JULIE PLUMMER- OWNER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Julie (Castor) Plummer has always had a love and passion for dance. Julie began her dance training at her hometown dance studio The Dance Shop in Hamilton, NJ. It was there, that Julie was first exposed to the thrill of performing.
After high school, Julie attended Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University where she was a dance major her freshman year. With a need to further fulfill her passion and love for jazz and hip hop, Julie then went on to dance with the D1A Nationally ranked Rutgers University Dance team from 2003-2006.
After graduating college, Julie pursued a career in dance and danced professionally with the NBA Nets Dancers. Simultaneously, Julie was also signed with Clear Talent Group Dance Agency of New York City where she booked various gigs. Some of these featured projects were a Chris Cornell feat. Timbaland music video, an Eristoff Vodka Flashmob, and a performance in the well known celebrity Fashion show, Fashion Gives Back. Some of Julie's other video credits include performing with the Rutgers Dance Team on The Apprentice, Tru 2 Form Reggaeton and Hip Hop Workout videos as well as making it as a NYC finalist in the Ultimate Coyote Ugly Challenge. In the summer of 2013 Julie was a back-up dancer to up and coming recording artist Veronica Kole.
From a very young age, Julie dreamt of opening a dance studio. In October 2015, her dreams came to fruition. Now entering the studio's 5th dance season, MDA is one of the most prestigious dance studios in the South Jersey area, and has nearly tripled in size. MDA offers both recreational and competitive dance, with instructors who are working in the industry, key features that set MDA apart from other local studios.
Miss Julie and her dancers have won many notable awards, and Miss Julie herself has won 11 choreography awards. Her passion for choreographing hip hop, jazz, contemporary and lyrical pieces and her desire to continue to pursue her own dance education are just some of the reasons MDA has been so successful. Her enthusiasm, expertise in coaching and cleaning dances, and love for her students are just some of the reasons families love being a part of MDA.
Noted Awards:
2019
Beyond The Stars- Precision Award- Jazz Teen Division "Tell Me You Love Me"
Beyond the Stars- Ultimate Entertainment Award- Jazz Junior Division "Let's Get Loud"
On Point Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Lyrical Teen Division "Never Enough"
On Point Dance Competition- Entertainment Award- Teen Hip Hop Division"Level Up Remix"
2018
Nexstar Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Lyrical Teen Division- "Time of Our Lives"
Nexstar Dance Competition- Seamless Staging Award- Jazz Teen Division- "I Love You Always Forever"
Nexstar Dance Competition- Golden Ticket Winner- Lyrical Teen Division-"Time Of Our Lives"
Nexstar Dance Competition- STUDIO PROFESSIONALISM AWARD
2017
World Class Talent Experience- Staging, Execution and Precision Award- Hip Hop Jr. Division- "Queen B"
2016
Beyond the Stars- Emotional Execution- Contemporary Teen Division-" You Said You'd Grow Old With Me"
2015
World Class Talent Experience- Staging, Execution and Precision Award- Contemporary Sr. Division- "Take Me to Church"
World Class Talent Experience- Choreography Award- Hip Hop Jr. Division- "Salute"
World Class Talent Experience- Choreography Award- Hip Hop Sr. Division-" All I Do is Win"
StarQuest Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Hip Hop Sr. Division- "All I Do is Win"
StarQuest Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Contemporary Sr. Division- "Take Me to Church"
Starpower Dance Competition- Angelic Concept Award- Lyrical Sr. Division- "Not About Angels"
2014
Nexstar Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Hip Hop Teen Division- "Imma Be"
StarQuest Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Sr. Hip Hop Division-" #POWER"
StarQuest Dance Competition- Great Spacing Award- Teen Jazz Division- "Distortion"
Nexstar Nationals- Choreography Award- Hip Hop Sr. Division- "#POWER"
Nexstar Nationals- Choreography Award- Hip Hop Jr. Division- "Suit and Tie"
2013
Beyond the Stars Dance Competition- Choreography Award- Jr. Hip Hop Division- "Bieber Fever"
JENNIFER HANNER
Jennifer began taking ballet classes at the age of six in Bordentown, NJ at “The Ballet School.” At the age of ten, she continued her training with Ballet Austin Academy, the official school of Ballet Austin in Texas. She went on to perform with that company in the corps de ballet. Jennifer was also fortunate enough to receive private coaching with Pixie Bevans of the London Festival Ballet, now the English National Ballet, Robert and Barbro Roland of BalleT Caravan (the original New York City Ballet) and the Birgit Cullberg Ballet, and Thomas Hanner of the San Francisco Ballet. She also has performed as a soloist with the Mt. Vernon Ballet Company of Baltimore, MD and Ballet South. Jennifer has taught regularly and given guest classes at over 30 different schools in the Delaware Valley. She looks forward to many more years of working with young people on developing their skills and character through the discipline of ballet. We are so fortunate and excited to have Miss Jennifer join our staff. We know her exceptional ballet training will instill a noteworthy ballet education in our students.
