Cassandra July is the uncompromising dance instructor at New York Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and Rachel's mentor/frenemy. Unlike the always encouraging Will, Cassandra strives to make Rachel the best by picking on her and making sure that she knows that she will never be a star. Prior to teaching at NYADA Cassandra starred in a Broadway production of Damn Yankees. However, after attacking an audience member whose cell phone rang during a performance -- an act that was posted on YouTube -- her professional stage career came to an abrupt and unseemly ending.