Meet
The Team
Amanda Spilinga
ASTC Founder
Actress, Dancer, Choreographer, Producer, Writer & Educator
Amanda Spilinga is a New York–based actress, dancer, choreographer, writer, and the founder of Alternative Synergy The Company (ASTC), where she serves as Executive and Artistic Director. A natural multipotentialite and often described as a twice-exceptional creative, Amanda creates work where movement, storytelling, and social insight intersect.
She is the creator of the ASTC Dance Method, a distinctive approach that blends cultural movement, contemporary technique, and choreographic narrative to help performers access emotional honesty and artistic freedom. Alongside this, she developed the ASTC Teaching Method, a somatic framework designed to elevate dance pedagogy in schools, summer camps, and private studios on a national scale—guiding dancers and actors to reconnect with purpose, autonomy, and presence.
Amanda also founded The Synergy Guild, a multidisciplinary membership community supporting artists with resources, mentorship, and professional development, and ASTC Vanguard, a collective dedicated to building sustainable careers for underrepresented performers through paid creative opportunities and collaboration.
As a four-time Brooklyn Arts Council grantee, Amanda has been recognized for her record of bringing healing, equity, and stability to low-income and underserved communities through her programs and performances. She is the first female dancer to bring New Style Hustle to mainstream television, appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman and performing with Tove Lo. Her debut campaign for The ASTC Debut raised $10,000 in under 20 days, powered entirely by community support. She is the writer and creator of The ASTC Debut, a genre-blending exploration of dance, narrative, and psychological transformation.
As an actress, Amanda is known for her wide emotional range and her commitment to portraying characters whose inner lives reveal complexities that can be overlooked in a rapidly evolving culture. Her performances invite audiences into deeper empathy and understanding, bridging the distance between perception and lived experience. In Smoke, she played a nicotine addict grappling with trauma and the systemic failures of healthcare, delivering a performance that was both unflinching and resonant.
Beyond her creative work, Amanda regularly partners with Freelancers Union to advocate for fair compensation and sustainable livelihoods for freelance artists.
Her work is rooted in truth, agency, and the creation of new spaces—on stage, in community, and within the body itself.
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.