Call Us!
(305) 259-6960
FP Faculty
Amanda Tae
Director
Dancing since the age of three, Amanda Tae attended New World School of the Arts High
School in Downtown Miami, and continued her education at Florida International University,
obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sports Management. In 2002, she graduated Magna
Cum Laude on the Dean’s List as a member of both the Honors College and Phi Kappa Phi.
Utilizing her background in Sports Management, she opened Focal Point Dance Studios in
2005, Tae Talent Agency in 2007, and Mosaic Dance Project, a nonprofit professional dance
company in 2015.
Wanting to share her passion for dance with
others, she continued teaching and choreographing while also performing professionally locally,
nationally, and internationally. She is a constant and welcomed presence in the community,
schools, and universities as a guest artist setting work and educating. As a choreographer, she
has received praise and recognition for her fresh and artistic approach to dancing. Her work
extends beyond the walls of Focal Point Dance Studios to music video sets and concert stages
for many artists and companies in the commercial music industry. As a teacher, her students
have been honored with titles, high scores, and special awards both regionally and nationally.
Many have continued dancing, working professionally, gracing the big screen, and becoming
teachers themselves. Amanda also works with Dancers’ Alliance Miami and SAG-AFTRA to
negotiate fair pay and benefits for Miami’s talent.
Amanda has performed and choreographed for a variety of shows, tours, and films. She has
worked with Tate McRae, David Beckham, Pitbull, P. Diddy, Mase, Will Smith, Thalia, Enrique
Iglesias, Lenny Kravitz, Paulina Rubio, Alejandro Sanz, David Bisbal, Christian Castro, and
Method Man. Her clientele include Dodge, Mattel, Post Foods, MTV, Subway, Remy Martin, Hair
Club, Univision, Barbie Mattel, Telemundo, Emilio Estefan’s Crescent Moon, EMI Records, BMI
Records, Universal Records, Zappos, Baptist Hospital, Zumba, Revlon, Figure 8, Lottery, Sony,
and Nike. Some of her credits include the Latin Grammy Awards, Super Bowl, MTV VMA’s,
Dodge Dart, Honey Bunches of Oats, Premio Lo Nuestro, Latin Billboards, Subway
commercials, and the movies Sex Drive starring Seth Green and James Marsden, and Bachelor
Party II with funny faces Harland William and Greg Pitts. In addition, she directed and
co-choreographed the grand prize winning Dance Dub for Paramount Pictures' Step Up 3D
Dance Dub Contest, beating out the top studios such as The Edge in LA, Broadway Dance
Center in NYC, and Studio 411 in Atlanta. The talent she represents under Tae Talent Agency
are all over FPL, Wawa, Coach, Nerf, Disney Springs, Reebok, Tropical Smoothie, AutoNation,
and Sunny D Commercials. They can also be seen in episodes of La Banda, SuperBowl, Latin
Billboards, Latin AMA’s, BET Awards, Premios Lo Nuestro, Premios Juventud, and Movie Box
Office Hits: Genius Rock of Ages, Step Up 4 Revolution, GhostBusters, Break the Stage, and
Step Up Highwater! You can find our talent sharing the stage with Anitta, Jason Derulo, Kygo,
Joe Jonas, DJ Khalid, Mary J. Blige, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, Rosalia, Nicky Jam, 2 Chains,
Nelly, Young Thug, Kane Brown, JLo, and Shakira.
Among all her honors and achievements, none are as significant as the creation of Focal Point Dance Studios, Tae Talent Agency, and Mosaic Dance Project. All were created as a means to bridge the recreational, competitive, professional, and nonprofit dance industries. While hoping to continuously influence and be impelled by the dance
world, she plans on utilizing her multiple outlets to enrich and challenge this art form.
Andrew mulet
Andrew Mulet, a Miami native, obtained his BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University in
2019. His love for movement is encompassed by his diverse background and versatile training. Andrew’s credits include Shakira, Kylie Minogue, Dove Cameron, Mean Girls (2024), The MET Gala, and more. In addition to his continued performance career, he has had the honor of presenting work as a finalist at the Young Choreographer’s Festival, the YoungArts Foundation, and the Capezio A.C.E. Awards. Andrew is thrilled to share his passion for dance, and looks forward to sharing space with other creative minds. He is also a proud Alumni of Focal Point Dance Studios and is excited to now be a part of its incredible evolution.
brianna dacal
Brianna Dacal was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She began dancing at the age of two, and at the age of six, she joined a competition dance team where she competed in several different styles such as Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, and Hip-Hop. When she was 11, Brianna began dancing at Focal Point Dance Studios, and was a member of the dance company for 7 years. Since then, she has expanded her dance training and currently dances Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, and Lyrical. Brianna has been working at Focal Point for the past 8 years as a teacher and two years as the studio manager. She graduated from Florida International University in 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work.
Cristy DeCardenas
Cristy was born and raised in Miami, FL and has been dancing since the age of 3. She started dancing competitively at the age of 8 and at the age of 12, started training at Focal Point with Amanda Tae. She joined company in her first year and was also a member of the tap company called Loose Screws. Cristy has trained in Classical Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap. She remained in company until she graduated from Lourdes Academy in 2015. Currently, she is continuing her education at Florida International University studying Psychology and Biology. Focal Point Dance Studios continues to be her home as she has been teaching for the past seven years.
A Cuban-born Principal International Guest Artist, Daynelis Muñoz, showcased her
exceptional talents with the National Ballet of Cuba, Mexico Ballet, and Tulsa Ballet
before embarking on a freelancing journey. Daynelis has graced stages across Spain, France, Colombia, Mexico, and more. Her repertoire includes leading roles in iconic classics such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Serenade, and La Bayadere,as well as pieces by internationally acclaimed choreographers like John Cranko, Edwaard Liang, Marcello Angelini, George Balanchine, Wayne McGregor, Ma Cong, and the legendary Alicia Alonso.
