Shooting Stars Dance Centre
Owner / Director - Rayna D'Amico
Miss Rayna was born and raised in Johnston RI. She began her dancing at the age of two and has had training in all forms of dance with contemporary/lyrical and hip hop being her specialties. Rayna studied in recreational gymnastics and has basic safety and spotting techniques according to the USAG standards. She was a cheerleader in both middle school and high school; co-captain of her middle school squad and participant of UCA cheer camps. She auditioned for and was accepted to RI Elite Cheer Squad as well. Her instructional career kicked off early, as an assistant instructor for Star Steppers School of Dance. At the age of twelve she started teaching preschool dance classes, she learned lesson planning and early childhood education. As she progressed she instructed various aged recreational classes and began choreography. she successfully participated and completed in Johnston high school’s study program and was hired as a full time instructor at Light My Way Christian School of Dance. Rayna has taught in many studios around New England but most recently Assistant Director at La Petite Dance Center, where she taught hip hop and lyrical. She has had the privilege to study under both local and national instructors which included Tony & Suzie Vitale, Dustin Phillips, Finus Yung, Jennifer McCamish and more, but none so important as her biggest influence in dance and in life than her biggest supporter, her moral compass, her rock and her best friend, her mother, Patricia D’Amico. Rayna prides herself in having that same determination, attention to detail, joyous spirit and nurturing caregiver that her mother has.
Co Owner / Director - Patricia D'Amico
Miss Pat has been a dedicated teacher in her home town for over 40 years. She has traveled through out New England and trained extensively in New York. Miss Pats dance education includes a life time with R.I's own queen of tap Elaine Colaneri and various master of that Arts that include Henry Le Tang, Gregory Hines, Peter Gennaro, Savion Glover, Frank Hatchet and more. She considers a teacher, to be someone who can convey a positive message to others. children of all ages take to her instantly and continue that bond well into there adult lives. She believes that a nurturing environment rooted in hard work and determination will not only create great dancers but great well rounded adults.
Instructor - Tjay Martino
Mr. Tjay is a Street Dancer from Providence, RI. He started dancing 12 years ago training in Popping, Hiphop choreography and soon after KRUMP. Krump became his primary style as he dove deeper into the battle world. Tjay took his talents across the country battling, training and dancing with some of the best to do it. Some of those dancers include Tight Eyex and Mijo (the creators of Krump), Konkrete, Bash and many more. He has trained/taught all over the country and has taught internationally in Japan, and Ukraine. Now he owns Thr3e Live Dance Co with his long time friends and the best Hiphop dancers in Rhode Island!
Instructor - Kylene Poiera
Miss Kylene has been an instructor in both dance and gymnastic for 20 years plus and hold USAG KAT certification and has worked with children, and adults with various development and physically different abilities. She Strongly believes that positive moral values should be on display for the youth of today to protect tomorrows future.
Instructor - Jordan Breen
Miss Jordan has danced for 18 years, training in all styles from ballet to hip hop. She trained at Festival Ballet Providence for six years, working her way up to an invitation to join their Junior Company. At 16, while dancing at The Talent Factory in North Kingstown, RI, Jordan was awarded scholarship money to attend Pace University in New York City after graduation. But at 17, she left home to train for one year at Marymount Manhattan College. An unfortunate injury led her back home where she now teaches technique. After learning about her injury, she became very aware of anatomy and grew interested in focusing on proper technique throughout all forms of dance. She uses a fair amount of knowledge in Pilates and yoga that is incorporated throughout her technical training methods.
Student Teacher - Kassidy DiSano
Miss Kassidy has danced for over 9 years. Dance has helped her threw the loss of her mother in 2009. She has made many friends along the way and is continuing her education as a student teacher. Her Strongest styles are Hip Hop and Lyrical. Kassidy has grown into a wonderful student teacher and hopes to grow into a full time teacher one day.