About Us
Magical Movements welcomes 1 year-old girls and boys to adults with a wide array of dance classes. Since our grand opening September 2003, students and their families continue to receive unsurpassed treatment. From taking class for fun, fitness, or your future, to a birthday celebration, our pleasant, educated staff will try its best to provide an enjoyable experience. We look forward to meeting you!
Why Choose Us
- HEALTH & SAFETY COME FIRST
- Friendly, professional faculty
- Small classes
- Bright, cheerful facility
- Sincere, personal treatment
- Affordable rates
- Safe, welcoming environment
- Theme & combination classes
- Closed circuit TV system
- Flexible scheduling
- Well-received dance concerts
- Performance opportunities
- Students with theater & TV credits
- Birthday party blasts
Facility
Upon entering Magical Movements, there is a warm, inviting feeling. The 2,000+ square foot space includes a spacious mirrored dance studio, private dressing room, kitchen, rest rooms, and waiting area – complete with closed circuit television to view classes. Located on the Harrison/Mamaroneck border, we are easily accessible from many Westchester towns and cities. Parking is plentiful, and shops are within walking distance.
Faculty
Linda Francica Laraqui, Director
Linda Francica Laraqui began her performing arts training at 7 years-old. She studied many dance forms, earned the lead in her elementary school musicals, played the piano, sang solos with the chorus, and choreographed for various school events. Linda continued her studies at Manhattanville College, majoring in Dance and Theatre. She performed in the realm of renowned choreographers, created several pieces of her own, and was president of the college’s student dance organization. During this time, Linda danced on MTV’s Direct Effect, studied voice, and appeared in a TV commercial. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, departmental and porfolio honors. Through the years, Linda has been awarded for her achievements in the performing arts. Before opening Magical Movements, Linda worked with children at studios, pre-schools, and artistic programs across Westchester County. With a childhood dream and the guidance of her entrepreneurial dad, she opened Magical Movements School of Dance in September 2003. Linda directs the studio, teaches on and off-site, and entertains at birthday parties. Linda founded The Shooting Stars, Magical Movements’ preteen-teen performance company.
Allie Aimone, Guest Choreographer
Bella Camuto, Instructor
Isabella (Bella) Camuto is a well-versed dancer and choreographer from Mahopac, NY. She recently received her Bachelor’s degree in both Dance and Psychology, with a minor in Business Management and a Certificate in Health Sciences from Manhattanville University. During her time in college, Bella was cast in a long list of renowned choreographers’ pieces, choreographed a total of four pieces for the department’s annual concerts, and stood as a captain for the university’s main dance team, Manhattanville Dance Troupe. Bella trained and performed as a Junior Associate with AjkunBT during her high school years. She started her experience as a dance teacher during this time, and continued throughout her college years, as well, choreographing overall-winning pieces on her peers and her students for regional dance competitions. Bella is excited to share her expertise at Magical Movements School of Dance.
Lori-Ann Fordunski, Former Instructor / Substitute
Miss Lori-Ann Fordunski has been a dance instructor in Queens for the past six years. She has been dancing since she was three years-old. She participated on the award-winning Moves and Motions, New York, competitive dance team for over ten years. She attended the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, where she majored in a pre-conservatory dance program. She graduated with an Arts endorsed diploma in 2012. Lori attended the University at Albany, and graduated in 2016 with a Business degree in Management and Marketing. While at UAlbany, she participated in an organization called Dance Council. She choreographed and performed in many numbers. Lori ran for the Executive Board of Dance Council during her junior year, and was elected President during her senior year. Lori has performed at venues such as Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera House. She loves sharing her joy and passion for dance with her students. Lori is very excited to be teaching at Magical Movements!
