 Miss Jessica Szucs Barlow is the owner and director of Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio, since its establishment in 2005. Jessica has been dancing since the young age of 2 ½ and has not stopped since. She has studied all genres of dance including, ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, pointe, hip-hop, musical theatre, and modern. Throughout her adolescent years she competed in talent competitions with her previous studios companies and many beauty pageants. The combination of these performances has molded her into the confident woman she is today. When Jessica performs in front of an audience she commands a presence. This is what she tries to instill in each and every student she works with. She has also been educating herself outside her studios since her teenage years, taking classes in NYC and auditioning for musicals and cruise-ships.
Jessica graduated in May of 2005 with a Bachelor degree in dance from DeSales University. Throughout her college dance career, she studied with accomplished teachers, Vincent Brosseau, Trinette Singleton, Lynne Mariani and more. She was a member of DeSales University Touring Company where she traveled and performed for schools, nursing homes, etc. Jessica was also a DSU dance team member and has been an active performer in DeSales Young Choreographers Series and Dance Ensemble throughout her four years. She has performed in various venues around Pennsylvania and attended American College Dance Festivals and educational dance conferences as well. Jessica brought her love of teaching to DSU’s Conservatory of Dance program providing for children in the outside community. While attending college, she studied courses in Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Modern, Dance History, Dance Composition, Kinesiology, Teaching Methods and also became a member of National Dance Educators Organization which advances dance education centered in the arts. Miss Jessica has also volunteered her time teaching dance at local elementary schools for their after school and Summer Recreation programs. Jessica is not yet ready to give up her days of dancing either. She continuously studies dance at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and attends conventions and workshops to keep up with the latest choreography and teaching methods. Jessica’s inspires her students to be the best dancers they possibly can and encourages a love of dance no matter what age, level or style.
Currently working with ‘Tapfusion’ and ‘Nicholas Andre Dance Theatre’ in New York City, Rebecca has been dancing and performing since she was four years old. Completing her Honours year of study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2006, she has had the opportunity to work with renowned international, interstate and local choreographers such as; Barry Blumenfeld, Nicholas Seligson-Ross, Ellen Stokes-Shadle, Reyes de Lara, Michael Whaites, Claire Dyson, Sue Peacock, Sandra Parker, Paea Leach, Justin Rutzou, Nanette Hassall, Tracie Mitchell, Pun Siu-Fai and Helena Moore.
A registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance, Rebecca also holds her Jazz Award and Teaching Diploma in Tap Dance for the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance. In 2002, Rebecca was awarded the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dances’ Blue Sash Award for excellence and achievement in performance. In 2005, she successfully auditioned for LINK Dancer’s Company and was also invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society in recognition of her academic achievement and excellence.
Being awarded these credentials, Rebecca has taught classical ballet, tap, modern, jazz, contemporary and lyrical nationally and internationally, and is looking forward to another wonderful year of teaching at Perfect Pointe Dance Studio.
Amanda Dean began dancing at the age of three and competing at the young, age of five with her first solo in many regional and national dance competitions. Throughout Amanda’s studio years she has studied, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical and Modern. With dance always being her passion, Amanda took a strong liking to tap. Amanda has performed at many community events and entertained all ages from young to old while dancing at county fairs, nursing homes and more.
While a student at Perfect Pointe, Amanda has studied with numerous guest teachers and artists at in studio conventions and master classes and has also participated in studio trips to Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She is currently studying Education and Special Education at Felecian College.
Miss Amanda has been a favorite of our students, ages three to six! She currently teaches Creative Movement, Kinderdance, Combo Classes and more. You can also find her in the studio office! Amanda is excited to be back for her 6th season at Perfect Pointe.
Lauren Saxer was born and raised in northern New Jersey. She began dancing at a local studio at the age of 2 and has not stopped since. While dancing locally growing up, Lauren also danced with the Broadway Dance Center children and teen program as well as their Arts in Motion Performance Company. In high school, she was a student in Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio’s first two years. Lauren was also selected, along with eleven other dancers from New Jersey, to attend the New Jersey Governor’s School of the Arts for dance. As a high school student, she had the opportunity to choreograph for several stage productions.
