DanceWorks Studios Staff


DWS Staff ________________________________________________________________________________________________
	Kathy Costa, director, teacher, choreographer and performer, holds a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University. Ms. Costa has been teaching and choreographing for 20 years. She is also an early childhood specialist, which has given her the opportunity to work successfully with the very young. Kathy continues her dance studies in New York City to continually provide her students with top quality, cutting-edge material. Her eclectic background includes training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap, and this diversity aids in training her students to become versatile dancers. She was the director of the dance program at the Montclair Cooperative School, where she taught pre-K through 6th grade and choreographed for school productions.

Ms. Costa has been Artistic Director of a teen touring company for 16 years. Under her artistic direction, the company has performed throughout the country and has been recognized as an outstanding dance company. The company has performed at both Lincoln Center in 2008 and Carnegie Hall in 2009. Most recently we have been invited to perform at both Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center in 2010. Kathy is also on the faculty at Montclair Kimberly Academy High School where she teaches dance (this is her third year on staff). Kathy is also certified by AFAA to teach fitness training at all levels. Her most recent area of study is in Kundalini Yoga, which she plans to share with her clientele in the near future. Ms. Costa continues to explore new and exciting venues to offer to her students. Her performing experience includes Downtown Dance Co., Montclair State University Dance Co., PM Dance, Video Works, and performances at Colorado College under the direction of Bill Evans. Kathy has also performed independently in various New York and New Jersey choreographers’ showcases. Ms. Costa is currently working with an ensemble and will be performing this Fall. Kathy’s training, energy, enthusiasm and love of teaching are evident in all her students.

Sonya Berenfeld is a graduate of New York University, during which time she danced at Steps and Peridance. She trained with teachers such as Carolyn Clark, Luba Gulyaeva and Natasha Girshov at the New Jersey School of Ballet, where she started dancing at age 6. She was part of New Jersey Ballet's Junior Company throughout high school and into college. She performed demi-soloist roles in the Nutcracker at the Paper Mill Playhouse and on tour with the company throughout the Northeast. She has also performed in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Concerto Barocco, Hansel and Gretel, Flower Festival at Ganzano and Le Bayadere, to name a few. Sonya started a ballet program and choreographed the shows at Surprise Lake Camp, where she was a counselor in 2004. Sonya is also a substitute teacher at Sharon Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts. She is currently a student at Seton Hall School of Law.

Tiffany Curl is a graduate from the Professional Children’s School in New York City. She is currently attending Montclair State University, where she is majoring in Dance & Theater. Tiffany has been studying dance at Broadway Dance School under the direction of Bev and Rhapsody. Tiffany does assistant teaching for Bev at Broadway Dance. Tiffany studied with the DC Youth Ensemble in Washington, DC. She was also part of the company and taught jazz, tap and tera-ti-Bu (African step dance). Tiffany was part of The PaperMill Playhouse Musical Theater Conservatory for 5 years. She has performed with the Maplewood Strollers, PaperMill Playhouse, PCS, DC Youth Ensemble, and in the Elmos Christmas Spectacular 2007. Tiffany started dancing at the age of 2 and is still dancing.

Judith Jaise Elins pursued her Fine Arts Degree at Kean College while teaching and studying dance and has been instructing and performing in the NJ/NY area for the past twenty years. She has studied Ballet, Jazz & Modern Jazz extensively in NYC with some of the greatest teachers in the dance community at The Alvin Ailey School, New Dance Group and Broadway Dance Center and credits Master Jazz instructor Frank Pietri for her strong style and knowledge of technique. She has had the opportunity to perform and choreograph throughout the metropolitan area and has appeared most recently as a performer and choreographer with DanceWorks Studios. Her credits include both stage and video performances. As well as working with the younger dancer, she has established herself as a prominent instructor for the adult dance student and is currently teaching at both DanceWorks Studios and Ms Hugettes Broadway Dance Studio.

Jaclyn-Ashley Laurino has been training in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and theatre dance for the past 17 years. In the past year, she decided switch her focus in order to train in standard and latin ballroom and now performs professionally in a variety of ballroom showcases with her dance partner, Vasily Nikeshin. In 2006, she was offered the opportunity to choreograph Rutherford High School's the musical of TheWizard of Oz, the same school in which she had graduated from in 2001. After high school she attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she majored in Dance and Musical Theatre. Currently, she is working on finishing her BA degree in Art History at Montclair State University. Jaclyn currently dances at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Dance With Me in Ridgefield, NJ as well as teaches at DIVA Ballroom Dance Studios in Goshen, NY. She looks forward to everything the art and dance world has to offer. Her passion for dance has always given her the strength to move forward even when things get tough. She often reminds her students to never lose sight of their dreams no matter what life may throw at them.

Lauren Bridget McGarrity began her Irish dancing career at the age of 4, along with her two older twin sisters. This is when her love for the dance began. While her older sisters decided this wasn’t there passion, Lauren began competing at this young age, traveling all over to Feis’ (competitions). Through hard work, dedication and many hours of traveling, Lauren began competing at the level Open Championship level Nationally and Internationally for the Kevin Broesler School of dance. Lauren has danced for many venues including NJPAC, Norwegian Cruise Lines, MetLife “Stars of Dance”, with the Chieftans, and Eileen Ivers to name a few. After graduating from DeSales University, Lauren danced under Island Heart Artists Agency with a diverse mix of Irish and Celtic Bands. Her favorite music to dance alongside to would be Celtic Rock. Today, Lauren works as an Account Executive with U.S.News in New York City. During her spare time, Lauren continues to share her love of Irish dance with students. Lauren is looking forward to teaching at Dance Works and sharing this wonderful and FUN culture of dance!

Emily McKinnon received her BFA in Dance and Choreography from Ohio University. For the past 8 years, she has been fortunate enough to perform with Kim Whittam & Company, Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Refractions Dance Collective, Kennedy Dancers, Anandance, Carol Nolte Dance Collective and Headless Horse Dance. During this exploration of learning, performing and teaching dance, Emily has been inspired to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She is a nationally certified personal trainer through AFAA and a certified pilates instructor through Steele Pilates. While continuing to study dance herself, Emily has recently involved herself in Thai Massage and Aqua Therapy. Emily is so excited to back at DanceWorks Studios to share and create.