Karina is the manager of the Dance Department at Closter Performing Arts. She is a highly qualified ballet instructor with a passion for dance education and accessibility. She obtained her Master of Arts in Teaching Dance in Higher Education and American Ballet Theatre Pedagogy from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. As an American Ballet Theater Certified Teacher, Karina is proficient in all levels of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Her comprehensive training equips her to provide students with a solid foundation in ballet technique and artistic expression. During her time at NYU, Karina gained valuable experience working with young dancers. She had the opportunity to assist primary classes at the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and interned with the Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive program. Her dedication to choreography was showcased in the NYU Masters' concert, where she crafted captivating dance pieces.

Originally from Brazil, Karina received her ballet training and completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology, specializing in child development and educational processes. This unique background allows her to bring a holistic approach to her teaching, considering both the physical and emotional aspects of her students' growth.

With over 10 years of experience teaching ballet, Karina is a seasoned instructor who understands the importance of creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. She believes in making dance accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background or ability. Her advocacy for accessibility aligns perfectly with our ballet school's values.

Karina's expertise, combined with her commitment to student development and inclusivity, make her an invaluable addition to our faculty. She strives to empower her students, fostering their love for dance while instilling discipline, technique, and artistry. With her extensive knowledge and genuine passion for teaching, Karina inspires her students to reach their full potential and discover the transformative power of dance.

Nicole Zadra is a highly accomplished ballet teacher with a rich background in ballet training and performance. Her passion for dance and dedication to her craft have taken her on a journey spanning both the United States and Russia. Nicole's training began in the USA, where she honed her skills at prestigious institutions. In 2012, she graduated from the Manhattan Youth Ballet on a merit scholarship, studying under the renowned Daniel Ulbricht. Seeking further artistic growth, Nicole pursued her training at the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia, where she graduated in 2014 under the guidance of Marina Leonova. Throughout her professional career, Nicole has graced the stages of esteemed ballet companies around the world. In 2014, she joined The Hong Kong Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet, where she performed in captivating productions such as Don Quixote, Swan Lake Act III, the Choreographers Showcase, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Turandot. Her time with The Hong Kong Ballet allowed her to showcase her technical prowess and artistry.

In 2016, Nicole joined Ballet Memphis, further expanding her repertoire and captivating audiences with her performances. She immersed herself in a diverse range of pieces, including classical ballets such as Giselle and Peter Pan, as well as George Balanchine's Square Dance, The Wizard of Oz, and various contemporary works. Working alongside esteemed directors and choreographers such as Nina Ananiashvili, Deborah Wingert, Maxim Beloserkovsky, and Brian Reeder, Nicole continued to grow as an artist.

Not only is Nicole an accomplished performer, but she is also an ABT certified teacher. She specializes in the National Training Curriculum, ranging from Pre-primary to Level 3, and has received the prestigious ABT Project Plie scholarship. Nicole's dedication to teaching and her passion for sharing her knowledge with aspiring dancers make her an invaluable asset to our ballet school. Throughout her career, Nicole has been recognized for her exceptional talent and received numerous scholarships for her outstanding achievements. Her training includes valuable experiences at renowned institutions such as The Alvin Ailey School, NYSSSA, The Rock School, Boston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

During her training, Nicole gained extensive performance experience, gracing the stages of prestigious venues. Highlights of her career include notable roles in productions such as La Fille Mal Gardée at the Bolshoi Theater, The Sleeping Beauty and the Hungarian Rhapsody at the Kremlin Palace in Russia, and Jerome Robbins' Interplay.

Her versatility extends to contemporary, character dance, and jazz pieces, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences with a wide range of dance styles. With her wealth of experience and passion for ballet, Nicole Zadra brings a unique perspective to her teaching. Her nurturing approach, combined with her technical expertise, helps students develop their skills and artistic expression. We are thrilled to have Nicole as part of our esteemed faculty, where she inspires and guides aspiring dancers on their journey towards excellence in ballet.

Sanghee Lee is an accomplished ballet dancer and educator originally from Seoul, South Korea. She holds a BA in Dance and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Dance Convergence Contents from Dongduk Women's University. Sanghee's passion for ballet began at a young age, and she honed her skills at the renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in Seoul. She also graduated from Deokwon Arts High School, where she specialized in ballet. Throughout her career, Sanghee has performed a wide range of roles in both classical ballet and contemporary dance pieces. She has been a member of the esteemed SEO Ballet Company, where she showcased her talent in various solo and pas de deux roles. 

