MEET YOUR PASSION GUIDES
CALLI ROTHBERG
Calli is the owner and fearless leader of PASSION. She was raised in Beacon since the age of 5 and trained at Hudson River Performing Arts Center throughout her childhood. She then went on to become the captain of the Binghamton University Dance Team thinking that after her last senior performance she my never have the opportunity to step foot on stage again. Thankfully that was not the case and she ended up dancing with DanceWorksNYC for a year and The Bad Girls Club in Charleston, SC for nearly two years.
Her passion for dance and building strong relationships has always been at her core. She is thrilled to fill her hometown with the magic of dance and movement by her adult peers.
You’ll find Calli teaching Heels and Twerk classes at Passion as her desire to express and teach sensuality and sexuality is at the forefront of her dance career today.
You can dance with Calli in Hip Hop 101, Heels 101, Twerk it Out, and (Intermediate) High Heels!
CHRISTINA KILBANE
Chris was born dancing out of the womb! Raised in Ohio, she started playing around and training in tap, jazz, and ballet when she was a toddler, and continued this journey into her adolescence. In 2010 Chris moved to Salt Lake City and strangely enough fell head over heels (literally) in love with Brazilian music and dance. Chris joined a samba school, Samba Fogo, where she studied, instructed, and performed with the group for the next seven years. Chris eventually moved east and began teaching in the Charlottesville, Richmond, DC area and has now transplanted herself to the Hudson Valley!
Chris is a huge proponent of making dance accessible, and spreading joy and connection through community movement!
You can learn from Christina at Samba Movement, Feelin’ Myself, and Brazilian Funk!
STEPHANIE DECAPRIO
Stephanie started learning to shuffle in 2020 with no idea that it would change her life entirely. Shuffling became a lifestyle that allowed her to express herself, improve her mental and physical health, join a beautiful new community, get fit in a fun way, and become more confident than ever! She is passionate about sharing this dance style and what it can do for the mind, body, and soul.
When Stephanie isn’t shuffling, she is enjoying life as a mom of two and working her own business as a virtual assistant.
You can learn from Stephanie at Intro to Shufflling and Shuffle N’ Flow!
MARILYN MITCHELL
Marilyn Mitchell is an artist and an RN originally from NY, though she has lived in France, Massachusetts, Illinois and California. She became a Certified Nia Technique Instructor in 2000 and got her Black Belt in 2008. She has taught Nia to adults, high school students, seniors, and Veterans. She moved to the Hudson Valley area in 2021.
You can learn from Marilyn in Spirit Dance!
ASHLEA BONDS
Ashlea has participated in the fitness field the majority of her life. Raised by a Texas high school football coach and an occupational therapist, Ashlea learned at an early age the importance of discipline and teamwork which has contributed to her excelling in athletics and academics. After a successful collegiate career in women's volleyball, she has advanced into the fitness industry. As a nationally certified group fitness instructor, Bonds' contagious energy and desire to help her community makes her a driving force in today's fitness world.
• AFAA certified group exercise instructor
• Licensed Zumba Basic 1 & 2, Toning and Gold instructor
• Licensed BollyX instructor
• Shape Up NYC Fitness instructor
• New York Urban Professional volleyball participant
• Collegiate Volleyball player
You can learn from Ashlea in Zumba Glow!
KELLY ZITKA
Kelly Zitka is originally from Dallas, Texas, where she trained at Dance Industry Performing Arts Center. She received her BFA in Dance at Southern Methodist University, and went on to travel the world dancing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines. She toured with Odyssey Dance Theatre’s production of Thriller, and was most recently seen in A.D. Players' production of West Side Story. She loves to teach students of all ages and skill levels, and is beyond thrilled to be a part of the team at Passion!
You can learn from Kelly in Contemporary Feels!
BILLIE ROTHBERG
Billie's passion for dance and performance has been a lifelong journey. Raised in Beacon, she received training in diverse dance styles right here in the Hudson Valley. Wherever life takes her, Billie seeks out opportunities to express herself through dance and performance. Her loyalty to creativity and self-expression shines through, and she delights in dancing alongside fellow magical souls. Embracing dance as a spiritual practice, Billie has come to cherish it as a profound form of self-discovery, healing, and vibrant living.
You can learn from Billie in Emote!
GABRIELLA BASSO
Gabriella first discovered dance when she was enrolled in ballet as a toddler. From there she went on to explore jazz, hip hop, and modern dance throughout her formative years. She studied Geology and Math at SUNY New Paltz, but always carried dance with her. She joined SMACC Dance Crew and was introduced to jazz funk, heels, K-pop, and other urban dance styles. She became captain of her dance team, and lead them in the creation of their first production “WOMXN”. Gabriella is a huge advocate for making dance accessible for everyone to enjoy, grow confidence, and find power in themselves. She started teaching Jazz Funk in 2021 and is excited to continue the dream at Passion, where she has been an active student and performer since 2022.
You can learn from Gabriella in Jazz Fusion!
MARISA PAULL GORST
Marisa Paull Gorst trained at the School of American Ballet in NYC and the Kirov Academy in Washington DC. Most recently onstage in the National Tour of CATS the Musical (’21-’23), she has also danced professionally in the Las Vegas production of The Phantom Of The Opera and with New York City Ballet (children's roles), Miami City Ballet, Albany Berkshire Ballet, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, Dances Patrelle, and other regional companies in and around NYC. Other credits: Billy Elliot (Theatre On Main Street), Little Mermaid (Yorktown Stage). In addition to her onstage career Marisa enjoys teaching and is currently on faculty as an adjunct professor at Vassar College, at Ballet Arts Studio in Beacon, NY and at Ballet Rockland in Garnerville, NY. She has also served at the School of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in Colorado, the International Ballet School of Bled, Slovenia, and at many other schools including Broadway Dance Center and Peridance in NYC, and The Rock School in Las Vegas, NV. Marisa holds a BA from Smith College, graduating summa cum laude with Highest Honors.
You can learn from Marisa in Bold & Breezy Ballet!
TAYLOR LYONS
Taylor’s love for moving her body began at the age of four with her first dance class. After studying all types of dance for fourteen years she brought her love for dance to high school students in the Hudson Valley. Taylor has taught and choreographed performances for competitive dance teams and clubs in high schools since 2013. Taylor completed her 200-hr yoga teacher training in 2017. After finding her love for teaching movement classes, she completed the Spinning® and JumpSport Fitness instructor trainings. When Taylor isn’t being schooled by her teenage niece in what’s cool these days, she is working at her wellness spa, Kelta in Beacon and enjoying the new mom life.
You can learn from Taylor at Dance Party Fitness!