“With decades of experience and expertise, this studio exudes the perfect blend of honesty, purity, and artistry to bring any vision to life!”

Debra Nicolosi, Director, Owner, Instructor

Debra Nicolosi has been teaching dance for the last 33 years and was a former dance studio director/owner for 14 years in Lincroft, NJ. She has taught recreation classes along with competition teams in all dance styles including tap, jazz, creative movement, lyrical and modern. In 1991, she earned a BFA Cum Laude in Dance Performance from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College. Throughout her college career, Debra was a part of the highly respected dance program run by artistic director, June Lewis, a former member of the Martha Graham Dance Company. She was also a part of her school’s dance program repertory company, The Brooklyn Dance Theatre, which performed throughout the tri-state area doing theatrical dance performances and lecture demonstrations. From there, Debra began choreographing theatrical modern dance pieces for the Gershwin Theatre. She was also a seasoned dancer with June Lewis & Company and Joan Miller's Dance Players for various tours.

Debra's professional credentials include stage performances of children’s productions at the Williamson Theatre including shows such as The Wizard of Oz and Peter and the Wolf. On television, she danced with David Wolper Productions in the Liberty Weekend Closing Ceremonies. Debra also contributed her talent and performance experience to local theater and was a welcome member to Center Stage Productions’ performance of No No Nanette. In addition, she was a runner up winner in the Staten Island Pageant along with the Miss Richmond County Fair.

In the business industry, Debra has worked at Comedy Central, affiliated with MTV and HBO enterprises, assisting the directors and CEO of Marketing in NY, LA and Chicago as well as with Hollywood Reporter, Cable World, and Adweek. She also owned and operated an entertainment company, The Spotlight Dancers.

Debra is so excited to continue this venture with Pure Artistry Dance here in Tinton Falls, NJ! Her driving force is her love of dance, her love of life, and her love of the students.

Diana Allan, Director, Owner, Instructor

Diana Allan has has been a dance instructor at NY and NJ studios for over 25 years teaching recreational and competitive dance to all ages. Diana is well trained in many techniques and styles of dance including ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theater, and contemporary. Diana continues to train with numerous renowned choreographers at dance conventions and master dance classes. She is a certified teacher with the NYC Department of Education holding a Master’s in Elementary Education. Her credits include directing and choreographing for high school musicals and dance teams throughout NYC.

Diana has won numerous awards for outstanding choreography, entertainment and many more recognitions at various regional and national dance competitions. Her work has been nominated multiple times for Industry Dance Awards in the lyrical/contemporary division. Diana has always had a passion for dance and wants to continue instilling that passion with all her students. She feels it is important to build confidence and strength among her dancers so they will not only succeed as professional dancers, but as independent young individuals.

Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Director, Instructor

Pamela Jacobs began her dance journey at the age of 4 years old. She studied at a NY studio until graduating high school and then went on to study Exercise Science with a minor in Dance at SUNY Buffalo. She is currently a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy in the state of NJ. Throughout her time in college and graduate school, Pam regularly participated in master classes, workshops and conventions to further enhance her dance training. Keeping dance forever in her heart, she has taught recreational and competitive dance classes for over 20 years. Pam’s eye for movement through kinesiology combined with her passion and pure love for the art is exemplified through all of her choreography. Pam is formally trained in all styles of dance including ballet, modern, lyrical, contemporary, jazz and tap.

At the competition level, Pam’s work has always been a standout amongst the rest with countless overall high scores as well as choreography and entertainment awards. These achievements were earned on both the regional and national stage. In 2019, one of Pam’s pieces was invited to the first ever Metamorphosis Fearless Evolution Choreography Showcase in Chicago. She was also nominated multiple times for Industry Dance Awards in the lyrical/contemporary division and people’s choice division. In 2020, Pam completed a Sugarfoot Therapy course to further train her students.

