DSDW STAFF

Debra Sparks Allison, B.A., M.Ed

Ms. Debra Sparks is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer.  She has studied at some of the finest schools, including SAB, Boston Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet and she was principal dancer with the Maywood Ballet Company and the Marcia Hyland Dance Company.  Her teaching background dates back to 1975, encompassing faculty status at Rowan University, choreographing and dancing for Jane Fonda and Mikhail Baryshnikov, and teaching Master Classes throughout the tri-state area.  Ms. Debra has choreographed extensively for television, colleges, and theater.  In 1991, Ms. Debra founded the Philadelphia Children’s Ballet Academy, a nonprofit cultural organization.  In 1998, our Newtown School became a reality. Ms. Debra has been honored every year since 1990 with awards for excellence in Teaching and Choreography at many National Dance Competitions.  Her dance team has continually won High Scoring Studio Awards and Championship status in all forms of dance.

Ms. Debra’s students can be found making their mark in the dance world.  (Chrissy Schultz, NYC Ballet, “Center Stage” actress (film), Keith Wilson, “Cats,” Original Broadway Cast, Ramon Flowers, “Swan Lake,” Original Broadway Cast, Tamara Allison, “Christmas Spectacular” NYC, “Clara”, Emily Katz, “Jubilee,” Las Vegas; “SPAMALOT,” Pro Theater, Lauren Renck, Rockette, Radio City, Zara Tabackin, “Grinch,” Madison Square Garden, Chris Bodbeck & Cameron Flurry, “Elf,” Walnut Street Theater, Grace Matwijec, ‘Matilda,” Broadway, Cameron Flurry, “Mary Poppins,” Walnut Street Theater)

Ms. Debra’s students have been awarded full scholarships from the New Jersey and Pennsylvania renowned Governor’s School of the Arts of NJ and PA and accepted to: Kirov Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Gelsey Kirland Ballet, School of American Ballet, Alvin Alley, Boston Ballet, CPYB.  In 2005, Ms. Debra started the Bucks County Dance Company (BCDC), a pre-professional company offering the highest level of training to select, talented dancers on scholarship who are kept busy serving the community through numerous appearances and fundraising events including working with the American Red Cross, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, and the American Cancer Society. 

Debra’s goal as Directress of the Debra Sparks Dance Works remains as it began in 1984: to teach young, talented children the wonderful art of ballet and dance, to encourage their growth in self-esteem with pride in their accomplishments and above all, to instill in them the “love of dance.”   Among their many accomplishments, Ms. Debra is proud to say, “My dancers not only dance beautifully, they exemplify the best of our American youth.

Tamara Allison Golden, B.A., Member AGVA

Miss Tamara has been dancing since the age of four and has achieved much success in the world of dance. A graduate of Villanova University, her professional credits include:  1. Pennsylvania Ballet Nutcracker, “Marie” (Academy of Music) 2. Philadelphia Children’s Ballet Academy – “Clara”  3. Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular Show – “Clara”  4. Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular Show – Ensemble Dancer 5. Chicago Show in “Christmas Across America with Radio City” 6. Fox TV Hip-Hop Dance Team – Television Team 7. Fox Channel, Dance Captain  7. National Titles and High Score Championships 8. Numerous National Competitions  9. National Dance Council of America Scholarship Recipient  10. Capezio Scholarship 11. Governor’s School of New Jersey – Full Scholarship Recipient in Dance 12. Nickelodeon Commercials – National Television  13. Miss Hemisphere – Talent Winner 11. Ambassador Winner, Overall Champion
Miss Tamara has also found time to teach and choreograph with a unique sense of style, technique, and originality. Tamara’s classes are quite sought after at the Debra Sparks Dance Works where she teaches ballet, jazz, and hip-hop.
Miss Tamara’s training has been with some of the most prestigious schools including The Debra Sparks Dance Works, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Rock School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, and with various New York teachers and choreographers with Radio City.  In addition to her extensive performance repertoire in jazz, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical forms of dance, Miss Tamara’s ballet repertoire includes Nutcracker, Coppelia, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Stars and Stripes, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, and La Boutique Fantasque.

