Staff
Liz Perez
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Liz, who’s involvement in the arts spans over 3 decades, has studied with industry greats, such as, Dave Russel, Sheila Barker, Frank Hatchet and Germaine Salsberg. Lizzie is currently an Assistant Director/ Head Judge for Dancers Inc Competitions travelling throughout the country adjudicating young dancers. As a singer, Lizzie released a 12 inch single Titled, Not Gonna Be the One on Renegade Records. She also currently enjoys performing with various Wedding and Cover Bands. In Theatre, some of her favorite roles have been Miss. Hannigan in Annie and Anita in West Side Story. She has been awarded numerous choreography awards over the past twenty years. She has also choreographed several pre-professional musicals throughout NJ and enjoys teaching Master Classes throughout the country. Several of her students have gone on to perform on Broadway, at Radio City, in LA and can be seen on Glee. Lizzie is certified by both DMA and DEA, and in addition, works for the Passaic Public School System.
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Serena Ryan Cruz
Serena has been dancing since the age of 2 and a half and is a well rounded dancer who studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro and Tap. She grew up Competing, has earned Top Overall Awards and holds many National Titles. Currently, Serena travels as a Backstage Manager for Dancer's Inc and also represents EMPIRE as an Ambassador of Dance with Dancer's Inc. Her bubbly personality coupled with her passion and knowledge of Dance makes her an outstanding educator and mentor to our Recreational and Company students.
Serena has been dancing since the age of 2 and a half and is a well rounded dancer who studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro and Tap. She grew up Competing, has earned Top Overall Awards and holds many National Titles. Currently, Serena travels as a Backstage Manager for Dancer's Inc and also represents EMPIRE as an Ambassador of Dance with Dancer's Inc. Her bubbly personality coupled with her passion and knowledge of Dance makes her an outstanding educator and mentor to our Recreational and Company students.
Shannon Johnston
Shannon has been teaching acrobatics and many styles of dance for 10 years at studios all over in New Jersey. She studied dance and acrobatics at local studio, participating in various competitions over the years. In 2010, Shannon was awarded the national title of Miss Acrobat of the United States through United States Tournament of Dance. She continued her dance and pedagogy training at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts for dance, with a minor in psychology, as well as her Master of Education. She is a New Jersey Certified Teacher of Dance and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. In 2018, Shannon completed her training as an Acrobatic Arts instructor, which provided a dance based, wholesome approach to using the different parts of acrobatics in a studio setting. Shannon is also a certified Rhythm Works Integrated Dance Instructor.
Shannon has been teaching acrobatics and many styles of dance for 10 years at studios all over in New Jersey. She studied dance and acrobatics at local studio, participating in various competitions over the years. In 2010, Shannon was awarded the national title of Miss Acrobat of the United States through United States Tournament of Dance. She continued her dance and pedagogy training at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts for dance, with a minor in psychology, as well as her Master of Education. She is a New Jersey Certified Teacher of Dance and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. In 2018, Shannon completed her training as an Acrobatic Arts instructor, which provided a dance based, wholesome approach to using the different parts of acrobatics in a studio setting. Shannon is also a certified Rhythm Works Integrated Dance Instructor.
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Janiya McWilliams
This is Janiya’s 6th Season teaching at EPA. She started dancing at 3 years old and technically trained in Ballet, Tap & Jazz for 15 years. Janiya is an Award Winning Competitive Dancer with many accolades at both the Regional and National Competition Level. Janiya enjoyed the opportunity to travel and dance Internationally in London and perform at Disneyland Paris. Janiya is very excited to continue to share her knowledge and love for Dance at EPA. |
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Kyle Wilder
Kyle Wilder is a performer, choreographer, and instructor originally from Victory Gardens, New Jersey. He began his formal dance training at age 8 - studying tap, hip hop, jazz, ballet, and lyrical. At age 12, Kyle auditioned for and joined the New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble's Young Talented Tappers and has since become a Principal Dancer, Soloist, and Co-Dance Captain for the ensemble's professional adult company under the direction of Ms. Deborah Mitchell. Additionally, Kyle has had the privilege of working with master tap artists Savion Glover, Jason Samuels Smith, Maurice Chestnut, Jason Janas, and Karen Callaway-Williams among others. As a featured artist and soloist, Kyle has performed at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Apollo Theater, New York City Center, The Joyce, New World Stages, 54 Below, NJPAC, The New Jersey State Theater, and many more. He has also received critics’ mentions in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Star Ledger. In addition to performing, Kyle teaches and choreographs for numerous students and studios in the tri-state area. |
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Molly McGee
Molly McGee was raised in New Jersey where she began dancing at the age of four. Growing up she studied contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and tap at a competitive level. At seventeen she moved to New York City where she attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. At AMDA, Molly studied dance, acting, and singing and graduated with a degree in Dance Theatre. After graduating, Molly traveled and performed in AATMA Performing Arts, a Bollywood based dance company that put on the show “Mystic India: The World Tour.” Molly has many years experience teaching, including masterclass, intensive, and convention instruction, as well as choreographing experience for music videos and competitive dancers. |
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Estefano Gil
Estefano Gil was Born in Caracas, Venezuela where he began his training at Ballet-Arte School. In 2005, he joined Ballet Teresa Carreño performing demi-soloist and soloist roles. In 2007, he joined Caracas Contemporary Ballet under the artistic direction of María Eugenia Barrios. In 2008, he traveled to Colombia where became a member in Colombian ballet company INCOLBALLET directed by Gloria Castro, performing as a soloist. He has been part of international ballet festivals in Cali, Colombia and his native Venezuela. He has performed with these companies in Belgium, Holland, Russia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, among others. Since 2012, he has performed as a guest artist in Staten Island Ballet, New England Ballet, and FJK Dance company. His repertoire includes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Our Waltzes, among others. |
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Ariana Ormsby
Ariana has studied dance since the age of 3. She was an award winning soloist and competitor and is an Empire Alumni! Ariana danced with the Rutgers Dance Team and as a Cheerleader and is currently continuing her Education in Law and Dance. Her love of children extends past the Dance Studio as she also works in a Pre-School Classroom. Ariana is excited to share her energetic and nurturing approach with our Empire Students again this Season! |
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DaJuan Harris
DaJuan is a native of Paterson, NJ and is currently based in NYC. They graduated from The Joffrey Ballet School, where they served as a trainee in the Jazz and Contemporary program under the direction of Michael Blake. They have a wide range of training and it's influenced their career in more ways than one. DaJuan has worked with companies such as Humans Collective directed by Lauren Cox, Breton Follies directed by Breton Tyner-Bryan, The Leslie Lohman Museum of Art, and starred in the Off-Broadway musical "Fate Still Rest." DaJuan has also performed at such places as The Apollo Theater, U.S. Tennis Open, The Peter Norton Symphony Space, and The Jacob Javits Center. They've danced for artists such as Madonna, Todrick Hall, Jonte’ Moaning, Ariand and The Rose, and Spike Lee just to name a few, on top of their various live shows. DaJuan has appeared on TV shows such as Rhythm and Flow starring Cardi B, Fat Joe, etc., and most recently Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. DaJuan is excited to join the EPA family, and is looking forward to brining their love of dance to the next generation. |