Faculty

Suzanne has successfully juggled her many roles as Director, Teacher, Choreographer, Ensemble Coach and Mentor since establishing The Ballet Barre in 1983. She is a registered teacher and member of the Royal Academy of Dance, London, England, an affiliate of The American Academy of Ballet and serves on the advisory board of the dance department at Morris County College.

Her experience and dedication to teaching is reflected in her students’ achievements. They have been winning medals, awards and scholarships since 1995 and have been selected by audition to further their studies at The School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theater Summer Intensives, Jacqueline Onassis School at ABT, Kirov Academy, Nutmeg Conservatory and The Rock School, among many others.

Students have been the recipients of scholarships to The New Jersey
Governor’s School for the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School and the American
Academy of Ballet, in addition to colleges and universities. Former
students are professional performers with jazz, ballet and modern dance
companies; others have pursed dance related careers as instructors,
choreographers and theater arts physical therapists.

Caralin is a professional dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company where she performs both classical and contemporary works. She is a frequent guest teacher at our studio conducting ballet classes, rehearsals and workshops throughout the year.

Caralin trained with Suzanne Sarlitt, Monika Aimova and Steps in New York City. She attended summer intensives with American Academy of Ballet and American Ballet Theater. Students at The Ballet Barre are inspired by Caralin’s gorgeous technique and are always thrilled to hear she’s home.

Kimberly graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and a minor in musical theater from Montclair State University as a NJ STARS scholar.

Kimberly began her dance training at The Ballet Barre and competed with our dance teams winning medals, special awards and dance scholarships throughout high school. She performed with CCM, MSU, American College Dance Festival, HATCH Presenting Series and community theaters.

Kimberly’s choreography has been performed at our annual dance concerts, competitions, NJ Teen Arts festivals, high school musicals, community theater production, CCM and MSU. Kimberly taught at our studio from 2007 through 2009. After a year’s hiatus to complete her college education, we are delighted to welcome her back.

Auriela Selimi is a full time student at Montclair University. She trained
at The Ballet Barre in all genres and was a fierce competitor with our ensemble throughout high school. Auriela is concentrating in dance, English and education in order to combine her artistic talents with her desire to teach children.

She has served as teacher’s assistant, rehearsal coach and instructor at our studio since 2009. She continues to take classes in New York and attend professional dance training workshops. Auriela teaches the children’s tap and jazz classes.

Heather received her training at The Ballet Barre, Royal Academy of Dance (England) and the School of the Garden State Ballet. She was awarded a four year talent scholarship from DeSales University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Upon graduation Heather was the recipient of the “Excellence in Teaching Award”.

Heather has performed ballet and modern with the Garden State Ballet, the Dance Touring Company, university concerts and art festivals. Heather taught all ages and levels of abilities at The School of the Garden State Ballet before joining us in 2008. We are delighted to welcome her back again this season. Heather designed and teaches 3-2-1 Fun! introducing toddlers and young children to movement and music.

Alyson is an experienced instructor in jazz, ethnic, modern, lyrical and hiphop. After receiving her degree in dance at County College of Morris, she continued to train at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in New York. She performed modern with Beyond Dance Company and jazz and hiphop as a free agent in the tri-state area while raising her family.

Alyson has won numerous awards for her performances and choreography in jazz, ethnic and lyrical dance since 1985. She has extensive experience teaching all ages and levels of abilities to children, teens and adults. Alyson attends classes at STEPS on a regular basis to maintain her technique and bring her students the latest moves in dance. The 2010-11 season marks her fifth year with our studio.

Tammy was a scholarship student for seven years at the School of the Garden State Ballet and a member of the junior company before performing with the Garden State Ballet Company. She studied in New York City with renowned teachers such as Evie Lynn and Madame Darvash, and graduated from Montclair University in 1997 with a BFA degree in dance.

Tammy performed professionally with Freespace Dance, Trish King and the Dance Collective before becoming a mother in 2002. She has been teaching ballet, jazz and modern for nine years at the Community College of Morris and community dance schools. This is Tammy’s fifth season at The Ballet Barre conducting classes with clear and concise explanations of proper execution, alignment and anatomy.

Monika’s performing career includes over 1,000 performances with major East European ballet companies. As a soloist she danced the leading roles in many famous classical ballets, including Sleeping Beauty, La Corsaire, and Don Quixote. Monika performed throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics, Germany and Poland before moving to the United States.

Monika trained in the Vaganova method and is a gifted instructor. She has been teaching for thirteen years and was on our faculty from 1994 through 1996. Monika rejoined our faculty in 2008, and she continues to challenge our students in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.