Our Team

Nicole Fera, Instructor

Nicole Fera has been dancing since she was 3 years old. At age 14, she was accepted into both the prestigious "Fame School", Fiorello LaGuardia High School, as well as Alvin Ailey School of Performance Arts. She chose to attend Fiorello LaGuardia High School where she was trained in ballet, Martha Graham technique, and many other modern dance techniques. At LaGuardia, she was really able to hone in on her craft and focus on technique and strict discipline. LaGuardia gave Nicole the chance to train with dancers of the Martha Graham Company, Dance Theater of Harlem, and New York City Ballet. LaGuardia opened many doors for Nicole; she was chosen to study classical ballet at The Joffrey Ballet School. Nicole is also trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and contemporary dance. She has performed at Madison Square Garden and Disney World. At age 20, Nicole left NY to sign a contract with Barry Manilow's Production Company, Stiletto Entertainment, where she performed all over the world on Holland America Cruise Line. Nicole's love for dance has brought her to this exciting chapter in her life. She is thrilled to be able to continue passing on her love, knowledge and passion of dance to younger generations.

Katrina Portagallo, Instructor

Katrina Portagallo is a native of Middletown, NJ and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pace University’s esteemed School of Performing Arts earning a BFA in Commercial Dance and a minor in Arts and Entertainment Management. She has trained under industry professionals such as Dee Caspary, Rhonda Miller, Jessica Hendricks and Alexandra Damiani. While at Pace University, she trained in LA learning on-camera and choreographic techniques from Emmy Award winning choreographer, Mandy Moore, of Dancing with the Stars and La La Land.

Katrina is featured as a principal dancer in The Gaslight Anthem’s music videos for Get Hurt and Rollin’ and Tumblin’ directed by VMA winning director, Emil Nava. She has appeared in Timeflies’ music video, Worse Things Than Love, commercials for Canon camera and Chobani yogurt, and modeled for Dance Spirit magazine, OWYN and Pure Wow. She holds a certification in Progressing Ballet Technique and most recently became a barre & stretch instructor at Life Time. She also worked as a trainer for the dance-inspired fitness company, DanceBody, in NYC.

Katrina is represented by talent agencies, CESD and Clear Talent Group, and is continues to pursue opportunities to perform professionally. As a teacher at Pure Artistry Dance, she is excited to continue inspiring the next generation of artists with a passion and love of dance.

Alyssa Todaro, Instructor

Alyssa Todaro was born and raised in Red Bank, NJ and began her dance training at the age of 3 at a studio under Debra Nicolosi, where she took part in numerous performances, competitive opportunities and experiences. She is trained in all styles of dance and competed in all styles competitively from the age of 5 to 21. During her training as a competitive dancer, she has received awards such as Miss Teen Onstage America, Miss Dance KAR, and Miss Beyond the Stars. At the age of 18, she began her next chapter at Stockton University where she continued her dance training. Alyssa was accepted as a member of the Stockton Dance Company and also a member of the nationally ranked Stockton University Dance Team. Throughout her undergraduate career, Alyssa has had the privilege to work and study with artists such as Rain Ross, Caitlin Q. Pittenger, Nathaniel Beau Hancock, Chandra Moss-Thorne, as well as Shannon Murphy, Blythe Smith, Kathryn Vickers, and Lauren Putty-White. Throughout her dance program experience, she also had the opportunity to take master classes from professional companies such as Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company and Tiffany Mills Company. As a member of the Stockton University Dance Team, Alyssa worked with coaches, Erin Pasko and Alisa Iacovelli, and has also received the title of captain and vice president of the nationally ranked team. She has competed at the UDA College Dance Team Nationals held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Center in Orlando for 4 consecutive years. Alyssa graduated from Stockton University with a BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Dance and continues her dance career as a staff member of the Universal Dance Association (UDA). She is currently a dancer with The Costal Collective and most recently became an instructor with inSync Syncopated Cycling. Alyssa continues to audition for professional sports dance teams and furthers her love for both dancing and teaching here at Pure Artistry!

