NYC Dance Instructors

All Chance 2 Dance Instructors are classically trained in the art of the styles of dance offered at our sensory friendly, special needs dance studio.

Quick Facts

80% of our teaching team has a professional dance background or is currently a professional dancer.

All Chance 2 Dance team members are CPR/AED certified.

Lead instructors are Inclusion and Special Needs certified and have a higher education degree in dance, therapy, education/special education, or leadership/business management.

Assistant instructors are training to become lead instructors and/or are in college working towards a relevant degree.

Meet the NY Teaching Team

Jackie Castore
Director & Lead Instructor

Jacquelyn Castore is a dedicated educator and professional dancer with a passion for making dance accessible to all. With a degree in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) received at Florida Atlantic University, Jacquelyn combines her expertise in education with her love for the performing arts. Most recently, she contributed to the expansion of Chance 2 Dance to New York City, bringing her vision of inclusion and accessibility to a broader audience. With her unique blend of education and the arts, Jacquelyn continues to impact the lives of countless individuals, fostering a community where everyone has the opportunity to dance.

Lexi Keskeys
Outreach & Lead Instructor

Lexi Keskeys is a versatile actress, singer, dancer, and arts educator based in New York City. She has showcased her talents on television, in commercials, and off-Broadway productions. Lexi studied Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Creative Arts Therapy with a focus on Developmental Psychology at The New School for Public Engagement. Passionate about community service and accessibility in the arts, she founded The Next Generation Theatre, a year-round musical theatre program, at just 16 years old. As an educator, Lexi has led programs for diverse groups, including adults with special needs, human trafficking survivors, refugees, incarcerated teens, war veteran amputees, and children of all ages. Her work aims to inspire, empower, and foster a love for the arts across various communities.

Lily Cox
Lead Instructor

Lily Cox has been dancing since she was five years old at her local studio in Rhode Island, training in contemporary, ballet, tap, and jazz. Now she is earning her BA in Dance at Hunter College with minors in Music and English Literature. Lily also trained for five years to teach dance, both through in-studio experience and the Dance Education Training Course through the Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston. Lily loves getting to share dance with students and aims to make class a fun and impactful experience.

Jennifer Connelly
Lead Instructor

Jennifer Connelly has been teaching and choreographing for over 20 years. She has
worked with all levels and ages in dance and theater. Jen has been recognized
nationally for her work in dance and dance education. She earned her BFA in dance
from the University of Central Oklahoma. Jen has been living and working in the NY and
NJ area for 8 years and looks forward to continue teaching and connecting with
students for many years to come!

Kylie Solomon
Lead Instructor

Kylie Solomon, from Putnam County, NY, began dancing at age 3 and quickly grew to love the art. She started her competitive dancing career at 8 and competed for 10 years before graduating high school and now attends Hunter College as a dance BA student with a minor in gender studies.Throughout her time at Hunter Kylie has performed in various student works and repertory pieces. She is trained in multiple styles but focuses mostly on contemporary now. She has taught, performed, and trained all her life and is very dedicated to dancing, however her passion lies in choreographing. In the future, she plans to teach dance again with the goals of starting a contemporary dance company, performing and just gaining as much experience in the dance world as possible.

Interested in Becoming a Dance Instructor? Contact Us

Learn more about what it takes to become one of specialized dance instructors, making a huge difference in the lives of many people every day.

Mission

To provide children, youth, and adults with special needs and varying disabilities equal arts opportunities through a Chance 2 Dance.

Vision

Our vision is an inclusive world where everyone has access to movement arts experiences and resources they need to reach their full potential.

Objective

To provide genuine, traditional, inclusive, and accommodating dance opportunities and experiences to underserved communities in a safe and sensory-friendly space, through a team of specialized and professional dance instructors.