Our Faculty | Joann's School of Dance | Dance classes in Elizabeth, NJ

JSD Teachers:

JOANN SCHOENIG - DIRECTOR/OWNER/TEACHER

Joann Schoenig has been the Owner, Director, and Teacher of Joann’s School of Dance (JSD) for thirty-eight years. She began dancing at the age of three, and opening her own studio was a lifelong dream come true. Growing up, she taught and choreographed at local dance studios, recreation centers, and elementary schools—building the foundation for what would become a successful and inspiring career in dance education.

Miss Joann is certified and trained in all genres of dance. Her professional affiliations include Dance Educators of America, National Association of Dance Teachers, Professional Dance Teachers Association, and The Arts Council Co-Op. She is also a proud partner with CLI Studios. After opening JSD, she continued to further her own training at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City, and she has attended numerous workshops and conventions led by some of the top choreographers in the dance industry. Miss Joann believes that “a true artist never stops learning”—that continued growth is the beauty of dance.

Her passion for teaching has inspired generations of dancers to reach their highest potential. Her award-winning competition team has earned countless titles, high scores, overall awards, and special judges’ choice honors at both regional and national levels. Miss Joann herself has received the Best Director Award, the ADCC 2019 Dance Studio of Excellence Award, and a Resolution from the City of Elizabeth recognizing her contributions to the arts. She has also judged for Regional and National dance competitions.

Over the years, Joann’s School of Dance has been a stepping-stone for many students pursuing their dreams—whether performing in The Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty with the American Ballet Repertory, majoring in dance in college, opening their own studios, or even earning titles such as Miss New Jersey, Second Runner-Up at Miss America and Lead Role on Broadway. JSD dancers have performed at The Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall, the Boscov’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, World of Hip Hop Championship, Clutchfest, Titans Workshop, Broadway Dance Center, and at numerous community events, festivals, and charity performances. Wherever you go, you’re sure to meet someone who has trained or performed at JSD.

Over the past four decades, Miss Joann has had the joy of teaching thousands of children—some who dance simply for the love of it, and others who have gone on to careers in the arts. She is deeply proud of all her students and remains committed to providing excellent dance education to the city of Elizabeth and surrounding communities.

CHRISTINA CATONE

Christina began her dance training as a toddler in a local studio in Union County, She studied ballet, pointe, tap, musical theater and salsa but specializes in hip hop, jazz lyrical/contemporary. Christina was a competitive dancer throughout New Jersey in her early dance career. She won many awards for her performances at both regional and national competitions. Christina continues her training at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City and Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. She has performed in many dance venues in New York and New Jersey including Six Flags Great Adventure, The Prudential Center, The State Theater and MetLife Stadium during the 2014 Super Bowl Halftime Show with Bruno Mars. Christina’s training has afforded her the opportunity to teach dancers from 2 ½ to adult in various styles. She has conducted workshops and intensive programs for studios such as The New Jersey School of Ballet. Christina is a former member of the Barefoot Dancers, a semi pro dance team that performs for the Somerset Bears Major League Football Team.

KYLIE SCHOENIG

Kylie began her dance training at the age of 2 at JSD. She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Acrobatics. Kylie has taken classes/workshops at The Joffrey Ballet Summer Program, The Pulse Workshop, Nexus On Tour, Millenium Dance Complex, Playground LA, and has taken class from teachers known worldwide such as, Ian Eastwood and Brian Friedman. She has also trained at the American Repertory Ballet School, The Broadway Workshop, and Middlesex Performing Arts Academy. Kylie has performed in Mark Morris’ “Polka”, Graham Lustig’s Ballet “The Nutcracker” and “Sleeping Beauty”, Sidra Bell's "Residue Again", World of Dance, Clutchfest, Nets Basketball Pre Show and at several Festivals and Theme Parks.

Kylie graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a Bachelor in Fine Arts. Over the years her passion for choreography has grown and she loves to share that with her students. Currently, Kylie choreographs for the JSD competition team, and teaches recreational classes, as well as solos. Her pieces have won titles and many overall awards in both Regional and National levels.

BRIANNA CRUZ

Brianna began her dance journey at the age of 5 at Joann's School of Dance and fell in love right away. She trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Pointe, Contemporary, and Acro. She began competing at the age of 6 winning overalls and special awards for group dances. Her favorite styles of dance are Acro, Contemporary, and Jazz. Brianna has participated in many workshops in Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop, taking classes with well known dancers like Russell Ferguson. She has also performed in the Nets pre-show game, and at local festivals/theme parks.

Brianna started teaching at Joann’s School of Dance 6 years ago and currently teaches solos, group classes, and choreographs for the JSD competition team. In the 2022 competition season she received an “Outstanding Choreography” award for her acro piece “Capture The Crown”. Brianna’s favorite part of teaching is working with students of all ages and watching them grow in dance from the beginning of the dance season to when they perform on stage at the recital.

SAMANTHA CRUZ

Samantha's love for dance started at the age of 3 at Joann's School of Dance. She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary and started competing at 5 years old, winning awards and overalls for group routines. Samantha has participated in workshops in many styles of dance, taking classes with well known artists such as, Russell Fergusen. She has also performed in the Nets Basketball Pre-Show, at Six Flags Great Adventure, and local festivals. She started student teaching at the age of 13, with her passion growing each and every day. Samantha presently teaches solos and classes at JSD and also choreographs for the JSD competition team.

JACQUALYN FREIRE

Jacqualyn is a graduate of Montclair State University where she completed a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance Performance. She trained at Joann’s School Of Dance, completing 17 years with the studio. Miss Jackie had participated in the studio competition team in both groups and solos and also took part in the Hip Hop competition World Of Dance with In Da Clutch Dance Crew. She began assistant teaching at the age of 14 where her love for dance became stronger and she realized her love for teaching. At the age of 20, Miss Jackie began instructing her own classes allowing her to share her love for dance with her students. She enjoys seeing the students of JSD smile and achieve their goals in the dance studio.

JULIA SANTIAGO

Julia Santiago is a passionate dance teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Dance and Advertising from Rowan University. With a lifelong love for dance that began at the age of 3 and a competitive background at JSD since the age of 9, Julia has a wealth of experience to share. Having started as a studnet teacher before pursuing her college education, Julia fell in love with the joy of seeing children's faces light up when they grasp a new dance concept. This year, Julia's goal as a dance teacher is to continue fostering that same sense of excitement and accomplishment in her students. Through patient guidance, personalized instruction, and a nurturing approach, Julia aims to inspise her studnets to reach new heights in their dance journey. Let's dance our way to success and see those smiles shine!

BRIANNA KINGALAHUA

Brianna Kingalahua (King) is currently pursuing a degree in psychology at Montclair State University. She began dancing at the age of 4 and joined Joann's School of Dance at 13, where she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip, Lyrical, Acro, Contemporary, Salsa and Bachata. As a member of the competition team, she won numerous special awards and overall titles in both group and solo performances. At 16, King became a student teacher, assisting instructors in various styles, whcih ignited her passion for both dancing and teaching. Now, as an instructor, she takes great pleasure in helping children become more confident on the dance floor.