Will Vanmeter, Instructor

Will Vanmeter began his dance career training with Dance Contempra in Peachtree City, GA under the direction of Paola Jenkins. Since then, he has trained with Atlanta Ballet, Joffrey Ballet in NYC, and briefly with Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv, Israel. His diverse training includes ballet, contemporary, jazz and modern dance techniques. His performance career has taken him to many venues including the Paramount Theater of Chicago, the RiverPark Center of Owensboro, KY, The Cobb Energy Center and The Strand Theater of Atlanta. He has performed as a guest artist in the Atlanta area in roles including the Nutcracker with Dancentre South and Blue Bird Pas de Deux from Sleeping Beauty with The Sugarloaf Ballet. His most recent performance endeavors have taken him to Hilton Head Dance Theater to work with former American Ballet Theater principal dancer, Karena Brock-Carlyle. Will began his choreographic career in 2014 under the direction of Kennesaw State University’s Dr. Ivan Pulinkala. Will’s works have been featured at events such as The Lume Foundation's annual performances at The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, ChoreoLab with the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and the American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA). In 2017, his work was selected to represent the Southern region of the U.S. in the ACDFA gala concert. Will received his BA in Dance from Kennesaw State University and plans to further his education in the years to come.

Allison Kline, Instructor

Allison Kline is a Pure Artistry Dance Alumni for the Class of 2022 and has been dancing competitively since she was 4 years old in all dance styles. Allison attended Holmdel High School where she was also on the dance team. Allison is currently attending Brookdale Community College and majoring in Nursing. During her time as a Pure Artistry Dance student, she was also an assistant.

Sharon Bartlett, Instructor

Sharon Barlett has over 27 years of experience as a nurturing creative teacher specializing in acro. She has written, directed, staged, and managed numerous elementary theater productions and was recognized by Who’s Who Among American Business Owners. Sharon was named valedictorian of her class at the Roberts-Walsh Business School. She also attended Middlesex County College and Kean University majoring in Child Psychology. Her proudest accomplishment is being a mother of two daughters.

Danielle Nicolosi, Instructor

Danielle Nicolosi has been dancing since the age of 4 years old. She has danced in studio competitively for 14 years and was on her high school’s dance team for 4 years where she was also a senior captain. Danielle is a graduate of Rutgers University with a BS in Exercise Science. In college, she was a student athlete on the Rutgers University Dance Team for 4 years where she danced at televised football games, basketball games, and marketing events. Danielle’s credentials include performing at the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Chicago, ESPN College Game Day in Times Square, Big Ten Men’s Basketball halftime at Madison Square Garden, and at UDA College Dance Team Nationals in Orlando that airs on ESPN. She was also a dancer and co-choreographer of ‘The Right Way’ music video by Cat London. She is currently a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy in the state of NJ working in school-based pediatrics.

Leah Blumel, Instructor

Leah Blumel has been a part of the dance industry for numerous years and previously owned her own dance studio in Monmouth County. She continues to teach dance, specializing in aerial silks, and trains consistently with CrossFit.

Jolie Portaro, Instructor

Jolie Portaro is a Pure Artistry Dance Alumni for the Class of 2022 and has danced competitively since she was young in all dance styles. Jolie attended Howell High School where she was accepted into FPAC (Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Program). In high school, Jolie was also a member and captain of the Howell High School Dance Team. Jolie earned her BS in Exercise Science from Sacred Heart University after three years where she was also a member of the dance company. Jolie is currently working at Jersey Shore Medical Center as a mobility clinician. During her time as a Pure Artistry Dance student, she was also an assistant and captain.

Don Balladin, Instructor

Don Balladin "DonJ" has been making his mark as a performer/choreographer for many years in the NY Hip Hop underground scene as well as the commercial scenes. He is trained with some of NYC's well known dancers and choreographers such as the Amount Boyz, Rhapsody James, and Laurianne Gibson to name a few. DonJ has had the chance to work with many big name artists and was featured in numerous television shows, such as MTV Wannabes with B2K, Bet Awards with DJ Khalid, 106 and Park with Ciara, and was the main choreographer for the Pantene Pro-V Tour which includes artists such as Lyfe Jennings, Salt n Pepper, Missy Elliot and America's Next Top Model, Eva Pigford. DonJ was also a singer in the R&B/pop group, K.I.N.G.S., where he played a major part as the group's main choreographer and clothing designer.

In the past couple of years, DonJ took his talents to the next level and started his own custom clothing line, Swagstar Nation, an art-inspired brand created with the intention of bringing about a new sense of self-confidence and spiritual empowerment. His designs, along with his dedication and passion for hip hop dance, music and fashion music, definitely set him apart from the rest.