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

Allie Aimone was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. She grew up training as a competitive dancer, since a young age. Allie is a graduate of Professional Performing Arts High School, where she trained at the Alvin Ailey School. She is currently attending SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, where she will receive a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance. Some of her work and experience consist of Chris Viola & Sara Damon “Not Broken” music video, “Reach The Sun” by CNSPRACY, Fantasy Obscura Choreographer by Michelle Thompson Ulerich and Jack Paccione “Why Would I Lie”. Allie recently became an apprentice of the Marinda Davis company – MarInspired: the storytellers.

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

After graduating from the Novosibirsk Choreographic College in 1990, Oksana Konobeyeva won the First Prize at the Vaganova Prix Ballet Competition, and joined the Y. Grigorovitch Bolshoi Theatre Studio Company. She performed solo and principal roles in Swan Lake, La Fille Mal Gardée, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and others. Among her teachers were Elena Ryabinkina, Rimma Karelskaya,Marina Semyonova, Michail Lavrovsky. Ms. Konobeyeva won the First Prize at the Luxembourg International Ballet Competition in 1995, and joined the American Ballet Theatre in 1996. She performed many parts in the company’s repertoire, and some of her solo parts include: Shades Trio in La Bayadère, Flower Girl in Don Quixote, Spring in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Vitality Fairy and Jewels in Sleeping Beauty, solo in Harald Lander’s Études and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, and works by John Neumeier and Twyla Tharp. Ms. Konobeyeva toured with both companies all over Europe, Asia, and America. In 2002, she started teaching, got certified in Pilates Mat, and  became an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher in Primary through Level 7. From 2011 to 2019, Ms. Konobeyeva taught at the Greenwich Ballet Academy. In her teaching, Ms. Konobeyeva emphasizes many details to provide students with a strong foundation. She is currently staging works from the original classical repertoire, coaching students for Youth America Grand Prix, and choreographing dances for students ages 6 & up.

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

Cassidy Urban started dancing at 2 years-old with Miss Linda at Magical Movements, and continued for twelve years. She studied tap, jazz, musical theater, ballet, hip-hop, and was also a part of the Shooting Stars (preteen-teen dance company). Cassidy took dance classes at Harrison High School, and was on the Varsity Dance Team. She studied at the University of Delaware, and graduated with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. Cassidy took college-level jazz, hip-hop, and modern, and performed in recitals and other college events. She helped organize and choreograph Airband — a dance competition between all of the Greek Life organizations on campus to raise money for childhood cancer. Since graduation, Cassidy continues to take train at Broadway Dance Center.

Alexi Zadanosky, Instructor

Alexi Zadanosky is a performing artist who teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, beginner pointe, lyrical for all ages. Also she specializes in private piano and vocal instruction and coaches musical theatre programs. She also performs in dinner shows and actively participates in local community events. Alexi has been teaching and performing for 5 years. Originally from New York City, she attended the American Musical Dramatic Academy for the performing arts obtaining an AOS in Musical Theatre. Afterward she relocated to Los Angeles and continued with AMDA getting her BFA in Musical Theatre and then MA in Theatre. She now lives in New York City once more realizing her passion for teaching the arts and encouraging students to follow their goals and dreams in the performing arts community. She strives to become a record label artist in the future. Alexi also spends much time reading and writing creative works, and is a bit of a film historian.

 

 

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!