JULIE PLUMMER- OWNER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR (All levels/styles)
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 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. She is also a Certified Acrobatic Arts Dance Studio and Instructor. 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- Instructor (Ballet)
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- Instructor (Competition Team)
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 Sixers Dancers. 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 Sixers Dancers. 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"
KATELYN PITTERMAN- Instructor (Acrobatic Arts)
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.
Miss Kate is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. and words can't describe how ecstatic we are to have Katelyn on our staff year after year. 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.
Miss Kate is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. and words can't describe how ecstatic we are to have Katelyn on our staff year after year. 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.
KIERRA WESLEY- Instructor (Recreational/Team)
Kierra Wesley (Miss. KiKi) is from South Jersey where she’s been dancing since the age of two. Her passion for dance drove her to train in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, and Acrobatics; her favorites being Tap and Contemporary. She has been featured in Matt Steffanina’s YouTube series Dance Con episode 4. Kierra started All-Star Dance right out of high school. She has a gold and silver medal placing 1st in the U.S. and 2nd Internationally with her team. Kierra joined the Adrenaline Family becoming an athlete on Open Coed and Open-All Girl making this upcoming season her 20th year of dance. She has choreographed for multiple competition teams throughout the east coast and has taught an All-Star dance intensive in Virginia. Kierra now instructs at Mainstream Dance Academy in Jersey where she loves to bring her visions and creativity to reality. Besides teaching Kierra works as a Fitness Professional for kids at The Edge Fitness Club in Cherry Hill. Kierra believes dance helped her with confidence and discipline. She wishes to continue her dance career by choreographing more and becoming even more educated with the dance world. When Kierra isn’t in the studio she enjoys spending time with her close friends. She focuses her spare time participating in more creative arts activities such as painting, playing music, reading, and writing. Kierra is extremely grateful for all the opportunities this beautiful life has given her so far and she can’t wait to see where it takes her next. We love having Miss Kierra at Mainstream Dance Academy.
LAUREN LICHON- Instructor (Recreational/Team)
Lauren has been dancing since the age of four and has always had a love for it. While growing
up she found a passion for hip hop, lyrical and jazz. She has been competing for seven years and is a former member of the MDA Competition Team. For the past four years, she has enjoyed teaching
younger students in her spare time at the studio. While competing she was the
captain of her dance team and served as a role model for the younger teams, always being their biggest cheerleader and helping out with her sunny disposition. While Lauren was on the MDA Elite team,
they won numerous top scores and special judges awards. Lauren has always loved working with children, and especially enjoyed babysitting and student teaching during her Junior and Senior years of high school. Now she is so excited to combine the two things she loves, dancing and working with young children, and can't wait to to help them grow to be extraordinary. We are so pleased to have Lauren join our staff.
up she found a passion for hip hop, lyrical and jazz. She has been competing for seven years and is a former member of the MDA Competition Team. For the past four years, she has enjoyed teaching
younger students in her spare time at the studio. While competing she was the
captain of her dance team and served as a role model for the younger teams, always being their biggest cheerleader and helping out with her sunny disposition. While Lauren was on the MDA Elite team,
they won numerous top scores and special judges awards. Lauren has always loved working with children, and especially enjoyed babysitting and student teaching during her Junior and Senior years of high school. Now she is so excited to combine the two things she loves, dancing and working with young children, and can't wait to to help them grow to be extraordinary. We are so pleased to have Lauren join our staff.
NATALIE POINTKOUSKI- Instructor (Competition Team)
Natalie graduated from Towson University with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications.
She began her dancing career when she was just 18 months old. Her passion for ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical & contemporary saw her through countless recitals and competitions in her adolescent and high school years. As an officer of Rancocas Valley Regional High School’s Dance Team, she and her teammates were 2x National Champions at NDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Once Natalie reached college, she became a member of Towson University’s Pom Squad where she danced at football and basketball games, and competed at UDA Nationals.
When she isn’t dancing or teaching, Natalie works as a project coordinator at a Philadelphia print media firm and is also a professional dance photographer. Natalie is excited to be a part of the MDA family and is looking forward to this season! We are thrilled to have her on staff and can't see the joy and expertise she will bring to her students.
She began her dancing career when she was just 18 months old. Her passion for ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical & contemporary saw her through countless recitals and competitions in her adolescent and high school years. As an officer of Rancocas Valley Regional High School’s Dance Team, she and her teammates were 2x National Champions at NDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Once Natalie reached college, she became a member of Towson University’s Pom Squad where she danced at football and basketball games, and competed at UDA Nationals.
When she isn’t dancing or teaching, Natalie works as a project coordinator at a Philadelphia print media firm and is also a professional dance photographer. Natalie is excited to be a part of the MDA family and is looking forward to this season! We are thrilled to have her on staff and can't see the joy and expertise she will bring to her students.
MADDY WALTERS- Student Instructor (Pre-School)
Maddy has been dancing for 14 years and is trained in all forms of dance, but especially enjoys contemporary and hip hop. She grew up dancing at a local dance studio in Hamilton, NJ, but then continued her dance training at Mainstream Dance Academy 4 years ago. Maddy has been competing for 8 years and has received many top scores and awards while competing in numerous group numbers across NJ and PA. Maddy is currently a Junior in high school and loves teaching our Pre-school aged classes. She was a student assistant for 2 years and is now entering her 2nd year as a Student Teacher.
Her love for little kids and her fun loving personality are just some of the reasons our little ones love her so. We have loved watching Maddy grow as not only a dancer but as an instructor. We are so excited to have her on staff again this year.
Her love for little kids and her fun loving personality are just some of the reasons our little ones love her so. We have loved watching Maddy grow as not only a dancer but as an instructor. We are so excited to have her on staff again this year.
RACHEL LACOUR- Office Manager
Rachel is Mainstream Dance Academy's office manager. She earned an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and graduated with honors from Camden County College. She comes from a legal assistant background that focused on litigation. She is a wife and mother who enjoys reading in her spare time. She looks forward to working with children and their parents to help navigate their dance experience. MDA is looking forward to having Rachel on staff to be our go-to person for all studio related questions.
