Performance Workshop Ensemble

What is Performance Workshop Ensemble (PWE)?

The Performance Workshop Ensemble (PWE) was created to give SMAPA students with interest and ability between the ages of 12 and 18 the opportunity to gain performance experience and work with professional choreographers.

To be invited into PWE, a student must demonstrate an exceptional ability in dance and agree to make a total commitment to their course of training. PWE members perform within the community in local schools, churches and special events, such as our Celebrate Dance! annual spring fundraising concert.

The expense of training a dancer can be astronomical – which is why PWE is a tuition-free program supported by individuals and funders who believe in our mission as a 501c3 arts education nonprofit.

PWE graduates have gone on to colleges and universities to continue their dance training. More have become professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers.

We also have many graduates who have gone on to other career avenues but always come back and say how dance gave them a sense of self-discipline, self-respect and the ability to think creatively.

The requirements for participation in PWE are a weekly minimum of two ballet classes, two modern classes and one jazz class. Students also attend mandatory Saturday classes from 12-5 PM, including a group modern class and a rehearsal with guest choreographers to create new pieces with and for PWE.

Do you know a student who would be interested in PWE? Encourage their families to write to info@smapa.org for more information.

PWE Requirements

Invitation / Recommendation from SMAPA
Weekly Class Minimums
- Two (2) Ballet Classes
- Two (2) Modern Classes
- One (1) Jazz Class
Weekly Saturday Classes (Mandatory)
- Modern Class (12:30-2:00 PM)
- Lunch (2:00-2:30 PM)
- Rehearsal with Guest Choreographers (2:30-5:00 PM)

PWE 2025-2026

Niqueya Alafita

Autumn Alston

Paloma de la Peña

Stella Finkel

Giavonne Hill

Nadia Katz

Sylvia London

Lucero Meyer

Salma Ravelo

Niqueya Alafita

Class of 2029

Niqueya Alafita is a dedicated dancer. She is currently a 9th-grade student at Kent Place School, where she continues to refine her technique. She has been dancing since a young age, training in jazz, modern, and ballet, and bringing both strength and passion to her movement. In the summer of 2025, she trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater intensive. She will continue her artistic growth this summer as a participant at the Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts intensive where she looks forward to collaborating with diverse artists and pushing her creative boundaries.

Autumn Alston

Class of 2026

Autumn Alston is an 18-year-old senior attending Arts high school, currently in her second year with SMAPA. Her passion for dance began through her participation in Ailey Camp, where she spent three summers training and growing as a young artist. She further developed her skills by taking classes at The Ailey School, deepening both her technique and love for the art form.

Autumn has truly valued her experience as a member of PWE, where she has built meaningful connections and continued to evolve as a dancer. She would like to extend her gratitude to her fellow dancers for their support, as well as to Sharron Miller and Adrienne Armstrong for their guidance, encouragement, and inspiration throughout her journey.

Paloma de la Peña

Class of 2027

Paloma is a junior at Montclair High School and this is her first year with PWE. She has demonstrated a passion for dance since a young age, whether it was dancing salsa at family gatherings or belonging to the dance company in middle school. She began formerly training at SMAPA in 2023 and has attended the Ballet Hispanico Summer Intensive. In addition, Paloma is a visual artist and enjoys learning about chemistry. She is immensely grateful for the creative community and inspiration she has enjoyed as a member of PWE and would like to thank her teachers and fellow dancers for their incredible support and encouragement.

Stella Finkel

Class of 2029

Stella Finkel, a 14-year-old dancer, has been dancing since the age of three. She is honored to join the Performance Workshop Ensemble for her first year at Sharron Miller’s Academy of Performing Arts. Her training includes classes in ballet, pointe, modern, and jazz. Last summer, she participated in the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive and eagerly anticipates furthering her skills at the Earl Mosley Intensive this summer. A freshman at Glen Rock High School in New Jersey, Stella extends her gratitude to all her instructors at SMAPA for continuing to inspire her throughout her dance journey.

Giavonne Hill

Class of 2026

Giavonne is an 18 year old senior dance major at Arts High School. He has been a member of SMAPA’s PWE program for two years, joining in 2024 at the age of 16. During his time at SMAPA, Giavonne has had the opportunity to perform works by Rosa Wolff, Chelsea Greene, Sharron Miller, and many other accomplished choreographers. Giavonne will be attending Montclair State University, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance. He is deeply grateful for the guidance and support of all the teachers he has worked with throughout his journey at SMAPA.

Nadia Katz

Class of 2029

Nadia Katz is a 14 year old high schooler. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old at SMAPA. This is Nadia’s third year performing with Performance Workshop Ensemble. She has lots of favorite styles of dance but she is really passionate about jazz, tap, modern, and ballet. This summer she will be attending Earl Mosley, New Jersey Ballet, and Ballet Academy East. She wants to thank Sharron Miller, Adrienne Armstrong and all the other amazing teachers she has worked with that keep her dancing and pushing her to be her best.

Sylvia London

Class of 2026

Sylvia is a senior at Montclair High School, and this is her second year in the Performance Workshop Ensemble. She is so appreciative of Sharron, Adrienne, her peers, and all of the SMAPA staff who have supported her and shaped her into the dancer and person she is today. This community will always have a special place in her heart, and she will carry with her the lessons and values SMAPA has instilled in her as she begins her undergraduate education at Tufts University in the fall!

Lucero Meyer

Class of 2028

Lucero started dancing when she was in 6th grade, and this is her 1st year in PWE. She is a sophomore at Montclair High School, where she participates in SVPA’s technical theater department. She is very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of PWE!

Salma Ravelo

Class of 2029

Salma Ravelo is 15 years old. She has been dancing since she was 3 and came to SMAPA when she was 7. As a little kid, she used to watch the PWE alumni dance through studio windows, admiring their quality of movement, length, and flexibility. Now she has the honor of taking the same classes the alumni used to. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet and jazz. Salma’s main goal as a dancer is to look as large and captivating as possible. She hopes that when others watch her, they can see all of the hard work she has put in over the years. Salma is grateful for all of the PWE members who came before her, as well as Ms. Sharron Miller and Ms. Adrienne Armstrong. They have paved the way for aspiring young dancers like her.