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Jenna D'Angelo, Co-Owner/Director

Jenna began dancing in 1984 in Spring Hill, FL and started at Charlene's School of Dance in 1989. She danced competitively for 10 years and received numerous National solo and group titles. Jenna began teaching 25 years ago and was a dance studio owner and director for 11 years before joining the teaching staff at Charlene's School of Dance (later CSOD's Dance Empire) in 2009. Under her training, her dancers have performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Tampa Bay Bucaneeers, College dance team including UCF, Theme Park stages including Walt Disney World, Disney World Paris, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, National Broadway Tours, The Ellen Show, and for multiple Cruise Line Companies. Her dancers have earned such awards as ‘Overall High Score’, ‘Best Technical Execution’, ‘Best Emotional Execution’, and ‘Best Precision’ to name a few. Personally, she has performed in commercials, danced in the Super Bowl Halftime show, and has danced on numerous theme parks stages.

 

On top of teaching and choreographing at the dance studio, she also has taught in the private school sector installing a dance program for 8 years. She put together a rigorous dance program that educates the whole child through the art of dance. 

 

Jenna has two amazing children, Ella and Ricky with her husband of 21 years, Rick. She prides herself on providing rigorous dance instruction in many styles to help each dancer discover their love of dance and their own self confidence. 

Alana Berlinrut, Co-Owner/Director

Alana began dancing in 1987 in Long Island, NY at the age of three and started dancing at Charlene's School of Dance (later CSOD's Dance Empire) in Spring Hill, FL in 1993. She danced competitively for 11 years and began her teaching journey in 2006 receiving such awards as ‘Best Choreography’, ‘Best Technical Execution’ and ‘Overall High Score’ at both Regional and National levels. Many of the dancers she has trained over the years have gone on to dance for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and The UCF Dance Team, National Broadway Tours, and on multiple cruise ship liners around the world. She is certified in PBT - Progressive Ballet Technique as well as Aerial Silks, and enjoys continuing to train as a teacher and choreographer by attending conventions and master classes. Alana has been doing set/prop design and execution as well for decades. Professionally, she has danced in a televised commercial for Busch Garden's Tampa Bay, danced for Champagne Creative Group, in Tampa, FL, and has co-choreographed a half-time routine for the USF SunDolls.

 

On top of her lifelong love for dance, Alana has owned her own Home Staging Company. She has a husband, Brandon, who is currently an Officer in the United States Army, and two beautiful children, Bobby & Briar. Her passion of being creative, as well as making her family proud, is what drives her to be successful in all that she does while leading with kindness and love.  


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Caroline Noble, Teacher

Caroline began dancing at the age of 3, studying all areas of dance in Northampton, Massachusetts. At 12, she began training at Northampton School of Ballet with all her focus on ballet and pointe. She competed in state, regional and national competitions earning many special awards and titles. She has trained with Steps on Broadway, School of American Ballet in New York, Pennsylvania Ballet and Houston Ballet with an invitation to join their professional company. Some of the ballet roles she has performed are Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, the White Cat in Sleeping Beauty, and Titania in A Mid Summer Night’s Dream. She has over 25 years of teaching experience in Massachusetts and Florida. She has choreographed competition solos and groups who have received awards such as “Best Choreography” and “High Score.” Several of her students have gone on to professional dance careers, such as touring with Jennifer Hudson, choreographing for the LA Clippers dance team and being hired as dance instructors at notable schools. Her goal is always to create a love and respect of ballet in her students while helping them gain new skills and technique.
 

Caroline’s other passion includes spending as much time as she can with her husband, four children, and five grandchildren. They have supported her for years on her path as a dancer and instructor.

Jason Dubock, Teacher

Mr. J has over 30 years of professional dance experience as a performer, teacher, and choreographer, and has instructed dancers in numerous genres and age levels for many dance studios. He has lived and studied dance in various cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. Some of his professional dance experience includes performing at the Moulin Rouge while living in Paris, France for thirteen months, as well as travelling the globe performing on cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines & Princess Cruise Lines over a span of thirteen years in various Broadway-style shows. Mr. J had the opportunity to move to Australia for three years where he introduced and directed an award-winning dance competition program just North of Sydney. During that time, he had the honor to teach various workshops alongside several of Australia’s top dancers, choreographers and TV personalities.

 

He returned home to his family back in the United States where he held the position of Artistic & Competition Director at a studio for four years where his dancers were awarded many various accolades. Mr. J brings positivity, inspiration, and drive to any classroom he walks into and is very excited to be a part of The Dance Collaborative!

