Lauren

Lauren has been involved in teaching and performing dance for over 18 years and dancing for over 26 years. Her school Starz Performing Arts Academy Inc. is in its 14th year and has over 325 students. Lauren is also a member of Associated Dance Teachers of NJ & Elite Dance Forum.  The East Rutherford location is just ten miles outside of NYC gives Lauren and her student’s the opportunity to take advantage of all the wonderful classes and dance performances that go on everyday in the city. Lauren graduated from Montclair State University in 1995 with a degree in Fine and Performing Arts. She was a member of the MSU dance company and the choreographer for the sorority Sigma Delta Tau. She performed in many performances while getting her degree. Lauren has taught from the age of two and half up through adult classes. She has the patience to teach the beginner as well as the knowledge and discipline to teach the very advanced dancer. Lauren continues to takes weekly classes to hone her skills in the ever changing world of dance, so that she can bring the latest steps, music and safety skills to her students. Lauren has worked with various production companies in Atlantic City, Boston, Philadelphia and various venues through out New York and New Jersey. Lauren has choreographed for high schools and has judged national dance competitions.Her dancers have gone on to dance in college level programs and dance and model professionaly all across the tri-state area. Lauren continues to try to read, see and experience everything she can about the world of dance. Dance is not something she does, it is something she must do, it is who she is. Lauren has also added Mom to her bio; they are a great joy and they love all his friends at Starz. Lauren loves all her students and hopes that they will get a glimpse of this beautiful art through their weekly classes and that they enjoy dance as much as she loves to teach it.

Liz

Liz Piccoli (AEA/AGMA) has enjoyed her professional career as a dancer, instructor, choreographer and recently director. Regional performance credits: “West Side Story” (Virginia and Lyric Operas,) off-Broadway “Thin Line” at Dance Theater Workshop, “Shafrika, the White Girl,” (The Vineyard Theater, choreographed by Tony Award winning Luis Salgado,) and “Fat Camp” at NYMF. Liz has also performed three seasons with the Metropolitan Opera in productions of “Romeo et Juliette” and “The First Emperor.” Past choreography projects include work with the Knicks City Dancers and promotional choreography for the Dodgers Theatricals to promote Broadway’s “42^nd Street and off-Broadway’s “Fame.” She has choreographed industrials for Sirius Satellite Radio, Alfaparf Milano and Random House Publishing. Liz is the proud creator and co-owner of the production company “Crazy Sexy Disco,” which recently produced its’ first musical version at the Roy Arias Theater. She assisted in the direction of this production as well as the choreography and direction of the rock opera “Seduction” performed at the Gene Frankel Theater last July. Liz is currently a choreographer for The New York Jazz Choreography Project and had a piece well-reviewed at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in November. Most recently she has been an SDC Observer on Dan Knechtges’ (Zanadu, Spelling Bee) new off-Broadway show “Lysistrata Jones” and has also assisted Dan on the TV Land Awards opening number with Liza Minnelli and tango choreography for an episode of “White Collar.” This summer she will be choreographing a children’s production of the Wizard of Oz in Honolulu, HI. Liz is an SDC Associate Director/Choreographer and continuously strives to grow every day as a valuable and productive artist.

 Christina

Heather   

Heather has been dancing as far back as she can remember. From the early age of four she knew performing was the life for her. As a student Heather competed in jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and Pointe locally and nationally throughout the tri state area. After high school Heather began dancing at Montclair State University. In 2005 Heather landed a spot on the National Basketball Association’s Fan Patrol. This amazing opportunity allowed Heather to pursue her passion, dance all over the world with other top professionals, and promote for the NBA. Heather has performed at the 2006 and 2007 NBA-All Star games in Houston, TX and Las Vegas, NV. She has traveled to Guangzhou, China and Seoul, Korea to dance in the NBA World Games. Heather also participated in the NBA Europe Live Tour in Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Cologne, Germany and in the FIBA World Championship. During this time she performed center court with various celebrities such as Mya, Disney Channel’s Aly and AJ, Grammy award winner John Legend, and American Idol’s Carrie Underwood, just to name a few. Heather continues to take dance classes in New Jersey and New York City so she can remain educated in the field and keep up with the latest trends. Heather has added entrepreneur to her bio. Her dance retail store, Dance Wear Etc, opened in Nutley, NJ in August of 2008 and has been growing ever since. It carries a full line of dance shoes, dance wear, and accessories for children through adults. Most recently Heather became a New Jersey Hawkette; this dance team performs at various semi- professional football games, charity events, dance competitions and showcases.

Andrea -Ballet Master Teacher
Andrea is a graduate of Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City.  She toured with the Ailey student company throughout the east coast.  Her performing credits include Broadway, regional theatre, Nutcrackers, solo works, as well as movie and print work experience.
Teaching credits include Broadway Dance Center, Studio Maestro, both in New York City, as well as private dance schools and performing arts high schools.
She is a member of Dance NJ, and is also on the dance advisory committee for the Teen Arts Festival, Bergen County, NJ
Andrea teaches ballet, pointe, Lester Horton modern technique from The Ailey School, Theatre dance and Pilates throughout NY and NJ.
Andrea is happy to bring her energy and knowledge to the ballet students at Starz Performing Arts Academy

Michelle -Musical Theater

Michele began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Hoboken, NJ. After graduating from the High School of Performing Arts in NYC, she received a full scholarship to Adelphi University, where she earned her BFA in dance. Other scholarship awards have included Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and American Dance Festival. But after developing pain in her right hip after years of intensive training, Michele resolutely but eagerly chose to pursue her theater interests by learning lighting design and stage management, and hoped to honor the wonderful instructors she’d had along the way by becoming a teacher herself. Earning a BA in education, Michele began her second career as a public-school teacher in the North Bergen School District. Instead of being handed a theater position, her principal handed her a science textbook, so bringing theater into children’s lives would have to be extracurricular. Coordinating and working on school plays and musicals, and teaching lighting and stage crew became her newest passion—although not her only one. Today, Michele, after having earned an MA in Science Education, is an 8^th grade science teacher at Hackensack Middle School; and after school lets out this June, Michele will return to teaching/choreographing dance and musical theatre at the Caldwell Summer Arts Program for the 8^th year. Her continuing involvement with the Starz Performing Arts family brings her much joy, joy she shares with her daughter, Claudia, who appears to be following in Mom’s “dancesteps.”

Jeannine Severino
Jeannine has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years and began dancing at the age of 4. Zumba Fitness perfectly combines her two passions. Three years ago she became a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor and is also an active member of ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network.). Zumba has allowed Jeannine the opportunity to share her love of dance and fitness with a wider range of people. Nothing beats the feelings of seeing someone let loose and enjoy the music!  Zumba Fitness is so much more than just a workout, it is life changing.

Jeannine is so excited to be teaching at Starz!

ZUMBA FITNESS
Experience the world's largest Latin-inspired fitness program! ZUMBA: a fusion of Latin and international dance, it is a mixture of body sculpting techniques with easy-to-follow movements." Zumba is great for women or men, any age, all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. You do not need to know how to dance.

"ZUMBA Fitness: The Difference between "I Have To" and "I Want To"
"When it comes to exercise, people are thinking "I have to" work out. But when it comes to Zumba fanatics worldwide all "want to" Zumba! Be prepared to move to hypnotic Latin and international rhythms. Be prepared to lose yourself in the music and find yourself in shape. Be prepared to Zumba!" Just bring your smile, water bottle and towel and be ready for the most fun you've had while getting in shape.

Zumba will get your hips shaking and your heart pumping, and will keep you coming back for more.