Meet Our Faculty
Heather De Santino
Heather De Santino is the Owner and Artistic Director of The High Definition Experience, which opened in December 2025 with a bold vision for focused and classic training combined with meaningful mentorship and artist development. With more than two decades of experience in teaching, performance, choreography, adjudication, and studio leadership, Heather brings both national industry credibility and deeply personal and hands on coaching to the dancers she trains.
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Heather demonstrated early commitment to her craft as an independent study student during high school. She trained weekly in New York City at BDC and STEPS to really hone in on her additional professional training but her foundation is owed to her home studio under the direction of her childhood mentor, Jaclyn Dougherty, and teachers including Wayne St. David and Karen Cleighton. During this time, she apprenticed for Desiree Robbins, Doug Caldwell and Joe Tremaine with Tremaine Dance Conventions on their regional and national tours and assisted numerous summer and winter programs and intensives at Broadway Dance Center for renowned educators Pam Chancey, Frankie Hatchett and Liz Imperio. At just 17 years old, she moved to NYC as she was accepted into Broadway Dance Center’s first ever Professional Semester Program, where she simultaneously earned her Associate Degree in the Arts on full scholarship in NYC.
Heather spent many years participating in the Pre Teen America scholarship and recognition program, where she traveled and performed as the Miss Pre Teen New York Junior Titleholder in addition to numerous competitive dance scholarships and titles earned with her studio on weekends. Her childhood summers and winters were spent training at The Rock School for Dance Education, Rock West, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and New York City Dance Alliance Summer Programs. These formative years in addition to her home studio’s competitive program built the technical and stylistic foundation that would define her career.
Heather spent 13 years living and working in New York City, training extensively under the mentorship of Sheila Barker and Tracie Stanfield while teaching, choreographing, and locally performing. Her performance and commercial credits also include choreography for Sofi Tukker during the iPhone X promotional campaign, as well as appearances and judging roles on Dance Moms and JoJo Siwa’s Dance Pop Revolution. After relocating to Miami in 2017, she performed one last time on Telemundo with the Miami All-Stars.
Heather’s expertise lies in jazz, technique, progressions, jumps and turns and lyrical training. Prior to moving to South Florida, she taught and choreographed extensively throughout the tri-state area, working across competitive and pre-professional programs. She has managed at Millennium Dance Complex in Philadelphia and has directed competitive programs at multiple studios, building structured systems that cultivate discipline, artistry, and performance excellence. She has also choreographed Chicago and Legally Blonde for her childhood high school’s incredible theatre program, Upper Dublin High School, under the director of her high school mentor, Debbie Thompson.
For over a decade, Heather has served as an adjudicator with Imagine, Believe, Revolution, Starpower and the World Dance Championships. She has been recognized as a Top Five Teacher of the Year by Star Dance Alliance and has received numerous regional and national choreography awards across her 20-year career.
Her students have gone on to perform on Broadway (Billy Elliott), collegiate dance programs (UARTS, UNCSA, Point Park, Towson), ABT, television and film (The Americans, Manifest) and professional sports teams (Miami HEAT), a direct reflection of her technical rigor and mentorship-driven approach.
Beyond performance and competition, Heather is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the creator of the Appetite For DANCE program, an initiative that merges performance training with education on health, positive body image, and eating disorder awareness. She is committed to preparing dancers not only for success on stage, but for longevity in the industry.
Above all, Heather is a proud wife to the National Director of Revolution Talent Competition, Joey, and a devoted mother (and Dance Mom!) to her two children, Leo and Scarlett. Her Mom was her best friend and biggest supporter her entire life, she always wanted to open a dance studio with her and would be so proud! Family and integrity remain the foundation of her leadership philosophy, shaping the culture she has intentionally built at The High Definition Experience, one rooted in excellence, resilience, and heart.
