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, Doug Varone, and Brandon Coleman. 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 choreography awards including Choreographer of the Year at Journey Nationals 2026. 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

Gary McCall

Choreographer

Gary McCall (he/him) graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance from New York University in 2023. He has taught dance to a wide range of students in the NYC and Jersey City area, and is a certified mat Pilates instructor through Gramercy Pilates. His performance credits include being a company dancer for Nimbus Dance, under the direction of Samuel Pott, as well as works by Trisha Brown, Bill T. Jones, and Sidra Bell. He has participated in several choreographic residencies/showcases including “Digging In Group” at Green Space, Steps Beyond Foundation Choreography Lab, and “Studio to Stage” at Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company. What Gary loves most of about teaching dance is connecting with his students and seeing their growth; not as only as artists, but as humans.

Amelia Happel is a choreographer and dance educator with a background in both ballet and contemporary dance. She trained at a ballet conservatory before continuing her education in the Post-Secondary Dance Program at Arts Umbrella, where she had the opportunity to work with and perform alongside artists from Dutch National Ballet, Ballet BC, and Nederlands Dans Theater. She has performed repertoire by renowned choreographers including Crystal Pite, Shahar Binyamini, Ethan Colangelo, and Marco Goecke. Amelia is passionate about sharing her love of dance with the next generation, creating a positive and inspiring environment where young dancers can grow in both artistry and confidence.

Amelia Happel

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.​

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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