B.A., Dance / K-12 Education

Member, Studio Owner Alliance (Formerly International Association of Dance Entrepreneurs a.k.a. I.D.E.A)

Leader, The Gold Alliance

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Faculty, 2021 DanceLife Teacher Conference Do No Harm. Take No S***

Faculty, 2021 Dance Entrepreneurs Summit Small Studio Success

Panelist, 2022 I.D.E.A Member Seminar Genius Scheduling

Faculty, 2022 DanceLife Teacher Conference What Experience Has Taught Us

Panelist, 2022 I.D.E.A Member Seminar Downsizing

Panelist, 2023 DanceLife Teacher Conference The Right Fit for Me (Right Now)

Presenter, 2024 The Gold Alliance Leader Seminar Pas De Dialogue

Presenter, 2024 I.D.E.A Member Seminar Kind, Not Nice

Presenter, 2025 Dance Teacher Alliance Seminar Know Your Worth

Presenter, 2025 Dance Teacher Alliance Seminar Setting Healthy Boundaries

Presenter, 2025 Dance Teacher Alliance Seminar Mastering the Art of Adaptability in Different Teaching Environments

Panelist, 2025 DanceLife Teacher Conference The Next Chapter

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Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jaime Gong holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in K-12 Education from Marymount Manhattan College. A dancer all her life, she has been privileged to train under, and work with, some of the finest artists in the dance field since 1984. 

Early experience as an intern/assistant to master teachers at 92Y Harkness Dance Center and STEPS on Broadway provided a solid foundation in effective teaching techniques which— with continued professional development— have carried Jaime through more than two decades of teaching in studios, theaters, community centers, public schools & private schools throughout New York City and Northern New Jersey.

After facilitating a series of community dance programs for the Mill Basin Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library; piloting a school-wide dance program at P.S. 251 in Flatlands; and joining the faculty of The Performing Arts School@bergenPAC, Jaime transitioned into the field of arts administration as a member of the Education Department at New York City Center. There, she assisted the coordination of non-profit programs and professional development workshops inspired by the world-class artistry presented on NYCC’s Mainstage (i.e., Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor Dance Company), reaching hundreds of NYC public school students and teachers each season. She was also a member of the Junior School dance faculty at the famed Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, where she enjoyed two terms as Summer Intensive Director.

In 2012, Jaime founded Performing Arts Workshop in Jersey City, building on best practices cultivated throughout a multi-faceted career. Her personal mission is to foster an environment where children recognize and define their own worth, while partnering with families to instill the discipline and determination needed to succeed in dance and in life.

Krystal Galiczynski began her training over 20 years ago in the disciplines of ballet,  jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, pointe, and acrobatics. She continued her dance education at the Dance Department of Montclair State University in NJ where she studied ballet and modern contemporary dance from top professionals in the dance industry today.

In the Spring of 2014, Krystal graduated from Montclair State with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education, receiving her Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing in teaching dance, Pre K-12. Upon graduating college, Krystal had taught for The Dance Connection of Hillsborough, Camp Gan Israel of Highland Park, and the Performing Arts Workshop. These incredible teaching opportunities drove her to open up a dance studio of her very own in 2016.

Outside of her life as a studio owner and instructor, Krystal continues to train and pursue different professional development opportunities. She is a certified Flexi Stretcher ambassador and a certified specialist in the Acrobatics Arts Technique. Krystal returned to Performing Arts Workshop in January 2024, after 8 years as Founder/Director of Be You Dance Center’s Recreational and Competitive Dance Programs. Her warmth, expertise, and steady presence make such a powerful impact on our students. She brings out the very best in every child she teaches, creating an environment where they feel both supported and inspired.

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Rachel began dancing at the age of 3 in a homeschool group but discovered the true passion she had for it at the age of 11 and found her dance family. Home for her was at  a Broadway based dance company studying under retired Rockettes Heather Osarczuk and Kelly King, as well as original Cats performer Chris Sell and many other wonderful faculty members.

Throughout her training yearsl, Rachel had the opportunities to perform multiple times at Disney including in the Magic Kingdom parade, as well as on the Norwegian Cruise Escape, and at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York.

Rachel studied at Palm Beach Atlantic University where she received her BA in dance performance with a minor in physical education. The summer before senior year, Rachel spent time in Michigan teaching at a family friends studio and this is where her true love of teaching began. She decided to switch gears from performing to teaching the next generation of dancers with the same passion.

Rachel's favorite styles include Acro, Broadway Jazz, and Tap. Her goals as a teacher are to help the next generation of dancers create a healthy relationship with their bodies as well as preventing and caring for injuries that a dancer may experience. energy and passion for teaching light up every class. She not only challenges students as dancers but also supports them in ways that reach far beyond their dance goals, with genuine care that truly makes our students feel seen.

Ember Arp is a dedicated dance artist and educator, currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at Montclair State University, with concentrated coursework in dance education. She began dancing at a young age and went on to attend performing arts high school, where she specialized in dance and began developing her own artistic voice.

