MEET OUR TEAM!
Our faculty of teachers
MS. NANCY
Founder and Owner
Nancy Segovia has experience as a performer, school director, preschool teacher and dance teacher starting in 2011. She created The Little Dance Project with the mission to offer artfully designed enrichment classes for preschoolers and toddlers. She started creating dance lesson plans with a focus of the developing child over 12 years ago and has grown to teach over 500 students across NJ with the support of her kind, passionate, and energetic teaching team.
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Nancy is passionate about teaching dance to little ones because it gives them a creative outlet to get moving in new ways and also challenges them both cognitively and physically!
MS. IZZY
Lead Teacher - Northern NJ
Isabella Verma is a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and educator with a lifelong passion to dance. As a member of her hometown studio growing up, Isabella performed at nursing homes, malls, and charity events as well as competing at regional and national competitions. She has attended the Peridance Summer Intensive, Rockette Mini Summer Intensive, and the Joffrey Ballet School Contemporary and Jazz Summer Intensive. Along with receiving her Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University in Dance Education, Isabella was awarded with the MSU Dance Education Award for her achievements with student teaching during her college career. . She continues to explore dance education with different ages and levels, and is very excited for her future with teaching and choreographing.
MS. MARI
Lead Teacher - Northern and Eastern NJ
Marielena Quintanilla is a passionate dance educator and choreographer with over 15 years of experience inspiring young dancers to move with joy and confidence. She is the owner and director of Q3 Dance Company in Union City, NJ—a thriving dance studio home to over 150 dancers. Marielena holds certifications in Alixa Flexibility (Modules 1 & 2) and as a Mental Wellness Dance Educator with Danscend, and a Teacher Ambassador for Penny Prima. With a background in Childhood and Special Education and a Master’s in Education from NYU, Marielena blends her love of teaching and movement to create classes that are nurturing, engaging, and developmentally supportive. She believes dance should be a place where every child feels seen, celebrated, and excited to learn.
MS. BRIELLE
Lead Teacher and Curriculum Specialist - Northwestern NJ
Brielle Castaldi, native of Mount Olive, New Jersey, has been with The Little Dance Project since January of 2023. Brielle received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Montclair State University in Fall 2022. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, and various Modern styles. Brielle has been teaching dance at local dance studios for 5 plus years, teaching all levels, and ages. Along with teaching dance, Brielle is Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) certified since 2021, and later was certified as a Pure Barre instructor in 2023. Currently, Brielle is finishing her last semester at Rutgers University to receive her Masters in Dance Education, with a K-12 certification in May 2025. Ms. Brielle uses her knowledge of dance and functional fitness to create holistic lesson plans for our little dancers!
MS. MACKENZIE
Lead Teacher - Hudson County, NJ
Mackenzie began dancing at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since! Growing up in New York is where she found her love for performing. When she decided to become serious about pursuing a career in the arts, she moved her training to New York City. Mackenzie is a graduate of Oklahoma City University and received a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance. At OCU, she also took multiple dance pedagogy classes where she gained her love and knowledge for teaching young dancers. Since graduating, she has performed professionally in a variety of regional theater productions and has taught dance to all ages across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut studios. Her teaching goal is to create a safe space for students to learn, grow, and explore their ability to express themselves. No matter the age or skill level, Mackenzie will provide her love and knowledge for dance to guide her students to thrive in their dance journey!
MS. KAROLINA
Lead Teacher - Northeastern NJ
Karolina fell in love with dance at just two years old and has been dancing since. She trained in ballet, tap, and jazz. In high school, Karolina started assisting the teachers at her dance studio and she soon started teaching on her own. Karolina specializes in teaching dance to children aged 2-10 years old. She graduated from Montclair State University in 2021 with a BA in Communication and Media Arts as well as a minor in Criminal Justice. Karolina is also a certified AKT trainer. She currently teaches multiple different dance styles around New Jersey. Karolina loves bringing positivity, energy and the love of dance to all her classes.
MS. JUSTINE
Lead Teacher - Hudson NJ
Justine has been a dancer since the age of 4. She has danced competitively and received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Dance and minor in Arts Management from Marymount Manhattan College. One of her favorite professional jobs was being on the Broadway National Tour of Finding Neverland the Musical.
Justine creates an open environment for kids to explore their creativity and loves to share her joy of dance by teaching some fun moves!
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MS. SOPHIA
Lead Teacher - Bergen County NJ
Sophia's love for dance began at the age of two, and by seven, she was already competing in a variety of styles. Her passion for movement led her to pursue a minor in Dance Studies during her undergraduate education. With extensive training in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and tap, she has shared her dance knowledge by teaching these styles to students aged 4-15. Now, as she balances her creative background with her studies to become a School Psychologist, Sophia is committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can express themselves freely and thrive. She deeply believes in the power of movement to inspire confidence, foster connection, and empower every student she teaches.
MS. MEAGAN
Lead Teacher - Bergen County NJ
Meagan Salma began her dance training at the age of 7 and continued to dance competitively throughout her teen years. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Dance Education. She now teaches and choreographs for various studios. Meagan also teaches preschool dance classes at multiple locations in NJ. She encourages her students to focus on their individual strengths, both physically and creatively. Her combined love of teaching and creating has given her the ability to inspire this love of dance in her students.
MS. JENN
Lead Teacher - Bergen and Essex County NJ
Jenn Tran is a freelance dancer and teacher. She graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University with a BFA in dance performance and a minor in musical theater. Jenn has most recently completed two contracts with Princess Cruise Lines on the Grand and Coral cast. She has trained in and taught multiple styles of dance at a variety of studios and summer intensives. Jenn is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for her dancers no matter their age to feel comfortable in.
MS. CRYSTAL
Lead Teacher - Eastern and Central NJ
Crystal began dancing at age three and has remained passionate about it ever since. She trained at her hometown studio throughout her childhood and continued honing her skills while having a focus on dance at East Brunswick Vocational School of the Arts during high school. At New Jersey City University, she revitalized the dance club and served as the president. She is also a certified Children's Yoga Instructor and enjoys incorporating those skills whenever possible. Crystal’s love for dance and teaching allows her to create an inclusive environment for students of all levels and styles
MS. MACKENNA
Lead Teacher - Hudson County NJ
Mackenna Dombroski is an experienced and passionate dance educator with over 11 years of teaching experience. She began her teaching career at the age of 16 in Albany, New York, where she grew up dancing. Her passion is to combine imagination, developmental awareness, and joyful exploration to build a lifelong love of dance. Mackenna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College, where she deepened her understanding of both movement and child development. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive, encouraging environment where students of all ages can grow in confidence, creativity, and connection through movement.
