Kristina Tuxhorn (Owner/Director/Twinkle Stars/Dance Theater/Lyrical/TOPC Gold/TOPC Silver)has been with BC Discoveries since they opened in 2002 and took ownership July 2009. Tuxhorn graduated from Penn State University in 2005 where she received her BA in Integrated Arts with a focus on Dance & Theater and a minor in Kinesiology. While at Penn State, Kristina was a member of the dance company and acted as a student teacher for 3 years in the dance & theater departments. Kristina has studied both locally and as far as the renowned Bolshoi Ballet in Russia. She is a former member of the Philadelphia Ballet and has performed in, choreographed and directed countless ballets and musical theater productions such as “Working,” “Seussical,” “Joseph and the Technicolor Coat,” “The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Newsies,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “For Colored Girls” and “Anything Goes.” Tuxhorn also has worked for The University of the Arts, the prestigious Governors School in NJ, The National High School Dance Festival based out of Miami, and the Kelsey Theater of NJ.
Kristen Brown (Twinkle Stars Director of Operations/Twinkle Stars/Tap/Lyrical/Jazz/Ballet/TOPC Bronze/TOPC Silver) is thrilled to be back for her tenth year at BC Discoveries! She holds a degree in Theatre and Dance from James Madison University with a concentration in Musical Theatre. Following graduation, Kristen traveled to all 48 continental states as Ruth in the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” She also starred opposite Glee star and Tony nominee Jonathan Groff as Shelley in “Batboy the Musical!” Kristen continues to perform professionally, and has appeared in various productions at the Fulton Opera House, Media Theater, and Walnut Street Theatre to name a few. She is currently the choreographer for Neshaminy High School and served as the choreographer for the Neshaminy Summer Stock and Theatre Workshop programs for five years. Some of her favorite shows to choreograph include “Carousel,” “Les Misérables,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Pippin.” Last year Kristen’s number Knights of the Round Table of Spamalot received an Independence Award in Philadelphia. Kristen has danced for Broadway greats Donna Drake and Tony-nominated Joey McKneely. Kristen is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.
Gwynne Frischmann- (Scene Study/Acting/Voice/Behind The Scenes/Acting Improv/TOPC Bronze) has been the stage manager for BC Discoveries since they opened in 2002. She currently works as the Administrator of Trevose Day School and is the Director of their summer program. At Trevose Day School, Gwynne has worked with the music teacher to bring a performing choral group to the school and runs a theater program during the summer. She also has much experience in Community Theater. Gwynne has performed in numerous productions such as “The Wiz,” “Guys and Dolls “and “Anything Goes.”
Kate Lilley-Cairns– (Twinkle Stars, Ballet/Tap K/1) Kate Lilley-Cairns was born and raised in Allentown, NJ. Her love of dance started at the early age of 3. She continued dancing through college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. After College she ventured into the world of fitness, becoming certified in Kickboxing, Step, Yoga, Pilates and Barre. She is thrilled to become a teacher at BC Discoveries, where she is able to share her passion for dance and movement with her students. As a dance teacher, Kate feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired; proud of their accomplishments and enjoy all of the hard work and dedication they put into dance. In her free time, Kate loves spending time with her husband, Tim and their two daughters (Juliet & Annabelle) exploring Bucks County, where they reside. She also enjoys traveling-especially to the beach, going to shows/dinners with friends, hiking, reading and doing anything active.
Jacki DiPrimio– (Twinkle Stars, Ballet/Tap Combo 1/2, Ballet/Tap Combo 2/3) Jacki DiPrimio joined the BC Discoveries team fall of 2022. She grew up in Newtown where her love of dancing began at the age of 6. In high school, Ms. Jacki interned as a hip-hop dance instructor for Falls Township. She currently resides in Upper Makefield with her husband and two daughters, whom also dance at BC Discoveries! Ms. Jacki has a masters degrees in education and spent 9 years teaching in the Council Rock SD, as a special education teacher, before leaving to raise her family. Ms. Jacki is thrilled to be back dancing!
Cassie DeRocco-(Hip Hop) Cassandra Derocco, AKA Cassie, has been dancing since the age 5 years old. She has been on dance teams throughout grade school, high school and college; then continued working towards an education in dance along side of a Corporate Communications degree at Penn State. Cassie has worked in childcare and instructed various performing arts activities for ages 5-12 for 8 years. Her favorite experience was working in entertainment for Walt Disney world after graduating from college. Since then, Cassie has worked in the travel industry and has explored many countries. Cassie has been with BC Discoveries since the summer of 2021 and is very excited to be dancing again with a wonderful studio!
Shaina Harris-(Tap, Lyrical, Acro). Shaina Harris has had a love for movement since birth. By the time she reached the age of 12 she realized she had a true passion for dance. While locally dancing throughout middle and high schools, she sought additional ways to be on stage by joining several community theatres. After graduation, she enrolled at Point Park University in Pittsburgh where she majored in Dance. In addition to performing, Shaina found a love for instructing kids, and did so at several dance studios locally, and in Pittsburgh. Fulfilling her passion, she decided to continue her education in New York City. Her dedication and hard work led her to a highly sought after intensive performing arts program and eventually a “job” as a dancer on cruise ships and in a movie! Since then, Shaina started a family and is a health and fitness coach. Her true passion is guiding others, especially children, to be the greatest them possible through a healthy lifestyle and movement!
Emma Hitchingham-(Twinkle Stars, Ballet, Dance Theater, Turn Technique, Pre-Pointe/Pointe, Stretch and Strengthening). This is Emma Hitchingham’s 5th year teaching at BC Discoveries Dance and Theater Arts Company. Outside of dance, she is a teacher in the Council Rock School District. In high school, Emma danced competitively in multiple styles of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. She has attended summer ballet programs at Princeton Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, and The Rock School of Dance Education. As a teen, Emma began assisting in ballet, tap, and jazz classes to share her passion for dance with young dance students.
Taylor Novitsky- (Hip Hop/Leaps and Turns)
Taylor Novitsky is a Civil Engineer living in Philadelphia. This is Taylor’s 4th season with BC Discoveries. She danced for 20 years, and was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was trained at Carbondale Dance Academy. After graduating high school, Taylor attended The Pennsylvania State University where she was a member of the executive board for Volé- The Penn State Ballet Club. The organization had 200 members, and although it is called the ballet club, Taylor choreographed hip hop dances each semester for theclub’s performances. She also danced the full 46 hours of Penn State Dance Marathon in 2019, in pursuit of a cure for pediatric cancer. Aside from dancing, Taylor enjoys spending her winters snowboarding, and her summers traveling to see family and friends.
