Colleen Cross - Executive Director/Owner

Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Children's Rhythm and Movement, Tap/Ballet Combo, Stretch, Director of the Look Sharp Dance & Performing Companies, Director of Adult Programs.

     The founder of the Look Sharp Performing Company, she has directed and choreographed for 20 years. Colleen has studied with top dance professionals including Germaine Goodson, Frank Hatchett, Tyce Di Orio, Barry Youngblood, Chebar Williams, Charles McGowan, Mary Ann Lamb, and Vincent Carbone, just to name a few. She has extensive training in choreography teaching, and has studied dance, voice and theatre throughout the United States. She has choreographed performance and competition pieces for dance companies throughout New Jersey as well as numerous dance recitals, variety shows, and plays. Colleen''s students have been chosen to dance with master teachers abroad and have been selected to participate in professional workshops for advanced dancers. Her tap students have received overall high score awards and special recognition for intensive programs throughout the country. Having studied acting, musical comedy, and voice in addition to dance, Colleen is able to teach her students a well rounded performance education above and beyond dance. She is experienced in teaching dancers of all ages and levels, and uses innovative ideas to keep the classes and routines interesting. Most recently, Colleen choreographed 'Crazy for You' for Holy Angels High School in Demarest, NJ which earned her a nomination with the Helen Hayes High School Theatre Awards. Colleen believes in her students and encourages them to strive to be the best they can be.

Rosanne Renda - Artistic Director

Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Children's Rhythm and Movement, Tap/Ballet Combo, Stretch, Director of the Look Sharp Dance & Performing Companies.

Rosanne is a graduate of Montclair State University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. As a member of the Montclair State Repertoire Company, she was a lead performer and choreographer. In addition, she was a member of the college's Theatre Repertoire Company, which was quite an accomplishment considering this company was comprised of faculty and other professionals in the arts. Rosanne achieved top ten rankings in 1998 and 1999 with her competition pieces in the American College Dance Festivals, and her performance credits include appearing on MTV's Daily Burn Show.

Rosanne's extensive dance training includes the Alvin Ailey Company, Broadway Dance Center, Free Space/Lamone Dance Companies, as well as individual mentors. Her teaching expertise includes Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, and Funk, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. In addition, Rosanne successfully planned and launched an innovative dance program for pre-school students.

Currently, Rosanne is judging for numerous competitions and touring the states. Her competitive students have taken title in renowned competitions and have also received high score and platinum awards. Rosanne has been honored with numerous special awards for her choreography and age appropriateness. Her extensive achievements lend themselves to her success as a performer, teacher, and above all, mentor.

Tara Lizak Nixon

Tara graduated magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a minor in Business. Her current professional performance credits include Rick Atwell's 'Confessions of a Dance Teacher,' the 2002, 2003 and 2005 Elan Awards, 2004 and 2005 White Wave Dance Festival, and 2004 and 2005 International Dance Festival, among others. Tara is currently a soloist for Synthesis Dance Project in NYC under the direction of Tracie Stanfield. She also teaches and choreographs in the tri state area including substitute teaching at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in NYC, plus conventions. Ms. Lizak has traveled internationally and has studied with renowned instructors such as Christy Kugler-Zayas, Suzi Taylor, Joe Lanteri, Jeremy Blanton, Nathan Montoya, Larry White (both of Martha Graham Dance Ensemble), Geoffrey Doig-Marx and Tracie Stanfield. Tara places a strong emphasis on technique, the emotional connection to one's technique and the importance of individual and team work ethics in her classroom. Tara was classically trained through the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Syllabus has achieved scholarship to Steps on Broadway and studied with River North Dance Co. Chicago.

Megan Forsyth

Megan is an accomplished dancer and performer. With a strong background working with children, we are happy to have her join our faculty. Her studies include tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet. Megan has worked with master teachers, including Shane Sparks, Rhapsody, Shelia Barker, Michelle Assaf, Chio, Dennis Caspary, Dee Casparty, Gil Stroming, Mike Minery and Nicole Snelson, to name a few. In her competitive years, Megan received such recognition as working on Star Systems National Television Show, on Broadway with Star Systems and Team Rave NY. Her fun and energetic personality brings each classroom to life. She is currently finishing up at Montclair State University where she will graduate in winter 2007. We are excited to have Megan join our team!