Oksana Konobeyeva, Instructor
Alison LeMoigne, Company & Competition Team Coach & Choreographer
Alison LeMoigne has been dancing since the age 4 and has not stopped since! She began her dance training at New York Dance, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop, and theatrical styles. In high school, she danced competitively with the Performers Edge Dance Academy competition team, performing solo, duet, and group routines at regional and national competitions throughout the tri-state area. Alison is a graduate of Providence College, where she spent four years as a member of the varsity dance team. She performed jazz, hip hop, and pom routines at nationally televised Big East Basketball games, most notably at the annual Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Alison and her dance team had the opportunity to attend NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL, where they competed in the Division 1 Jazz and Hip Hop categories, breaking the top 15 three years in a row. Alison can be seen as a backup dancer in Bracha Jaffe’s music video “Stronger All As One”, and has done various appearances with the artist. In 2021, she began working on film sets as a background actress for productions such as “And Just Like That” (HBO Max), “Three Sisters” (Showtime), and “Chang Can Dunk” (Disney+). Alison is honored to be the coach and choreographer of Magical Movements’ dance company, the Shooting Stars!
Anna Nitardy, Former Instructor / Subtitute
Anna Nitardy is from Martha’s Vineyard, where she trained at Rise Vineyard Performing Arts for 10 years. At Rise, Anna studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, acro, and hip hop dance. During her time at Rise she won many awards including American Dance Awards Dancer of the Year. Anna continued her time at Rise as a teacher of contemporary, jazz, and conditioning. She also studied at Walnut Hill School of the Arts, American Dance Festival, and Boston Conservatory. After graduating high school, Anna moved to New York and continued her dance training at the Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. After her first year at Purchase, she became a concentration in ballet, but continues to choreograph, teach, and train in all styles of dance.
Erin Raymond, Instructor
Erin Raymond was a dancer for over ten years, before attending Eastern Connecticut State University’s theatre and dance department, graduating in 2022 Magna Cum Laude. Throughout college, Erin trained in modern, ballet, improvisation, and theatre techniques, as well as some study of yoga, pilates, and Tai Chi. She participated in staged productions, site-specific work, and dance on film as a dancer, choreographer, and director. Erin has extensive experience, both on and off stage. She has taught classes in modern, ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, improvisation, and creative movement for all ages and levels, in both studios and public school arts integration programs. Erin’s work with the Justice Dance Performance Project and Hartford Performs focuses on bringing movement classes into Hartford public schools, and cultivating an environment that allows students to explore self-expression through the arts and to share it with their communities. Erin is a calm and patient individual, who works well in a fast-paced environment. Her quiet and observant demeanor allows her to establish a level of trust and connection with students that lasts long after the program has ended. Erin especially enjoys introducing students to the arts, and giving them a platform to create.
Jennifer Silverman, Instructor
Jennifer Silverman, a Westchester County native, has been dancing for most of her life. Aside from studying jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, and modern, Jennifer also studied the performing arts at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, The Juilliard School, and The University of Miami. She has traveled from coast to coast, performing in such shows as Chicago (Velma Kelly), A Chorus Line (Sheila), In The Heights (Carla), Rent (Maureen), and Cirque Dreams (The Songstress). She has also performed on Celebrity Cruise Lines and at Woodloch Pines Resort as a principal singer/dancer. Jennifer has taught at various studios throughout Westchester County, and continues to perform and choreograph locally.
Cassidy Urban, Instructor
Alexi Zadanosky, Instructor
The Shooting Stars, Dance Company
The Shooting Stars were thrilled to perform at a New York Knicks Pre-game Show at Madison Square Garden. In 2015, they made their Manhattan debut opening for Captiva at the Hudson Guild Theater. They took master classes and performed at DanceFest 2012 – 2020 (Harman Stage, Palace Theatre). They open Magical Movements Annual Dance Concerts (Mamaroneck High School, Stepinac High School), and grace the stage at the It’s Great to Live in Harrison Celebrations (Ma Riis Park). They perform to benefit various campaigns and foundations at Dance Works Fundraiser Showcases (Rye Country Day School, The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, Greenwich Academy). The Shooting Stars also entertained at Harlem Globetrotters & New York Liberty pre-game and half-time shows (Barclays Center & Westchester County Center). They are a group of girls who love to dance, are eager to be challenged, and shine at every performance.
In 2019, Magical Movements started a competition team! Chosen to participate in Performance Project, this group is working very hard to take it to another level. They recently competed in Sheer Elite International and NexStar Talent Competitions, placing first in their category, along with winning a judge’s choice award, being named regional champions, and invited to nationals!