Ms. Daynelis has left an indelible mark on the international ballet scene, having earned
Gold Medals in various International Ballet Competitions in Cuba and Mexico, including
the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix. Her contributions extend beyond
performance, as she has served as a jury member for dance competitions, International
Dance Meetings, and Congresses of Spectacles in Mexico.
Currently, Ms. Daynelis holds the esteemed position of Principal Guest Artist and Ballet
Coach on the international stage. Her expertise has been sought after, leading to
invitations to guest teach in numerous galas, master classes, and Ballet productions
around the world. Daynelis Muñoz continues to be a beacon of excellence, enriching the
global ballet community with her artistry and dedication.
DAYNELIS Muñoz
EMERICK Ligonde
Born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Miami, Florida, Emerick Wolff Ligonde began training at 12 years old at Hotspot Dance Studio, training in Latin Ballroom, Salsa and Bachata, and Ballet. When Emerick turned 17, he decided he wanted to concentrate on more technical and competitive training, so he then trained at Focal Point Dance Studios, where he competed in ballet, hip hop and contemporary.
After graduating, he began working with commercial choreographers such as Amanda Tae, Liz Imperio and Kevin Maher as well as artists like Ryan McNamara and Becky G. In 2020, he graduated from The Ailey School focusing on Ballet and Modern Dance. Emerick’s had the pleasure of performing alongside the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in one of Mr. Ailey’s works, Memoria, in Lincoln Center. Mr. Ligonde is now furthering his performance career as well as his passion for artist relations and production.
JEANINE Sanchez
My devotion to dance started at a very young age, but it was clear through my incredible journey and extraordinary experiences, that my dedication and passion to dance was to be shared and used to inspire others in pursuit of their own dreams. As a graduate of the New World School of the Arts, my rigorous training led me to be awarded a full scholarship to New York University's Tisch program for the Arts. It was through those years that my dedication extended beyond the four walls of a studio. I became an active member of the dance community, participating and organizing various events and workshops. Standing as a strong advocate for the mental and physical benefits, I often collaborated with health and wellness organizations to promote the positive impact that the art of dance can have on an individual. For more than a decade, I have had the honor of being a part of the Focal Point family where I have dedicated my training and knowledge to each and every student, passing along expertise, and teaching them that with commitment, success will be achieved. My top priority is to build a foundation of creative confidence, giving them the limitless ability to grow within their craft. With that said, throughout my amazing journey and the joy of watching my students surpass their goals, nothing holds as great of an honor as watching my own daughter, Adriana, share the same passion and as well as the opportunity to dance alongside her.
Jessica Iglesias
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Jessica Iglesias’ passion for dance began when she was 8 years old. Two years later, she began training under the guidance of Amanda Tae, when Focal Point first opened its doors in 2005, and did so until she graduated high school in 2013. In her time there, she trained in a wide variety of styles such as Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical and Hip-Hop. In addition to being an active member in Focal Point’s company, her dance career continued to thrive as she attended Coral Reef Senior High School, home of one of Miami’s finest magnet dance programs. At Coral Reef, she was part of its nationally acclaimeddance team, Cudettes, and took home five 1st place national trophies in both Jazz and Hip-Hop. Jessica continued her education at Florida International University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts. This is her 9th year teaching at Focal Point and she
continues to be humbled by the opportunity to spread her love of dance while working alongside some of Miami’s finest choreographers.
JORGE Felix Morejon
Jorge Félix Morejón Sánchez began his studies in Classical Ballet at the age of 8 at the Vocational School of Arts in the City of Matanzas, and continued his studies at the National Ballet School in the City of Havana. Jorge then graduated specializing in interpreting and teaching Classical Ballet, Pointe Work, Classical Pas De Deux and Repertoire.
Upon graduation, Jorge was casted to be a part of the Artistic Group of Cuba for 3 years. He also worked for the Contemporary Dance group Teatro Nuevo de la Danza and was subsequently casted as a soloist in Contemporary Dance of Cuba contracted by the Company "Prodanza" from 1992 to 1995. In June 1995, Jorge then decided to continue his work in Costa Rica with Costa Rican Youth Ballet, Russian Ballet of Costa Rica, University of Costa Rica, and National University, and Losdelmedium, among others. During his time working with the National Dance Company from 1995 to 2006 as a Dancer, Ballet Teacher and Choreographer, he founded his School "Ballet Independiente de San José," which closed due to the pandemic. In addition, Jorge was a welcomed and constant presence in Jazzgoba and Warehouse Complex.
In 2022, Jorge continued his professional journey to Miami where he currently works for Focal Point Dance Studios and Dy Clan Jazz Academies. Jorge is overjoyed with this new chapter and looks forward to watching the growth of his students and professional career.
Vadym pIDHORESTKYY
Vadym Pidhoretskyy, born and raised in Ukraine is an internationally acclaimed Latin Ballroom dancer. Vadym has achieved many prestigious titles across the United States and has also made appearances on TV shows such as America’s Got Talent. Some of his most recent titles are but not limited to: Blackpool Dance Festival Champion, International World Championship Winner, United Kingdom Championship Winner, WDO World Championship Winner, and WDC World Championship Winner. Vadym and his partner Ruby, are one of the World's top latin couples at the very young ages of 21 and 20 years old. Their passion and persistence to their craft is what continues to elevate them to the next level each dance season.
