Class Descriptions and Dress Code

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A specially designed program for our youngest students. Classes include singing, dancing, musical instruments, scarves, creative movement; all of which can be adapted to your child's age and ability. No registration fee or monthly tuition, 

just the convenience of a "drop-in class".

Contact the studio for more information.

AGES 3-4

The fundamentals of Ballet, Tap and/or Jazz are introduced in a class that stimulates creativity and self expression. Focus is on instilling a 'love of dance'.

Any color leotard and tights. Shoes depend on genre. Hair in ponytail or braid

AGES 4.5-5 and 6+

Children choose from classes that combine different styles. They have fun learning new steps and dance combinations as the develop their coordination, musicality, and confidence.

Any color leotard and tights. Shoes depend on genre. Hair in ponytail or braid

Any color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Skirts optional. Ballet students in Level 2A and above must have hair in a bun.

Any color leotard, tights or leggings. 

Capezio caramel split sole, slip-on jazz shoes. 

Hair must be pulled back in ponytail or braid

Any color leotard, tights or leggings.

Shoes depend on class. Contact the studio for info.

Hair must be pulled back in ponytail or braid

Any color leotard, tights, or leggings. 

Shoes: Capezio "turners"

Hair must be pulled back in ponytail or braid

Any color leotard, tights or leggings.

Shoes depend on class. Contact the studio for info.

Hair must be pulled back in ponytail or braid

Adult classes are just for fun! We offer Adult Ballet and Adult Tap! You may wear whatever you are comfortable moving around in... no tights and leotard required. You will need the proper footwear for the genre. 

Tap & Jazz

Izabel trained at Dance World Academy in Passaic, under Donna Farinella. She then furthered her dance education at Passaic County Technical Institute's Dance Program under Jennifer Ackermann and Cassandra Rossi. She choreographed dances for her Spring Concert and Senior Showcase, and was inducted into the National Honor Society of Dance Arts. Izabel attended the American Youth Dance Theater summer intensive. Izabel has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Horton, Contemporary, and Pointe. She has worked with various choreographers including Alex Biegelson, Daniel Padierna, Carolyn Dorfman, Janice Rosario, Jay T. Jenkins, Josh Asor, and J.P. Ferrari. She is currently attending Rutgers University to become a Physicians Assistant.

Hip-Hop & Tap 

Hannah DeLisa is currently studying Dance at County College of Morris. She began her training at just two years old and has built a strong foundation across multiple styles, including Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Her performance experience includes appearances in major events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Chita Rivera Awards, and World of Dance NYC. For the past three years, Hannah has been a member of Transcendence Dance Collective, performing in showcases including Sybarite, World of Dance NYC, and the Freshly Squeezed Festival. She continues to expand her training and refine her craft at respected studios such as Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Ripley Grier Studios.

In addition to performing, Hannah is an experienced choreographer. She has created work for Roxbury High School, the Lakeland Hills YMCA Dance Program, the County College of Morris April Showcase, and various studios throughout New Jersey.

Performance Troupe, Tap & Jazz

  Kimberly graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Musical Theater at Montclair State University. As a performer, Kimberly has been in numerous works at CCM, MSU, American College Dance Festival, HATCH Presenting Series, the 92nd Street Y, and DUMBO Dance Festival. She was awarded the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council honor for dance, and was recognized by CCM for outstanding dance performance. She was a company member with Zaman Dance Theatre Collective. 

  As a professional choreographer, Kimberly has created pieces for CCM and MSU, as well as musicals for high schools, colleges, and community theatre. She has choreographed over 30 shows, including Hairspray, The Producers, Newsies, and currently The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Randolph High School. In 2015, her original piece, “Rodin in Movement,” was selected for the 21st annual Jersey Voices Festival in Chatham, where it received overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Ballet, Tap, & Jazz

 Chrystina joined our faculty after graduation at Susquehanna University (2014) with a B.A. in communications/public relations and a minor in dance. She served as president and choreographer of SU’s student-run dance program and also performed with the Susquehanna University Dance Team. During her college years she choreographed musical theater productions for high school and community theaters.

Chrystina grew up training and competing in every genre of dance at The Ballet Barre. Throughout high school she assisted the faculty at classes, attended workshops, conventions, master classes, summer intensives and augmented her training at Broadway Dance Center. We’re delighted she is still passionate about dance and loves mentoring children of all ages.

Tap, Jazz, Modern

  Kate McMurray graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual degrees and certifications in Dance Education and Theatre Studies from Montclair State University. Upon graduation she received the Dean's Scholar Award, the highest academic honor for the College of the Arts, and the Dance Education award for excellence in teaching. Following graduation, she accepted a performance style role at Walt Disney World for a short contract before traveling to Sydney, Australia where she taught dance, creative movement, and master classes in Broadway dance technique. After returning to New Jersey in 2014, Kate headed back to the classroom to teach dance and theatre in high schools. She is the current dance director for the Morris Catholic Dance Company, a dance program that she began. Kate believes in the benefits of dance education for students of all ability levels and is thrilled to be returning to the Ballet Barre this year!

