Heidi Moe

Emily Galzerano is a highly trained and experienced dance teacher in Northern Virginia.

Her dance training spanned 23 years and included studying at:

• The Washington Ballet
• Richmond Ballet
• Steps on Broadway
• Ballet Academy East
• Broadway Dance Center

Emily also competed for 7 years, so she is no stranger to the rigors of competition life.  

She began sharing her expertise and love of dance at just 15 years old as a teacher of private lessons to competition kids.

Her teaching focus is contemporary and ballet, with a specialty in leaps and turns, although her teaching experience has included lyrical, jazz and musical theater as well.

“I make sure to give my all to every dancer that enters my studio space, and to make it a safe space to grow in this art form that we are lucky to share. Everyone in my classroom is treated equally, and will be accepted for who they are. I truly love being a teacher, and I look forward to teaching your dancer. Let’s get to work!”

Anne's dance journey began at age 5 in Detroit, Michigan. After studying ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theater, and Hungarian folk dance as a child, she went on to attend Churchill High School in Livonia Michigan, as part of a creative and performing arts magnet program. There, she studied ballet for 2 hours a day, and had instruction in modern dance and visual arts as well. Following high school, she attended Eastern Michigan University, majoring in Dance Studio Management with a concentration in dance education.

In addition to her years of dance training, Anne's performance credits include productions like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty at Eastern Michigan University, and performances at The American College Dance Festival. After college, Anne moved to Virginia to teach dance full-time. 

Anne has a special love for working with young dancers, finding joy in their inspiration and growth. Her expertise includes ballet, lyrical, jazz, and musical theater.

With over 17 years of teaching experience, Anne is dedicated to imparting lessons that extend beyond the dance floor. She finds true fulfillment in seeing her students apply classroom lessons to all aspects of their lives. 

Becca Henderson has studied dance for 12 years. She started assistant teaching and choreographing seven years ago and has run her own classes and choreographed award-winning competition dances for the past two years.

Becca choreographed the winning entry for Virginia Miss Abilities Queen 2019, as well as a Disney audition dance for Disney star Kaitlyn Maher, and co-taught an All-Abilities Dance Party alongside Rollettes star Steph Aiello. 

Becca has performed in local musicals, in Disney World on stage, and in the Main Street parade. 

Becca has a passion for making dance inclusive to students of all abilities and has choreographed group dances and solos for students with special physical and developmental needs. Becca specializes in jazz, contemporary and strength-building. 

Jeffrey Henderson brings to RISE over a decade of experience in performing on the competition circuit, as well as four years of experience teaching and choreographing for others in studios in Loudoun County, Virginia. Jeffrey has danced hip hop on NBC’s Harry Connick Jr. Show, tap danced in Chloe and Maud’s DC Tap Festival Showcase, and played lead roles in several local theatre productions. 

Jeffrey’s dance training includes studying hip hop and tap for ten years, musical theater for thirteen, and jazz for almost three. He pursues master classes in New York to keep his skills cutting edge, studying tap and hip hop with some of the country’s best teachers. 

As a teacher, Jeffrey brings his enthusiasm for dance and a dedication to helping his students reach their full potential. For both newer and experienced dancers, Jeffrey’s classes will challenge students to dance to the best of their abilities — even as they benefit from Jeffrey’s infectious enthusiasm for the art.

With over 35 years of experience as a dance educator, director, and choreographer, Lorraine Spiegler is a highly respected leader in the dance field. As the Founding Artistic Director of CityDance Conservatory from 2007 to 2024 (currently Emerita), Ms. Lorraine developed numerous successful programs. Under her direction, the conservatory has been elevated to becoming one of the region's premier centers for pre-professional dance training, listed “amongst the top 5% most prestigious dance academies in the USA” in a 2023 Northwestern University Study. Ms. Lorraine’s career includes teaching at The St. Croix School of the Arts, serving as an NEA artist-in-residence for the Caribbean Dance Company, and directing and teaching for Theatre Dance, Inc. After serving as a full time faculty member for the Washington Ballet, she was appointed as the first Director of Education and Outreach, co-founding the DanceDC Program and creating the “Dancing with Words” curriculum. Her work has garnered national recognition, including commissions from the National Symphony Orchestra for the “Music that Moves” Concerts. 

An advocate for international dance exchange, Ms. Lorraine has worked extensively in the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America.  Festival invitations include the Orizaba International Dance Festival in Mexico and  Nervi International Dance Festival in Italy. Her dancers have been invited to Prix de Lausanne International Ballet Competition in Switzerland, and Jackson International Ballet Competition, USA, and have received the full spectrum of NYCDA, NAACP-ACT SO, and YAGP awards, including YAGP Grand Prix and Gala performances. Ms. Lorraine has also received the  Metro Dance DC Award for "Excellence in Education," as well as the American University Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. She holds a B.A. in Dance and two Master's degrees in Dance History and Arts Management from American University.

Ms. Lorraine is highly cherished for her intuitive and holistic teaching style, which honors and accounts for where each student is developmentally.  She truly elicits passion and joy for dance as an art form and a medium for self-expression.

Lara Segrillo is a graduate of CityDance Conservatory, where she began her training at age 11 in classical ballet, pointe, and pas de deux. She studied under renowned master teacher Stanislav Issaev, Ludmilla Morkovina, and Anatoli Kucheruk, with a focus on traditional techniques and Petipa variations. While part of the CityDance Petite Conservatory, Ms. Lara learned the Cavalry Halt, Lilac Fairy, Black Swan, La Bayadere, and other essential ballet variations.

