TCPA Teachers and Staff

Linda Ciccone

Tracy Ciccone-DiTroia

 John D. Galli began dance training 35 years ago and has trained with the top teachers and choreographers in the world. An alumnus of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Boston Ballet Summer Program, and a former member of the Festival Ballet of RI (he was the Nutcracker Prince in 1982), Jon has also trained in Los Angeles and New York.  His extensive training includes all styles of dance: Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tap and Modern – from LA to Broadway, as well as extensive choreography and teaching experience. Some of Jon’s performance credits include Walt Disney Production in LA, Office Two-One Productions in Japan (in Japanese), the Young Americans in LA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (for Baryshnikov & Co., ABT). Some choreography credits include Young Americans in LA, Celebrity Cabaret for Special Olympics (with Tisha Campbell and Geri Jewell) in RI, as well as other regional performances. With a BA in Theatre Performance, Mr. Galli has trained in acting, directing, singing and music composition with professionals from across the country, including at Trinity Repertory Conservatory. Besides teaching at TCPA, Jon has been a dance competition adjudicator nationally for over a decade, primarily with Starlight Productions, and Jon is the resident choreographer at the Newport Playhouse and Cabaret. Jon also instructs master classes in dance and theatre; choreographs, directs and produces; and offers competition and audition performance consultation.

 Amanda Faiola started dancing at the age of four. Amanda even remembers when the studio was placed under the new name of Tracy Ciccone Performing Arts (TCPA) in 1994. She trained with Tracy every week in tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet. At the age of 14 she decided that she wanted to become an assistant teacher for TCPA and for 2 ½ years she was trained. Then in 2000 she finally became a dance instructor teaching children ages 2 ½-13. Amanda even held some adult tap and hip hop classes. With TCPA she has traveled to Florida to perform in Disney for the first time in 1998 and again in 2000, 2002, and 2004. Even two classes that she taught performed in Disney in 2004 and 2007, which Amanda was extremely proud to have represent her as an instructor and TCPA in general. Throughout her dance career she has gone to many conventions where she was able to take classes from famous choreographers, was a part of the dance team in high school, and participated in some dance classes at Rhode Island College (where she now attends). At RIC she is studying for her degree in early childhood education, but she still teaches dance part-time. Amanda says how much the motto here at TCPA is the truth “join as friends, leave as family” because she looks at Linda as her second mom, and at Tracy as an older sister. The studio has become her other family and she loves teaching here.

 Crystal Martins began attending Tracy Ciccone Performing Arts over 15 years ago. After attending other studios, the inviting, warm, and passionate atmosphere of the studio outshined all others. This family atmosphere allowed Crystal to become a permanent fixture. Throughout the years, Crystal participated in commotions, Disney World performances, dance conventions and various local performances. Crystal's love for dance was so strong; she went to the studio every day after school and Saturday mornings to assist Linda and Tracy. During this time she learned all aspects of the business and developed excellent teaching and performance skills. This lead to becoming a full time dance teacher. Crystal also attended school to become and esthetician. She now teaches part time leaving space to fulfill her other passions in life.

  Billy Angel

  Merinda Baron

 Arianna Buonanno has studied the art of dance since she was three years old. As an ultimate gold medalist during her years as a competition student, Arianna has had the good fortune to dance with Master Teachers in Providence, Boston, New York, Florida, and Las Vegas. She received many special performance awards for Showmanship, Style, and Technique. During her fifteen years of dance training,
Arianna has become proficient in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and hip-hop. Dancing has given her great enjoyment, a healthy work ethic, and life-long friendships. Dancing had a varied and dynamic impact on her life, and has taught her valuable lessons: to never give up, and to always strive to do your best. She is a deans list student at the University of  Rhode Island. She will graduate in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design; she will also receive a minor in art history. Arianna has been an advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness charities since the age of fifteen. She was crowned Miss Teen Rhode Island International in 2008 and used that venue to promote charity events and work to raise funds for the cause. Though she did not start out at Tracy Ciccone Performing Arts, she is honored to teach in a loving family oriented environment.

Kristina DeAngelis has been dancing since the age of three and has been teaching for seven years. She trained with Heather Rosciti artistic director/owner of Dance R.I. where she danced in various competitions, conventions and master classes. Continuing her passion she pursued her dancing career at Dean College School of Dance where she received her Associates Degree in Dance. She was trained in the four disciplines of ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. She had the opportunity to participate in Dance Extravaganza Five Minutes to Curtain featuring Maurice Hines, AC Ciulla, Derick K. Grant, and Jay T. Jenkins. Kristina choreographed and performed in several showcases and performances while attending the School of Dance. She then moved on to obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Psychology at the University of Rhode Island and joined the U.R.I. Dance Company. She also started teaching at The Studio and Performing Arts in Narragansett, Rhode Island in 2006 while attending school. That is where she was introduced to Rhode Island’s premiere tap dancer and choreographer Brian Jones. She has been studying with him since 2006 to present. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Kristina started working at Rhode Island Family Court where she continues her love of helping children every day in the Court Appointed Special Advocates Office. She is also on the Board for Friends Of Rhode Island CASA Inc. where she plans fundraisers and events to help raise money for the CASA Program. She recently performed in Dance for a Cause Fundraiser that was held in Cranston, R.I. Kristina is currently attending RIC where she is completing her Masters Degree in Social Work. She is very excited to join the Tracy Ciccone Performing Arts family and share her passion of dance with everyone.  

Laurie Guarini has an extensive background in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, ballet, acro, and preschool.  She has trained under world-renowned Master Dance Teachers such as Kelly Cannone, Gerri-Ann Genga, Hersey Marsden, Myles Marsden, Doug Caldwell, Dan Karaty, Wade Robson, Joe Termaine, and Mia Micheals in Rhode Island, Boston, Connecticut, New York, Las Vegas, and Florida.  She has performed regionally and nationally in events including the Epcott Center in Walt Disney World, Opening Ceremony for Major League Soccer, Dancers Responding to AIDS in New York City, Opening Ceremony for the Miss Rhode Island Pageant, an inter-office commercial for Koch Eye Associates, and many charity events.  Laurie has played many roles in her dance career from award-winning dancer, to teacher for studios throughout New England, to choreographer for regionally and nationally award-winning routines, to Artistic Director, to competition judge, to event planner for recitals, performances, and charity events, to Office Manager.  She has over a decade of teaching experience behind her.  Her love for dance has only grown over the years and she feels very lucky to be able to share that love through her teaching.

Alicia White

Kristen MacTavish began her dance education at the age of 3 studying under Donna Carter, Susan Messier, and Hope Specht totaling 18 years of dance education. Kristen owned and operated her own dance school located in Pawtucket RI from 1998-2006. She has studied and can teach all major forms of dance....ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics. She well known for my acrobatic/gymnastic dynamic instruction, contortion work, strength/flexibility, pre-school classes and musical theatre. She is certified through the Aerobic Fitness Foundation of America. Kristen's teaching style is fun, energetic, challenging and she puts an emphasis on technique in every class! She has taught throughout the New England area in private schools, dance schools, and Senior Centers totaling 12 years of teaching experience. Kristen is a mother to 6 beautiful children...she has a lot of patience!

Gianna Parrella - Teachers Assistant

Lanzi Baron - Teacher's Assistant

Maria Senerchia - Teacher's Assistant

Maria Kolacki - Secretary/Office Manager