Gail Willadsen-Criscione | Jeoffrey Watson | Jennifer Russo-Armas | Andrea Boshnack | Joan Willadsen | Doreen LaPenna | Dina Crowe | Kristin Zazulka | Erica Willadsen | Frankie Zulferino | Chrissy Nappi | Lindsay Udin | Alyssa Bommarito | Maria Boshnack | Jackie Guidera | Gabriella Andrea Boshnack
Gail Willadsen-Criscione opened the doors to Star Struck Dance in 1989 shortly after completing her reign as Miss Staten Island. Growing up as a competitive dancer, she was no stranger to the dance world.
Gail knew she wanted to share her passion for dance at a very young age and choose teaching as her profession. Her goal was to train her students to be explosive performers.
She takes great pride in running her business, creating her own choreography and working with an amazing staff that were all trained under her wing. Gail has been the recipient of countless Choreography, Entertainment and High Score awards. Her students have won numerous National Championships, including 3 Victory Cups.
Many of her students have continued to pursue professional careers in performing and teaching. Gail also is a notable judge across the nation for top competitions and has the distinguished honor of co-producing the local scholarship pageant which is a preliminary to Miss America. Gail puts her heart and soul into her work, loving every minute of the incredible life that she has been blessed with. She credits her success to an amazing supportive clientele that rarely changes but continuously grows.
Her biggest accomplishment is her beautiful family. Her husband Andrew and two daughters Cameryn and Peyton are her inspiration and sanity. Her Mom is her best friend. Gail says that being the Director of SSDS is her claim to fame and she hopes to continue having a positive affect on all the children that walk through her doors. She will infect her students with self confidence and a love for dance that will remain in their hearts long after their lessons are complete.
Jackie Guidera fell in love with dance 20 yrs ago when her cousin opened the doors of Star Struck. She began as a competitive dancer and quickly developed an insane passion for performing. Jackie traveled to Branson, Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada…where she performed with MC Hammer.
She has trained with Frank Hatchett, Karen Hebert, Pamela Bowling, Wade Robson and Dennis Caspary to name a few, but mostly under the direction of Gail Willadsen Criscione. More recently she danced professionally for the NBA as a New Jersey Nets Dancer. With 4 seasons under her belt she has worked with numerous charities, traveled to Mexico City and London, England to dance and promote the NBA, and made many unforgettable memories.
With the Nets she’s learned from and trained under world renowned choreographers such as Jermaine Browne, Luam, Dominique Kelly, Sheryl Murakami, Eric Jenkins and John Rua. With her passion for performing also comes her love of teaching. She works full time at the studio doing what she loves and hopes to share her amazing life as a dancer with her students. It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer…….
Jeoffrey Watson is a graduate of The Professional Performing Arts School directly associated with The Ailey School/Institute. While not teaching at Star Struck, Jeoffrey is involved in freelance choreography, performing, costuming and production in the New York tri-state area. As per Jeoffrey- “Movement as an entity- has, since my youth, been the most preeminent factor in my life and career.
The nature and science behind various dance forms and movements have unfailingly pervaded every aspect of daily life for me.” Jeoffrey continually, looks forward to sharing art and understanding with each of the Star Struck students. His passion for the art of dance inspires his students tremendously. His technical training is the core of the SSDS Company.
Frankie Zulferino found his passion to perform when he walked through the doors of Star Struck. He is now pursuing a solo career which is in full swing with the completion of a cd. His first song is set to air in the next few months. Throughout high school Frankie competed and won national talent competitions, which led to a scholarship with Wagner College in theater arts.
Along with Frankie’s past experiences as a New Jersey Nets performer, being featured as a top 10 dancer on the MTV pilot show “Dance or Drop”, and being formally featured in Outback commercials led him to be chosen for the group “WOW”. Serving as a member of “WOW” allowed Frankie to perform throughout Canada, the USA, and participate on a 30 day UK tour opening for the multi platinum group“WESTLIFE”, which concluded with the groups performance at Croke Park Stadium to an audience of 85,0000.
While with the group Frankie opened up for such artist as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. With Frankie’s talents and abilities he was featured in “POPSTAR” magazine multiple times not only with the group, but as an individual. Frankie’s passion and perseverance shines through in his dance, music, choreography and daily work ethic.
Maria Boshnack began dancing at Star Struck 19 years ago under the instruction of Miss. Gail and hasn’t stopped yet! She has studied with numerous master choreographers and is trained in all aspects of dance and acrobatics. While dancing competitively, Maria was awarded many scholarships recognizing her passion and love for dance. In 2010 she competed in the Miss. Staten Island Pageant and received the Performing Arts Award along with being named 3rd runner up.
Currently, Maria dances professionally for the NBA as a New Jersey Nets Dancer and is a full time college student hoping to pursue a Masters degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. She hopes to present herself as a positive role model and instill her passion for dance in all of her students. Maria feels blessed to be able to do what she loves every day, with the people she loves!
