OUR PROFESSIONAL FACULTY

MILLENE MICHEL - Artistic Director

Millene has over 10 years of professional dance experience and over 20 years of teaching experience.  She trained on scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet school and Harkness Ballet in NYC.  Millene performed in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Japan.  She was on national tour in "Sugar Babies" with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller.  Millene taught at various schools before opening TDC with Mary Ellen.  Her choreography and students have won numerous awards and scholarships. Millene was named "Who's Who among American Teachers" for the year 2000 and 2005.

MARY ELLEN VOLZ - Studio Director

Mary Ellen has a BA in Elementary Education from Montclair State, where she  performed with the Montclair State Repertory Company.  She also trained in NYC and with the New Jersey Ballet.  Mary Ellen has choreographed such works as "Cinderella" and "The Nutcracker" for the Nikki Simon Dancers.  Her choreography and students have won regional and national awards including the 1999 Grand National Champions for Stars of Tomorrow.

SUZANNE CONTE      ACROBATICS

Suzanne Graduated from Kent State where she received a scholarship in Gymnastics.  She competed both at the college and High school levels.  Suzanne joins us after working closely with Miss Delores as both a gymnastics coach and dance instructor.  We are happy to have Suzanne on our staff. 

DANIELLE CAPPUZZO  - Pre school and staff coordinator.  Pre-school and combo teacher

Danielle has a BA in Speech and Theater, Dance and Dance Education from Montclair State.  She was an associate director and key instructor for her prior dance school.  In addition to teaching, Danielle also performed for many years throughout New York and New Jersey.  She joined the TDC staff in 2000.

KATIE DELPIZZO - PP, Combo, Hip Hop and Jazz

Katie started at TDC as a student .  She has a Dance degree from Hofstra University.  She has performed with the "Dance Works" ensemble at Hofstra.  Katie was a member of our Shooting Stars Competition Team.  Katie has studied dance in California and New York with master teachers from around the world. Katie trained for her certification in Ballroom Dance in California and loves to inspire ballroom dancers. DANA HARRINGTON - Combo, and sub

Dana recently graduated from Muhlenberg college with a double major in dance and education.   Dana has a well rounded background in all forms of dance.   She has studied under Miss Millene, MIss Mary Ellen, Miss Liz to name a few.   Dana served on the as president of the Muhlenberg dance club. She was a valuable member of the Shooting Stars competition team.   We are proud to have Dana on our staff and back at TDC. 

Jason Luks          Tap Mondays 

graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance.  In 2003, he was named the Adult World Tap Champion at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany.  Jason's credits include Tapoholics, Law and Order, CBS Early Show, Saturday nigh Live and the MTV Video Music Awards.  He performed in the 55th Presidential Inauguration celebration along with Hilary Duff in America's Future Rocks Today and, more recently in Spare Some Change: NYC Artists for Barack Obama, a concert to benefit Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Jason was featured in the televised New York City audition of So you Think you can dance in 2006 where he was sent off to Vegas.  He was named Young Choreographer of the year by ADA in 2005. Jason continues to choreograph and teach at studios and conventions around the nation.

Marijo Meehan - Ballet

Bio coming shortly

 LIZ PICCOLI - Jazz

Liz is a  professional performer, instructor, and choreographer. She is a graduate of Rutgers University where she was captain and assistant choreographer of the Rutgers Dance Team. Liz performed in “West Side Story” with the Virginia Opera. She has worked as choreographer for the Knicks City Dancers and as a back-up dancer for Pink in her NBA commercial. She choreographed promotionals  for "42nd Street and the off  broadway musical " Fame".  Liz is a current dancer with the Metropolitan Opera.  Liz has choreographed and judged locally and nationally for many national Talent competitions. We are pleased to have Liz on staff at TDC.

JENNIFER REBELS

Jenn started at TDC as a student.  She attended Rowan College and received her BA in Education; with a minor in dance.  Along with teaching dance at TDC, Jenn is a certified physical education teacher at MT. Olive Middle school and is head cheerleading coach at Mt. Olive high school.  She has studied all forms of dance and was a member of our Shooting Stars Competition Team. Jenn has studied in New York at Broadway Dance Center.

Melissa has been a valuable member of TDC for more than 10 years.  Melissa has trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical at County College of Morris, NJ Ballet and in New York City.  Melissa is an experienced teacher and performer.  She has choreographed award winning routines for the Shooting Stars Competition Team.   Melissa is also certified  to teach Pilates and Yoga. 

KELLY STENSLAND CIRONE -  Lyrical, Ballet, Team coach

Bio coming soon.

TECH      Hip Hop,  Boys only Hip Hop and Crew coach Currently touring with Salt-n-Peppa, Tech joins us after recently touring with Beyonce'.  He has al assisted Laurianne Gibson of P Diddy's  "Making of the Band 4".  Tech has collaborated on several projects and performances with Jon Rua.  He is also an instructor in the NYC public school system.  Tech recently opened his own personal training company, focusing on injury prevention and fitness for dancers.  We are thrilled to have Tech on staff at TDC.  

Kimberly Volz         Jazz, Combo, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip    Hop and Assistant team coach

Kimberly returns to TDC as a Rutgers University graduate.  She trained under Millene Michel and Mary Ellen Volz, as well as Liz Piccoli, Doug Shankman, Madame Elvira Franck, to name a few.  She has studied at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and was a member of the award winning Shooting Stars.