Meet Our Dance Instructors
MaryAlice Crelin
OWNER/DIRECTOR
MaryAlice Crelin is the proud owner and artistic director of Mocean Arts Company, where she combines her extensive performance background, professional choreography experience, and deep commitment to dance education. Known for her dynamic leadership and creative vision, MaryAlice is an award-winning choreographer whose competitive routines have earned top honors at regional and national levels.
A dedicated mentor and role model, MaryAlice fosters a studio culture centered on positivity, confidence, and discipline. She leads by example in the classroom, striving to instill in her students not just technical excellence, but also a lifelong passion for the art of dance and the perseverance it builds.
MaryAlice earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the prestigious Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she trained rigorously in ballet, modern, and jazz. During her time at Rutgers, she performed works by renowned choreographers including Trisha Brown, Stefanie Batten Bland, and Keith Thompson, and received mentorship in dance education from leaders in the field such as Barbara Bashaw and Frederick Curry.
Professionally, MaryAlice has performed in both concert and commercial dance, and continues to refine her craft through advanced training in New York City and Los Angeles. Her well-rounded experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator allows her to bring a professional standard to her studio while nurturing each student’s individual journey.
Originally from the Jersey Shore, MaryAlice began her dance training at the age of 10 in Ocean Grove, NJ. As a young competitive dancer, she studied a wide range of styles including jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, and contemporary, laying the foundation for her versatile and accomplished career in the dance industry.
Jennifer Cibelli
Instructor
Jennifer Cibelli is currently the Assistant Coach for the Rutgers University Cheerleading Team. With a strong background in both dance and cheer, she brings years of experience working with children of all ages, specializing in private coaching for tumbling and cheerleading. Jennifer is passionate about being a positive role model and is thrilled to be part of the Mocean staff.
A proud Rutgers alumna, Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with minors in Education and Psychology, as well as a Master’s Degree in Foreign Language Education and a certification in English as a Second Language. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into Phi Sigma Iota, Delta Epsilon Iota, and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies.
While attending Rutgers University, Jennifer was a member of the All-Girl Division 1A Cheerleading Team. She cheered across the country and competed at the UCA College Nationals in Florida annually. During her time at Rutgers, she was honored with the President’s Award and named a Scholar-Athlete. Her connection to the university remains strong, as her daughter now dances on the Rutgers Junior Spirit Team, continuing the legacy.
Before joining Rutgers Cheer as a coach, Jennifer taught high school Spanish at JP Stevens and Holmdel High School, where she also coached both Junior Varsity and Varsity cheerleading. She now teaches at the elementary and middle school levels in Metuchen, NJ, combining her love for languages and education.
Jennifer’s journey in dance and cheer began at the age of six in Edison, NJ. As a competitive dancer and cheerleader throughout high school and college, she participated in regional competitions across New Jersey and competed nationally at Disney, her favorite place, as a self-proclaimed “Disney girl at heart.”
The daughter of Portuguese immigrants, Jennifer’s deep appreciation for language and culture is rooted in her heritage. She travels to Portugal every year with her family, sharing her love for the Portuguese language and traditions.
Taylor Pallino
INSTRUCTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
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.
Njelama Dacas Johnson
Instructor
Njelama was most recently accepted into the inaugural class of the Alvin Ailey Teacher Certification Program and was a 2019 American Ballet Theatre Project Plié scholarship recipient, completing the National Training Curriculum for levels Pre-Primary-3. She previously directed the Rutgers Summer Dance Camp & Conservatory and studied abroad at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, United Kingdom which aided in her growth teaching students dance. During her time as a public school dance educator she wrote K-12 curriculums meant to enrich and prepare students for the changing landscape of the art world. Her passion and love for dance shines through in her teaching practices where she highlights the importance of not only movement but the joy behind it.
Her choreography credits include a 2025 Google Pixel commercial as well as high school productions of In The Heights, Urinetown, The Wizard of Oz, and PIPPIN. She is also a 2025 Count Basie Award nominee for ‘Outstanding Choreography’ in a musical, PIPPIN.
When she’s not cultivating the minds of young dancers, Njelama tries to spend as much time as possible traveling, hiking, painting and crafting.
Missy Ledwitz
Yoga Instructor for Young Performers & Mindset/Mental Health Coach for Competitive Dancers
Missy brings over a decade of dedicated yoga teaching experience to Mocean’s competitive team. This Jersey Shore native is uniquely positioned to guide young dancers in the art of yoga as she was a dance, music, and theatre major in college.
As a mother of three competitive dancers and collegiate cheerleaders, Missy understands the pressures and demands that come with performance. This personal insight fuels her passion for teaching children how yoga can be a powerful tool to enhance their dance practice.
Through her classes, Missy introduces dancers to essential yoga practices including stretching, breath work, meditation, and mental focus. Her goal is to give them the skills to manage anxiety, stress, and nerves, while helping them to shine brightly both on and off the stage. Passionate about sharing the transformative benefits of yoga, Missy is dedicated to nurturing each child’s growth and confidence, ensuring they perform their best, and hopes they carry these invaluable tools into all areas of their lives.