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Throughout her training, Ember has worked with a range of accomplished choreographers and teaching artists who have shaped her technical precision and expressive depth. Her foundation lies in ballet and modern, complemented by extensive study in contemporary, West African, jazz, musical theater, hip-hop, and tap.

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Ember views dance as both a means of communication and a catalyst for connection. She is passionate about creating inclusive, creative spaces where dancers of all ages can explore, grow, and discover confidence through movement. She looks forward to sharing her artistry and love of dance with her students, who, in turn, continue to inspire her curiosity, imagination, and joy in teaching.

Ruth Ann Batista was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and moved to South Florida at a young age, where she has been a local for nearly 20 years. She trained as a competitive dancer for over a decade, with experience spanning musical theater, stage performance, and technical dance. In 2020, Ruth Ann earned her B.A. in Dance Pedagogy from Palm Beach Atlantic University, continuing her training at Sean's Dance Factory in West Palm Beach.

In 2022, Ruth Ann relocated to Atlanta, GA to further explore her passions in dance. While in Atlanta, she performed at music festivals such as PumPum Fest and Oye Fest, choreographed original pieces for local showcases, and taught at several studios including TADA, Fleetwood Dance Studio, and CRS. She also trained with XCEL Talent Agency, KikiKastings, and Groove2Musik Studios.

In 2024, Ruth Ann moved to New York City to continue her artistic journey and deepen her professional training. She is currently on staff as an instructor at Ballet Hispánico and now Performing Arts Workshop, where she continues to share her passion for dance while expanding her reach as both a performer and educator.

Flora is a Manhattan-based freelance dancer and has been teaching dance to all ages for almost a decade. She started her early training at North Carolina Dance Institute and after graduating high school, continued her training at Nashville Ballet and Nashville Classical Ballet Academy under the direction of Aaron Orza. Flora has danced with American Repertory Ballet and Columbia Classical Ballet, and De La Dance Company before moving to New York as a freelance dancer. 

Flora is incredibly passionate about sharing her love for ballet and helping students feel confident and capable in their dancing.

Outside of the studio, Flora is also a personal trainer and spends lots of time cross-training with dancers to keep them healthy and injury-free!

Sonya has been part of the Performing Arts Workshop family since the age of three, growing from a bright and curious young dancer into a thoughtful, dedicated leader and role model. Over the years, she has trained in our Youth Performance Program, performed and competed with our Company, and served as Junior then Senior Class Assistant, demonstrating exceptional patience, empathy, and communication with younger students.

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Stepping into her first year of Assistant Teaching, Sonya brings a rare blend of warmth, discipline, and generosity to the classroom. She has an intuitive sense for guiding children with care as she helps them focus, learn, and feel confident in themselves. Known for her strong work ethic and collaborative spirit, Sonya continues to inspire our community of young dancers through her example and genuine love of dance.

George Giordanella serves as Board Secretary for Performing Arts Workshop and plays an essential role behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. A civil engineer and electrical engineer by trade (a woodworker, pianist and brilliant mathematician in his spare time), George brings a thoughtful balance of precision, patience, and care to everything he does.

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He has been a trusted part of the PAW community since 2012 and remains deeply invested in the mission and spirit of the organization. When he’s not helping manage the details that make big things possible, you can often find him cheering on the creative work of others, including our teaching team and students. His quiet dedication and steadfast support are a large part of what makes PAW feel like family.

Jacquie Bird has enjoyed a lengthy and fulfilling career as a triple threat, appearing on Broadway, film and television.  Currently a master-teacher/choreographer as well as a singer, writer and the designer/creator of SilkWire Jewelry, she has worked in close association with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City for the past 12 years as their choreographer extraordinaire.  She has been the director/choreographer for their fundraising galas at Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall for the past 10 years, the chorister roster growing to over 425 young singers ages 7-18 along with guest artists such as Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Lester Lynch, BeBe Winans, Norm Lewis, The New York Voices and Mandy Gonzalez.

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The Brooklyn native enjoys guiding aspiring performing artists and has taught and choreographed in Japan, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Bermuda and is a frequent guest in Bogota, Colombia at the Misi Escuela Teatro Musical and Colegio Rochester.  Domestically she has taught for numerous dance studios as well as organizations such as Dance Masters, Dance Olympus and Showstoppers. Jacquie has been a part of the faculties of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University (Theatre Department’s M.F.A. program); Lehman College; Steps on Broadway; Ballet Arts, and at the Broadway Dance Center, where she was a long-time assistant to the legendary Frank Hatchett and sometimes subs for Sue Samuels’ Broadway Jazz classes at the Broadway Dance Center and the Peridance Capezio Center.  

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Jacquie has also served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance at Hope College and was a guest teacher/choreographer at Stephens College, the University of Las Vegas and has been guest lecturer of Swing Dance at Hofstra University and at Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts since 2009.

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Jacquie holds a B.F.A. from the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts at City College and for more information or to contact visit her site at www.jacquiebird.com .

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!