Dances Rising Stars School of Dance and Performing Arts on Broadway

For Jody Myslinksi, co-owner and director of operations at Rising Stars School of Dance & Performing Arts in Manalapan, dancing was always a function of her life.

"I started dancing at age 5 and took ballet, tap and jazz all through high school," recalled the Staten Island native and current Freehold Township resident. Though she graduated college with a degree in information science, she continued taking dance classes in the evening, began teaching at Startime dance school in Manalapan in the late 1980s, and was invited to be a partner in that business in 1997.

Her eventual co-owner and creative director, Joelle Iuliano, grew up in Belleville and began dancing at age 2½. Though she became a country gymnastics champion at age 12, "I still danced, sang, acted and played instruments," said Iuliano, a Marlboro resident.

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"One time I moved to the Manalapan area as an adult, I started substitute teaching at Jody's dance school," Iuliano said. "When Jody became a partner, she hired me as a teacher and eventually invited me to become a partner."

Myslinski and Iuliano bought out their existing partner and officially relaunched the studio under their dual buying and its new proper name, Rise Stars School of Dance & Performing Arts, in September 2001.

Check out the video at the height of this story to seem him dance.

Something for everyone

Well-nigh two decades later, "nosotros offer over 120 classes a week from September through June in everything from ballet, tap, jazz, 'wee' dance, hip hop, lyrical, Broadway tap and jazz, acrobatics, musical theater, pointe, boys' classes and cheer funk to over 500 students from 18 months old through adult," Myslinski said of a busy class schedule that runs from Mondays through Saturdays in four rooms.

"Classes are anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes long or more, depending on the age/level of the pupil and the complexity of the class, and our students hail from towns throughout Monmouth, Sea and Middlesex counties, including Marlboro, Manalapan, Freehold, Howell, Old Bridge, Jackson, Monroe, East Brunswick, Morganville and more," she said.

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Contest opportunities are plentiful at Rising Stars, which offers students in the contest track four to five events plus several conventions at which to perform each year.

"We've been national champions, take won numerous awards over the years for 'Best Choreography,' 'Best Technique,' 'Well-nigh Entertaining,' 'Highest Score of Contest' and more, and soloists of ours have been multiple title winners in dissimilar age categories and genres," Iuliano said.

Merely while competition is a specialty of the school, she said it's past no means the simply path students can pursue.

"Students tin just accept classes recreationally, tin can participate in solos, duets or trios, or can take part in our 'But for Kix' programme, which enables students to compete once a year simply to get a experience for the contest temper," Iuliano said. "We do our best to brand everybody comfortable and offer something for anybody."

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Supported by a team of 11 experienced instructors, Iuliano confirmed the schoolhouse's loftier-level and professional person arroyo to dance. "Nosotros've performed at Madison Foursquare Garden and other venues in New York Urban center besides every bit at Disney Earth and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and stage our yearly recital at the Union County Performing Arts Heart in Rahway," said Iuliano, who teaches contemporary dance, jazz and acro classes.

"We currently have multiple students enrolled in the Joffrey Summer Intensive program, and a student who attended the Joffrey four-twelvemonth Jazz and Gimmicky programme in New York City recently landed a task inside the ensemble of the Radio Metropolis Christmas Show," she said.

Amidst trends, Iuliano said that the popularity of shows like 'Trip the light fantastic toe Moms' and 'World of Dance' increased the demand for competition-track dance schools nationwide over the by decade.

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In terms of genres, "contemporary dance is huge today as well equally acro, an athletic fashion of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements," she said. "Dance has also become more inclusive than ever; the industry is getting away from historic stereotypes such equally runway-sparse ballet dancers and is breaking barriers, which is great to run into."

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'Family is everything'

I thing that hasn't inverse over time is the school'due south dedication to its students, their families and its squad of instructors.

"We offer free trial classes, complimentary classes for boys for their first yr, and a range of discounts to make participation more comfortable for students and their families," Myslinski said. "Nosotros besides offer a yearly customer appreciation funfair, make up any classes that are canceled due to snow or other circumstances, offer a free digital copy of every recital to each studio family, and celebrate our graduating seniors.

"Overall, 'family is everything' is our motto," Myslinski said. "All teachers and staff are part of our family and we develop relationships with our students across just dance."

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Karen Santiago, accountant for a life science company and mother to 12-year-old daughter Sophia, couldn't agree more.

"Sophia'due south been dancing at Rising Stars for seven years and currently takes viii to 10 classes a week in everything from contemporary and ballet to hip hop, tap and jazz," shared Santiago, a Manalapan resident. "The teachers are very experienced, fix the kids so well, and truly accommodate their style to what each student needs. The school also promotes a family-blazon atmosphere that's very caring, thoughtful and supportive.

"Sophia loves being there and is always smiling, even when she's working and so hard," Santiago continued, noting that her daughter'due south confidence has soared since attending Rising Stars. "Joelle and Jody are and so caring and professional and truly love what they do; information technology'southward a big family and students at Ascension Stars tin can wait to accept a lot of fun while getting top-notch education."

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While state regulations challenge pocket-sized businesses similar Ascension Stars and students' vacation schedules can make enrollment variable in the summertime, "we're always open to trying new things and pursuing new programs and ideas," Iuliano said. Such initiatives include the school'due south new 'Awards Calendar week' and 'Sneak Peek Dance Week' (previewing the fall schedule) following the recital in May as well every bit opportunities to work with guest choreographers.

"Ultimately, we're excited to pass on our love of the art to the next generation," Myslinski said. "At Rising Stars, kids learn that hard piece of work pays off and we're so proud of their achievements."

In addition to imparting strong dance technique, "we take a strict no-bullying policy, teach kindness and teamwork, and produce wonderful human being beings," she said.

"Nosotros beloved our kids, staff, and the artistic aspect of what we do," Iuliano agreed.  "It'southward exciting to see students grasp the content we teach them and extremely rewarding to know that nosotros've touched the lives of and so many kids in so many ways."

Rising Stars School of Dance & Performing Arts

Location: 337 Road 9, Manalapan

Phone: 732-462-5505

Owners: Jody Myslinski and Joelle Iuliano

Launched: In existence since 1987; re-launched under current owners and new name in 2001

Website: world wide web.risingstarsnj.com

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Source: https://www.app.com/story/money/business/main-street/2020/01/30/rising-stars-school-dance-performing-arts-manalapan/4541057002/

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