MEET OUR FACULTY

BRITTANY STARR KISS

STUDIO OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Brittany Starr Kiss has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe and Salsa. Brittany has performed competitively as well as professionally. As a young competitive dancer, Brittany won many high score awards and National titles. Professionally, she was a dancer and Co-Captain of the Westchester Knicks and had the opportunity to perform at the NBA All-Star game at Barclays Center. She has danced for new upcoming artists Psyche of Sound and Los Productivos at venues such as Six Flags Great Adventure and The Ritz Theater.

Brittany was also fortunate enough to be a choreographed fan for Bruno Mars at the Super Bowl XLVIII Half Time Show at MetLife Stadium! She was a featured dancer/model for Disney’s K-Mart Fashion Show in NYC and also took part in a music video for independent artist, "Official Chase."

Besides performing, Brittany has a passion for teaching. Brittany is a proud member of Dance Educators of America. She has shared her skills, choreography and love of dance with many students in the tri-state area. She has shared her tapping skills at NADAA dance convention in MA and has also taken part as an assistant choreographer for multiple musicals at Roselle Park High School.

Brittany strives to have a welcoming and upbeat classroom where kids can learn and have fun at the same time! She is elated and proud to be able to share her passion with generations of students to come!

PATRICIA LAMANNA

DIRECTOR'S ASSISTANT

Patti LaManna was the proud owner of Broadway Flair Dance Company in Roselle Park, NJ for 25 years. Her love for children and the Arts led her to many endeavors throughout her career. Some of her fondest memories are traveling with her competition teams. Not only did they receive many high score awards and titles throughout the years, but the team also created lifelong friendships and memories for the families and students alike. She is proud to say that many of her students went on to be top dancers and choreographers in the tri-state area.

Patti also had the pleasure of choreographing the musicals at Roselle Park High School for 24 years. She is excited to be back in a studio environment and embark on this new journey supporting and watching her daughter live her dream as a studio owner.

CHRISTINE LIGGERI

OFFICE MANAGER/ INSTRUCTOR

Bio/Headshot coming soon

AMANDA RIVERA

INSTRUCTOR/ BIRTHDAY PARTY COORDINATOR

Amanda Rivera has been dancing for her entire life. Originally from Long Island, NY, she began competing at a young age, and continued to dance competitively until she graduated high school.  Amanda attended the dance program at Long Island High School for the Arts where she received vigorous training from industry professionals in modern dance, ballet, and jazz.  During her years at LIHSA, Amanda was also selected and given a scholarship to attend the Jazz and Contemporary Intensive at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in Manhattan.  

Amanda continued dancing after high school; she attended Manhattanville College as a dance major, earning her BA in Dance.  As a dance major, she trained with professionals from various concert and commercial dance backgrounds.  She also studied choreography at Manhattanville, and several of her works were chosen to perform in department shows.  Amanda was also a cast member in the film, Swag-N-Bach, choreographed by Peter Pucci, which was shown at the Jacob Burns Dance on Film Festival in Pleasantville, NY.

Currently, Amanda is teaching dance full-time.  Her choreography has won numerous high score awards at regional and national competitions, and several of her dances have been awarded “Most Entertaining” awards.  Amanda works very hard to build up confidence in all of her students, hoping that the confidence they find in dance class follows them wherever they go!

ABBY PREM

INSTRUCTOR

Abby Prem is a performer, choreographer and artist. Abby is a 2018 graduate of Nazareth College where she received her BFA in Musical theatre and a minor in dance. Abby has been dancing, performing and competing since the age of 4. Abbys favorite credits include; Pauline in Saturday Night Fever (The Engeman Theatre), Helene in Sweet Charity (Parker Esse) and Cleopatra in The Addams Family (Robin Levine). 

Abby has worked with on and off Broadway choreographers, directors, casting agents, and performers. Abby looks forward to creating a space where young dancers can dip their toes into the industry. Abby is an award winning musical theatre performer, but she also loves to choreograph for musicals, music videos, and competitive teams.

ALEXANDER DUTKO

INSTRUCTOR

Alexander Dutko received his pre-professional training on full scholarship at the Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts, School of American Ballet, and the Kirov Academy in D.C. In 2001, Alexander was named an A.B.T. National Training Scholar. He was the first male dancer to win the regional Youth Grand Prix award at YAGP, the world’s largest international ballet competition, and was among the “Top 6” finalists at the 2003 Youth America Grand Prix's New York City Finals in Lincoln Center. In 2004, Alexander was the first of 10 dancers invited to join the inaugural class of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. While at the school he was given the opportunity to dance in the 10th Anniversary Studio Company Gala at Lincoln Center, in the premiere of Jessica Lang's Veiled Calling. Upon graduating from the school, Alexander accepted a corps de ballet position in Miami City Ballet, under the direction of Edward Villella, performing and touring nationally in such ballets as Balanchine's Prodigal Son, Symphony in C, Serenade, Western Symphony, and the Nutcracker, Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, Paul Taylor's Funny Papers, and Villella's Don Quixote and Giselle. In the spring of 2007, Alexander choreographed his first ballet Venia for Miami City Ballet. In the fall of 2007, he became a member of Ballet Gamonet- Maximum Dance Company in Miami, performing soloist and principal roles in new works by Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros and Jerry Opdenaker. In 2009, Alexander became a principal dancer with the American Repertory Ballet where he has performed numerous soloist and principal roles in Douglas Martin’s: The Nutcracker, title role in the Firebird, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and Rite of Spring, Gerald Arpino’s Confetti and Viva Vivaldi, Patrick Corbin’s Follia, Kirk Peterson’s: The Eyes That Gently Touch, Afternoon of the Faun, Raymonda and Tears of the Moon, Twyla Tharp’s: Baker’s Dozen, Philip Jerry’s: Our Town and Mary Barton’s: Straight Up with a Twist and 5 Men and a Concerto. In 2011, Mr. Dutko performed as a soloist in the Career Transitions Gala at City Center in NYC, which was hosted by Nigel Lythgoe and Chita Rivera. In 2014, he became the founding Artistic Director of BalletCNJ in Hamilton, NJ. While Director, he started NJ’s first Daytime Professional Training Program in addition to overseeing the school’s Professional Programs. His students went on to compete in YAGP, YAGP Finals, and the Miami International Ballet Competition, where they won top prizes, medals, and scholarships including the Hope, Youth Grand Prix, Grand Prix awards. At these competitions, he received the Outstanding Teacher award for three consecutive years in addition to Outstanding Choreographer. In 2022, Alexander traveled to the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, where his student was selected as a finalist and is now in the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera Ballet. Mr. Dutko’s former students have gone on to train with the world’s top schools and have become professional dancers with the San Francisco Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet to name a few. Alexander continues his dedication to inspiring, mentoring, and training the next generation of top performers, passionate dancers, and unforgettable artists.

