Meet the Owner
Madeline Bartolotti, the director and owner of Madeline's Dance Center, has a lifelong passion for dance and tumbling, which informs her unique teaching and choreography styles.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Education from SUNY New Paltz, studying under Dr. Gloria Bonali with a focus on the Graham technique, a modern dance style known for its expressive, powerful movements. Madeline also holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and is a New York State Certified teacher, allowing her to mentor the next generation of educators.
Her degree in Early Childhood Education and affiliation with the American Academy of Ballet have allowed her to create a successful curriculum for students of all ages. Madeline's school is located at the Southern Ulster Center for the Arts.
Building Dancers, Building Confidence
Madeline’s Dance Center has been training dancers in the Hudson Valley for over 30 years. We balance the discipline of dance with a supportive, welcoming atmosphere where students can grow as performers and individuals.
Our students have earned scholarships, performed on world-class stages, joined professional companies like the Rockettes, and appeared in film and commercials. We also value mentorship—many dancers begin as assistants in our classes, later teaching on their own and carrying those skills into their careers.
From dance and tumbling to performance, our programs build skills, confidence, and lifelong memories. Our professional staff bring extensive experience as performers, educators, and degree-holding artists, dedicated to helping every student succeed.
Meet Our Staff
Nicholas Bartolotti
Nicholas began dancing at Madeline’s Dance Center and continued his training at the American Academy of Ballet and Adelphi University, earning a BFA under Frank Augustyn. He has performed works by world-renowned choreographers including Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, and Jirí Kylián, and danced professionally with Amy Marshall Dance Company, Eglevsky Ballet, Boca Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Quad Cities. Nicholas now teaches and choreographs at Madeline’s while pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.
Devin Brooks
Devin has been playing piano since childhood and is currently studying at SUNY New Paltz, where he performs in the symphonic band and big band. His teaching style is patient and creative, making piano lessons both fun and rewarding for beginners.
Christa Coates
Christa trained under Mme. Seda Sorvillo and Tom Adair, performing in productions such as Giselle and The Nutcrackerwith Ballet Arts Studio and Poughkeepsie Ballet Theatre. She studied Ballet Performance at Indiana University and earned a B.S. in Arts Management with a minor in Dance from Russell Sage College. Christa has performed with Moving Images Dance Company, worked in arts administration at Vassar’s Powerhouse Theatre, and taught ballet to pre-professional students at Ballet Arts Studio. She is also the founder of Wealth-Legacy, Inc., supporting arts education and local non-profits.
Cassandra Dacunha
Cassandra is part of our Kid’s Club after-school team and assists with hair and makeup at studio events. A Marlboro High School graduate, she has experience in childcare, babysitting, and coaching with the Marlboro Cheerleading team. Cassandra is currently studying Education with a focus in English at Dutchess Community College.
Rebecca Esau
Rebecca grew up dancing with Madeline’s for 14 years and now loves teaching and choreographing for the studio. A graduate of Marist College (Summa Cum Laude) with degrees in Educational Psychology and Literacy, she is also a certified teacher and currently works in the Middletown City School District. Her choreography has earned numerous high score and special awards, and she treasures the chance to share her lifelong love of dance with her students.
Karissa Mazer
Karissa has been part of Madeline’s Dance Center since childhood, training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling, and contemporary styles. She has studied with master teachers at AMDA in New York City and now teaches at both Madeline’s and Tots-N-Us Preschool. Dance has always been her passion, and she loves sharing that joy and guidance with her students.
Jane Petruncola
Jane is a New York–based actor, teacher, and theatre artist who joined Madeline’s Dance Center as Assistant Artistic Director in 2023. She holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance and has performed in stage productions including The Wizard of Oz, Gypsy, and Fiddler on the Roof, as well as screen projects for Disney+, Hallmark, and HBO Max. Jane has also worked with Walt Disney World and Legoland NY, directed productions such as Charlotte’s Web and Mean Girls, and teaches voice, dance, and musical theatre to students of all levels.
Lauren Turley
Lauren began as a competitive gymnast before discovering her passion for dance at Reaching Heart School of Ballet. She earned her BFA in Dance with a focus on Ballet Pedagogy from The Hartt School, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and has performed works by José Limón, Martha Graham, and Anthony Tudor, among others. Lauren trained with Boston Ballet, RUBBERBANDance, and other prestigious programs, later performing in New York City with ZenSpace Dance Company and The DASH Ensemble. She has taught dance and gymnastics at Ballet Tech, Peridance, and NYC Elite, and currently balances teaching at Madeline’s with her career as a school counselor.
Lofia Zhu
Lofia has been dancing at Madeline’s since the age of six, with a passion for ballet and contemporary dance. A member of the Performing Team, she has received numerous awards and scholarships, including from the American Academy of Ballet. Known for her leadership, Lofia began assisting at a young age and now teaches classes while continuing her own training. She is a junior at Marlboro High School, active in both academics and the drama club, and hopes to grow as both a dancer and teacher.