Meet our assistant Teacher interns / 2026-2027 School year
“I spent months looking for a community like Dance to Unite and I could not be happier to finally be a part of the community. It’s already been such a blessing, witnessing each child’s excitement grow with every class.”
Sadie Lozano-Mieles
Sadie Lozano-Mieles, 22, graduated from Boston University earlier this year with a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience and minors in Dance and Psychology. Born and raised in Queens, New York, she began ballet classes at three years old at her local dance studio. Since then, she immersed herself in styles ranging from tap, acrobatics, modern, contemporary, pointe, and lyrical, before studying dance from a more formal academic approach. When she’s not dancing, Sadie enjoys learning new things every day from experienced physicians at her pediatric medical assistant job. Sadie hopes to learn more about dance as it relates to her Hispanic culture and get to know others along the way! She loves working with kids and hopes to teach others just how therapeutic dance itself and the community it brings can be. Sadie firmly believes in making all dance forms accessible to every community, regardless of age or skill.
“I love to work with the younger dancers of Dance to Unite. Their enthusiasm and love for dance inspires me.”
milena carpati
Milena has been dancing since she was 4 years old at Shuffles Broadway Tap and Musical Theater Company. She loves all forms of dance and has been part of Broadway Dance Center’s youth performance program Artists in Motion (AIM). AIM performs tap, musical theater, contemporary, and hip-hop pieces locally in NYC and the tri-state area. She is also a member of her high school dance club. Milena has been a teaching assistant to young tappers at Shuffles and the Junior musical theater performance group at AIM.
ALYSSA GARLAND
Alyssa has been a Dance to Unite Assistant Teacher Intern for the past year! She enjoys the positive impact Dance to Unite brings to the students. Alyssa has been dancing in different specialties such as tap, ballet, modern, hip hop, and gymnastics since she was four years old. She has degrees’ in Psychology and Business Administration. Alyssa enjoys using the knowledge she has to help support the next generation of learners!
“Dance has been a part of my life since I was three years old, and it has given me so many opportunities to express myself, connect with others, and grow. I’m excited to share that same joy with students through Dance to Unite and help create an environment where everyone feels accepted, supported, and empowered to be themselves.”
Grace Gueonon
Grace began dancing at the age of three at West Coast Dance Theater in California, where she studied jazz, tap, ballet, and hip hop for many years. In high school, she was a cheerleader and co-captain of her cheer team, continuing to explore her love of movement, performance, and leadership. Grace also taught younger students tap and jazz at West Coast Dance, where she enjoyed sharing her passion for dance with the younger students. Since moving to New York City, she has continued taking dance classes and exploring different opportunities to grow as a dancer. Grace is excited to be part of Dance to Unite and to share her love of dance while helping children build confidence, express themselves, and connect with others.
“Dance is a place I go to investigate and understand what it means to be a part of beauty, to be a part of community, and to be all of me. Now, Dance to Unite is a place I go to practice sharing beauty, community, and all of me in a new way, with a new generation.”
jesse zheng
Jesse Zhang (she/they) is a first-generation Chinese American dance artist raised in Michigan and Indiana. She graduated with a B.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in theatre from the University of South Carolina. Currently, they are a trainee with the Limón Institute. Although dance is their primary vessel for expression and connection, Jesse also enjoys playing the flute, painting, knitting, and giving hugs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to make a tangible impact on young communities through Dance to Unite!”
Xin Xin Rong
Xin Xin Rong is a passionate multi-genre dancer from Pasadena, California. Although primarily ballet-trained, Xin Xin also grew up practicing jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary styles, eventually becoming co-captain of her high school dance team where she choreographed and performed a variety of works. She is a current senior at New York University pursuing a Dance and Economics double-major, and she hopes to continue expanding her experience in performance and dance teaching.
“Dance has always been a constant in my life and an important outlet
for creativity and communication. I love how Dance to Unite creates a
space where children can express themselves freely and learn and grow together while appreciating and embracing their differences.”
Claire Norfleet
Claire Norfleet recently moved to New York City after graduating from Colorado College with a degree in Molecular Biology. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Claire has been dancing and performing for as long as she can remember, with experience in a variety of styles, especially hip-hop and modern. She currently works as a medical assistant at a dermatology practice and is excited to reconnect with her passion for dance through Dance to Unite. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with kids and helping foster a culture of creativity, confidence, and acceptance through dance.
"Being able to be a part of Dance to Unite is so important to me because I've experienced first-hand how dance can be so much more than movement. It's also about connection. It is a way for us to share joy, build understanding and serve as a reminder that we are stronger together. "
Elly Luo
Elly is a first-year student at New York University, majoring in Biology and minoring in Law and Society. Born and raised in Hong Kong, her journey in dance began at age 10 with Chinese Dance, and she has since expanded her dance experience to include contemporary dance and jazz funk. Back at home, she has built and found community through dance and hopes to do the same through Dance to Unite. She is excited to join Dance to Unite as an intern, where she can combine her passion for movement with her belief in the power of dance to foster cultural understanding and acceptance. She looks forward to creating a fun and supportive space where everyone can express themselves and learn from one another through dance.
Meet our social media interns / 2026-2027 School year
“Dance to Unite has made me excited for my Mondays! It has given me a purpose, being able to give kids the opportunity to learn how to dance and making a beautiful community as well. It truly is a privilege to be a part of this wonderful organization!”
trinity fuller
Trinity Fuller is a sophomore at Fordham University studying film production and communications-media studies. Trinity is originally from Los Angeles, California and was able to grow up in an arts loving community. She spent a majority of her child and teenhood performing in her school musical theater performances and began to grow her passion for performing. As she has entered college, the fast paced schedule of school along with not going into a musical based field has made her miss the community that’s built when it comes to performing. Dance to Unite’s internship opportunity has given her the privilege to be in a community similar to the ones she's had in the past.
“To me, Dance to Unite is all about bringing people together through movement. I love it because it creates a welcoming space where everyone can connect and express themselves.”
Sophia ponichter
Sophia Ponichter is a 15-year-old dancer from New York City and a 9th grader at The Hewitt School. She has been dancing since three years old and currently trains at Steps on Broadway in the Pre-Professional Division, in Level C. At school, Sophia has opportunities to create her own choreography through dance composition classes which has helped her grow and find her own style. She enjoys dancing jazz best but loves to learn all styles of dance. Sophia has always enjoyed working with kids and is excited to be a Social Media Intern for Dance to Unite and help show the creativity, community, and joy in this program!