Online registration now open for our Fall session!!
About Us
Liz Schneider
Ms. Liz is an instructor and co-Director of the Sternfeld Dance Studio. Ms. Liz teaches Tiny Dancer/tumbling as well as Ballet, Tap technique, Musical Theater/Improv, and Dance Fusion. She also coaches the petite, mini, and junior competition team (ages 4 through 11).
She began dancing at 3 years old and grew to love dance, especially tap and ballet. She has continued to expand her knowledge through educational classes at the National Dance Education Organization as well as workshop classes with Avi Miller/Ben Ofer, Deborah Wingert, Rhonda Miller, Denise Wall, and Wade Robson. Liz also attends annual Dance Summits and is building her skillset through CLI Studios.
Ms. Liz graduated with a Masters in Social Work with the goal of becoming certified in Dance and Movement Therapy/Creative Therapies. She is currently training to become a certified Yoga teacher through the Akasha Yoga Academy and has recently joined the Upstage Productions Board of Directors.
Lena Alessi
Lena is instructor and owner of Sternfeld Dance Studio. She has been dancing since she was two years old. She began competitive dancing at a young age and continue after college. She has participated in multiple dance conventions and continues to add to her dance education each day. She was on the Suny New Paltz Dance team. Lena has studied types of dance and gymnastics. She is a choreographer for the Sternfeld competition team and teaching combo classes (Tap,Jazz/hip-hop,Lyrical). She is a 2nd grade teacher for Albany City School District and has a love for working with children! She enjoys working with students of all ages and watching them grow as a dancer!
Arlene Walch
Arlene started her dancing career at the age of 2 and began assisting with classes as a 7th grader. She started teaching her own classes in 10th grade. Arlene loves studying all types of dance but her primary focus and love is tap. She not only teaches the adult combination class at Sternfeld's, but she currently works as a nurse educator at the local hospital and is adjunct faculty at the local Community College.
Victoria Zidel
Victoria started dancing at age 3. She studies several different styles of dance but her favorite styles are ballet and tap. She has recently graduated with her childhood education degree and is continuing her education even further. Victoria teaches the beginner Tiny Dancer/Acro classes. She loves introducing the joys of dance to her young students.
Karrie Cox
Ms. Karrie is a dance and acrobatic instructor. Karrie also is the Junior Competition team's coach. She teaches and has taught all levels of dance and acrobatics from young beginners to advance dancers and gymnasts. She began gynmnastics at the age of 8 and dance at the age of 9. She enjoys dancing and tumbling as one of her main hobbies and passions.
Vada Simmons
Vada started dancing at age 3 and has been dancing with Sternfeld Dance Studio for the past 12 years. Through the years she has realized her love for lyrical and tap, and that love continues to grow. She began gymnastics around 8 years old and is a very passionate gymnast. Even though she is now a teacher of gymnastics, she continues to gain new skills each year. She is determined to help beginner/advanced gymnasts reach their individual goals!
"I'm excited for what each dance season has to bring! :)"
Madelynn Dickerson
Madelynn is a passionate and experienced dance instructor with over 20 years of expertise in various dance styles including acro, tap, ballet, lyrical, and musical theater. She was trained by renowned professionals such as Valery Lantratov, former principal dancer at Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet and Broadway Dance Center in New York.
Madilynn is committed to inspiring and educating students of all ages and skill levels.