As a dance major at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and later Montclair State University (MSU), Andrea worked with faculty members Claudia Gitelman and Don Redlich. While at Mason Gross, she was selected by Laura Glenn to perform Jose Limon’s “A Choreographic Offering”, by Alvin Ailey for a partial summer scholarship to the Ailey School, and performed with Princeton Ballet II.

At MSU, Andrea trained under Lori Katterhenry, Sara Pearson, Shapiro and Smith, Jaclynn Villamil, Nancy Lushington, and guest faculty Murray Louis and Alwin Nikolais. She performed works by Doris Humphrey, Shapiro and Smith, and Antony Tudor. Andrea was a demi soloist with The Long Island Ballet and performed with Inner City Dance Ensemble while at MSU.

After graduating with a BFA in Dance, Andrea performed with Shapiro and Smith, Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre, and Wendy Perron at Jacob’s Pillow. She served as an artist-in-residence for Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre. Andrea danced for Prismatic Productions at Lincoln Center and was a founding member of Moe-tion Dance Theater. Her work has been accepted into the 14th Street Y’s Choreographers’ Series, Jennifer Muller’s HATCH Series, Sweat Modern Dance Series, Inter-borough Repertory Theatre’s “Dance for a Dollar” Series.

As a member of Infinity Dance Theater, Andrea helped challenge the definition of “dancer”. She continued to do so as an artist-in-resident at Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire teaching dance to individuals with disabilities, and then as Dance Coordinator of the Arts Access Program at Matheny Medical and Educational Center. In her time at Matheny, Andrea served as Artistic Director of the program’s annual production and celebration of the arts, “Full Circle”.

Andrea has taught dance for over 20 years. She has been a guest faculty member at The American Academy of Dance in Paris, Montclair State University for Freespace Dance and at Smith College’s Summer Dance Intensive. In 2002, Andrea founded New Jersey Arts Collaborative (NJAC). The mission of this not-for-profit organization is to support, promote, and unite fine and performing artists residing in New Jersey.

Monika Aimova started her journey to ballet while training for the Czechoslovakian junior Olympic gymnastics team.  It was here Monkia's teacher recommended her to audition for the best dance academy in the country - the Conservatory of Prague.  For the next 8 years Monika trained with Czech and Russian teachers in the Vaganova technique and Alain Bernard of Switzerland in contemporary dance.

During her 10 year professional career, Monkia was the lead dancer or soloist in over 1000 performances at major dance companies, theaters and television shows in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany.  Among the highlights were Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Peer Gynt, Carmen, Don Quixote, and Romeo and Juliet.

For 12 years, after moving to New Jersey, Monkia was director of the Ballerina/European Dance Academy specializing in ballet, pointe, contemporary dance, pilates, and acrobatics.  Besides teaching all levels and ages including adults, Monika choreographed hundreds of recitals, workshops, auditions and competitions for both groups and soloists.

Now teaching at studios in Chester, Sparta, and Hackettstown, Monika's focus is always on an individual approach to each students so that they can be the best they can be.

Alex Biegelson was born and raised in New York.  His love for dance and the theater began at the age of 9.  Within his first year of dance he was asked to apprentice, and then later that year he became a full fledged member of Figures in Flight dance company.  

His professional education started with his attending Professional Performing Arts High School affiliated with the Alvin Ailey school.  During his years at PPAS he was a fellowship student and danced with the junior division at the Ailey school.  He worked with such choreographers as Karen Arceneaux, Brian Brooks, Jay T. Jenkins, Earl Mosley, and Troy Powell.  Continuing on in his education, Alex attended Mason Gross School of the Arts graduating in 2009 with his BFA in dance.  He did periodic engagements with Randy James, Randy James Dance Works while attending college.

Since graduating, Alex has been working with Nicole Smith, Project: Smith, Samuel Pott, Nimbus Dance Works, as well as touring internationally with Donna Scro, Freespace Dance. Alex joined the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company in January of this year.

Debi Cutler  The word "dance" stems from the Old High German "damson," meaning to stretch, and from the earlier Sanskrit root "tan," meaning tension.

As a former competitive figure skater, and currently as a Personal Trainer and Flexibility Coach, Debi emphasizes the vital balance between flexibility and strength as a means of achieving great artistry.

Through her work with pre-professional dancers, Debi has developed a specialized flexibility program created specifically for the serious student of dance. Combining the training practices of Peter Martin of the New York City Ballet as well as select elements of the renowned Alexander Technique taught in ballet conservatory programs throughout the United States, her program focuses on safe stretch practices to enhance the dancer’s line, technique and, ultimately, their artistic expression.

In addition to earning her certification as a Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Debi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University. She is also the recipient of the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education.

Candace Haupt (Director of the Young Dancers Program) has an extensive background in all forms of dance.  She received her early training with Appalachian Ballet Company, Atlanta Ballet and received her Bachelor's degree in dance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

Upon moving to New York City to pursue dance professionally, Candace attended a workshop with the famed Margot Fonteyn at the Joffery Ballet School and she was given a scholarship to study with the school.  This lead to many company experiences with Windemere Ballet Theatre, Balinese American Fusion Dance Theatre, American Ballet Theatre and the Joffery School.

At the Joffery School, Canadace began working in the children's department as an assistant teacher as well as a rehearsal assistant for the children's productions and Joffery's Nutcracker.  Eventually, at the school director's request, she began teaching her own classes.  She brings many years of experience working with pre-school aged and young dancers.  Candace combines creative movement and basic movement skills with a strong emphasis on ballet technique.  Through movement, students also learn some basic music theory, games and the musicality needed to perform at an accomplished level.

