Lauren Gualdino is a New York based dance teacher from Westchester County who has been dancing for over thirty years. She is ASFA certified in dance and hip-hop instruction.  She has a background in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop.  

Lauren has taught for a variety of studios and programs throughout Westchester County.  She also is the dance program coordinator for the Tuckahoe School District.  For the past 16 years Lauren was the Creative Director for the Dawn McMahon School of Dance Competition Team. 

Lauren is excited to be the new owner of New Directions Dance Studio and looks forward to inspiring her students to share her passion and love of dance. 

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Rob Coglitore is a working professional dance/teaching artist and actor, natively from New York. In the most recent years, Rob has made his Broadway debut in the Illusionists, performed regionally as Douglas in The Bodyguard, and was a swing in the immersive Off-Broadway hit, Seeing You. He can be seen dancing on celebrity trainer Shaun T’s cardio dance DVD CIZE, Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, the movie Isn’t It Romantic, multiple episodes of Saturday Night Live, as well as other appearances for NBC, MTV, TNT, and ABC. He’s toured nationally and internationally performing on stages such as Radio City Music Hall, Hammerstein Ballroom and the Orpheum Theater, and is a member of TheGrit founded by Broadway star Jon Rua. Rob also teaches weekly at Equinox. As a working professional one of Rob’s favorite aspects is being able to share his knowledge, passion and creativity with younger dancers aspiring to do the same or that just simply love dance. Following your dream is hard, but it will be worth it.

Angela Chimenti is a New York based choreographer specializing in tap, jazz, and musical theatre.  As a former competitive dancer, she has won various awards as a soloist and along with her team. She went on to dance with Undertoe Dance Project as a tap dancer. Soon after, she performed at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in 42nd Street. As a choreographer, she is excited to pass on her love of theatre and tap to her students!  In 2017, she performed with her students in the opening number of One Night with the Stars at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Angela has choreographed many musicals for elementary schools, high schools, and community theaters. Her students have won titles and prestigious awards both regionally and nationally. As a teacher, she makes sure to provide an encouraging and positive atmosphere for each and every student!

New York born and raised, Kimberly Garrick has been dancing for over 20 years. She is also a singer and musician. She loves being able to express herself through creative outlets. She is an alumni of Dawn McMahon School of dance and excited for this upcoming season as New Directions Studio. Kimberly has studied most genres of dance including Irish Step Dancing. This will be her 4th year teaching Hip-Hop at the studio. She found a passion for choreographing at a young age when she used to choreograph pieces for the Winter and Spring Showcase at a school in the Bronx. She was also lead dancer in her high school theatre productions such as High School Musical and Hairspray. 

Kimberly is a graduate of Manhattanville College and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a double minor in Music and Business. She was the captain of the Hip-Hop dance team called Minds in Motion at Manhattanville and has trained with many well-known professors like Shawn Garnier & Heather Cornell. She has performed at Disney World through out her college career with her dance team. Currently, she is a Grad Student at New York University - Tandon School of Engineering. 

She is looking forward to this season under the creative direction of Lauren! 

Jimmy Tate has been performing on stage for over 35 years. He did his first Broadway show at the age of 13, where he played the title role in "The Tap Dance Kid". From there he went on to appear in the Tony Award winning best musical "Big River"; "Jelly's Last Jam", "Bring in 'da Noise Bring in 'da Funk, and the Irish smash hit "Riverdance". On tour Jimmy recreated Savion Glover's role in "Noise/Funk, and won a 1998 Ovation award for his performance. Jimmy danced for former President Bill Clinton at the 1995 Kennedy Center Honors, and at the 1997 Presidential Gala. He also danced at the 1996 & 1997 Tony awards; as well as the 1997 Grammy awards. He was last seen performing an original work called “Toe Tappin’ Blues” with bassist extraordinaire Rodney Appleby at the Niagara Falls Performing Arts Center. Jimmy is also a singer, songwriter and guitarist. His first CD "Play Me" was finished in the summer of 2000. Besides teaching dance and choreographing, he performs regularly at clubs playing guitar and singing.


Jacquelyn Giardina is New Directions resident social media queen, makeup guru and the competition team’s fairy god mother.