OWNERSHIP

Lindsey Kaplowitz
Founder and CEO, Dance Teacher

Lindsey has been dancing for 38 years, and teaching for 25 of them. She started training at a young age with former Radio City Music Hall Rockette Cheryl Andersen, and then trained as a teenager with Keith Banks and with the Valley Dance Theatre. While the thrill of being onstage is indescribable, Lindsey's truest passion is sharing the joy of dance with her students and helping them fulfill their potential both inside and outside of the dance studio. Nothing can compare to the twinkle in a student's eye, and the smile across their face when they learn and perfect a new dance skill. Click here to read more about Miss Lindsey.

Janice Rava
Co-Founder and Executive Director

Miss Janice is our Executive Director who works tirelessly behind-the-scenes to ensure all of our staff members and dance families are taken care of and in the best hands. Miss Janice is our secret weapon to organization and our incredible recitals and events. You can often find her in the office helping countless dance families along with her Boston Terrier (our studio pup), Mugsy! Miss Janice has been to more recitals than you can count on fingers and toes, and loves being able to share knowledge and joy with our dance families. She is Miss Lindsey's mom and one of her greatest inspirations.

FACULTY + STAFF

Ayesha Ahmed
Dance Teacher

Originally from the DC Area, Ayesha began dancing at the age of 2, and learned from former Rockettes and NFL cheerleading professionals as she grew in dance. Ayesha trained in all styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Cecchetti, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop, and Pom, and competed at both the elite studio and all-star levels. Ayesha found her way back home to northern Virigina, where she began coaching numerous competitive dance teams and leading them to many titles while growing their skill sets. She most recently competed in the Open Hip Hop Division at The Dance Worlds in 2024. Ayesha's teaching philosophy centers around goal-setting, fostering growth mindsets, and creating confident dancers in and out of the studio! 

Anvi Ambardar
Dance Teacher

Anvi is a student at Green Level High School who has danced at Starpath since 2014, and with the Starlette Competition Team since 2020. Anvi has been a Teacher’s Assistant since 2020, and  has been working at the front desk since 2024. Tap is Anvi's favorite style of dance, and she competes a solo in it during the competition season. Anvi is the current Vice President of SHINE, Starpath's student philanthropy organization, and she is excited to continue to spread our love of dance as a member of the Starpath faculty.

Erica Davis
Dance Teacher, ​Starlette Assistant Coordinator

Miss Erica comes to us from Long Island, where she started dancing at 7 years old. She competed in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Contemporary. Erica was also a member of her high school and college Kickline teams and served as a captain for both teams. After graduating from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Erica began performing with a professional dance team in Syracuse, and began teaching and choreographing for a local dance studio's competition team. Erica moved to North Carolina in 2018 for her full-time job. She is excited to return to teaching and share her passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.

Toni DePaoli
​Lead Dance Teacher, ​Starlette Team Manager

Miss Toni holds BAs in Dance Studies and Drama from UNC-Greensboro, where she was awarded a scholarship for her excellence in Musical Theatre. During her time there, she also served as Dance Captain for several collegiate and regional musicals. Miss Toni has been leading our Starlette and Professional Path Programs since 2022, and launched Starpath's Competitive Hip Hop program. In 2024, she was awarded "Most Entertaining Choreography" and "Highest Scoring Group" awards at several dance competitions. She also directs Starpath's annual holiday shows. Miss Toni teaches a variety of dance styles including Dancing and Acting, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyripop, Musical Theatre, and Tap.

Crystal Hodak
Front Desk Receptionist (Apex)

Crystal's love of dance started by taking Tap, Lyrical, and Jazz during her childhood and has continued the last 16 years as a dance mom to her two daughters. Since Starpath opened its doors, she has volunteered by working backstage at recitals, been a lead team parent, and also co-founded the Starlette Parent Association, which supports the studio's competition team. She has a BA in Psychology and more than 25 years of experience working with children. Crystal is excited to bring her "dance mom" knowledge to the front office!

Ella Hodak
Dance Teacher

Ella has been dancing since she was 2 years old! She has been attending Starpath since it opened in 2013, and has been on the Starlette competition team since 2015. She is currently a member of the Green Hope High School Dance Team, where she has led as a captain and choreographer. Ella has been a Teacher's Assistant at Starpath since 2017, and has experience leading classes, camps, and special events. Her favorite styles of dance include Hip Hop, Jazz, and Musical Theater.

Caitlyn Lane
​Dance Teacher 

Miss Caitlyn has been dancing for 19 years, with an emphasis on Modern, Lyrical, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Tap. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and an Associate's degree in Business Administration from SUNY Potsdam. Caitlyn has had some amazing opportunities throughout her dance career including working with Paul Taylor Dance Company, receiving a scholarship for a dance intensive in Florence, Italy, and training at Perry-Mansfield in Colorado with Peter Chu and Chuthis Dance Company. ​Miss Caitlyn loves to teach and has taught all ages at a private studio in New York as well as at the University.

