Perinton Dance Company is fortunate to have mature, professional adult Instructors who specialize in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Tumbling, Pilates, Voice, Piano, Drama and MORE. They offer a wide background of dance, music, drama and other expertise including competition and professional stage experiences. Each year our instructors attend conventions and workshops to keep abreast of current dance techniques. Our students have won numerous awards for excellence in all types of dance and music due to the dedication of our talented staff.

Mrs. Tammee LeClair, Executive Director/Dance Educator

Tammee began dancing at age three and has been teaching dance classes since 1989. Tammee received the majority of her dance training at Dianne Lynn Dance Theatre and continues to train at workshops and with talented professionals whenever possible. She studies privately with Alicia Cutaia (Eisenhower Dance Ensemble - Michigan), Jon Lehrer, Artistic Director/Choreographer of LehrerDance (Buffalo, NY) and takes private weekly Pilates sessions with Meghan Haight. Tammee has performed in countless dance shows and competitions and has won many awards. Her dance students have received numerous local and national awards for routines choreographed/taught by Tammee. Tammee has been the Preschool Dance Instructor at the JCC since January of 2007 drawing the maximum enrollment in each class.

Tammee has performed in many musical theater productions working as the Dance Captain for many of these shows. She choreographed for The Downstairs Cabaret's Summer Youth Program's 1997 production A Salute to the Tony's, East Irondequoit Middle School's 2004 production Annie Junior, and Brighton High School's JV Cheerleading Squad's award winning Fall 2003 cheer/dance routine. Tammee was chosen as a choreographer for the Dance Rochester! Choreographer/Composer Concerts in 2005 & 2007. She volunteered as the Chairperson of the Fairport Canal Days Entertainment Committee from 2004 - 2008 . She has taught numerous dance workshops for Girl Scouts, Youth to Youth, and other area organizations. Currently she is the elected President of Dance Rochester! and serves as the chairperson for the annual DR! fundraiser Gala. All Stars Talent was awarded the 2009 Culture and Arts Award by the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce for the studio's & Tammee's contributions to the community.

Tammee is a Senior Deckhand/Manager for Colonial Belle (tour boat based in Fairport) which is owned by her family. She has been assisting her family in operating the Colonial Belle business since 1989.

Tammee and her husband Jay opened All Stars Talent in 2000 with seven students in their home but outgrew this location in 2 seasons and moved to a ballet school where they rented space for one year. In September 2003, All Stars Talent purchased Dianne Lynn Dance Theatre, and merged it into All Stars Talent. In 2007 All Stars Talent moved to the current larger location that was specially designed by Tammee and other professionals. In 2008 AST added an academic/creative preschool for children ages 2 - 4 to create a learning environment with a strong musical foundation incorporated into the curriculum. Much of the ideas and missions of the preschool were created by Tammee. On 1/1/09 All Stars Talent, Inc. purchased Perinton Dance Company and it became a division of All Stars Talent, Inc. Tammee currently lives in Pittsford with her husband Jay, their daughter Madalynn Irene (born in February 2006).

Mr. John LeClair, Music Director/Vocal & Piano Instructor

John ("Jay") holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (grades K-12) and a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education, both from Nazareth College of Rochester. He trained at the Eastman School of Music and SUNY Fredonia. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100 Ton Master's license, enabling him to drive commercial vessels at sea. He is currently a Captain and Senior Deckhand of the Colonial Belle which is owned and operated by his Father and Mother-in-law. He works as a bus driver of the Pittsford Central School District, is on the "safe rider team" that educates students about bus safety and serves on the accident review board for transportation in the district. John directed/taught a choir and taught an Elementary General Music class for a private Learning Center based in Webster, NY for two years. He is currently studying the Suzuki Piano Method with Karen Hagberg, Ph.D at the Hagberg Suzuki Piano Program (his daughter Madalynn also been enrolled there since 11/07) to continue to build his skills and to work to merge the Suzuki Method into teaching his own students.

John served as the Music Director and MC for the Dance Rochester! Composer/Choreographer Concert in the fall of 2007 and will again in the fall of 2009. He was the assistant conductor of the Nazareth College Concert Choir for two years and was a member of the Nazareth College Chamber Choir, Concert Choir and Jazz Choir for seven years. He served as the assistant conductor for the Irondequoit Chorale in 2001 and was the assistant conductor for The Penfield Methodist Church Choir from 2001-2002. John was a member of The Publick Musik and sang on a publicity recording for this group in 2000. John regularly performs as the primary vocalist at many weddings, special events, and church functions. He volunteered on the Fairport Canal Days Entertainment Committee from 2004-2008. John was the Music/Choir Director for St Salome's Catholic Church for two years and assisted with the music preparation of East Irondequoit Middle School's 2004 production of Annie Junior. John lives in Pittsford with his wife Tammee and daughter Madalynn.

Ms. Bekka Bennett, Dance Instructor

Ms. Melissa Kofod, Dance Instructor

Melissa Kofod is happy to be returning to the All Stars Talent (& PDC) family this year. Melissa recently spent two years in New York City employed at an integrated communications technology consulting firm. While in NYC, Melissa studied tap at Broadway Dance Center, modern & improvisational dance at Spoke the Hub Dancing, and restorative yoga at Area Yoga of Brooklyn, NY. She also took courses in American Sign Language at the Sign Language Center of Manhattan. Melissa is currently continuing her study of tap at SUNY Brockport.

