Directors:

Dana Keane has been teaching dance for over 20 years and in Howard County for the last 12 years. She danced professionally on Broadway in the productions of Cats and Me and My Girl as well as Off-Broadway and in National Touring Companies. She also worked on two Broadway workshops.  Dana received her dance training at Point Park College where she graduated with a B.A. in dance with concentrations in Vaganova ballet technique, jazz and modern. She graduated summa cum laude. Dana has choreographed productions locally for various schools and also for professional theaters across the country. She has worked with Tony award winning and MTV choreographers. Dana continues training and attends classes and seminars in New York City regularly.

Samantha Hunt has received ballroom dance training both in England and in America. She specializes in teaching private ballroom lessons and choreographing wedding dances. Samantha has developed a “Ballroom for Kids and Teens” program that she teaches for the studio and has taught in area public and private schools. She is currently a member of the Howard Community College dance faculty.

Samantha is an ACE, YMCA and Zumba Certified Group Fitness Instructor. She has had many years of experience working with children and youth as a special education assistant in the Howard County School system and as a Christian Education Director.

Staff:  

Alicia Arcieri brings extensive ballroom dance experience to the studio. Alicia competes in the International Standard at the Gold and Pre-Championship level.

Tracey Cribbin has danced with the New York City Ballet and in “Cats” on Broadway. She holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance, Choreography and Education.    

CJ Cunningham aka Bboy Bouncer has been dancing various forms of Hip Hop for 6 years. He has trained with the best Hip Hop choreographers in the industry including Dave Scott (You got Served), Jamal Sims (Step Up 2), Laura Edwards (Fish and Chix/MTVDance Crew) and many more. CJ has a unique style of Hip Hop that blends different styles such as break dancing with ‘popping and locking’.

Sandra Duerr has been teaching creative movement, ballet, tap, and jazz to children ages 2 to 14 and adults for 31 years across Maryland and Stuttgart, Germany. Sandra studied dance at Towson State and Peabody Prep.

Carlos Jarava has been teaching ballroom dance since 1985. He taught for the Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire schools in Maryland. In 1990, he taught Colombian Folk Dancing in Washington, DC. Carlos’ lessons focus on fun and recreation while including elements of good technique, correct posture, elegance and self confidence.

Aimee Jennings graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts with a ballet concentration and earned her B.A. in dance from Goucher College. Aimee has taught ballet and modern at Aesthetics Dance, Harford Community College, Harford Dance Theatre, Jane Bittner’s Dance Center and the Greater Dover Dance Academy.

Dejelle Johnson trained with Jay Holmes at the Peabody Institute in jazz and with Dr. Suvika Walker in Dunham technique. She currently teaches for Reginald F. Lewis High School where she teaches 10-12th graders dance and coaches a competitive dance team. She also has taught a dance program for high school students at Johns Hopkins University. 

Dottie Marasa studied and performed with Montgomery County Ballet Company. She graduated University of Maryland with a degree in Dance. She performed with the Maryland Dance Theater. Dottie has taught dance for 25 years in Howard County and 5 years in Baltimore public schools.  

Candace McKindra began her training with Cindy Velle. She continued training at Point Park College where she studied ballet, tap, modern, Dunham technique and jazz. Candace graduated with a B.A. in Dance. Candace also teaches locally for St. Patrick’s Catholic School.

Leslie Rufolo graduated with a BFA in dance from Towson University, majoring in performance and choreography. She has been teaching, choreographing, and directing in the Baltimore area for over 20 years, teaching for Towson University Children’s Dance Division, Caryl Maxwell Classical Ballet, Dance Expressions and Ballet with Cindee Velle.

Karen Titus has studied classical ballet and jazz at The New Jersey School of Ballet for over 16 years, performing in several musicals. Karen believes strongly in a good foundation for young dancers and brings several years of teaching experience. Karen’s overall dedication to health and fitness for children as well as adults will be incorporated into all of her classes here at Studio Dans.

Terry Whalen is a Zumba certified instructor trained by Beto himself. Terry taught dance for Howard County Parks & Rec. and brings her many years of dance training to Studio Dans.   

Chris Williams has taught Pilates for the Columbia Association, dance studios and fitness gyms throughout the area.