Our Staff
At Precision Dance Project, we have a team that is committed to providing exceptional dance education in a supportive and encouraging environment. We believe every dancer deserves personalized instruction, meaningful mentorship, and opportunities to thrive both inside and outside the studio.
Jillian McNamara
Owner/Director
Jillian McNamara has been dancing since the age of two and is proficient in all genres including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and acro. She received her training at Seven Star School of Performing Arts in Brewster, New York, as well as at various intensives throughout the world, including the Dubrovnik Tap Festival and Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project.
Jillian’s passion for dance led her to achieve top honors at various competitions and conventions in the United States and abroad. She has been named IDO Female World Tap Champion on four occasions and was the first person ever to hold the title in all three age divisions. Jillian has also received the titles of NUVO Breakout Artist, JUMP VIP, 24/7 Nonstop Dancer, ADA Regional Dancer of the Year, Kids for Kids Diamond Dancer and Hall of Fame Inductee.
Jillian began assisting classes and teaching private lessons while a student at Seven Star School and officially joined the faculty as a teacher and choreographer upon graduation. She soon joined the staff of several studios throughout the Tri-State area and served as a Competition Team Director for six years. Her work has been recognized with numerous choreography awards, honors, and achievements.
While Jillian loves teaching all styles, her true passion is tap. In early 2020, Jillian formed the American Dance Collaborative, an official member of the United States Dance Sport Competition Federation, to continue her efforts in bringing together dancers and choreographers to represent the United States at international events. Since its founding, the American Dance Collaborative has achieved continued success on the world stage, with dancers earning top placements, medals, special honors, and opportunities to perform and compete internationally. Through her leadership, Jillian has helped create a collaborative environment that inspires excellence, artistry, and teamwork while expanding opportunities for American dancers worldwide.
Jillian is incredibly excited to begin this new chapter with Precision Dance Project and looks forward to sharing her passion, knowledge, and love of dance with the next generation of performers. She is committed to creating a positive and inspiring environment where dancers can grow both technically and artistically while building confidence, discipline, and lasting memories.
Angie Santamorena
Instructor
Angie Santamorena trained at Seven School Star of Performing Arts for 15 years and has competed at the regional, national, and international levels. While she is well-versed in many styles of dance, her greatest passion has always been tap.
Since 2017, Angie has proudly represented the United States as a member of the USA Tap Team, earning multiple medals, including a bronze in the 2024 solo division. She also now helps coach the team, sharing her experience with the next generation of dancers.
Angie currently teaches throughout the tri-state area and is dedicated to helping her students grow as both dancers and performers. She is passionate about sharing her love of tap and inspiring each student to reach their full potential.
Aliza Kennelly
Instructor
Aliza began dancing at the age of six and trained competitively throughout her childhood. She trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and technique under the instruction of Erin Brady, Jessica Flower, Brittany Heins, and Luke Bermingham at the Cheshire Performing Arts Academy.
She went on to attend the University of Connecticut, where she earned her degree in nursing while continuing her dance training as a four-year member of the UConn Dance Company. During her senior year, she served as president of the organization, choreographing multiple pieces, teaching weekly classes, and helping organize showcases and team events.
Today, Aliza works as a pediatric nurse in Hartford while continuing to pursue her passion for dance through teaching and choreography. She is committed to creating a positive and motivating classroom environment where dancers can grow technically, artistically, and personally, and she loves sharing her passion for dance with the next generation of performers.
Stacey Richetelli
Instructor
Stacey Richetelli, a West Haven, Connecticut native, is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and elementary school teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Montclair State University in 2017, where she performed with the Repertory Dance Company in works by renowned choreographers including Larry Keigwin, Martha Graham, and Camille A. Brown. Stacey began dancing at the age of two at The Dancer’s Studio under the direction of Sharon DiCrosta and continued her training there for fifteen years. She also trained at Educational Center for the Arts during high school. Her background includes training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Hip Hop. In 2015, Stacey received the Craig North Memorial Young Choreographer Award from the American Dance Awards. In 2019, she competed in the World Tap Dance Championship and received the bronze medal in the Adult Formation category.
Since beginning her teaching career in 2017, Stacey has shared her passion for dance with students of all ages at studios including The Dancer’s Studio, StudioOne Dance Center, and Neighborhood Music School. She is passionate about creating a positive and encouraging environment where dancers can grow in both confidence and technique. In addition to teaching, Stacey has judged regional dance competitions throughout New England, where she enjoys mentoring and inspiring young performers.
In 2025, Stacey earned her Master’s in Elementary Education (K–6) from Southern Connecticut State University. Her experiences in dance education have helped shape her into a creative, compassionate, and confident educator both inside and outside the classroom. She is excited to continue inspiring the next generation through both dance and education. Stacey is especially excited to begin this new chapter as a first-year classroom teacher at St. Mary St. Michael School, where she looks forward to creating a welcoming learning environment and helping her students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Christa Loubier
Instructor
Christa began dancing at the age of four and has spent her time as a dancer developing a strong technical foundation and passion for the art. As a competitive dancer, she earned numerous regional titles, overall high-score awards, special judges' awards, and invitations to national competitions, where she consistently achieved overall placements.
She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and acro, while also discovering a love for hip hop through national dance teams and convention experiences. Her diverse training has shaped her into a well-rounded and versatile performer.
Christa is a proud member of the American Dance Collaborative and has the honor of representing the United States at the IDO World Tap Championships in Prague, Czechia. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, inspiring confidence, and helping dancers of all ages grow both technically and artistically in a positive, encouraging environment.
Sara Lamonaca
Office Manager
Sara Lamonaca has always had a love for dance, music and the arts since she was young. At the age of 2 she studied music and violin with the Suzuki school in New Haven. She has two girls who currently dance on the competition team at our studio and she herself has been a dancer since she was little.
She went to the Children’s Professional School in her younger years where she studied, tap, jazz, ballet and drama and also performed with the Bei Ling Ballet school en pointe as a teen where she also performed in the Nutcracker each year.
Sara danced a year at UConn as well where she also graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Human Services and Family Studies. She has been in many plays and sung in choir and has performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC and the Candlelight Processional in Walt Disney World.
She’s been a studio office manager for the past few years as well as managed many other companies. She lives in Wallingford with her husband and two girls and is ready to assist with all of your dance related needs!