Ashford Dance Company

Ashford Dance Company is located in Village Gate at 376 N Goodman Street in Rochester, NY. The studio welcomes dancers of all abilities, from age 1.5 upwards, and operates an inclusive Dancers With Diverse Abilities (DWDA) programme. The studio believes that dancing should be fun and that every dancer deserves a safe and loving place to dance. Diverse abilities can be anything that makes a child unique or makes a typical class a little trickier for them.

Trichia Bertino is the owner and artistic director. She has been dancing in the Rochester area for over 29 years and has choreographed productions including Guys and Dolls, Peter Pan, Annie, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Bye Bye Birdie, Cinderella, and Robert Wesleyan's 10th-anniversary production of Fiddler on the Roof. Trichia is an iTap Certified Teacher and a member of More Than Just Great Dancing. She continues her dance education through instruction in NYC at the Broadway Dance Center and Buffalo NY. Trichia and her students have received numerous awards at various dance competitions.

The studio's instructors are professional, dedicated, and passionate. Nicole Costantino is Instructor & Studio Operations Coordinator with a BFA in Dance from The College of Brockport and over 12 years in dance and fitness roles. She specialises in jazz, modern, and Zumba and holds certifications in barre, mat Pilates, indoor cycling, TRX, and a Zumba License. She conducts weekly Zumba classes at Ashford. Tiffany Basta is Instructor & Competition Coordinator, trained for 12 years in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, pointe, and modern, competed for 11 years with numerous awards, participated in the Rockette Summer Intensive at age 17, and is an active member of the Rochester Adult Ballet Company. Corina Ferro holds a BFA in Dance and BS in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children from SUNY College at Brockport, has studied with tWitch Boss, Mia Michaels, Chris Judd, Dave Scott, Sonya Tayeh, Lorrianne Gibson and Camille A. Brown, and is a company member of Rochester Dance Theatre. Alexis Waite specialises in teaching toddlers through elementary-aged classes and has been teaching dance locally since 2015. She has completed Sugarfoot Therapy dance injury prevention training and is familiar with Radar Technique. Abby Waite has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, acro, Irish and pom, has danced at competitions and conventions since age 8, and is pursuing a BFA in Dance at SUNY Brockport. Tia Clark has over 19 years of dance experience, 10 of those at La Danse Workshop, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Dance Studio Administration from SUNY Fredonia, and received a scholarship for choreography, artistry, and leadership. Jenna Simpson has been teaching dance for 6 years, holds a Master's degree in occupational therapy from Nazareth College, and has experience working with students of all styles, ages, and abilities. Elena Ford began ballet at age 10 at Mossa School of Dance and was invited to apprentice with the company, dancing soloist roles.

Classes are offered for beginners to advanced levels. A summer dance clinic is offered in partnership with the Brockport Dance Team, providing Hip Hop and Pom for ages 6–10, and Contemporary and Pom for ages 11 & up. Classes include stretching, across-the-floor work, new skills and technique, and a dance combination. The studio offers a wide variety of classes for dancers who learn differently; all students are welcome to participate in DWDA classes. Registration and enrollment for the 2026/2027 school year started August 3, with classes beginning September 14. The 2026 recital is scheduled for Sunday, May 17. The studio maintains a Parent Portal for enrolment and schedule access.

Ashford welcomes new students of all abilities in a warm, inclusive environment. Classes range from toddler through advanced levels, with dedicated DWDA offerings. Arrive ready to learn from experienced instructors who combine technical training with positive, supportive teaching.

The studio is led by owner and artistic director Trichia Bertino, who has danced for over 29 years in the Rochester area and is an iTap Certified Teacher. The team includes Nicole Costantino (BFA, specialising in jazz, modern, Zumba; 12+ years experience), Tiffany Basta (11 years competitive dancing, Rockette Summer Intensive graduate), Corina Ferro (BFA Dance, SUNY Brockport; company member of Rochester Dance Theatre), Alexis Waite (specialising in toddler and elementary classes; Sugarfoot Therapy certified), Abby Waite (BFA Dance student at SUNY Brockport), Tia Clark (19+ years experience, BFA Dance from SUNY Fredonia), Jenna Simpson (6 years teaching, occupational therapist), and Elena Ford (trained at Mossa School of Dance, soloist-level ballet).

The studio explicitly welcomes dancers of all abilities from age 1.5 and up, with dedicated beginner classes and a DWDA programme for dancers who learn differently.