OUR WHY
Alternative Synergy The Company is New York’s multidisciplinary production, creating electrifying ensemble works—shattering myths, defying conventions, and cutting straight to the heart and mind with raw emotional depth. We recruit bold, stereotype-defying dancers, actors, and writers to forge original characters and narratives on stage and screen—risk-driven, soul-stirring creations that amplify unseen voices and spark deep, transformative change.
We produce stories that demand to be heard. On stage, screen, and livestream, we break the silence—turning hesitation into agency, doubt into momentum, and shame into strength. By equipping creators to own their narratives, we ignite personal and cultural change, one fearless story at a time.
ALTERNATIVE SYNERGY VANGUARD
ASTC empowers underrepresented creatives—BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and working-class artists—to not only be seen, but to shape culture through visionary storytelling, sustainable systems, and unapologetic ownership of their work.
Alternative Synergy Vanguard builds a year-round, paid creative ecosystem
that frees low-income, freelance BIPOC and Orthodox Jewish artists from gig-economy precarity by providing salaried roles, health benefits, and immersive mentorship—where every ensemble member learns our rigorous ASTC Dance Method to co-create dance-theater productions rooted in embodied storytelling, transform urgent social issues into powerful art, evolve as teacher-leaders, and launch sustainable, full-time stage careers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ASTC DANCE METHOD
We Are
About
seeing life as art
Striving to grow, is to excel
Create meaningful impact by being our truest selves
Synergy is the cooperation of evolving individuality
Being Alternative means not settling for what we can only see or think is possible
GO BEYOND YOURSELF
our vision
We shatter expectations and push past every limit—because breakthrough art happens when you dare to go farther. Our productions and labs challenge artists to expand their craft, deepen their narrative voice, and redefine what performing arts can be.
TO SPARK SYNERGY
our TRANSFORMATION
Our productions span stage, screen, and livestream, blending humor, suspense, and drama to explore deeply personal stories often left untold. We focus on one voice at a time—crafting characters whose emotional journeys open hidden truths and invite quiet reflection. Each work meets its audience where they are, creating moments of genuine connection and inner transformation.
ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE, & INSPIRE
dance is a universal language
Our creative development (ASTC DANCE METHOD) is a mind-body-soul deep dives—designed to excavate raw emotional truths and transform them into fully realized roles.
Through personal narrative work, ensemble-based exercises, trauma-informed approach and mentorship, we teach to:
craft compelling characters rooted in authenticity and vulnerability.
turn unheard voices into creative leaders.
all levels—because dance is a universal language that belongs to everyone
Meet
The Team
Amanda Spilinga
ASTC Founder
Actress, Dancer, Choreographer, Producer, Writer & Educator
Amanda Spilinga is a visionary multidisciplinary artist redefining the role of movement in storytelling. Known for her bold fusion of dance, theater, acting, choreography, and writing, her work centers emotional truth, personal agency, and the transformative power of artistic expression.
Born and raised in Northern Italy, Amanda began dancing at age 11 and became one of Italy’s youngest certified modern dance instructors by 17 through the International Dance Association (IDA). Her path was forever shaped by her mentor Steve LaChance, who inspired her to pursue artistry as purpose. After joining the New Style Hustle movement in 2010, Amanda made history as the first and only female dancer to bring the style to mainstream television, performing on The Late Show with David Letterman and for music artist Tove Lo. The movement later gained global attention in Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down on Netflix.
In 2017, Amanda founded Alternative Synergy The Company (ASTC), a Brooklyn-based platform blending street dance, contemporary movement, and psychological drama to create emotionally charged performances rooted in real stories. Her inaugural production, The Debut, raised $10,000 in under 20 days—proving the power of her community and vision. Since then, ASTC has grown into a hub for innovation, advocacy, and embodied storytelling.
Amanda’s artistry is matched by her work as a writer and educator. Her essays and programs explore creativity, identity, and the somatic experience of transformation. A four-time Brooklyn Arts Council grantee and passionate advocate for equity in the arts, she has partnered with organizations like Freelancers Union to champion sustainability for freelance performers.
Through ASTC, her writing, and her groundbreaking performances, Amanda continues to challenge what dance can be—inviting audiences and artists alike to reclaim their voice, their movement, and their power.
Alexandra Varga
Assistant Choreographer & Movement Coach
Alex Varga plays a significant role in the ASTC family. With 10 years of professional experience in nonprofit management, Alex brings a breadth of knowledge as Director of Development - whether it’s building relationships, managing our books, and supporting programming Alex has been a huge hand in bringing the ASTC vision to life. As an artist - Alex danced from the age of 8 to 18, taking a brief break to pursue a career in environmental conservation. After a decade-long hiatus, Alex rekindled her passion for dance and has been with the company since its inception.
Columbia university alumni, project manager and animal lover, Varga practiced gymnastics until the age of 13. It's only years later after embarking the career as a fitness trainer that she falls back in love with the art of dance through Amanda Spilinga’s classes! She’s been dancing since and in only three short years Alex has dedicated to studying in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, House, Litefeet, Popping, Hustle, Partnering, Acroyoga and Floorwork.
We’re so lucky to have her be a big part of our vision at ASTC.
