Our Staff

Melanie Vaughan

Director/Teacher

Ms Mel has been at Pat's for over 30 years! How is that possible? She danced here at the age of 3 and NEVER left. At the age of 18, Ms. Mel started teaching dance. She then became the assistant director under Ms. Pat before she took over as director in 2018. Along with her training at Pat’s, Ms. Mel has gone through extensive dance training at conventions and professional studios such as Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Throughout her experiences, she has studied with legendary Jazz dancer/ Choreographer Frank Hatchett, Wade Robson (MTV Wade Robson project), Brian Friedman (SYTYCD, Brittany Spears’ Choreographer), Mandy More (SYTYCD), Dave Scott (SYTYCD), and Brandon Maurice Curry (Director Eglevsky Ballet). She also had multiple childhood Rockette experiences on top of Macy’s “Tap O Mania.” Now, Ms. Mel has two adorable sons, a new baby girl, and a husband known as “Mr Andrew” around the studio, who fixes and helps with anything we need. Ms. Mel has such a passion for Pat’s and always goes above and beyond for OUR kids. “Training under Ms. Pat for many years gave me the opportunity to witness what a family-run studio should be like. She taught me that every child is welcome for who they are. Not what mold you’re trying to put them in.
Family is everything”

AnnMarie Famularo

Artistic Director

Ms. Ann Marie has been at Pat's for over 20 years! She started dance at 4 years old and like Ms. Mel never left (Ms. Mel was actually her student teacher when she was little!). In her last year at dance, she started helping out in the office and transitioned from student to staff while she studied at Stony Brook University and recieved her Bachelor's in Marine Science. Ms. Ann Marie has worn many hats here at Pat's over the years from secretary and office director, to assistant director, and now as artistic director as she continues her graduate career for her Masters in Science. Ms. Ann Marie is newly married and a new mom of a beautiful baby girl named Aria who she can't wait to share her love of Pat's with.  

Karlee Yanantuono

Teacher

Miss Karlee is so excited to be teaching at Pat’s! She started dancing here when she was just 3 years old. After graduating from Baldwin High School, she went on to get a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Music. She was a member of the Molloy college dance team and The Molloy Performing Arts Club. She participated in a number of musicals including Grease, Catch me if you can, and Legally Blonde! She has a Masters in Science in Early Childhood and Childhood Education. Miss Karlee is extremely excited to have the opportunity to combine her passions of performing and teaching back where it all began at Pat’s Dance!

Jaria Morris

Teacher

Miss Jaria dances to share the energy, excitement, joy and communal relief that dance brings. She began dancing when she was 3 to help regulate her juvenile diabetes. Pat’s Dance became her home away from home. When she was 13 she started choreographing at Baldwin High school (where she eventually graduated from) for the African and Hispanic cultural clubs. Her favorite dance styles include Modern, Afro-house and Ballet! After graduating from Nassau community college with a degree in Liberal Arts, she joined Carnyval Dancers. Jaria also completed courses at Queens College in dance Performing arts, dance therapy and dance administration. Miss Jaria has a strong heart. She works with the autistic community in a day Hab with small classroom sized individuals. Pat’s is so Blessed to have her in our Family.

Isabella Rosatone

Teacher

Miss Isabella aka “Miss Izzy” is a graduate of Hofstra University with Bachelors of Arts degrees in both Dance Performance and Psychology. She began her dance training in Massachusetts at the North Reading School of Ballet where she trained and competed in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. She has also received musical theatre dance training from the Boston Conservatory Summer Intensive, and contemporary/jazz training from the Joffrey School Summer Intensive. Isabella currently lives in Brooklyn and works as a mental health counselor in a psychiatric rehabilitation center, after receiving her Masters of Science in 2022. Isabella has loved continuing her passion for dance through teaching and choreographing over the past 3 years. 

Yesenia Cruz

Office Director

Yesenia graduated from LIU Post with a BFA in theatre. Shortly after graduating she began working as a teaching artist and assistant program manager at Enact Inc, a company that specializes in using drama to promote social and emotional learning. She has also worked with Counseling In Schools as a professional development facilitator. She has been teaching with an international Drama Company since 2016 and became a proud mama to her Mel in 2019. She is grateful to be part of the Pat’s family!

Christie Janeic

Technical Secretary/ Teacher

Miss Christie is a graduate of Hofstra University with Bachelors of Science in Dance Education. She began her dance training, teaching, and reception skills in Pennsylvania at Levels Dance Studio. She has trained in various styles of dance such as ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, pointe, modern, contemporary, step dancing, and much more. Miss Christie hopes to be able to open her own dance studio and also teach dance in New York school districts one day. Miss Christie is thrilled to be back at Pat’s for another season!

