Our Team
Kelly DeRosa, Director
After experiencing 10 years of teaching at studios around the country, Kelly has made the leap and decided to pursue her dreams of opening up her own studio, and Alliance Dance was born. Kelly DeRosa is versed in all styles of dance, including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. She strives to ensure dancers are learning the techniques of these styles while having fun and gaining confidence. She is a founding member of Nick Dinicolangelo's Hands Down Tap Project, a tap dance company that features some of the most talented tap dancers from all over the country. Hands Down Tap Project has performed in New Jersey, Las Vegas, Boston, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and St. Louis. Kelly has worked for and toured with Adrenaline Dance Convention, Revive Dance Convention, and the National Dance Honors.
Kelly graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Communication Studies. While at JMU, Kelly was President of Madison Dance and served as head choreographer for the Jazz Team for three years. Kelly has taught for multiple studios in the New Jersey area in many styles, specializing in Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Kelly also travels to choreograph for different dance studios all over the country. She holds an inspiring number of awards and honors in acknowledgment of her choreography.
Brigid O’Leary, Instructor
Growing up in Flanders, NJ, Brigid found her love of dance at age 3 and trained in all styles. She danced competitively in Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Ballet from age 6 through high school, earning multiple awards and scholarships. While attending college at Arizona State University, she had the opportunity to perform in several shows with the dance program, be a part of a variety of projects outside the school, and enjoyed her time on the board of the “Free the Dance” club. She graduated with a B.S. in Communications and B.A. in Design Studies (Management). Her teaching career began at age 19 in Arizona, instructing kids and adults of all ages in Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and Acro at a local studio in Tempe. She also taught multiple Tap and Heels drop-in classes throughout the valley.
Brigid has been a member of the Hands Down Tap Project since 2014, connecting with tappers across the country and performing in shows each year. After settling back in NJ, Brigid works full time as a Digital Marketing Manager and is thrilled to assist Alliance with their social media and advertising.
Melissa West, Instructor
Melissa West has over 30 years of dance training in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary and Modern styles. She was a member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble for six years and performed with company at numerous theaters including New Jersey Performing Arts Center and New York City’s Lincoln Center, in a tribute to Duke Ellington. At a young age, Melissa has danced for Disney, Kmart, the New York Knicks and Liberty at Madison Square Garden, and has appeared dancing on the Queen Latifah television talk show. Melissa is a founding member of Nick Dinicolangelo’s Hands Down Tap project, a tap company bringing together elite tappers from all over the U.S. She continues to train and perform with Hands Down Tap Project as acting dance captain of the company. Melissa has assisted classes across the nation at Adrenaline and Revive Dance Conventions and was a founding member at former Syncopate Tap Intensive working among some of the industry’s top teachers and choreographers.
She has also studied dance throughout college and now has a BA dance minor degree from Montclair State University. With an additional BA degree in psychology, focus on elementary education, and teaching certification for grades K-6, she is well rounded in her teaching styles and techniques. Melissa currently teaches various styles of dance (specializing in Tap) and choreographs high scoring competitive routines throughout the country. Currently, she is the tap director/teacher at multiple prestigious studios in North Jersey. Melissa strives to make a positive impact on the dance world and loves to share her passion for the arts with others.
Kati Simon, Instructor
Kati Simon is a nationally recognized professional dancer and dance educator. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Kati is trained in a large variety of genres including contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, and ballroom. Kati began her professional career as a company member with Divinity Dance Company, under the direction of Krissie Edwards. She then became a touring member of Justin Giles’ SoulEscape the company. Since then, she has booked roles in both stage and screen industry projects.
Kati has spent eight seasons touring with Adrenaline Dance Convention as their Lead Assistant and part-time Faculty Member. Kati’s first performance role upon moving to New York City in 2021 was dancing as a Knicks City Dancer where she performed weekly at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. She is now so excited and honored to be a principal dancer on Candace Brown’s Soul Project Dance Company.
While Kati is passionate about performing, she is just as passionate about teaching and choreographing. She has taught/choreographed for studios and intensives around the country and internationally.
Sarah Bovat, Instructor
Sarah Bovat (she/her) is a New Jersey based artist, originally from Central Massachusetts. She grew up in competition dance, studying at Diane Kelley Dance Studio for 14 years. She received her BFA in Dance and a minor in Business from the University of the Arts. During her time at UArts, Sarah has worked with Sidra Bell, Helen Sinoneau, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Jesse Zaritt, Mark Castera, Da’Von Doane, and Katie Swords Thurman. Now, she is teaching at multiple studios, continuing her training in NYC, and has recently acquired a barre certification. As an educator, Sarah has dedicated 8 years to nurturing the next generation of dancers, spreading the love of dance, and emphasizing the importance of taking care of students' physical, emotional, and creative needs. She empowers them to be motivated and engaged individuals in addition to strong technicians and powerful performers. In her classes, students can expect a blend of rigorous technical training, individual creativity, and collaboration all designed to challenge and inspire them. Sarah is not just a teacher, but a mentor and an inspiration to their students, encouraging them to reach their fullest potential both in dance and in life. With a passion for dance that is as infectious as it is profound, Sarah continues to leave a lasting impact on the dance world, and cannot wait to teach at Alliance Dance Studio for another season!
Jess Paolillo, Instructor
Jess found her love for dance at the very young age of 1 ½ years old, and quickly started training in all styles. From the ages of 9 to 18, she danced competitively in jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theater. Growing up in Hillsborough, New Jersey, she competed with several studios throughout the Somerset County area.
Once in high school, Jess attended the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School to study dance part time. Here she was able to not only further her dance training, but take other classes such as choreography, stage lighting, and even got her Pilates certification through this program. Jess was also a part of the Tap Company at Vo Tech for 4 years, and was the manager of the company her senior year.
Jess graduated from Montclair State University, with her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. She now works full time as a daycare teacher, and is now working on obtaining her state issued teaching certification. Jess has not only a huge passion for dance, but a passion for teaching children as well!