Arielle Ralha - Director
ARIELLE RALHA - received her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph College in 2012. She started dancing at LIAD at age 3, and began competitively dancing by age 9. In 2005, she began teaching at LIAD. Her goal as a teacher has always been to inspire, create memories, and share the love of dance. She always strives to push her students to be the best version of themselves! Arielle became a partner in 2013 and recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with LIAD in 2018.
Her dance skills and technique are impeccable and she is a multi-talented choreographer, teacher, & dancer in Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Strength & Conditioning, Turns/Leaps and Jazz, with a tremendous knowledge of dance to pass along.
Arielle graduated as a lead dancer in the Dance Company and has achieved the highest scores at every competition level including the “Senior Miss” & "Teen Miss" title at numerous competitions. Arielle has judged/choreographed for Sophisticated Productions and has choreographed for the NY Cosmos & St. Joseph’s College Dance Team. Arielle has also participated in Choreographer Showcases, the Long Island Dance Consortium, charity showcases, auditioned for “So You Think You Can Dance” and was chosen to perform at Long Islands very own “Got Talent.”
Her choreography has been highly recognized at every competition on regional and national levels. She has been awarded the National Grand Champion for her work in 2021 (“The VMAS” & “Bad Guy), 2016 (“Are you Ready for a Miracle”) & 2012 (“Betrayal”). She has received The Industry Dance Award in Contemporary, Choreography Award, X-Calibur Award, Stellar Award 13+, Capezio Dancer Award, People’s Choice Award, Technical Excellence Award & Apogee Award.
Her most recent accomplishments in 2021, was choreographing the highest scoring routines at every competition this season. “Hurt” at STARBOUND (299.3/300), “Boss B” at ELITE, “Inside the Nightmare” at BTS, and “You’re Worth More” at DXP.
She is looking forward to carrying on the legacy of LIAD for many years to come!
Jill O'Keefe
JILL O'KEEFE - Director 1989 - received her Bachelor of Science degree from Long Island University, CW Post Campus in 1988. She graduated Magna Cum Laude (high honors), and is a member of Delta Mu Delta (National Business Honor Society). Jill is an active / life member of Dance Educators of America (DEA) and Dance Masters of America (DMA) since 1988 * she has passed rigorous dance exams and is one of only three members on L.I.
She began dancing in 1969, teaching in 1982 and opened L.I.A.D. II, Miller Place in 1989. Her studies include ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical/contemporary, & theater. She studied at LIAD under the direction of Sandra Jemal (her mother), the Broadway Dance Center with such greats as Frank Hatchett, Charles Kelly, A.C., Herve LeGoff, Judy Bassing, etc., and at many regional, national and master workshops with cutting edge instructors such as Joe Michaels, Mia Michaels, Debbie Dee, Karen Hebert, Gus Giordano, & A.C. etc. Jill was a Long Island representative in a showcase for "Dancers against Drugs" sponsored by Jaques D'Amboise, she was a 1st place High Score Overall Winner at the 'Fred Astaire International Performing Arts', DEA, DMA, and many National Talent Competitions throughout the 80’s, performed at Long Islands “Got Talent”, choreographed for LI Dance Consortium and modeled for Fina and Blasia costume catalogues. Through the years Jill was asked to judge for DEA, Dance X-Plosion, Starbound, Sophisticated (etc.) but chose to focus on LIAD.
She has been awarded ~ the National Grand Champion in 2021 at TIU “The VMAS” & 2016 at Starbound “Are you Ready for a Miracle” which won a perfect score 300/300 and included her son Connor as the lead dancer :) She has received yearly nominations since 2015 for the ‘Industry Dance Award’ for most outstanding tap at a competition! She is the winner of The Odyssey Award, Apogee Award &/or X-Calubur Award (most entertaining dances) every year since 2013! Some of her recent Best Choreography &/or Overall Hi-score Awards also include “Lockdown”, “Rescue”, “Wild Hearts”, “Skool”, “Bang Bang”, “Get Me Bodied”, “Bang”, “I know U”. Her students have won the Title of “Miss Dance” 2008 ~ “Mr. Teen Dance 2011, 2012, 2013 ~ “Jr. Miss” 2012 & 2013 ~ “Tn. Soloist” 2016 . Many of her students have received Dance Scholarships to College, are chosen for Dance Team as Freshman and have toured in shows nationwide. PLUS Dancing With The Stars, Ralph Macchio & Katrina also rehearsed in our studio.
Sandra Jemal - Founder 1969
SANDRA JEMAL - founder LIAD in 1969 - retired after celebrating her 50th Anniversary in 2019 and now teaching and choreographing for the Teen & Sr. level in Miller Place! Sandy was born in Washington D.C., raised in NY, attended Queens College and received an “Honorary Alumni” from Dowling College for her ‘exemplary contributions to the performing arts’. She received her professional ballet training with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, under the direction of Madame Swoboda. Additional ballet studies were with Jacques D’Amboise (ABT), Melissa Hayden (NYCB), and Karl Shook (Harlem Ballet) Her studies in modern and jazz were with such greats as Martha Graham, Matt Mattox, Luigi, Peter Gennaro and Gwen Verdon. Tap with Charles Kelly, Henry LeTang and Mercedes Ellington. She is a ‘life’ member of Dance Educators of America (where she also served on the “Board of Directors”), and Dance Masters of America. She was an active coordinator, Secy & President of the Huntington Arts Councils Consortium of Dance for 18 yrs, as well as a major contributor of the annual “Celebration of Dance” Festival for 40 yrs. She has choreographed for High Schools, Universities and Summer Stock, taught master classes at SUNY Stony Brook, at Arts Council Conventions & has judged Dance Competitions.
Her students have won the title of “Miss & Mr. Dance” as well as overall high score awards for Groups. Most recent accomplishments include 2021 TIU soloist Mon Dieu taking 5th place & best tech. out of 150 soloists, and Military Wives winning best choreography and technique, 2018 1st pl. soloist, and best choreography. 2017 2nd pl. NY NY. 2016 X-Calibur Award for “Say Something, the Highest Scoring Teen Dance of the entire weekend. 2015 “Sweet Dreams”. 2014 Miss Dance. 2013 Mr. Dance. She has been awarded the National Grand Champion for her work in 2001 “Sunscreen”, “Avatar” (2011) winner of the “Federation of Dance Award.” “Walk for Beauty” (2000), a tribute to Breast Cancer Survivors) Presented by the Baldwin family, “Big Spender” (accepted to compete for World Title in “The World Competition” in Germany (2000). Her dancers have always been the recipients of esteemed high honors for “perfect scores”, “best technique”,“best choreography” & have received scholarships from DMA, DEA, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Alley, & Universities. Others have gone on to perform with touring groups, music videos, cruise ships and …. Broadway!