Our Leadership Team
Established in 1990 by Rocco Santorufo, Broadway Bound Dance Center is the premier dance and performing arts studio in New Jersey’s Bergen County. Over the years, the studio has evolved and grown, providing the utmost in dance instruction and training for thousands of students – all in a fun, challenging, and nurturing environment.
Maureen Strehl joined the studio in 2006 and has been an integral part of the growth over the years, managing many aspects of the business including back-office operations. Her daughters Allison and Caroline Strehl started at a very young age and experienced the culture of Broadway Bound Dance Center as students and instructors.
In 2022, Rocco, Maureen, Allison, and Caroline formalized a partnership, representing the next chapter of Broadway Bound Dance Center, furthering the studio’s mission of “More Than Just Great Dancing.”


Rocco Santorufo, Owner / Director
Rocco is a member of the Actor’s Equity, Screen Actors Guild, and AFTRA. Since age 10, he has enjoyed a professional acting and dancing career in national advertising and television commercials for Burger King, Wendy’s, Jell-O, Ray-O-Vac, Hires, Bubble Yum, and as the Hi-C Kid. He performed in a national touring production of Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story, was a contestant on Star Search, and performed in many industrials. He has performed alongside celebrities such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Nell Carter, Lola Falana, Debbie Gibson, Jack Wagner and Prince. His professional acting training includes the renowned The Acting Studio Inc. in New York City.
Rocco founded Broadway Bound Dance Center in 1990, with the first studio located in a modest VFW building teaching 20 students. He continued to expand his curricula and student enrollment, relocating to larger spaces, such as the Dumont studio which was built in 2009.
Rocco Santorufo
Owner / Director

Maureen Strehl, Owner / Director
Maureen was first introduced to Broadway Bound as a mom searching for the right dance school for her daughters. She and her family knew BBDC was the right place as soon they stepped into the studio and met Mr. Rocco. For them, the right studio was not just about the dance training, but also about the studio environment. Maureen, with a background in Finance and Technology started slowly helping out in the office in her downtime and officially joined the company as an employee in 2006. In addition to her role at Broadway Bound, Maureen is a co-owner of CompuDance Software, a studio management software for dance studios across the country. She has assisted and consulted hundreds of dance studios over the past 10 years on processes, procedures, organization and technology. Her experience at BBDC and CompuDance Software has prepared her for her new role at Broadway Bound.
“Being able to merge my love of the arts with my business background is a dream come true” says Strehl. The studio was a second home to my daughters and to be able to continue that with this generation of dancers fills my heart with joy”
Maureen Strehl
Owner / Director

Allison Strehl, Owner / Associate Director
Allison Strehl grew up in New Jersey, started dancing at the age of 3, and came to Broadway Bound Dance Center at the age of 9. Where she fell more in love with dance each day, training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Lyrical & Hip Hop. At her last BBDC recital, she remembers begging Mr. Rocco to let her choreograph a trio over the summer before she left for East Carolina University. He agreed and that was her first taste at choreography.
During her four years at ECU where she studied dance and ultimately received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, she continued teaching and choreographing at BBDC every summer. When she graduated from ECU she wasn’t quite sure what path she wanted to take and she got a job at a Property Management Company in NYC still teaching one night a week at BBDC.
After 10 months of trying that out she realized how unhappy she was and needed dance as more of a constant in her life. That is when she left her job and began teaching at BBDC full time. Six years later she feels this is exactly where she needs to be. Strehl’s choreography is always led by the music and the story she wishes to tell. Always aims to have her students allow themselves to fully dive into the movement/moment and let themselves be open and vulnerable. She believes dance is something that is so much more than the competition stage, it is somewhere you get to 100% be yourself and she hopes all of her students can feel that way in her classroom.
Allison Strehl
Owner / Associate Director

Caroline Strehl, Owner / Associate Director
Caroline Strehl
Owner / Associate Director
Our Artistic Director

