The Artists Behind the Art

Cassie Russo-Sweeney is an entertainment entrepreneur, award-winning choreographer, educator, and the Owner and Artistic Director of CaRu Entertainment. Known for her distinctive approach to movement and an infectious energy in the studio, Cassie has built CaRu around the belief that exceptional dance training can develop not only strong performers, but confident, expressive individuals. A graduate of DeSales University with a double major in Dance and Liberal Arts, Cassie brings together technical training, creative instinct, and an entrepreneurial approach to the performing arts. As a choreographer, she is continually inspired to create fresh, dynamic movement that challenges dancers while giving them the confidence and freedom to develop their own presence as performers. Through her leadership of CaRu, Cassie continues to shape an environment where artistry, excellence, individuality, and a genuine love of dance can thrive.

Emily Elizabeth Advani is Co-Founder and Managing Director of CaRu Entertainment, where she has helped shape the organization since its inception. Working at the intersection of business, communications, media, and the performing arts, Emily brings a multidisciplinary perspective to CaRu's strategy, operations, brand, and continued growth. Beyond CaRu, Emily is an entrepreneur, strategic storyteller, and on-air host whose career has spanned business education, media, live conversation, and content development. Her own background as a performer—including work as a host, actor, and dancer—gives her a unique understanding of both the creative and business sides of the entertainment industry. Emily holds an M.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, an M.A. in Writing, and a B.A. in English from Saint Joseph's University. At CaRu, she brings these experiences together to help build opportunities for dancers, strengthen the studio community, and support the long-term vision of the organization.

Maura Kuchma is a classically trained dancer and educator with more than 15 years of teaching experience. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from SUNY Purchase College, where she studied and performed on scholarship, and is a certified teacher in the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum. Throughout her training and career, Maura has had the opportunity to study with and perform alongside internationally renowned dance artists, experiences that continue to inform her thoughtful and technically grounded approach to teaching. At CaRu, Maura brings a deep knowledge of classical ballet and a passion for helping dancers develop strong technique, discipline, musicality, and an appreciation for the artistry of ballet. She is dedicated to sharing her experience with the next generation of dancers and creating a classroom where students can build both confidence and a lasting technical foundation.

Kendall Storcella is a CaRu alumna, faculty member, and choreographer whose connection to dance began at the age of two. As a competitive dancer, Kendall earned numerous regional and national honors throughout her training, culminating in her graduation from CaRu as a highest-scoring National Champion. Today, Kendall brings that experience back to the studio as an energetic educator and choreographer specializing in tap and hip hop. Her teaching combines strong technique, musicality, performance quality, and the enthusiasm that has defined her own lifelong relationship with dance. Kendall holds a degree in Physical Education from The College of New Jersey and brings her background in education and movement into every classroom. As both a CaRu alumna and educator, she is passionate about challenging the next generation of dancers while helping them develop confidence, versatility, and a genuine love of performing.

Devon Stemler is a proud CaRu alumna, faculty member, and choreographer who began dancing at the age of two and entered the competitive dance world by five. Throughout her years as a performer, Devon developed a strong foundation across multiple styles while earning recognition at both regional and national events. Her performance experience has included New York's Cabaret for a Cause and the New York City Dance Awards, where she earned top honors for her solo performance at age sixteen. Today, Devon brings that experience back to CaRu, sharing the studio that helped shape her as a dancer with the next generation of performers. Specializing in lyrical, contemporary, and jazz, Devon is passionate about choreography that combines strong technique with musicality, emotion, and individual artistry. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business at Rider University while continuing to grow as an educator and choreographer at CaRu.

Cathy Greco Whalen has spent a lifetime in the dance industry as a performer, educator, choreographer, and adjudicator. At just 17 years old, Cathy joined the original Broadway cast of 42nd Street, launching a decade-long professional performance career that included work on Broadway as well as appearances in commercials, film, and music videos. Following her performance career, Cathy established herself as a respected dance educator, choreographer, and adjudicator, working with major dance organizations throughout the United States and Canada. Her choreography has earned numerous honors, including the ADA Diamond Award, and she has spent decades helping dancers develop the technique, versatility, and performance quality required for the stage. Cathy was a longtime faculty member at The Dance Academy and previously served as Director of Villanova University's Dance Ensemble. At CaRu, she brings an extraordinary depth of professional experience to the classroom, sharing not only technical training in tap and jazz, but the artistry, musicality, and stage presence developed over a career in professional performance.

Isabella Masi is a proud CaRu alumna whose lifelong connection to dance began at just two years old. Trained across a wide range of styles, Isabella brings a strong technical foundation, creativity, and a deep understanding of the CaRu experience to her work as an educator. In 2024, Isabella earned her Dance Teacher Certification from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), furthering her commitment to thoughtful, informed dance education. She continues to expand her expertise through specialized flexibility training with Alixia Flexibility, where she is currently progressing through the certification program. A member of the CaRu faculty since 2021, Isabella specializes in lyrical, contemporary, and jazz technique and choreography. In the classroom, she is passionate about helping dancers develop strong technique while building confidence, artistry, musicality, and their own individual voices as performers.

Chandler Storcella is a CaRu alumna, educator, and former collegiate dance team performer whose training spans competitive dance, convention performance, and the collegiate dance team stage. After growing up as a member of CaRu's elite competitive team—earning national titles and training at leading conventions across the country—Chandler continued her dance career as a member of The College of New Jersey Dance Team. While at TCNJ, Chandler competed at UDA College Nationals, gaining firsthand experience in the precision, athleticism, performance quality, and team-driven training of the collegiate dance team world. She graduated from TCNJ with a degree in Public Health, bringing an additional perspective on physical and emotional well-being to her work with young dancers. Now in her fourth year on the CaRu faculty, Chandler specializes in hip hop and musical theatre and brings her collegiate dance team experience into both training and performance opportunities at the studio. Her energetic, athlete-minded approach encourages dancers to develop versatility, confidence, strong performance quality, and the skills to thrive both individually and as part of a team.