhibits symptoms of illness, please do not come to class. Also, when recovering, please make sure you have written documentation from a physician that you are cleared to return to activities, before you return to your dance classes. In the event that your child’s preschool, elementary, middle, or high school is quarantined, you will be asked to attend dance classes virtually, or make up the class in person, once your quarantine has ended. NO EXCEPTIONS
We must all work together to keep our studio environment as safe as possible. We all thank you for your support!
PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Posted on November 2nd, 2017
Spring Recital 2026:
Performance Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Tickets: CHECK BACK WHEN ON SALE!!!
Dance Team Season 2026-2027 Auditions:
- Mini Auditions ages 4-5 | TBD
- Junior + Tween + Teen Auditions | TBD
Faculty
Posted on July 12th, 2017
Get to Know Our Faculty
Program Director
Melissa Wilson
Teachers
Kara Cooper
Daniella Hernandez
Sophie Smolsky
Jenni Sitzman
Wakana Yepifanova
Brittini Schreiber
Music Coordinator
Sylvie Yannello
Artistic Director
Posted on July 10th, 2017
Musical Theatre
Posted on July 10th, 2017
Musical Theatre Dance
Students will explore theatre dance from musical favorites like Matilda, Hamilton, Newsies, and Lion King! Join us for the fun!
For ages 6-teen. Come join the fun!