Owner & Artistic Director
Veronica Alvarez
Veronica Alvarez is an instructor, choreographer, and program leader with more than seven years of experience working with dancers ages 2–18 in both classroom and competitive training environments. Her work spans technique-based instruction, choreography, curriculum development, competition preparation, and studio operations.
Over the years she has trained and worked under respected choreographers and educators including Zedric Bembry, Philip Kendrick, Sabina America, Genesis Love, Edwin Acosta, and Suly Marcano. Her versatility across styles includes jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, strength and conditioning, and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), allowing her to guide dancers through both technical development and artistic expression. She has also appeared in performances and music videos with artists including Genie De Zona, ROBI, Amara La Negra, and more.
In addition to her work in the studio, Veronica has spent the past five years working with Revolution Talent Competition, where she now serves as Head Tabulator and an Event Manager in Training. Through this experience she has gained valuable insight into national level competition standards while building relationships with studio owners, educators, and professionals across the country.
Since the early development of The High Definition Experience, Veronica has served as the Studio Operations Manager, overseeing internal systems, communication, scheduling, and coordination of the competitive program. Her leadership behind the scenes has been instrumental in shaping the structure, organization, and culture that support the studio’s training environment and long term vision.
Veronica is known for her disciplined, organized, and student focused approach to teaching. While she pushes her dancers to work hard and hold themselves to a high standard, she believes the most meaningful moments in dance often happen in the spaces between performances. The backstage laughter, the team bonds, and the small breakthroughs that build confidence over time are what make the experience lasting. Her goal is to help every dancer grow not only in technique but in character, so they leave the studio feeling confident, capable, and proud of the people they are becoming.
At High Definition, Veronica serves as the instructor for the HD Foundations Program, teaches Technique and Jazz, and is one of the competitive team instructors and choreographers.
Studio Operations Manager
Chiara Gonzalez
Studio Coordinator
Chiara Gonzalez is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with training and performance experience in both Los Angeles and South Florida. She has trained under Marinda Davis (marInspired; the storytellers), Janelle Ginestra, Monika Felice Smith & Mikey DellaVella to name a few. She has worked with artists such as Sam Fischer, Las Villas & Julianne Hough. She also spent two seasons as a Miami Heat Dancer, serving in a leadership role during her second year. Chiara brings versatility across multiple styles and combines performance experience with strong instructional and administrative support. She serves as a Studio Coordinator while also contributing as one of the competitive team instructors and choreographers. She is one of the Contemporary teachers at High Definition.
Danielle Mednick
Instructor
Danielle Mednick is a master teacher and choreographer with over 35 years of dance experience and more than two decades of teaching across all disciplines. She is known for her specialized focus in acrobatics and her ability to integrate athletic movement into technically sound choreography. Danielle has judged nationally for over ten years, including serving as a judge and director on Lifetime’s Dance Moms, and has choreographed for high profile performances such as the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. Her extensive leadership background includes directing a competitive team for 20 years and mentoring dancers at all levels. She currently teaches Acro and Stretch & Strength at HD.
Katie Wilson
Instructor
Rachel Abelenda
Rachel Abelenda is a Miami-based dancer, teacher, and current company member with STYX the Company. With over 20 years of experience in contemporary, modern, hip hop, and fusion styles, she brings a versatile and passionate approach to both performing and teaching.
She trained at A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and has performed around the U.S.—from Santa Fe and Los Angeles to Charleston and Miami, including a performance with Coldplay. Rachel has taught at Miami City Ballet and Broward College, and also trained with Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
Rachel’s classes are rooted in strong technical foundation and musicality, blended with expressive freedom and movement exploration. She is passionate about creating space for dancers to connect deeply with both their physicality and artistry. Rachel currently teaches the Concert Contemporary and Modern Classes at HD.
