TARA WILDE
Owner/Founder

Tara Wilde owner/director, has been dancing since the age of three. She has competed nationwide and has won numerous awards for her talent and unique choreography. She has been teaching dance since the age of 12 and her main goal is to provide her students with a fun education in the art of dance. Being able to pass on what she has learned throughout her years to the younger generations is what makes her job most rewarding. She is the most genuine, down-to-earth, fun teacher, and an extremely knowledgeable owner/director; when you come to meet her she treats you like you are a part of her family.

She attended the University of Stonybrook where she received a BA in Education with a Minor in Dance. She was also Captain of the University Kickline Team and President of her Sorority Sigma Delta Tau. Before graduating she already had a job lined up as NYC Board of Education Teacher. She taught in IS 303 for 5 years as a Social Studies Teacher, Dance & Drama Teacher, and Phys Ed Teacher. She put together numerous shows with her students during her time there that amazed both faculty and parents.

Her dream since the age of 14 was to open her own dance studio and 5 years ago her dream came true. She remained in the Board of Education for one last year and then decided she wanted to give Diva Dance Studio her complete time, dedication and love. Diva Dance Studio is her life and it is obvious when you walk in that she puts her whole heart into this dream dance studio.

Tara is a Choreographer who has won numerous awards for her ground breaking choreography at several national dance competitions. Her most recent achievement was winning 1st place Platinum with her company students for her Musical Theatre Production of Happy Feet. She has also won best costume for two of her recent routines Little Shop of Horrors and Wind It Up. Her studio was just named the "Emotionally Driven Studio" at this years National Dance competition. She was recognized for her passion towards her students, her creativity in the art of performance and her love and dedication to the art of dance.

Tara has been professionally trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Salsa, African Dance, The Dunham Technique and so much more. Her specialty is Broadway jazz & tap, specifically the Fosse Style, and her teaching techniques are a "wow" factor. She is every students dream dance teacher.

Tara Wilde is a professional educator with an abundance of experience in dance and education. She runs her studio in a way where everyone walks in and out with a smile. She is an extremely talented dancer and an amazing role model to all of her students. Tara is happily married to her wonderful husband Dave who is her best friend, and a huge supporter of all of her ambitions and dreams. He is a big part of Diva Dance and is always there for her and her studio. He is also a huge help at every recital managing the stage area. We love you Mr. Dave


Gina Argano

Gina is a graduate of Hunter College obtaining a BA degree in English. She is also currently taking classes to become child care certified as a day care/mommy & me instructor. Her goal along with her sister Tara is to open up another Diva Dance in addition to a day care/mommy & me center. Gina is known by all to be the hardest and most committed worker, and puts passion into every aspect of her life.

Currently she is working alongside her sister Tara teaching numerous classes at Diva Dance Studio, creating unbelievable choreography and she is a true role model to her students. She is also a part time substitute teacher for the Board of Education, a part time waitress at Bryant Park Cafe, and an active part of the SeaGate Beach Club (talk about hard working),

Gina has been dancing and taking gymnastics since the age of three. She has been professionally trained by numerous dance teachers and coaches in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, salsa, belly dancing, aerobics, and her favorite acrobatics/gymnastics. At the age of 8 she was asked to be in the Junior Olympics for gymnastics. She has been choreographing dance routines since the age of 8. Her most recent accomplishment was choreographing an advanced acro-routine "Welcome to the Jungle" which was a huge hit at this past recital. She has also been honored for her creativity in costume design for our competition, and has won "Most Outstanding Costume" awards.
 
Gina Argano loves teaching dance and acro to her students because it is such a rewarding experience. She is able to teach them confidence-skills, strength training and acrobatics, dance that helps build great self esteem and pure enjoyment and fun. Ms. Gina loves working with the children and she shows how much she cares every class that she teaches. She is an extraordinary person, a terrific teacher and the Diva's and parents absolutely love her.


Mrs. Sharon

Mrs. Sharon is Tara's mommy and is the head of the office staff. She has been an extreme supporter of her daughter’s dreams since forever and has been an asset to Diva Dance Studio since it opened 5 years ago. She is the one who answers the phone, collects tuition, manages the backstage at the recital, assists Tara in many areas and even hands out the cookies to all of the Diva's at the end of every class.

Mrs. Sharon is loved by so many at Diva Dance because of her caring, nurturing and loving personality. She absolutely loves working with children, and they absolutely love her.

In addition to working at Diva Dance Studio she also holds a full-time job as a family assistant for the S.B.S.T in the Board of Education and has been doing this for many years. She is also known in her school as an amazing employee who hosts many functions, and is a truly valued member to their school.

So if you ever need anything Mrs. Sharon is there to help with open arms and a smile. We love you Mrs. Sharon!!!


Mr. Sal

Mr. Sal (aka "Cousin Sal") is Tara's Daddy. He is the main person who built her dream dance studio. He attends every Diva function and helps out as security for the recital, manager of events, and our oh-so-talented prop and set designer. He is the most amazing father to Tara and the Diva Dance Studios biggest fan. He has been watching Tara & Gina both dance their entire lives, and is enjoys every moment of watching them teach now.  He is your true definition of a "Diva Dance Dad". Most importantly he always finds time for Diva Dance Studio even when he is Managing the SeaGate Beach Club or involved in so many other development projects. He loves Diva Dance, he loves his family, and we love him!!!


Fotini "Miss Fran" Mitilis

Fotini Mitilis has been dancing from the age of eight years old. She took ballet, tap, jazz, and at the age of eleven started pointe. She graduated from College of Staten Island with a English writing degree and a minor in dance; at CSI she studied choreography, ballet, jazz, modern, improvisation, and African dance. She was the Vice President for two years of the CSI dance club and then the President for one year. Then later on went to take on more classes at Hunter college for a year. There she studied, music, ballet, modern, and improvisation dance classes. She has been working at Diva dance studio since it opened and enjoys growing as a teacher, and choreographer. She recently auditioned and became a backup dancer for the Sirens, a dance group that dances for Jaylyn Ducati; a pop, dance artist that is currently up and coming. Fotini's style is quite unique because she loves to switch it up. She loves dancing street style hip hop, but loves to also use her  sassy side. She is always taking chances with her choreography and creates unbelievable dance routines.  Even though she loves being up beat and sharp she enjoys expressing herself softly through lyrical.



Deanna Vadala

Deanna Vadala is a new addition to our Diva Dance family and will begin her second year as head dance teacher this year at Diva Dance Studio. She began dancing at age two and continued to dance until she was 16. She started competing at the age of 6 in dance and continued to compete until she was 16. She has had the wonderful opportunity to work with some amazing dance professionals and has been trained in many types of dance including Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro and Contemporary. She attended Mark Twain Junior High School for the gifted and talented and her talent was dance. At age 12 she was selected to choreograph her first piece which was featured in the annual Mark Twain dance showcase. Deanna has competed in many different competitions all over the Tri-State area. She has received many high scoring awards for her amazing talents in dance. When she was younger she was always commended for her stage presence and personality and she even won an award for her amazing expression on stage. Deanna is a wonderful teacher and truly enjoys teaching the Diva's. Mrs. Tara always gets truly impressed by her fantastic tap dancing skills. We are so happy to have her at Diva Dance Studio.