Our Teachers

The teachers and instructors at The Dance Experience are what make our dance school the amazing place that it is. They all have a long history of dancing and a strong passion for it. It is our hope that their passion will inspire greatness in our students!

Janell Timmany

Janell Timmany-Hallenbeck is the director of The Dance Experience and is excited to return to teaching this season after a year off! She is a graduate of Russell Sage College, where she studied Ballet, Modern, History of Ballet, and Women in Dance, in addition to receiving a degree in Psychology. She is a school psychologist by trade who has studied dance for almost 40 years. Ms. Janell has experience working with all levels of dancers from 3 years to 75 years and from less structured camp settings to highly structured ballet schools. She lives in Delmar with her husband, 2 daughters, mom, dog & cat!

Trisha Miklic

Trisha Miklic received her early dance training at a local studio in her hometown in Upstate NY. Continuing her education and training in dance she attended SUNY Potsdam, graduating with honors with a Major in Dance. While in college, Trisha held a summer internship at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. After graduating from college Trisha moved to Chicago. While in Chicago she studied Jazz, Modern, Ballet and Pointe technique at the Joel Hall Dance Center. She also took classes at Lou Conte’s and the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Upon her return to New York State, Trisha began teaching dance. She has found teaching to be extremely rewarding and is so happy to have the opportunity to watch her students grow into more knowledgeable and experienced dancers.

Lauren Sheffer

Lauren is a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School, Siena College, and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Ms. Lauren has danced since the age of three and has taught classes at The Dance Experience for many years!

Nicole Hoffman

Nicole Hoffman has been a competitive dancer for 25 years specializing in all forms of studio dance including ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, hip-hop and musical theatre. In the past, she has had the privilege of performing in professional venues such as for the Boston Celtics.

Jessica Bennett

Jessica Bennett (Marsello) is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo where she majored in Childhood Education with Special Education, in addition to being an active member of the dance community both on and off campus. She returned to the capital region in 2011 to attend The College of Saint Rose. Jessica grew up dancing competitively in the capital region and has since been teaching dancers from ages 3 through adult. She teaches fourth grade and loves spending time with her husband and new baby. Jessica is looking forward to another wonderful dance season at TDE!

Robin Gifford

Robin Gifford has devoted her life to the art of movement. She began Ballet lessons at age four with former Rockette Agnes Reeves. Robin continued her studies, adding Jazz, Tap and Modern. During High School, she spent a summer at the legendary Jacob’s Pillow, studying with Lila York, Susan McGuire and Alvin McDuffie, and a semester as an intern for the New York State Theatre Institute. She was also a teaching assistant of dance at State University of New York at Buffalo and the State University of New York of Albany, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. She then discovered the many health benefits and the beautiful art of Tai Chi and became a certified instructor. Robin also teaches for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Dance Club and the College of Saint Rose.

Alyssa Marion

Alyssa has been a part of the TDE family since its inaugural year in 1996. Growing up at The Dance Experience, she trained and competed in jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, musical theater, and ballet. Alyssa received her bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in advertising from Boston University. While at BU, she was a 4-year member and senior captain of the BU Dance Team, during which the team won its first National Championship in the D1 Hip Hop category at the NDA Collegiate Nationals. Alyssa loves to take master classes in her free time – some of her favorites thus far have been from renowned teachers including Mia Michaels, Travis Wall, and Mark Meismer. She is thrilled to continue to choreograph for the TDE Superstars this year!

Hali Schwalb

Hali has been dancing for 13 years, 9 of which competing with the TDE super stars. She has competed in a range of styles from tap to lyrical and even hip hop. Hali is a junior at Bethlehem High School. In her free time she likes to hang with friends, play with her dogs and play for the Bethlehem Girls Varsity Golf team.

Bobbie Kirsch

Bobbie Kirsch grew up on Long Island where she studied Baton Twirling, which incorporates acro and jazz dance techniques, for 11 years. She earned seven consecutive State, Regional, and National Baton Twirling Championship titles, and a position on her organization’s World Trials team. Upon graduating High School, Bobbie joined the United States Marine Corps. While actively serving, Bobbie took hip-hop, tap, and jazz classes off-base to continue to improve her dance skills. Upon honorable discharge, Bobbie earned a TV and Radio Broadcasting Degree from SUNY Adirondack and a B.A. in Public Communication at The College of Saint Rose. While attending college, Bobbie danced professionally for the Albany Conquest Football Dance Team “The Treasures”, The Albany Firebirds Dance Team “The Fabulous Flames”, and The Albany Legends Basketball Dance Team “The Dream Girls”. Bobbie began studying dance at TDE in 2019, taking lyrical and hip-hop classes. This is Bobbie’s first time teaching dance and she is excited to share her knowledge and passion for hip-hop with the dancers at TDE!

Anika Strelow

Anika danced for 13 years at a studio in Massachusetts and then continued her dance education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where she was the President of the Dance Club. She has experience with ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical, and has actually taken adult classes at TDE herself!

Angelina Massaro

Angelina has been a dancer for 15 years, since she was 3. She is continuing her dance training at Russell Sage College. She has worked with multiple professionals, including Savion Glover, Mike Minery, and Randy Skinner. Angelina has also worked closely with the Rockettes at the Rockette Summer Intensive in New York City. She has attended the NYC Big Apple Tap Festival for many years where she works with many different tap inspirations. Angelina’s favorite genre of dance is tap but loves hip hop and contemporary as well. She loves to work with kids and see the impact she has on each one of their lives. Angelina started teacher assisting at the age of 12 then at the age of 16, she started running rehearsals and teaching classes of her own. She can’t wait to get more experience teaching and watch kids grow.

Anna Krupa

Anna Krupa is a junior at The College of Saint Rose studying Speech Pathology. She hopes to end up working as a speech pathologist at an Elementary school. Anna has been a part of TDE for 13 years. She has studied hip hop, lyrical, jazz and ballet. This will be Anna’s 5th year teaching at TDE. Anna loves working with kids and being able to share the love of dance through her choreography. She is very excited to start another year at The Dance Experience!