Alum in the Spotlight: Julie O’Neill
Julie O’Neill may have graduated LIHSA in 2018, but her experiences as a student, the breadth of her learning, and the relationships she made continue to surround her career and her heart. Here’s her story.
Growing up in Massapequa Park, Julie started dancing at age three. Her mother enrolled her in Spotlight Dance Studio in Wantagh where she would study for many years, and subsequently teach classes as well. Growing up, Julie played various sports, but just kept coming back to and immersing in dance. In Spotlight, she learned ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and tap. One of her studio dance instructors was a LIHSA grad and Julie was excited to pursue attending herself for her junior and senior years in high school.
Massapequa High School approved Julie attending LIHSA and she loved it. Each day was dedicated to learning a different style and she still remembers her schedule. “Monday was ballet, Tuesday was modern, Wednesday was Anatomy for Juniors and a College Prep class for seniors, Thursday was Jazz and Friday was our PE and Tap,” she recalls. “And there were also master classes to participate in. American Ballet Theatre (ABT) did Master Classes. I loved that one. I never really loved ballet until I went to LIHSA. Being part of the Master Classes really changed the way I felt about this style of dance. It taught us technique and passion.”
Before LIHSA, Julie had one hour classes at her studio. At LIHSA, she had concentrated time and grew as a dancer. “There was a big focus on modern dance which I hadn’t studied before,” Julie shared. “Our teachers also taught at different colleges and performed themselves. They opened up our eyes and exposed us to new ideas and opportunities.”
Julie immersed in all the opportunities LIHSA had to offer like Dance Buddies and the monthly InterArts performances. “Even if I wasn’t dancing one month, I would get involved backstage or running the show.”
One LIHSA program Julie distinctly recalled is the Work-in-Progress program – designed to have industry professionals provide supportive and constructive feedback on student choreography so they can incorporate feedback before it becomes polished and presented. This class was the first time Julie ever choreographed. “The program was different from anything I ever experienced. I can still picture the studio and the way it was set up with the chairs for the guests who came in to watch and critique. It was a great opportunity – most people don’t start doing their own choreography until after college. To do that as a teenager gave us a leg up,” Julie shared.
One of Julie’s favorite memories from LIHSA was the end of year dance performance. She recalls, “We were there the whole day: rehearsal in the morning, sitting in the courtyard with a potluck style lunch – eating and reminiscing together, rehearsal in the afternoon; then an evening performance that featured great performances from the year. One of the pieces was set to Billy Joel’s Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.”
As an alum, Julie has already attended an alumni day to participate in a panel with current students and danced in a Faculty-Alumni Gala.
After graduating from LIHSA, Julie went to Hofstra University to study Dance Education, getting certified in K-12 in NYS and also to minor in Marketing. She knew about that program from her LIHSA Dance Instructor, Dina Denis.
After getting her degree, Julie taught at private schools; first Our Lady of Mercy Academy and then when that school closed, she moved to St. John’s the Baptist. She also continued to teach at Spotlight Dance Studio. Through all this, she knew she wanted to own her own studio.
In 2023, Julie purchased JD Dance Studio in Mineola. https://www.jddancestudioli.com/. She rebranded the studio and it grew so fast she purchased a second studio in Williston Park in September 2025. Starting with 35 students, she now teaches about 250 students each year between the two locations. She feels like her studio will continue to grow in the future as well.
Among her nine teachers on staff include some of her best friends that she made at LIHSA. Lauren Pereira and Melanie Hock-Culkin are still on faculty, Jordan LaCroix and Katelyn Harold were until recently when other projects took them away (Katelyn got booked on a national tour).
Many of her LIHSA classmates are, in fact, among Julie’s closest friends to this day. They even take an annual trip together out east and maintain close bonds.
When not working or traveling with her friends, Julie loves to relax on the beach, soaking in the sun. She also loves crafting and repurposing costumes.
Julie offers this advice to current LIHSA students, “Take every opportunity that comes your way. Learn to choreograph work behind the scenes to run shows. Join any before or after school activity or performance. Even if it’s calling behind the headsets. Because I did everything, I gained all the knowledge on how to run a dance show, so I could own a studio. I knew how to help with costumes, lights, and behind the scenes – all the things are important for the big picture. Get involved and soak up all the knowledge.”
Thank you, Julie, for continuing to be involved with LIHSA and sharing your experience and knowledge! Keep scrolling to see photos.