Andrea Boshnack joined the Star Struck family in 1991 beginning her journey of recitals and dance competitions when her daughter Maria began dancing school. It was a place she quickly learned to love. Andrea’s second daughter Gabriella began dancing in 1996.
In September 2000 she began working as a receptionist at Star Struck. You will find her behind the desk at Star Struck, backstage at the recital or in a dressing room at competition loving every minute of it. In addition to her two daughters she has a son Marco and just celebrated 22 years with her husband Marc.
Jennifer Russo-Armas has been with Star Struck since day one. She began as a member of the Company and presently assists in all costuming for the studio. Jennifer has extensive gymnastic training and is an incredible dancer, performer and instructor.
She teaches all styles of dance and spends her Wednesdays running the office at SSDS. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute for Technology in NYC where she earned her degree of science majoring in fashion merchandise management. She was employed as an account executive until the birth of her daughters Isabella Rose & Giadanna. She looks forward to her daughters growing up at the studio the way she did.
Lindsay Udin has been dancing her whole life & literally grew up at Star Struck. Spending many years as a powerhouse competitive dancer for the SSDS Company, she now shares her talent on a daily basis teaching hip hop, tap and jazz. Lindsay is a graduate from LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts where she majored in dance.
In 2000, she appeared on the Sally Jesse Raphael show as one of “Sallys Most Talented Kids”, and the following year she won the title of Miss Richmond. There’s no place she’d rather be than at the studio. She lives for her students and thinks the most amazing feeling in the world is seeing them smile!
Chrissy Nappi has been part of the Star Struck family for the last 20 years. She began as a member of the Company and continues to share her bubbly personality & talent at a place she considers her second home. After graduating from LaGuardia H.S. she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in dance from Hunter College and her Masters degree in elementary education from St. Johns University. Chrissy currently works at IS 34 teaching 8th grade and is the choreographer for the Children’s Theater at Wagner College.
She has danced and competed all over the country and has choreographed anything from fashion shows to community park openings. She loves to share her love of dance and plans on doing so for another 20 years at SSDS. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
Dina Crowe began as a member of the Star Struck Company 20 years ago. She earned a Bachelor degree from the College of Staten Island with a major in Science Letter and Society & her Masters Degree from Touro in elementary & Special Education. Dina is a 6th grade teacher at IS 7. She loves being part of the Star Struck family and hopes to always share her love of dance with children.
Kristin Zazulka has been a member of Star Struck for the past 20 years as both a powerful dancer and fun-loving teacher. She is trained in all styles of dance however her true passion is for Modern choreography.
Kristin is a graduate of the College of Staten Island where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. She teaches math at IS 75 to 7th and 8th graders and dedicates her Saturday mornings to working at the studio. Dance has always been a positive influence on her life and SSDS will always be her second home.
Doreen LaPenna
Doreen LaPenna is a certified dance instructor who received her license from DEA in 1981. She has been part of the Star Struck family right from the start. Doreen runs the toddler Tap and Ballet program and says that the studio is her 1st passion.
She is the mother of 3 beautiful children, Tyler, Evan & her own little ballerina Julia, who is a member of the SSDS Company. Doreen is also a critical care registered nurse for the past 24 years. She manages an internal medical practice with her husband Dr. Robert LaPenna.
Erica Willadsen was born into the Star Struck family. Being Miss Gail’s only sibling and baby sister gave her little options as a toddler. When Erica turned 4, history was made at the studio and the very first “Baby Company” was introduced. Erica continues teaching at the studio and absolutely loves her “baby” classes.
She also works part time at Dr LaPenna’s office while pursuing her education at Union County College affiliated with Trinitas School of Nursing in NJ. Erica looks forward to getting her degree & becoming a registered nurse
Alyssa Bommarito has been dancing at Star Struck since she was a baby. She presently is a member of the Sr Company. Alyssa is trained in all areas of dance and acrobatics. She has won many awards over the years. She adores children and loves working with them.
She is currently attending the College of Staten Island. She is very excited to be working professionally for the NJ Nets as a Team Hype entertainer. She hopes to turn her lifelong passion for dance into a profession.
Gabriella Andrea Boshnack started dancing at the age of 3 here at Star Struck Dance. She is a member of the Sr. Company and a “rookie” on our staff. She is trained in all styles of dance and acrobatics. Gabriella performed at the famous Apollo theatre and appeared on the television show Showtime at the Apollo.
She continues to pursue her dance and modeling career by attending conventions and competing in local pageants. She has trained at the Joffrey Ballet Intensive and takes classes at Broadway Dance Center. Gabriella has won many scholarships and awards and hopes to make dance her profession.
Joan Willadsen, “AKA” Grandma Joan, has been the studio’s biggest supporter right from the start. Though she’s not directly involved with the dance aspect of the business, she keeps things running smoothly by handling all the paper work. Joan is the official book keeper & den mom to the entire staff, not to mention Miss Gail’s personal therapist.
Joan has been an employee at JP Morgan Chase for the past 35 years. Her family is what matters most and having both her daughters Gail and Erica follow their dreams is all any Mom could ask for. She is filled with pride and loves the part she plays at Star Struck