Olivia Lang
​Dance Teacher

Miss Olivia hails from Asheville and began her dance training at the age of 4, and competed at local, regional, and national dance competitions for 10 years with Asheville Dance Theater. Olivia attended NC Governor’s School East in 2022 for dance, where she got to perform solo and group self-choreographed pieces. In 2023, won 2nd Runner-Up in the Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina program. Oliva has been dancing with ModernExtension Dance Company at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she began choreographing pieces during the 2024-25 school year. Her choreography has continued in 2025-26, while also serving as President of the Sports Club. Olivia is honored to continue sharing her passion for dance with others at Starpath Dance Academy.

Lorelei Lemon
​Stars of the Stage Instructor

Ever since her mother told her she was making a scene, Lorelei has been working in theatre. As a theatre educator and camp coordinator for Sonorous Road Productions, she directed High School Musical, Annie, Spamalot, Aladdin, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as short films and sketches devised by her students. She's written stage adaptations of Little Women, Treasure Island, and Dracula, which she also directed, for Saint Mary's School in Raleigh. She's the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Vixen Theatre Company in Raleigh, advocating for and providing space for female artists on- and off-stage. She is a safe space for anyone else who loves Cats.

Liz MacConnell
​Dance Teacher

Liz MacConnell has gained experience in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary over the past 20 years. Originally from New Jersey, Liz started dancing at the age of 6 and performed in the Philadelphia Ballet's Nutcracker for three seasons. She was on her high school dance team and performed seasonally at various studios. Throughout high school, Liz worked as an assistant preschool teacher. She graduated from Rowan University with degrees in Elementary Education and English. Since moving to North Carolina with her husband in 2021, Liz has been a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, practicing her passion for helping students reach new goals and developing ways to be creative in the learning environment.

Allie Mimnaugh
​Dance Teacher

Allie Mimaugh has been dancing at Starpath Dance Academy since she was 4 years old. Allie has won Title at several competitions since joining the Starlette competition team in 2017, and has even represented Starpath while competing nationally. She has been a Teaching Assistant at Starpath since 2019. Allie is a student at Cardinal Gibbons High School and a member of the dance team there. Allie's favorite styles of dance are Musical Theater and Lyrical.

Ava O'Neill
Front Desk Receptionist (Cary)

Ava is a recent Panther Creek High School and Starpath Dance Academy graduate! She is attending Meredith College and is excited to continue being a part of the Starpath community as a front desk receptionist! She will be available to help with anything you might need on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Cary Park office.

Katie Pope
​Dance Teacher

Katie Pope has been dancing for 22 years in North Carolina. She graduated with a BFA in Dance Education from East Carolina University, where she received the Outstanding Senior Award for Dance Education. Following graduation, Katie was hired to open Green Level High School as the Dance Director and Varsity Dance Team coach. There she built and maintained a superior rated program and a nationally ranked dance team. Katie is excited to bring her experience and knowledge to Starpath and to work with kids of all ages!

Kalei Porter
​Dance Teacher

Kalei Porter is a dedicated dance instructor with over five years of teaching experience and two decades of training and performance in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and more. In college, Kalei trained through the Colleges of the Fenway Dance program and served as the co-President of the Simmons University Dance Company. Since then, Kalei has enjoyed fostering creativity and skill with students of all ages as a teacher at various studios.​

Lizzie Putelo
​Dance Teacher

Lizzie is originally from Syracuse, and began dancing at the age of 4. She trained in a variety of styles including Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop, and was both a solo competitor and a member of competition and performance teams. Throughout her dance journey, Lizzie developed a strong foundation in technique and performance, and loved being part of a team environment. During her summers, Lizzie taught classes at her home studio, assisted with summer camps, and worked with younger dancers. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2025, and is excited to share her love of dance and be part of the Starpath Dance Academy community.

Olivia Scata
​Dance Teacher

Miss Olivia has more than 18 years of dance training in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Musical Theatre. She trained at Leslie’s School of Dance in New York and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Arts Management from SUNY Potsdam. During her time there, Olivia choreographed three collegiate works and completed an internship with the American College Dance Association. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and is excited to share her love of movement with her students at Starpath.

Kaitlyn Shaker
​Dance Teacher

Kaitlyn grew up a dancer. In college she joined the Assumption University Dance Team, which performed sideline routines and danced during the halftime performances at the Division II basketball and football games. Her dance team also competed at the National Dance Alliance College Nationals tournament. Kaitlyn's love of dance evolved into a passion for yoga. In December 2020, she completed her 200-hour teacher training at Republic of Yoga. Kaitlyn worked in inclusive post-secondary education and is passionate about supporting individuals as they identify their strengths and their potential. Kaitlyn intends to use her playful disposition, growth mindset, and background in psychology to foster an accepting space at Starpath.

Ella Volpe
Dance Teacher

Ella Volpe trained for 11 years prior to attending summer intensive programs at the Carolina Ballet and Boston Ballet. In 2019, Ella joined the School of Carolina Ballet on scholarship as a pre-professional student. There, she had opportunities to rehearse and perform with the company. ​She is currently a corp de ballet member.

Jené Ward
Dance Teacher

Miss Jene is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill where she was President, Choreographer and teacher for Blank Canvas — the same largest group on campus that Miss Lindsey was President of herself years ago! Jené loves all styles of dance and has been surrounded by it her entire life, as her mom owned a studio of her own for 20 years. Jené has been a dance teacher since high school and loves teaching kids of all ages!