Staff

D.A.D.A. Staff

Mercede Boden

Combo, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop and Jazz Instructor and Summer Camp Director

Miss Mercede began dancing at the age of two studying ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop and tap for over 18 years. She is a Paul VI graduate and was a part of their dance team as well as being on her studio’s competition team for many years. As a teenager Mercede had the magical opportunity to compete for Disney’s Performing Arts Program in Walt Disney World and was ecstatic to take a Broadway Dance Masterclass at Ripley-Grier Studios in New York City under the Broadway Star Rachelle Rak. Miss Mercede loves being a part of the D.A.D.A. family since day 1 and is always excited to share her passion of dance with a new generation of dancers! 

Anna Donahue

Acro Instructor, and Competition Team Choreographer

Anna has studied dance since the age of two in various styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, modern, gymnastics, and many more! At a very young age, Anna knew that she wanted to be a dance teacher. During high school, she joined the dance company where she took part in many shows and performances, and from there her teaching inspiration grew. Miss Anna has had the opportunity to dance at the 76ers games, Philadelphia Soul games and many more local places. She continues to take master classes and workshop classes to gain even more knowledge in hopes of passing it to her students. She is currently attending Rowan College at Gloucester County for Business and Accounting. Miss Anna loves sharing her passion with her students and watching them grow and get stronger through the year! 

Ryan Fiedel

Adult Tap Instructor

Ryan grew up in South Jersey and started his dance training at the age of three, having trained in all styles. He spent many years as a student performing on countless competition stages before graduating in 2013. He attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management in 2017. Tap has always been Ryan’s true passion, and he feels so grateful to be an educator who shares his love of tap with younger generations. He always strives to challenge his students, and watching them shine on stage brings him so much joy. Ryan remains up-to-date in the industry, including being hand-selected for a closed professional tap workshop in NYC with tap icon Jared Grimes. He also received a full scholarship to DC Tap Fest from this workshop from world-renowned tap icons and creators of the Syncopated Ladies tap group, Chloe and Maud Arnold. Ryan is excited to join the D.A.D.A. family! 

Christina Fuscellaro

Combo, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre Instructor, and Competition Choreographer  

Christina is a professionally working actress who holds EMC status for her work in the Greater Philadelphia theatre scene.  Although dance was Christina’s first love, she received her BM with a concentration in Musical Theatre Performance from Rider University in 2012 and has been working as a dancer/singer/actor since. She has had the pleasure of performing at some of the area’s greatest regional theaters such as The Walnut Street Theatre (PA), The Media Theatre (PA), Montgomery Theater (PA), Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts (PA), Candlelight Theatre (DE), and The Broadway Theatre of Pitman (NJ).  Favorite roles include:  Eva Peron (EVITA), Mona Kent (Dames at Sea), Nickie Pignatelli (Sweet Charity), and Betty Jean (The Marvelous Wonderettes).  Christina is also known for her choreography, her directing skills, and her real estate business in the Tri-State area!  Off-stage, you can find Christina helping people find the homes of their dreams through her business, Call Christina for Homes with Long & Foster! “Bringing her passion for dancing, storytelling, and changing people’s lives, Christina is thrilled to be a part of the D.A.D.A. team!”

Maura Heineman

Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Summer Camp Instructor and Competition Choreographer 

Maura began studying dance and gymnastics at the age of three, exploring various styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and many more. She fell in love with dance from the first class and soon realized she wanted to be a dance teacher. During her years as a dancer, Maura has participated in numerous local competitions, conventions, and parades, including the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Throughout high school, her love for dance grew as she began to participate in her school’s spring musical and the West Deptford Center Stage Players summer theater program. Though she has trained in many styles of dance, Maura has always had a strong passion for tap and is thrilled to pass that passion on to a new generation of dancers.

Ellie Greenblatt

Combo, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet & Competition Choreographer

Ellie is from Voorhees, NJ. She is currently pursuing a Communications degree at Rowan University. She began her dance journey at the age of 9 and explored a wide range of styles, including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, acro, hip-hop, musical theater, and many more. After many years of competing on her studio’s competition team, she knew she wanted to be a dance teacher, someone who could share her passion with others, while inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves.

 

Ellie has had the opportunity to perform at the 76ers, Washington Wizards, Wilmington Blue Rocks, and the University of Delaware’s basketball games. She also loves to participate in various performances that include fundraising and community involvement. Ellie is beyond excited to get to share her love for dance with the students here at DADA!

Brittany Sylvester

Jazz, Strength and Conditioning Instructor, Competition Team Choreographer and Competition Team Director

Brittany Sylvester was born and raised in South Jersey, beginning her dance journey at the age of three. She has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, and hip hop, performing in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Miss America Show Us Your Shoes Parade, Walt Disney World, and at numerous competitions and conventions.
 
For the past 12 years, Brittany has also studied Polynesian dance with the South Pacific Island Dancers, performing across the tri-state area at events including Margate Beachstock, Fox 29 News Segments, and Laurita Winery’s Luau.
A graduate of Paul VI High School, Brittany was a four-year member of the dance team and participated in a student teaching program with the school’s dance department. She often returns to assist with choreography and clinics.
 
She went on to earn her Bachelor’s in Marketing and Master of Business Administration from Rowan University. During her time at Rowan University, she was a four-year member and two-year captain of the nationally ranked Rowan University Dance Team, competing at UDA College Nationals. Today, Brittany shares her passion, technical skill, and performance expertise with all of her students!
 

Grace Szczepkowski

Combo, Ballet, Musical Theatre Instructor, Competition Choreographer, and Office Manager

Grace holds a BFA in Acting from Arcadia University and after graduating completed a professional internship at The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Grace has performed professionally at The Walnut Street Theatre (Rocky, Beauty and the Beast), The Media Theatre (Mamma Mia, Legally Blonde, Elf, Million Dollar Quartet, Sister Act, Young Frankenstein), The Eagle Theatre (The Wild Party), Greater Ocean City Theatre Company (Footloose, The Wizard of Oz, Sister Act), Candlelight Theatre (Catch Me If You Can, White Christmas), The Broadway Theatre of Pitman (Beauty and the Beast, Evita, Shrek, Funny Girl), and Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts (South Pacific). Grace has been Directing, Choreographing, teaching Musical Theatre, Acting, and Dance for over 15 years. graceszczepkowski.com

 

Fang Ju Chou

Ballet Instructor

Fang-Ju, born and raised in Taiwan, came to the United States to further her study of dance. She earned an Associate Degree of Dance in Australia from Queensland University of Technology Academy of Arts/Dance and received her BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts. She is trained in a wide variety of dance styles and stagecraft. Fang-Ju joined Koresh Dance Company in 1998 and currently travels to perform and teach across the U.S.