Emily Larew

Dancing since the age of four, Emily doesn’t quit.  From the small town of Lainsburg to Los Angeles, Nashville, and finally Newtown, Emily has taught, choreographed, and performed extensively.  Emily’s professional background includes Veggie Tales Live, Holland America Cruise Lines, Keith Anderson and Kaci music videos, as well as performances for Beth Moore and Michael Tait.  Over the past decade, Ms. Emily has choreographed and taught for an online dance instruction series, runway shows, universities, and up-and-coming artists.

Emily Katz
Ms. Emily started dancing at the age of nine and, with the encouragement from Ms. Deb, she became passionate about working towards a career as a professional dancer. Each summer Ms. Emily was accepted to and trained with some of the finest ballet and dance company schools in the country including:
– Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
– Boston Ballet
– Kirov Ballet
– Joffrey Ballet
– American Ballet Theatre
– Debbie Allen Dance Academy
She trained privately with Leland Schwantes (former Alvin Alley dancer) and Patricia Brown (former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet). Ms. Emily is the recipient of a Presidential Dance Scholarship which she used toward obtaining her BFA in dance at the University of the Arts. Ms. Katz is also a certified pilates instructor.

Ms. Jenn Rose, B.A.

Jenn Rose is a NYC based choreographer working in theater, concert dance, and film. She has choreographed numerous Regional Theatre productions with some of her favorites being Spring Awakening, Honk!, Spelling Bee, and Little Shop of Horrors.  Current projects include You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Untitled Project # 213 (Edinburgh Fringe 2019). Regional choreography includes Cabaret, (Arden Theatre Co), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre), Avenue X (11th Hour Theatre Co), Herringbone (Flashpoint Theatre Co), The Black Nativity (Theatre Horizon), and Honk! (Two River Theatre). Film choreography includes Feature; Christmas Dreams, Short: Not Immune (Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival Selection), In or Out, unPresidented (Loose Screws Productions). Commissioned choreography includes Player Piano (The Steps Conservatory Program), That’s What It’s All About (Dancebreak 2018), The Missing Piece (Ballet Fleming), Three and a Break (Ursinus College) Benzo (Drexel University). She is the recipient of the 2016 Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Choreography and has been honored with five additional nominations. Jenn is grateful to be inspired everyday and looks forward to what is yet to come.

Evaa Parisi  Miss Eva began her passion of dance at the age of three.  She felt very fortunate to study dance at the Debra Sparks Dance Works in Philadelphia, PA.  While there, she studied ballet, Pointe, jazz, tap, and lyrical dance under the tutelage of Miss Debra Sparks Allison.  She performed in Miss Debra’s non-profit 501c3 ballet company and danced at the DSDW until the age of 17 years old.  Upon her graduation from high school, Miss Eva received a full scholarship to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for dance.  After her time at the University of Arts, Miss Eva pursued her second passion, Early Childhood Education where she has been teaching young children for the past 12 years.  She is a nationally recognized movie actress and professional model.  Miss Eva loves to create works of art, whether it be a craft for her students, a painting in her home or a mural on the wall.  Dance is an art form very close to her heart and Miss Eva is excited to be back where it all started and now be a member of the DSDW staff.

 Melissa Byrd, B.F.A., Certified P.B.T. Instructor

We are so proud to have Melissa back at DSDW! She trained with Miss Debra for 14 years and now returns to share her talents with our students. In addition to training at DSDW, Melissa also attended programs with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Koresh School of Dance and has trained with various master teachers. In May 2015, Melissa graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a BFA in Dance and Communications. While attending UMass she received the Chancellor’s Talent Scholarship for Dance, trained with various professional choreographers in all styles of dance, and taught non-major dance courses in Ballet and Jazz. She also had the rewarding opportunity to teach grades K-12 in various schools throughout Western, MA through the STARBURST program and the University Dancers Tour (in which she also performed). Her theater experience boasts numerous ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern performances with highly recognized contemporary choreographers. Melissa was a featured dancer in Valley Forge’s Nutcracker, Philadelphia Femme Collective, Pioneer Ballet, Manhattan Research company, Debra Sparks Dance Works and many more. Melissa loves sharing her passion for dance with others through teaching and is an active dance teacher in Greater Philadelphia Region.  She brings a strong technical and educational influence to her classes and believes it is important for each child to find his/her own artistic expression and voice through dance.