ANGELICA BUA
Angelica Bua is a graduate of West Chester University where she was the captain of the nationally ranked West Chester University Dance Team. She has been dancing for 20 years and is trained in all forms of dance, but especially enjoys hip-hop and contemporary. Angelica began her training at the young age of 4 at Front and Center Dance Studio. By the age of 6, she was competing in numerous dance competitions, and by her senior year had received many top scores and judges awards. The highlight of her dance career so far was placing 3rd in the nation at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida with the West Chaster Dance Team, a student ran organization that solely relies on the motivation and drive of the team members.
When she isn't performing and competing with the West Chester Dance Team, she loves teaching and choreographing hip-hop, lyrical, jazz and contemporary pieces. Her goal is to continue to inspire young dancers to find their passion for dance. Currently, Angelica is a professional dancer for the Philadelphia Wings Dance Team. We are so excited to have Angelica on our staff as one of our instructors. Her experience, drive, and love for teaching are just some of the many reasons our students love her.
Noted Awards:
2018
Nexstar Competition- Performance Award- Hip Hop Jr Division- "Kanye Mix"
Nexstar Competition- Performance Award- Lyrical Teen Division- "Youth"
Nexstar Competition- Regional Age Group Winners- Lyrical Teen Division- "Youth"
Nexstar Competition- Golden Ticket Winner- Lyrical Teen Division- "Youth"
When she isn't performing and competing with the West Chester Dance Team, she loves teaching and choreographing hip-hop, lyrical, jazz and contemporary pieces. Her goal is to continue to inspire young dancers to find their passion for dance. Currently, Angelica is a professional dancer for the Philadelphia Wings Dance Team. We are so excited to have Angelica on our staff as one of our instructors. Her experience, drive, and love for teaching are just some of the many reasons our students love her.
Noted Awards:
2018
Nexstar Competition- Performance Award- Hip Hop Jr Division- "Kanye Mix"
Nexstar Competition- Performance Award- Lyrical Teen Division- "Youth"
Nexstar Competition- Regional Age Group Winners- Lyrical Teen Division- "Youth"
Nexstar Competition- Golden Ticket Winner- Lyrical Teen Division- "Youth"
ALEXANDRA PARRINO
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Ally has been dancing for 19 years and is trained in al forms of dance, but especially enjoys contemporary. She grew up dancing at Dance Attitudes in Marlboro, NJ where she received many top scores and awards throughout her 15 years of competing. As a high school student, she was the captain of the Manalapan High School Dance Team and she continued to pursue her dance career at West Chester University where was is the captain of the nationally ranked dance team. Last year, the team placed 3rd in the nation at the UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. This is one of Ally's most cherished moments as a dancer.
Her skill in contemporary and attention to detail when training dancers are just some of the reasons we are excited to have her on staff. We know all of our students will love Miss Ally's contagious energy. |
KATELYN PITTERMAN
Katelyn began her training in gymnastics at the age of 2 at Vision Gymnanstics. By the age of 7, she was already quite the gymnast and and began competing. Possessing all the right qualities of a gymnast, she began to excel on many levels all the while loving every minute of it. At the age of 10 she was a level 8 state champion. At 11, Katelyn started training at the Wilton Gymnastics Academy, where by the time she was 12 years old, was a level 9 regional champion on bars. When she was younger her favorite event was bars, but as she got older she preferred floor and beam due to how much she loved flipping and twisting.
After high school, Katelyn began sharing her love for gymnastics by coaching younger gymnasts. She then went on to college and attended East Stroudsburg, where she was a part of the club gymnastics team. At 25, she began coaching again at Connections in Hamilton, NJ. Katelyn loves sharing her knowledge and love for this vastly impressive sport.
Words can't describe how ecstatic we are to have Katelyn on our staff. In dance, acrobatics are a huge part of performing. Flips like aerials, back hand springs, and various stretches are all impressive aspects that can set a dance and dancer apart from the rest. We value Katelyn's knowledge and skill level as an acrobatic instructor to our students. We know with her help our dancers will fly high.
After high school, Katelyn began sharing her love for gymnastics by coaching younger gymnasts. She then went on to college and attended East Stroudsburg, where she was a part of the club gymnastics team. At 25, she began coaching again at Connections in Hamilton, NJ. Katelyn loves sharing her knowledge and love for this vastly impressive sport.
Words can't describe how ecstatic we are to have Katelyn on our staff. In dance, acrobatics are a huge part of performing. Flips like aerials, back hand springs, and various stretches are all impressive aspects that can set a dance and dancer apart from the rest. We value Katelyn's knowledge and skill level as an acrobatic instructor to our students. We know with her help our dancers will fly high.
