Rosemarie Graham, Co-Artistic Director
Miss Rose started dancing at an early age with the late Constance Reynolds, Ballet Theater of Scranton. She graduated from College Misericordia with a B.S. in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Special Education. She continued her dance education with Alexi Yudenich of the Russian Ballet, Gus Giordiano, Ron De Vito, Charles Kelly and Matt Mattox. She is a member of Dance Educators of America (DEA), Professional Dance Teachers Association (PDTA), and American Dance Guild. Miss Rose is the Director of our Pre-Ballet, Pre-Jazz and Pre-Tap program. She also teaches intermediate Jazz and Tap. Over the past several years, Miss Rose has created and taught our new and popular Mommy (Daddy) & Me program.
Mary Lou Lloyd, Co-Artistic Director
Just like her sister, Miss Mary Lou also started dancing at an early age with the late Constance Reynolds, Ballet Theater of Scranton. In 1977 Miss Mary Lou was awarded a scholarship to the Governors School of the Arts. Upon graduation she moved to London, England, where she attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance. During her two years of study at the Royal Academy, she completed her elementary studies and received commendation for her intermediate studies. Upon returning to the U.S., Miss Mary Lou served on the faculty of Dance Educators of America in New York City, teaching primarily for children’s workshops. During this time, Mary Lou performed professionally with Alan Albert’s productions “Dance.Dance.Dance” and “Broadway After Dark.” A former soloist and Assistant Artistic Director with Ballet Theater of Scranton, Mary Lou has performed many famous classical Ballet roles including two of her favorites: Odette from Swan Lake and the Lilac Fairy from the Sleeping Beauty. For fifteen years, Mary Lou served on the staff of the University of Scranton’s Department of Exercise Science teaching Modern Jazz. Today, Miss Mary Lou concentrates on teaching exclusively at Romar and is the Director of our Ballet program. Additionally, she teaches our advanced Jazz and Tap classes, including our senior students.
Kelly Jean Graham, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop Instructor
Ms Kelly is thrilled to be back teaching full time at the studio where she grew up dancing under the tutelage of her mother and her aunt! She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater from Susquehanna University and has performed with many regional and professional theatres across the United States (The Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia ; The Producers Club, NYC; Theatreworks USA Touring Company; ArtsPower National Touring Theatre for Young Audiences; Aronoff Center, Cincinnati; CCA, St Louis; Cooley Auditorium, Milwaukee; Symphony Space, NYC; Tampa Theatre, Tampa; Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance–BAAD, The Little Orchestra Society of New York and Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center) as well as London, England where she received her classical training from the British American Drama Academy–BADA. While performing in New York City, she was a teaching artist with Broadway Bound Kids, Groove With Me Dance Studio and Ballet Academy East and also worked with renowned professionals such as Calvin Wiley, Angela Rambourg, Shaun T (INSANITY® Workouts) and Peggy Hickey (choreographer for the Tony Award winning A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder and Broadway’s Anastasia). Kelly has choreographed over 30 musicals and dance productions ranging from High School level to Professional Theatre, winning numerous awards and consistently nominated for her choreography. Along with teaching Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop at Romar, Ms Kelly is Parkland High School and Scranton Prep’s Musical Choreographer as well as a returning member of The Scranton Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), and is certified in the NYC Blueprints for Teaching and Learning in the Arts with an emphasis in Theatre and Dance.
Savannah Lloyd, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Jazz Instructor
The training Ms Savannah received at Romar from her mother and her aunt lead her to establish our Contemporary program and it’s become one of our most popular courses! Out of hundreds of women, Ms Savannah was chosen as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader in 2017. Ms. Savannah was an NFL cheerleader for 6 years, captain for 3 years, and represented the organization as Pro Bowl Cheerleader in 2023. Savannah was chosen to represent the Eagles on a goodwill military tour to Japan and South Korea. She also performed on stage with the iconic band Queen, appeared on American Idol, modeled in fashion week, and was featured in the Madden NFL ’22 Soundtrack Video. Savannah’s favorite experience has been cheering at SuperBowl 52 her rookie season and leading her squad on the sidelines at SuperBowl 57 for her last game. She is currently the Elementary Learning Support teacher at South Abington. A serious dance student from an early age, Ms Savannah continues to strengthen her dance training by taking classes whenever she can; she has studied at Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Millennium Dance Complex (LA), and TMILLY TV Studios (LA) with many of the industry’s best teachers and choreographers including Jojo Gomez, Erica Klein, MacKenzie Dustman, Lacey Schwimmer, Desmond Richardson, Natalya Stavro, Maleek
Hunter Lloyd, Guest Choreographer and Instructor
Ms Hunter is always excited to come back and guest choreograph for our students. Ms Hunter was accepted into the Junior Training Program at Broadway Dance Center and participated in long term summer intensives. She received a full scholarship for the Mixrz program at Brickhouse in New York City. Ms Hunter was also accepted into Generation X and Motus the Company. Ms. Hunter is a driven artist, photographer, and traveler. Ms Hunter enjoys furthering her dance education every chance she gets, taking classes all over the Tri-State area. She has studied at Adams Dance Academy (Philadelphia), Koresh Dance Company (Philadelphia), Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Millennium Dance Complex (LA), and TMILLY TV Studios (LA) with many of the industry’s best teachers and choreographers including Jojo Gomez, Erica Klein, MacKenzie Dustman, Lacey Schwimmer, Desmond Richardson, Natalya Stavro, Maleek
Cindy Lucarella-Turak, Director’s Assistant
Cindy began dancing at an early age with Cassandra Devine. During her elementary school days, Miss Cindy came to study at Romar. During her time dancing, Cindy was a featured soloist and as well as a class demonstrator and teacher’s assistant. Cindy continued dancing during her college days as she completed her studies in Occupational Therapy from College Misericordia. By day, Miss Cindy works as an Occupational Therapist in a skilled nursing facility. At night Miss Cindy serves as a teacher in our Pre-Ballet, Pre-Tap and intermediate Tap programs. Cindy is a member of Dance Educators of America (DEA).