Jenny Daino,  Certified Dance Educator through D.E.A Jenny Daino began her dance training very young, studying throughout Central NJ. She has performed as a member of Bordentown Ballet Theatre and as a Senior Apprentice with Suburban Dance Force. Teaching has always been her passion.  Ms. Daino is certified by examination in the Dance Educators of America Teacher Training and Certification Program. She has studied with Master Teachers in the area of Dance Education: Raymond Lukens, Eileen Juric, David Scala, Steve Sirico, Angela D’Valda Sirico, Rhee Gold, and the Legendary Teacher of Teachers, Charles Kelley. Recently, Miss Jenny was chosen to participate in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s Teacher Workshop. For 12 years Ms. Daino served as Director of the ballet program at a growing studio in Southern New Jersey, designing and planning curricula for all levels of students.  In her time at that school, she also worked with their youth dance company as a Choreographer, Rehearsal Assistant, and Company Director. Miss Jenny assisted in creating the school’s Student Teacher Program, of which she was the Director, and worked closely with students, as a mentor, in the Student Choreography Program. Ms. Daino is a faculty member at American Repertory Ballet’s Princeton Ballet School and has also taught at the school’s prestigious summer intensive program. Her students have been awarded scholarships to summer intensive programs and workshops from New York City to Las Vegas, and several are pursuing careers in dance, attending some of the best college dance programs in the country. Miss Jenny has been sharing her love of dance with students for over 16 years. She is delighted to be a part of the DSDW

Ragan Yates

Miss Ragan is a Pennsylvania native, and a DSDW Alum! She has grown up dancing and performing in theater, and has been coached in singing since she was 12 years old by Broadway Alum, Jennine Babo. She has performed in Theaters in Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, such as Kelsey Theater, Salt Performing Arts, Music Mountain Theater, and YGENYK Productions. Miss Ragan has also had tremendous opportunities to lend her vocals for demo’s for new musicals being developed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For the past 3 years, Miss Ragan has been choreographing Poquessing Middle Schools school musicals, and has even choreographed a show for the Central New Jersey Ballet Theater in Florence. Miss Ragan firmly believes that everyone can benefit from dance and she hopes to spread nothing but positivity and kindness to her students.

Renee

Miss Renee’s bio will be updated soon!

Cassandra Tumasz

Cassandra (Cassie) Tumasz is a dancer, singer, and actor based in New York City. She graduated magna cum laude from Elon University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a BS in Dance Science. During her time at Elon, she performed in main stage productions and spent a semester training and performing with Florence Dance Center in Florence, Italy. She completed Broadway Dance Center’s prestigious Professional Semester program concentrating in Musical Theatre dance. Cassandra has also trained with the Radio City Rockettes, at EDGE Performing Arts Center in LA, with Liana Blackburn through The Body Language Experience, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. She has held internships with performing arts physical therapists and health/wellness practitioners in Los Angeles, CA. Cassandra also has a passion for teaching the next generation of dancers and choreographs for various dance studios’ recitals and competitions. She is a certified barre instructor at Physique 57, trainer at Board30 in NYC, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Cassandra’s most recent credits include MSC Seashore, performing in New York Fashion Week, The Miracle of Christmas at Queens Theatre and in three different shows at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Learn more about Miss Cassie at https://www.cassandratumasz.com/. 

 Matthew Zimmerman

Mr. Matt trained at the Horizons Dance Conservatory for 6 years and previously with Melanie Wright and Berks Ballet Theatre. He is trained in all genres of dance but his passion is ballet and contemporary. Matthew also attended the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet and the Joffrey New York City Jazz & Contemporary Intensives on scholarships. He is currently a company member with West Chester’s Brandywine Ballet. His solo choreography and performance “Head vs. Heart” was showcased in Philadelphia at the Kun-Yang Lin Dancers Inhale Performance Series.

