About

Stephanie & Vincent

Stephanie Falciano and Vincent Antonelli are nationally recognized professional ballroom dancers, choreographers, and performance specialists in American Rhythm and Theatre Arts. As a professional partnership for over a decade, they built a reputation for dynamic lifts, theatrical storytelling, and polished technical execution. From 2010–2019 they were finalists and top competitors in numerous American Rhythm and Theatre Arts events throughout the tri-state area. They are members of the NDCA and hold multiple dance degrees through US Terpsichore. Although they retired from professional competition in 2019, they continue to train students of all ages for competitive ballroom success.

Our Team

Professional Long Island dance teachers providing lessons in Ballroom Dance, Salsa, Tango, Latin Dance. International and American Dance Lessons specialzing in showdance, showcase choreography, theatre arts and wedding dance preparation. We have a social dance department which include salsa, bachata, merengue, hustle. Ballet and Belly dance offered limited space. Our Long Island Dance School has dance classes and private lessons for children and adults on Long Island

Stephanie Falciano

Principle Instructor & Choreographer

owner, artistic director, and choreographer of Dance With Us with over 30 years of professional dance and teaching experience. She was ranked #1 nationally in the United States Rising Star American Rhythm Championship in 1998 and has earned numerous titles and finalist placements in American Rhythm and Theatre Arts competitions. Stephanie toured internationally with dance companies in China, England, and the Netherlands and has appeared in television programs, independent films, commercials, and live dinner theatre productions as an actress since the early 1990s when not dancing. She has also been featured in more than 20 episodes of a Ballroom and Latin instructional television program broadcast across Long Island, New York, and New Jersey. Today, she continues to coach students of all ages for competitions, certifications, and performances throughout the Tri-State area.

  • Licentiate Degrees in American Rhythm, American Ballroom, International Ballroom and Latin, and Theater Arts

  • Member of USISTD, USTA and registered with NDCA

  • Licenses- professional competitor, certified dance teacher, adjudicator (A+, B+, C+, D+) invigilator & registrar

  • Featured in 20+ episodes of a Ballroom/Latin Public Cable TV hosted by Alfonso Triggiani

Vincent Antonelli

Coach & Choreographer

Vincent Antonelli is a professional ballroom coach and choreographer with over 30 years of experience in partnership dancing, specializing in Theatre Arts and Broadway-style show dance. He has appeared in weekly instructional episodes of a Ballroom and Latin public cable television program hosted by Alfonso Triggiani and has conducted workshops and performances throughout Long Island, New York, and New Jersey. Vincent is a Theatre Arts champion and has been a finalist in more than 50 competitions. In addition to dance, he has a background in singing, drums, and piano, which supports his work in music editing for performances. Today, he continues to train students of all ages for competitions and showcases throughout the Tri-State area.

  • Associate Degree in American Rhythm with USTA

  • Member of USTA & registered with NDCA

  • Certified Dance Teacher

  • Licentiate Degree in Theatre Arts with the USTA

Maria DeAngelis

Dance Instructor

Maria is a black belt in Kempo-jujitsu and has been both training and teaching Taichi, kickboxing, and fitness for over 10 years. Maria teaches several forms of fitness, movement and dance on Long Island in both Nassau and Suffolk county. She began dancing at the age of  three with formal ballet training and belly dancing. She’s been actively training, teaching, showcasing and competing in ballroom for the past 4 years. Maria has patience and endurance for individuals of all ages and capabilities. She is a teacher by nature and it is the core of everything she does.

  • BA in English Lis Literature

  • Secondary Education and MS in TESOL from Hofstra University

  • Personal Trainer

  • Student Teacher Certification in American Smooth with the USTA

Victoria Barayev

Dance Instructor

Victoria Barayev is a competitive dancer and assistant dance teacher who has been performing since early childhood. She trained in ballet before transitioning to ballroom and Latin dance, where she developed a passion for competition. Victoria also supports dance education by helping teach classes for students of all ages, including deaf students, using her proficiency in American Sign Language. Currently a student at Syosset High School, she balances academics with competitive dancing and teaching.

• 1st Place, Manhattan Dance Championships – Bronze Amateur Student (2023–2024)

• 1st Place Ballroom & Latin, City’s Dance Sport Challenge (2024)

Ramon Rodriguez

Dance Instructor

Growing up as a Latino, he was surrounded by the vibrant spirit of dance, sharing the experience with friends and family. He loves to social dance and also share his passion as a dance host. With a rich background of 8 years in ballroom dancing, encompassing competitions, training, showcases, and teaching, I strive to ignite a love for dance in others. My aspiration is to bring joy to people’s lives and help them discover the beauty of dance, making the dance floor one of their happiest places. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching at Dance with us for 2 years, a fantastic studio filled with wonderful people.

Bryan Perez

Dance Instructor

Bryan Perez, a NY native started dancing Salsa in February 2012 in efforts to grow closer to his culture. Being an athlete from a young age, he took to Salsa & Bachata dancing instantly.

Some of the coaches and instructors that Bryan has had the pleasure to train with over the years is Eddie Torres Jr, Melanie Castillo, Anya Katsevman, Fausto Felix, Elvis Collado, Matthew Rivera, Carolina Montilla, & more. He trained in the genres of Salsa, Bachata, Cha-Cha, Latin Hustle, Latin Boogaloo, Hip-Hop, & Contemporary.

