Lauren Treat
Director of Dance, Ballet
Lauren Treat is the Director of Dance at Riverdale Y, a professional independent dance artist, and a passionate dance educator based in NYC. She has taught Dance at the Y since 2018 and is currently on dance faculty at MMJCCM and Manhattan Youth Ballet Kids in addition to over a decade of teaching experience previously having taught at Norwalk Academy of Dance, City Stage Dance Academy, and the Westfield School of Dance. In 2021, Lauren completed training to become an Educator at Union Square Play where she also co-created their first Creative Ballet program for 3-5 year olds, ‘Dance! Play! Ballet!’. Still a joyful dancer herself, she has danced professionally with BalletMet Columbus, Milwaukee Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Lydia Johnson Dance, Neglia Ballet, Jefferson Performing Arts, AVID Dance, and MorDance. Originally from central New York, Lauren majored in Dance at Walnut Hill School of the Arts in Natick, MA.
Ninda Figueroa
Acro, Tumble,
Y Kids Space Dance
Ninda Figueroa is a native of the Bronx, specializing in Athletics, Fitness, Training and Gymnastics. Ninda started her dance and gymnastics training at Bronx Dance Theatre. She went on to assist classes and fell in love with teaching. During her teen years, Ninda studied with Ballet Hispánico and Alvin Ailey and was also a member of her high school’s elite gymnastics team. She has gone on to coach Gymnastics at different gyms around New York certified by the Aerobics Federal Association.
Sophie Savelli
Broadway Jazz, Pre Ballet, Y Kids Space Dance
Sophie Savelli is a New York City based dancer, teacher, and choreographer who specializes in contemporary, jazz, street fusion, and rhythm tap. Originally from Cleveland, Sophie trained extensively in all forms of dance at her family’s studio, and began teaching there and at several other studios in North East Ohio before relocating to NYC to attend the Conservatory at Steps on Broadway. She was most recently seen in Tulsa Ballet’s “Strictly Gershwin”, Rhythm World 35 in Chicago, both the 24th and 25th Annual Choreographer’s Carnival, and has appeared in concept videos for multiple choreographers in New York. She is also a member of the Dig Tap Society, a tap dance company that performs internationally.
Nia Deliso
Tap, Broadway Jazz, Y Kids Space Dance
Nia Deliso started dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Middleton, NJ and went on to study contemporary, lyrical, ballet, jazz, and musical theater. She began her work in dance education at 15 years old and since taught classes for ages 2 through adulthood across New York state. In 2018 she graduated with a BA in Dance from Eugene Lang College, where she had the privilege of performing in works by Rebecca Stenn, Juliette Mapp, Stacy Spence, Larissa Velez-Jackson, and Nami Yamamoto. Outside of being a dedicated dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor, Nia studies American Sign Language and works as a freelance video editor. She works alongside various NYC based artists to create dance video productions, as well as live performances. Over her 10 years of teaching, Nia has fostered a love for movement as a mode of self expression and continues to share that creative outlet with students of all ages.
Alexandria Sawyier
PS24 Kids Space Dance
Alexandra Sawyier’s training highlights include a B.F.A. from NYU Tisch, studies with Maria Tallchief and Homer Bryant in Chicago, the School of American Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet (awarded full merit scholarship). Alexandra is currently dancing in her 21st season at the Metropolitan Opera where she’s had the privilege of performing the work of many acclaimed directors and choreographers, and appearing in several “Live in HD” and PBS “Great Performances” broadcasts. Regional highlights include working with Tony winning and Olivier nominated choreographers at Paper Mill Playhouse, Houston Grand Opera, Atlanta’s Fox Theater, and Princeton’s McCarter Theater. In addition to performing in opera and musicals, Alexandra also toured nationally and internationally as a back-up dancer and choreographer with Grammy nominated singer, Jana. Alexandra performed as a company member or soloist at numerous venues throughout NYC. She and her husband are busy raising three children in Riverdale!
Courtney Murray
‘Dance With Me!’, Pre Ballet, Broadway Jazz
Courtney Murray is originally from Colorado. Since moving to New York, she has danced with multiple companies, including Borne Dance Company NYC, DancerKerr & Dancers, MANX, and Alma NYC. Her choreography has been featured in Borne Dance Company Annual Benefit, Steffi Nossen’s Choreography Showcase, Christopher Palacio Dance Project, and Peridance Capezio Center’s Faculty and Student Showcase. She received the Best Choreography Award for her year at Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program. Courtney loves teaching, and she is so happy to be a part of Riverdale Y Dance this year!
