Why DAC? Check out our 2023 promo videos to find out!
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The mission of DAC is to give our students an excellent education, starting with a solid foundation in proper dance technique. Upon that foundation, we want to instill artistry, creativity, and confidence in each one of our students. While technical proficiency is the basis for any aspiring dancer, we believe the aggregate of these qualities will create a well-rounded artist of the highest caliber.
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The curriculum at DAC is designed to prepare our students for every facet of the dance community. Our beginner students will be taught basic skills that can be built upon as their dance career progresses. Advanced students will continue to develop their technique and grow into sophisticated dancers. These students will also gain performance experience through dance concerts and studio presentations. With years of hard work and an excellent education, our advanced students will be prepared for the competition circuit, dance teams, collegiate dance programs, and professional careers. It is our responsibility as educators to have all of our students, from the youngest to oldest, to be well-rounded dancers and to prepare them for all avenues of the dance world.
DAC is proud of its commitment to providing the highest level of dance education. We also strongly encourage discipline, collaboration, and work ethic. Our studio is a place of learning the art of dance, however learning the art of dance is also learning about oneself. Students are encouraged to express themselves in dance while also paying respect to themselves, fellow classmates, instructors, and the studio. These building blocks will not only help our students in the dance studio, but also in everyday life.
DAC provides all of our students with a balanced combination of technique, performance, artistry and life skills. Above all we want our students to have fun and enjoy themselves. We provide a comfortable, professional, and safe environment that is conducive to learning. Our hope is that all of our students will immerse themselves in advancing their education and truly becoming the person and artist that they want to be.
Meet Our Faculty
Noell Mustazza, Director
Noell has been performing, choreographing, and teaching for the past 25 years. She received her early training at Wendy's Dance Center (WDC) in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. While studying atWDC, Noell became a well rounded competitive dancer in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and modern. Noell attended the prestigious Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University where she continued to expand her modern and ballet training. During her time at Temple Noell studied under world-renowned modern teachers such as Anne Vachon(Jose Limon Dance Company) and Phil Grosser(Martha Graham Company). While at Temple, she was also a member of the nationally ranked Diamond Gem Dance Team where she continued to work her jazz and hip hop technique. After graduation and receiving her BFA in Dance, Noell decided to jump head first back into the ballet world having been given the amazing opportunity to both train and teach at Wayne Ballet and Center for Dance Arts located in Wayne, PA. Not only was Noell able to cultivate her own teaching style at WBCDA (teaching jazz, contemporary, and ballet classes) but she was also able to study under Patricia Brown (Joffrey Ballet), Laura Brownstone (New York City Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance), and Lina McMenamin (Opus1). In 2008, Noell left WBCDA to open her own studio in Huntingdon Valley, PA: Dance Arts Conservatory- this was Noell's lifelong goal and crowing achievement! Over the next 10 years, while being the Artistic Director of DAC, Noell would take her love of ballet and modern and begin to work them into her own unique style of contemporary which she has been able to pass down to her own students. Currently, 95% of all of the students enrolled at DAC take contemporary classes and the DAC Competition Team is a power house contemporary studio on the competition circuit. Over the past 11 years, Noell has won numerous choreography awards, high score awards, and judges awards for her contemporary pieces.
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Michelle Figuerdo, Hip Hop, Jazz
Michelle Figueiredo, "chelliefig," is a dancer, choreographer, dance adjudicator, and master class teacher. She graduated magna cum laude from Rider University as a double major with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience, a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance, and a certificate in leadership. Throughout college, Michelle trained with American Repertory Ballet at the Princeton Ballet School, was the recipient of the Mildred C. Hawkins Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship, and is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Michelle is a former captain of the Sixers Dancers. Through the Sixers, Michelle not only performed at all home games during the 2012-2016 seasons, but also performed on an NBA China tour in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Lanzhou, Fuzhou, Dongguan, Nanchang, and in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2014, Michelle was selected for the NBA All Star Dance Team for the All Star Game in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, she has performed at the 2015 All Star Game in New York City. She has also performed during halftimes and other events with various artists including Nico & Vinz, Tag Team, Montell Jordan, Naughty by Nature, Pharrell Williams, and Vanilla Ice. When Michelle is not performing, she is teaching dance at numerous studios, giving master classes, and adjudicating dance competitions. Michelle's students have gone to train with the Rock School, Rockette Summer Intensive, and as trainees with Joffrey Ballet School.