Tuliana Balzhieva

Miss Tuiana graduated ballet school in Russia at L.P Sakhyanova and was accepted to Buryat State Opera and Ballet Theater where she became a soloist dancer. Tuiana has performed solo and principal roles in multiple ballets. In 2008 she participated in the 7th Siberian International Dance Competition in Novosibirsk, where she took 3rd. She also took part in Ekaterina Maksimova’s International Dance Competition in Perm, Russia. Her repertoire consists of Classical and Contemporary ballets such as: Giselle, Swan Lake (Dance of the Little Swans), Nutcracker (Chinese Dance,Doll), Pinocchio (Malvina), Thousand and One Nights, Dzhambuling (choreography by Peter Quanz), Harlequinade, Don Quixote (Finch and Jig), Blue Bird, Carmina Burana, Francesca da Rimini, Pas de deux Flames of Paris, Festival of Flowers in Cinzano, Tarantella (D.Balanchine), Namzhil, etc. In 2015 she came to USA with the Moscow Ballet to perform “Swan Lake” and “Nutcracker” spanning 30 states and Canada. In 2016-2017 she studied French technique in the French Academy of Ballet in NYC with Francois Perron. She is currently dancing with Roxey Ballet.

Emily Aita, B.A.
Emily is no stranger to Debra Sparks Dance Works and began dancing at the studio when she was three years old. In addition to DSDW, she also studied with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Joffrey Ballet and danced for the 76er’s Basketball Team. Emily’s passion for dance has taken her all over the world to perform in places such as Disney World and the Bahamas. She attended Muhlenberg College on a dance scholarship, where she studied, performed, and choreographed in several different styles of dance. Not only was Emily a performer and choreographer while at school, she was an active dance educator within her community. In May of 2018, Emily graduated with degrees in both Business and Dance. Emily is living out her dream as a professional dancer. She is a former NLL Dancer for the Philadelphia Wings. She enjoyed performing during home games at the Wells Fargo Center and making appearances on the news and at community events. Currently, she is dancing for the Philadelphia Eagles as a 2019-2020 NFL Cheerleader! She’s excited for an amazing season and can’t wait to perform at the Lincoln Financial Field! GO EAGLES!!

PaigeDevitt, B.F.A.
Growing up, Miss Paige trained extensively at her local dance school in Michigan as a member of their award winning competition team. She also furthered her training by attending numerous dance conventions with master teachers and choreographers. After graduating from Point Park University with her BFA in dance, Paige joined Philadelphia’s renowned Koresh Dance Company! Paige has trained all across the country including Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, Springboard Danse Montreal, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Pilot Program, Movement Invention Project NYC, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance Intensive , and more! Paige has been a featured dancer with Koresh dance company, touring across the country with them, and also serves as a Master Teacher for Koresh, as well as guest choreographer for competitive dance groups, solos, and duets at Philadelphia area dance schools.

Nicole Hete
Nicole Hete is a dancer and teacher originally from Lake Hopatcong NJ. She has been dancing since the age of 4 and has trained in several styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop. She graduated from Montclair State University in 2015, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance, where she had the privilege of performing choreography by Martha Graham, Larry Keigwin, Doug Varone, Bill T. Jones, Christian Von Howard and  Frederick Earl Mosley. Nicole has taught master classes and national opening number choreography for On Point National Dance Competition, and was the dance captain and choreographer for shows and parades at Sesame Place theme park in Langhorne PA. Nicole is excited to be part of the Debra Sparks faculty for her second year and share her passion for teaching dance! 