Beatriz Martinez
Instructor
Ms. Martinez began her training in classical ballet at the age of 10 at the School of Arts in Camaguey Cuba. At the age of 21 she graduated of the University of Arts with honors under the training of the founder of the Cuban Ballet School Fernando Alonso and Ramona de Saa. With more than 35 years of experience teaching classical ballet she have trained students for ballet competitions and many of them have been accepted to prestigious ballet companies around the world. She is also a master teacher in ballet methodology, pointe, pre classical dances, character dance, dance composition and conditioning. Ms. Martinez also provided technical advice to different schools in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Italy, Mexico and United States. Ms Bety is apart of the Ballet and Pointe Faculty at HD
Katie Wilson is a professional dancer and educator with a strong foundation in both performance and academic training with a B.A. in Dance from Loyola Marymount University.
Katie danced professionally for three seasons with the Miami Marlins and three seasons with the Miami Heat, where she was honored as Rookie of the Year. She has toured nationally with Pitbull and appeared in music videos for artists including Marc Anthony.
She founded Pine Crest Fort Lauderdale’s first Varsity Dance Team and has spent years coaching and choreographing for high school, collegiate, and professional dance teams. Katie currently serves as Assistant Coach of the University of Miami Sunsations, where she continues to mentor and develop the next generation of elite dancers. Katie currently teaches Jazz at High Definition.
Instructor
Leydis Sanchez
Director of Ballet/Pointe Program
Leydis began her ballet training at the age of six, graduating from the prestigious National Ballet School of Cuba and the University of the Arts in Havana, Cuba. She danced professionally in classical ballet until the age of 26, performing on renowned stages across Cuba, the United States, Europe, and South America. Leydis is certified in the Cuban Ballet Technique, Vaganova method, and Progressive Ballet Technique, all of which shape her approach to building strong technical foundations. Leydis’ passion for teaching is matched by her commitment to helping dancers reach their fullest potential, whether they are preparing for prestigious ballet companies, universities, or international competitions.
With over 15 years of teaching experience, she has had the privilege of training dancers for some of the most prestigious dance competitions, TV shows, and more. She has shared her expertise as a guest instructor at dance conventions and in over 30 studios throughout the United States and Canada, including Stars Dance Studio in Miami. She currently serves as the Director of the Ballet/Pointe Program at High Definition.
Roberto Nicolau
Instructor
Originally from Cuba and now a U.S. resident, Roberto Nicolau is a dedicated dancer currently performing with Charlotte Ballet II. He trained in Level 2 of the Professional Program at Houston Ballet Academy under Julie Kent and Stanton Welch AM, following earlier training at Stars Dance Studio and the Escuela Nacional Fernando Alonso. His repertoire includes works by Stanton Welch AM, John Neumeier, Christopher Bruce, and Frederick Ashton, with featured roles in Swan Lake, Paquita, Yondering, and La Fille mal gardée. Roberto is also an emerging choreographer and apart of the HD Ballet and Pointe Faculty.
Sabrina Bishamber
Instructor
Sabrina is a professional Latin and Rhythm dancer with a background in ballet, jazz, and other dance styles.
She began training in Latin & Ballroom dance at Boston University, where she also pursued a minor in Dance. Since then, she has continued to develop her craft by working with renowned coaches, competing professionally, and performing
Sabrina teaches dancers of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in preparing choreography for competitions & weddings, as well as helping each student build confidence, technique, and a genuine love for solo and partner dancing.
Madison Girado
Studio Assistant
Madison has been dancing since the age of three and began her competitive dance journey at six years old. Throughout her dance career, she has trained in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballroom, and more. She has competed at both regional and national levels, earned multiple titles and awards, and had opportunities to perform on television. She was also a member of her high school dance team, where she continued developing her skills as a dancer and performer.
After taking some time away from dance, Madison rediscovered her passion for it and has since continued growing as both a dancer and instructor. She especially loves working with younger dancers and helping them build confidence, improve their skills, and develop their own love for dance.
Outside of dance, Madison attends Florida Atlantic University, where she is majoring in Biological Sciences and plans to pursue a future career in medicine. She continues to keep dance an important part of her life and is passionate about creating a positive and encouraging environment where dancers can express themselves, grow, and thrive.