Christine DeVito, Artistic Director
Miss Christine has been on staff at BBDC since 2001 teaching, mentoring and sharing her love of dance and theater. Her choreography has garnered multiple awards at competition and is a highlight at the BBDC annual concert. Miss Christine has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Japan in productions of West Side Story (Anita) Sweet Charity (Nickie), 42nd Street (Lorraine), The King and I (dance soloist), Cactus Flower (Toni Simmons), The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn) and A Chorus Line (Diana Morales). Miss Christine performed as a featured dancer in both the Broadway, National and International companies of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway and on Broadway as Rumpleteazer in Cats.
In the role of Ermengarde, Miss Christine performed with Carol Channing in the Broadway and the National companies of Hello, Dolly!, directed by Lee Roy Reams. She received her formative Ballet and Theater training at The School of Performing Arts in New Milford, CT (under the direction of Arlene Begelman). While at SOPA she performed in their theater company “Conn. Stage” in productions of Roar of the Greasepaint…, Grease (Jan) and Carnival.
Miss Christine also danced in Candlewood Playhouse’s production of Oklahoma!, staged by Gemsy Delapp. Miss Christine attended the Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance and Theater, earning a BFA in Musical Theater and a minor in Directing. Conservatory credits include: Chicago, Street Scene, Iolanthe, Kismet, Sweet Charity and Smashing Times (an original musical by Gerard Alessandrini).
Other credits include the Madison Square Garden production of The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy understudy) starring Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt as well as the 1st National Tour of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (Silly Girl). Miss Christine is a certified Pilates instructor through Power Pilates in NYC, offering the students of BBDC the opportunity to strengthen their mind body connection by studying this wonderful method.
Christine DeVito
Artistic Director
Our Faculty

Miss Alyssa
BBDC alumni, starting her training here at age 3. Throughout her time here she studied jazz, ballet, and lyrical styles. From here she went on to be a 4 year member and captain of the nationally recognized Holy Angels Dance Team. She also danced for the Saint Joseph’s University Dance Team as a 2 year captain, winning 3 UDA National Championships in the hip hop and pom divisions.
When Miss Alyssa is not at BBDC she is a dance camp instructor for Universal Dance Association, traveling the nation teaching all styles to dancers of all ages. She is also an assistant coach of the Holy Angels Dance Team as well as the Saint Joseph’s University Dance Team. In addition to dance, Miss Alyssa graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in May 2016 with her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and is currently in her first year of nursing school.
Miss Alyssa

Miss Julianne
Miss Julianne was raised in Bergen County and began dancing at the age of 3. By the age of 9, she knew that dancing was her passion. She was accepted as a member of a dance company and performed in the New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker. She continued her training more intensively as a teenager with a focus in ballet, jazz, lyrical and modern. Miss Julianne Rizzitello graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of the Fine Arts in dance. Her genuine enjoyment of being be part of Broadway Bound Dance Center’s teaching staff shows through her instruction and her passion for working with children inspires her to share her love of dance with BBDC’s students.
Miss Julianne

Miss Amanda
Amanda began her training at Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts (NJ), where she studied as a scholarship student for over ten years. Additionally, she spent summers training at Studio Maestro, and The Ailey School. Amanda attended Mason Gross School of the Arts, at Rutgers University, and later furthered her training as a student in the professional division at The Ailey School. She concluded her undergraduate education at Montclair State University, where she completed her BFA in Dance, with second major in and Psychology. Amanda has also attended dance teacher-training programs including: Ballet Teacher Intensive, DanceLife Retreat Center, and the DanceLife Teacher Conference.
With over 14 years of teaching experience, Amanda continuously strives to create a nurturing learning environment that stimulates her students’ curiosity while refining their technical skill. Her classes are centered on classical dance techniques with additional emphases including, yoga, Pilates, dance history, and performance. As an instructor, she focuses on the fundamental components of discipline, respect, integrity, and compassion.
Miss Amanda

Mr. Maldonado
Mr. Maldonado

Ellen Mihalik
In high school, Ellen focused on Ballet at NJ Dance Theater Ensemble (Nancy Turano) and NJ Ballet (Carolyn Clark) Other training includes the inaugural season of Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s Pre Professional Program (Dwight Rhoden/Desmond Richardson) performing with the company CCB at the Joyce Theater, Axis Connect (Barton Movement), pre Movement Invention Project (Alexandra Wells), and Vancouver Arts Umbrella/Ballet BC (Emily Molnar). Her repertoire embodies work by Sidra Bell, Kate Skarpetowska, Belinda McGuire, Bradley Shelver, Adam Barruch, and Roman Baca.
Ellen has been a Radio City Rockette since graduating high school in 2013. Performing at Radio City Music Hall for 6000 people up to 4 times in one day is a dream come true! With the Rockettes, Ellen has also danced in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, on 5th Avenue for the Sak’s Christmas windows, Good Morning America, and so many more including teaching Michael Strahan and other celebrities the iconic eye high kicks. In 2016, Ellen taught a Rockette Master class at Broadway Bound Dance Center and has been teaching at BBDC since!!
Other credits included West Side Story (original choreography/Graziella & DC), Shrek the Musical (ensemble & DC), and Grease (choreographer). Ellen walked in 2017 NY fashion week (model/dancer), and was in season 1 of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon TV). She spent the summer of 2019 touring throughout Europe with the American Swiss Ballet Company (Sonia Melo).
Ellen is a certified barre teacher (NASM) as well as a certified group fitness instructor (AFAA). She is currently studying and earning her Personal Training certification (NASM). She is the recipient of NJ Governor’s Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance.
Before COVID forced this quarantine, Ellen was an ensemble dancer on the US National Tour of the Broadway Show An American In Paris! The tour hopes to be back performing in August. Until then, let’s stay fit and active together as a BBDC family!
Miss Ellen
Guest Artist

