Landrum Performing Arts Instructors

All of the Instructors at Landrum have impressive professional resumes, spanning many years and all areas of the Performing Arts.

The biggest benefit for students, however, lies in their creative, supportive, and friendly personalities. Each student receives personal attention and is encouraged to give their very best in order to reach their goals, whether they are training for a career or just there to have fun, be fit, and make friends.

We are so proud of all of our staff!

Annette Vallone, Owner and Director

Creative, determined and compassionate, Annette has been instrumental in propelling others to remarkable success in dance, the performing arts, and various other non-dance related fields.

Landrum's Driving Force

Annette began her dancing career as a student at Landrum School of Dance at the age of three. She took over as owner at the tender age of 18 and since has positively influenced the lives of literally thousands of young dancers.

She thoroughly enjoys drawing out shy kids and helping them build self-confidence as well as develop a love of dance, music, and the arts.

Just a few of the many highlights in Annette’s career include:

Board of Directors and lifetime member of the Dance Educators of America 2008-2011, Board of Directors of the Sheer Talent Orginazation teaching master dance classes as well as dance school management seminars at national conventions

Judges regional and national dance competitions for Starpower, Dance Educators of America, and the International Tap Competition

Choreographed The National Arts Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark

Choreographed the main theaters entertainment for Norwegian Cruise Ships, auditioning dancers, designing costumes, sets, and music, and choreographing the entire production

Awarded “Business Woman of the Year” by the Queens Courier presented by former Borough of Queens President Clare Shulman and television personality Geraldo Rivera

Entertainment Committee Member and Creative Consultant at the Boca Raton Hotel and Resort in Florida

Opened Precious Moments Nursery School and Day Care in Whitestone in 1992; added a second location in Maspeth 1995

Wrote, produced, and danced in “Lifts For Your Choreography,” a instructional video for dance teachers, with Don Mirault, an author, spokesperson, producer, and talent manager.

Received a Bachelor of Arts from Adelphi University, majoring in Dance with a minor in Early Childhood Education

Received the prestigious Mario Biaggi Award for “Outstanding Teen Achievement” presented by Congressman Mario Biaggi and Mayor Ed Koch

Founded the Dance Team and Liturgical Dance group in St. Francis Preparatory High School

Acted in a National Levi’s commercial as a child as well as a national ad campaign and commercial for Crest toothpaste

Appeared in many industrials and infomercials for major corporations such as Pepsico, IFF International Flavors and Fragrances, and GE General Electric

Hand modeled for jewelry companies, nail polish and the La Crasia glove company

Learn more about Annette Vallone and the Landrum School of Performing Arts …

Learn more about Annette…

Gina Teri, Assistant Director

An amazing performer and instructor, her choreography, and her students, are consistently recognized at regional and national competitions with awards for title wins, creativity, and entertainment value.

A True Performer

Dancing since the age of 2 1/2 Miss Gina came to the Landrum School of Dance at her mother’s insistence at the age of nine.

She began to study all genres of dance and started competing in regional and national dance competitions all around the country. She truly feels this was a wonderful, positive experience filled with memories she cherishes.

Miss Gina won numerous top awards, scholarships, titles, top soloist honors, and the Title of Miss Photogenic at many competitions.

She has danced on stages from coast to coast and is an absolutely amazing performer.

Gina has worked and danced with many professional choreographers. As a direct result of her dynamic personality and talent she performed for the grand opening of an art gallery in Manhattan, danced in numerous music videos, modeled for Art Stone and Curtain Call costume catalogs, appeared on “All My Children” soap opera, a Panasonic commercial, a movie and industrials.

Gina has been part of the Landrum family for 30 years, and has been teaching for over 20 years. Her classes are fun yet she commands discipline at the same time. She truly wants her students to be the very best they can be, not just in dance but in all they do!

As a teacher/choreographer she has won many awards. Her students have performed as the opening act at a Jesse McCartney concert, as well as many benefits and fundraisers. Her work has been awarded most entertaining, best choreography, most creative, won video of the week on Facebook and more.

Her students have won titles, top soloist, top duo/trios, all on the regional and the national level. She has mentored many students in her 20+ years as a teacher and helped develop the true performer in so many of her competition students as well as her students that attend her classes one or two hours a week.

Gina was appointed Assistant Director of the Landrum School of Dance in 2009, an honor very well deserved!

Learn more about Gina…

Pamela Alviar, Instructor

Pamela’s love of dance just radiates from inside her when she takes the stage but in life it’s her kindness that shines even brighter!

Dance Artistry

Pamela is a Colombian native residing in Queens, New York. Her early training began with the Landrum School of Performing Arts, which then led her to study classical ballet at Elliot Feld’s prestigious school and company. She graduated from Purchase College with a BFA in Dance. She has mastered Ballet, Modern, and Composition.

She was a part of the Lexington Ballet Company, as a Principal dancer, where she continued to build her artistry. Pamela has performed in works by George Balanchine, Elliot Feld, Bill T. Jones, and Kenneth Mac Millian. She has also worked with choreographers such as Francesca Harper, Betti-Jane Sills, Troy Powell, Kevin Wynn, Luis Dominguez, and Caridad Martinez.

