Our Directors
Julie Garofalo
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Julie Garofalo is a Co-Founder of Rockland Competitive Dance. The inception of this dance team was especially meaningful to her because many of her fondest memories in childhood were made during her competitive dance years at Tina Marie School of Dance in Michigan. Ms. Garofalo holds a degree in Dance from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. There she was President of the WSU Dance Company and also an adjunct faculty member. Julie moved to New York City in 2001 after performing the role of Ernie in Sesame Street Live for two seasons. Other performances include The Elan Awards (honoring Rob Marshall), Nickelodeon's Halloween Fright Night, Good Morning America, The WB Morning Show & BET”s 106th and Park (featuring Usher), The Dr. OZ Show and for Glamour Magazine in New York’s Fashion Week at Bryant Park. Through the years, she has had the privilege to work with great choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Garth Fagan and has performed and choreographed for Dancers Responding to AIDS charity events in New York City. Julie was a Richard Ellner Scholarship Recipient at Broadway Dance Center, in New York City. This led her to be on faculty for Broadway Dance Center’s Children and Teen Program. Ms. Garofalo has taught open classes in Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Jumps and Turns at BDC. Julie has worked for The Pulse Dance Convention and has judged as well as taught for numerous conventions. She has been on faculty at Coupe Theatre Dance Studio in Nanuet, New York for the past 20 years. Julie is certified in Acrobatic Arts and has enjoyed teaching and choreographing multiple acro/ballet pieces for Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble’s Nutcracker the past few seasons. Julie’s motto is “Focus and Determination, leads to a standing ovation.” And her goal is to instill this and her passion and love of the arts in her students.
Julie McDonald
MANAGING DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Julie McDonald, managing director and co-founder of Rockland Competitive Dance, was born and raised in the midwest. She grew up as an accomplished competitive gymnast until the age of thirteen, with a State Championship under her belt. Her focus shifted to dance in her teenage years and after graduating quite early from high school, moved to Chicago to further her studies in dance.
By the age of 19, Julie was dancing professionally throughout the United States and abroad. Her numerous performance credits range from Paper Mill Playhouse to Holland America Cruise Lines to Tokyo Disneyland. Eventually she moved to New York City where she began dancing as a Radio City Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. Her career as a Rockette lasted for almost a decade.
In 2005, Julie joined the staff of Coupe Theatre Studio located just north of Manhattan. She teaches tap, jazz and acro to all levels and ages. Julie is also a certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance instructor for students with challenges and special needs. Julie takes particular pride in nurturing the younger dancers' passion for movement, music and dance. Julie is a proud mother of two children, and currently lives in Rockland County just north of New York City.