Meet Our Faculty/Staff

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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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 

 Christy Amato is an accomplished dance educator with over 15 years of experience in the field. She holds a master’s degree in dance education from Rutgers University and is certified to teach dance in both New York and New Jersey. Christy currently teaches at P .S. 22 in Staten Island, New York where she inspires children from pre-K to fifth grade through the art of dance. Her classes include creative movement, Ballet, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, helping young dancers develop confidence, creativity, and an appreciation for the performing arts. Beyond her work in NYC public schools, Christy is also thrilled to be an instructor at Studio B in Matawan, New Jersey where she currently teaches Ballet, Tap, and Jazz.  

Olivia has been dancing since age 3 and is a 2022 graduate of Studio B. She is attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy as a Dance Theatre Major. She was a 2022 Ambassador for Backstage Competition, and a 2022 captain and member of the Studio B Dance Company. She is excited to continue teaching and working with her Studio B Family while simultaneously continuing to further her dance education. 

  Charlie Nevlin has been dancing for 15 years and has been apart of Studio B since opening. She recently graduated from Studio B in 2024. Charlie was named a 2024 captain of Studio B Dance Company and also was a member of the Matawan Varsity Dance Team. Currently, she is a student at Ithaca College majoring in physical therapy and is continuing her dance education through a dance minor. Along with this she is a member of two on campus dance companies. She is so happy that she is able to continue growing as a dancer while also staying close to her Studio B family!