Not only is Sanghee a skilled performer, but she is also an accomplished choreographer. She has created numerous pieces in drama ballet and contemporary ballet, showcasing her creativity and ability to bring stories to life through movement. Sanghee's dedication to her craft extends beyond her performances. She has received training in "Dance and Arts effects" and holds Arts and Culture Education Instructor Certificates in Expressive Arts Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, and as an Expressive Arts Counselor. These qualifications allow her to use dance as a therapeutic tool and to guide others in their artistic journeys. Continuing her pursuit of growth and knowledge, and She continually seeks new opportunities to expand her skills and artistic horizons.

As a ballet instructor, she shares her expertise and passion with aspiring dancers, nurturing their talent and instilling in them a love for the art form. Sanghee's technical proficiency, and commitment to artistic expression make her a valuable addition to our school. Her diverse background and dedication to dance education ensure that she will inspire and guide students on their ballet journey.

Erika Gilmore stands as a distinguished choreographer and dancer, bearing her artistic standard from the thriving artistic enclave of Brooklyn, NY. Her most recent opus graced the platform of the esteemed Steps on Broadway Conservatory dancers, an accomplishment that earned its rightful place in the limelight of Whitewave’s renowned Dumbo Dance Festival.

Hailing from the serene landscapes of Florida, Erika's artistic odyssey has matured over nearly a decade of dedicated pedagogy, illuminating the paths of dancers traversing all echelons of their progressive dance trajectories. Her choreographic vision is intricately intertwined with life's most poignant and genuine experiences, culminating in the creation of a nurturing artistic milieu. This environment becomes a crucible for the cultivation of her students' profound affection for the art of dance.

Central to Erika's artistic ethos is the profound art of storytelling. A veritable constant within her creations, storytelling becomes the conduit through which movement finds its purpose and meaning. Erika's dedication extends beyond her choreography as she embarks on a transformative journey with the up-and-coming generation of dancers. This journey revolves around the pivotal notion of imbuing every motion with humanity, instilling within them an understanding of how the raw and unadorned aspects of human existence can be channeled into their craft.

Erika Gilmore beckons you to explore her realm—an intersection of choreographic finesse and evocative narrative. In her capable hands, dance transcends the physical realm, venturing into the domain of emotional expression and genuine connection. Join this visionary artist as she leads the charge in guiding the next generation of dancers, fostering a paradigm where every graceful gesture becomes a testament to the human spirit.

Dayana, a dynamic and versatile dancer from Lima, Peru, began her dance journey at 15, immersing herself in ballet, modern, and contemporary dance at San Marcos Dance Academy. However, it was in urban dance where she truly found her passion, excelling in hip-hop, reggaeton, k-pop, and commercial dance. Her talent and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including four victories in K-pop contests in Peru from 2017 to 2019.

A natural leader and coach, Dayana has successfully guided dance teams, bringing energy, precision, and enthusiasm to every class she teaches. Her love for K-pop, especially her admiration for the group SHINee, inspires her dynamic and engaging teaching style in K-pop dance classes.

After relocating to the United States just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dayana broadened her artistic horizons. In addition to her urban dance work, she embraced her cultural roots as a devoted folklore dancer, showcasing the richness of Peruvian traditions through music and dance in New Jersey.

Academically accomplished, Dayana earned her Associate of Arts degree in World Languages from Bergen Community College and is now a senior at Montclair State University, ambitiously pursuing a double major in Business and Spanish. Her unique blend of artistic excellence, cultural heritage, and academic achievement highlights her remarkable journey as a multifaceted dancer and educator.

Dani Loewen's artistic journey commenced in New Jersey, where she honed her craft at the esteemed Dance Academy of North Jersey. Under the guidance of distinguished mentors including Mark Burrell, Tom Richardson, Jaclyn Walsh, Amber Perkins, Jason Luks, and Joelle Cosentino, Dani cultivated her skills and aspirations.

