And here at Studio 7, our faculty is highly qualified, experienced, talented, and enthusiastic. They are continually educating themselves through certification programs, teacher training schools, conferences, and other learning opportunities. The highest educational standards are expected from all Studio 7 faculty members. Every instructor at Studio 7 is not only committed to sharing their passion for and expertise in dance with their students, but also to instilling confidence, inspiration, determination, team work, and more within our dancers.
Samantha Bassett began her dance training at In the Spotlight in northern NJ. Turning her focus to ballet training began with the encouragement of teacher Lisa Danais, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet. Samantha’s passion for ballet led her to train for several years with Leonid Kozlov, a former principal with both the Bolshoi and New York City Ballet, at Kozlov Dance Academy. Samantha performed leading roles in numerous ballets and classical variations with Kozlov Dance International, including The Nutcracker, The Firebird, Swan Lake, and Paquita, and originated roles in works Kozlov choreographed for her. Samantha attended The School of American Ballet in NYC, the preeminent ballet academy in the US, studying Balanchine technique with world renowned teachers Suki Schorer, Susan Pilarre, Katrina Killian, Peter Boal, Garielle Whittle, Olga Kostritzky, and the late Stanley Williams, Richard Rapp, and Andrei Kramarevsky. Samantha attended Fordham University and performed and competed as a member of the university dance team Ram Rhythm. She took class at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center while attending college in NYC. Samantha holds a BA and MA in political science from Fordham University and a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. She resides in Wall Township with her husband and 5 daughters. Samantha is thrilled to get back into the studio & share her passion for ballet with the students of Studio 7. She looks forward to fostering a focus on artistry and technique in a positive and encouraging environment.
Taylor Hurle comes to Studio 7 from Jackson, NJ. Her passion for dance began at Jackson Dance Center where she trained intensively for 15 years. In the fall of 2020, Taylor graduated from Stockton University with a B.S. in Business with a concentration in Management and a B.A. in Dance. During her time as a dance major, Taylor performed in various works created by Beau Hancock and Shannon Murphy and served as rehearsal assistant to Erin Pasko and Katrina Richter. Taylor is an alumni of the Rockettes Summer Intensive. She attended the program every summer in NYC from 2013-2019. She has also had the opportunities to train under Rhonda Malkin in her prestigious Professional Dance Coaching program and Universal Dance Association’s College Summer Spirit Camp. Currently, Taylor instructs both competitive and recreational dancers in NJ and PA and is a full time graduate student at Stockton University pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree. She is also a fourth year member and President of the Stockton University Dance Team, who recently placed 2nd in the nation. Taylor is beyond excited to be a part of Studio 7 and cannot wait for this season!
Alisa Iacovelli is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer working in the New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia regions. Alisa was a member of Alchemy Dance Company, and has had the opportunity to perform under the direction of Artist House/Asya Zlatina & Dancers, Caitlin Quinn Pittenger, Rain Ross, as well as other artists. She began her dance training at Stagelite Academy of Performing Arts, and went on to receive B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Health Science from Stockton University. She recently graduated from Temple University with her Masters in Occupational Therapy. Throughout her training at Stockton University, Alisa has performed in works under the direction of acclaimed dance companies such as Gallim Dance, Lehrer Dance and Robert Moses’ Kin. She has presented her choreography at the Peridance APEX showcase, the iKada Contemporary Dance Festival, the American College Dance Association conference in 2016 and 2018, KYL/D’s Inhale Performance Series, the Koresh Artists Showcase, NYC Dance and Music Festival, and several other showcases. Alisa recently began teaching open classes at various places such as Powerhouse Dance, NDS Convention, local studios and more. She is also one of the proud coaches of the Stockton University Dance Team. Alisa continues to work as a choreographer and teacher as she moves forward in discovering her unique artistic voice.
Committed teaching artist, performing artist, writer, founder, photographer, choreographer, and mother, who has worked in NJ, NY, CT, ME, and PA. Trained, danced, or collaborated with former members of Joffrey, Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo, NYCB, ABT, Mongolian Opera, and Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Taught, guested, and lectured diverse student populations, including preschool through dance professionals, adults, and senior citizens. Founded schools and companies, created small works and full length ballets, built curricula, and instituted countless outreach services and events. Trained vibrant dancers who perform in all mediums of dance, from classical ballet companies, to Broadway and sports, including Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, Kirov Washington, North Carolina School of the Arts, Nutmeg Conservatory, St Louis Ballet, Missouri Ballet Theatre, Pa Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, New Chamber Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ballet Augsburg, First State Ballet Theatre, Pittsburg Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, National Tour of Hamilton, NY Knicks City Dancer, NJ Devils Dance Director, and Radio City Rockettes. Mother of four children, 2 of whom are dancers! Proprietor of Ballerina Biker Photography. Competitive archer holding state and sectional titles. Enjoys family, motorcycling, camping, skiing, and time on the water.
