Jennifer Prete Wasfy

Jennifer has been involved in the dance world since she was three years old. Her first dance experiences started in her own hometown, Westerly, Rhode Island. Jennifer's mother, being a former dancer herself, inspired Jennifer to get a jump start in dance. In doing so, Jennifer loved dance classes and continued taking dance lessons for 27 years after that in her hometown dance school, and also in other schools for additional experience in Mystic, Connecticut, East Bridgewater, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island.

Jennifer's teaching training was held at The Paula Coffey Dance Center in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts and at The Lydia DiScuillio School of Dance in Mystic, Connecticut. Jennifer then taught jazz, tap and hip hop for those schools as well as tap at The Dance Art Forum in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Jennifer has had the fantastic opportunities to also study under great master teachers such as Savion Glover, Debbi Dee, Shea Sullivan, Frank Hatchet, Jerry Rose, Brian Santora, Mark Goodman, Chris Smith, Sarah Jo Fazio, Barry Youngblood and many more. Jennifer and her staff attend professional conventions and workshops every year and attend regional and national competitions with the JPSD Dance Competition Team.

Jennifer is an active member of the Professional Dance Teachers Association, a member of the Rhode Island Dance Alliance and holds a Bachelors Degree in English Literature from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Between Jennifer's dance experience and love of dance, she hopes to share her experiences and pass down the dance tradition to all of her students for many years to come.  

Teresa Pearson Christina

Teresa Pearson Christina is JPSD's classical ballet and pointe teacher who brings years of dance experience and talent. Teresa's expertise is advanced ballet and pointe. Teresa has trained and danced at the Syracuse Ballet Company and holds a Bachelors Degree in Dance from Skidmore College and a Masters Degree in Dance Therapy from Hunter College. Teresa was also a professor at Mitchell College where she taught Intro to Dance and Fitness and Wellness. Teresa has taught ballet, pointe and jazz throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts for many years. Teresa is very active in teaching and producing choreography for musicals for several high schools thoughout Rhode Island. Teresa also continues to coordinate and provide dance and exercise classes at adult day care facilities, senior centers, assisted and independent living communities and nursing homes thoughout Rhode Island while teaching also at JPSD. We are very fortunate and proud to have Teresa as an addition to our dance school.

Trish Reis

Trish Reis is JPSD's newest member on staff. She brings years of contemporary, modern, jazz and ballet experience to our school. Trish currently teaches our contemporary and modern classes. Trish is a graduate of Salve Regina University with a major in English and a minor in Dance. She was the recipient of the Salve Regina University Theater Arts Dance Award and was a member of the Salve Regina University Dance Company. She was also a guest performer for the Island Moving Company, a guest choreographer for the University of Rhode Island as well as for Salve Regina University, and a dance instructor for the Carey Elementary School After School Program. In addition to teaching at JPSD, Trish is also on the dance staff for The Dance Connection dance studio in Johnston, Rhode Island. We welcome Trish and are so happy to have her with us!