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 was an Assistant Director/ Head Judge for Dancers Inc Competitions travelling throughout the country adjudicating young dancers for 17 years. 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, on Disney Cruiselines, 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.
Joseph Ancheta
Joseph Ancheta began his dance journey with FR3SH Dance Company, a New Jersey–based hip-hop troupe where he trained in street and funk styles, including popping, locking, and waacking. In 2015, he founded his own company, The Wannabes, which earned multiple top placements at regional competitions. In 2018, Joseph co-founded The Hive Dance Studio, New Jersey’s premier adult drop-in studio, offering high-quality training for emerging dancers. Alongside managing his company and studio, he worked as an assistant choreographer to Geo Hubela of Icon Dance Complex, collaborating on major projects with artists and brands such as DJ Khaled, Ella Mai, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade. He also represented Team USA at the 2019 IDO World Championships in Germany. Currently, Joseph serves as an Outreach Representative and faculty member at AMDA New York, where he teaches commercial hip-hop and continues to inspire and train the next generation of dancers
Joseph Ancheta began his dance journey with FR3SH Dance Company, a New Jersey–based hip-hop troupe where he trained in street and funk styles, including popping, locking, and waacking. In 2015, he founded his own company, The Wannabes, which earned multiple top placements at regional competitions. In 2018, Joseph co-founded The Hive Dance Studio, New Jersey’s premier adult drop-in studio, offering high-quality training for emerging dancers. Alongside managing his company and studio, he worked as an assistant choreographer to Geo Hubela of Icon Dance Complex, collaborating on major projects with artists and brands such as DJ Khaled, Ella Mai, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade. He also represented Team USA at the 2019 IDO World Championships in Germany. Currently, Joseph serves as an Outreach Representative and faculty member at AMDA New York, where he teaches commercial hip-hop and continues to inspire and train the next generation of dancers
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.
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.
ZaMya Camacho
ZaMya Camacho has been dancing for 18 years, beginning her training at just three years old and continuing through her senior year of high school, studying a wide range of dance genres.
She further pursued her passion for dance as a member of the Montclair State University Dance Team, where she became a 1× NDA National Champion in Division III Team Performance.
Today, ZaMya is excited to share her knowledge and experience as both a high school dance team coach and an instructor at Empire of the Performing Arts. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and looks forward to bringing her energy, dedication, and love for dance to the Empire family this season.
ZaMya Camacho has been dancing for 18 years, beginning her training at just three years old and continuing through her senior year of high school, studying a wide range of dance genres.
She further pursued her passion for dance as a member of the Montclair State University Dance Team, where she became a 1× NDA National Champion in Division III Team Performance.
Today, ZaMya is excited to share her knowledge and experience as both a high school dance team coach and an instructor at Empire of the Performing Arts. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and looks forward to bringing her energy, dedication, and love for dance to the Empire family this season.
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 he 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, and the 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, and Waltzes, among others.
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 he 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, and the 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, and Waltzes, among others.
Karina Aponte
Karina is a graduate of EPA and is furthering her dance career with the Ramapo Dance Team. Karina has a wide range of experience from lyrical to tap to hip hop, and more! She has been choreographing routines for the stage since she was 17 years old. She is excited to continue learning and sharing her dance knowledge with the students of EPA.
Karina is a graduate of EPA and is furthering her dance career with the Ramapo Dance Team. Karina has a wide range of experience from lyrical to tap to hip hop, and more! She has been choreographing routines for the stage since she was 17 years old. She is excited to continue learning and sharing her dance knowledge with the students of EPA.
Nicole Kusinko
Nicole is a bright light in every room she walks into—her warm smile and joyful energy shine just as brightly as her passion for dance and teaching. A proud graduate of Hofstra University with a BA in Criminology and Dance, Nicole brings a unique mix of creativity, discipline, and heart to her work.