Catherine Thornton

Vocal Coaching, Acting, Singing

Cathy is returning to Look Sharp this season and is looking forward to seeing some old faces while meeting some new ones. Cathy has spent a 'Lifetime' performing and entertaining. She attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC and has performed in many regional tours across the east coast. Cathy can now be seen entertaining the night life in various night clubs in New York and New Jersey. She has directed numerous plays and vocal concerts in addition to directing theatrical audition workshops throughout the tri-state area.

Lisa Civita

Lisa is an original member of Look Sharp's Senior Dance Company. Since graduation she has become a certified instructor in group fitness and aerobic exercise. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the College of New Jersey. Currently she is employed as a food service consultant for many of Manhattan's private schools, where she specializes in childhood nutrition. Lisa is passionately committed to teaching young people how to fuel there bodies to live healthy, energetic lives. We are thrilled to have Lisa join our family again!

Morgan Deevy Harris

A graduate from Bennington College, Morgan holds a B.A. and MAT in science and education as well as 60 graduate credits over her masters in education and literacy. Morgan has been teaching dance since college and has choreographed for cheerleading squads, dance teams, and many studios in Rockland County. She comes to us from New York where she was the head dance teacher of ballet, pointe, and Jazz at Choreo Dance Studio and Dance Attitude. Morgan's performing credits include the Nutcracker, Meredith Monk AIDS remembrance performance, and classical ballet performances at Bennington College. Morgan has studied with such choreographers as Jimmy Tate, original cast member and creator of Bring in Da Noise, Bring in the Funk, Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, and Tyce Diorio. Morgan teaches 6th grade English in Rockland County where she is also the creator and co-advisor of the Health and Fitness club, and co-advisor of Yearbook. Morgan states that, her educational background really enables her to create caring and lasting relationships with her students and their parents. We are so excited to have Morgan back with us this year and so are her past students.

Michele Lavitola

Michele is a former member of the Look Sharp Senior Dance Company and has danced with the studio for 8 years. Michele is currently majoring in dance in college and plans on pursuing a professional career in the performing arts. She has performed at a national level in competition as a soloist and company dancer. With the dance company, she has entertained audiences in Hershey Park, Pa., Six Flags and Disney World, Fla. Michele was selected and has toured with Power Pac in Las Vegas and Florida. She was also recognized to be part of the Dance Olympics in 2004. Michele has been a substitute dance teacher and class assistant for the past two years. We are excited to have Michele join our faculty this season!

Danae Bader

Danae comes to us from New York State after directing a performing arts center for children. She is an accomplished performer, teacher and choreographer, specializing in ballet, modern, jazz and tap. Ms. Bader's choreography can be seen for the Springfield, Mass. High school dance teams, the New Jersey Skycats dance team and the Salt City Moving Company in Manilus, New York. Before joining our faculty, Danae was working closely with competition dancers and training them at a National and International level. Danae has performed internationally and within the states, including Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Honolulu, Hawaii and Manhattan. She has studied professionally under Gus Giordano, Wade Robson and Brian Freedman. Danae's bright personality along with her background brings a smile on the faces she works with !

Saige Miller

Saige joins our faculty with the following credits. She danced at the School of American Ballet performing in all children's roles as a child and then was placed in the highest level at the JKO School of American Ballet Theatre. Saige studied privately with world-renowned Finis Jhung and Nancy Bielski. A professional ballerina, you can see Saige on stage in the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and A Midsummer Night's Dream to name a few. With ABT she has performed Coppelia and Le Corsaire. She has been featured in Finis Jhung's demo dvds and Town and Country magazine with Caroline Kennedy for JKO School. Saige has enthusiasm and excitement to her personality that she exudes to her students. She takes pride in the art and immense skill of dance and is looking forward to sharing her passion with LSPAC students.