Lauren recently obtained a dual Bachelor of the Arts in Dance and American Studies at Rutgers University. While in college, Lauren was a company member of the modern dance company Insurgo Stage Project, participated in local flash mobs, and choreographed for several student concerts. She also managed the New Jersey Folk Festival, an annual event that celebrates the performance art and folk culture of New Jersey.
Lauren is currently working with the CJ Foundation for SIDS and dancing as much as she possibly can! She believes everyone is a dancer at heart and loves to bring it out of students while teaching. She is excited to be back at PPPAS teaching!
Dawn Norman Klein spent much of her childhood receiving dance instruction in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet and pointe at a local Sussex County studio. During those years Dawn was a member of her home studios dance company and participated in many regional dance competitions throughout NJ, NY and PA winning numerous awards. She spent many summers traveling into NYC taking classes at various workshops and conventions. During her high school years she served as a student-teacher at her home studio... this is where she discovered her love of teaching dance. Dawn was also a member of a competitive cheerleading squad at her high school and the choreographer of her high school dance team. Also, while in high school Dawn received her teaching certification from Dance Educators of America. Studying many genres of dance with renowned choreographers/teachers such as; Charles Kelley, Bob Rizzo, Nan Giordano, Karen Herbert, Robert Christopher, Bob Ziegler Beverly Veenker and Marguerite Long.
In 1988 Dawn became Miss Sussex Borough and went on to receive the honor of becoming Queen of the Fair at the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show. Also in 1990 she became the successor of the Miss Sussex County crown and competed in the Miss New Jersey Pageant. Dawn has also served as a judge for many local pageants and for 6 years acted as the executive producer, stage director and choreographer for the Miss Sussex County Scholarship Program, which is a local preliminary pageant to Miss America.
Dawn attended Montclair State College from 1989-1992 majoring in dance. She began her career as a professional dance teacher while in college. Dawn enjoys teaching young dancers of all ages and loves sharing her knowledge of dance with each of them. Her students have won numerous awards performing her dances at regional competitions while Dawn herself has received many special recognition awards for her choreography. Dawn believes the biggest reward in teaching is not the trophies, medals or ribbons that her students receive but to see their inner light shine whether they are in the classroom, at a competition or on a stage performing.
Dawn currently lives in Sussex, NJ with her husband Richard and their two children, Emma and Liam. She is an active member in her church where she and her husband are Senior High Youth Group leaders. Dawn is very excited about the opportunity to be teaching the joyful art of dance at Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio.
Kelsey Fuhrman originally from Faimont Minnesota moved to NYC to pursue her dance career at the young age of 18. Kelsey has been dancing since she was 5 years old studying the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and hip hop. Kelsey attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy when she first moved out to NYC, she then continued her dancing with her first professional gig as a dance team member of the the NY Titans Dance Team. Her training continued at Broadway Dance Center where she studied as in Intern, soon after that she became an assistant instructor to Derek Mitchell.
Kelsey has been seen performing with companies such as KPDC (Kelly Peters Dance Company) Morph Dance Company and UDA (Urban Dance Alliance). She has also performed with the artists Sylvia Tosun, Sasha Now, Rae, Amen-Ra, Ty Glascoe and Excite. Kelsey has done many Industrials for Macys such as Material Girl, Kipling and American Rag. Kelsey has been an assistant choreographer for the Knicks City Dancers and Calvin Klein, she is now teaching at Broadway Dance Center and looks forward to continuing her dance career as a choreographer.
Daniel Erickson trained and competed as a gymnast from age 7 into his college years. He attended Auburn University in Alabama where he was also a member of the cheerleading squad. After college Daniel was awarded the Richard Ellner Scholarship to train full time at Broadway Dance Center in New York. He received professional dance training from incredible choreographers like Frank Hatchett, Michele Assaf, David Howard, Andy Blankenbueller, and Sheila Barker. Additionally, he has trained and competed in Ballroom and Latin for the past ten years.
