Staff
Liz Perez
|
|
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.
|
Ezequiel "Eezy" Olivares
Ezequiel, known as Eezy, is a hip hop Dancer who has been a member of the Kozmic Edge Dance Company and is currently the Vice President of the William Paterson Dance Team. He trains in various styles and has performed in World of Dance Boston and World of Dance New Jersey. He has also been featured in performances at NJPAC and Carnival, NYC. He is known for his energetic and vibrant approach to teaching and is excited to share this next Season with our students.
Ezequiel, known as Eezy, is a hip hop Dancer who has been a member of the Kozmic Edge Dance Company and is currently the Vice President of the William Paterson Dance Team. He trains in various styles and has performed in World of Dance Boston and World of Dance New Jersey. He has also been featured in performances at NJPAC and Carnival, NYC. He is known for his energetic and vibrant approach to teaching and is excited to share this next Season with our students.
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.
|
Nyasia Fraser
Nyasia Fraser began her training at a local studio in Clifton, NJ, where she studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, and Lyrical. She obtained her BFA in Dance from Montclair State University in 2018 and continued her education at New York University. In May of 2020, Nyasia graduated with her MA in Dance Education and was given a graduation award that recognized her dedication to the community and high academic achievement. Nyasia Fraser has made it her priority to provide an environment that promotes creativity and individualism to allow dancers to bring out their inner artist. Nyasia is so excited to join the Empire of the Performing Arts Dance Family! |
|
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. |
|
Craig Donnelly
Craig Donnelly is a New York based actor/singer/dancer, whose performed all over the continent with the international tours of A Chorus Line and CATS. Regional theater credits include North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre By The Sea, Westchester Broadway Theater, Gateway Playhouse, Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, American Music Theater and The Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. His passion for performance has translated to a decorated career in teaching and choreographing for ballet academies and competitive dance programs around the tri-state area. |
|
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. |
|
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. |