Sandi Weinthal

Sandi has had the honor of working with, and performing for such renowned choreographers as Wayne Cilento, Marc Robin, Vince Pesce, Brett Smock, David Marquez, Alan Onickel, Rick Atwell and Ann Reinking. Favorite credits include: West Side Story (Clarice), Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Ensemble), Singing in the Rain (Ensemble), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ruth), Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl/Dance Captain), Evita (Ensemble/Dance Captain), Singin' in the Rain: 50th Anniversary National Tour (Dora Bailey/Miss Dinsmore), World of Disney NYC (Face Character) and Celebrity Cruises (Featured Dancer). Between shows, Sandi works in New York City and New Jersey as a dance and music teacher with children of all ages and abilities. Sandi graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Theater & Dance from the University of New Hampshire. Sandi is an accomplished teacher specializing in working with children. Her extensive knowledge of child development makes her an asset to our team.

Xander Weinman

Xander is currently a member of the legendary Brenda Bufalino's New American Tap Dance Orchestra. He has performed with the company at such notable venues as Lincoln Center and Symphony Space in New York City. Xander is is a frequent guest teacher for Broadway Dance Center in New York City , and is currently in the process of forming his own tap company. He has also been an assistant teacher to Mike Schulster, Danny Wallace and Chloe Arnold at New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA). In February of 2009, Xander performed in Soundcheck, a series of shows produced by Tony Waag and ATDF (American Tap Dance Foundation). Here, he performed with Brenda Bufalino in, Primordial Memories; he was also dance captain of Jason Samuels Smith's ensemble for Take It To The Stage. Xander has also worked with Cirque Du Soleil choreographer, Jared Grimes, and performed in his show Broadway Underground at the B.B. King's Blues Club in Manhattan . Xander performed in Tony Waag's Tap City in 2009, and also in the 20th annual Tap Extravaganza with Dr. Harold Cromer. He is often invited by Chloe Arnold to perform her choreography, and has also performed with Barbara Duffy at Cafe Loup. He is dance captain of 'Mazel Toes,' Shelby Kaufman's company of Jewish hoofers, and has performed at the Apollo Theater. Xander's television appearances include the Today in New York Show, Sesame Street, ESPN2 and NBC Philly. He is currently teaching throughout the tri-state area and choreographing for tap companies and outside venues with his artistry. Xander is an accomplished competition choreographer and his students have won numerous awards at the regional and national levels.

Marisa Graziul

Marisa holds a dual degree in dance and psychology from Hofstra University and has had extensive dance training. She has had the opportunity to work with many choreographers including Lance Westergard, Stormy Brandeberger, Rachel List and Amy Marshall to name a few. She was a member of the NJ Ironmen Dance Team as well as the Devils Dance Team, and was a finalist for the NJ Jets flight crew in 2008. In addition to her teaching experience, she has participated in many performances both with the teams and as a member of the Lara Luzim Modern Dance Project, a professional modern dance company based in Manhattan. We are so happy to have Marisa joining our staff this year.

Christina Esposito

Christina brings to us the latest in hip hop. In addition to her extensive training, she is a Guest Faculty member for Bergen Community's Teen Arts Festival and choreographs for various festivals and performances throughout the tri-state area. Most recently, Christina has appeared on MTV Thres, where she joined up with America's Best Dance Crew and performed. She has also appeared on TRL to demonstrate the latest moves with Routina Wesley from the movie How She Moves. Christina is also a regular at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Christina has been teaching for seven years throughout the tri-state area and is full of energy and enthusiasm. We are thrilled she is now bringing her talents in teaching and performing to LSPAC!

Melissa Bowman

Melissa holds a degree in social work from Marist College and is currently pursuing her Master's degree. She has extensive dance training and has received numerous competition awards at the regional and national levels. As a member of the Marist Dance Team, she was privileged to work with master teachers and choreographers from all over the country. She has performed many times with both the Marist Dance Team and Mascara: A Dance Project, a locally based dance ensemble. As a member of the Saddle River Valley Cultural Center Traveling Company, she participated in musical theatre performances. Melissa has been teaching throughout the tri-state area and we are excited to have her sharing her talents with us at LSPAC.