Jaileen Vargas

Dance Instructor

Jaileen Vargas is trained in Balanchine, Ballet and Latin. She trained at The Ballet Center, in Old Bethpage and with Frank Ohman at The Ohman School of Ballet. She studied Ballet and Modern, through Vaganova, Graham, Taylor, and Forsythe style training under Orion Duckstein, Frank Agustyn, Adelheid B. Strelick and Jen Kreichman. She was featured in pieces choreographed by Rasta Thomas and Joy Douglas and dance films, choreographed and directed by Sarah Rehm. Jaileen has danced in NYDT’s Nutcracker since 2016. She has danced in lead roles, such as Arabian Coffee, and as Dew Drop. Jaileen studies and competes in Latin International Ballroom dance under Stephanie Falciano at Dance with Us Long Island.

  • Minor in Dance from Adelphi University

Dennis Kaydanov

Dance Instructor

Dennis Kaydanov has been performing and competing in dance since the age of six, captivating audiences across the East Coast. He began training in Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Break Dancing before expanding into ballroom at age eight with his sister Ilona. Dennis has built a strong reputation through competition success and dedication to teaching. Alongside dance, he works in technical and creative fields including theater production and aviation maintenance. When he finds free time, he enjoys cooking and baking.

Frank Wolfe

Dance Instructor

Has been teaching American International Style Ballroom and Latin since the 1980’s. He has had extensive international training with Elizabeth Romain, Fran Rogers and Dennis Udell Paul Beaten. Frank now teaches ballroom dance at Dance With Us in Syosset, NY. He specializes in coaching the international standard style of dance. This includes Waltz, Fox Trot, Tango, Viennese Waltz and quick step.

Christina Rahjkumari

Dance Instructor

Cristina is a professional salsa dancer, performer, and choreographer. She has been teaching Salsa On2 for over four years. She won first place in the Rising Star Salsa Ladies Solo Showcase at The Summit championship. Now she is teaching Salsa Fusion workshops and has her own salsa ladies team named, Las Estrellas Ladies.

Lisbel Collado

Dance Instructor

As a proud native of the Dominican Republic, I am joyful in sharing my culture and rhythm through salsa. My focus is in New York-style salsa, also known as salsa on2, as well as Bachata and Merengue, and I fuse my love for dance with my background in psychology and social work. For me, every step is a way to foster confidence and connection. I believe that learning dance is not just technique, but an opportunity to share joy and self-assurance.

Brianna Barefoot

Dance Instructor

Dancer, choreographer, and dance educator based in New York. She began dancing at a young age and trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern. A recent graduate from Hunter College, Brianna has received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Dance Education, certified to teach children ages 3-18. She has had the great opportunity to perform works by Alberto “Tito” Del Saz, Jill Kenney, and Ezhoje Ezeke, among others. Brianna is currently a member of two NYC-based dance companies, TYF Dance Company and Prints Dance Company. Brianna creates a safe space for students to explore their artistry and develop a passion for dance.

INCOMING COACHES

Our guest trainers and expert ballroom instructors visit the Syosset studio often to train our competitive ballroom dancers.

ANDREW PHILLIPS

Andrew Phillips renowned as one of the country’s leading competitors in International Latin Dancesport. He gained notoriety by winning such prestigious competitions as Northeast Open Invitational, Ohio Star Ball, Japan Open Invitational, United States World Rising Star Championship, and Blackpool where he was a rising star champion. Check out photos and videos from his Dancesport students here.

Among her titles are Eastern United States Professional Standard Champion, Imperial Star Professional Champion and Heritage Classic Professional Standard Champion. Amy was a Grand Finalist in all major U.S. Professional Championships and has appeared on national television in the PBS “Championship Ballroom Dancing” as well as on “Good Morning New York”.

A native of Haiti, Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine trained in jazz, modern, Haitian folklore, and Ballroom Dance for over 17 years. In 1997, having developed a distinct passion for partner dancing, Emmanuel founded Caminito, which came to be regarded as one of the leading schools of Ballroom and Latin dance in Haiti. Check out this story about the amazing, three-time world champion and US champion dancer with his partner Liana Churilova. Emmanuel is an inspirational person and incredible dancer.

I have been enthusiastically teaching since 1976. My experience has covered every aspect of teaching, from beginners to professional competitors. I have a passion for every aspect of the ballroom dance industry. My most recent accomplishments include the authoring of the American Style syllabus, six technique manuals and twenty DVDs. These technique manuals are the Official source of the technique from which Ballroom and Rhythm examinations are drawn from. Find out more about Esther here.

Chris Stephenson is a British, U.K. and international Latin Finalist as well as 2 times Ohio Star ball Professional Rising Star Champion. At a young age he gained success when he placed top 5 in the world as junior and youth, and as well as rising Star professional. Chris Stephenson currently makes costumes for world champion couples under his company Jordy International. He started out as the son of a bricklayer, and now is the father of four and the designer of thousands. Some of the couples Chris designs for includes Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko, Tony Dovalani and Karina Smirnoff, and Louis van Amstel and Sammy Stopford.

Jose Decamps is a professional ballroom dancer based in New York City. He is perhaps best known as the 2007 U.S. National Dancesport Champions with his partner, Joanna Zacharewicz. Decamps began his competition dance career in 1991 as both a Latin and ballroom dancer, competing with Jami Josephson. View Jose and his partner Joanna in action here.

Maria Torres is a consummate dancer and professional choreographer who has been nominated for the Off-Broadway Lorel Award for Best Choreographer in the hit production, Four Guys Named Jose.  Fans have also witnessed her incredible choreography at work in the Off Broadway production of The Donkey Show.  Maria has also choreographed routines for So You Think You Can Dance.  Season 3 featured her Latin Jazz choreography to “Acid,” which was performed by Neil and Lacey