Samantha Brown, Tap, Musical Theater
Samantha Brown was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, where she began her dance career. Under the instruction of Janette Brown, Samantha won several titles, overalls, and scholarship awards, including Ms. Dance Of Chapter 17 Dance Masters of America. She then moved to Philadelphia, PA to pursue a BFA degree in Jazz Dance at the University of the Arts. Not only is Samantha a certified member of Dance Masters of America, but she is an esteemed judge, teacher, and choreographer throughout the tri-state area. Professionally, Samantha has performed for Sting, with Disney in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, overseas in Saipan, Micronesia, and most recently with the Walnut Street Theatre's production of "Elf: The Musical" and "Grease" at The Sketch Club in Woodbury, NJ. Samantha is excited that she is a part of the DAC family.
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Cait Kraemer, Ballet, Contemporary
Cait Kraemer is a South Jersey native and graduated from Muhlenberg College Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Arts majoring in Dance and Theatre. At Muhlenberg, she focused her studies on Dance Education and Choreography, as well as theatrical Performance Studies. During her time there, she taught at the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center, as well as presented original choreographed works in the College’s main stage productions and as well as at the American College Dance Association’s Brockport 2019 conference. Cait is an alum of the Spring 2018 Dance Cohort at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Cait has danced professionally in showcases and performances in Philadelphia and New York City, as well as in Atlantic City.
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Emme Engelke, Pre Ballet/Tap Combo, Hip Hop
Bio coming soon!
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Becca Man, Acro, Lyrical, Jazz
Becca Mann, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania began her dance training at the age of 15 at JovoDance under the direction of Scott Jovovich and Liz Fitchett Jovovich. She continued her dance education and earned her BA in dance from DeSales University, having the opportunity to train under Trinette Singleton, Tim Cowart, and Julia Mayo. While at DeSales, Becca had the opportunity to perform pieces choreographed by artists such as Jeff Shade, Jessica Chen, Michio Ito (staging by Kumiko and Imura). She was chosen to perform solo features in work choreographed by Doris Humphrey (staging by Dr. Jessica Van Ort) as well as work choreographed by Paul Ocampo.
Since graduating college, Becca has danced professionally for Jessica Chen and eSKay Arts Collective both based in NYC. Becca currently teaches numerous dance styles including Acro, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Modern. She is extremely excited to be joining the DAC team and continue sharing her dance education with young artists.
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Donna Panarello, Musical Theater, Contemporary
Donna began her dance career at the age of 13, taking dance classes at many local studios in Bucks County and Philadelphia. She studied all styles of dance including: Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Hip-Hop, Tap, Irish Dancing, Ballroom, and Belly Dance. In addition to becoming a dance instructor she also holds her E-RYT and YACEP yoga certifications, Kids Yoga certification, Barre certification, Pilates certification, and specializes in Life Wellness for Postnatal Care. Miss Donna was part of her college dance team (Penn State), appeared in off-Broadway plays as both a lead and chores dancer (Lead dancer in Damn Yankees play), premiered in Atlantic City (at various casinos), and was a renowned professional belly dancer in the tri-state area for 16 years. She appeared in a Bollywood music video, and has won top title awards in various styles of dance throughout her competition years. She has taught classes, by request, at University of the Arts, University of the Sciences, Cedar Crest College, Temple University, and many other local studios. She continues to be a student of dance by taking master workshops and as many local classes as her schedule allows. She is honored and excited to be a part of the DAC family and share her love of movement.
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