Downstage Center Dance Studio

Dani Tucci-Juraga, Owner/Director

Levels I-IV & Adult Tap, Ballet II & Adult, Adult Jazz & Zumba

Dani is a member of the Dance Educators of America, SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity.

Dani has enjoyed a professional dance career as Principal Dancer, and Swing for; (Broadway) Sesame Street Live, Camp Broadway Thanksgiving Day Parades, (Tours) Sesame Street Live-USA/Asia, The Magic School Bus, Disney Cruise Lines. (Film) 'Silver Linings Playbook’ under the direction of David O. Russell and choreography by Mandy Moore. (TV Choreography) NBC’s Hairspray LIVE Viewing Party at the Kimmel Center, Phila

Playhouse Production’s ‘Waist Watchers' The Musical (National Tour); The Bucks County Playhouse’s ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Playhouse Christmas Show’ (Scene Stealers Choreography) and Youth Company, YouTube series ‘My Sister’s Workout’ . Real life choreographer to Director, Lou Volpe (NBC's 'RISE').  Sesame Place San Diego “Welcome to Our Street” with director John Tartaglia, Delaware Theater Company “Plaid Tidings” with director Matt Silva. Most recently, Dani choreographed Texas Christian University’s 150’s Anniversary Celebration starring singer/songwriter Kelsea Ballerini.

Dani is a teaching artist at the Bucks County Playhouse and Adjunct Professor at Rider University for the Musical Theater Department. Her specialties are: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Zumba and “Hot” Power Yoga. 

She is the author of the published and award winning children’s book “Belinda and the ‘Boring’ Ballet Class” Dorrance Publishing. DaniTucciJuraga.com

Choreography Reel

Luke Profy

Contemporary & Jazz IV

Luke Profy started dancing when he was six taking classes in ballet and jazz. He quickly fell in love with all aspects of dance and branched out into more styles including jazz-funk, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, and musical theater. Luke has a Master’s of Education from Villanova University and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh having received his Bachelor’s in Science in Mathematics and a minor in Dance under the direction of Susan Gillis-Kruman. During his time at Pitt, he served on the Board of Directors for the Pitt Dance Ensemble and was a resident choreographer for the group. He has performed professionally with the Pittsburgh dance company The Blanket in their presentation of Christopher Williams’ St. Ursula and the 10,000 Virgins and worked on their production of Beth Gill’s Yolk & Grove. He has competed at various different regional and national dance competitions, such as Beyond the Stars, Starpower, Dancer’s Inc, and Headliners, placing in the top overalls for his solos and winning numerous regional title awards. Luke has been teaching dance for the past 10 years and has choreographed winning top overall pieces for all ages and styles of dance at the regional and national level. Luke currently teaches High School mathematics and statistics at Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, PA where he choreographs their musicals, recently a Funny Thing Happened in the Forum, Singin in the Rain, and Something Rotten which received the Philadelphia Independence Awards 2023 Best Musical Award! 

Kim Pearson

Pre-Dance I & II (Saturday)

Kim has a teaching degree from Kutztown University in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She's been teaching pre-dance since 2002 and at Downstage Center since 2007. She has always wanted to spark a love and passion for dance in young children and she is so grateful she has the continued opportunity to do so!

Kim has been performing since the age of 5 in all areas of dance, theatre and vocal performance. She has performed professionally at Sesame Place and can be seen on the stage at Kelsey Theatre where she has appeared in several musical productions such as: Something Rotten!, Dogfight, City of Angels, Shrek, Les Miserables, Urinetown, Suessical, The Wedding Singer, and The Wiz. Other theatre credits include: Snoopy – The Musical, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Once Upon a Mattress, The Boyfriend, Lucky Stiff, Irene and Anything Goes.

Kim has also had the opportunity to work behind the scenes as a choreographer for her college Dance and Theatre companies and has helped produce and choreograph shows at Sesame Place and at Kutztown Middle School. Of all the roles she has played throughout life, her most favorite and memorable one is being “Mommy” to her son, Parker!

Ashlyn Hale

Jazz Pop I & II

Ashlyn has been dancing at Downstage since the age of 3 training in all styles of dance, along with outside training in musical theater and vocal performance. She began her dance teaching career in high school as an assistant teacher at DSC for tap and modern classes while continuing to dance in school musicals landing her the role as dance captain in productions of Shrek the Musical, Footloose, and Hello Dolly. 

Currently enjoying a professional dance career at Sesame Place (Philadelphia), Ashlyn is an Entertainment Supervisor and Dance Captain, managing the department, shows and assisting in parade and show choreography; Santa’s Grand Illumination, Sesame Place’s 40th birthday in the Neighborhood Birthday Party Parade (2021). The All-New Mardi Gras Parade (2022), The All-New Show Welcome to the Party (2023). Most recent choreography, The All-New Furry Friends Pirate Dance Party (2023)

 She dreams of continuing to work in the entertainment industry to share her love and passion of dance and the performing arts. She is forever thankful for everyone who has supported her along the way on this crazy journey!

Lydia Miller

Intro to Pointe, Pointe, Ballet III & IV

Lydia Miller started dancing at age 4, she began her pre-professional ballet career at The School of Pennsylvania Ballet..  During her two-year tenure, she performed in 23 shows of Pennsylvania Ballet’s Balanchine Nutcracker.  In addition, she proudly represented the school at the Philly Youth Dance Fest. 

