DWS Staff

Kathy Costa, director, teacher, choreographer and performer, holds a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University. Ms. Costa has been teaching and choreographing for 22 years. She is also an early childhood specialist, which has given her the opportunity to work successfully with the very young. Kathy continues her dance studies in New York City to continually provide her students with top quality, cutting-edge material. Her eclectic background includes training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap, and this diversity aids in training her students to become versatile dancers. She was the director of the dance program at the Montclair Cooperative School, where she taught pre-K through 6th grade and choreographed for school productions.

Ms. Costa has been Artistic Director of a teen touring company for 17 years. Under her artistic direction, the company has performed throughout the country and has been recognized as an outstanding dance company. The company has performed at both Lincoln Center in 2008 and Carnegie Hall in 2009. Most recently we have been invited to perform at both Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center in 2010. Kathy is also on the faculty at Montclair Kimberly Academy High School where she teaches dance (this is her third year on staff). Kathy is also certified by AFAA to teach fitness training at all levels. Her most recent area of study is in Kundalini Yoga, which she plans to share with her her clientele in the near future.

Assaf Benchetrit was born in Jerusalem, Israel. He began his ballet and music studies at the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem and graduated in 1998. Upon graduation he danced with the Panov Ballet for one year and later with The Israeli Ballet. During his military service Assaf received the "Remarkable Dancer" prize from the Israeli government. In 2004, he came to the United States to dance with many companies such as Joffrey Ensemble, Metropolitan Classical Ballet and Alabama Ballet as a principal Dancer. Also in 2008 he was appointed guest principal dancer with Jerusalem Dance Theatre. Throughout his career Assaf performed lead roles in the majority of renowned ballet productions such as Swan Lake as Sigfried, Don Quixote as Basilio, Coppelia as Franz, Sleeping Beauty as the Prince, the George Balanchine's Nutcracker as Cavalier, George Balanchine's Apollo as Apollo, Creations of the World as Adam and Ballet Petrushka as Petrushka. Assaf is currently completing his double major B.Sc in computer science and dance from Montclair State University.

Sonya Berenfeld is a graduate of New York University, during which time she danced at Steps and Peridance. She trained with teachers such as Carolyn Clark, Luba Gulyaeva and Natasha Girshov at the New Jersey School of Ballet, where she started dancing at age 6. She was part of New Jersey Ballet's Junior Company throughout high school and into college. She performed demi-soloist roles in the Nutcracker at the Paper Mill Playhouse and on tour with the company throughout the Northeast. She has also performed in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Concerto Barocco, Hansel and Gretel, Flower Festival at Ganzano and Le Bayadere, to name a few. Sonya started a ballet program and choreographed the shows at Surprise Lake Camp, where she was a counselor in 2004.  Sonya is also a substitute teacher at Sharon Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts.  She is currently a student at Seton Hall School of Law.

Taylor Brooke Carey is currently attending Montclair State University, where she is working towards earning her B. A. In Dance. Taylor has studied exclusively at DanceWorks from age 3-18. She was a member of DanceWorks & Company and has an extensive performance experience. She has performed at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, NY. Her performance credits also include Disneyworld, Florida; St. Marks Church, NY; Montclair University Repertory Company, Mainstage, and will be performing in London Summer 2012!  Ms. Carey has served as studio manager, substitute teacher, rehearsal assistant and most recently on faculty at DanceWorks Summer Camp Program. Taylor is currently a member of Freespace 2, a modern based dance company under the Direction of Donna Scro. Taylor has most recently took part in teaching Dance this summer at Blue Wave NJ Public Interest Foundation. She taught children dance from 3rd thru 8th grade. Taylor is currently preparing to attend Carolyn Dorfman Dance Intensive at Kean College in NJ , on a full scholarship. Taylor will continue her dance studies and performance opportunities. We are thrilled to have Taylor join our faculty.

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Tiffany Curl is a graduate from the Professional Children’s School in New York City. She is currently attending Montclair State University, where she is majoring in Dance & Theater. Tiffany has been studying dance at Broadway Dance School under the direction of Bev and Rhapsody. Tiffany does assistant teaching for Bev at Broadway Dance. Tiffany studied with the DC Youth Ensemble in Washington, DC. She was also part of the company and taught jazz, tap and tera-ti-Bu (African step dance). Tiffany was part of The PaperMill Playhouse Musical Theater Conservatory for 5 years. She has performed with the Maplewood Strollers, PaperMill Playhouse, PCS, DC Youth Ensemble, and in the Elmos Christmas Spectacular 2007. Tiffany started dancing at the age of 2 and is still dancing.

Judith Jaise Elins pursued her Fine Arts Degree at Kean College while teaching and studying dance and has been instructing and performing in the NJ/NY area for the past twenty years. She has studied Ballet, Jazz & Modern Jazz extensively in NYC with some of the greatest teachers in the dance community at The Alvin Ailey School, New Dance Group and Broadway Dance Center and credits Master Jazz instructor Frank Pietri for her strong style and knowledge of technique. She has had the opportunity to perform and choreograph throughout the metropolitan area and has appeared most recently as a performer and choreographer with DanceWorks Studios. Her credits include both stage and video performances. As well as working with the younger dancer, she has established herself as a prominent instructor for the adult dance student and is currently teaching at both DanceWorks Studios and Ms Hugettes Broadway Dance Studio.

Emily McKinnon received her BFA in Dance and Choreography from Ohio University.  For the past 8 years, she has been fortunate enough to perform with Kim Whittam & Company, Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Refractions Dance Collective, Kennedy Dancers, Anandance, Carol Nolte Dance Collective and Headless Horse Dance.  During this exploration of learning, performing and teaching dance, Emily has been inspired to pursue a Doctorate of  Physical Therapy.  She is a nationally certified personal trainer through AFAA and a certified pilates instructor through Steele Pilates.  While continuing to study dance herself, Emily has recently involved herself in Thai Massage and Aqua Therapy. Emily is so excited to back at DanceWorks Studios to share and create.