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PAST STAFF

Krystal Alexis
Krystal Alexis was born and raised in Central, NJ. A dancer since early childhood, she began her training over 15 years ago in the disciplines of Ballet/Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Musical Theater, and was a serious competition dancer. Upon graduating high school in 2009, Krystal continued her dance education at the Dance Department of Montclair State. Training under the influence of New York’s finest teaching artists, Nancy Lushington, Joao Carvalho, Maxine Steinman, Jennifer Chin, Cindy Thole and Lonne Moretton to name a collect few, Krystal studied the Horton, Limon, and Graham modern techniques. In 2014, Krystal graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Dance Education, receiving her Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing in Teaching Dance, Pre K-12. While dancing at MSU, Krystal performed works by Nancy Lushington, Karen Gayle, Rebecca Stenn, Earl Mosley, and Bill T. Jones. A particular highlight of her dancing was her soloist role in Joao Carvalho’s Dance Me to the End of Love in 2012.Outside of teaching for the Performing Arts Workshop, Krystal teaches for the Dance Connection in Hillsborough, NJ; and is a specialty dance instructor for Camp Gan Israel of Central Piscataway, NJ. Her past work experience also includes full-time positions at the First Avenue Public School in Newark, NJ, and the Belleville High School in Belleville, NJ; and a volunteered assistant dance team coach for Mount Saint Dominick’s High School Dance Team in Caldwell, NJ.A teacher that cares a great amount about her student’s growth and success, Krystal wants her dancers to realize their capability of achieving more than they imagine possible through teaching them how to aspire and work to their greatest potential. Her style of teaching creatively challenges students to move out of their comfort zone and into a new world of possibility. She creates a positive classroom environment for children to feel accepted and comfortable enough to express themselves fully through movement. Krystal would like all of her students to recognize their uniqueness; to know they are special in their very own way; and that each and every one of them has something special to share with the world.

Khateeta Emerson
Khateeta has a Master of Science in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University in addition to being an AFAA certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. She is versed in regular Zumba® classes, Zumba toning (body-sculpting techniques using Zumba Toning Sticks), Zumba Sentao (workout that incorporates chairs to improve strength, definition and endurance) and Qui-Force (designed to maximize endurance with the use of resistance bands). Besides doing Zumba and African dance, she works as a Process Safety Engineer at Merck Pharmaceuticals.Over 10 years of fitness training in dance, cardio, strength and endurance.Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor from AFAA. Zumba Instructor: regular Zumba® classes, Zumba toning (body-sculpting techniques using Zumba Toning Sticks), Zumba Sentao (workout that incorporates chairs to improve strength, definition and endurance),.Zumbatomic: Designed to help kids develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of their lives. A typical Zumbatomic class is 45 minutes. The classes are broken into two different age groups: Little Starz is for children ages 4 to 7 and Big Starz is for children 8 to 12.Qui-Force (designed to maximize endurance with the use of resistance bands)R.E.D. Warrior™ is an energizing, calorie burning experience fusing functional fitness and martial arts that works your total body and mind. Set to inspirational music, R.E.D. Warrior™ allows men and women of all fitness levels to improve their cardio, strength, and agility. By moving between five minute rounds concentrating on yourself with 2 minutes of active recovery engaging others, you enhance your mental focus, discipline and agility while taking personal responsibility for the intensity of your workout. R.E.D. Warrior™ leaves you feeling energized, engaged, and exhilarated.Cardio kickboxing: A combination of aerobics, boxing, and martial artsTotal Fit: A strength training class consists of upper and lower body strengthening with the use of dumbbells, and bands.Indoor Cycling: A cardio workout filled with intervals, hills, speed work and endurance training.

Mollie Eliasof
Mollie Eliasof is a New Jersey native and a dancer since the age of 2. For years, she studied at Dance Plus… a whole lot more as well as Beyond Dance; with their youth company, she had the opportunity to perform at Symphony Space in support of DRA, Dancers Responding to Aids. She also developed her first choreography pieces, Transcending to Darkness and Firestarter, at the age of 17 and continues to pursue her love of choreography.
Currently, Mollie is enrolled in independent study program at The Ailey School, where she has been studying with teachers including Milton Myers, Guillermo Asca, and Earl Mosley. She has previously attended summer intensives at the University of the Arts and The Ailey School; she will also be attending Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts this summer on scholarship.
She received her Pilates Mat Certification from Core Pilates NYC and will be completing her Comprehensive Certification from Balanced Pilates by the summer of 2015. Additionally, Mollie holds a Masters in Social Work and is a mental health therapist. She fundamentally believes in the power of movement and exercise for every person’s well being and looks forward to adding to your wellness through her class experience!