Under the direction of Pamela Levy and Douglas Martin, Lydia was asked to join the American Repertory Ballet as a Trainee on a merit scholarship.  She performed the roles of Snow and Flowers in ARB’s Nutcracker and danced The Waltz of the Hours in Coppelia. Lydia worked with acclaimed choreographers Mary Barton and Kirk Peterson and was honored to dance in Scarlet Sonata and Beauty and the Beast.  

In recent years, Lydia began working with Mark and Melissa Roxey, founders of Roxey Ballet and continued with the company for three seasons.  Lydia performed with the company in their adaptations of Dracula, Nutcracker and Carmen.  She danced multiple roles as a soloist including the Dewdrop Fairy in Roxey Ballet’s Made for Television Nutcracker 2020.  Lydia looks forward to sharing her love of dance at DSC this year!      

Brenna Bajor-Strine

Pre-Dance I (Tuesday), A Chance To Dance

Dancing since age 4, Brenna is a DSC Alumnus and teacher, trained in all areas of dance. She was Downstage Center’s first student back in 2001. Brenna studied at West Chester and DeSales Universities for dance, graduating with her bachelors in psychology and masters degree in counseling. Brenna works full time as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and lives in Bucks County with her husband Alex, their son Liam and baby Charlotte.

Sally Graham Bethmann

Ballet I & Pre-Dance I (Tuesday)

Sally Graham Bethmann is so excited to bring her passion for Dance and Ballet to the students at DSC. Her performance experience began at age 4 when she walked into her first ballet class. Now she can be found onstage at several local theaters including Music Mountian Theatre, The Kelsey Theatre, The Newtown Theatre, etc. She is a PA certified educator currently working as a Music teacher at several schools in the area. When she is not in the classroom she can be found running "The Little Music Corner", a platform dedicated to providing high-quality music education to early childhood age children. Sally brings her music classes to many preschools and daycares in the Bucks and Montgomery County areas. Sally also performs her class material at local events, birthday parties, and local libraries. Additionally, she teaches regular vocal lessons and coaches students for performances and auditions in the area. She resides in Bucks County with her husband Ian.

Anna Chandless

Hip Hop III & IV & Adult

Anna Chandless is a proud Alumnus of Downstage Center, where she trained in all areas of dance since a very young age. She recently graduated from Temple University with an Acting Major and Dance Minor achieving Summa Cum Laude honors. Her most recent performances at Temple are:  8, Ivanov, Top Girls and Brides of the Moon. Additionally, Anna enjoyed a professional dance career at Sesame Place for many years dancing in the Entertainment Department with our favorite furry friends. Now, she is now currently a working actress based out of NYC, doing television and commercial work. For the past three years, Anna has returned to DSC recitals as a special guest artist and is now enjoying her time with DSC dancers sharing her love of Hip Hop.

Jordan Hayes

Modern I/II & III/IV, Ballet II, Adult Ballet

Jordan Hayes (she/her) graduated from Temple University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. She is a Philadelphia actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, director and teaching artist. Some of her favorite credits include Sweet Charity (featured dancer; the Candlelight Theater), Tuck Everlasting (director/choreographer; Barrack Hebrew Academy), Godspell (choreographer; Neshaminy High School), and Head Over Heels (assistant choreographer; Temple University). Other experiences include being a featured vocalist for the Philly Pops Orchestra in Hamlisch- With Love, as well as a dancer and choreography intern for the Hairspray Live! Viewing Party with NBC Studios and the Kimmel Center.

Along with teaching Modern Dance and Ballet at Downstage Center this year, Jordan is a teaching artist, private instructor, director and choreographer for Wolf Performing Arts Center classes and productions.

Lauren Berry-Johnson

Jazz II & III

Lauren began dancing at the age of 2, and instantly fell in love. Her studies began here at Downstage Center, ventured to dancing competitively/professionally, and lead to her dance minor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Here she studied the rich history of dance, student taught a class based on the kinesiology and physiology of the dancers body, and was an active member of the West Chester Dance Company. 

 As a lifetime dancer, her previous experiences include residency with the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team. She also has performed internationally, in Mexico and Shanghai, on Broadway, and in countless musicals. Lauren can also be seen in the pages of A Wish Come True Dance Catalogs, and numerous iTheatrics musical films. Lauren is so excited to be sharing her passion for dance with the dancers at Downstage Center. She hopes that she can inspire dancers in the same place her passion began. 

Tara Canniff

Pre-Dance II (Thurs)

Tara developed her love from watching her Aunt Dani while growing us. Starting at age 2, she eventually studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary and Tap and enjoyed a professional dance career for seven years at Sesame Place, Langhorne/Philadelphia. Other credits include featured dancer for David Jack and other entertainment companies as well as numerous shows at the Kelsey Theater. She is an alumnus of Downstage Center since year one when she taught Pre-Dance.

Tara works full time and is most proud of her greatest accomplishments, her children, Jordyn and Carter She is excited to work with the little ones again at Downstage Center, sharing her love of dance.

Colleen Nay

Office Manager

Colleen began tap dancing at an early age, eventually joining the competition team (two performances in Disney World) and quickly added more styles of dance classes to her weekly schedule.  Colleen was excited to find Downstage Center through bring-a-friend week 10 years ago so that she could continue her love of dance. She enjoys watching all of the dancers both new and returning find their love of dance. 

Colleen earned her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she was part of the Dance Explosion dance team and the Equestrian team. During the day she is an Educator with the Morrisville School District. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her new puppy, Bailey.