Faculty and Staff

 Entertainment industry entrepreneur, award-winning choreographer and an infectious educator, Cassie Russo is a born innovator. Constantly inspired to create new movement as the owner and artistic director of CaRu Entertainment, Cassie’s choreography brings with it an innate ability to empower and promote self-confidence through a femme fatale style of dance. Cassie graduated from DeSales University with a double-major degree in Dance and Liberal Arts.

As co-founder and managing director, Emily Elizabeth Advani has been a member of the CaRu Entertainment team since the company’s inception in 2009. Emily brings an array of professional experiences in business, communications and the performing arts as host, actor and dancer to her behind-the-scenes work at CaRu. Emily holds a M.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and a M.A in Writing and B.A. in English both from Saint Joseph's University.

Nicole Lodato has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained multiple schools in South Jersey including, Marcia Hyland Dance Center and South Jersey School of Ballet, where she studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern. She has been a part of many dance shows throughout her college career, mostly focusing on Modern dance. She was also a member of the 2012 Philadelphia Soulmates Dance Team, and was a back-up dancer for pop singer GoGo Morrow and rap artist Fat Joe. Nicole graduated from Rowan University with a B.F.A. in Theater and Dance along with a minor in Communications.

 Kendall Storcella, a Caru Entertainment alumnae, is happy to be working on the other side of the stage as a choreographer.  Kendall took her first dance class at age 2 and has been dancing ever since. Kendall went on to be a competitive team dancer winning numerous awards and graduating as a highest scoring National Champion. Her passions are in Tap and Hip Hop.  She is looking forward to encourage young dancers with her enthusiastic passion for the arts.  Kendall graduated from the College of Jersey in Physical Education.

Wendy Baughman spent 13 years in formal dance training – competing for 8 of those 13 years – at Innovative Dance Academy in Ewing, NJ. She trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pointe, Modern and Lyrical. She went on to train and compete for two years at Stewart Johnson Dance Academy in Hamilton, NJ and landed a spot on their senior company continuing in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical. Wendy attended Mercer County Performing Arts High School for two years where she studied Ballet, Jazz and Modern. At The College of New Jersey, Wendy enjoyed three years as a member of the TCNJ dance team with two years as their captain. Wendy was also a member of the Philadelphia KiXX dance team and Philadelphia Soulmates Dance Team where she served as captain.