Ricci DiGirolamo
Ricci DiGirolamo was a dancer from a young age. Influenced by her grandmother and mother, who were both very invested in the arts, she found her love of dance in Ballet and, later on, Pointe. For 15 years, she attended the School of the Garden State Ballet, and was a member of its Youth Company for 11 years. In the Youth Company, she performed “The Nutcracker Suite,” touring with the company to many schools. Ricci was also priveleged to be a part of New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s “The Nutcracker” as well.Whether it was working at summer camps, babysitting, or at an aftercare program, Ricci always knew she wanted to mold the minds of future generations. She tried to always keep these children moving, believing that children should maintain an active lifestyle to do better in all aspects of their lives.Ricci received her degrees in education and biology from William Paterson University, and holds a provisional certificate in teaching K-5 and middle school science. She currently teaches second grade at Hoboken Catholic Academy and integrates her love of dance into as many lessons as possible, specifically teaching geometry and physics through movement. As a lifelong learner, Ricci finds new ways to elevate her teaching every day, and is thrilled to be a part of the Performing Arts Workshop staff!

Yemi Awoyera
Yemi Awoyera is a native of Washington DC and began her dance training at the age of 8. Miss Awoyera is a graduate of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, having earned her B.A in Dance and Performing Arts. She believes that dance has the power to inform us about life and the tenacity of the human spirit. Her goal is to spread that message through her performance and teaching. Yemi has performed at venues ranging from Walt Disney World,Times Square, Maryland’s local auditoriums, and NCAA’s college arenas throughout the East Coast. She has been a member of various dance organizations including: being a professional dancer for the USA Cheerleaders, a member and captain of her high school's dance company, and a professional flash mob dancer. Throughout her college career Miss Awoyera was a dancer for University of Maryland, Baltimore County's dance team, and an active choreographer and dancer in the Dance Dpeartment. Her teaching background includes being an instructor for several studios in the Maryland area, an assistant coach and choreographer to Hammond High School’s dance team and being a certified Zumba instructor. Since graduating from University Of Maryland, Yemi has relocated to Jersey City to expand her career as a professional dancer and instructor. She hopes to inspire all with her passion for dance and achieving dreams.

Laura McComb Van Dyke
Laura McComb Van Dyke grew up in Media, Pa and studied primarily at the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Rock School West and Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. During her last year in High School she was also able to study modern dance at Temple University alongside their B.F.A and M.F.A students. She earned her B.F.A in dance from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts and graduated with honors. In her freshman year she was awarded an artistic scholarship from the department of dance.
Laura has been teaching dance steadily since 2007, including 3 years at Hudson Dance and Movement where she was the Associate Director and co-developer of their ballet curriculum. Many of her ballet students have gone on to be accepted into the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Academy East in New York City.
Her professional performance experienced includes dancing for the New York City based company Kelley Donovan and Dancers, New Jersey based company Nikki Manx Dance Project, as well as co-creating and performing as part of a collective in New York called …and dancers. Her choreography has been presented at the Boulder International Fringe Festival, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and many venues and festivals throughout New York City and New Jersey. Laura has continued her own education as a dancer and teacher by continuing to take class and twice attending Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballets teacher’s workshop. Laura is also a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of New York.

Satomi Itohara
Satomi Itohara began her ballet training in her home town of Yamaguchi, Japan. Following a move to the United States, she continued her education at Utah Valley University on a scholarship, where she graduated with a BFA in Dance. Satomi moved to New York to train and was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet School Concert Group under the direction of Davis Robertson. As a member of the company, she has worked with choreographers such as Africa Guzman, Julie Bour, Larry Keigwin, Brian McSween and Davis Robertson. In high demand as a freelance dancer, she has worked with independent choreographers such as Jessica Taylor, Nichole Buggé, Shawn T Bible, Remi Harris, Eva Dean, and she is currently dancing with Nomad Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Kristen McGrew. She especially enjoys the challenge of collaborating to create new work and is thrilled to be a part of The Performing Arts Workshop.
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Susan Schneider
Susan Schneider, originally from Sterling Heights, Michigan, graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. She has passed Cecchetti Classical Ballet Exams I through VII, a notable achievement, and her pre-professional training included acceptance and participation in intensive programs at American Ballet Theatre (Detroit Satellite program) and The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.Susan specializes in working with young children in early physical development stages. In addition to her work for The Performing Arts Workshop, Susan is on staff at Garden Street Dance and Music in Hoboken, where she teaches creative movement, tap, jazz, hip-hop and ballet. Past experience includes long-term employment at The New York Kids Club, where she taught dance classes and supervised events for children of all ages.In addition to her teaching experience, she has performed in the International Drama festival in Beijing, China, in August Strindberg's A Dream Play. She also performed in Metropolitan Music at The York Theatre directed by Pat Hoag Simon and Robert Durkin, and was a member of the Macomb Ballet Company in Clinton Township, Michigan, directed by founder Ann Parsley. Susan’s ballet performances include the principle role of Swanhilda in the ballet Coppelia; Autumn Fairy in Cinderella; Canari Qui Chante (Singing Fairy) and the Sapphire Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty; the Birdie in Peter and the Wolf; and Soloist roles in Les Sylphides.Susan's current focus is bringing the joy of dance to young children. She emphasizes creative movement and musicality, as well as developing strength and coordination. She is a highly valued member of The Performing Arts Workshop’s teaching team!