Sadie Stadler

Accounts Secretary/ Teacher 

Miss Sadie, a Pat’s alumni, is thrilled to be back at the studio! She has been dancing since she was 4 and began dancing at Pat’s at the age of 7. Pat’s soon became her second home and she hasn’t been able to leave since! After graduating from Oceanside High School, Miss Sadie attended SUNY Geneseo where she received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociomedical Sciences and Human Development. She recently started working as a Medical Assistant in a pediatric office and hopes to get her Masters in Physician Assistant studies. Miss Sadie can’t wait to see all of the amazing Pat’s students and families, whether she is at the desk or in the classroom!

Stefania Caruana

Secretary/ Teacher 

Miss Stefania is so excited to be teaching at Pat’s! She started dancing at Pats when she was 6 years old and as she got older, began student teaching. After graduating from Baldwin High School, she became both a teacher and secretary at Pats. In high school, Miss Stefania used her passion and knowledge of dance to come up with routines for Baldwin High School's annual Intramural night and Sportsnite as Captain. This year she is studying to become a Radiologic Technician at Nassau Community College. Miss Stefania is thrilled to have the opportunity to come back and continue to dance at Pat's!

Carly Manza

Teacher

Miss Carly recently earned her B.A. in Dance at Hunter College with honors as a member of the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. She also graduated with an A.A. in Dance from Nassau Community College where she received the Lucille Nathanson Memorial Scholarship and the Professor John W. Pereira Scholarship. Carly is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in contemporary, modern, jazz, hip hop, improvisation, and composition. She has performed at the American College Dance Association Northeast festival and gala and is a member of TYF Dance Company. She is inspired by her students, peers, and mentors. She believes that dance is not just an art form, but a universal language that often says more than words could. Carly has been teaching at Pats since 2020 and so excited for another season!

Donovan Molinaro

Teacher

Mr. Donovan is delighted to be sharing his passion for theatre and dance with his students at Pat’s! He graduated from Lynbrook Senior High School and is currently a student at Farmingdale State College. Donovan has been preforming since the third grade and loves sharing his knowledge of theatre. Along with preforming, Donovan also has a great eye for the design aspects of theatre (costumes, set design, and prop design). When he is not dancing his heart out, Donovan loves working as a veterinarian assistant and is in school to one day become a veterinarian! Donovan loves his German Shepherds, Martha and Jack. He can’t wait to see what these upcoming years have to offer here at Pat’s!

Amanda Ward 

Teacher

Miss Amanda is currently a sophomore at Hofstra University working to earn her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance with a Drama minor focused on production! She began training in New Jersey at Once Upon A Dance under the direction of Elizabeth Scro. Amanda has performed with the Atlantic City Ballet Company under the direction of Phyllis Papa throughout high school. She has been focused on ballet and modern concert dance but loves to take classes in contemporary and other styles as well! Amanda has been teaching and assisting ballet for 6 years, and absolutely loves sharing her passion for dance with others. When she is not dancing, Amanda enjoys stage managing and working backstage in theater! She is so excited for her first year teaching at Pat’s!

Jamie Hitsous

Secretary

Ms. Jamie is a graduate of Fordham University with a degree in fashion design. She loves drawing and classic movies. Some of her favorites are "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Pretty in Pink." She met Ms. Mel years ago as a salon client. Jamie is a mom to her son Lloyd who is in high school and is a track star! They are both crazy cat lovers with 2 kitties of their own at home. She is so excited to be joining the family at Pat's 

Gianna Bernardini

Secretary

“Miss Gigi" is so excited to be working at Pats! She began dancing here when she was 3 years old and graduated from Pats in 2023. She is currently going to Stonybrook University and is studying health sciences with the hope of working as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant one day. She had been involved with the arts her entire life. Along with dance, she acted for 15 years and sang in multiple select choirs. While at Pats, she took ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary. She is so thankful to be back at Pats with her second family and cannot wait to contribute more towards the studio. 

Savannah Cameron 

Teacher

Miss Savannah is a recent graduate of Hofstra University with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and a minor in Dance. She began her training in Lowell, Massachusetts at Planet Dance and Fitness where she trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, contemporary, and acro. At Hofstra University she was a part of Danceworks Productions and choreographed three jazz pieces throughout her time in the club. Miss Savannah is so excited that now post graduation she can focus on dancing and teaching more often!