Dive Into MDS!

Faculty

Always representing The South Bronx, TweetBoogie is devoted to the street styles of hip-hop. Her passion lead her to work with top artists like Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Shakira, Kanye West, Jasmine Sullivan, Nicki Minaj and the iconic Miss Janet Jackson herself. Tweetie was also the host of MTV's "Dances From Tha Hood" with Sway Calloway as her executive producer. Some of her biggest clients were teaching Gail and Oprah some of the latest hip-hop moves as a guest choreographer on The OPRAH Show. More recently choreographing for 50 Cents Green Light Gang World Tour 22’ and Mary J. Blige’s  Good Morning Gorgeous Tour as well.   

Last but not least, TweetBoogie takes great pride in her work within the underground dance community as well. She has been a guest artist and performer for Red Bull and Red Bull Connect. Teaching and touring as the hip hop judge for Juste Debout 2019 Global tour. One of the biggest international underground dance battles that travels worldwide.   

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Favorite Teaching Saying: "There is no growth in comfort. Swallow your spit and do it again!” 

Faculty

Terry B.J. Carr professionally known as Cebo has been a distinguished fixture in the street and club culture for more than 30 years. Cebo is president of New York’s first street club dance companies, Next Generation NYC, LLC (NXGN) / Next Generation New York Studios. Cebo is also the movement specialist for GoNoodle’s Blazer Fresh, a director of the MopTop Universal Program at Peridance Center, and a member of the world-famous house dance originators Dance Fusion Crew NYC. His love for street club culture and all the things it continues to do for the world continues to drive him to find ways in which he can help enrich the community through music, feeling, and dance!

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Favorite Teaching Saying: "Search for the energy in the room, not in the mirror."

Faculty | Administrative Staff

Jaime began her dance training at the age of 2.5. She has studied styles of dance 

including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and acro. She began competitive dance at the age of 9 when she won several top scores at both Regional and National levels. She competed and took convention and Master classes all around the country. After high school graduation, Jaime attended Marymount Manhattan College where she graduated with her BA in Dance and minor in education while student teaching all over NYC public schools. Jaime has close to 20 years of teaching experience with students ranging from ages two to adult and has won

several top score, choreography and special awards at regional and national level. Jaime’s love of children, dance, and dedication to both have proven she loves to share her passion with everyone around her.

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Favorite Sweet Treat: Frozen Snicker’s Bar 

Faculty

This Midwest girl has been dancing since preschool! After high school Danielle moved to NYC to attend Marymount Manhattan College. There she studied many styles of dance and received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Education.   After college, she spent 10 years performing on various tours, industrials, and cruise ships around the USA, Caribbean and Europe. Danielle's greatest passion is teaching children the joy of dance! She has taught at The Ailey School, ABT’s Summer Intensive, Manhattan Movement Arts Center and Apple Seeds in New York City and numerous dance studios in the tri-state area. Danielle started teaching at Michele's Dance Studio in 2011 but in 2014 after having her second child, Danielle chose to stay home full time with her son and daughter, returning to teach at MDS in 2021. She is excited to share her love of dance with more MDS dancers.

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Favorite Song to Dance To: "Someone Like You" by Adele

Administrative Staff

Katelyn is a choreographer, performer, arts administrator, and teacher/facilitator originally from Austin, Texas. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Houston with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Dance, she moved to the east coast where she has built a multidisciplinary arts practice spanning dance, writing, installation, and fiber art. She holds a New Jersey teaching certificate for high school English, is a 2012 Teach for America New Jersey corps member, and is the owner and artistic director of SMUSH Gallery, an art space dedicated to creative and community work in Jersey City, NJ. 

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Hidden Talent: Spreadsheets!

Faculty

Ava Jolie is from Northern NJ. She’s been dancing since age 3 and acting/singing since age 13. Ava has worked with choreographers including Rachelle Rak, Nijawwon Matthews, Hannah Wintrode, and Josh Assor. She has been training under Lane Napper in dance and acting techniques since age 11. Ava worked as Lane’s assistant at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and in BDC adult classes. Versatility is something Ava prides herself on in this industry. She studied Method Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She is also currently completing a certificate program with Bettina Sheppard at the Sheppard Academy of Vocal Arts where she studies vocal technique, music theory, piano, andsongwriting. Ava is thrilled to be teaching at Michele’s Dance Studio!

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Favorite Teaching Saying: "Imagine yourself on stage!"

