ABOUT OUR PROJECT
At Northeast Dance Project, our mission is simple; to provide quality training and education to young dancers. NEDP believes dance training is life training. Dance training not only improves physical fitness, flexibility, coordination, confidence, and strength but allows your child a creative outlet and safe environment to explore the arts and embrace who they are, both on and off stage. Our brand new state-of-the-art facility is the perfect place to begin or continue your dance journey. Let our experienced, carefully selected staff guide your dancer to reach their fullest potential as an artist, athlete, performer, and human being.
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" Start unknown, finish unforgettable."
-Misty Copeland
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MEET OUR STAFF
Tracy Badini
Owner/Director
After 25 years of teaching, choreographing, and coaching dancers throughout New Jersey and New York, Tracy has acquired valuable knowledge and experience through colleagues, studio owners, parents and students to bring you the very best dance training in the area.
Tracy received her early training at New Jersey School of Ballet and later was accepted to the School of American Ballet in NYC. While at SAB, Tracy trained with the most prestigious teachers in the country including Helene Dudin, Elise Reiman, Andre Kramarevsky, and Richard Rapp to name a few. Tracy performed in numerous ballets with New York City Ballet including, "Coppelia","Union Jack", "Midsummer's Night Dream", "Circus Polka", and of course "The Nutcracker'. Tracy was a dancer for the NJ Nets as well as a choreographer for New York Liberty Kids and New Jersey Nets Kids. Her choreography has been performed at Madison Square Garden, The Prudential Center, DanceRave NY, and Symphony Space NYC.Most recently Tracy had the honor of setting choreography for the Duke Dancing Devils at Duke University. Students of Badini have performed in the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular", Macy's Kids," Billy Elliot "on Broadway, "Move" NYC, Nickelodeon, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Season 8 of Dance Moms. Students have been accepted to many prestigious summer programs and professional schools including, Julliard Summer Intensive, The Ailey School, Joffrey and ABT summer intensives. College credits and dance teams include Hofstra University, Rutgers, Penn State, USC, and University of Delaware.
Instructor
Melissa West
Melissa West has over 20 years of training in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Modern styles.She was a member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble for six years and performed with the company at numerous theatres including Lincoln Center in a tribute to Duke Ellington. Melissa has performed for Disney, Kmart, New York Liberty and Knicks Kids at Madison Square Garden. Melissa also appeared as a dancer on the Queen Latifah Show. Melissa is the dance captain of Nick DiNicolangelo's "Hands Down Tap Project", a tap company that brings together elite tappers from across the country. Melissa has assisted across the nation on conventions and competitions and is the youngest faculty member on Syncopate Tap Intensive working amongst the industries top teachers and choreographers. Melissa has taught and choreographed award winning dances throughout NJ, NY, PA, and Texas. Melissa has a BA as a dance minor from Montclair University as well as a BA in psychology with a focus on elementary education and teaching certification for grades K-6. Melissa hopes to make a positive impact in the dance world and on all her students she has the honor to teach.
Alex Haquia
Guest Artist
Alexander Haquia is a Morris County native and currently a BFA under the partnership between Fordham University and the Ailey School. Alex is an alumni of the Taylor School, ABT, and the School at Jacob's Pillow. Alex has worked with many prestigious choreographers including, Francesca Harper, Ray Mercer, Pedro Ruiz,Helen Simoneau,Ronnie Favors, and Yusha Marie Sorzano. His accolades include performing in the Holland Dance Festival, as well as "Memoria" with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Alex is currently working with US companies McKoy Dance Project and Mignolo Dance.Most recently, Alex was a company memeber of Complexions Ballet and Appeared in Sonya Tayeh's "Gatsby". NEDP is thrilled to have Alex share his talents with our students.
Nicolette Sauchelli
Guest Artist
Nicolette is currently a freshman at the University of Delaware where she is studying Physical Therapy with a concentration on Sports Health. Nicolette grew up as a competitive dancer winning numerous overall and title wards. Nicolette was named the Senior Icon in Jazz and Teen Miss Dancers Inc. Nicolette was able to tour with the Dancers Inc company and perform in LA, Disney, and throughout NJ. Currently, Nic is a member of Delaware Dance Fever a company specializing in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary. Nicolette has studied with notable choreographers including Cheon, Victor Smalley, and of course Miss Tracy Badini. NEDP is excited to have Nicolette as a guest teacher this summer!
Kristi Tartaglione
Instructor
Kristi Tartaglione, a performing and visual artist, has been dancing since the age of 4 and teaching dance throughout the tristate area for the past 10 years. She is a graduate of Eugene Lang The New School for liberal arts, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in dance. Lang’s unique structure and academics allowed her to curate a course of study focused on teaching and choreography. She continues to further her education through courses and classes in bother performance and teaching. Currently she holds certifications in: Acrobatic Arts Modules 1&2, Alixa Flexibility, Sugarfoot Therapy, & 200hr Yoga Teacher Training.
Kristi’s classroom is a high energy environment that uses strength and technique to facilitate a fusion between acrobatics and dance. Class will include drills to improve tumbling and limbering skills allowing students to excel on and off the mat. Students will engage in improvisational exercises and choreographic practices to prepare them for seamless transitions between acrobatic skills and choreography in various genres. She strives to make her classroom accessible and challenging to all levels and abilities, an environment in which the students understand their body which results in a smarter more capable dancer.
Over the course of her ever evolving career she’s had the privilege of dancing works by Rebecca Stenn, Neil Greenburg, Shirleen Quigly, Merceditas Manza Manago-Alexander, Lacina Coulibaly, Karla Wolfangle, Miri L. Park, and Evan J. Rapport. As well as showcasing her own work at The Secret Theater, Mark Morris, Tishman Theater, The Tank, NYLA, and Actors Fund Center. She continues to have the privilege of training and working with some of the most esteemed choreographers in NYC and LA.
She is currently on staff at Broadway Dance Center’s Children and Teen Program, Northeast Dance Project, and Next Level Dance. She hopes her work with children allows them a safe space to explore themselves and dive deep into issues both in and out of the studio.
Jimmy Genovesi
Instructor
