Meet our Faculty

Jessica Caradonna

Director

Jessica Caradonna is the proud Director of this vibrant dance studio. With 30 years of experience at the studio—20 years as a dedicated dancer and 10 years as an instructor—she is deeply passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers. Throughout her career, Jessica has been honored with numerous awards for her choreography, including entertainment and costume awards, as well as many overall awards and first-place trophies. She specializes in Tap and Jazz, where she focuses on helping students excel and discover their unique dance voice. She is also a proud member of Dance Educators of America and holds a Tap Roots certification, which further enhances her expertise and dedication to the art of tap dance. What drives Jessica most is witnessing the transformation in her students—from the moment they struggle with a step to the joy of finally mastering it. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see them grow both as dancers and as individuals. When she is not at the studio, Jessica loves spending time with family and friends and indulging in a good book. She is excited to share her passion for dance with every student and to help them achieve their fullest potential.

Jaymie Rehberger (she/her) is from Queens, New York. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a BFA in Dance. Jaymie also attended Frank Sinatra School of the Arts where she worked with different choreographers such as Kelby Brown. Throughout her dance career she had the pleasure of working with Isaac Lerner, Frank Augustyn, Orion Duckstein, Marie Zvosec, Sam Baker, Maggie Joy, Larry Keigwin, Maleek Washington, Omar Roman De Jesus, and Doug Varone. Jaymie also has been training and assisting at Broadway Dance Center with a popular faculty member, Michelle Barber. Jaymie choreographed her own piece for the Young People’s Concert at the New York Philharmonic. While she had studied and trained here at Queens Dance Academy for 15 years she has now shifted to the role of choreographer. She has won multiple awards including 6 choreography awards for her competition pieces. Jaymie is very excited to continue her role as Assistant Director this upcoming season and can’t wait to see how the studio grows as the years go on.

Jaymie Rehberger

Assistant Director / Choreographer

Brexdyn La Dieu

Choreographer

Brexdyn La Dieu (Suffolk,VA) (he/his/him) has been involved in dance since the age of six, initially focusing on tap and later incorporating additional disciplines as his love for the art form grew more. He commenced his training in concert/modern dance at the age of 13, attending the Virginia Governor's School for Arts throughout his high school years. During the summers (2013-17) he trained with The Richmond Ballet and The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, where he was a Resident Advisor in 2017. At George Mason University, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance (Class of 2021). He had the privilege and distinction of collaborating with a variety of artists, including Fiona Jopp, Hope Boykin, Micaela Taylor, and more. As well as performing pieces choreographed by Lar Lubovitch, Nacho Duato, Lucinda Childs, Andonis Fonidakis, and Rafael Bonachela while attending school. He was then a company member of Todd Rosenlieb Dance Company from 2021 to 2023, during which time he undertook a variety of roles, including ensemble to soloist. Continuing to share his love of dance and the arts, he joined Nimbus Dance Company in 2024.

Ashlyn Daniel holds a Master of Arts in Dance Education from New York University’s Steinhardt School and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She is certified in all levels of the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, from Pre-Primary through Level 7, and has taught ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance to students of all ages across New York, Virginia, and North Carolina. Ashlyn performed professionally with Todd Rosenlieb Dance and the Norfolk Dance Collective, appearing in works by Martha Graham, José Limón, Robert Battle, and Juel D. Lane, among others. Her choreography has been presented by regional companies and recognized at the Youth America Grand Prix. As an educator, she is passionate about helping dancers develop strong technical foundations while nurturing their individual artistry and confidence.