Tap, Jazz, Modern

 Melanie Jackson graduated from Montclair State University in 2013 with a BFA in Dance while pursuing a second degree in Dietetics. Upon graduation she continued to perform at dance festivals and numerous theatrical productions, including two of her favorite musicals, West Side Story and a Christmas Carol. Melanie trained at The Ballet Barre in all genres and is ecstatic to be able to teach at the same studio. She is a talented singer, actor and choreographer combining her passion for the performing arts with a professional career at Atlantic Health System. 

  Ballet & Pointe

Karen Verso received her early training at New Jersey School of Ballet, joined the New Jersey Ballet Company at 14 and at 18 she rose to the rank of principal dancer.  During her career, she danced with several companies including Boston Repertory Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Ohio Ballet, and Dennis Wayne’s Dancers where she performed principal and soloist roles in an eclectic repertoire touring extensively throughout Europe, South America, Canada and the U.S.  At the invitation of Twyla Tharp, Karen joined Twyla Tharp Dance where she appeared as a featured “stomper” in the premiere of Tharp’s blockbuster, In the Upper Room.  

Ms. Verso has served as Director of Dayton Ballet II, Associate Director of Connecticut Conservatory of Dance, and Adjunct Professor of Dance at Raritan Valley Community College. She also served as Assistant to the Répétiteur when she worked with her husband to restage Jerome Robbins’ NY Export: Opus Jazz on New York City Ballet and the Joffrey Company, and Robbins’Moves on Kansas City Ballet on behalf of the Robbins’ Rights Trust.  With her husband, Karen also founded and directed the Dance Center of New Jersey and The Repertory Dancers, a pre-professional performing group, for aspiring young dancers.  

She has taught students of every level in dance schools, summer intensives, and colleges, in NYC and throughout the U.S.  

Ballet & Pointe

 Allison Westrick was born and raised in Long Valley, New Jersey. She began her training at the age of  three, and at age 15, she began her pre-professional career through Z Artists Group. Her international experiences include a cultural exchange with Malpaso Dance Company through the Joyce Theater Foundation in Havana, Cuba, Assisting her mentor Joelle Cosentino at the DanzArt Festival in Sicily, Italy, and a residency in Mumbai, India. Allison has notably performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Broadway’s BC/EFA Easter Bonnet Competition, Dancers Demand Action Benefit at the Joyce Theater, as well as United Nations Reception for Adolescent Health. She received her BFA in Dance Performance at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance in May 2024. Allison has done additional training  with Joy Apluerto Ritter through B12 international festival,  Juliano Nunes and Flockworks at Orsolina28, the EXPLORE Program at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble’s Ballet Intensive, and more. Allison was also chosen to represent Purchase at London Contemporary Dance School as a study abroad student, where she performed works that culminated from investigative processes. 

OWNER and DIRECTOR

 Heather received her training at The Ballet Barre, through The Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, and the School of the Garden State Ballet. She was awarded a four year talent scholarship from DeSales University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Upon graduation Heather was the recipient of the “Excellence in Teaching Award”.

Heather has performed ballet and modern with the Garden State Ballet, the DeSales Dance Touring Company, university concerts and art festivals. She taught all ages and levels of abilities at The School of the Garden State Ballet before joining the Ballet Barre as an instructor in 2008. 

Heather is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Instensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Heather’s classes and choreography give students opportunities to express themselves as they develop their artistic talents from one level to the next.

FOUNDER

Suzanne established The Ballet Barre in 1983. She is a registered teacher and member of the Royal Academy of Dance, London, England, an affiliate of The American Academy of Ballet and served on the advisory board of the dance department at Morris County College.

Her experience and dedication to teaching is reflected in her students’ achievements. They have won medals, awards and scholarships, and have been selected by audition to further their studies at The School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theater Summer Intensives, Jacqueline Onassis School at ABT, Kirov Academy, Nutmeg Conservatory and The Rock School, among many others.

Students have been the recipients of scholarships to The New Jersey Governor’s School for the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School and the American Academy of Ballet, in addition to colleges and universities. Former students are professional performers with jazz, ballet and modern dance companies; others have pursed dance related careers as instructors, choreographers and theater arts physical therapists.

We are honored to have worked with some fantastic professional dancers, in both Master classes and as guest choreographers.

Sean Kelly, Alexandra Gonzalez, Courtney Nitting, Victoria Strata, Lisa Peluso, Cari Sanchez, Ashley Talluto, Auina Gebara, Raynor Rubel, Maggie Herzog Meyer, Megan Braine, Kelly Peterson, Michelle Robinson ...