DXNY Placement Collective
Train. Prepare. Perform.
Be Placed.
A mother-daughter venture out of Dance Xtreme New York, helping dancers turn their goals into collegiate opportunities. From academics to dance, we are here to help get your dancer where they want to be.
Our Mission
To help dancers turn their goals into opportunities, and find a program where they can thrive both academically and athletically.
College dance recruiting can feel like a closed world. Deadlines hide, tryout packets drop without warning, and coaches expect emails written in a language nobody taught your dancer. We built the Collective so the next family does not have to figure it out alone. You bring the dancer. We will bring the map.
Meet the Founders
A Mother. A Daughter. One Mission.
Michelle Carufe
Co-Founder · Co-Owner & Director, DXNY
Michelle is the Co-Owner and Director of Dance Xtreme New York, bringing decades of experience as a dance educator, former high school dance team coach, choreographer, and special education teacher. She has guided countless dancers in developing the skills, discipline, and confidence to succeed both in the studio and beyond.
Jaelynn Gural
Co-Founder · University of Michigan Dance Team
Jaelynn is a member of the University of Michigan Dance Team and recently went through the college recruiting process firsthand. Her journey gives families a current, honest read on the demands, expectations, and realities of earning a spot on a collegiate dance team.
The X Factor Series
An elite summer training experience for dancers ready to take their training to the next level, taught by current collegiate dancers from top programs across the country. Whether the goal is making a college dance team, sharpening skills, or learning what it takes to stand out, the X Factor Series was made for your dancer.
We are adding master instructors from top collegiate programs throughout the season.
The Recruiting Journey
Every Step, Covered
We walk alongside your dancer through the whole process, so senior year is a plan instead of a scramble.
01
Academic Profile
Coaches recruit the student and the dancer. We help your dancer build a profile that holds up on both sides.
02
Audition Prep
From clinic readiness to the moments coaches notice first, we prepare your dancer to walk in ready.
03
Recruiting Materials
A recruiting video and resume that put your dancer's strongest skills front and center, with nothing wasted.
04
Coach Communication
What to send, when to send it, and how to follow up, so the first email lands and the relationship builds.
05
The Right College Fit
We help your dancer find a program where they can thrive, academically and athletically, not just one they have heard of.
Where Our Dancers Continue
Dancers From Here, Placed Across the Country.
Dancers who trained right here in Hauppauge are now competing, performing, and playing gameday at college programs nationwide. Here is where they landed.
Common Questions
What Families Ask First
What is the DXNY Placement Collective?+
A mother-daughter venture out of Dance Xtreme New York, founded by Michelle Carufe and Jaelynn Gural. We guide dancers and their families through every step of the collegiate dance recruiting journey, from building a strong academic profile to preparing for auditions, creating recruiting materials, communicating with coaches, and finding the right college fit.
What is the X Factor Series?+
Our flagship summer training program. Season 1 brings current collegiate dancers from top programs to DXNY to teach master sessions for dancers in grades 5 through 12. Each instructor focuses on technique, performance, and the insider perspective only a current college dancer can share. One-on-one private sessions are available with most instructors.
Who is the X Factor Series for?+
Dancers in grades 8 through 12 who are ready to take their training toward the college level, plus a grades 5 through 8 track for younger dancers building toward that goal. Whether the dream is making a college dance team or simply growing as a performer, the sessions meet dancers where they are.
Does my dancer have to train at DXNY to take part?+
No. The X Factor Series and our recruiting guidance are open to dancers from any studio. What matters is commitment and a willingness to put in the work.
When should we start the recruiting process?+
Earlier is almost always better. The recruiting calendar moves faster than most families expect. Wherever your dancer is right now, we will meet you there and build a plan from it.
Let's Talk
Get Where You Want to Be.
Tell us about your dancer. We will listen, lay out the road ahead, and help your dancer take the next real step toward a college floor.