Brooklyn CenterStage Dance Studio Teachers

Heidi Flanagan (owner, Director) has a degree in Dance Education from Philadelphia University of the Arts and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Pace University. She has worked with Camp Broadway NYC teaching dance workshops and with their summer camp program. She taught Ballet and Musical Theater Jazz and Tap at Regional Center High School for the Arts in Trumbull, CT. She has taught ballet and tap locally for Brooklyn’s PS 10 after school program and The Trinity School after school program in NYC. She has toured the U.S. with a few shows such as A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls and Sweet Charity.

Avital Asuleen is a Brooklyn based educator, choreographer, and performer. BA, Theater Arts and History, MA, Comparative History, Brandeis University. She's been tapping for over 20 years, and has trained extensively with Ray Hesselink and Randy Skinner. Avital has taught tap at Peridance Studios, Lustig Dance Theater, and at various studios across the northeast through DanceTemp.

As a performer, favorite past tapping roles include Miss Shields in the national tour of "A Christmas Story", Anytime Annie in "42nd Street", Patsy in "Crazy for You", and productions of "Sugar", "No No Nanette", and "On Your Toes". Avital had the pleasure of observing Randy Skinner on the Encores! production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", and has also choreographed numerous productions including "Anything Goes", "Dames at Sea", and "Gypsy". Avital is also the founder of The Choreography Lab, the creator of Ephemera, and a certified xtend barre instructor. Avital is looking forward to joining the wonderful community of teaching artists at Brooklyn Center Stage! www.Asuleen.com

Davonna Batt was born and raised in New Mexico and has studied nearly every style of dance that has crossed her path, and each continue to influence her movement style to this day. She received a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Arizona where she was privileged to study under many exceptional artists including Melissa Lowe, Amy Ernst, Robert Moses, Doug Nielsen, Loren Fletcher, and many others. Since moving to New York in 2014, she has danced in and collaborated with companies including ALMA NYC, Gotham Dance Theater, Amanda + James, of bones dance, and ACB Dance, among others. In addition, she's had the opportunity to tour with both DAMAGEDANCE and Sarah Berges Dance. Davonna discovered a love for teaching in 2015 and continues to find absolute joy in encouraging dancers to discover power, control, and expression in their bodies.

Addie Mendolia is a New York City transplant from Dallas, Texas. She began dancing at the age of three and trained competitively in all styles of dance. Addie's love of tap has been displayed as a member of multiple youth companies, including Rhythmic Souls Tap company and Hyperfeet Youth Tap Ensemble. Most recently, Addie was an assistant director for a youth company in Frisco, TX; the Next Step Tap Project. Addie has trained privately with several tap dance professionals including Jeremy Arnold, Derrick Grant, and Jason Janas. She has also assisted Jason Janas at Radix Dance Convention, Sarah Reich at NUVO Dance Convention, and Jeremy Arnold at REVIVE Dance Convention. During her high school years, she participated in an independent study with her teacher Malana Murphy and created a virtual dance program where young adults can gain experience teaching advanced dancers. In April, 2021 Addie was honored to be selected as an attendee of the Jacob's Pillow Tap Dance Program for the current year.

Caroline Yaksich has a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Elon University and an M. Ed in Elementary Education from Boston University. She started dancing at age 5 in her hometown, Clarksville, MD at a local studio. Caroline is trained in jazz, contemporary, modern, lyrical, tap, ballet, and pointe. She competed for many years with her studio and participated in dance conventions, including NUVO and Pulse. Caroline has taught and choreographed dance for the past 10 years and is excited to share her passion with her students at BCS!