With years of experience teaching tap, hip hop, ballet, and musical theatre to young dancers, Nicole is known for making every class a positive and uplifting experience. Her students adore her nurturing spirit and the way she makes learning dance both fun and empowering. Whether she's choreographing for a recital or leading little ones through an imaginative craft during babysitting, Nicole is all about encouraging growth with kindness and enthusiasm.
When she’s not teaching, Nicole shines on stage, having performed in works by acclaimed choreographers like David Parker, Larry Keigwin, and Frederick Earl Mosley. She’s also the proud recipient of the Lance Westergard Alumni Award, recognizing her dedication and artistry in the dance world.
Nicole is simply sunshine in motion—and we’re so lucky to have her as part of our Empire family!
Nicole is a bright light in every room she walks into—her warm smile and joyful energy shine just as brightly as her passion for dance and teaching. A proud graduate of Hofstra University with a BA in Criminology and Dance, Nicole brings a unique mix of creativity, discipline, and heart to her work.
With years of experience teaching tap, hip hop, ballet, and musical theatre to young dancers, Nicole is known for making every class a positive and uplifting experience. Her students adore her nurturing spirit and the way she makes learning dance both fun and empowering. Whether she's choreographing for a recital or leading little ones through an imaginative craft during babysitting, Nicole is all about encouraging growth with kindness and enthusiasm.
When she’s not teaching, Nicole shines on stage, having performed in works by acclaimed choreographers like David Parker, Larry Keigwin, and Frederick Earl Mosley. She’s also the proud recipient of the Lance Westergard Alumni Award, recognizing her dedication and artistry in the dance world.
Nicole is simply sunshine in motion—and we’re so lucky to have her as part of our Empire family!
Sol Lecour
Sol is a performing artist from West Orange, NJ who, since 2006, has trained in multiple forms of dance throughout the years including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pointe, and ballroom. She was a competitive dancer for 7 years and has also had the opportunity to study with the New Jersey School of Ballet and the Odissi gurus at Nrityagram in India. In 2024, she graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Theatre Studies.
Sol’s expansive performance and competition career also includes art forms such as theatre, singing, color guard, and stepping. She has performed with Performers Theatre Workshop at Don’t Tell Mama in NYC; in New Jersey Youth Theatre’s production of Midnight Madness in 2017; and most recently, at the Vanguard Theater Company in Montclair in productions such as Chicago, Tuck Everlasting, and A Chorus Line, among others.
Sol is excited to bring her knowledge and love of dance and theatre to the students of EPA.
Sol is a performing artist from West Orange, NJ who, since 2006, has trained in multiple forms of dance throughout the years including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pointe, and ballroom. She was a competitive dancer for 7 years and has also had the opportunity to study with the New Jersey School of Ballet and the Odissi gurus at Nrityagram in India. In 2024, she graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Theatre Studies.
Sol’s expansive performance and competition career also includes art forms such as theatre, singing, color guard, and stepping. She has performed with Performers Theatre Workshop at Don’t Tell Mama in NYC; in New Jersey Youth Theatre’s production of Midnight Madness in 2017; and most recently, at the Vanguard Theater Company in Montclair in productions such as Chicago, Tuck Everlasting, and A Chorus Line, among others.
Sol is excited to bring her knowledge and love of dance and theatre to the students of EPA.
Jenna Byrnes
Jenna Byrnes has been dancing since the age of two and has been competing with Empire since 2021. Over the years, she has won numerous awards at regional and national dance competitions. She is trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary, and loves growing in all styles.
Jenna continues her journey at EPA as an alumni, assistant, teacher, and choreographer. She is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of dancers while creating a positive and encouraging environment for them to grow.
Jenna Byrnes has been dancing since the age of two and has been competing with Empire since 2021. Over the years, she has won numerous awards at regional and national dance competitions. She is trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary, and loves growing in all styles.
Jenna continues her journey at EPA as an alumni, assistant, teacher, and choreographer. She is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of dancers while creating a positive and encouraging environment for them to grow.