Meet Our Dance Instructors

Taylor’s passion for dance began at the age of 4, where she then spent the next 14 years as an award winning competitive dancer. Taylor has studied various styles of dance including tap, hip hop, jazz, musical theatre, modern, lyrical, and contemporary. She then continued her education at Montclair State University, and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Public Health and a Minor in Dance. During her years at MSU, Taylor took on a leadership role as Dance Captain with the Montclair State Dance Company. Additionally, she has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC’s TapCity Showcase, and has studied with Karen Callaway Williams with the NJ Tap Ensemble. Taylor continues to train locally at teachers conventions, as well as in and in New York City.

Taylor has a decade of teaching experience and loves encouraging students of all skill levels. She is an award-winning choreographer, and prides herself on making the classroom a fun and safe space for everyone. 

Jennifer has had a passion for dance since she started at six years old. She was a competitive dancer for eight years in her hometown of Edison, NJ. She also decided to take on competitive cheerleading in High School and College. Her high school cheerleading team competed throughout New Jersey and went on to compete Nationally in Disney. That is one of her favorite places to visit since she is a Disney girl at heart!

While attending Rutgers University, Jennifer was part of the All-Girl Division 1A Cheerleading Team. She cheered all over the country and competed at the UCA College Nationals in Florida each year. Jennifer was honored with both a President’s Award and was a Scholar-Athlete Award Recipient. She still holds her heart at her Alma Mater which she shares with her children. For the past three years her daughter has now been dancing with the Rutgers Junior Spirit Team.

Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a major in Spanish and minors in Education and Psychology. She has a Master Degree in Foreign Language Education and a Certification in English as a Second Language. She proudly graduated with a 4.0 GPA and member of Phi Sigma Iota, Delta Epsilon Iota and Phi Beta Kappa.

Upon graduating, she taught High School Spanish at JP Stevens and Holmdel High School. She coached both Junior Varsity and Varsity cheerleading while in Holmdel.  She currently teaches in Metuchen, NJ in Elementary and Middle school.  Both of her parents were born and raised in Portugal which inspired her to pursue a passion in languages. She shares her love for the Portuguese language and culture by traveling there every year as a family. 

Jennifer has had years of experience teaching dance to children of all ages.  She has a passion for teaching dance while also private coaching for tumbling and cheerleading.  She is a firm believer of serving as a role model to her students. She is ecstatic to be part of the Mocean staff.