Ladell Thomas
Company Dancer, Instructor & Movement Coach
Ladell “Mr. Ocean '' Thomas is an artist specializing in Popping and Waving. He has learned other dance styles such as Dancehall and Hip hop. Some of his mentors include Big Mike, Future Ninja and Chris “Shaik'' Mathis. Ladell has danced with Iluminate from “America’s Got Talent” and “It’s Showtime NYC.” He has also had the pleasure of performing for Bill T. Jones’ Deep Blue Ocean, PBS’ Bare Feet with Mikaela Mallozzi, NY Philharmonics Bandwagon, Lincoln Centers Restart Stages, Lincoln Centers Centrifugal Force with Buddha Stretch, It’s Time For Hip Hop in NYC Concerts.
Ladell is specifically popular for his alternative and fresh perspective to body control as a performer and to his students as a teacher through the art of Popping and Animation technique.
A true champion of personal development, Ladell is well known for his contributions to the New York City dance community as a multi-faceted artist versed not only in Popping but also in Dancehall and Hip Hop. As an actor and improvisational comedian he draws the audience to dive into an ocean full of notes, emotions, and intensity.
ASTC is proud to have Mr Thomas guiding you through a personal journey to undiscovered parts of yourself to finally start a conversation with the most inner part of your soul.
Sammi Tai
Instructor & Movement Coach
“It is not about how far your arms or legs can stretch but it’s about how far your soul can reach.”
Sammi is a magnetic dance instructor, performer, yoga instructor and Mandarin Chinese teacher. Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Sammi is an artist, educator and spiritual warrior. She first practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga in explorative methods, learning from mentors Barbara Verrochi, Ann Huang, Hanna Yan, and Ty Landrum.
As a certified Laughing Lotus Studio New York Vinyasa yoga instructor her passion for breath-focused meditation grew into a unique teaching style in which she integrates creative moments to activate and nourish the body’s profound wisdom accessible through mindfulness, intentional breathwork, and robust movement.
Students can feel the influence in which dance inspired Sammi’s approach to what we call alternative yoga. She was introduced to Hip Hop dance by Mask Way at Merry Monarc in Taipei and other street dance styles when she moved to New York including training with the House Dance Legend and New Yorker Sekou Heru.
We’re honored to have Sammi on our roster - she brings another level of Alternative and Synergy to our incredible community.
Laura Ardner
Instructor
Laura Ardner was born and raised in York, PA. She began her dance training at The School of Music and Dance in Abbottstown, PA, and she went on to attend Slippery Rock University to pursue a BFA in Dance and a minor in Writing. She graduated summa cum laude from SRU in December, 2021.
At SRU, she has held leadership roles as the vice president of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, secretary of the Multidisciplinary Arts Collective, and a mentor to first-year students. Presently, she is an instructor at Alternative Synergy the Studios in Brooklyn, NY.
Laura is also very fortunate to have received various awards from the SRU Department of Dance including the "Outstanding Dance Teacher" award in 2021 and scholarships towards winter (2021, 2022) and summer (2018) dance intensives. She enjoys sharing her love of dance with others through dance pedagogy, and she recently spent her past two summers instructing various dance classes at Camp Fernwood in Poland, Maine.
Andrea Pelazza
Sound Engineer
Andrea (or Andy) Pelazza was born and raised near Turin, Italy. His passion for music started at the age of 12 and deepened during the late 90's when DJing at Italian clubs playing House and Euro Dance music. Andy is an incredible artist and engineer. He found his calling while navigating the world of radio - jumping between being a broadcast engineer to a sound & music designer to image producer with collaborations spanning across Italy and Europe - from Milan and Rome to London and Barcelona.
Andy has been part of the ASTC family since meeting Amanda Spilinga on his first trip to New York back in 2012. He would not be able to do what he loves the most without his special dogs, Aaron and Maya, the best studio assistants ever!
Carol Anne Cooley
Instructor
Carol Anne, a dancer hailing from Columbia, SC, began her journey at the age of three at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance. She trained and competed with the Columbia City Jazz Company, working alongside renowned choreographers including Mia Michaels, Jason Parsons, Tyce Diorio, and Travis Wall. Her passion for dance took her across the globe, performing in countries like Bulgaria, Germany, Singapore, and Austria.
After completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Choreography at Columbia College, Carol Anne joined the faculty at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance. She also spent seven years as a member of The Power Company Collaborative Contemporary Dance Company, where she taught dance residencies in South Carolina's public schools.
In 2019 she has choreographed for prestigious organizations like A.C. Flora Dance, Dutch Fork Middle School Dance, and The Columbia City Ballet.
Currently based in NYC, Carol Anne joined the teaching staff of Alternative Synergy The Studios. With her vast expertise in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and choreography and by participating in the ASTC Teaching Method program Carol Anne demonstrates her commitment to delivering high-quality instruction and staying up-to-date with the latest teaching techniques.
Carol Anne is passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers and inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Elli Lytra
Film & Production
Born and raised in Greece, Elli’s professional career has been in Marketing and Advertising over the last 10 years. Her passion for concept-driven storytelling opened the doors for LADYBUG NY, a Creative Digital Studio based in New York City.
Video Production both in Film & Motion Graphics Animation.
With a strong point of view, Elli specializes in video production both in Film and Motion Graphics Animation lending her skills to ASTC The Company as a valuable videographer and the video editor that helps bring ASTC narrative performances that not only entertains but brings the ASTC essence to life.
In The
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