Our Award Winning Staff
Ashley Magaddino
Ashley holds a bachelors degree in business management from Farmingdale State College.
Dancer, choreographer and studio owner, Ashley has had a strong passion for dance since the age of 8. Since the age of 10, she has competed in numerous cheerleading and dance competitions across the United States. Aside from being an amazing performer, Ashley has a strong connection to children.
Lydia Magaddino
Lydia studied dance for nearly 20 years in a large Brooklyn studio. Her area of study concentrated in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. With strong community ties in Massapequa she has worked directly and indirectly for the good of her communities children. She was a cheer mom, and has served in both regular and Special Education PTA’s. As a catalyst, she used all of her resources to make Cheerleading a sport in the Massaqeua School district, ensuring that as a sport, it would to be properly funded.
After many years of observing her daughter’s dance studio and obtaining information about other studio’s she was convinced there was a need for a studio with a new model, one where students learned the art of dance while having fun. In 2009 Lydia made the dream happen and opened, A Step Above Performing Arts. Her charge was: to ensure the studio had a fun family atmosphere, while presenting a strong commitment to her students and parents, hiring only qualified professional instructors, and bringing students’ skills to new heights. As a dance mom she witnessed the stress caused by a lack of studio organization and vowed to change this with her studio. As such, A Step Above, is a well maintained and organized studio that values sharing clear and concise information in a transparent way. Lydia’s, A Step Above Performing Arts, is a proud studio who’s competition/company teams have distinguished themselves with many national and local awards, garnering recognition for sportsmanship and excellence.
Mr. Joe
Joe Duffy is one of NY’s most versatile and innovative young educators and choreographers. With over 18 years experience, he has trained at numerous studios on Long Island and NYC’s Broadway Dance Center. Joe has studied Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz-Funk and Musical Theatre. He has been recognized at competitions with numerous awards and is known for his fresh style and clean routines. Joe has also danced and choreographed in many music video’s and concerts for upcoming pop artists. He now tours the U.S. as director and choreographer for The STAR Dance Workshop. His inspiring and fun style are a perfect mix for dancers of all ages and abilities.
Miss. Ashley
Ashley is a Long Island native who began her dance training at the age of two. She was
a competitive dancer in high school and graduated from The University of the Arts in
Philadelphia, PA with a BFA in Dance Performance. Following graduation she performed
in her first professional dance contract Christmas Wonderland, a holiday show at the
Palace Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC. Since then, Ashley has had the privilege of
performing in both multiple Live Performances and Film/TV. Currently she dances in a
heels company FabHabitz and acts in an Off Broadway Theatre Company based in
NYC. Ashley is represented with The Movement Talent Agency for Commercial Dance
and Musical Theatre. When she isn’t performing she is a judge adjudicator for
numerous dance competitions across the US. Aside from her own performance career
she enjoys choreographing and teaching dance to future dancers. She is overjoyed to
be joining the ASAPA family this season!
