Staff
Miss Fran
DIRECTOR
- Certified New York State Teacher
- BA in Sociology and Education from SUNY New Paltz
- Masters credits in Special Education from Staten Island College
- Studied dance in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Connecticut and upstate New York
- Licensed Kindermusik instructor
- Previous 4th grade, Kindergarten, and reading teacher in Brooklyn, NJ (1973-1978)
- Choreographer of Freehold Township High School for 8 years
- Dance Coach of Freehold Township High School’s Dance Team for 8 years
- Specializes in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Performance and Competition classes
- Taught dance and movement seminars at western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
- Volunteered at the elementary schools in dance
- Choreographer for Center Players Theatre Group, Freehold, NJ
- Certifications in dance, aerobics, step classes, CPR
- Lives in Howell, mother of 3 children
- Original director of the Dance Den, opening in 1980
Miss Amy
- Teaches ballet, tap and specializes in street jazz and other contemporary jazz techniques
- Teaches performance and competition classes
- Member of New Jersey Dance Association
- Coaches and choreographs for Pop Warner Cheerleading
- NYSCA Certified
- Continues to study in Manhattan
- Lives in Howell with husband and 5 children
- Started at the Dance Den in 1981
Miss Heather
- Masters of Science in Dance Therapy from the Pratt Institute
- Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from The College of New Jersey
- Academy Dance Therapist Registered (ADTR)
- Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in NY (LCAT)
- Dance Therapist at Princeton House Behavorial Health (Psychiatric Hospital)
- Thesis on dance education and dance therapy
- Dance Graduate of Howell High School’s Fine and Performing Arts Program
- Teaching at The Dance Den for the past 15 years
- Administrative Manager at The Dance Den
- Specializes in Lyrical, Pointe, Ballet, Performance Tap and Jazz classes, and Competition classes
- Reception, and assistant recital coordinator, helping with the audio portion of our recital program and the organizational material
- Studies dance in Manhattan
- Previous Howell High School Dance Team Coach
- Certified in CPR
- Started at the Dance Den in 1981
Miss Emily
- Bachelors of Arts in Communication with a minor in sociology from Rutgers University
- Specializes in Jazz and Lyrical
- Studies dance in Manhattan
- Graduated from Howell High School’s Fine and Performing Arts Program
- Dance Captain for four years in Freehold Township High School
- Received prestigious award for “Growth and Development” at FPAC
- Previous Dance Counselor at the Ivy league Day Camp
- Was a Dance Den student for 15 years
Miss Angela
- Teaching dance for 10 years
- Part time Reception
- Teaches Tap and Jazz, specializing in Hip Hop
- Continues to study throughout New York and New Jersey
- 1994 recipient of the Dance Den’s Monica Ann Talcott Award
- BTS Certified Fitness Instructor
- Certified Zumba Instructor
- Certified in CPR
- Started at the Dance Den in 1983
Miss Kristin (Substitute Teacher)
- Specializes in Jazz and Tap
- Graduated from Howell High School’s Fine and Performing Arts Program
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgian Court University
- Bachelors of Pyschology, Dual Elementary Certification K-5 and Teacher of Students with Disabilites Endorsement
- Currently teaching 1st Grade at Farmingdale Elementary School
- Was a Dance Den student for 15 years
Many of our teachers have studied with, taken classes from, and participated in lectures given by the following dance artists:
Mia Michaels, Dan Karaty, Wade Robson, Gregory Hines, Anthony Locascio, Frank Hatchett, Debbie Allen, Ben Verene, Judy Rice, Joe Tremaine, Jerry Rose, Doug Caldwell, Desiree Robbins, Debbie Dee, Mallory Graham, Bob Rizzo, Cathy Roe, Gregg Russell, Deborah Vogel, Finis Jhung, Laurie Johnson, Danny Hoctor, Barry YoungBlood, Rhonda Miller, Bethany Hooks
Student Teachers and Assistants
We pride ourselves in encouraging students to become a part of our staff in an assisting role. Our younger classes often have a teacher and assistant in the room for extra individual attention. Our student teachers are honored to be specifically selected into our family and do so with enthusiasm, excitement, creativity and the joy of working with children.
