Faculty

Barbara Gonzalez - Owner/Director

Barbara is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned a BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts. She was a member of the MGSA Modern Dance Company and the L.T. Hip Hop Dance Company, during which she performed in such places as the State Theatre, the Count Basie Theater, and the Legendary Apollo Theatre. Barbara has been a dance instructor since 1990 and currently teaches classes in jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, musical theater, lyrical, and production. She is Acrobatic Arts Certified and follows the professional curriculum for Acrobatic Dance. She has choreographed routines at both regional and national levels. Her routines have won multiple High Score and Overall Awards, Judges Awards, and Diamond Awards, as well as Technique, Entertainment, Precision, and Outstanding Choreography Awards. Barbara choreographed the Spring Musicals at Matawan Regional High School for 11 years. Her choreography has been seen in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, Applause, Cinderella, Fame, Hello Dolly, Annie Get Your Gun, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Curtains, Back to the 80’s, and The Wedding Singer. She is a two-time recipient and three-time nominee of the Basie Award for “Best Choreography in a High School Musical” from Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. Barbara has choreographed for various festivals, church choirs, cheerleading, pom teams, body builders, and fitness competitors. She currently choreographs audition solos for NFL dance teams, as well as competitive routines at studios throughout New Jersey. Barbara is excited to share her love of dance with the community and bring Studio B to her Hometown of Matawan!

Jayme Gordano - Jazz / Lyrical / Hip Hop / Company Choreographer

Jayme Gordano began dancing at the age of 2.5. She trained with Barbara Gonzalez from pre-dance all the way to pre-professional level. Jayme competed at the regional and national level for over 8 years. She has performed in benefits such as Hurricane Katrina Relief, Sunshine Kids Foundation, Disney’s Magic Music Days and The Marked Dance Project. Jayme graduated from Georgian Court University with a BA in dance and is a certified instructor with Acrobatic Arts. She continues her dance education by attending workshops, master classes, intensives and teachers conventions. Jayme has been teaching for 9 years at studios throughout New Jersey, specializing in hip hop, contemporary, jazz, acrobatics, lyrical and pom. She is excited to join the staff at Studio B and to share her love of dance with the students.

Duane Mitter - Contemporary / Hip Hop / Musical Theater / Company Choreographer

Duane is an active and versatile dancer, and has trained under various professionals including Deanna Destito, John Burella, and Ashle Dawson. He has been a part of "Dead Mans Party" as a featured performer for the last 2 years at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Duane has mastered disciplines in Hip Hop, including popping and street jazz. He

continues to train weekly in all hip hop styles, including locking and breaking. Aside from hip hop, he is efficient in contemporary and jazz. He has won numerous awards at various competitions. His work can be seen at competitive events, festivals, and showcases across New Jersey. Duane is active in the competition circuit.

Kyla Heinz - Tap / Company Choreographer

Kyla Heinz has been dancing since the age of three and has a background of musical theater, dance and art. Kyla was a member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble for seven years performing at venues such as NJPAC, SOPAC, Memorial Auditorium and several elementary schools for educational performances. She danced in Mike Minery’s Off Broadway show “Slide”, accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, tapping at New World Stages, Acorn Theater, The Supper Club and Terminal Five. She performed in Pier I, Riverside Park South’s Show “Tap Happens” and Joelle Cosentino's Impressions IV with Jason Luks' Tap Ensemble at Symphony Space. Kyla performed as Joanne the American tap dancer in Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg VA, USATODAY named Celtic Fyre "Best Amusment Park Entertainment". She is a True Talent Dance Competition judge, is a teacher at Rock the City and Mind Body Sole Tap Intensive. Most recently, Kyla tap performed at Radio City Musical Hall for Youtube’s 2019 Brandcast Event with Mark Orsborn’s Jam Project under the direction of Kyle Hanagami. She currently teaches and choreographs for studios around the NJ area and has her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from William Paterson University.

Danielle Valinotti - Ballet / Jazz / Hip Hop / Contemporary/ Company Choreographer

Danielle has been dancing since she was three years old and began dancing competitively at age nine. She has trained in a wide variety of dance styles and branched out into the dance team world in high school. Danielle was on the Old Bridge High School Dance Team for four years and a captain for two years. In high school, she began teaching dance classes at her studio which was where her interest in teaching originated. She majored in Elementary Education, concentrated in Special Education, at the University of Delaware. Danielle continued her love for dance in college as well. She was a member of the University of Delaware Dance Team for four years, taking home two Division 1 Hip Hop National Championships in 2019 & 2022 from UDA College Nationals. She graduated college in 2022 and continues to teach dance at Studio B Dance Company. Danielle is currently working on her New Jersey teaching license to teach elementary school. Dance has been a driving force in her life, shaping her into who she is today. She looks to inspire and empower her students of all ages and abilities. Danielle wishes to share her love for dance with her students and help them grow to reach their highest potential, as people and dancers.

Felicia Geran - Ballet/Pointe

Felicia began dancing at the age of 5, and has been trained in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hiphop, and Modern. She passionately went on to receive her BFA in Dance at Montclair State University where she worked diligently under the instruction of Nancy Lushington, Lonne Morreton, Lynne Grossman, Frederick Earl Mosley, Tyler Gilstrap, and Lori Katterhenry. After graduating, Felicia began dancing with the company 4JUNE, and can be seen in music videos for artists such as Lumidee, Chris Porter, and Jay Lavita. Felicia feels privileged to instruct young dancers today, and she is excited to join the staff at Studio B! She approaches all of her classes with an open heart and a smile, always encouraging authenticity, confidence, and creativity. Felicia’s goal is for her students to simply be who they are as they walk into the dance classroom, and to become even more of who they are before they walk out.

Jean Mackin - Pre Dance/Combo Classes

Jean has been dancing since the age of three. She began teaching dance at a local dance studio at the age of seventeen. Jean attended Rider University where she earned her BFA in dance through the dance program at the Princeton Ballet School. She went on to receive her elementary teacher certification and is certified in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade. After graduating, Jean moved on to teach for another dance studio where she taught dancers of all ages. After nearly ten years, she took time off to focus on her teaching career and her family. Jean is currently a Kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school and is very excited to share her love for teaching dance with the students of Studio B.

Charlie Nevlin - Student Teacher

Charlie Nevlin has been dancing for 14 years and has been with Studio B since opening. She began dancing competitively at age 6. She is apart of her high school dance academy along with being a member of the Matawan Varsity Dance Team and was the 2022-2023 competition captain. Along with that she is a Studio B Captain for the 2023-2024 season. Throughout her dance career Charlie has received many awards that showcase her leadership and dedication to her teams including “Athlete of the Week,” “Future Leader,” and “Maroon and Steel.” She is very excited for the year and cannot wait to inspire and guide younger dancers along with her teammates!

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Meet Our Faculty/Staff