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Helen Watts

teacher stretching Director of The Moderne Academie of Fine Arts
Instructor of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Pointe

Miss Helen is a graduate of Sullins College where she majored in dance. She has more than 35 years of teaching experience. Currently, Miss Helen is a board member of Dance Masters of America and Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey. She regularly attends continuing education workshops and conventions with professional teachers from around the globe.

Cecilia Lopac

Instructor of Acrobatics and children’s classes

Miss Cecilia is a graduate of Mason Gross and the Moderne Academie of Fine Arts. She has been teaching at the studio for fifteen years. Miss Cecilia has won regional scholarships.

Christie Cortese

Instructor of Acro

Miss Christie is a graduate of The Moderne Academie of Fine Arts and Fairleigh Dickenson University where she majored in Sociology and Biology. Her specialty is Acrobatics, for which she passed a syllabus exam. Miss Christie has five years experience teaching with The Moderne Academie. She continues to attend various dance workshops.

Denise Torsiello

Instructor of Ballet, Pointe, and children’s classes

Miss Denise attended Pointe Park College. She has eight years of teaching experience both with the Moderne Academie and other studios. We are pleased to add her ballet and pointe expertise to our faculty. Miss Denise also attends workshops and conventions.

Donna Lindgren

Instructor of Ballet and Tap

Miss Donna is a graduate of Sullins College. She has earned her Cecchetti certification for levels I and II. Her students have won awards at national dance competitions and scholarships. Miss Donna herself is a recipient of choreography awards for her work with competition groups. She is a member of the Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey and the Cecchetti Council.

Ellen Smith

Instructor of Ballet, tap, Jazz, and Lyrical

Miss Ellen is a graduate of The Moderne Academie of Fine Arts and Pointe Park College. Her professional experience ranges from touring with various plays, to performing in award shows and music videos. She has been teaching at The Moderne Academie for ten years and is a member of Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey. Miss Ellen continues to attend conventions and workshops.

Kathy Montagna

Instructor of Children's Ballet/Tap

Miss Kathy is a graduate of Point Park College with a BFA in Dance and is thrilled to have joined the teaching staff at MAFA. Her professional musical theatre experience has taken her throughout the US touring in productions such as Me & My Girl, 42 Street, Anything Goes, West Side Story and Gypsy. Miss Kathy is a member of the Actor's Equity Association.

Pam Polak

Instructor of Children's Ballet/Tap

Miss Pam attended Montclair State College where she majored in dance and was a member of the college dance company. She has 10 years teaching experience.

Ra-Sean Holloway

A Graduate of MAFA, Ra-Sean has toured with shows around the world from "A Chorus Line" to "Jesus Christ Superstar" for the last 10 years. He has choreographed shows for theatres around the county..."Smokey Joe's Cafe"..."The Wize." He also has performed "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" and done numerous industrials. He is thrilled to be teaching at the place he calls "home" and be part of the MAFA family again.

Tetyana Ivanyuk

Tetyana was born in Kiev, Ukraine. At the age of 7 she started training in rhythmic gymnastics. When she was 10 years old, Tetyana became rhythmic gymnastics champion of her city. Over the next few years she earned several medals in championships across former USSR, Ukraine and other European countries. The biggest success of her rhythmic gymnastics career was becoming champion of Europe in 1991. While training, she always loved dancing and choreographing. When Tetyana moved to USA, she started her dance career right away. Tetyana took classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps. Then she worked with different choreographers such as Glen & Brian and Frank Hatchet. In 1998 her dream came true when she became one of the dancers in Broadway show “Cabaret”. Tetyana performed in many other shows across the country. In 2003 she choreographed her own show in Brooklyn, NY that ran for over 2 years. Tetyana loves kids and teaching, she began her teaching career in 2000.