Ashlyn Daniel

Choreographer

Wendolyn Grullon

Choreographer

Wendolyn Grullon was a dedicated competition dancer for 12 years at Queens Dance Academy before transitioning into teaching. She now teaches recreational ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop, as well as competition classes in Hip-hop and Jazz. Wendolyn also coaches solos across various dance styles, including Lyrical, Hip-hop, and Jazz. Her choreography for the platinum award-winning hip-hop routine “Let It Go” earned her crowd-pleaser and choreography awards in the 2023-2024 dance season. In the previous season, she played a key role along with fellow teachers in winning the Outstanding Entertainment award for the routine “Jaw Drop.” Wendolyn has a strong passion for teaching and is committed to inspiring her students. She takes pride in helping dancers refine their skills and reach their full potential, whether they're in recreational classes or preparing for competitions.​

Maddie Barry is a New York based freelance dancer originally from Hampton, New Jersey. She is a 2024 Graduate of Adelphi University earning a BFA in Dance and a minor in Forensic Anthropology, blending her passion for movement with a deep curiosity for human form and expression. Throughout her collegiate experience, she has worked with notable artists and choreographers such as Isaac Martin Lerner, Maggie Joy, Omar Román de Jesús, Sam Baker and Takehiro Ueyama among others. She attended the London Contemporary Dance School in the Fall of 2023 as part of their Study Abroad BA Dance program, and has taken part in intensive programs with Doug Varone and Dancers, Gibney Summer Study, Límon Dance, SpringboardX, and Whim W’him Seattle Contemporary Dance. Since graduating, Maddie has had the opportunity to work with Brando Ortiz’s Ortizta Dance, Carmen Caceres’ DanceAction, and Salvatore LaRussa's Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre appreciating their deeply collaborative creative processes.

Maddie Barry

Choreographer

Mandy Ciraco

Choreographer

Mandy Ciraco (she/her) is from Tolland, Connecticut and is currently studying at Adelphi University to earn her BFA in dance with a minor in Political Science, graduating this coming May. She also attended Artistic Dance Conservatory in Massachusetts. While at Adelphi, Mandy has worked with notable choreographers such as Doug Varone, Larry Keigwin, Isaac Lerner, Sam Baker, Orion Duckstein, and Frank Augustyn. She thoroughly enjoys teaching and is very excited to join the Queens Dance Academy family this fall!

Brando Ortiz (he/him) is an Ecuadorian choreographer, dancer, and educator from Queens, New York. In May 2024, Brando graduated from Adelphi University with a BBA in Business Management and BFA in Dance. Currently, he is on faculty at the Steps on Broadway Academy, Nadia’s Performing Arts Centre, Love to Dance Performing Arts Center, and Queens Dance Academy. During his time at Adelphi,, he was selected to perform works by Doug Varone, Omar Román De Jesús, Isaac Learner, Mark Morris, Maggie Joy, Sloan Pearson, Adelheid B. Strelick, Murray Louis, and more. In addition, he recently completed his first contract with Six Flags Great Adventure as a dancer in Dead Man’s Party’s 25th Anniversary, under the direction of Patricia Crumrine and Daniel Gold. Currently, he is working with Cost n’ Mayor, as part of their skeleton crew for their upcoming show “11 to Midnight”! He has a strong passion for choreography and has showcased his work at the American College Dance Association’s Northeast Conference, The 2023 Young Choreographer’s Festival, Steps On Broadway Summer Intensive, Sybarite, Club NYC, inROUND, and more. Lastly, Brando recently created his own company, Ortizta Dance, in an effort to create more work and bring together a group of artists he feels can bring his visions to life.

Brando Ortiz

Choreographer

Laura Rehberger

Studio Manager

Laura is the Studio Manager here at Queens Dance Academy. With over 25 years of experience as a dance Mom at QDA, Laura has been deeply involved in the dance community and is passionate about ensuring the studio runs smoothly. Her role includes handling phone calls, scheduling, bookkeeping, and managing payments. Laura’s love for dance began long before she became a studio manager. Once her daughters started to dance, she knew it was something special, and being a part of their journey fueled her desire to dive deeper into the world of dance. This involvement has given Laura valuable insights into the business and has enriched her appreciation for the art form.

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