The Company Story:
Danielle began dancing as a child at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn, New York, training under highly respected professional ballerinas. As a member of the company’s competitive dance team, she traveled to compete at the highest levels, acquiring many accolades with the team, including dancing at Madison Square Garden for their half time shows. She began choreographing by the age of 15, when she was hired by several theatre companies to set full length musicals. Balancing her own performing career with intensive training as well as setting choreography was something she found rewarding and exciting.
She was accepted with a performance scholarship to the highly competitive Musical Theatre program at Wagner College. At Wagner, Danielle trained under Broadway veterans as well as current Broadway stars, dancing, singing, and acting in several Main Stage productions. She competed routines at the college level, and was selected to work with legendary jazz master Danny Buraczeski. Shortly after earning her BA in Theatre Performance, Danielle booked a National Tour where she traveled the country performing in iconic classical shows. Over the years Danielle’s performing career continued, and between recording cast albums, dancing for contemporary companies, and partaking in off-Broadway concerts, she found herself always coming back to one thing between gigs – her love of teaching dance. Danielle found great joy in working closely with young dancers who reminded her so much of herself – eager and passionate with an undying love of being on stage. She began setting more choreography, a highlight being a piece for Bob McGrath from Sesame Street. Soon her dances were competing around New Jersey, winning award after award as well as invitations to compete nationally, countless 1st place overall wins, and Teacher Awards for her choreography. Danielle’s pieces were particularly celebrated for their story telling, their creativity, and their commitment to communication through dance.
Danielle found herself having traveled full circle, and that’s what makes the story of the DPDC so special. After years of teaching and setting choreography for various companies she knew it was time to create a home of her own, where young talent can reach their full potential, and feel free to create and explore the rich gifts that performing has to offer. She speaks from experience when she says the memories children make growing up with dance in their lives will be ones they will treasure forever.
She was accepted with a performance scholarship to the highly competitive Musical Theatre program at Wagner College. At Wagner, Danielle trained under Broadway veterans as well as current Broadway stars, dancing, singing, and acting in several Main Stage productions. She competed routines at the college level, and was selected to work with legendary jazz master Danny Buraczeski. Shortly after earning her BA in Theatre Performance, Danielle booked a National Tour where she traveled the country performing in iconic classical shows. Over the years Danielle’s performing career continued, and between recording cast albums, dancing for contemporary companies, and partaking in off-Broadway concerts, she found herself always coming back to one thing between gigs – her love of teaching dance. Danielle found great joy in working closely with young dancers who reminded her so much of herself – eager and passionate with an undying love of being on stage. She began setting more choreography, a highlight being a piece for Bob McGrath from Sesame Street. Soon her dances were competing around New Jersey, winning award after award as well as invitations to compete nationally, countless 1st place overall wins, and Teacher Awards for her choreography. Danielle’s pieces were particularly celebrated for their story telling, their creativity, and their commitment to communication through dance.
Danielle found herself having traveled full circle, and that’s what makes the story of the DPDC so special. After years of teaching and setting choreography for various companies she knew it was time to create a home of her own, where young talent can reach their full potential, and feel free to create and explore the rich gifts that performing has to offer. She speaks from experience when she says the memories children make growing up with dance in their lives will be ones they will treasure forever.