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Jaz Gutierrez-Renovales, Teacher

Bio Jaz Gutierrez grew up dancing in Tampa, Florida. Jaz trained in all styles of dance from the ages of 5 to 18 and has had the honor of touring with Streetz Dance Convention as a 'Streetz Company Member' from 2018-2020. Jaz has worked with Gina Menichino as an assistant choreographer since the age of 14, as well as being in various dance concept videos and music videos. Since graduating school, Jaz has been a coach in the Tampa Bay Area for all ages ranging from 2 to 18 and has received numerous choreography awards.

 

Jaz draws inspiration for coaching from the joy of witnessing students grow as both dancers and human beings. Coaching is more than just teaching steps to Jaz, it's teaching discipline, it's teaching to prosper despite all the odds, it's teaching to work as one while maintaining individuality. Jaz is excited to experience the growth of each and every dancer that walks through the studio doors.

Kendall Gawerecki, Teacher

Kendall has shown a love for dance from a young age and continues to share this love and passion to her students. Kendall grew up dancing competitively at CSOD's Dance Empire where she learned values, discipline, and love for the art of dance. With over ten years of dance experience, numerous awards and acknowledgments, and three years of teaching experience, Kendall uses her knowledge and skills to develop her students into becoming the best dancers they can be while creating a space for them to express themselves. In addition to teaching core classes, she has also begun choreographing for our competitive company. In her free time, Kendall continues to train for dance by attending dance clinics and conventions to enhance her skills in hopes of joining the college dance team at USF.

 

Kendall is currently attending the University of South Florida where she is a Biomedical Major.   Kendall values her relationships with her family and friends. She is thankful for her mom who taught her and her sister, Grace, to follow their dreams and that anything they put their minds to is possible to achieve.  

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Paitin Leckey, Teacher

Paitin is a passionate dancer and dedicated instructor, with over fifteen years of dance experience. Growing up in Virginia, she honed her skills at various dance schools for nine years before relocating to Florida, where she spent six transformative years at CSOD's Dance Empire. Paitin’s love for dance is matched only by her enthusiasm for teaching, inspiring countless students with her energy and expertise. Throughout her journey, Paitin has been recognized for her talent with scholarships from prestigious programs such as Streetz, Revel, 24 Seven and more. Beyond dance, family is at the heart of Paitin's life. She cherishes the time spent with her loved ones, especially her mother, who has been her steadfast supporter and source of encouragement. Grateful for the opportunities she has received, Paitin attributes her success to her family and her faith in God, embodying the spirit of gratitude in all that she does. She is also truly grateful for all of the studio staff that have driven her to be her absolute best. Her journey continues to inspire those around her as she shares her love of dance and teaching with the world.

Grace Bartolomeo, Teacher Apprentice

Grace started her dance journey at four years old and has continued her training at CSOD's Dance Empire over the past decade.  As a graduating senior in our highest-level classes this year, Grace has earned the opportunity to become a Teacher Apprentice where she  trains and develops the next generation. She is thankful to have these moments with her students to pass on her love for dance. Grace brings her passion, humor,  and expressive nature to her classroom to create pieces that she is proud of. She has been awarded and recognized at numerous competitions and conventions throughout the years, winning high-score awards and being awarded dance convention scholarships.

 

She is excited to continue to showcase her talents during her last year of on our competitive company. On top of her dance accomplishments, Grace has maintained a rigorous academic curriculum and will be graduating from Springstead High School with Highest Honors. After graduation she plans to attend the University of South Florida to study Engineering.

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Katie Haber, Teacher Apprentice

Katie began her dance career in 2010 at Charlene’s School of Dance. She has been a dancer for fourteen years and is in her 13th season as a competitive dancer. During this timeframe, Katie has received many awards such as 'Miss Junior Shake the Ground', runner-up for 'Miss Junior KAR', runner-up 'Junior Apprentice' at Intrigue, invitations to multiple convention and competition opening number performances, a 'Streetz Elite Finalist', along with many other scholarships and top 10 placements. Outside of the studio, Katie began choreographing at a young age at Chocachatti Elementary school where she has worked with many grade level performances on their dance performances. She also assists there as a dance teacher for their 'micro society' program. Katie currently is in her junior year at Springstead High School in the IB program and hopes to attend the University of Florida or Florida State University.

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