Special Guests
Pro Prep Workshop 2024
About Elly Shepley: Elly Shepley is a dancer and choreographer located in the New York City tri-state area. She is the founder of the Dance Space NY, and Dance With Elly Shepley LLC- a virtual studio where aspiring high school, college, and professional dance team members can train and improve their precision technique and performance quality. She offers two signature classes- Sneaker Jazz™, and the Flexibility and Kick series. She was also previously on faculty at Broadway Dance Center, Coach of the Columbia University Dance Team, and a former professional dancer in the NFL with three seasons with the New York Jets Flight Crew.
Elly attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, American Dance Festival School, and is a graduate of Point Park University with a degree in dance performance and a concentration in Jazz. She is also a certified Pilates Mat teacher, and lover of all things fitness and wellness. After college Elly performed in several regional theater productions, and served as a dance captain at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, before dancing in the NFL. While on the Flight Crew Elly was selected for the team's show team all three seasons, and served as a Group Leader for the squad.
Elly prides herself in empowering her students to understand the purpose placement and priority of each stretch and exercise. When you understand why you're doing something, you're more motivated to do it, and you can bring a new understanding and energy to the movement. She can't wait to dance with you, and help you achieve your goals!
About Kristin Greto: Kristin is a professional dancer, instructor and Coach in the pro dance team world. She currently coaches the Division 1 Long Island University Dance Team, where she led the program to their first-ever National Championship win in the Open Spirit Game Day category in 2023.
Kristen was also recently selected as the Head Coach of the inaugural NBA G-League Long Island Nets Dance Team affiliated with the Brooklyn Nets; a full circle role where she not only leads the team, but choreographs all of their routines.
Kristen is a freelance teacher and choreographer, as well, and she also conducts dance team prep classes at both Ripley Grier Studios and Broadway Dance Center.
Over the past 9 years she has danced for professional teams: 6 years with the NBA Brooklynettes and before that, 3 years with the NBA G-League Westchester Knicks, both of which she served as a team captain for part of her tenure.
During her time with the Nets, Kristen performed internationally in China and Mexico as well as with many celebrity artists such as Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes and more.
Kristen has been dancing for 25+ years. She began her training at City Center Dance in her hometown, White Plains, NY. In addition, she trained with the American Tap Dance Foundation as a member of the Tap City Youth Ensemble for several years where she had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Along with her her extensive training at CCD, she performed in various venues throughout NYC including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and Lincoln Center. These experiences exposed her to the dance team style/world which led her to be featured in DanceSpirit Magazine and appear on national television on the Rachael Ray Show.
She loves passing down her knowledge and experience to younger, aspiring dancers. Kristen holds a BA and MBA from St John’s University, where she danced for 4 years on their D1 team and also served as a team captain on the 2016 team that won the D1 Hip Hop National Championship.
About Deja Gaskins: Deja Gaskins is a current NFL Cheerleader (in her 3rd season), former Arena Football League dancer, choreographer, dance teacher and business woman with a love of inspiring and training others. She was also a member of the West Chester University dance team for 4 years, becoming Captain her senior year. She was also an Instructor at our very first Pro Prep Workshop in 2019!
A Philadelphia native, she began dancing at the age of 3, training at Canaan Institute of the Arts and Dance Institute of Philadelphia. During this time she was a member of a performing company and competing team, while also being a member and 2 year captain of her high school’s dance team. Deja found a passion for not only dance but teaching and choreography, becoming a dance teacher at her studio at the age of 16.
After graduating high school, she attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with Dual Minors in Mathematics & International. On top of her studies, dance remained a focus as she joined WCU’s University Dance Company for 4 seasons and WCU’s nationally ranked Dance Team for 4 years. While on the team she focused her training on Jazz technique, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Pom and had the opportunity to choreograph many camp, homecoming, game, and nationals routines.
Post college, Deja began her professional dance and teaching career. She became an AFL Dancer with the Philadelphia Soul in 2018 for two seasons where she served as a member and captain for both seasons. During this time she earned her Masters of Business Administration and began teaching and choreographing for many high schools and colleges on the east coast.
In 2021 she began her rookie year as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader and was voted Rookie of the Year for the 2021 class. 2022 was the start of her second season with the team, where she traveled to Phoenix, Arizona with the team to perform at Superbowl LVII. Following her second season with the squad, she was voted as the Outstanding Performer of the Year. During her time as an NFL Cheerleader, Deja has had numerous performance opportunities such as being featured in a music video with Tierra Whack and performing with artists such as Jimmie Allen, Darius Rucker, Tag Team, Breland, Rob Bass and Meek Mill to name a few. Deja is currently in her third season with the team and continues to enjoy being a brand ambassador, working closely with the community and performing for 70,000 of the best fans in the NFL.
Deja continues to teach and choreograph for students at Pennsylvania and New Jersey studios, high schools, and colleges. She encourages those taking her classes to use the space and time to let go, be free, and let dance be the thing that can turn any day around. She is thrilled to be back at Powerhouse again!
