Julie Pignatano

Julie Pignatano, a native of St. Louis, MO, is the “Professional Advancement Award in Dance” recipient from the renowned School at Jacob’s Pillow under the direction of Chet Walker. She graduated on scholarship from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood, CA, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Theatre. Growing up, Julie received many regional & national awards and titles, as well as being recognized as one of “Dance Spirit’s Future Rising Stars” finalists. Being a well-versed AEA performer, Julie has studied with numerous tap legends at the Saint Louis Tap Festival started by Professor Robert L. Reed, Lisa Hopkins, Artistic Director of Tap Kids, River North Dance Company Chicago, and at STEPS on Broadway in NYC. She was an associate choreographer for Labrinth's "Express Yourself" music video alongside the French directing duo, Jonas & Francois, who have directed music videos for such legends as Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Iggy Azalea. Julie appeared in the opening number for the 30th annual Lucille Lortel Awards in NYC and in the off-Broadway show “Shake The Floor”. She danced for ABC in Disneyland’s “A Christmas Fantasy”, FOX premiere of “Mobbed” hosted by Howie Mandel and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo, and in numerous Broadway productions at The MUNY in St. Louis. Julie is a well-sought-after regional and national-winning choreographer, teacher, and judge. She has had the pleasure of being the Lead Dance Instructor at AMDA's High School Conservatory Program in New York City for the past 2 summers as well as on the Dance Faculty at AMDA NY College and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Most recently, Julie was awarded the ADCC 2017 Industry Excellence Award for Top Show/Event/Tour Manager held in Las Vegas. She is the Show Director for Beyond The Stars Competition, has had the honor to be on the tap faculty with REVEL, and is also the Co-Owner/Founder of J.Fuzed Studios: a competitive dance music editing service. Follow her journey @givemeawink.

Marissa Jankowski

Marissa Jankowski is originally from the San Fransisco Bay Area, California. She began dancing at the age of 2 and continued for 16 years of study in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, lyrical, Hip Hop, and Pointe at a distinguished dance studio in California. She was awarded many regional/national titles and scholarships. Her intensive Ballet and Contemporary professional training continued at Alonzo King Lines in San Fransisco. She then attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, California, and graduated in 2013 with honors in receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Theater.

She worked for a San Francisco-based digital creative studio, Seedwell, dancing in two of their music videos racking up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and airing on Good Morning America. Walt Disney Company hired her as a dancer in the ‘Mickey’s Soundsational parade. Also, was selected to perform in the “Saving Mr. Banks” movie promotion for D23 Expo in Disneyland Anaheim. She has completed multiple cruise ship contracts for Holland America Line, Grand Celebration Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in their production shows. In Los Angeles, she was represented by The Movement Talent Agency, danced in Six Flags Magic Mountain’s production show, and performed with prestigious dance companies. She was an Assistant to Broadway and Television performer Alexis Carra for the ‘Dance Masters of America convention and renowned dance Teacher/Choreographer Liz Imperio. Also, she was honored to be the Assistant Choreographer and dancer tapping as Gregory Hines to the remastering of the folly sounds for Francis Ford Coppola's movie “The Cotton Club Encore”.

She has had the privilege of teaching and choreographing regional and national award-winning routines for over 10 years. Most recently, she has been a Ballet Director and Recreational/Competitive Company teacher for all ages, levels, and styles. Marissa’s greatest passion is to continue sharing her knowledge and is excited to teach the students at Dance City Productions!

Angela Yurtin Meadows

Angela grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA, and began dancing at her aunt’s dance studio, Christine's School of Dance. She was a competitive dancer and even competed against Abby Lee of Dance Moms! Her studio repeatedly won Overall Awards for groups, as did she for her solos. That continues to hold true for her own for her team today! Overalls, Entertainment Awards, Technique Awards, and Choreography Awards are not uncommon for Miss Angela! Angela’s style of teaching is rooted in strong, classic technique with a fun performance quality! Her favorite styles to teach are Tap & Musical Theatre.

Angela earned her BFA in Dance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. After graduation, she moved to Las Vegas to begin work as a professional dancer, turning down contracts with Holland America Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Kings Island Tampa Bay. Shortly after arriving in Las Vegas, she was involved in a horrible car accident and sustained fractures to her spine in two places, spinal compression, six broken ribs, and shattered bones in her fingers. She was told she would never dance again but beat the odds! She is so grateful to be able to continue to express her passion for dance through teaching and is inspired by her students every day! She currently resides in Naples, FL with her husband and 2 cats.

Ashley Shafman

Ashley is joining the Dance City Profamily with 22 years of dance training. Originally from Boston Massachusetts, she received formal dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, modern, contemporary, and Latin international-style ballroom. She continued her education and teaching at Wagner College in New York City where she began coaching high school teams and competed with Wagner’s Division 1 dance team. Before joining the Dance City Pro faculty, Ashley was the collegiate dance coach at the University of Saint Mary. Ashley is so excited to be a part of the Dance City Pro family, and can’t wait to watch our students grow and flourish! Fostering a love for dance is Ashley’s passion and she’s so excited to share it with our students

Mandi Caba

I grew up in Indiana and found my love for dance at the age of 5. I was on the local dance studio performance and competition team through high school and began teaching after graduation. In 2002, I moved to SWFL where I was a part of Florida Fire Cats indoor Arena football cheerleading team and taught Golden Gate High School indoor competition and outdoor dance teams. In 2010, I joined Dance City Productions’ amazing family. I have had the joy of teaching all ages from 2 years and up along with performance and competition teams. Over the past 5 years, I’ve moved to Indiana, Texas, and Georgia but have finally landed back in SWFL and I’m looking forward to being a part of this amazing faculty and dance family again!