As a professional dancer, Daniel worked in several Amusement Parks, like Hershey's, Busch Garden's, and Universal Studios. He also performed on Cruise Ships as a Singer Dancer, in numerous industrials, charity events as well as in a hand full of Regional Theaters in shows like "A Chorus Line" & "Fosse".
Currently, Daniel teaches across the Tri-State area as well as working as a judge for three dance competitions. He continues to train and teach many styles across the country and around the world. Daniel is excited to begin his first year working as a Perfect Pointe instructor.
Jordan Heymann began dancing at the age of three at her dance studio in her hometown, she later began competing at the age of seven at both regional and national dance competitions. Jordan has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Modern, and Acrobatics. She continued her dance training at James Madison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in dance in May of 2011. While at James Madison University, Jordan was head of the Jazz section in the Madison Dance Club and choreographed and performed with them for all four years. She also taught at Valley Dance Theatre in Virginia for both her Junior and Senior Year of College. While teaching this year Jordan continues to audition in New York City for various dance shows and programs.
Jordan looks forward to continuing her teaching career and getting to know everyone at Perfect Pointe!
Andrea Fornarola, is a dancer, music theatre performer, actor, and
master teaching artist from Manhattan. She is a Magma Cum Laude graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo with a BFA in Dance. Andrea has worked as a professional performing artist, teaching artist, and fitness expert across the East Coast.
As a performer she has worked in the genres of concert dance, theatre, music theatre, and film. She has performed works staged by The Jose Limon Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She has been featured in Regional and Off Broadway productions, TV and Film. Recently she can be seen on
camera in the TV series Damages, Rescue Me and Nurse Jackie. Her choreography has been featured in many Off Broadway productions, The Steps on Broadway Performance Series, and at the Playhouse on the Green. Her work has been featured in interactive online marketing campaigns published by Main Street Direct. She is proud member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Actors Equity Association.
As a professional teaching artist, Andrea has taught master classes at The State University of New York at Buffalo, The SUNY College at Brockport, and Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. Andrea has served as the resident choreographer and master dance teaching artist for the Playhouse on the Green Pre-Professional Academy Program. She has served as the resident choreographer and music theatre dance teaching artist for the Fairfield County C.E.S. Magnet Arts High School, servicing students from southwestern Connecticut. Andrea has served as a master teaching artist and choreographer for the Connecticut Youth Ballet housed by Westport's Academy of Dance. In addition, she has privately instructed and coached students across the Tri State area in all idioms of dance, music theatre and acting. Many of her students have gone on to study at American Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The Rock School, Marry Mount Manhattan College, NYU, and University of the Arts.
Most exciting has been her work as a fitness professional, she has worked and developed programs for many upscale fitness facilities that service the elite and famous in Manhattan. She developed and instructed a series of group fitness classes for The Greenwich Club Residencies, a chic and upscale condo residence in lower Manhattan. As a senior instructor at Physique 57, Andrea has taught sold out classes to Manhattan celebrities such as Christy Turlington, Parker Posey, Kirsten Dunst, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kelly Ripa. She has been recognized for her excellence in teaching by high profile clients including editors of Vogue and Shape Magazine. In addition, Andrea is also a certified Zumba instructor and is AFAA certified.
Andrea is continually invited to bring her enthusiasm and expertise to Dance Studios, Fitness Studios and to private clients in Manhattan and the Tri State area. In February 2010, she founded Elements Fitness and Dance, LLC, which is an independent dance and fitness consulting firm located in lower Manhattan. She has worked with studio owners to develop customized fitness and dance programs for new and existing studios across New York State, and the Tri State area. Andrea is dedicated to her craft, and remains an active member of the professional dance and theatre community.
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Rebecca McCormac