Driven by her unwavering passion, Dani pursued higher education at The University of the Arts, under the esteemed leadership of Donna Faye Burchfield. During her tenure at UArts, Dani not only refined her technique but also graced the stage with performances of compelling works by acclaimed choreographers such as Katie Swords Thurman, Jesse Zaritt, Sidra Bell, Roni Koresh, Wayne St. David, Teddy Tedholm, and Netta Yerushalmy.

In a pivotal chapter of her artistic voyage, Dani embarked on internships and apprenticeships, notably with Project Moshen Dance Company. She also took on the role of a dedicated company member at At the Brink Dance Projects. Her talent shone brightly as she participated in esteemed events like Fertile Ground and DUMBO Dance Festival 2018 with At the Brink Dance Projects.

Dani's prowess extended beyond the stage as she assumed the role of assistant choreographer for DanceXplosion National Finals 2018, leaving her mark on prestigious locations such as Lake George, NY, and Wildwood, NJ. Notably, her artistry graced events like APAP 2019 and New Wave 2019, where she showcased her skills with JKing/Joyce King Dance Company.

Dani's artistic journey recently encompassed the realms of television and film, as she appeared as a featured dancer in Season 6, Episode 10 of the Showtime Series "Billions," and in Universal Pictures Intl. France's forthcoming film "Mon Héroïne." Her range expanded even further as she made her debut in regional theatre, captivating audiences at Pagosa Springs Colorado's Thingamajig Theatre in productions including "Bright Star," "Guys and Dolls," and "The SpongeBob Musical."

Beyond her performances, Dani derives immense joy from sharing her dance passion with individuals of all ages and styles. Since 2018, she has been dedicated to teaching, choreographing, and directing programs for both competitive and recreational dancers, embodying a commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.

Monica Yoo is a talented and experienced Jewelry Designer with a passion for creating unique and stylish pieces. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Temple University, where she specialized in Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM. Monica's creative journey began at Montgomery County Community College, where she earned an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree in Fine Art before transferring to Temple University.

With a keen eye for design and a strong understanding of market trends, Monica has worked with reputable companies such as Crystal Trading INC in New York and U&I Import, INC in New Jersey, where she honed her skills in jewelry design, market research, and vendor management. Her experience also includes serving as the Fashion Merchandise Director at Vixen in Philadelphia, showcasing her versatility and leadership abilities in the fashion industry.

Monica's expertise extends beyond design; she is also a skilled educator, having taught courses in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and art for preschoolers at TAF JK Education Group.

Apart from her professional accomplishments, Monica is proficient in various software tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Bridge, Excel, and Microsoft Word, making her a well-rounded and valuable asset in any creative or educational setting.

Monica's dedication to craftsmanship, coupled with her creative vision and industry knowledge, continues to inspire and drive her towards excellence in the world of jewelry design and education.

Ivy Ha earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts and Art Education from Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey. With a deep passion for Fine Arts, she also completed an additional three years in a Fashion Design program at the Art Institute of NYC.

As a highly qualified art teacher with a standard teaching certificate from the state of New Jersey, Ivy has dedicated the past 18 years to teaching in both private and public schools. She has extensive experience working with a diverse range of students, from children as young as three to adults. Currently, she teaches many gifted and talented students across various art studios.

Ivy actively encourages her students to embrace challenges and participate in art competitions and events. Many of her students have achieved notable success and recognition in various art competitions and awards. Her mission as an art educator is rooted in the belief that creativity, continuous learning, and personal growth are essential to artistic development.

Michael Yun has served as cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and has assisted with the Lyric Opera of Baltimore, Opera Theatre of Montclair, Mannes Community Orchestra, and Miami Music Festival Symphony Orchestra. He has also taken part in festivals in Spain, Italy, and Canada. As a pianist, Mr. Yun has won first prizes at the New York Music Festival Competition and the New Jersey Teachers’ Association Competition. He is also a two-time recipient of a scholarship award from the Council of Korean Churches of Greater New York. He earned his Master’s degree in orchestral conducting at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with the legendary Gustav Meier, and Markand Thakar, a protégé of Sergiu Celibidache. Other conducting teachers include Agrippino Bellino, Scott Jackson Wiley and Ronald Braunstein. Mr. Yun received his degree in piano performance from the Mannes College of Music where he studied with Yuri Kim. Currently, he is conductor of the Heritage Choir.