Candace has now lived and worked as a ballet, tap and jazz instructor for the past 19 years in New Jersey.  She is the mother of Tyler, 19; and Max, 12; and has been married to Mike for 25 years.

Ana Luiza Luizi was born in Belo Horizonte/ Brazil and in 1992 began her dance education at age 8. In 2002 she graduated as a professional dancer and, joined the Sesiminas Dance Company. During this period Ms. Luizi toured throughout Brazil and Latin America, performing in renowned venues such as Castro Alves Theater, National Theater, Palacio das Artes and Colon Theater. Ms. Luizi performed lead roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Don Quixote and Raymonda.

In 2006 she was invited to dance at the Europe Ballet Conservatory of St. Polten, Austria, performing lead roles in various Conservatory ballet repertoires. Ms. Luizi enjoyed a very successful tour through China at that time.

Ms. Luizi came to United States in December 2007 to  guest for the International Ballet Theater, PA in their Nutcracker production. In the same year she joined New Jersey Ballet Company. In 2008 she toured Russia with New Jersey Ballet. Her principal roles include Cinderella, The Nutcracker and La Bayadere. Ms. Luizi is also a principal guest artist with the Staten Island Ballet, NY.

Tony Morales, a Bronx native, started his dancing in NYC where he studied Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Afro Haitian and found a real love for Classical Modern, predominantly Horton and Humphrey/Limon techniques.  While studying with Masters like Milton Myers and Ruth Currier, Mr. Morales found he also had a love for choreography and a gift to create.  As a choreographer Mr. Morales has self-produced 6 concerts in NYC, 3 at The Theater of the Riverside Church, one at Cunningham Studio Theater, the first at Context Theater, and most recently at The JCC of Manhattan.  Mr. Morales' work has also been presented at the Downton Dance Festival, The Hatch Festival, The Shaker Mountain performing Arts Festival, Summerstage NYC and The NuDance Festival.

In 2001 Mr. Morales created 3 new pieces in collaboration with contemporary legend Lucy Shelton and has reset older rep in collaboration with Soprano Mary-Ann Stewart, Pianist John Simmons, Cellist Erika Pickhard.  Mr. Morales most recently created "Armor Brutal" (in collaboration with Ms. Stewart) which premiered at Staten Island Ballet in May of 2012.  Currently, MoralesDance is on a very brief break but will be creating a new section for "Pleased 2 Meet U" this summer for 2 men as well as exploring a brand new piece with the help of Karina Lesko.

Dance credits include The Battery Dance Co. Wylliams/Henry Dance Theater under the direction of the late/great Leni Wylliams, Ballet of the Dolls under Myron Johnson, Milton Myers, Mark DeGarmo, Carolyn Dorfman, Deborah Carr, as well as guesting with other Co.s and dancing in his own original works in NYC.  Teaching credits include Jacobs Pillow, The NYC Public High Schools, Steps NYC, Dancespace, The Historic New Dance Group, has Barnard, Staten Island Ballet and is very excited to teach at Ballet Forte this coming summer.  Mr. Morales is also The Owner and Master Teacher of Circular Power GYROTONIC NYC.

Junio Teixeira started his ballet training in Divinopolis/ Brazil. Junio was  inspired by his older brother, who was also one of his first dance teachers. Along with ballet,  he trained ballroom dancing for over 5 years, and worked as  an entertainer doing many styles of dance including Salsa and Samba. 

In 1998 Mr. Teixeira started his professional ballet career with the Sesiminas Dance Company. Junio won first prize in many national and international competitions such as: Joinville  International Dance  Festival, Brasilia International Dance  Seminar and New York International Ballet Competition. In  2005 Junio was hired by Columbia Classical Ballet, SC, where he performed principal roles in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella,  Beauty and the Beast, and The Nutcracker. In December 2007  he was invited to join the New Jersey Ballet, and in 2008 toured Russia where he received tremendous critical success.

Junio Teixeira dances as a guest artist in many places in United States such as New Orleans, Colorado, Philadelphia, New York, North Carolina, Michigan and Delware. His principal roles include Espada in Don Quixote, Prince Siegfried/ Von Rothbar in The Swan Lake, Lucien in Paquita, and Oberon in  Midsummer Night’s Dream. Junio is also a principal guest artist with the Staten Island Ballet, NY.

Meagan Woods trained at Princeton Ballet School, and then at Princeton Dance and Theatre Studio where she later served on faculty.  She graduated with a BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts, earning the Margery Turner Award for Choreography. Meagan received her teacher training in Vinyasa Yoga from Sonic Yoga in NYC. She has performed professionally with Dana Salisbury, Sarah Skaggs, Glitterati and Insurgo Stage Project.  Filmmaker Orit Ben-Shitrit has featured her as a lead performer in her latest work. 

Meagan is the originator of Dance Within the Art at the Zimmerli Art Museum, and frequently serves as a choreographer and lecturer for the museum. Her choreography has been commissioned by Rutgers University, and has been shown at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, George St Playhouse, Grounds for Sculpture, Crossroads Theater, and New Jersey Performing Arts Center.  Her company will be in residence at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton for the 2011-2012 season.  She is a board member of Dance New Jersey and co-producer of Your Move, Jersey City's modern dance series.