Andrea Lesnick Co-owner/Artistic Director
Dance Division Director ~ BCPA Dance Company Director
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical
Andrea has been dancing for over 20 years and has been sharing her talents as an educator for more than a decade. She received her formal training at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia under Zane Booker and Christine Cox (Ballet X). As a student of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap and Modern, she has also worked with Princeton Ballet and Princeton Dance & Theatre under the guidance of Susan Jaffe. She has performed throughout the Tri-State Area in landmark venues such as The Merriam and Painted Bride Theatres, and was a regular at the historic Bucks County Playhouse for several years. Among her numerous Regional Theatre Performances, some favorites include A Chorus Line, Cabaret, 42nd Street, The Wedding Singer, Footloose, Oklahoma!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar. As a choreographer, her work has earned her great praise from Main Stage Credits across New Jersey Regional Theatres and with other Performance Based Dance Programs in The Greater Philadelphia Area. Her work with the BCPA Dance Company has been the recipient of Technical Excellence, Choreography, and Creativity Awards. Most recently, Miss Andrea led her team to many victories which included several nominations for the Industry Dance Awards. Dance is my absolute passion and I feel that I didn't choose to be a dancer, dance chose me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to share my soul and impart my knowledge with my BCPA students.
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Bryan Lesnick Co-Owner/Artistic Director
Musical Theatre Division Director
Musical Theatre, Voice, Private Voice Lessons
Bryan has been studying voice, teaching, directing and performing professionally for nearly twenty years. He has worked in regional theatres throughout the Tri-state area, including performances Off-Broadway. He performs for corporate and private clients for fundraising events, weddings and even private parties for corporate clients such as Scrub Daddy! He is very passionate about teaching and takes mentoring very seriously. Bryan enjoys building relationships with his students and helping performers grow into themselves as artists, develop a strong work ethic, discipline, technique, confidence and a passion for their craft. BCPA has provided opportunities for Bryan to help students produce their original music, produce concerts and cabarets, teach a student centered curriculum and make an impact on his community. He is proud to have a studio where he can offer his students a pathway towards achieving the same!
Jesse Jones
Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop
Jesse is a Philadelphia native, a Helen Hayes award winner and has been teaching and choreographing for over 20 years. He has a BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts. His training also includes the Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, Koresh, Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. He has performed on Broadway, Regional Theaters around the USA, International Dance Companies, Operas, Disney World & Tokyo Disney and Music Videos to name few. Jesse has also been an Adjunct Professor and Guest artist at Universities, Colleges and Schools. He is excited to be back teaching at BCPA!
Becca Mann
Acrobatics, Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary
Becca Mann, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania began her dance training at the age of 15 under the direction of Scott Jovovich and Liz Fitchett Jovovich. She continued her dance education and earned her BA in dance from DeSales University, having the opportunity to train under Trinette Singleton, Tim Cowart, and Julia Mayo. While at DeSales, Becca had the opportunity to perform pieces choreographed by artists such as Jeff Shade, Jessica Chen, Michio Ito (staging by Kumiko and Imura). She was chosen to perform solo features in work choreographed by Doris Humphrey (staging by Dr. Jessica Van Ort) as well as work choreographed by Paul Ocampo. Since graduating college, Becca has danced professionally for Jessica Chen and eSKay Arts Collective both based in NYC. Becca currently teaches numerous dance styles including: Acro, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Modern. She is extremely excited to be joining the BCPA team and continue sharing her dance education with young artists.
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Gigi Pliego
Preschool & Combo Classes; Level 1: Jazz & Hip Hop
Gigi started dancing at the age of 3. She has been trained in Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary & Hip Hop at the Bucks County School of the Performing Arts. She started dancing competitively at a very young age, earning numerous awards and scholarships in regional and national events along the way. Gigi has been recognized on stage as a “fierce, powerhouse performer.” Under the guidance and mentorship of Andrea Lesnick, Gigi has worked diligently pursuant to her career goals in dance. She recently completed an internship with BCPA that has resulted in her joining our faculty! Gigi is also the newest member of Project Moshen Dance Company, Philadelphia's premiere all female professional jazz dance company. She cannot wait to start her professional journey with the place she's called home for so many years and to share her love of dance with the next generation of dancers.
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Guest Faculty
Lauren Putty White
Ballet, Modern, Contemporary
Lauren Putty White, received her BFA from University of the Arts in 2005 along with the Choreography Prize and Outstanding Performance in Modern Dance award. She has toured internationally with world –renowned companies Parsons (2009-2010) and PHILADANCO (2012-2015). Lauren has choreographed on various companies and schools such as Ballet X (2010), Grace Dance Theatre (2016), Bryn Mawr College (2016-Present) and Drexel University (2013); as well as taught adjunct at University of the Arts (2015-2016), Stockton University (2013) and currently Temple University. Aside from teaching at studios throughout Philadelphia, White also has done guest artist residencies at Mercy High School and Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Baltimore, MD, and annually teaches on faculty at AileyCamp Baltimore. In 2012 Lauren founded Putty Dance Project, a collaborative company with her musician husband, producing socially conscious critically acclaimed works. Putty Dance Project has presented in the Koresh Come Together Festival, Philadelphia, PA, the K Dance Yes Invitational, Richmond, VA and the American Dance Guild Festival, NY, NY.
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Dawn Tortoriello
Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical
Dawn is a native of New Jersey and began her dance training at the age of 6 in her hometown of Edison. She has been professionally trained in Ballet, Tap and Jazz from various studios in NJ and NY. Her performance experience includes lead dancer at Six Flags Great Adventure, Chandris (Celebrity) Cruise Line, and summer community theatre. A graduate of Rutgers University, Dawn founded and was artistic director for the Absolute Dance Co. in 1997 which is currently owned by one of Dawn’s former students and is still in business today. She has taught for several studios across NJ and PA and brings 38 years of dance teaching experience to every class. Her love of dance shines through as she encourages students to be the best they can be.
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