Meet Our Teachers
Director LOUIE VAZQUEZ
With over 25 years of teaching & performance experience in various styles such as hip hop, jazz, technique, & tumbling, Louie has been in the dance and entertainment industry for over 2 decades. His extensive training began when he was 15 with some of the nation’s top choreographers. During his performance years, Louie took center court at Madison Square Garden as a member of the New York Knicks and Liberty dance teams. He also performed to an audience of over 50,000 at the renowned NFL’s all-star game’s half-time show, the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Louie is best known for his high-powered and spirited, personality that is emulated in his nationally acclaimed Hip Hop routines. Louie has earned endless prestigious awards for his dance and choreography and has been nationally recognized with various entertainment and choreography awards, but for Louie its more about the reward than the award. Watching his choreography breathe life through his dancers is his biggest achievement. It is this passion for providing creative direction through the art of dance that has driven him to create IMPACT Dance Studio.
At age 3, Martina immediately fell in love with the art of dance. Martina studied Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Contemporary, performing on regional, national, and professional levels. Martina trained at Broadway Dance Center, Monsters of Hip Hop, Steps on Broadway, Alvin Ailey and The Pulse, just to name a few. Choosing to attend college online, Martina has focused much of her time and dedication to the industry. Martina is represented by MSA Agency, one of the biggest talent agencies on both the east and west coast. Martina was protege of a NYC based company, The Professionals, where she was featured multiple times on B.E.T.'s 106 & Park. Receiving "The Best Performer" Award from world renowned choreographers Angel Armas and Victor Smalley from Dance Moms Miami has made her incredibly humble. Martina has participated in New York City's Carnival performance and performed at the Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase. Modeling is one more that sparks Martina's interest where you can find her in issues of Sports Illustrated and Dancer Magazine. She hopes her love, devotion, and passion can be seen through the expression of the music. Martina is well known for her sassy, entertaining, and warmth while performing. She hopes to share her knowledge, talent, and creativity to allow for magic to happen on the dance floor.
Winnie Chan is a Certified American Barre Technique Instructor with over a decade of classical ballet experience in studying, performing and dance competition along the East coast. She specializes in teaching ballet technique in order to build, strengthen and refine dancers and competitors of all ages.
With her extensive dance and teaching background Winnie is also a 26+2 Hot Yoga and Barre Instructor supporting both dancers and non-dancers in reaching their personal physical and mental goals.Winnie’s passion for dance & yoga and dedication to her students shines through each of her classes by instilling motivation, determination, positivity and encouragement.Winnie is a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Merchandise Management and is a former Fashion Industry Executive.
In 2013, Gabby was a dancer for the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul where her love and passion for pro dance began. After completing her rookie season, Gabby had the humbling experience of being the coach and choreographer of the 2014-2015 Junior Soulmates Dance Team. Since 2014, Gabby has been a coach and choreographer for the Rutgers Junior Knights Dance Team. She has had the pleasure of choreographing for multiple cheerleading teams in and surrounding her hometown. Gabby has also been seen as a featured dancer on MTV’s show Guy Court and dancing alongside of freestyle artists TKA, Sugar Hill Gang and Cynthia. Most recently, Gabby appeared dancing behind Crystal Waters at Madison Square Garden, and Marquee, NYC. Gabby's proudest accomplishment is becoming an elementary school teacher in Manalapan, NJ. Gabby simply loves teaching and being a positive role model to all dancers. She wishes to instill and enhance confidence in her students that will shine on and off stage.
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Heading Heather Pecorella, a Laguardia High School graduate started her training at the age of three. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York she competed on a regional and national circuit. Heather was also featured as a print model for Body Wrappers Dance Magazine and Move Society Apparel. She then transitioned into the professional world as a New York Jets Flight Crew Cheerleader. During her time as an NFL Cheerleader, Heather was a member of the Jets Flight Crew Show Team. She has also performed as a backup dancer for Radio City Music Hall's "Freestyle and Old School Extravaganza.” She has worked with numerous recording artists including Deborah Cox, Havana Brown, Chris Willis, Mia Martina, Robin S, Giorgio, C&C Music Factory, Judy Torres, Aubrey, Sergio, Coro, Amber, Lucas Prata, Rockell, Cynthia, Gary Pine, Alicia, and Nayobe. Heather continues to share her love and passion for dance by choreographing and instructing for competitive studios in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Heather has also opened her own business entitled TiltsnTurns LLC. TiltsnTurns is designed to help dancers reach their fullest potential on a strength and technical level. Heather focuses on technique, endurance, choreography, flexibility, strengthening, conditioning and coaching to build confidence in young dancers. In addition to her dance career, Heather is an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. Heather is passionate about making her clients feel confident and strong. “Always stay motivated and positive. We become what we think about.”
Mindi’s love for dance started at age 3 with her tap shoes, ballerina slippers and tutu. She loved the stage and loved to perform. At age 5 she was asked to be part of a competitive dance company. Dance quickly became a large part of her life. She was trained under the direction of Louie Vazquez. She trained in hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet and contemporary. She competed at numerous competitions and danced at many conventions under the most talented of choreographers. Her love and passion for dance has kept her on a competitive dance team until present where she competes with her dance family at Impact. Mindi hopes to pass her knowledge passion and commitment for dance to the next generation of young dancers and share her love of dance with all of them.