MACKENZIE FARRELL

INSTRUCTOR

Mackenzie began dancing at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since! Growing up in New York is where she found her love for performing. When she decided to become serious about pursuing a career in the arts, she moved her training to New York City. Mackenzie is a graduate of Oklahoma City University and received a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance. At OCU, she also took multiple dance pedagogy classes where she gained her love and knowledge for teaching young dancers. Since graduating, she has performed professionally in a variety of regional theater productions and has taught dance to all ages across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut studios. Her teaching goal is to create a safe space for students to learn, grow, and explore their ability to express themselves. No matter the age or skill level, Mackenzie will provide her love and knowledge for dance to guide her students to thrive in their dance journey!

JEFFERY GOMES

INSTRUCTOR

Jeffrey Gomes has trained in hip-hop, street jazz, jazz funk, latin street style ballroom, bollywood and  contemporary. He trained at Broadway Dance Center and Peridance in NYC. Some credits include  Samsung, Good Morning America, BET 106 and Park, and Barclays Center. As well as tours around the US and overseas to London and Seoul, South Korea.

LIZZY MORCOM

INSTRUCTOR

Lizzy has been dancing since age 4 and has not stopped! Born and raised in New Jersey, Lizzy started competing at age 10 and continued through high school. She has trained in a variety of styles, including jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, contemporary and musical theater. Lizzy trained under Brittany Starr Kiss from the age of 9 and was a part of the original Starr Dance Competition Company. Through dancing, Lizzy found her love of teaching. She was asked at just 13 years old to assist classes, becoming one of the youngest assistants. Since then, she has transitioned to teaching and training new assistants while also completing administrative work for the studio and running SDC's social media. Currently, Lizzy is enrolled in Montclair State University, pursuing a BA in Communications, with a minor in Political Science. Lizzy hopes to instill a love of dance in her students, just like she was taught at SDC. She is so happy to be a part of the Starr Dance family!

JULIA MUPRHY

INSTRUCTOR

Julia Murphy holds a BFA in Music Theatre from the University at Buffalo. She is an actress, dancer, choreographer, director, and singer with a strong passion for teaching the arts. She has worked with several professional theatre companies in Buffalo as a performer and choreographer, and she served as the Education Coordinator for Second Generation Theatre Company. She has also worked as a choreographer and dance soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. With experience as both a middle school and high school teacher, she is committed to the supportive and enriching development of young artists. She has been teaching dance for six years, and has found amazing fulfillment in helping dancers mold technique and style. She specializes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballroom, and musical theatre, but also enjoyed teaching middle school French and high school fitness. Now, she is the Education Coordinator and Office Manager at Luna Stage in West Orange, NJ. She is so grateful to be a new addition to the Starr family!

FERN PEREZ-GANI

INSTRUCTOR

Bio/Headshot coming soon

STEPHANIE TURANO

INSTRUCTOR

Stephanie Turano has been dancing since she was 5 and was taught and trained under Brittany Starr and Christine Liggeri while in high school. She started her college career off at The Culinary Institute of America where she studied Baking and Pastry Art, and just received her bachelor's degree at Montclair State for Business Administration with a concentration in Management. While teaching and being a full time student she somehow found time to pursue her Real Estate career. Stephanie is excited to start building up her dance career with the amazing family built here at SDC.

GUEST INSTRUCTORS

SAM BEHERNS

Originally from New Jersey, Sam Behrens is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, where she received her BFA in dance with a dual concentration in Jazz and Choreography. She was the recipient of Marymount’s Gold Key in Jazz, for the highest achievement in her concentration. Some professional dance credits include the Capezio ACE Awards, Bridesmaids: A Dance Narrative at Symphony Space in NYC, and the HBO series, Love Life. She is a member of the NYC based commercial dance company, TreadFAST. Sam has worked with numerous choreographers including Tracie Stanfield, Ellenore Scott, Peter Chu, Anthony Morigerato, Marinda Davis, Daniel Gold, KC Castellano, Steven Blandino, and has been mentored by Sidra Bell for choreography. Sam has worked on several independent films in NYC as a choreographer and associate director. She appeared as a featured dancer in several commercial campaigns. She is part of the faculty for Star Dance Alliance, as a competition judge, and for their summer convention, Powerpak, as an assistant and faculty member. In addition to performing, Sam is also a passionate educator and teaches and sets choreography at studios around the country.

JORDAN DUMAS

Bio/Headshot coming soon