Her repertoire includes Nutcracker, Meshugana, Apple Pie, Patootie, Endsong, HalfTime, Mandance choreographed by Elliot Feld. Four Temperments choreographed by George Balanchine, D-Man in the Waters choreographed by Bill T. Jones, and Concerto Pas de Deux choreographed by Sir Kenneth Mac Millian.

She has been a guest artist in Mexico City, Mexico for the Competition Interdanza and for Sawnee Ballet’s Nutcracker in Cumming, Georgia. She has collaborated with Yon Burke and Evelyn Wheeler and has presented their work at the Mahaiwe Theater.

Pamela has taught numerous dance workshops that have taken her to San Jose, Costa Rica and San Luis de Potosi, Mexico. She has also appeared in Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine and the book First Lessons in Ballet by Lise Friedman.

Learn more about Pamela…

Demi Fyrce, Instructor

Demi’s passion for Circus Arts as well as her experience in Dance and Choreography create a positive and energetic environment for students to express themselves.

A Passion for Performing Arts

We are thrilled to have this beautiful multi-talented young lady on staff at the Landrum School of Performing Arts. Demi is not only a certified yoga instructor but a passionate performer of Circus Arts and so much more!

Demi Fyrce Circus and Aerial Arts Instructor Landrum School of Dance Whitestone NY After being introduced to the circus and training long hard hours with the Cirque Du Soleil performers she began performing professionally within 6 months. After just two years of intensive training Demi found herself being booked for shows all over Europe and throughout the United States. This is a tribute to her focus, athleticism and drive to be the best she can be at whatever she endeavors!

With over ten years of aerial experience and instruction coupled with over thirteen years of yoga and fitness instruction she has been successful in developing a very strong following. She is known throughout the industry for her talented skills of expertise as a cirque-style performer, dancer, instructor, and choreographer. Demi is an extremely positive person and brings her energy and kindness to everything she does.

Demi is the director of the Circus Arts group called Sky’s the Limit. As a Cirque-Style Aerialist she has performed for numerous grand opening events, has been featured on T.V. Guide (Secrets of the Hollywood Body), Regis and Kelly (Jan. 22, 2010), Despierta America (Latin Station), TLC (What Not To Wear), featured in Bad Kitty Web Series (2012 – 2013), as well as the featured performer at countless corporate events, private events and charity functions.

Demi is offering aerial classes for children through adults. She is also offering aerial yoga; a very tranquil beautiful class that is a must on your list to try out.

Learn more about Demi…

James Johnson, Instructor

James has a beautiful spirit, great energy, and enthusiasm. His impressive career runs the gamut of Performing Arts, with significant accomplishments in Singing, Dancing, and Acting.

A Performing Arts Tour de Force!

James Johnson comes to us by way of Alaska – yes Alaska! After graduating from West Anchorage High School, he followed his dream by enrolling in the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

There he studied Vocal’s under Eileen Connolly, Acting Technique under Pete Mattaliano, Improv/Comedy with Judith Searcy, Scene Study with Neil Learner, On Camera Technique with Rawleigh Moreland, Shakespeare and Dramatic training with David Block.

Since coming to the Big Apple, James has been cast in numerous Movies and TV shows, as well as actively working in Theater.

On Camera work includes:

Diamond in the Ruff
Act of Vengeance
NCIS
The Web Series
True Blood

Theater work includes:

Antwon in Love Doesn’t Hurt
Othello in Othello
Caliban in The Tempest
Various roles in 24 Hour Playfun

James is a fierce Hip Hop Dancer as well as a very accomplished Contemporary and Modern Dancer.

Included on James’ list of accomplishments is Song Writing, Modeling, Music Production, Choreography, SAG member.

He loves to teach and share his passion for the Performing Arts! We are so proud to have this multi-talented teacher on staff at The Landrum School of Performing Arts.

Learn more about James…

Debbie Gianatsis, Instructor

A lifetime of dance, starting at Landrum at age 4, has given Debbie the skills and experience to create a fun and nurturing atmosphere in all her classes.

Debbie began dancing at the Landrum School of Dance in her hometown of Whitestone at the age of four. She continued her dance studies at Landrum until she graduated high school.

She went on to study dance in college, graduating cum laude from the State University of New York at Brockport with a B.F.A. in Dance and a minor in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children.

While in college she had the pleasure of studying and working with teacher/choreographers such as Tim Draper and Garth Fagan. She also participated and choreographed in several National Dance College festivals.

Debbie also holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently a performing arts and dance teacher in a NYC public elementary school. Miss Debbie is mother of two, Georgina and Thomas. She is extremely proud of her seven year old daughter who is following in her footsteps and dancing at Landrum with the All Star competitive team. Debbie’s dance and education background helps her provide a nurturing and fun atmosphere in all her classes!

Learn more about Debbie…

Kelsey Sheldon, Instructor

Kelsey Sheldon, Landrum School of Performing Arts Music Instructor_Landrum Instructors

A frequent performer in both Queens and Albany, her passion is to share her love and knowledge of music with her students, while respecting their individuality and nurturing their musical potential.

Kelsey Sheldon is a cellist and pianist from Albany, NY.

She is currently pursuing a degree in Music Performance at the Aaron Copland School of Music.

Kelsey has taught cello and piano students privately for six years.

Learn more about Kelsey…