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FOUNDER - Debralyn Press
DEBRALYN PRESS received her BFA in Dance from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and Masters Degrees in Social Work (group, early childhood through adolescent development) and in Science, Dance/Movement Therapy from Hunter College. Debralyn has performed, choreographed, directed in numerous productions seen on TV, Film, Stage and Video. Choreography credits include Nickelodeon, Rock & Hip Hop Videos, Jazz, Ballet, and Modern dance throughout this country and Europe. Performance credits include Boston Ballet dancing principal roles, Ballet of Contemporary Arts, Harkness House, American Dance Machine, and many more. She is formerly the NYC Board of Education Dance Director (Spark), professor of dance at Westchester Community College, Dance Director at the Helen Hayes Theatre Academy a faculty member of Tappan Zee Dance Group, Steffi Nossen Senior Company teacher, Director of The Dance Company in Ridgefield, CT. and a Master teacher at Dancespace, NYC. Debralyn is widely recognized as one of the best dance/theater educators in Westchester County and is the recipient of numerous awards in this country and in Europe, most recently with an Arts Alive Award for her choreography. Prior to founding WDA, Debralyn was the Dance Director for the NYC Board of Education, during which time she created and implemented workshops in over 100 NYC schools. She has also worked as a Crisis Intervention Specialist and in Substance Abuse Prevention. In addition to teaching acting and dance, Debralyn is certified to teach Yoga and Pilates.
Artistic Directors -
Simon Alexandris (Hip Hop/Breakdance teacher)
Currently finishing his last year at NYU, Simon expects to graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and two minors in Spanish and Dance. An alumni and example of WDA’s own ambitions, Simon began training both street style and musical theater dance since age eleven. By age fourteen he fell in love with all aspects of the creative endeavor, not only learning and
performing, Simon soon discovered his true calling was teaching street style technique with the help of mentors: Wadi Jones and Debralyn Press. Simon has performed at Symphony Space, the 92nd Street Y, and at the Westchester Arts Council. Fast forward eleven years of
performing professionally on camera/stage and teaching Hip Hop/Bboy workshops all over New York State, Simon wishes to empower the next generation with all the love, respect, and support that was provided to him as a young boy. "I want my students to feel safe and appreciated before anything else”.
Emelia Sikorsky (Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop teacher)
TEACHERS & GUEST ARTISTS
Emelia Sikorsky is a proud alumni of Westchester Dance Artist, formerly known as Sleepy Hollow Performing Artists. Her dance training started here with exposure to all styles of dance from ballet to breaking. She participated in training programs at the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Paul Taylor Dance Company, ultimately graduating from Adelphi University with a BFA in dance. Emelia has experience working in public relations and patron services, having spent time working with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and at Jacobs Pillow. The relationship with Ailey has led to her working at AileyCamp as a Group Leader. 12 years of teaching experience brought Emelia to the Master’s School in Dobbs Ferry, choreographing work and teaching guest classes, as well as teaching at other dance studios in the Westchester area. Emelia is dedicated to bringing an inclusive, creative approach to dance where children can experience growth, empowerment, and discipline through the arts. Westchester Dance Artists has been a home to many, and Emelia is a part of keeping that sense of family and care going.
Neil Ruocco (Breakdance)
With over 13 years of experience, Neil Ruocco has dedicated his life to breaking and sharing its culture with the next generation. He began his training in hip-hop choreography at Penny Lane Dance Studio in Somers, NY, and went on to teach himself breaking before refining his craft with crews in Upstate New York and under more traditional b-boys in Hawaii.
Neil has competed against top breakers from renowned crews including The 808 Breakers, Beat Rock Kru, and Vanguards of Style, developing a style that blends breaking with influences from muay thai, jiu-jitsu, and free running. This unique foundation gives him a dynamic approach to movement and teaching—empowering students to explore breaking with confidence, discipline, originality and most importantly - STYLE.
Alicia Dilone (Musical Theater, Ballet, Jazz, Tap)
Alicia Dilone is a Dominican dancer, actor, and singer with over 15 years of experience in Ballet, Modern, Latin, and Jazz. A graduate of AMDA, Alicia has honed her craft in both acting and singing, performing at prestigious venues such as the Youth America Grand Prix, Teatro José Martí in Cuba, Gran Teatro del Cibao in the Dominican Republic, Tarrytown Music Hall, and the AMDA theater. Her artistic journey includes collaborations with renowned choreographers like Yeira Genao, Alfa Rodriguez, Dulce Suriel, Beatrice Howell, Ramon Galindo, Cynthia Murray-Davis, Janine Aloisi, Albert Guerzon and Monica Kapoor. In addition to performing, Alicia has shared her passion through teaching and choreographing, serving as a Ballet and Modern Instructor at Ballet Contempora in Santiago, Dominican Republic from 2019 to 2022. She also worked as a Summer Camp Assistant at BeeWell Preschool and most recently as a Teacher’s Assistant at Bellevue Daycare Center in Manhattan, blending her creative energy with early childhood education.
Passionate about creative storytelling and collaboration, Alicia infuses each performance with dedication, fun, and creativity. Outside the stage, she enjoys painting, exploring new restaurants in New York, and helping Spanish speakers navigate the city.
Wadi Jones (Hip Hop/Breakdance)
Albert Guerzon (Theatre/Dance)
Majella Bess
Lea Ono
