As Founder and Executive Director of CaRu Entertainment, Cassie uses her vast experience, skill and passion to provide creative direction and leadership. She is also the Choreographer and Coach of the 2012 Philadelphia Soulmates Dance Team for the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul.
As a professional dancer, Cassie has appeared on The Today Show, Good Day Philadelphia, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, and Pix Morning News. Cassie debuted on her first national tour as backup dancer for the world-renowned country act Rascal Flatts on their "Bob that Head" International concert tour.
Cassie has also acted as co-host on the Comcast OnDemand series Girls Night Out—showcasing the best nightlife including restaurants, clubs and venues in Philadelphia. Cassie has also been a featured Hip-Hop and Jazz Funk choreographer on the PBS show Tempo. In addition, Cassie was a member of the Philadelphia Wings Angels Dance Team and the New York Titans Dance Team, as she performed in the world’s most famous stadium Madison Square Garden. Cassie has had the distinct honor of working with famous choreographers Robert Hoffman, Dave Scott, Jafar, Brooke Lipman, Shotyme and Pasha and Anya from Fox Networks “So You Think You Can Dance”.
Cassie trained at the Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles with celebrity choreographer Shane Sparks, Tabitha and Napoleon, Brian Friedman of Fox Network's So You Think You Can Dance, Donyelle Jones and Shorty of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, Brittney Spears' lead dancer Jesse Santos and the Pussycat dolls choreographer Mickey Minden and owner Robin Antin.
As a director and choreographer, Cassie co-founded both the USA Rugby League’s Philadelphia Fight Vixens Dance Team and The Unofficial Dancers of the New York Giants, Inc.
Cassie holds a double-major degree in Dance and Liberal Arts from DeSales University.
Emily Czerniakowski has been a member of the CaRu Entertainment team since the company's inception in 2009. She met Cassie Russo during their rookie year on the Philadelphia Wings Angels Dance Team for the National Lacrosse League. Emily performed with the Angels for three years where she was awarded "NLL Girl of the Week.” She currently has the distinct honor of working under Cassie’s direction as a member of the 2012 Philadelphia Soulmates Dance Team.
As a professional dancer, Emily has performed on FOX10 Phoenix, "The Early Show," "Good Day Philadelphia," and "CBS' Tailgate Takeover with Bob Kelly." She also had the opportunity to perform with country superstars Rascal Flatts on their 2008 summer tour. As a competitive figure skater, Emily was a guest NBC 10's "10! Show," and "Good Day Philadelphia." She also has an extensive background in competitive cheerleading.
With Cassie, Emily co-hosted a Comcast OnDemand series entitled "Girls Night Out," and co-founded the Philadelphia Fight Vixens Dance Team - the second-ever dance team in the U.S. for the former American National Rugby League.
Emily has landed a number of notable modeling gigs, including a national campaign with Tic Tac, and runway for brands such as Betsey Johnson and David’s Bridal. She also has professional experience as a commercial actor and as a broadcaster.
She received a Master of Science in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Prior to her time at Syracuse, Emily obtained a B.A. in English/Theater Concentration and a M.A. in Writing, both from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
She also enjoys serving on a volunteer committee with New York Women in Communications, and as a workshop leader and discussion panelist for the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.
Wheeler Hughes graduated with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with B.F.A. in dance, and since then has been performing, teaching, and choreographing in New York City. She has been seen on Fox Network’s Season 3 of “So You Think You Can Dance”; “Run This Town” music video with Atlantic Records featuring Kanye West, Rihanna, and Jay-Z; Highline Ballroom NYC for VH1’s Save the Music Breakin’ Through Performance; Alvin Ailey City Group Theater NYC; The Joyce Theater NYC; White Wave Dance Festival Dumbo; NYC RAW Dance Festival; Dance Teacher’s Summit hosted by the Pulse Dance Convention; WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the New York Fringe Festival, just to name a few! Wheeler has also taught and choreographed all around the country, inspiring young and old dance students alike!
Krystal Mendez is a professional ballroom dancer and certified instructor. With her extensive background in Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Jazz, she has brought a new twist to ballroom dancing. She has infused the traditional styles of ballroom with modern Hip Hop and Contemporary dance, which has quickly taken notice by many. Her sassy yet classy style of dance, has made her one of the most sought after Latin coaches on the east coast. She has also been featured as a special guest performer at the East Coast Dance Festival and the Air force Squadron Anniversary. Krystal is also an Arthur Murray world salsa champion. Competing in national and international competitions, she has placed as a top finalist in the American Rhythm categories. She has been under the coaching of Snow Urbin, Gene LaPierre and Melanie Lapatin to name a few. As a member of the National Dance Council of America, Krystal focuses on sharing the endless possibilities of dance to others.
Christina Monaco has dance training with a number of studios in ballet, modern, lyrical, hip-hop, jazz, and musical theatre. Her training started at a young age at Princeton Ballet School and ended at Innovative Dance Academy in Mercer County, NJ where her studio competed in national dance competitions as well as the Orange Bowl Halftime Show. Christina has performed in multiple shows with The Pennington School Players and the Penn State Thespians. She was also vice president and a choreographer for Penn State’s performance dance team, Whiplash, where she took the stage for PSU basketball games, homecoming parades, pep-rallies, and THON. As a co-host of the Penn State Network Television’s show, the “XY-Factor,” Christina was able to blend her dance background with broadcasting. Christina has worked with MTV Productions on “Say What Karaoke” as well as winning the title on the reality TV episode, “MTV’S Wannabe . . . Britney Spears.” Currently, Christina is the choreographer for The Pennington School’s winter musical, administrates The Pennington School’s hip-hop team H2X, as well as directs Penn State Abington’s Just Dance Camp.
Diana started dancing at the age of three, and from then on has mastered various styles of dance such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, and lyrical. For high school, she attended Southern New Jersey Academy of the Performing Arts in Sewell, where she majored in dance. Upon graduating, she attended the Alvin Ailey School where she concentrated mostly on ballet and modern (Horton). After attending the Ailey School for a year, Diana attended Central State University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration and was Captain of the “Dancing Belle: The Black Diamonds” dance team. Upon graduating from undergraduate school, she received her Master’s in Business Administration from the Metropolitan College of New York. As of December 2011, Diana was also announced as a dancer for the Philadelphia Soul arena football team. She loves to share her knowledge in dance with the younger generation and also hopes to continue to perform.