As a member of the Conservatory Dancers, Ms. Lara trained in modern and contemporary jazz, performing works by Choreographer in Residence Robert J. Priore, including pieces for “Casita” and the CityDance Gala. She has showcased her talent in prestigious venues, from the CityDance Studio Theatre to the Strathmore Music Center and the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC, during the annual DREAMscape GALA.

Ms. Lara gained recognition as a soloist in the 2016 DREAMscape GALA, performing "Mockingbird," which won a bronze medal at YAGP. She participated in YAGP finals from 2015 to 2018, dancing notable pas de deux and contributing to CityDance’s accolades for Best Ensemble and Best School.

Ms. Lara went on to share her expertise and passion for dance as a teacher beginning in 2021. She has worked under Lorraine Spiegler and has taught children aged 8-14 at summer intensives with organizations such as Koresh Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Philadanco. She has also served as Repetiteur for the Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker, collaborating closely with Lorraine Spiegler and Olga Aru. Currently, Lara teaches at RISE Dance Center in Virginia, CityDance Conservatory, and Seber Method Academy, where she also serves as a Repetiteur and Choreographer, creating contemporary solos for YAGP competitions. With a strong foundation in Vaganova ballet training, her choreography emphasizes the contemporary ballet genre. Lara is bilingual in Portuguese and English and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. She is dedicated to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Maryland, Jimmie Manners discovered his passion for dance at age three during his first ballet class. From that moment, dance has been a driving force in his life. He honed his skills at Thomas G. Pullen Performing Arts School through eighth grade, before advancing to the Baltimore School for the Arts for high school. Jimmie’s dedication paid off when he received a full scholarship to the University of the Arts, where he immersed himself in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and African dance. Since then, he has been on a relentless quest for rhythm and technical precision.

In 2006, Jimmie took a bold step by moving to New York City, where he joined Rhapsody the Company, a hip-hop-based performance group. With Rhapsody, he trained in the authentic style of hip-hop, which opened doors to a thriving career. Represented by Bloc Talent Agency, Mr. Jimmie has performed with iconic artists such as Eve, Ciara, Pharrell, Gwen Stefani, and Kendrick Lamar. Notably, he spent two years as a principal performer in Jennifer Lopez’s Vegas residency, “All I Have,” solidifying his place at the pinnacle of the dance industry.

Mr. Jimmie has also graced both television and film, portraying Earl Johnson in HBO’s award-winning series “The Wire.” He was featured in “Step Up 2,” where he had the unique opportunity to choreograph – and perform in -- the club scene alongside Channing Tatum.

Mr. Jimmie’s passion for dance extends beyond performance. His teaching career began in 2007, and he has traveled the globe teaching and choreographing at prestigious venues, including Broadway Dance Center in New York City and studios in Israel, Italy, Paris, and Barcelona. Currently, he shares his expertise with Team U.S.A. Figure Skating, inspiring the next generation of Olympic performers.

With an unstoppable mission to spread love and knowledge through the arts, Mr. Jimmie is a game-changer in the dance community, igniting creativity and self-expression in every student lucky enough to learn from him. Get ready to unleash your potential!

Jason Holley has established himself in the entertainment industry over the past two decades as one of the leading tap dancers of his generation. His powerhouse talent has graced Broadway, television, film, and stages around the globe, captivating audiences wherever he goes.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Mr. Jason began his journey dancing with Tappers With Attitude under the direction of Yvonne Edwards and Renee Kreithen, and as a student at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. 

Mr. Jason continued tapping under the mentorship of the legendary Debbie Allen, where he honed his craft and performed in numerous productions, including Brothers of the Knight, Pepito’s Story, Dreams, and Dancing in the Wings. He made his Broadway debut in the acclaimed production of Shuffle Along, sharing the stage with stars like Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Billy Porter.

In addition to his Broadway success, Jason has showcased his versatility as both a dancer and choreographer for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and Tokyo Disney. He also starred as Lincoln Perry in the stage production of A Wonderful World, further solidifying his place in the spotlight.

Mr. Jason’s television credits include performances on The Late Late Show with James Corden, All Rise, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Disney+ Encore!, and the 1996 Kennedy Center Honors, where he helped honor the legendary Shirley Temple. He also showcased his talent in season 2 of World of Dance.

Recently, Mr. Jason appeared in the holiday musical film Spirited, alongside Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer, and served as Associate Choreographer for the Sundance Film Festival award-winning film Theater Camp.

He brings to his teaching both this wealth of experience and a passion for the art of tap. Mr. Jason is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers. His classes blend technique, creativity, and joy, ensuring that every student finds their rhythm and confidence on stage. Join Mr. Jason and tap into your full potential!

Baylee Hamblin's dance journey began at the age of 10 in Kansas City, Missouri, where she trained at Steppin’ Out The Studio and BPM Dance Complex. When she was 13, her family relocated to Northern Virginia, where she continued her training at Studio Bleu Dance Center. There, she specialized in Contemporary, Jazz, Acro, Lyrical, and Hip Hop and had the opportunity to learn from top teachers, including renowned industry guest choreographers. Ms. Baylee was also invited to Marinda Davis’s “Storytellers” Intensive in LA for two consecutive years.

A natural choreographer herself, Ms. Baylee began creating competition routines when she was just 14 years old. In her first year as a full-time instructor, she achieved notable success, earning three choreography awards, as well as numerous dances that her students competed to win first overall and championship titles at regional and national dance competitions.

Ms. Baylee is known for her highly creative choreography, which is at times edgy and raw. She brings to her class a love for the art of dance, and is dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment where her students feel empowered to push their boundaries and excel in their dance education and experience.