Karley was born and raised in Pompton Lakes New Jersey where she began dancing competitively at the age of 5 at the Performing Arts Academy. During her time at PAA she was crowned Teen Miss Acrobat of the United States 2014, Miss Acrobat of the United States 2016, was a Miss Dance of the United States finalist in 2016 and 2017, and received multiple regional dance and acrobatic titles throughout her competitive career. Karley was also a member of the United States Dance and Acrobatic Team for many years where she had the opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden, Disney, Hershey park and more.
Karley continued her dance career at East Carolina University as a member of their Dance Team from 2017 to 2021. Throughout these 4 years Karley served as practice captain, received the coaches award for the 2019-2020 season, and dedication award for the 2020-2021 season. Karley performed at division 1 football games, basketball games, and competed at NDA Nationals where the team placed in the top 3 in D1A Pom all four of the years Karley was a member. At ECU, Karley was given the opportunity to choreograph many hip hop and jazz half time routines.
Karley now loves to share her passion for dance and acrobatics through teaching. She looks forward to seeing her students improvements and always pushes them to be the best athletes that they can be.
Alyssa Todaro was born and raised in Red Bank, NJ and began her dance training at L.A. Dance Center of the Arts in Lincroft, New Jersey. Under the guidance of director Debra Nicolosi, she had numerous impactful performances, competitive opportunities and experiences. She began her dance career starting at the age of 3 and has continued her passion for dance ever since. She has trained in all styles of dance and competed in all styles competitively from the age of 5 to 21. During her training as a competitive dancer, she has received awards such as; Miss Teen Onstage America, Miss Dance KAR, and Miss Beyond the Stars. At the age of 18 she began her next chapter at Stockton University where she continued her dance training. Alyssa was accepted as a member of the Stockton Dance Company and also a member of the nationally ranked Stockton University Dance Team. Throughout her undergraduate career, Alyssa has had the privilege to work and study with artists such as Rain Ross, Caitlin Q. Pittenger, Nathaniel Beau Hancock, Chandra Moss-Thorne, as well as Shannon Murphy, Blythe Smith, Kathryn Vickers, and Lauren Putty-White. Throughout her dance program experience she also had the opportunity to take master classes from professional companies such as Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company and Tiffany Mills Company. As a member of the Stockton University Dance Team, Alyssa worked with her coaches Erin Pasko and Alisa Iacovelli and has also received the title of Captain and Vice President of the nationally ranked team. She has competed at the UDA College Dance Team Nationals held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Center in Orlando, Florida for four consecutive years. In addition to her dance training, Alyssa is a recent graduate of Stockton University with a degree in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Dance and will be continuing her dance career as a staff member of the Universal Dance Association. Alyssa will continue her passion for dance by trying out for professional sports dance teams and continue her love for both dancing and teaching here at Studio 7!
Christine began her dance journey at the age of three. She started with ballet, tap, and jazz which quickly evolved to add acro, lyrical, and contemporary. She started competitive dance at the age of eight in all genres and began private acro training in both a dance studio setting and gymnastics facility at that time as well. She began assistant teaching when she was thirteen and teaching her own classes at age sixteen. She has assisted, taught, and continues to sub at several local studios for both acrobatic and dance classes. She graduated from Raritan H.S. with an associate’s degree in social sciences from Brookdale Community College. While attending high school and college, Christine worked as a sub and assistant in a preschool as her love of children and teaching is in her nature. She brings with her the desire, experience, and ability to provide a fun, safe, learning environment at Studio 7.
Andrea Wachholtz began her training in Brooklyn, NY and went on to receive a scholarship with the New Ballet School associate school of the Feld Ballet Company, NY, NY. She holds a B.F.A. degree from Adelphi University, is an ABT certified teacher in Primary through Level 3.
She toured the United States, Canada and Mexico performing with such companies as The Empire State Ballet, Xing Ballet, Royal Dance Theatre, Mime Internationale, Buffalo City Ballet, The Staten Island Ballet, Ballet Deviare and Some Dance Company. As a soloist, Andrea had the opportunity to dance many classical roles as well as dancing the works of many prominent choreographers, developing extremely valuable experiences.
