Staff Biographies
Ms. Gwenn Capodieci, Executive Director, uses her considerable talent to work together with Miss. Linda to run the highly successful Backstage Studio of Dance. With over 50 years of training and 35 years of teaching, Miss. Gwenn uses her performance experience on cruise ships, with Disney World and singing with the Marwick Opera Company to lead the stunning Backstage Studio of Dance Competition Team. Miss. Gwenn also believes in giving back to the community through projects like Believe In Long Island where she choreographed two featured numbers, choreographing for the Port Jefferson Dickens Festival and teaching a ballet class to the Comsewogue High School Physics classes every year since 2007. In addition, Miss. Gwenn was the Honorary National Coach for the Michigan State University Dance Team from 2007-2009 and the former President of the YEA (Youth Experiencing the Arts) Project where she has directed and/or choreographed "Oklahoma," "Suessical," "Fame," "West Side Story," "The Music Man" and "Guys & Dolls." Her professional regional credits include: "The Wizard of Oz," "West Side Story," "Grease," "Smokey Joes Cafe'," "Under the Bridge" (Long Island Premier of Kathy Lee Gifford's musical), "Singing in the Rain," "The Marvelous Wonderettes," and the list goes on. Miss. Gwenn has studied with many theater and dance legends such as Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Ann Reinking, Gwen Verdon and the legendary Luigi. She studied at the highly acclaimed acting schools of Lee Strasberg and Herbert Berghof, is a member of Dance Educators of America and has continued her dance education through Kentucky University and Broadway Dance Center. Miss Gwenn loves what she does and continues to share her passion with her students every day.
Ms. Pamela Strain, Creative Director, Found her love for dance at Backstage Studio of Dance where she began her training at the age of four. She studied Acrobatics, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern and Tap. Ms. Pam started student teaching at the age of 12 and continued throughout high school all while being a member of the Backstage Studio of Dance Competition Team. From September 2001-June 2005, Ms. Pam was a member of the Longwood High School Lionettes Varsity Kickline and Dance Team. During her years on the team she was awarded numerous awards including MVP and Captain her senior year. She was honored to have choreographed all of her team's routines that year for both football and basketball seasons. In 2010, Ms. Pam received a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies from Rutgers University. During her college years, she was very involved with the Rutgers Performing Dance Company (RPDC) where she performed, choreographed, and competed in many different pieces ; as well as, the Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) where she was responsible for the advertising and marketing of all music events across all campuses. Since graduating from Rutgers University, Ms. Pam moved back to New York and began teaching at Backstage Studio of Dance. Ms. Pam is excited to be back with her dancing family that instilled her love and passion for dance as she hopes to do the same for her students.
Ms. Nicole Terlizzo, Creative Director, started her dance training at Backstage Studio of Dance when she was three years old. While growing up at the studio and forming lifelong friendships, she studied all forms of dance including Acrobatics, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern and Tap. From 2001-2008, Miss. Nicole was a member of the Backstage Studio of Dance Competition Team and competed each year across the tristate area. Miss. Nicole began teaching at Backstage Studio of Dance as a student teacher in 2005 and as an official teacher of her own classes in 2007. Upon graduating from Comsewogue High School in 2008, Miss. Nicole continued to teach multiple classes at Backstage Studio of Dance while attending Stony Brook University. From 2008-2012, Miss. Nicole was an active member of the Stony Brook Dance Team and voted Team Captain from 2011-2012. As a member of the Stony Brook Dance Team, Miss. Nicole choreographed the routines and performed at weekly football and basketball games. She also danced at multiple televised tournaments including venues such as Madison Square Garden and the UDA Collegiate National Dance Championships in Daytona, Florida. Upon graduating from Stony Brook University, Miss. Nicole received a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Miss. Nicole teaches Acrobatics, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Tap from Preschool and beginners to the highest advanced competitive levels. Miss. Nicole works with the current Backstage Studio of Dance Competition Team as a choreographer for multiple regional competitions and organizer of local charity performances. Backstage Studio of Dance is like a second home to Miss. Nicole and she loves being able to share her passion for dance with all of her students.
Ms. Melanie Kirtman, Teacher/Receptionist, started taking class at Backstage Studio of Dance at 2 years old and trained in all styles including Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, and Lyrical. She was on the Backstage Studio of Dance Competition Team from 2008 to 2019. After graduating high school she became a 4 year member of the University of New Haven Dance Team while earning her degree. In December of 2022 she graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. Upon graduation she found her way back home where she teaches dance and works at the desk. Besides sharing her love for dance she works in Middle Country Central School District as a teacher's aide. Ms. Melanie is eager to be sharing her passion and love for dance with her students.
Ms. Danielle Musumeci, Teacher, began dancing at the age of three and continued her dance education throughout her childhood. In college Danielle studied elementary education and minored in dance. She was also a member of the dance program where she got the opportunity to perform as well as choreograph. While in college Danielle was also captain of the Kickline team where she performed at and choreographed for D1 basketball games. Danielle has experience teaching dance to students preschool aged, up to college age. She can’t wait to share her love of dance with the students and families at BSD!
Ms. Dani Cavalier, Teacher, graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2022. She has recently returned from Florida where she worked as an Entertainment Cast Member for the Walt Disney World Company. Ms. Dani is a former student of BSD. She danced for many years and competed in their award winning competition team. She is excited to be returning as an alumni to teach dance and inspire the next generation to love dancing as much as she does.
Ms. Ariann Huether, Teacher, is a Long Island based musician and actor. She earned her degree in Vocal Performance from C.W. Post College (Long Island University), and from there went on to sing on international stages, as well as appear in musicals Off Broadway. She is well known throughout the LI Theatre community, as an actor, singer, and musical director. Ariann has spent the past 15 years as a music and theatre educator, and finds her greatest joy in the faces of her students.