Take a look at our exceptional instructors and dance directors, with their wealth of experience, to ensure the finest dance experience possible.
Cheryl Freund
Director
Take a look at our exceptional instructors and dance directors, with their wealth of experience, to ensure the finest dance experience possible.
Anjuli O’Rourke hails from Long Island, NY and has over a decade of performance, teaching and choreography experience. Ms O’Rourke received her B.A. in Dance Performance and Psychology from Hofstra University. During her years at Hofstra, she studied under the direction of Lance Westergard, Robin Becker, Michael Blake and Cathy McCann. She took part in many National Dance Festivals, including the American College Dance Festival where her choreography was featured, and the Dancers Responding to Aids Benefit in NYC. Professionally, Ms. O’Rourke was a four year member and Captain of the New York Dragons “Firedancers” (AFL). Her choreography has been featured on “Good Morning America”, the “WB Morning Show” and “Fox Sports”. She has performed with Bon Jovi, 98*, the Venga Boys, and was core dancer on Club Jam TV featured on ABC. One of Anjuli’s greatest accomplishments was opening up her studio, The Dream Center Dance Academy in 2004 with co-owner Cheryl Freund. Ms. O’Rourke has been awarded numerous choreography awards, Teacher of the Year recognitions, and studio excellence awards. Her students can been seen modeling for top costume catalogues, are on scholarship for prestigious Conventions, and have gone on to pursue dance degrees at prominent Universities. Owning the studio has given Ms. O’Rourke the opportunity to judge Nationally for Kids Artistic Revue and Rainbow Dance Competition. She has taught workshops at numerous studios including The Dance Masters Convention in New York and KAR Dance Convention. She is thrilled that she is able to spread her love and joy of dance to the younger generations and hopes to continue to inspire and motivate dancers for years to come.
Maribeth Cacchioli is a dance educator from Long Island, NY and has over a decade of teaching experience. Inspired by her teachers growing up, Maribeth pursued her dream of becoming a dance educator at the collegiate level. While attending Hofstra University, she had the privilege of performing in multiple faculty shows; working with many choreographers such as Rachel List, Royce Zackery, Darrah Car, Jason Melms and Bebe Miller. Since attending Hofstra, Maribeth became a NYS Certified Dance Educator for grades Pre-K-12. Continuing her education, she received a master’s degree in General Education and Special Education grades 1-6 from Touro College. After teaching in multiple schools, Maribeth found her path in exposing the world of dance to students with special needs. She is currently a dance educator in a school in Queens, NY that services students with multiple disabilities. Maribeth has been part of the Dream Center staff for over 10 years. She specializes in teaching all genres and works with both the recreational program and competitive team. Maribeth has been awarded many choreography awards at the regional and national level; including an Industry Dance Award nomination for Best Jazz Performance in 2023. Maribeth is very fortunate to be part of the Dream Center staff and will continue to share her passion just like the staff once did for her.
Jordan Benvenisti discovered her passion for dance through years of dedicated training and performance. As an alumni of The Dream Center Dance Academy, she trained in a wide range of styles and competed on national stages across the country. Most recently, Jordan spent five years as a member of the St. John’s University Dance Team, where she earned six UDA National medals. Her talent has taken her to iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, and UBS Arena, where she performed for sold-out crowds. Jordan also had the honor of dancing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside legendary artists including Paula Abdul, Kylie Minogue, and Cher. As she concluded her collegiate career, Jordan was recognized with the Dance Team Spirit and Dedication Award, a testament to her commitment, leadership, and love for her team and dance.
Hailing from Central Pennsylvania, Jodie Points trained in a wide variety of styles with a concentration in Cecchetti ballet. Jodie went on to Hofstra University with a major in dance, where she studied ballet and modern with Lance Westergard, Robin Becker, and Cathy McCann-Buck. During college, Jodie discovered and cultivated her love of teaching dance, which led her to the success she’s achieved today. She has been on faculty at Dream Center Dance Academy for 20 years where she teaches ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, contemporary, lyrical, and progressions. She’s proud to have developed and guided dancers into becoming National Champions and Title Winners, while also receiving Choreography Awards. She has also had a piece nominated for a prestigious “Industry Dance Award”. Her students have gone on to have thriving dance careers professionally and collegiately, including a Tony Award Winner from “Billy Elliot” on Broadway, collegiate and professional pom and dance team members, cruise ship dancers, and more.
Known for her “tough kindness”, Jodie prides herself on drawing artistry and intention out of her dancers. She continues to educate herself at various teacher workshops, and is certified through Dance Masters of America, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance. Jodie’s words have been published in Rhee Gold’s “DanceLife Magazine”, where she was interviewed for being one of the most prominent judges from leading dance competitions in the US.
Jodie sits on the T.A.S.K. Board for KARBOW Productions, a panel dedicated to providing excellence in judging dance competitions. She has judged for Kids Artistic Revue, Rainbow Dance Competition, Ultra Dance Tour, StarQuest International and Revel Dance Convention. She has taught master classes around the country, including classes for Starquest, Dance Masters of America, and at various studio intensives. Jodie is also active within the organization Dancers Against Cancer, where she continues to fundraise for an organization that assists dancers and their families who are battling cancer. Jodie continues to inspire dancers nationwide, living by her motto of, “You get what you give.”
Greta Rolandi Fernicola is a dynamic and passionate dancer originally from Genoa, Italy. She began her formal dance training at the age of four at Il Gatto Danzante, under the guidance of Roberta Conte. By age eight, she continued her studies at La Nuova Alacritas with Maura Rizzo, where she trained until she was eleven.
Greta then moved to Milan to pursue professional ballet training at the Accademia Ucraina di Balletto, directed by Caterina Calvino Prina. After five years of intensive classical training, she expanded her focus to include modern and contemporary dance at M.A.S. (Music, Arts & Show).
In 2018, Greta was accepted into the Independent Program at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. The following year, she joined Ailey’s prestigious Certificate Program and graduated with the class of 2022.
Throughout her journey, Greta has worked with and performed under the direction of renowned international artists. She is currently the CEO of GRF Dance NYC and is committed to continuing her artistic growth. Greta aspires to build a career with a ballet or modern/contemporary repertory company while furthering her academic and creative education.