Jennifer Israel - Director of Dance / Owner
Jennifer was born in Boston, MA where she began dancing at the age of 2. Her formal dance training began at the following renowned studios: The Jeannette Neill Dance Scholarship Program, The Ballet Theatre of Boston and Boston City Lights Hip Hop Company. Jennifer accepted a dance scholarship to attend Hofstra University in Long Island where she would commute to Manhattan for Broadway auditions. Through this dedication she juggled schoolwork while appearing on the Tony Awards for Broadway's Footloose. Shortly after Jennifer was selected to be a Miami Heat dancer. With great success she was then chosen to be a lead in Disney's The Lion King and shortly after the dance captain and company manager for Royal Caribbean International. Having established herself as a successful working performer in the industry, Jennifer accepted leading roles in West Side Story (European tour) and performed in the original cast of Jerry Mitchell’s Peep Show in Las Vegas where she understudied Kelly Monaco and Holly Madison for the lead role of Little Bo Peep. Jennifer was the stuntwoman in The Sirens of TI under the direction of Kenny Ortega and Travis Payne. She also choreographed several Vegas shows and performed with Cirque Du Soleil. Jennifer was wildly successful in Las Vegas and even had her own billboard and her face as the entire side of a major hotel. She was a headliner for Ivan Kane’s 40 Deuce in Vegas (Mandalay Bay), Hollywood (Café Was) and Revel in Atlantic City.
After a move to Los Angeles, Jennifer appeared in commercials, television shows and performed on stage live with major artists in the recording world such as JT, Kid Rock, Christina Aguilera, Jane's Addiction, Blink 182, The Pussycat Dolls, Ja Rule and DJ Dave Aude'. While in California, Jennifer found a Barre workout that she would fall in love with. This love of dancers workout motivated her to become certified in Barre and Pilates. For the last eight years she has been teaching and has found helping her clients achieve their fitness goals through a workout that has its roots in ballet is so rewarding. Jennifer is honored to be able to bring her personal twist on the Barre workout as well as her personal dance style to both the recreational and competitive dancers of all ages to the Upper Montclair area. Jennifer has taught dance at MKA Primary School and master taught at the High School as well and is thrilled that the studio will be expanding very soon.
After a move to Los Angeles, Jennifer appeared in commercials, television shows and performed on stage live with major artists in the recording world such as JT, Kid Rock, Christina Aguilera, Jane's Addiction, Blink 182, The Pussycat Dolls, Ja Rule and DJ Dave Aude'. While in California, Jennifer found a Barre workout that she would fall in love with. This love of dancers workout motivated her to become certified in Barre and Pilates. For the last eight years she has been teaching and has found helping her clients achieve their fitness goals through a workout that has its roots in ballet is so rewarding. Jennifer is honored to be able to bring her personal twist on the Barre workout as well as her personal dance style to both the recreational and competitive dancers of all ages to the Upper Montclair area. Jennifer has taught dance at MKA Primary School and master taught at the High School as well and is thrilled that the studio will be expanding very soon.
Elena Russo - Dance & Barre Instructor
ELENA began training at Dance Force where she was trained in various styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. At the age of 16, Elena began teaching classes and choreographing. She is a graduate Montclair State University specifically studying modern and ballet as a Dance major, while frequently making trips into the city to take classes at Broadway Dance Center. While at Montclair she performed in works by Stacey Tookey, Sara Hooks, Christian Von Howard, and understudied Polkaby Mark Morris. Most recently she was featured in Rick Ross’s music video as a model. Elena is very excited to join the HTB Kid's dance classes and both Competitive teams as a Choreographer.
Colleen Duddy - Dance & Barre Instructor
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Colleen is Originally from the Bay Shore of Long Island & currently a BFA dance major at Montclair State University. She has danced competitively for 12 years beforehand and has had much success throughout her years. She has been attending barre classes consecutively since 2018 and decided to take it to the next level and become a teacher by becoming Barre certified from Exhale. She is thrilled to join HTB as not only a Barre Instructor but also a dance teacher for the recreational classes & a choreographer for both Dance Teams.
She is passionate about what she does and wants everyone to love barre & dance as much as she does! |
Mikayla Batts - Studio Manager - Dance, Tumbling and Cheer Instructor
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Mikayla Batts is a current graduate from Montclair State University with a BFA in dance. Mikayla Batts grew up in Boston, Ma where she started her dance training at the age of 5. Ms.Batts studied at Stajez Dance Studio in Boston where she later went to Boston Arts Academy High School. Mikayla has also trained at The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Academy of American Ballet. Mikayla has worked with many well-known dance professionals. She has worked with Fredrick Earl Mosley, Alenka Cizmesjia, Abby Zbikowski, Nancy Lushington, Sheryl Pollard- Thomas, Ebony Williams, Christian Von Howard, and many more. Ms. Batts’ reason for dancing is to create an outlet and share her joy with others who need it. Mikayla’s work always focuses on how it can draw the audience in and how the music can convey a message through the physical movement of the body. Her goal as a dancer is to continue to create a movement that speaks volumes. Mikayla later wants to take her passion for teaching and dancing and become an artistic director of a university someday.
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