Melissa Jones Mariotti, Director’s Assistant
Miss Melissa took her first dance steps as a student at Romar Dance Studio 34 years ago. She is thrilled to be an assistant to the directors. Miss Melissa is proud to be part of the Romar Dance Studio family and to see her three daughters following in her footsteps as dedicated dance students. She enjoys helping children learn the self discipline, creativity, confidence, motivation, and true joy that dance and performing brings. Miss Melissa received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees of Science in Speech Pathology/Audiology at East Stroudsburg University. She also received a teaching certificate while at ESU. She continued her dance training at East Stroudsburg University with the ESU Contemporary Dancers. She also danced in musical theatre productions in college. Melissa taught adult Zumba classes for years and continues to teach Kids Zumba at Romar in the summers.
Brady Alto, Guest Choreographer and Instructor
Brady Alto has been a guest choreographer since 2011 and is a proud alumnus of Romar Dance Studio thanks to the training from her aunt and mother! Brady graduated from Dickinson College with a BA in Dance & Music. After a brief performing career in Philadelphia and New York she became an apprentice at The New York Pilates Studio® Teacher Certification Program under the direction of Brett Howard and Suzanne Lavey. She became certified in March of 2012 following a rigorous 700 hour apprenticeship. Before relocating back to NEPA, Brady was an adjunct faculty for the dance department at Adelphi University in Long Island. In previous summers, Romar students had the privilege of taking a master class with Brady studying Modern Cunningham Technique and Musical Theatre Repertoire.
Matthew Oaks, Guest Choreographer and Instructor
Matthew Oaks has become a staple of the Romar staff and we are always so happy to have him educate our students not only in the art form of dance but the rules of the industry as well! Matt has been a guest choreographer for Romar Dance Studio since 2014. He received his BS from Dickinson College in Biology and Psychology, a certification in Dance from The University of the Arts, and his MFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He is a NYC based dancer and choreographer and has appeared in many productions all over the country. His credits include the Off-Broadway productions of Angel Reapers at The Signature Theatre, The Tempest, (Dance Capt.) at The Public Theatre/Shakespeare in the Park, the National Tour of Orchid, the regional production of CATS, (Macavity) at Flatrock Playhouse, The Wild Party, (Jackie) at The Gallery Players and the Original NYC cast of the Drama Desk Award winning Sleep No More. Matt has also made appearances on the television shows “Girls” on HBO and “Gossip Girl” on the CW network. In past summers, Romar students had the privilege of taking a master class with Matt studying Cunningham Modern Technique and Musical Theatre Repertoire.
www.mattyoaks.com
Rachel Lazevnick, Hip Hop and Tap Instructor
Rachel Lazevnick began dancing at the age of 3 at Romar Dance Studio, following in her Aunt Cindy’s (also known as Miss. Cindy’s) footsteps. She danced throughout school and graduated in 2014. Starting in the third grade and continuing throughout high school, Rachel began demonstrating at Romar. She assisted with ballet, tap, and jazz. After high school, Rachel attended Wilkes University where she graduated with her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree in 2020. She also graduated with a minor in dance. Rachel taught hip hop with Carbondale Dance Academy from 2015-2020. While at Wilkes, Rachel choreographed “Burning” for the student choreographers concert which was then chosen to be featured in the faculty show. In 2019, Rachel was awarded “The Dance Award” which was chosen by the dance faculty of the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. From 2020-2021, Rachel completed her post-graduate residency with the Geisinger Clinic Northeast. She now continues to work with Geisinger as a pharmacist and teaches tap and hip hop with Romar!
Ashton Ashby, Contemporary and Tap Instructor
Ashton began dance at three years old here at Romar Dance Studio where she took Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop and Contemporary. She continued to dance throughout high school and into college. Ashton is excited to be back at Romar teaching dance and helping out in any way she can. Ashton is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was a member of the Track and Field team. She earned a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is currently a second grade teacher in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
Julia Insalaco Marchese, Contemporary Instructor
At five years old, Julia fell in love with dancing at Romar Dance Studio. Although initially only interested in jazz and tap, Miss Mary Lou inspired her to take ballet classes where her passion only strengthened. After 13 years as a student, she danced her way through high school, was a principal dancer for Romar Dance Studio, and graduated from Scranton Preparatory School in 2018. Julia went on to attend Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where she double-majored in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management from the Fox School of Business. After graduating university in May 2022, Julia worked in the corporate commercial real estate field for a Fortune 100 company in Center City, Philadelphia. Although she loved exploring the city, she was eager to move back home to NEPA to pursue more personal ventures.
As of today, Julia is a Commercial Leasing Manager at Insalaco Development Group and a board member of the Pittston Chamber of Commerce. She finds joy in exercising, traveling and spending time with her loved ones. She is beyond excited to return to Romar and share her passion and love for dance with her students!