Adelphi Alumni Profile: Alyssa Pitaluga ’15

Alyssa Pitaluga '15's entry into the world of dance began with a clear decision: to attend Adelphi University, home to their prestigious dance program.

Member of Adelphi University's 10 Under 10

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Dance

Dance Director and Fine and Performing Arts Chairperson at Saint Dominic High School

This choice marked the start of a career characterized by dedication, growth and passion.

"There was no other program on Long Island with the same lineup of classes and level of experienced professors. The Performing Arts Center was absolutely beautiful, new and clean," she recalled.

Pitaluga learned a lot from her professors in the dance program, and she noted Orion Duckstein, associate professor and chair, had the most influence on her. "Orion always had a way of incorporating every type of dancer, making us feel valued, challenging us and pushing us out of our comfort zones," she said. His influence on her training was pivotal and taught her to appreciate the individuality and uniqueness of all dancers. Her experiences at Adelphi were instrumental in shaping her approach to dance and choreography.

As a youth, she trained and always assisted at her home studio, Just For Kicks School of Dance in Island Park, New York. While at Adelphi, Pitaluga expanded her professional horizons. She joined the Long Island Dance Project's Company, teaching and performing several times a week. Her dedication and talent didn't go unnoticed; while training at the Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary Intensive, she was invited to join Sue Samuels' Jazz Roots Dance Company.

"Even though I was only a junior in college, I knew that this was an opportunity I could not pass up," Pitaluga reflected. After graduating in 2015, she joined Jazz Roots full time and performed across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. She also taught dance at numerous studios and had a demanding schedule with up to six classes a night. In 2016, she was accepted into a dance teacher position at St. Mary's High School, where she also choreographed for musicals and revues. "It was one of the busiest times of my life, but I learned so much," she said.

Since 2019, Pitaluga has served as the dance teacher and fine arts chairperson at Saint Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, New York. She has built the dance program from the ground up, organizing annual performances like The Nutcracker Suiteand the Valentine's Day Cabaret Night, which is her "pride and joy." In addition to her full-time position, Pitaluga teaches at Dance Arts Centre in Port Washington and Just For Kicks School of Dance.

Reflecting on her career, Pitaluga notes that her biggest accomplishment was performing with a professional company right out of college. "One of the most exciting performances was when Jazz Roots was asked to perform at City Center," she said. "It was an unreal experience that I had to keep pinching myself." Additionally, acquiring the American Ballet Theatre Teacher Training certification in Pre-Primary through Level 5 enhanced her teaching credentials and benefited her students.

Adelphi University played a crucial role in Pitaluga's development, instilling in her a quality of determination. "Although I was in the higher dance levels and performed in the Olmsted Theatre many times, getting that opportunity was never a given. I had to train and work extremely hard," she said.

Her advice to current students or new graduates is to fully embrace their time at Adelphi. "Days are going to be difficult, work will become overwhelming, some days you will question whether or not the path you are on is where you are meant to be … and that is totally fine! Regardless, you are blessed to be a student in such a nurturing and beautiful environment. Enjoy the grounds, the location, the small and practical class sizes."