Getting to Know You: Priscilla Velazquez
On September 16, 2026, we welcomed a new assistant principal to LIHSA. We are thrilled to introduce Priscilla Velazquez.
Growing up in Woodside, Queens, Priscilla started dancing at age 2 ½ at a local dance studio. Through high school she trained at two different studios in multiple disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop, culminating in becoming a professional salsa dancer. Her dance practice continues to draw inspiration from choreographer José Limón, and dance companies such as Ballet Hispanico and Paul Taylor.
After high school, Priscilla attended Hofstra University to earn her Bachelors Degree in Dance Education with minors in disability studies and psychology.
Upon graduating from Hofstra, Priscilla taught with the Dept of Education in NYC schools for twelve years where she led intervisitations and wrote Dance curriculum for the city. During that time, she had experience teaching elementary, middle, and high schools, but spent most of her time at the high school level. She spent four summers as the Administrative Coordinator for the Summer Art Institute that is free for NYC 8-12 grade public school students to immerse in the arts with hands-on studio work, enrichment activities culminating showcases in all arts disciplines including film. Her most recent role was as the Dance Teacher for four years at the prestigious Frank Sinatra School of the Arts where she colead the department.
While teaching, running summer programs and dancing, Priscilla also earned her master’s degree in Dance Education (MA) from Hunter College (2019) and her School Building Administration certificate from the College of St. Rose (2021).
In many ways working at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts was a dance teachers’ dream. But then a new dream job opened as LIHSA’s Assistant Principal. Priscilla shared, “I heard great things about LIHSA and it’s so nice to be able to help support not only dance, but all the arts at the school. I’m excited to help students find connections between art forms too.”
Already, Priscilla is impressed with LIHSA. She shares, “The facilities are impeccable. Every studio has state-of-the-art equipment that’s being used in the real world. The dance studios are amazing. Students are super committed to their art form, working hard and really engaged in the work. It’s very exciting and powerful.”
Top on the list for Priscilla’s goal is building relationships with students and staff. She’s seeking to listen and understand wants and needs so that she can make things happen in the future. She’s finding the students very open and friendly…in addition to holding her accountable for knowing their names. “I have 60% of the names down,” Priscilla shared as she started her second week of school.
Outside of work, Priscilla loves all kinds of movement including – of course – dancing. She enjoys music (her partner is a professional musician), driving, running, astrology, and hiking.
We are so lucky to have Priscilla Velazquez at LIHSA and hope that you’ll join us in extending a warm welcome to our LIHSA community!