Olivia Mailey
Olivia started dancing at the age of nine, training at numerous studios throughout the Philadelphia area. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary/modern, musical theater, and hip hop. While training at her home studio, Olivia participated in many dance competitions and conventions where she received numerous titles and scholarships. She was given the opportunity to assist Brandon Bryant and Sasha Forde from So You Think You Can Dance as well as be the choreography assistant for Hollywood Dance Shoot. Olivia was accepted into Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in NYC for two months, which culminated with a performance at the infamous Alvin Ailey Theater. Her most recent professional experience was being a company dancer for Project Moshen, a female jazz company based out of Philadelphia. Olivia also holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from West Chester University and obtained her personal training certification from NASM. Currently, she owns a personal training business that encourages women and teens to healthily train their body and mind.

Natalie Devlin
Natalie Devlin is a Philadelphia based artist and choreographer specializing in several genres of dance.  After training on the Jazz Unlimited award winning competition team for 8 years, she continued her education and graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of the Arts BFA Dance program.  She has worked with choreographers such as Neil Schwartz, Jared Jenkins, Teddy Forance, Misha Gabriel, Johanna Numata, Michael Susten, Wayne St David, Cici Kelly, Tommie Waheed Evans, Mark Caserta, Meredith Rainey, Kyle & Dinita Clark, Sidra Bell, Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Jesse Zaritt, Katie Swords Thurman and Kareem B Goodwin.  She wishes to continue to push her artistry and passion for many more years to come in her own professional dance career as well as her choreography.  With a love of dance and passing on her knowledge, her favorite thing is to watch her students flourish into incredible dancers and even better people!

Kelley Campbell
Miss Kelley was born in Georgia and raised in Columbia, Maryland.  She began dancing at the age of six.  She danced throughout high school and college where she majored in Nursing.  She started teaching at the age of 17 with preschool, creative movement, and recreational classes moving to competitive level classes, duos/trios and soloists.  After college she commissioned in the US Army which she served 13 years.  Soon after, she began dancing and cheering professionally for the NHL team The Washington Capitals in 2018 where she choreographed many routines for state and national championships.  Her achievements include top scoring regional/national awards and choreography/entertainment awards and preparing students for regional and national titles and placements.  Her biggest accomplishment was preparing students for collegiate and professional dance and cheer teams!  She moved to Pennsylvania after finishing graduate school and continues to teach locally with various ages and dance styles.  She is excited to join the DS dance faculty and to share the love of dance with her students!

Bilal Simpson
Bilal Simpson of Charlotte, North Carolina began dancing at the age of 10 at Fletcher School of Dance, BB Dance Productions, and Miss Donna’s School of Dance.  At the age of 16, Bilal began to dance professionally with the NBA Hornets and the WNBA Sting shortly after he graduated from Northwest High School of the Arts and began to teach at BB Dance Productions, Miss Donnas School of Dance and Academy of Dance and Fine Arts.  In 2005 Bilal moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend University of the Arts for Dance Education and began to teach at DshayAcademy of Dance Arts and shortly after Carols Center for Dance.  In 2009 Bilal joined Grace Dance Theater and also became a resident choreographer for Grace Dance 2 and Training Company of Grace and the Children’s Dance Ensemble.  In 2014 Bilal joined the company of Contempora Dance Theater and also began to teach at Contempora Dance School.  In 2016 Bilal began to teach at The Dance Depot of Collegeville, PA.  Bilal’s work has won several 1st Overall and Choreography Awards.  Bilal has had the opportunity to receive instruction from prestigious choreographers and artists such as Mia Michaels, Dale Lamb, Dee Caspary, Travis Wall, Anthony Burrell, Sadie Roberts, and Veronica Bradley Badgett.

Devon Larcher
Devon Larcher is a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island where he graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.  Devon started his career traveling the world on the Royal Caribbean cruise line as a dancer and aerialist.  He has been a member of the Bill Evans touring company as well as Urbanity Dance Company since 2014.  Devon not only loves the stage but also to choreograph and create which he has had the opportunity to do both in the states and internationally.  Devon joined Koresh Dance Company in 2019.  He has been choreographing and teaching for competitive dance studios over the last 10 years and is a full time competition judge when not touring with Koresh Dance Company.  In 2017 he won the American Dance Awards National Young Choreographer of the Year Award!