Prior to moving to NYC, Melissa taught various forms of dance at All Stars Talent from 2002 through 2007. She also taught for nearly 10 years at Dianne Lynn Dance Theatre, where she began her own dance training & performing at the age of three. Her students have won many top honors at regional and national competitions with routines that she choreographed & taught. In addition to her principal dance training at DLDT, Melissa also took summer courses in ballet at Botsford School of Dance. Melissa was a competitive dancer from ages 6-18 and won many top awards at regional and national competitions. She was a member of the ensemble of many musicals in summer drama programs and in junior high & high school. She was highlighted as a featured dancer in each musical, including the principal dance role of Dream Ballet Laurey in Oklahoma! In high school, she was a member of the prestigious R-H Singers, Youth to Youth, National Honor Society, completed many Honors and AP Courses, and graduated in the top 10% of her class with a 4.0 GPA. As a 2000 graduate from SUNY Geneseo with a BA in History, Melissa was a member of the Dance Ensemble and the Knightline Precision Dance Team/Kickline. She was also a member of the Rhinestones, professional dance team for the Rochester Rhinos Soccer Team, in 2003 and 2004.

Melissa will complete a second Bachelor’s degree in English literature at SUNY Brockport this year, and plans to pursue a PhD in the near future. She plans to continue her study of yoga and American Sign Language as well. Melissa greatly enjoys sharing her love of dance and her talent with students. Her previous students and our staff are very excited to have her back on our teaching team! Melissa is a very talented dancer and Instructor of a great variety of dance styles.

Mrs. Tonia (Goff) Finke, Dance Instructor

Throughout her teaching career, she has won numerous top scoring and special awards, choreography awards, and “Top Teacher” in 2005. In March of 2009, Tonia choreographed and taught a half-time routine for students of Strike It Up Artistic Center that was performed at the St. Patrick’s Day game for the Rochester Knighthawks. It was the only time that the Knighthawks had permitted outside performers. Currently, Tonia works as a full time Nanny and lives in Pittsford with her new husband Kevin. She is very excited to return to the AST/PDC team and is looking forward to another exciting year!

Ms. Alisha Brandon, Dance Instructor

Alisha has been teaching dance lessons in the Rochester area for over 20 years. She also owned and operated her own dance studio (Just Dance.. Dance Studio) for six years. Her training began as a very young child here in the Rochester area and has continued through workshops and conventions locally and in surrounding cities. Alisha choreographer and Directed for musicals at Monroe Community College (Smokey Joe's Cafe', Godspell & Side by Side). Her students have competed in local and national competitions earning top honors, high score and special awards including "clean choreography" and "fabulous feet."

Currently, Alisha lives in Webster with her son and enjoys teaching at PDC and another local studio.

Mrs. Cheryl Woodard, Music Instructor

After Madalynn (and Tammee) LeClair joined one of Cheryl's classes in the fall of 2006, Tammee knew that these were classes that would be wonderful for the families at AST. Kindermusik with Cheryl (now know as Music for Babies & Family Music Jam with Cheryl) are classes for newborns through age four are now offered at AST & PDC.

Ms. Deborah Robinson, Bellydance Instructor

Deborah received her Certification as Middle Eastern Dance Instructor, Level 3, through Hadia of Montreal in a 60 hour, 3 part instructor training course. She also was trained at Hadia's week-long technique program. She believes Bellydance is a dance form that all women can do, and benefit from greatly, both physically and emotionally. As an instructor at a local studio and senior & community centers, and as a director with Sahara Shimmer dance troupe, Deborah has many opportunities to share this beautiful dance with others, as well as continue to learn and grow as a dancer and teacher.

Mrs. Gina Ferraro, Guest Ballet Instructor

Mr. Jon Lehrer, Guest Dance Instructor

As a professional, Jon has danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Paul Sanasardo, John Passafiume Dancers, in Merv Griffin's "Funderful" in Atlantic City, NJ, and the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. In May 1997, Jon was hired by Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and after three years, was promoted to Rehearsal Director and then given the position of Associate Director two years later. During his ten years with Giordano, Jon choreographed seven original works on the company that received rave reviews all around the world.

Jon has choreographed for several dance companies in Chicago and around the world including; Thodos Dance Chicago, Instruments of Movement, Momenta Dance Theatre, Configuration dance Theatre, Louisiana Dance Theatre, Le Jazz Groupe from Monterrey, Mexico, and Kannon Dance of St. Petersburg, Russia. Jon's choreography can also be seen on numerous Universities around the country including University at Buffalo, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada Reno, East Central University, Northern Illinois University, Oakland University, and Hope College. In 2002, Jon was one of four Chicago choreographers selected to participate in the first ever Dance Chicago Choreography Project, sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust and Sara Lee, and was selected to participate again in 2004. Through the Project, Jon set an original work on dancers from the Joffrey Ballet.

Jon teaches master classes throughout the U.S. and around the world, is on the faculty of the Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of America, Dance Teacher Summer Conference, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and is a guest artist at numerous colleges around the country. In 2003, Jon had the honor of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University at Buffalo's Zodiaque Dance Company for his accomplishments as a dancer and choreographer. Jon is on the Advisory Board of Dance Spirit Magazine, was featured on the November 2007 cover of Dance Teacher Magazine, and has appeared in Dance Magazine numerous times.

In July 2007, Jon moved to Buffalo, New York, to begin his much anticipated professional dance company - LehrerDance. The company showcases his unique choreography and definitive style. Jon's extensive background in both the modern and jazz dance idioms fosters choreography that is organic, artistic, accessible and often humorous, reflecting life experience and the human condition. In its short history, LehrerDance has received international recognition and kept audiences on the edge of their seats from coast to coast with their trademark athletic style.

Jon has been offering monthly group and private Master Classes at All Stars Talent since August of 2008 and at PDC since January of 2009.