The Jill Justin Dance Alliance

Jill holds a master's degree from Columbia University and believes that life-long learning is key to success as a dance educator. Her goal is to train students who will not only be successful in dance, but successful in life. Jill was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Edison Township.

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Q: Starbucks or Dunkin? Do you have a go to order?

I love both but my current favorite is Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream!

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

Growing up, my dance school was walking distance from my house. I spent all my free time there hanging out. I wanted to create a studio that was just as special to our students. That's why we always talk about our JJDA family because the studio is home for so many kids.

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Jen is a full-time faculty member and the Co-Director of the JJDA Company. Her dances have won numerous national championships and she was named Choreographer of the Year by Starpower National Talent Competition. Jen choreographed the music video Snowglobe by the artist Owel and has taught master classes up and down the east coast.

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Q: What do you listen to on the way to the studio?

I listen to my favorite podcasts - "Armchair Expert" and "SuperSoul Conversations"

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

I love hanging out with our dancers during long breaks at competitions. We play games and laugh a lot. 

Christina majored in dance at Allentown College where she studied with many contemporary artists including Robert Battle (Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre). Christina has taught ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical and contemporary for the past 22 years and is an award winning competition choreographer. This is her first year with Jill Justin Dance Alliance and is thrilled to begin dancing!

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Q: What do you listen to on the way to the studio?

Q104.3...I love classic rock!!!!

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

Hidden talent would be performing circus stunts like juggling, plate spinning, tight wire, trapeze and stilt walking! :)

Aanyse earned a BFA in Dance from Rutgers University. She has performed both internationally and at such renowned locations as The Joyce Theater in NYC. Aanyse is a graduate of The Jill Justin Dance Alliance and leads our Acro for Dance technique program.

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Q: Starbucks or Dunkin? Do you have a go to order?

Dunkin! In the summer I always get a medium caramel iced machiatto and in the fall/winter always a large hot tea with lemon and two honey packets or a large dark roast coffee with three sugars.

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

When I was younger I was a contortionist and I can still do some of the tricks. I also know and speak a little Mandarin. 

Calen is the founder and Artistic Director of Pushing Progress Contemporary Dance Company. Calen has been on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Peridance in NYC. Calen also traveled the country as an adjudicator for a national talent competition.

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Q: What do you listen to in the car on your way to the studio?

Depends on my mood. Any music I’m choreographing to, Banks, Taylor Swift, Waitress The Musical Broadway Soundtrack, The Radio

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

Nothing I would call a hidden talent. I play the piano, draw, sing, and COOK

Jessica has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and an associates degree in Performing Arts and Dance. She has been teaching children the love of dance since 1991. Jessica studied at The Ailey School and has a Creative Movement Certification from the Dance Education Laboratory.

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

I like to bake cookies.

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

I used to teach at Kids Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, the same place where Jennifer Lopez would attend. When her album "On the 6" came out, she went back for a visit and a concert. I was there. I remember feeling so proud to teach where JLo once danced.

Lindsay has spent her career as a dancer and actress, performing in the national tour of The Wedding Singer, in numerous regional theater productions and at such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. Lindsey has danced on the hit television shows The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Late Show with David Letterman. She is a certified yoga instructor and has taught at dance studios throughout the country.

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Q: Starbucks or Dunkin? Do you have a go to order?

Starbucks - Short Blonde Roast with a few ice cubes - it's always too hot to drink right away!

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

The sheer thrill of finding out the recital theme and costumes we would be wearing each year.

Carly began her teaching career as an assistant in the JJDA teacher training program. In addition to performing as a member of the JJDA Dance Company, she assisted classes and trained in the teaching methodology of our top instructors. Carly's love of children shows in every class.

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

I play the guitar and piano. I'm self taught!

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

Winning the victory cup with the JJDA Company for "Fashionista" at nationals in Connecticut.

Felicia appeared on the MTV hit show America's Best Dance Crew with the group SASSx7. Felicia danced for the NJ Devils and the Rutgers Dance Team. She appeared as a model in Dance Spirit magazine and in a variety of television shows, commercials and a music video for Kelly Clarkson.

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

I can do handstand push-ups...on a wall of course!

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

Dancing at the infamous Rutgers vs. Louisville game with the Rutgers Dance Team. ICONIC!!!

Devin is an accomplished tap dancer who performed in Maurice Hines’ off-Broadway show Tappin’ Thru Life. She was a member of the Tap City Youth Ensemble and performed improv at the Smalls Jazz Club in NYC. Devin was featured in Dance Spirit Magazine in their "You Should Know" section.

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Q: Do you have a hidden talent?

I was a varsity track athlete (hurdles/mid-distance) and I can recite 200 digits of pi (I don't know why lol).

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

My favorite movie growing up was White Nights with Mikhail Baryshnikov & Gregory Hines. When I was 16, I was selected by Baryshnikov to perform in a show that he directed. The next year I was in an off-Broadway show with Maurice Hines (Gregory's brother).

Maura attended SUNY Purchase College's Conservatory of Dance on scholarship where she received her BFA in dance performance and danced many lead/soloist roles. She graduated cum laude with extensive training in Ballet, Modern and Ballet Composition. 

Maura completed the ABT Teacher Training Curriculum has had the privilege of teaching at Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey. 

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Q: Starbucks or Dunkin? Do you have a go to order?

Starbucks - iced skinny vanilla latte with oatmilk

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Q: What do you listen to on the way to the studio?

I love hip hop music. Newer stuff is fun but especially older throwbacks. Anything to get me motivated!

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Stephanie trained under some of the country's top instructors as a member of the national award winning JJDA Hip Hop Company. Stephanie choreographed and starred in several music videos by up and coming artists. She has won multiple "Outstanding Hip Hop" awards for her choreography.

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Q: Starbucks or Dunkin? Do you have a go to order?

Starbucks! I go every single day and order an iced coffee even in the winter. Most days they have it ready for me as I walk in.

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Q: What is your favorite dance memory?

My all time favorite JJDA memory was when our studio won the highest scoring studio at Dance Xplosion and the dance I choreographed won the highest scoring group routine of the whole competition!