Faculty

Homeria is an artist based in New York. She majored in Dance at the University at Buffalo and has continued to choreograph and perform in freelance projects in the New York/New Jersey area. Homeria has studied with many artists such as Tom Ralabate, Emily Greenwell, and Bo Park, and she is currently a member of the company Cross the Line in NYC. Homeria’s goal in class is to give students the space to take risks and grow their artistry. She aims to create a space that challenges and inspires artist, while also bringing fun and creativity to dance. In her class you can expect discussion, improvisation, and choreography based on the fusion of her training. Homeria believes dance informs our human experience through mind-body connection and hope artist can cultivate it in her classroom. 

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I feel super happy when: I'm cooking a new recipe

Faculty

Gina is a dancer, teacher and choreographer who has been dancing since the age of 3 years old. She has trained in many styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and more. She began competing at competitions at the age of 13 and traveled all over New Jersey. She attended the Academy for Performing Arts high school in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Gina graduated there in 2021 and continued her schooling at Montclair State University. She is set to graduate Spring 2023 to get her degree in Family Science and Human Development. She is now the president of the Montclair State Dance Company where she runs the organization, inspiring people to come out and dance just for fun. Gina is excited to share the love of dance with new dancers and she is excited to teach at MDS. 

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Favorite Animal: Axolotl 

Faculty | Studio Director

While Ross has performed as a dancer, choreographer, and musician all over the country and internationally, he has also taught at many of the best dance studios in NJ. He has been dancing and teaching consistently in Livingston, NJ since childhood. Ross grew up participating in almost exclusively tap and hip hop and continues to study these forms and participate in these cultures as part of his regular upkeep in staying an effective educator and studio director. Ross combines his passion for dance with a desire to understand how children learn. His years of experience and a belief that dance is for everybody have helped him develop a set of values and classroom tools to adapt to many different types of students.

His credentials include a B.F.A. in modern dance from Ohio University, a C.E. to teach dance and K-6 in NJ public schools, a Sivananda advanced yoga teaching certificate and he is certified by Rhythm Works Integrated Dance to teach children with special needs. Ross is also a certified dance teacher by the Dance Educators of America.

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Favorite Sweet Treat: Cranberry Cookies

Faculty

Diana is a first-generation American, NYC/NJ-based teacher, dancer, choreographer, visionary, and believer. She has diverse dance training and holds a BA in Contemporary Dance and Psychology from Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School. Diana has performed with nia love, the Isadora Duncan Dance Company, the Cotton Series and more, while continuing to grow as an educator, teaching dance at Greenhouse Arts Center, IHAD Foundation, and Michele's Dance Studio. As a lifelong learner, Diana creates safe classrooms for all students to explore different dance qualities, navigate physical challenges in movement and build genuine community. Her mission is for every student to feel seen, cared for and authentically empowered while learning about themselves and others. 

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Favorite Livingston Spot: Seymour's Cafe

Faculty

Gaby is a passionate and dedicated dancer who started training at the age of 18. She specializes in the styles of Street Jazz and Jazz Funk. Throughout the years she has trained at Broadway Dance Center with Chio, Carlos Neto, and Dana Alexa as her mentors. Gaby's journey also led her to become a member of The Hive Dance Studio training team in Rahway, NJ for three seasons. During her time with The Hive, she had the opportunity to hone her skills, collaborate  and contribute to the thriving dance community. Gaby is excited to combine her two passions: teaching and dancing. She looks forward to inspiring and nurturing the love for dance in her students, just as she has done throughout her dance career. Gaby is driven by the prospect of witnessing her students' growth and igniting their own passion for dance.

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Hidden Talent: I can order food in French!

Faculty | Special Projects

Heather is a dancer, educator, artist, and arts advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Dance from Point Park University and is the founder, director, and instructor of the award-winning dance program at County Prep High School, where she built a specialized curriculum focused on creative process with attention to cultural and social responsibility. She currently serves on the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workgroup for the National Dance Education Organization. She has presented professional development, movement workshops, and lectures for NDEO, Dance New Jersey, Jersey City Public Schools, Montclair State University, and the Brooklyn Arts Exchange. She has performed in a wide range of performance genres (modern dance, West African dance, tap dance, music, theater), in venues throughout the east coast, including the NJ State Theater, Mass MoCA, Ars Nova, White Eagle Hall, Chashama, and the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center. 

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Favorite Sweet Treat: Cap'n Crunch