She has been a teacher and a coach with such schools and companies as…The School of The Empire State Ballet Company, Summit Gymnastics, The Arts and Education Institute of Western NY, Paragon Gymnastics, Staten Island Ballet Company and School, Poly Prep Country Day School as well as Ballet Mistress for Staten Island Ballet Company for two years.
Andrea owned and operated her own studio, Andrea in Motion inc. for ten years. She has worked and trained dancers helping them to reach their full professional potential.
Andrea is also a judge for regional and national dance competitions.
Andrea has also been choreographer for Adelphi University Cabarets, The Broadway Theatre Collective, The Empire State Ballet Company workshops, Summit Gymnastics, Paragon Gymnastics, Staten Island Ballet School, Poly Prep Country Day School, various dance studios, Sweet 16’s & cheerleading squads.
Andrea is dedicated to providing the proper knowledge to children and adults of all ages and capabilities that will allow them to grow both as a dancer and as people. To help them discover how to use their own actions and experiences through their dancing in the most safe, pleasant and enjoyable environment. She is committed to her continued professional growth, injury prevention and the development of exciting new programming.
Shaye Fletcher was born and raised in Cape May where she attended her mother’s dance studio, Cape May Dancers, from the age of 1 to the age of 18. Training under her mother’s direction not only built her passion for dance, but also taught her how to graciously and positively impact every single student that walks into the studio, both as a dancer and as a person. Growing up, Shaye participated in both recreational and competitive dance, which provided her with a large array of experience in all styles. Along with her own training, Shaye was able to teach alongside her mother and run acro and contortion classes, as well as teach private acro lessons. Shaye is a student of Stockton University, where she is studying Occupational Therapy and Childhood Studies with a plan to obtain her Masters Degree. Along with furthering her education, Shaye is also continuing her training on the nationally ranked Stockton University Dance Team as a team captain! Although she loves and appreciates every style of dance, she adores acro dance because of the never-ending possibilities of tricks, combos, and creativity for all levels from beginner to advanced. She is beyond excited to be able to share her expertise and love with everyone at Studio 7!
Sara is a professional ballroom dancer, specializing in latin dance such as Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, and Jive. She competes regularly and trains with top coaches at Rogers Dancesport Center, as well as names such as Tony Dovolani from Dancing with the Stars.
Sara is passionate about sharing her love of dance, and looks forward to each opportunity to teach students and bring out the best in them. Her philosophy is to train hard, but to still have fun and remember the joy that dancing brings.
Sara’s love for performing and dancing started as soon as she could walk, and she is grateful to work and spend her time immersed in what she loves.
Caitlin Quinn Pittenger completed her M.F.A. in Dance from Temple University in Philadelphia and her B.A. in Dance from Goucher College, with a concentration in performance and choreography. Caitlin has always been dedicated to her teaching and has been a sought-after guest artist, master teacher, adjudicator and faculty in the tri-state area. She is currently an Associate Professor of Dance at Stockton University, where she is also serving as Performing Arts Program Chair and Artistic Director of the Stockton Dance Company. In addition, she has had the pleasure of being a faculty member in the dance programs at Georgian Court University and Temple University. Pittenger has performed and toured with ClancyWorks Dance Company under the direction of Adrienne Clancy, and has worked with extensive artists throughout her training and career. Most recently, she has performed and collaborated with Rain Ross, Beau Hancock, Merián Soto and Eva Gholson, to name few. Pittenger continues to present her own work and perform in Philadelphia, New York City, and New Jersey. Her recent work has been highlighted in the Koresh Artist Showcase in Philly, Fringe Arts Scratch Night, and Jennifer Muller/The Works Hatch Series in NYC. Caitlin is a Dancers Workshop and SeaCoast Dancer Alumna, as well as a dedicated mother, artist, and scholar, who is passionate and grateful for the opportunity to create and share with the new generation of dancers at Studio 7.
2510 Belmar Blvd, Wall, NJ 07719 The Colfax Plaza
Studio A: Next to Anthony’s Pizzeria
Studio B: Next to Excel Physical Therapy
Studio C: Behind US Post Office
dance@studio7nj.com
(732) 280-1973
Reception Hours
Monday 4-8
Tuesday 3:45-6:45
Wednesday 3:45-7:30
Thursday 3:15-6:45
Friday 3:15-5:15
Closed Sat + Sun
©2024 STUDIO 7 Privacy Policy
Website by New Frontier StoreFront