Miss Kris
Miss Kris

Michael Rios
National Tours: Disney’s NEWSIES (1st national), Hello, Dolly! (50th anniversary starring Sally Struthers), The Wizard of Oz (Dance Captain), CATS (US, Canada, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama Tour).
Michael has danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines starring as Mr. Mistoffelees in CATS and as an aerialist in Come Fly With Me. Regional theater products include Peter Pan and Fiddler On the Roof.
As an instructor, Michael has taught for Peridance Capezio NYC, Brooklyn Ballet, Icon Dance Complex, Pennsylvania School of Performing Arts, at various dance studios across the nation with Stage Door Connections and Broadway Connection, as an assistant at Broadway Dance Center and more!
Coming to theaters in 2017, Michael can be seen in the live film version of Disney’s NEWSIES with original Broadway cast members at the Hollywood Pantages Theater. Michael is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association.
Michael Rios
Guest Artist

Mr. Jayson
Jayson Douglas is from Paterson, NJ where he began his training at Dance World Academy. He went on to further his training in New York City at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center and Alvin Ailey. Jayson also attended Point Park University to study dance as his major. While there he also attended summer programs at Dance Place, Orlando Ballet 2, and Boston Ballet all on full scholarships. Jayson’s professional career began as a Trainee with North Carolina Dance Theatre, now known as Charlotte Ballet.
Jayson then went on to dance for Lexington Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Ballet Nouveau Colorado and one of the top 25 to watch companies named in Dance Magazine, Company C Contemporary Ballet, there he was featured in Twyla Tharp’s “Surfer in the Styx”. He has also performed around the world on cruise lines as a dancer and aerialist in Cirque affiliated themed shows. He is a resident choreographer with MidState Ballet, Sarah Berges Dance, and teaches masterclasses around the country as well as internationally. Last Spring he toured to Paris with Sarah Berges Dance.
Mr. Jayson
Guest Artist

Nicole Bourdage
After earning her BA in Dance from Hunter College she lived and performed as an NYC-based contemporary dancer for nearly 15 years, and has fallen in love with teaching and choreography over the past decade. While in New York she studied daily with the best teachers and dance companies in the business including Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane, and David Dorfman Dance. She also became a NASM certified personal trainer and studied injury prevention and anatomy at length.
Nicole prides herself in bringing out the very best in each dancer she works with. She believes that dance is truly for everyone and that the art of dance can heal us from the inside out.
Miss Nicole

Miss Elisa
Miss Elisa

Miss Selena
Miss Selena

Miss Shannon
I studied at MSU where I received my teaching certification for grades K-6, all while working here at BBDC! Now I have two beautiful little ones of my own who are starting dance here at BBDC. Once they started asking for classes I knew I had to come back! I truly believe dance is a way to express yourself in a beautiful, and individual way. This is why I will work with each of my students to bring out their unique and fabulous qualities! Cannot wait to meet you all, and see some of you again!
Miss Shannon

Miss Camryn
Throughout all four years of high school, she was apart of the West Genesee Marching Band Colorguard as well as the Dance Line for school musicals. In May 2021, she achieved her Bachelors Degree of Science in Chemistry at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY with minors in Dance and Environmental Studies.
While in college she was also apart of the Koshare Dance Collective as a dancer & choreographer while also serving on the Executive Board. Upon graduating from college, Camryn moved to Bergenfield, NJ to begin her current job as a Cosmetic Chemist at Cosmax USA. Wanting to keep such an important part of her life during this transition from NY to NJ, Camryn began teaching classes at Broadway Bound Dance Center to spread her love of dance to her students.